Congrats and Welcome Home!!! So happy for you.. it really is such a beautiful resort and if they had a sleeper chair in the 1 bedroom we would stay more often. This group as I’m sure you know is the best there is. Everyone is so kind and so very helpful. Congratulations again and we all welcome you!!
It’s happened to me, too.
I'm sorry. Who are you?
We don't do intruders here--only people who are Groupies or soon will be.
So, to that end,
We're so glad you opted to join in. As others have mentioned, the only requirement to join is a love of the Lodge, and you obviously had/have that. Now that you own points, the emotion is even stronger, I'll bet. Love the fact you call it VWL--it will always be that way to us, as well. None of us hold it against anyone who decides to call it. . .well. . .that other name. However, I bought VWL years ago and so it shall remain, just as it will always be MGM to my wife. I do keep a running log of those who are visiting Disney (not just the Lodge) on Page 1, and if you'd like to be included just shoot me a note here or you can message me. Grab a drink, pull up a rocker (and a spittoon if you need), and join in anytime you like. We're glad you're "home."
)
Yeah, the problem with Gold is that it has black out dates for many of the school holidays, and that is when we end up going. My youngest is starting her junior year of high school this year, so in two years, it may not be such an issue for us.
)...congratulations on seeing your points on line! It is an exciting feeling, isn't it? We joined 18 years ago and I can still remember the excitement of having the points and making reservations with them. Suzy (we abbreviate everyone's names here
That's just fine! My family calls me Suzy. ;-)
One money saving trip is to buy Disney gift cards at Target with the Red Card and save 5% on the purchase. You can then use them to pay off dues or resort charges, and you've trimmed $50 off your costs. You can also buy $500 Disney gift cards at Sam's Club but the discount is more like 3%.
You're on my brain wave!! Ironically, I just applied for a Target card and joined Sam's yesterday for that very reason.
I don't think it will be anytime soon. Disney is taking some huge price increases, but they are also investing heavily in the parks to meet the next generation of park guests. While my generation (baby boomers) have fond, nostalgic memories of Walt Disney and the early years of WDW... we are declining in numbers. And the newer guests are used to these kinds of prices. If you live near a city with professional sports, it typically costs over $100 per person for tickets, parking, etc. to watch one game. And sports attendance does not seem to be declining.
Several friends of mine have paid $6,000 - $10,000 per person to go on European river boat cruises. So there is lots of discretionary income out there, and I think Disney will continue to thrive as long as they keep the park experience high quality. I've often wondered about the tipping point for Disney prices but I see no downward trend in attendance. And with Star Wars opening and the 50th anniversary looming, I expect crowds to get even more insane.
It is probably the crowd factor that will drive me away more than the prices.
We, too, remember the excitement of getting our contracts. Congrats, again! As for the tipping point, unless (I should say until) the next recession, Disney is likely safe. They've added so many events and new builds that it will keep attendance up and crowds heavy which was/is their intent. At some point, because it always does, the economy will slacken, and then Disney may have to dream up some new ways to entice visitors since I don't know that at the current (and future) price points they'll be able to drive in new patrons. But, that's not my worry. Like you, we'll continue to go but we are done with APs unless we get FL resident ones some day, and our park days now consists of a few hours vice all day. We have DVC, so we'll continue to stay onsite, but we've already begun to spend our discretionary funds elsewhere.
