The evils of DVC & APs...

[lenshanem]

OK, let me tell you what your guide never will...

You thought you were hooked so you join DVC. Then you get to go more, then you buy an AP, then you realize you have an AP so you should go some more, just squeeze in one trip here, then one trip there, then you realize you don't have enough points, so you try to figure out how you can swing another add on, but you can't so you are now waiting for AP codes to come out so you can give Disney some more of your money and...

Get my point?!?

Just back from two trips this summer, then hubby has to throw in a we should go down for a couple nights for a get away without the kids since we have an AP. Well, we were planning on doing that anyway for our anniversary in February, but I've got burn out! I've yet to be away from my 3 1/2 year old, have only left my 6 year old once - I think I need a break! (Notice my guilt here for even contemplating it?) I think we need to move farther away from WDW...

 

[lenshanem]

I just realized this is a perfect example as to why DVC should give us discounts on APs! More people will buy them and thus end up needing more points! DUH! Hello?!?

 

[DVCforWe3]

Shan:

We should all have such problems - LOL! Just look at it this way - you're closer to WDW so you need more points! Since you don't have to pay for airline tickets, you can afford those extra points!! Right???!?!?

I think anyone who can easily drive to WDW is VERY fortunate as are those people who get those great airfares. There are times when we can get decent airfares out of St. Louis (not like it used to be when TWA still existed or before AA cut half its flights) but it can be a major expense -- we're looking at $1000+ for 3 people to fly down over the Christmas holiday. OUCH!!

Without a doubt, Disney knows how to market its products!

RuthM

 

[lenshanem]

Yes, you're right. If we had to pay for airfare we wouldn't go down nearly as much. It takes us around seven hours to get there. Not too close and not too far.

Actually, we used to fly down since it is about an hour flight, but now with all the extra security, etc. it would take us probably six hours anyway to get parked, go thru the gates, take Mears, etc. so it just doesn't seem worth it.

 

[alsipd]

I thought I was the only one this happened to!

The wife and I ended up purchasing more points just 6 months after our original purchase and have been AP holders for the last two years.

Is there a support group for the insane Disney fanatic?

 

[dianeschlicht]

I'll trade places with you Shan! You can live in the frozen north farther away from WDW, and I'll stay closer to WDW in a much more moderate winter!

 

[SleepyatDVC]

He, he, he,...

The evil minds over at Disney and DVC.

I suspect that one of the reasons they lowered the minimum DVC purchase to 150 points was to "lure" unsuspecting vacationers in.

They buy and then those with no self control (like me) are seduced by the frequent trip, AP's, and bigger accommodations into BUYING MORE POINTS or as Shan has resorted to staying at the hotels for CASH!!!

 

[yasuern]

Shan,


Oh my God - I was just saying to DH that we shold go to WDW w/o DD for a few night get away! We have AP and SW airlines on the dates we are thinking of going are $230.40 rt/ns for the two of us! We too are thinking of staying NON DVC not for lack of pts - just so we can bank some for a Family thing in the works for 2005.


If we do go it would be our 5th trip since December 2003! Sue

 

[lenshanem]

Sue, that is too funny!

Hubby is all for it, but I'm actually embarrassed to ask our parents to watch the girls. I just went in June and July. But, it's different. I'm always the one who sits out while everyone else rides the "thrill rides". I'm always the one pushing the stroller, taking the girls to the potty every thirty minutes, etc... You get the idea.

It would be nice to go for a few nights and just ride all the rides my girls can't or won't. And eat a couple nice meals all the way through. Be able to browse thru some shops.

I never really leave them so I don't know how my youngest would do. We have already planned our ten year anniversary trip in February alone and then back again in April for spring break with all of us. If we go again that would make five trips on my AP!
Should I be embarrassed? These APs are DANGEROUS.

Our points are used up for future trips. A matter of fact we are borrowing to take his parents to VB next summer. I guess we could borrow more, but I hate to get in that groove. Plus, we'd have to do a Saturday night.

