DVC has spoiled me!

[cincinmouse]

It has only been a few weeks since my first trip home in a 2 bed at SSR
It was great having the extra rooms so I could stay up when kids went to bed. This weekend we are now taking a short trip from Ohio to NC for nephews graduation. Spending the night halfway in charleston WV. we are all crammed in one room with pack and play plus cot. I just finished up some stuff for work sitting on the floor in the corner of the room. Before DVC this would not be a problem.

I am now officially spoiled by DVC and two bedrooms.

[glypnirsgirl]

Yes -I know this feeling. It has led to us going from being intrepid world travelers to being SBD --- SPOILED BY DVC!!!

I am hoping to recover from it soon and get to traveling the rest of the world!!!

Elaine

[Grandbuddy]

Yes -I know this feeling. It has led to us going from being intrepid world travelers to being SBD --- SPOILED BY DVC!!!

I am hoping to recover from it soon and get to traveling the rest of the world!!!

Elaine

Locked and loaded, primed and ready to be spoiled.

[JimP]

For us... it was the exact opposite:

For years we traveled to WDW and stayed in nice hotels on property. Then we got hooked on staying at condos... mostly overlooking the ocean. Then in 2003 we did a WDW trip with a split stay... 3 nights in a deluxe hotel, followed by 14 nights in a nice Marriott Condo (Cypress Harbour) about 10 mins from WDW.

The condo was fine... but we HATED staying off property. This forced us to buy DVC.

/Jim

[glypnirsgirl]

Jim - I saw that you and Debbie have had your APs for 20+ years. So you and I started coming the same year - but I am sure that you have made more trips than me.

I made my first trip to WDW in 1987 and stayed at the Poly Concierge level (I had just settled a big case), then we stayed at the Grosvenor (one of the DTD hotels - I did not like even being that far off property), Grand Floridian, Fort Wilderness campground (actually camping in a tent - what can I say, I'm a nut), Port Orleans Riverside (and on that trip I bought my points - 1994).

I had never had a "condo" experience before. We rented beach houses in Galveston but that is not like the Cape or the Oregon Coast.

So the benefit that I saw to owning points was that I could bring my family with me to WDW so that my son, an only child, could have a "family" vacation. So we would bring a friend or second cousin and I would being my sister and brother and their significant others and we would all stay together in a Grand Villa. This was a reasonable facsimile of a family vacation.

Now my son is older, I have married and have two grown bonus children in addition to mine and I will be gaining a daughter in law in 23 days.

One of the things that I love about the point system is how flexible it is. When we needed a GV we could get it, when we out grew that and needed two 2 bedrooms - no problemo.

Now Ian and I have done 5 trips by ourselves using points, And we will soon be going back to sharing with family.

I am looking forward to getting a one bedroom on future vacations - with just the two of us. And I am looking forward to sharing with grandkids in the future.

Ian and I have just not been traveling outside of WDW as much as we would have if we did not have the points. Before Ian's mother's death, we went to Pittsburgh many times, Tulsa (to gun shows), Colorado (ian lived there both before we got married and for 3 months afterwards - he moved up the wedding date before he would move back here because he was afraid that I would back out on the wedding). New Mexico to a Jeep jamboree. West Texas for a scuba trip and to the observatory (2 separate trips), Coxzumel to scuba dive MANY times, Turks and Caicos on a live aboard for scuba. Boston twice and France (including DRP) on our honeymoon. Well more that I realized - but this year., other than WDW, we have only made one trip to Cozumel and 2 trips to Tulsa. I guess that really is a lot of traveling for 5 years of marriage.

I think that i am going to have to convince him that we need to stay in one bedrooms so that we use up our points faster --- or take more trips with the kids! That way we may be able to go other places too.


Elaine (waiting for my next trip!)

[JimP]

Jim - I saw that you and Debbie have had your APs for 20+ years. So you and I started coming the same year - but I am sure that you have made more trips than me.

We got our first AP's in 1989... back when there were like a drivers license... complete with photo. So we are not quite to 20 years yet.

We did go to Disneyland in 1987... but we left Greg (age 1) home with my folks.

You have done a GREAT job traveling... congratulations.

Finally... IMNSHO... 1BR units are the ONLY way to go for a couple! I really dislike studios... but we will use them on occassion.

/Jim

[greenban]

It is like any other addiction, sadly......

You start out with a studio, then splurge for the 1 Bedroom (or start in the 1 BR due to # of kids).

Bang, once you've tried that 1 BR, you are hooked! Not only do you require 1 Brs at DVC, you require them everywhere else, Hello suite only hotels, goodby money! (I miss me money!)

Then, tolerance sets in, you get 'used' to the dose of the 1 BR, the rush isn't as intense, and whoops, you slide down that slippery slope.

