With an AP in hand, do you overbook DVC?

[sheryl0521]

We haven't had an AP since 2004 and since we already had 2 trips in mind for 2006/2007, we decided to purchase them again.

We have now added a 3rd trip and are talking about a 4th one in the summer of 2007.

Needless to say we have already booked our 2007 points, and are teetering on the edge of borrowing our 2008 allotment. But since we don't have plans on renewing these AP's once they expire, I don't feel bad about digging into those 2008 points.

2008 will just be a year off from WDW - after 4 trips, I think we will need it!

Now I just need the airlines to cooperate and provide some good deals.

Anyone else follow this type of plan?

 

[ttepsich]

I might be following in your footsteps but just for 2 trips in the next 12 months. We are going this Thanksgiving (leaving in 5 days yipee) Currently trying to plan something for next October. I already purchased 5 day hoppers but considering turning them into annual passes. I'm afraid the second trip won't be the end of it and will have to do the banking and borrowing thing too. But hey, we only live once, right? Have fun on ALL of your trips!
Tina

 

[Chuck S]

We always get APs and take 2 trips per year...usually 10 to 12 days each. But we did not increase our stays because of APs, we'd go anyway, but probably would spend fewer days in the park, or go to Sea World or Universal instead.

 

[spiceycat]

yes!!!

I was only going twice this year. but I have been March,May, Sept, Oct and soon Dec. I have a trip planned for March and maybe april or May at end of this year annual pass.

 

[mom2rb]

Yes! We were going this December. Then we decided to get the APs and go a week earlier next year. Well then since we had the APs why not try a long weekend for Star War's in June. Well if I'm going to pay for airfare, I'm going to get my $ worth. Our long weekend is now a 10 day trip. So now we have three trips with 26 days in the parks. Then we will take a year off and do it all again.

 

[married@wdw]

Sounds like us! We had APs (and the DDE!) and went 5 times in that '05/'06. We just got back from our last trip on Monday and decided not to renew, so we won't be returning until 10/07!

 

[DVC Grammy]

We, too, use our APs for at least 3 trips within 12 months (also our DDE). We don't renew them; instead, we buy them for the first of the next 3-4 trip series. By owning DVC and using APs and DDE, WDW becomes the least expensive trip we can take (per daily cost) . Then, throw in DME and those great Dings from SWA, it hardly pays to stay home !

 

[1000th happy haunt]

Our trip next month will be our fourth trip to WDW this year, and we're taking a little three-day hop in January for the Pirates and Princess Party. Actually we have four trips to WDW planned for next year (including our first Disney Cruise).

 

[TammyAlphabet]

I have all of 2007 used for trips that end in December of this year. I have been eyeing the 2008 points for a trip in June 2008, three months before they are to come in September......Borrowing points because you have an AP is just good darn sense in my opinion!! I think we will have a total of 31 days on these ap's when they expire in December. I am taking at least one year off after the December trip. Probably two!!

 

[sheryl0521]

Ah yes, the DDE. I ordered it in October '06 with my AP voucher and just received the card in the mail with an expire date of 11/07! I thought I wouldn't be able to get the DDE card until I actually activated my AP, but was happily surprised when the card arrived and it is good through our trip in October 2007! It was a great surprise!

It will be a great Disney year!

 

[OKW Lover]

For the past several years (8 at least) we've been visiting at least 4 times a year. This year will be 5 times, but the high was 7. Its the combination of the DVC points that HAVE to be used and the AP that makes admission "free". Throw in some cheap airfares and you have lots of breif trips!

 

[I'mNoPrince]

We just did an AP rate at POFQ instead of borrowing . I think we will do this2 times and stay on points 2 times on our AP year. Then just stay on points and do US/IOA on our off AP year. I have it all down and it's working well. I just don't know if I can stand the 6 months in between after this years 3 or 4 months between trips.

 

[sheryl0521]

I just don't know if I can stand the 6 months in between after this years 3 or 4 months between trips.

I know what you mean! Our last WDW trip was for 10 days in October 2005! At the end of the trip we really felt we had done enough and had no need to return. So this year we did Disney California and tried Vero beach, but we are now really itching to get back home. Can not wait for our trip in December!

 

[conciergekelly]

Yes! I am always in borrow mode. Next step... an add on. It is a sickness!

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have gotten APs for 10 years now, but we never renew. It doesn't make sense when we live so far from WDW. Instead, we buy an AP, use it for 2-3 trips and let it expire. Then the following year, we purchase new APs adn start the process over again. That means we have the cost of APS only every other year, but we are still traveling every year by overlapping by a couple weeks.

 

[Tamar]

We don't use our points for the extra trips...we try other dis resorts. Last AP go-around, we spent a long weekend at AKL for our extra trip. In just a few weeks we will return to Orlando for my birthday, and we'll stay at CBR. With the AP discounts, these rooms have been just over $100/night.

For F&W, we always stay at BWV, and I haven't figured out what we're doing on our May trip for DH's 50th, but it'll probably be the Epcot area (I know I have to get working on that!).

 

[Cruelladeville]

I try not to borrow too many points into the current year, because then I can't travel next year! Instead, we try to alternate what we are using for lodging. Last Christmas and Spring Break we used DVC pts, but in October we stayed at POR on cash, Nov and Dec are on pts, but next year's trips are going to be at Marriott on our timeshares there, and maybe we will pick up a couple of getaway weeks for other stays. Then, in 2008 we will use pts again! With lodging paid for, and AP's, we only pay for food, so it's not overly expensive.

 

[hojolo]

We are AP crazy! The discount makes it a no-brainer for us and yes we do overdo the trips. We got our APs in July. Did 5 days (OKW and VWL)as bookends around DCL trip of a lifetime for us. Then went back for 5 day fall break (OKW) in Oct. Already booked for a full week spring break (OKW, but waitlisted for BCV)in Mar '07. Then, as a family surprise we are going to SSR Dec 19 - 24! Kids get out of school @ 11:30 and plane leaves @ 7pm. Needless to say all possible DVC points spent and borrowed. No doubt that, to us, it's the most efficient way to use AP.

 

[DVCconvert]

Perhaps it depends on how many points you own!?

We own enough to do several trips per year in the 12-20 day range...therefore the AP is simply a smart deal for us!

 

[EpiscoDisFan]

we are in the very heart of experiencing this phenomenom for the first time. we bought AP's this year after we decided to add a second trip this year to celebrate our 10year wedding aniversery. well, now we will be making AT LEAST 3 trips this year! so let the games begin!

we just got back from our second trip, and found that we made a MAJOR transition fully out off the ole "death marches" in the parks, and spend 2-4 hours in the parks, and then left to hang out at the resort, and then head back into a park for dinner and one ride.

by the way, i am now a HUGE fan of November trips. NO LINES ANYWHERE! even on the first night of MVMCP.