Tag Archives: Walt Disney World

Thoughts on the Disney Vacation Club

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Disney's Contemporary and Bay Lake Tower Resorts

Disney’s Contemporary and Bay Lake Tower Resorts

I get asked from time to time about the Disney Vacation Club.  Seems like a lot of people think about DVC – the pros and cons, the benefits, how it works.  I’m always happy to answer questions – except the one where I’m supposed to explain how it makes good financial sense.  That one, I can’t really answer except like this – if you’re looking for a solid financial reason to make a DVC purchase, you might not find one.  If you’re looking for a good reason to visit Walt Disney World every (or every other) year, you’re a big Disney geek, and you know your children and present or future grandchildren will love many years of future Disney vacations as well – that might be reason enough.

Note:  Interior DVC studio pictures are all from our most recent visit to Walt Disney World – Old Key West Resort.

Distance Between Bay Lake Tower and Contemporary Resorts

Elevated walkway between Bay Lake Tower and the Contemporary Resort

It costs a lot to buy DVC points and then it costs some more every year to pay the annual dues.  Raymond and I joined in 2011 by purchasing points while on a Disney cruise to Alaska.  This was not an impulse purchase by any means – we thought long and hard about it for several years, in fact.  We took a DVC tour back around 2007 or 2008 and were very interested but ONLY if and when we could buy points at a DVC property located on the monorail loop.  Our favorite resort is the Contemporary and when we heard about Bay Lake Tower, we decided it was time to see if this dream could become a reality.  After visiting Walt Disney World more than a dozen times over the past 25 years, we’re pretty sure our love of Disney vacations will never go away.

Studio at Disney's Old Key West

Old Key West Studio

So, we’re on that Alaskan Cruise (which I highly recommend, by the way) and decide to take time on an at-sea day to listen to the DVC presentation and see if there were any specials available for Bay Lake Tower.  The fact that we won a drawing at the presentation for $500 in on-board credit certainly seemed like a good sign!  I’ll spare you the details, but we ended up with 220 points for, I think, the next 48 years.  Turns out, 220 points is not quite enough (we’d like to add on about 100 more) – more on that in a minute.

First, a cautionary tale…

Sitting Area, Studio at Disney's Old Key West

Old Key West Studio – sitting area

We met a super friendly, Disney-loving family from Ireland on our Disney Mediterranean cruise last summer.  No doubt the entire family loved Disney – you could tell.  Mom, Day, son, daughter – all Disney fans.  During an excursion in Italy, while waiting to leave Pompeii, Mrs. Irish-Disney-Mom confessed to me that they had purchased 320 DVC points and were considering selling them on the resale market.  Seems it was an impulse purchase made a couple of years prior and while they still intended to take Disney vacations as often as possible, airfare to the U.S. was too expensive to go every (or even every other) year and using points for anything other than WDW isn’t the most economical use of the points (in spite of what those DVC sales presenters lead you to believe).  Moral of the story – don’t buy DVC points while swept up in the magic of a Disney vacation – consider this purchase carefully…many point purchases are as expensive as a new car.

My tips & things to consider before purchasing DVC points:

Studio Balcony at Disney's Old Key West

Old Key West Studio Balcony

Do purchase points at the home resort you really love (if at all possible).  The 11-month booking window at your home resort (versus 7 months at other resorts) can make a big difference over the years.  You may not want to go at peak times now, but in the future it may become really important.  Christmas at Walt Disney World – including opening gifts there on Christmas morning – is a big dream of ours.  We’ll appreciate that 11-month window when the time comes to plan that trip.

Kitchen area of Disney's Old Key West

Old Key West Studio Kitchenette

Don’t buy DVC points if you really want to vacation elsewhere (using the exchange capabilities with non-Disney resorts world-wide through RCI) – While we’ve never done this, I’ve heard it is definitely not the best, most economical use of DVC points.  Reports vary on ease of booking, value, and if certain RCI resort options are on par with Disney quality.  There’s also no guarantee (if you love RCI) that Disney’s relationship with RCI will continue way into the future.

Even though it’s more expensive than buying resale, buying directly from Disney will give you the most flexibility with your points.  If you wanted to use them towards Disney Cruise Line or Adventures by Disney vacations, the points cannot have been purchased on the resale market.  Resale-purchased points can only be used at DVC resorts – which works out really well for a lot of people.  We were concerned that someday – out in some unfathomable future time – we’d want to have more flexibility.