I'm waiting on AP codes, we'll go really cheap, either PC or POFQ. We discussed we won't be in the room much.

I know I'll worry about the kids, but they kinda have WDW burn out, plus they'll be in school.

OK, enough. I'm driving myself crazy.

 

[marymrg]

I just got off of the phone with a resaler inquiring about an add-on and wondering if I buy it, would I be able to sneak in another trip in the Fall?? Afterall, I have the AP and some good flight deals.

If I lived within driving distance, it would be even worse!!!

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

I know exactly what you're saying.

After our trip last June, our AP's more than paid for themselves. And there just wasn't a time that our entire family could get away for another trip last year as DH was very busy.

A couple of times when I spotted great deals on airfare, I thought about packing up and taking the kids without DH--something that I have NEVER wanted to do. And it would absolutely not be as fun without him.

But, I just didn't want to waste those AP's!!!!

It never actually happenned, but I definitely considered it!

 

[MrsM]

Glad to see I'm not the only one! We already purchased APs for our upcoming trip in November, thinking that we would go again in October '05 and get two trips on the APs.

I recently mentioned to DH that with Southwest now flying out of PHL (only about an hour away) that maybe we could also fit in a weekend trip in January - after all, we'll already have APs! I also recently called about adding on points and told our DVC rep that we did find a down side - wanting to go to Disney more often!

 

[Lesley]

Shan, this is exactly why we aren't getting AP's this year! All our extra cash...and then some...was going to Disney. There are renovations we want to do on the house that aren't happening because both our time and $ are at wDW.

So we're getting park hoppers in Dec. and we'll use them for 2 trips (maybe more....I really only have 2 park days planned for December!)

And I do think this is a great example of why they should give DVC members discounts on AP's! With a discount they could suck us right back in....especially if it were a really good discount (ie. like FL resident....or even a bit higher...but more than 10%)

Just spent about $500 at WDW last weekend that we wouldn't have if we didn't have AP's at the time....we would have stayed home.

 

[StormTigger]

Oh Shan, we definitely feel your pain.

SO and I where down in May, we had hoppers, but since we knew we would be down again in Sept w/ my family, and the fact that hoppers don't expire, we decided to save the hoppers, bite the bullet and buy AP's. Of course now w/ AP's we decided to get in a trip next year in March, which was going to be the year we skip WDW (big trip to Italy in the works *crosses fingers*).

To make matters worse, I book our Sept trip on Southwest early, of course Southwest faires drop before our trip so I rebook. Problem is I booked the 1st trip using a credit I had, so now I have credit on Southwest that I have to use before Mid Jan 05. My SO's answer, "We got the AP's why not just get a little 4 day trip in Dec?"

Of course I have no points left to use, so now I'm waiting for the specials for Dec. I just have one question.. Can we sue Disney for Addiction??

DVCforWe3, I'm in StLouis too (HI THERE NEIGHBOR!), have you tried Southwest? I love Southwest, I know the "cattle call" boarding experience is something one can live w/o, but we got round trip airfare for Sept for $137/ea!

 

[Pinnie]

Man, can I relate to these posts!

When we first bought into DVC, we figured a trip every year or every other year. HA! First trip down was in a 2 bedroom and we bought APs. Came home and did an add on. Now we go in December for a long weekend, I go in Feb for the Outback Classic Run with friends (long weekend) , we go over Easter, in July for DCI competitions and then I am going back in August for another long weekend.

I live in MI and flying is the ONLY option I have. BUT, I fly SWA and they have an awesome Rapid Rewards Program and at least 2 of my round trips per year are FREE! Love that SWA VISA card and the fact that I do travel a lot in the summer to DCI competitions.

In 2005 we will have to cut out one of our WDW trips because we are going to make a return trip to Disneyland and DCA for the 50th anniversary.

I would be going this week to WDW, but I am off to Denver, CO for DCI finals on Wednesday....just got back from TN last night and that trip will give me another RR RT!

pinnie