West Coast DVC'ers--How Many Trips and How Long?

[toocherie]

Just curious--for other West Coast DVC'ers like myself--how often do you travel to Florida and how long do you stay when you do? Unlike those on the East Coast I don't believe a long weekend trip would be time or cost effective--

I decided to lengthen my first trip "home" and go for 7 nights--which I know is not long compared to some on these boards but was the most time I could take at one time. Just wondering what the average trip length and frequency is for a "left coast" member.

 

[ACDSNY]

You'll be fine with 7 nights, that's what we done for most of our trips. Usually a Sat - Sat. In 2006 we added two nights at Vero Beach to the end of a week at WDW. It was great to unwind before coming home. We've made 6 trips so far. We still hit DL more often.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Our goal is always to stay about 10 nights, plus or minus. We did that on our first trip to WDW in 1992 before DVC and still do that many nights now that we own. We average one trip per calendar year, but try to schedule it so that we can get 2 trips out of each AP.

-- Suzanne

 

[#1DisneylandFan]

Our first trip as DVC'ers is in April and is 6 nights. We have Nov scheduled for 7 nights. That's about all we can be away at a given time these days. Hopefully it will be good enough!

 

[ACDSNY]

That's the great part of DVC, you know you'll be coming back sometime soon, so it doesn't quite matter how long your trips are.

 

[disneymom8589]

We went on our 1st DVC trip last July and stayed at SSR for 5 nights (preceded by a DCL trip). DH and I are going for 4 nights to AKV during my spring break (would stay later but we're also going to Virginia to see DS graduate from Coast Guard school.) This summer we are staying for 4 nights at VWL. Again, we would stay stay longer, but are also going to Haiti afterwards.

To sum up, we will probably try to go about twice a year for about 5 or so days, depending on the circumstances. It's certainly not as convenient as a long weekend trip to DLR!!

 

[bwvBound]

We have often gone for 7 nights (usually Saturday to Saturday) ... but have more recently stretched our stays to 10 nights. Last month was 12 nights ...

 

[mello]

Our first trip was 15 days. 2nd trip was 5 days (not enough, but nice anyway). Trip coming up will be 18 days. So far they've been about once every 18 months.

I agree, from the west coast, several long weekends a year doesn't make sense - the airfare is too high and the flight time too long. We're looking forward to GCV for shorter in-between trips to DL!

 

[kerickson]

Not sure. Plannning our first trip 'Home' for Jan 09 for 7 nights. Will probably add on at GCV and alternate week long trips to WDW, 4-5 night trips to DL, Cruise, etc. Trying to experience a little bit of everything the first few years to see what we enjoy the most!

 

[funatdisney]

We have stayed 7 days in the past. I have always said that we could easily stay two weeks. We try to go to WDW every even year. This year we are planning to go for 10 days this June at OKW. We are new DVC members and will staying at our first DVC vacation this time. (we rented from a member in 2006). At least a week is a must. I think that it takes a lot of time, money and energy for a west coaster to take a vacation at WDW. I am looking forward to the GC DVC opening. We stay there at least two to three times a year.
I have another question: Has anyone tries flying out after 10pm (arriving at 6am in Fla)? How has it worked or you? We decided to try the red eye this time. Wondering how it worked out,

 

[mello]

We have stayed 7 days in the past. I have always said that we could easily stay two weeks. We try to go to WDW every even year. This year we are planning to go for 10 days this June at OKW. We are new DVC members and will staying at our first DVC vacation this time. (we rented from a member in 2006). At least a week is a must. I think that it takes a lot of time, money and energy for a west coaster to take a vacation at WDW. I am looking forward to the GC DVC opening. We stay there at least two to three times a year.
I have another question: Has anyone tries flying out after 10pm (arriving at 6am in Fla)? How has it worked or you? We decided to try the red eye this time. Wondering how it worked out,

I'm not really looking forward to that slumber party feeling, but we're planning to spend the whole first day just lounging around the resort pool til we can get into our room to nap & freshen up. Hope it works out! When are you going? We're going in May. If you go before we do, post about your redeye experience! We'll do the same.

