Disney Vacation Club: Tricks and Tips

Introduction to vacation club

If you’ve never heard of Disney Vacation Club and are curious to learn more, please start reading here, if you know a bit about DVC feel free to skip this intro section and move on to the “tips and tricks sections”.

There are a variety of different resorts to choose from when you buy into Disney Vacation Club. There are currently 9 resorts at WDW (I’m sure more will be built in the future), they include: Animal Kingdom Villas, Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Beach Club Villas, BoardWalk Villas, Villas at Grand Floridian, Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, Villas at Wilderness Lodge, and the Polynesian Villas and Bungalows. In Disneyland there is the Villas at the Grand Californian. In addition to the park resorts there are three beach resorts that are destinations within themselves: Aulani in Hawaii, Vero Beach in Florida, and Hilton Head in South Carolina.

DVC operates on a point system. You buy a certain number of points and each year in your predetermined month you are rewarded that amount of points to use. You can use these points at the DVC resorts but they can also be exchanged for Disney Cruises, Adventures by Disney and partner hotel rooms around the globe. However, the most bang for your buck is to use them at the DVC resorts, if you want to do a different kind of vacation other than what the resorts offer, your best bet may be to rent out your points for that year and then use that money towards the vacation you wish to do.

Another bonus of having DVC is that when you go to the parks your room is larger than a regular studio and includes a microwave and a mini fridge and if there is no washer/dryer in your room you get tokens for free laundry! The one bedrooms and up have a full kitchen so you can make your own meals and save some money in the parks!

The initial cost to join is rather large, but continues to get larger each year so if you think this might be for you and you have the ability to join go ahead and do so before prices go up, you can always sell your contract if you find DVC is not for you. Keep in mind you will have to pay annual dues/maintenance every year so keep that in mind when you pick which resort to buy into.

Mickey Ice Cream bar

best ways to use points

There are plenty of options when it comes to using DVC points, but there are ways to get more bang for your buck! I’ve compiled a list of things to do to ensure you can go on more vacations- if that is indeed your goal!

1. Stay during the less busy season. This means the point chart will be in your favor and you can stay at all of the resorts for less points. This also means you can stay longer, or stay in a bigger room or even at a nicer resort if that is what you are looking for.
2. Stay in studios instead of one or two bedrooms. Sometimes it ends up being cheaper point wise to stay in a bunch of studios instead of the larger suites, be sure to check the point chart so you are getting the most for your points!
3. Rent points out and use the money toward cruising, or do half points/half cash to pay for the cruise so you can stretch the points as long as you can- the same applies to adventures by Disney.
4. Don’t be afraid to resort hop- stay a few nights at a monorail resort and then spend the rest of the time at a cheaper point resort for different experiences and point savings!
5. Try to use points for DVC resorts, not for exchange programs or cruise and adventures by Disney, the points go so much further at the resorts, but if you really want to use points for these things go ahead.

Fountain in Toontown

Travel hints and General tips

When you buy into DVC it comes with some perks- be sure that you utilize them! For example there are member get-togethers on board DCL and in the parks, just call member services or ask when you get to your destination for what is offered for members- and usually we get lanyards and sometimes hats when we ask what is going on for members. There are also special events that go on from time to time like the Typhoon Lagoon beach party that are going on later this summer.

Remember you get discounts throughout downtown Disney and in all of the parks and some of the resorts, a list can be found on line, but be sure to carry your membership card around with you and ask everywhere you go if there is a DVC discount- it never hurts to ask and many locations offer a discount!

At DVC resorts your self-service laundry is free! Even if you don’t stay in a unit with a washer and dryer you can ask for tokens to use in the laundry rooms!

Member lockers are a great way to leave stuff that you need at the park and not have to drag it back in forth, another good thing to look into if you visit the parks frequently!

Dining plans are available for DVC members and their guests while staying at a DVC resort- an opportunity only offered to those staying on packages if you are just the general public.

You aren’t charged extra when two or more adults (+18) are staying in a room, if you are not in DVC the resorts charge extra!

Conclusion

Overall, if you are planning on vacationing at Disney for at least the next 15-20 years (if not longer) DVC is a great idea for you! Even better if you have the cash to pay for the points at hand and you are wanting to stay at deluxe resorts and for sometimes extended periods of time, or a few shorter vacations a year. DVC isn’t for everyone, so if you aren’t a Disney die-hard, it is not recommended- but if you love all things Disney and think that you will continue to vacation at Disney, this is the program for you!

Family Trips: Kiawah Island, SC

Looking for a relaxing family vacation spot that is a little bit off the beaten track and is sure to please the whole family? Look no further than Kiawah Island, SC just outside of Charleston.

There are a few different ways to stay on Kiawah- this gated community has lots of rental properties and there is also a hotel on property for shorter stays. We rent a house for a week and tend to share it with our extended family as to make the price more reasonable- there are houses in every price range and the upper end homes even have pools and beach views!

