Using DVC when you own home in Orlando?

[goofy4dvc]

We are about to purchase a townhome in the Orlando area which we will use as a vacation home until retirement in about 8-9 years. After retirement, we will live there about 6 months of the year during to escape the winters here in the midwest. So, DH is saying we don't need the DVC points if we have a 3 BR townhome in Orlando. We have 150 VB, 125 BCV, and 100 VWL. I say I will give up 150 VB points, but swant to keep the BCV and VWL points because ometimes you just HAVE to stay at a WDW and it's not the same if you go off property when you leave the parks. After all, that's why we purchased DVC. I know it wasn't a good use of points, and I didn't want to do it, but DH made the decision to use points to stay in NYC last summer due to the high cost of hotel rooms.

Anyway, how do those of you who live full time or part time in the Orlando justify and use your DVC points?

Also on a side note, I have some questions about living in Orlando, such as:

How do you handle the drinking water problem? Do you have water filters installed on your kitchen faucet?

We stayed in a Marriott timeshare for a week a few years ago and mold started growoing in the shower (yuck!, don't have that problem here). I assume the humidity is to blame. If we stay in the townhouse for a week and don't come back for 6 months, will be have a big mold problem in the shower? How to you deal with this?

Do you get tired of WDW when you live in Orlando? Or does it still hold the magic for you?

Any other things you discovered that you didn't expect?

 

[Disneypirate85]

Since DW and I are asking/thinking the same thing I'll be watching this thread with interest

 

[Longhairbear]

I am interested in following this thread also, as we plan to add on at GCV in CA. We live an hour away from Disneyland, and wonder how often FLA, or Orlando residents use their DVC.

 

[OlderMan]

We don't live in Orlando, but we are about an hour away in Melbourne (on the East Coast of FL).

When we moved here, I was convinced that we should sell DVC, but DW wouldn't hear of it.

Today, we visit OKW (our home resort) two or three times per year. Sometimes we go for a week, sometimes just two or three days. It's a nice change of scenery!

Do I still wish we had sold? A resounding "NO!"

 

[JaxFLBear]

We live less than an hour north and bought AKV last year. We usually go in Sep and Nov for our birthdays and then in Dec for the Candlelight Processional. We love Disney and it's really nice not to have to drive that hour home in the evening.

We drop the dogs off at the kennel, load the car and in less than an hour later where at WDW. Best thing is, no plane tickets.

We've started doing more of the tours that they offer. We're doing the backstage magic tour this September.

 

[durango kid]

It is less than ten minutes from our front door to Mickey's front door, and we use our points ALL THE TIME! I wish I had more, but the Mrs won't hear of it. We use them for overnights, birthdays, we just spent a week at Vero, and when the kids come we give them a night or two.

Fr the water we do have a filter on the chilled fridge tap.

We appreciate WDW more than ever and go on a weekly basis, even if it's just to pop in. For fathers day went went just long enough to have a bagel from Starring Rolls and then a ride on ToT and Toy Story Mania. On Mothers day we went Horseback riding at Fort Wilderness. Being able to come and go as you please is a great benefit

 

[MikMin6554]

We live less than an hour north and bought AKV last year. We usually go in Sep and Nov for our birthdays and then in Dec for the Candlelight Processional. We love Disney and it's really nice not to have to drive that hour home in the evening.

We drop the dogs off at the kennel, load the car and in less than an hour later where at WDW. Best thing is, no plane tickets.

We've started doing more of the tours that they offer. We're doing the backstage magic tour this September.

JaxFLBear,

My family and I are planning to move to the area next year. How is it in Longwood? Is it a good area for families with children? He will be starting High School and there seems to be a pretty good one there. Any info would be appreciated. PM if you me if you would like to.

 

[WALTSAGOD]

I don't live in Orlando, but living close to WDW and driving in each day is not the same as staying onsite in a nice resort.

At least not to me.

 

[OrlandoNative]

I live about 20 mins from Mouse if not rush hour on I-4 and 45 if is. We use all our points and even have to borrow and we have 660 points. Love to get away for weekends. Like different world literally. Also go to VB a lot.

Can't help with water because I am native and drink out of the tap without filter.

MikMin6554, Longwood is nice area but be sure to get in Lake Brantley High school district if you move there because a couple of years ago they divided that school district and some of the area now goes Lymen High. Lymen used to be not so good school but improving with the kids from Sable Palms. However, Lake Brantley still better. Also check out Maitland and Winter Park. They are in the Winter Park High district which has consistantly been one of the top schools in Central Florida. The elementry and middle schools in that district are also excellent. That is the Orange County School District.