Studio TV, Disney's Old Key West

Studio TV at Old Key West

Here’s how we’re using this year’s points:  6 nights (last week of May) at Old Key West, 7 nights at Bay Lake Tower (home resort) in mid-October, 35 points leftover going towards a 4-night stay at Bay Lake Tower for the Princess Half-Marathon weekend in February, 2015 (extra points needed coming from 2015’s points).  If we’d had more points, we would have stayed at Bay Lake Tower in May instead of Old Key West.  We love our home resort and it would be our first choice – thus the reason we want to buy more points.  However, more points means higher annual dues, so once again, we’re thinking it over before jumping in again.

Unused points from one year may be banked for use the next year.  Need extra points?  Borrow from the next year’s points.  Banking and borrowing are common and important to get the most out of a DVC investment.

You get to choose the accommodations that work best for your particular travel party.  Need a room for two?  Get a studio or a 1-bedroom unit.  Need room for 8?  Get a 2-bedroom unit that has a full sized kitchen and living room (with fold-out couch and chair).  Get what you need, whenever you need it.  You’re not locked into one size or one particular time of year.  Having a kitchen, washer/dryer and more room do give you a home-away-from-home vacation experience.  Mousekeeping comes only every 4th day to collect trash and replenish toiletries, towels, and kitchen supplies.

A really wonderful perk is access to dedicated DVC travel planning specialists to help you book your trips and they are super knowledgeable Cast Members!  You also get a dedicated web site to help you figure out what resorts are available when you want to travel.  DVC members also receive a variety of discounts all over Walt Disney World are allowed to purchase the Tables in Wonderland card which saves 20% at bunches of Walt Disney World restaurants (and bars).

For official information on Disney Vacation Club, go here.

Are you a DVC member?  What’s your home resort?  If not, have you considered a DVC purchase?  Where would you love your home resort to be?

 

 

5 Ways to Ruin Your Own Disney Vacation

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Epcot ViewRemember a while back (if you’re new here, just follow the link to catch up) when I gave a tutorial on the Five Best Ways to be Irritating at Walt Disney World?  Well – those were my tips for how you can ruin OTHER people’s vacations.  Today I’m going to share with you my tips on how you can ruin your own Disney vacation.  I want you to be aware of every possibility…an informed consumer, if you will.  Ready?  Here goes:

Five Ways to Ruin Your Own Disney Vacation:

1. Don’t plan – Don’t do any research.  Guide books and travel websites are for geeks.  If you Sign for Splash Mountain / Magic Kingdom book a room at Walt Disney World for a week and you just show up hoping for the best, here’s what you’ll get:  Lost, for one thing – which could be an adventure all on its own.  If you don’t at least look at a park map now and again, you’ll get to spend a good bit of your vacation time wandering.  You’ll also get to wait in line – a lot and for long periods of time – hey, that’s okay, right?  Disney’s done wonders with ride queues – embrace the experience.  Booking FastPass+ choices 60 days ahead of time would be ridiculous, right?  I mean who knows what rides and attractions will look good that far out?  You’ll also eat a lot of fast food or “counter service” they call it.  You wouldn’t want to sit down and enjoy a nice meal anyway – that would take booking a dining reservation as much as 180 days in advance at the really popular places – absolutely against the grain for non-planners.  Don’t do it.

2. Plan too much – Indeed, to really wreck a week at Walt Disney World, you should plan Dad checks his watch at the Grand Floridianevery minute.  Exhaustive research will pay off for you – you’ll have every second planned to ensure every single ride and attraction is strategically covered in “The Plan”.  Rope drop, extra magic hours, FastPass+ selections, utilize all the special perks of staying on property and keep going for 16-18 hours a day!  Smart phone ever at the ready, move your family along in military fashion for the entire duration of your stay.  Heaven forbid anything like bad weather or a ride break-down interfere.  They may not appreciate it at the time, but your family will surely thank you later, right?  They’ll really be looking forward to coming back…someday….maybe.

Queue for Star Tours / Disney's Hollywood Studios3. Constantly think ahead – this goes right along with the over-planning.  Do NOT allow yourself to be in the moment – do not stop and enjoy the little details…heck, just ignore those!  Don’t relax – there’s entirely too much to worry about!  Tired?  Aching feet?  Man up, soldier!  You’re spending thousands of dollars here – it’s mission critical for you to obsess over what will happen next.  Use those phone apps constantly to check everything from the weather to current attraction wait times.  Smelling the roses is for sissies!

