Tired of WDW - Hawaii or Cruise?

[DVDBAMBI]

The family has requested that we go somewhere else beside WDW next year. They have been there 9 years in a row and they want a change.

We were thinking of going to Hawaii or maybe the WDW cruise. With regards to Hawaii, is it too late to book for next year? Would like the summer but I'm willing to go anytime after April 18th to the EOY. Have people had good luck using the International Interval to the exchange - any suggestions?

I was also looking at the 4/30/04 Eastern 7 day cruise but it is so many points. It would take me 2 years of points (600- Category 6) just to use for my spouse and me. Then I would have to pay cash for son (9 years) and sister. Any suggestions?

 

[dis-happy]

If you've never been on a cruise, I would definitely do it--especially with your son, who's at a great age to enjoy things and do things with you.

Another option (if the points are a killer and Hawaii is too late) is Vero Beach or HH. Have you considered that as well? They're both very "un-Disney".

 

[crisi]

We really enjoyed our cruise. You might want to look into renting the points and paying cash. A lot of DVCers think that is a better deal.

 

[DVDBAMBI]

As of yesterday I saw the renting issue - I guess I will have to check more into this option. I don't know anything on how it works.

 

[goofyforlife]

If I understood your post you have 300 points per year....

You could easily rent out one years points....

take all four of you on the cruise for cash....

and still have money left over to cover your dues...

 

[DVDBAMBI]

Yes, you are correct. Can you point me in the right direction on how to do this?

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Why not take a Hawaii cruise and have the best of both worlds? That way you can visit all the larger islands without packing and unpacking every few days. We did this a few years ago and really enjoyed it.

As for renting points, all you have to do is use the "search" function and you should be able to find lots of threads with useful info...good luck.

 

[Dean]

The HI II exchange will be a better value than using points for the exchange. However, HI is a difficult exchange and you should generally start a search AT LEAST a year in advance. Of course you could rent your points and have more and better choices in most cases.

 

[Cinderelli]

DVCBAMBI,

We are doing the same thing. My family all is requesting to do something else, so we plan to take several years off of WDW. We hope to visit Atlantis next year, then will use 2 years of points to do the cruise in 2006. Our next trip to WDW won't be until 2008 or 2009. Well, that's the plan anyway.

Have fun. We have how many years left?

Lissa

 

[FreeTime]

I am the one in our family who is tired or going to WDW and have been looking for different options. I priced a 4 day cruise and an inside stateroom was $3000. If I am reading correctly, Goofyforlife, is advising the original posted that they can get a 7 day for this price. What travel agent is this through? BTW-I also considered DL and it was actually cheaper to go to the GC on points, then renting a room for next May. This included 59 points for a weekend night. So all of this being said, I am leaning toward HHI, but the we have invited family for next winter, so DH has convinced me to get an AP again this Dec, go again in May, and again in Nov. How do I convince the family otherwise? Help please!

 

[Laurabearz]

We love HHI and think of it as a land locked cruise with larger rooms. There are a lot of Disney activites there, plus interesting little towns to make day trips. The beach is marvy too.

We have added HHI into our rotation and cant wait to go back!