Someone suggested I post this here

[FirstTimer]

As a DVC member I have to tell you a few things about trading. First off, it is VERY difficult to trade into DVC. Most of the information I've seen is that there is about a 10% success rate through Interval International with all DVC requests, so I wouldn't get your hopes up too high that a trade would work. Also, when you trade into DVC through Inverval International, you MUST book a whole week, as you must trade a whole week to get the trade. You can't book a few nights, even if your other timeshare allows such bookings.

Oh ok, hmm that gives me something to think about. Can I really take a 12 day vacation 7 at disney land and 4 on the cruise, hmmm. Also the success rate is troubling but we'll just stay at a resort off property if we have to, it makes no sense to pay for a hotel when we can just trade into it. Hmmm now I gotta figure out how much it would be to stay at disney for 7 days instead of 4.

 

[lbgraves]

I really don't know how the who DVC point thing works, but would it be possible for you to just sell or rent those points for that week and use the money for this trip? Does that make any sense?

 

[FirstTimer]

I really don't know how the who DVC point thing works, but would it be possible for you to just sell or rent those points for that week and use the money for this trip? Does that make any sense?

yeah i don't know how that whole thing works but I don't own any property in DVC my property is in hawaii, but we use the same points program so I was gonna trade into it but I can only trade into it for a week and I only wanna stay 4 nights cause I'm doing the 4 nights disney cruise. ahh I'll figure something out.

 

[lbgraves]

Maybe if you contact the time share property they can tell you about possible ways to do that. I'm sure there are places where you can sell a week's stay. Hope it all works out for you!

 

[FirstTimer]

Good to see you on the boards, firsttimer! First thing to do is NOT book the insurance thru Disney. Assess America is the company they use and you can book thru them directly with their AAA Family plan. You do NOT have to belong to AAA and if you get an agent who insists on it, just tell them you want to talk to a sup or call back. Your DD will be covered for free and the rates are much lower than thru DCL. Add up the cost of your entire vacation to have coverage from one company.

I just pulled up a few dates in late August for 2 adults & 1 4 yo. I took off insurance & transfers & no airfare.
8/25/05 cat 11 1462.89 cat 10 1562.89 First seating at 6 pm is still available!
8/18/05 cat 11 1522.89

Last year the value resorts were priced at 55 a night including taxes around that time. We have stayed at the AS Movies which the kids LOVED and had just as great of a time at MK & DTD as if we had stayed anywhere else. We were upgraded to an 8 from an 11 on our first cruise but stayed in a cat 10 on the second. There was the same amount of room space in the 10 as there is in the 8 AND we had more storage space in the double steamer trunk. In fact, I will miss that next cruise in our 8. IMO there will be plenty of room for the 3 of you in an 11. You get to experience the same cruise as if you were in a higher category. We also did not go on any excursions but walked around the areas on our own. With the air fare wars going on all the time, you should be able to get a better rate that will also help. GOOD LUCK!

If you can transfer the time share for WDW, you will have an even nicer experience.

ok what's the contact info for Assess America?

 

[lbgraves]

Here's their number 1-866-807-3982. Remember, it's the AAA family plan where kids are covered at no charge. If they insist that you need to belong to AAA, get another person on the phone who knows what they are talking about. Does this mean that you have a cruise to get covered? It cost DH & I $43 each for coverage for the entire family of 4 for up to $4000 of coverage. Only 86 for peace of mind.

 

[FirstTimer]

Here's their number 1-866-807-3982. Remember, it's the AAA family plan where kids are covered at no charge. If they insist that you need to belong to AAA, get another person on the phone who knows what they are talking about. Does this mean that you have a cruise to get covered? It cost DH & I $43 each for coverage for the entire family of 4 for up to $4000 of coverage. Only 86 for peace of mind.

I'm gonna spend 4 nights at disney and 4 nights on the cruise, my cruise is from sept. 11-15 that way we'll be on the cruise when DD turns 5 on sept. 13th, disney here I come

 

[lbgraves]

YEAH!!!!!! Guess that we will be seeing you on Friday nights more often. Glad to hear that you were able to convince DH to give it a try.

 

[FirstTimer]

Yaaaay I did one step closer,, purchased the AAA Family plan and no problems whatsover, disney here I come

 

[wdwstar]

after reading all the posts , i am glad you decided on going in sept. i was going to post that dvc members are having a hard time geting their dates in aug. and i know dvc members are on a waitlist. ok, now i think you maybe be able to trade your hawaii for dvc . go over to the dvc rent/trade board and post your 1 week hawaii , which resorts in hawaii you can use them at and what time of year. what dates are you looking for the bwv ? i can point you in the direction what to ask for and to see if will be a fair trade. the bcv are very nice to plus it has this great pool.

 

[Jules123]

If you stay at the value resorts & pick up breakfast food & snacks so that you aren't paying the outrageous food prices at the park or at the resort's food courts I don't see why a family of 3 can't spend a week between DCL & WDW with moderation in mind for $3000. Our family of 4 spent 7 days on The Magic 11/15/03 with three days /3 nights at WDW before hand for under $4000 including tips, souveniers, food, cruisefare, gas, & parking at the port. We took two days to drive down to FL & back so there was a hotel room on each drive to FL for a total of 12 days away from home.

WOW, I'm impressed. My DH might even go for those figures!

 

[lbgraves]

We brought snacks & breakfast food with us as well as juice boxes & water bottles. The hotel stays on the road used the points that DH accumulates with his work travel during the year so that wasn't a cost for us really, but you could find a nice place for 50 a night.

Glad to hear that you are still planning to go!

 

[FirstTimer]

after reading all the posts , i am glad you decided on going in sept. i was going to post that dvc members are having a hard time geting their dates in aug. and i know dvc members are on a waitlist. ok, now i think you maybe be able to trade your hawaii for dvc . go over to the dvc rent/trade board and post your 1 week hawaii , which resorts in hawaii you can use them at and what time of year. what dates are you looking for the bwv ? i can point you in the direction what to ask for and to see if will be a fair trade. the bcv are very nice to plus it has this great pool.

Actually I already made my hotel ressies, we're staying at Cypress Pointe because the disney resorts don't allow you to split up the week and I couldn't pull off 7 days at disney and 4 nights on the cruise, so instead we're staying 4 nights at the hotel and 4 nights at disney

 

[allshookup]

Did you know that Disney is offering the free dining plan from 8/20 to 10/4? You need to book a Disney Resort by 7/3 & some dates are sold out. Check out the link at the top of the Resorts page for more info.