Okay, I'll just 'try' a 2 Bedroom Villa, I can stop at anytime, I control my needs!

OMGosh, 2 BATHROOMS (with DW and DDX2 that is an amazing feature). Your hooked. No more measly 1 Bedroom Villas for us.

(But the points you're buring points..... We need the (bath) room.... They're only points.... Only points!!! ARe you insane?!?!)

And then the addiction grows, slowly, insideously gnawing at your mind.

We should just 'try' a GV. Heck at OKW GVs are a bargain.

Snap, 'they' gottcha.

2,395 sq. feet, 2 stories, 3 bedrooms, four bathrooms, 4 TVs.....

So now my family of 5, yes just a stinking 5 'needs' (requires) OKW GVs whenever possible.

And (for now) the Rush of returning to our GV is still as intense, as thrilling as ever!

So be careful!

-Tony

[tammymacb]

I'm a bit nervous. I never "needed" the fancy room.

I'm a scuba diver and stay at dive hotels, need I say more??

Anyhoo, we usually stay in studios ( though now that our daughter is getting older we're probably going to use a 1 bedroom ). I'm waitlisted for a 2 bedroom at AKV in October. ( Going with my sis and a few friends ). I sure don't want to get used to those types of accomodations..

[tomandrobin]

Having not to share a bathroom spoiled us! Love having a bathroom for me and the misses! :loveisint

Last summer we had to go to Ocean City, Md for a wedding. We booked an ocean Front room on the ocean. It had living room w/ pull-out sofa as you walked in, a galley kitchen and bathroom in the center, and the back had two double beds. We had the two youger kids and Robin and I. That was our first trip not in a condo in 5 years. We absolutely hated it! :yuck: We had forgetten how cramped and miserable life was before condos.

[TinkLover]

It is a sickness..... you get sucked in without even realizing, I have to have the washer and dryer in the room, WHAT.... I'm on vacation and yes I still have the need to go back to reality with no dirty clothes.... or at least thats my excuse to have at least a 1 bedroom

[I'mNoPrince]

We are Points Poor and heaviely borrowed so Studiuos are still great for us . But I have travel with a 10 man Paintball team and crammed 12 people in room before so all's not bad.

We also use to do a lot of Tent camping here in MD so running water is a plus for us.

We have done a 2bdrm at SSr and one at VBR and really liked them but we are never really in the room that much and when we are the room we have is fine.

[lmm1516]

It is a sickness..... you get sucked in without even realizing, I have to have the washer and dryer in the room, WHAT.... I'm on vacation and yes I still have the need to go back to reality with no dirty clothes.... or at least thats my excuse to have at least a 1 bedroom

I can't agree more. I need the washer and dryer every time. I do the laundry every few days and then I go home with clean clothes, can't have it any other way! :thumbsup:

[glypnirsgirl]

I'm a bit nervous. I never "needed" the fancy room.

I'm a scuba diver and stay at dive hotels, need I say more??

Anyhoo, we usually stay in studios ( though now that our daughter is getting older we're probably going to use a 1 bedroom ). I'm waitlisted for a 2 bedroom at AKV in October. ( Going with my sis and a few friends ). I sure don't want to get used to those types of accomodations..

You may be so lucky as to never REQUIRE the upscale accomodations. The GREAT thing about dive dives is that you WANT a dive dive. You don't feel bad walking to your room dripping wet and smelling of neoprene. Its great to stay some place where a swimsuit and coverup is considered "dressing" for dinner. It may be enough to keep you humble!

Elaine

[JimP]

The GREAT thing about dive dives is that you WANT a dive dive. You don't feel bad walking to your room dripping wet and smelling of neoprene. Its great to stay some place where a swimsuit and coverup is considered "dressing" for dinner.

Elaine

Read in isolation... this is sounding kind of kinky.

/Jim

[Laxmom]

We bought Marriott 7 years ago. Not long after, we took the kids and traveled to Atlantis. We had reservations in the Royal Towers. The resort is gorgeous, the slides amazing, the aquarium cannot be rivaled other than in nature. My kids (2 boys!) walk in to our room and threw a fit that they were sleeping in the same bed!!! We ended up rolling up the coverlet and putting it under the sheets as a divider! Yea, we're spoiled!!!

The thing with our DVC is that we bought at HHI as a getaway for DH and I...no kids! So we are planning to stay in studios or 1 bedroom every other year. We have the Marriott for the family trips! We wanted a trip for the two of us in either the fall or spring. We will eventually add more points and if they are good, we may offer to take the kids with us once in a while.

[greenban]

We bought Marriott 7 years ago. Not long after, we took the kids and traveled to Atlantis. We had reservations in the Royal Towers. The resort is gorgeous, the slides amazing, the aquarium cannot be rivaled other than in nature. My kids (2 boys!) walk in to our room and threw a fit that they were sleeping in the same bed!!! We ended up rolling up the coverlet and putting it under the sheets as a divider! Yea, we're spoiled!!!