 

[mla973]

Thanks for the question and responses. We are thinking of moving down to O-town as well. We own BWV, but not as many points as the PP's, so it's not a huge concern. I figured that we could use our points to house family or just for fun get-a-ways, not to mention exchanges with DCL and other non-WDW resorts.

 

[spiceycat]

when I first joined the DVC members meet the most were locals.

when I asked why

shopping trip
christmas

got told 'when you live in florida expect unexpected guests' if they liked the guests they would send them to DVC (OKW then). if they didn't they would leave themselves and go to DVC - saying 'sorry but we were going away'....

that sounds like a very good reason to me!

 

[SCDizneyDawn]

We also are thinking we will move to the area in 2 yrs and have already decieded we will not sell because all we will be paying are maint fees. We will use our points for II, Disney cruise, rooms on grounds for F&W, MNSSHP, MVMCP, ect. I am sure we will have no problem using our 627 points.

I was wanting to add on at BLT but now that will not happen since we plan to move to Fla in a couple yrs. Will just have to try for some 7 mo reservations!

Thanks for asking the question! Helped hearing what others do!

 

[madcoco]

There was a thread on this a few weeks back. Can't seem to find it now. Most of ours are at VB We used to stay mainly onsite at the 7 month mark before switching around permanent residences. now we find ourselves using the points more at VB and for Disneyland trips.

got told 'when you live in florida expect unexpected guests' if they liked the guests they would send them to DVC (OKW then). if they didn't they would leave themselves and go to DVC - saying 'sorry but we were going away'....

We have to pull out the calendar and mark down reservations at our home. LOL Speaking of the devil pun intended, just remembered who is coming to visit next week. Anyone have room?

 

[ilovecoasters]

JaxFLBear,

My family and I are planning to move to the area next year. How is it in Longwood? Is it a good area for families with children? He will be starting High School and there seems to be a pretty good one there. Any info would be appreciated. PM if you me if you would like to.

I'm a teacher in Seminole county. PM any questions. I will give you an honest opinion about the various programs offered at the county High Schools. The county relies heavily on magnet programs, so your son will have his choice of schools to attend.

We love owning dvc even though we are under an hour away. We like going for 2-3 day trips about 5 times a year. There are no worries about driving home tired. Like the OP said, we are also doing more tours and enjoying the resorts.

 

[MikMin6554]

I'm a teacher in Seminole county. PM any questions. I will give you an honest opinion about the various programs offered at the county High Schools. The county relies heavily on magnet programs, so your son will have his choice of schools to attend.

We love owning dvc even though we are under an hour away. We like going for 2-3 day trips about 5 times a year. There are no worries about driving home tired. Like the OP said, we are also doing more tours and enjoying the resorts.

Thank you ilovecoasters,
I sent you a pm.
By looking at your avatar I think you are in one of the areas we are looking at.

 

[thelobstershanty]

I own a home that is less than 5 minutes from WDW and also own DVC. I owned a home in FL before I bought DVC but that home was about an hour from WDW, so when I owned that home we always used DVC points to stay during WDW trips. Then last year I bought a home in WDW's backyard (we can see WDW fireworks from our home) and have not stayed on property since. But I am still glad to have the DVC points. I have no problem renting them, my DD and her Fiance used points for a SSR trip in March and are planning to trade DVC points for their honeymoon in HI. I know I will also take weekend trips to stay at WDW once I have finished everything I want to do to my new house. My DVC points aren't going anywhere. They are completely paid for and only cost dues every year which is deducted monthly from my account, so I do not even feel it!
In regards to the water, for drinking I buy bottled water (because I prefer bottled water), but I do have a water softner filter for bathing and laundry. The water at my home is very hard and dries out my skin terribly, without the water softner.
In regards to Longwood schools, a very good friend's daughter went all the way through Longwood public school system and she got a fantastic education. The kid never got anything lower than an A, she has always been a model student and her parents are really on top of her education. So if the schools were lacking I am sure I would have heard about it and their DD would have been put into a private school. The girl is now a Sr. at FSU on a full scholarship, so the Longwood schools must have done a good job.

 

[madcoco]

OT Hello neighbor. Have you ever found that lost shaker of salt?

 

[thelobstershanty]

OT Hello neighbor. Have you ever found that lost shaker of salt?

Only about 750 of them!!
What is sooooo funny is that I collect and have collected salt and pepper shakers for the past 25+ years and own approx 750 sets! I am in the process of cleaning and wrapping those 750 sets, as we speak, due to some refurbishment being done to my house!! AND I am listening to my Jimmy Buffett CD "Meet Me In Margaritaville"!!
It does not take much to amuse me on a Sat afternoon while doing tedious work! LOL!!