4. Cling to unrealistic expectations – Those Disney commercials on TV?  Expect your children WDW Happiness / Mad Tea Partyto act just like that!  Faces aglow with awe, smiles every waking moment – wonder and amazement and appreciation overflowing!  You should expect exactly that!  They will be model citizens, there will be no whining or crying or meltdowns.  They certainly would never ever have the nerve to ask, “When are we going back to the hotel to go swimming?”  Swimming?  You’re in the Magic Kingdom!  Why would anyone want to go swimming?

Souvenir Shopping / Walt Disney World5. Bring on Buyer’s Remorse – If you are committed to this endeavor and absolutely want to ruin your trip, don’t look at the cost of anything at Walt Disney World before you arrive.  For sure, don’t check out any menu prices – ’cause that would ruin the surprise!  Be sure to shop for some souvenirs, drop by those convenient and numerous bars for adult beverages, and snack away – simply wave those MagicBands and worry about the consequences later!

All set?  Now, let’s get out there and have some fun!!!  Please, do let me know how it goes when you get back.

 

 

 

WDW Top 10 Attractions for the Whole Family

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Cinderella Castle in Magic KingdomTop 10 lists are fun!  This one in particular, for me, was cool to build – I’ve been going to Walt Disney World now for 24+ years.  The first time, married just five months, I was already in the family way, the next dozen visits were made with children from age 13 months on up to adulthood (I should say adult-ish).  I’ve been through the rider swap phase, the am-I-tall-enough stage, the oh-I’m-too-scared times, and finally to the (well-deserved, I might add) – everyone can and will ride everything!  There is absolutely nothing our family will not ride at Walt Disney World (okay, well, except Mission: Space, but I explained all that here).

I thought it would be fun to put together a few of our favorite rides (and attractions) that are suitable for just about every age.  I’m talking about the ones with no height requirements that aren’t too scary – the kinds of rides and activities Walt Disney was talking about when he said, “We believed in our idea – a family park where parents and children could have fun- together.”  These are some of our must-do’s, our favorite things we’ve enjoyed as a family from the very beginning and still love today.  No rush or anything, but someday (when I’m older), these are the first rides I’ll take my grandchildren on.

Walt Disney World Top 10 Attractions for the Whole Family:

Magic Kingdom

Dumbo (Storybook Circus / Fantasyland) – I KNOW, it’s just riding around in a circle – but you’re on a flying elephant!  The quintessential Disney experience and, unlike the Mad Tea Party’s tea cups, there’s little chance of motion sickness.  It’s okay for you to have fun on Sailing on WDW Jungle CruiseDumbo…even if you’re old.

Jungle Cruise (Adventureland) – There’s a lot to see, most of it of the cute and funny variety.  Even if the little ones can’t yet appreciate the Jungle Cruise skipper’s comedic genius, it’s not dark and more thrilling than actually scary.  C’mon – The BACKSIDE of water!  Never gets old.

Peter Pan’s Flight (Fantasyland) – Who doesn’t love a lost boy?  I’m always surprised by how much I love boarding my little pirate ship and flying over amazing scenes from Peter Pan.  From London to Never Land and back – all our favorite characters are there!

Mickey's PhilharMagic / Fantasyland / Magic KingdomMickey’s PhilharMagic (Fantasyland) – So much fun and happiness in one place.  The music, the special effects, the smell of pies and cakes floating by…yes!  This holds a very special place in our hearts.  So special, in fact, that our Megan’s been able to talk us into seeing this 3D movie experience 3 times in the same vacation.  Compared to It’s Tough to be a Bug over in Animal Kingdom, this one’s much less likely to induce a meltdown.

Prince Charming Regal Carrousel (Fantasyland) – Yes, I’m aware that there’s a carrousel in every mall in America.  There’s a reason for that – they are fun!  Prince Charming’s version is no exception.  You get to look out and see what’s happening in Fantasyland all around you or just watch the other guests enjoying their ride upon a fancy horse.  Good, old fashioned family fun.  Don’t miss it.Sign in The Seas With Nemo & Friends

Epcot

The Seas with Nemo & Friends (Future World) – Board a clam-mobile and watch your favorite characters from Finding Nemo as you drift along with the ocean current.  It’s bright and fun and a little silly, so everyone finds something to like about it.  Plus, it’s a great place to cool off on a hot day.  I love Bruce and Mr. Ray the best!