The thing with our DVC is that we bought at HHI as a getaway for DH and I...no kids! So we are planning to stay in studios or 1 bedroom every other year. We have the Marriott for the family trips! We wanted a trip for the two of us in either the fall or spring. We will eventually add more points and if they are good, we may offer to take the kids with us once in a while.


How long a wait for the giant slide that goes through the shark tank?

I want to do that (whole reason for an atlantis trip, but I don't want to wait 1 hour + for the slide!

-Tony

[tomandrobin]

How long a wait for the giant slide that goes through the shark tank?

I want to do that (whole reason for an atlantis trip, but I don't want to wait 1 hour + for the slide!

-Tony

Actually, the wait is not long. Last year, we waited no more then 5-10 minutes. Since the Aquaventure opened, the wait times have really dropped. They added four more slide at the aquaventure, 3 with rafts and 1 without. The Abyss is the one without and is pretty cool too. No sharks, but dumps you inside the tower power structure.

You can swim/dive with in that same shark tank too.....for a fee.

[Laxmom]

TomandRobin is right, it wasn't that bad. Women, WARNING, wear a one piece suit! DH did it and said he had to put his hands over his face because the water started hitting him hard in the face, he closed his eyes and then the water started pushing open his eyelids. He said it was painful there for a minute! I did the tube version - I am afraid of heights and that drop intimidated me big time!! Laxlad lost his suit too! Maybe suspenders would be a good idea!

We are thinking of heading over on our cruise and checking out the new section of slides.

[tomandrobin]

TomandRobin is right, it wasn't that bad. Women, WARNING, wear a one piece suit! DH did it and said he had to put his hands over his face because the water started hitting him hard in the face, he closed his eyes and then the water started pushing open his eyelids. He said it was painful there for a minute! I did the tube version - I am afraid of heights and that drop intimidated me big time!! Laxlad lost his suit too! Maybe suspenders would be a good idea!

We are thinking of heading over on our cruise and checking out the new section of slides.

We are going to be there June 14th-21st and we all can not wait!!

[tomandrobin]

We are thinking of heading over on our cruise and checking out the new section of slides.

Tip of the day....

If you are stopping in Bahamas on a cruise and want to visit Atlantis. It costs $105 per person for a full access day pass. Cheapest room at Comfort Inn is $200-$240 per night. The Comfort Inn has full access to the Atlantis Facities. Plus, it will give a place to take a shower or relax before heading back to the ship. For a faimly of 4, it will be half off the price of buying passes.

Also, if anyone is going to there the same week that will be there, I can get you a pass for free.

Tom

[Laxmom]

We would do the Comfort Inn thing but there are 6 of us, so we need two rooms!

How do you get free passes?

[tomandrobin]

We would do the Comfort Inn thing but there are 6 of us, so we need two rooms!

How do you get free passes?

If someone was going to there the same time as our vacation, I would just add to my reservations to get addition wrist bands.

The price of two rooms is still cheaper then 6 wristbands. I would find another couple and split the cost of the last room.

[Laxmom]

That's great idea!! I hadn't thought of that! Thanks!

That's why I love this board!!!!

[tomandrobin]

You can split the taxi cost over to Atlantis too!

Since you rent the room. You can pack extra clothes and change at the hotel room. Leave everything in the room so you do not have to lug a back pack all around. Shower back at the hotel, change and get a taxi back to the boat.

[Laxmom]

This sounds like the voice of experience! I hope a great time was had by all!

We need to sit down and talk about what we are doing - kind of a cruise planning meeting with all the kids. I did get their requests for Palo so I can do that this week.

[cincinmouse]

You can split the taxi cost over to Atlantis too!

Since you rent the room. You can pack extra clothes and change at the hotel room. Leave everything in the room so you do not have to lug a back pack all around. Shower back at the hotel, change and get a taxi back to the boat.

Let me make sure I understand this. You are saying that when the Disney boat stops in Nassau We have enough time to go the comfort inn check in, use the Atlantis slides for a period of time and then go back to the room change and still have time to get back to the boat? How much time do you have during the Nassau stop? DW and I went to Atlantis on a business reward trip 2 summers ago without kids and know they would love the place but it is very pricey!:jawdroppi Had thought about during doing the Disney cruise with the stop at Atlantis but did not look like you had full access to everything. Besides with DS(1) a cruise is not in our immediate plans do to pool regulations. When we were their we almost took the Harborside tour but canceled at the last minute. I know DVC transfers to Harborside are next to impossible so may look to rent in the future. But will file your tip for later use.

PS I had know idea this is where my original post would go