 

[La2kw]

We go for at least two weeks every July. We only go once a year. We often combine WDW with the beach, Miami, the Keys, etc. and then go for three weeks. We have recently gone on DCL and intend to continue doing a cruise every couple years as well.

 

[toocherie]

I'm not really looking forward to that slumber party feeling, but we're planning to spend the whole first day just lounging around the resort pool til we can get into our room to nap & freshen up. Hope it works out! When are you going? We're going in May. If you go before we do, post about your redeye experience! We'll do the same.

Yes please post your experience with the redeye--we're scheduled to do it too in November . . . otherwise felt like I was "burning" a day just traveling. If our rooms are not available (we arrive on a Friday) I thought we might either do a DTD day or go to one of the other resorts for an early "signature" dinner--definitely not a park on the first day!

 

[disneymom8589]

Yes please post your experience with the redeye--we're scheduled to do it too in November . . . otherwise felt like I was "burning" a day just traveling. If our rooms are not available (we arrive on a Friday) I thought we might either do a DTD day or go to one of the other resorts for an early "signature" dinner--definitely not a park on the first day!

We took an Alaska Airlines redeye out of Seattle last July, arriving in Orlando around 9:30 a.m. We took the ME to the BCV and were pleasantly surprised to be able to check into our 1-bdrm. as soon as we arrived that morning. I know that is the exception, not the rule, but it certainly was nice! DH and I are going again next month and in July and are taking redeyes, again, for both of those trips.

 

[funatdisney]

I'm not really looking forward to that slumber party feeling, but we're planning to spend the whole first day just lounging around the resort pool til we can get into our room to nap & freshen up. Hope it works out! When are you going? We're going in May. If you go before we do, post about your redeye experience! We'll do the same.

We will miss each other by one month. Will we be at the World in mid June. Let me know how it goes. I'm willing to try cuz my two daughters are 10 and 12. My DH works at night and is used to these hours. I'm just not so sure about the time change though. We have a reservation at Chef Mickey's for 9:30am, figuring we will be at OKW at about 8am. Once breakfast is done, I'm planning to head back to OKW for a swim or maybe go shopping at DTD or the Broadwalk. I'll see how the gang feels.

 

[JoEllen]

We usually stay at least 7 nights just to adjust and take our time. Another tip I would offer for West Coasters is to book a studio your first night and then upgrade to your 1 or 2 bdrm the next day. That way you don't waste points on a first night late arrival and you don't get stuck with the "dregs" as a result of your late check in.

 

[kerickson]

We usually stay at least 7 nights just to adjust and take our time. Another tip I would offer for West Coasters is to book a studio your first night and then upgrade to your 1 or 2 bdrm the next day. That way you don't waste points on a first night late arrival and you don't get stuck with the "dregs" as a result of your late check in.

Great tip! We are planning a 7 night 2-bedroom stay end of Jan 09. Had thought about staying at a cheaper airport hotel the 1st night (Sat), but staying in a studio seems better. There will only be 4 of us the first night (expecting another family later in the week) and I'd rather start enjoying our 'Home' right away, rather than having more travel time the next morning...

 

[Donald's Fan in PHX!]

Yes, my wife and I used to alternate the parks. One year we would take a trip to Disneyland Resorts, and the next to WDW resorts. Anytime we went to Florida, we would always book a full week. Any less is almost not worth it, plus there is enough time to fit in whatever you want.

 

[funatdisney]

About the redeye flight booking I mentioned earlier: I remembered another reason why the redeye might be a good choice. I thought it might help us adjust to the time change faster. With little sleep and high on adrenalin to keep us active on that first day, would help us get to sleep earlier than midnight.

 

[Pakey]

We do 6 nights on each trip, go twice a year--fly over on Sunday, come back the following Saturday as I do not like being in the parks on weekends anyway. That saves me 2 weeks of vacation each year for our "big trips" where are usually Europe. At WDW, we book all of our meals very late and try to stay on our left coast time zone while there. We tried a red eye trip one time but did not adapt well and won't try it again.