Malestrom (World Showcase) – Might be the scariest thing on this list, but the ride’s fun, the Malestrom / Norway Pavilion / World Showcasebig troll is cool, and, if we hurry, we can enjoy it as an educational tribute to the country of Norway.  ‘Cause that’s what the World Showcase is supposed to be all about – teaching us about other cultures around the world.  If the rumors are true and the Norway Pavilion changes to be completely overtaken with the Frozen theme, characters, and fictitious land of Arendelle…well, I’ll save that rant for later.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

MuppetVision 3D – We love everything about this show.  The waiting area with all it’s puns and sight gags, the pre-show, the fancy theater, Statler and Waldorf doing their thing.  Sweetums at the end – it’s all great!  Everyone’s favorite frog can never disappoint.  Fun for all ages.  And species.

Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safari / Animal Kingdom

Kilimanjaro Safari  – If you’ve been here before, you know how much I love the Safari!  Well, it’s perfect for our family because there’s so much to see!  Animals out on the savannah, in the wild (sort of) – doing their thing.  It’s always changing – so no two trips around are exactly the same.  We love mornings the best – the animals seem to be much more active than they are later in the day.

Festival of the Lion King – Audience interaction, aerial stunts, dancing, singing, OH! and don’t forget the Tumble Monkeys – This live tribute to all the best things about The Lion King is an absolute must do!  Seriously, it’s a lot of fun.  This show highlights some of the most talented performers at Walt Disney World.

Under the Sea - Journey of the Little MermaidHonorable Mention – this ride is brand new, but totally kid and adult friendly in the Fantasyland (Magic Kingdom)…I’m talking about Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid.  It’s colorful, cute, non-scary (even the parts with Ursula are mild).  Everyone will like something about it.  Especially Little Mermaid fans.

What are your favorite rides and attractions for all ages?  What would you add (or subtract) from this list?

Disney Rain Ponchos – More Than Just a Fashion Statement

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Enjoying a Rainy Day / Disneys Hollywood StudiosNothing says Walt Disney World vacation like a rain poncho with Mickey Mouse on it.  The fact that we’re willing to pay $8 (technically $7.51) for a big piece of plastic and some snaps says a lot about how important it is for us to sport such stylish rainwear.  We all know it would save a big bunch of cash for a family of four to buy generic ponchos at the local dollar store.  Okay, okay – maybe we sometimes buy those pricey Disney ponchos out of necessity…I mean those unexpected afternoon “showers” can be extreme torrential downpours and maybe we left our cheapo ponchos back at the resort.  However I come by it, I wear my Disney poncho with pride – it adds a certain panache to my vacation wardrobe that cannot be underappreciated.  It also has other practical uses.  You didn’t know?  Well….I’ll be glad to enlighten you!  We need to get our $8-worth out of those puppies!!!Waiting for the bus to Downtown Disney

The Many Uses of a Disney Rain Poncho:

Protection from the elements – Using the poncho for its intended purpose.  When last we were at WDW, it didn’t just rain, it didn’t just pour – it HAILED!  We were huddled inside our ponchos in a tiny alcove outside the entrance to Tower of Terror waiting for our FastPasses to “mature” with about five minutes to go when a storm of biblical proportions struck.  Catch the video here.  Check out the poor guy who let his little one use his poncho (by the strollers) – he was soaked!

As a means to stay dry on water rides – No way would I ride Kali River Rapids without a poncho.  Getting soaked from head to toe would completely ruin Kali River Rapids / Disney's Animal Kingdommy day.  I’m not a fan of shoes that squish when I walk.  But I want to ride Kali, so I don my trusty poncho and let the river take me where it will.

As a seat cushion – a. k. a. Posterior Preserver – Have you ever decided to sit on the curb, in a sunny spot, in Magic Kingdom to stake out a favored parade viewing area?  That concrete can be scorching hot!  Like sitting-on-the-surface-of-the-sun hot.  Just slide that folded-up poncho under your buns and you are golden!  See?  Rain or shine, the poncho ROCKS!

Protect your gear – Say you want to go on Splash Mountain or even Pirates of the Caribbean and there’s a chance your camera, cell phone, or bag will get wet.  Wrap your poncho around your gear to make sure everything comes out safe and sound…oh, and dry, too.Disney Parks Poncho as a Salon Smock

Salon smock – You think I’m kidding?  Oh, I assure you I am not.  Tuck in the hood, add a towel around the neckline, secure the poncho tight with a clothes pin – and snip away.  Home or away, you can keep hair trimmings well away from a body with a Walt Disney World poncho!

Do you buy Disney rain ponchos?  Are there any uses that I’ve missed?