Things to do

• Golf- Kiawah is a world class golf resort with plenty of challenging courses for the avid golfer

Osprey Point Golf Course

• Tennis- beautiful tennis facilities, kids camps, clinics and lessons are available
• Kids Camps- Camp Kiawah has great activities for kids and a great way to keep your child busy during vacation and keep them learning and being creative!
• Family activities- fireworks at forth of July, tie-dying t-shirts and more! Check the schedule upon arrival!
• Boating/Fishing- plenty of opportunities to fish, crab, shrimp, kayak, canoe and more! Outings and rentals are available

• Beach- just rent some umbrellas and chairs and sit back and enjoy the peaceful sound of the ocean on this miles long beach with lovely dunes.

The seagulls love eating leftover lunch!

Look for beautiful shells at low tide

• Wildlife viewing- look for the beautiful wildlife that calls the island home as well as view beautiful sunsets over the marsh looking for dolphins!

Gators are easy to find at Osprey Point Golf Club!

Ghost Crab on the beach

Shells of horseshoe crabs

Sunsets at Rhetts Bluff

Beautiful sunsets

• Biking is a great way to see the island as well as get a little bit of a workout in!

Biking on the beach is a great way to ride to the point of the island where dolphins are often there!

• Day trip to Charleston

A trip to the Tea Plantation is a great rainy day activity

A tea plant!

Firefly Distillery is a great adult activity- also they have a petting zoo area for the kids.

Tasting the goods at Firefly!

Petting zoo area at Firefly

Pralines in Charleston

Carriage ride in downtown Charleston is a great way to see the city!

The city market is a great place to browse.

There also are so many wonderful places to eat on the island and in the surrounding areas- some of our favorites include Jasmine Porch at the Sanctuary Hotel, Cherrywood BBQ on the island, and Charleston Crab house!

Hope you enjoyed this post- links for more information on Kiawah Island can be found below.

http://www.kiawahresort.com/

Disney Dilemma: Cruise or Park?

When it comes to planning a Disney Vacation you have endless opportunities to do so many different things, all centered around our favorite mouse!

I’ve had many people ask whether they should spring for a Disney Cruise or if they should go to the park, which was the better way to have a Disney vacation? There of course is no right or wrong answer- it just depends what your budget is and when and where you want to travel and what you want to do. If you just can’t decide- there are always the land and sea packages so you can do both!

So- like anything else I blog about, I usually make a list- if items on the list apply to you for the particular vacation experience you are wanting to have then look further into that destination! I hope this serves as a helpful tool for those who are deciding what kind of vacation to take!

You should cruise if:

• You have a fairly large budget (or if you don’t you are willing to compromise on stateroom or length of cruise)
• You love eating (so many great food options and so much is already included!)
• Your kids will utilize the kids areas (or your over-sized kids will utilize the fantastic adults only areas)
• You are willing to pay more than other cruise lines in exchange for the unforgettable Disney experience
• You enjoy live stage Broadway like performances
• You want a place where your family can all go and do their own thing and/or stick together and do family activities as well
• You want to experience the fantastic rotational dining Disney Cruise Line has to offer
• You don’t mind paying for shore excursions or doing some research on the ports you stop in and doing your own thing (remembering the boat doesn’t wait for you if you are on your own!)
• You want to have an opportunity to have something for every member of your family to do at any given time
• Your kids are more independent and like doing things on their own (kids club activities and teen spaces)
• You want to see different parts of the world with the comfort of knowing Disney is your guide
• You have smaller children (babysitting is available for charge for those children not yet old enough for the kids spaces)
• You want to see fireworks on the high seas and experience open air deck parties and princess gatherings and special character meet and greets
• You want to see the places on the itinerary of the cruise you’ve chosen or you don’t care where the cruise is going and just want time to relax and enjoy the ship

You should go to a Disney Park if:

• You have a smaller budget (you can always just stay in a Disney Resort Hotel and get the Disney experience without even paying to go inside the parks)
• You love rides and want to see the Disney theme parks and all they have to offer
• You want to do more family activities together and less splitting up
• You love sitting by the pool or going to water parks
• You have kids old enough to walk around and not be afraid of characters and rides
• You want to experience Downtown Disney (soon to be Disney Springs in WDW)
• You want to be able to see things like Universal Studios or Sea World as well on your vacation (all are within reach)
• You don’t mind large crowds or waiting in lines
• You don’t mind paying a lot of money for food (or you don’t mind bringing in your own or investing in a meal plan)
• You don’t mind investing a small fortune in park tickets- or if you don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for tickets you have something in mind you want to do outside of the parks
• You enjoy staying in interesting hotels and trying different kinds of foods

Overall, cruising is a great way to have a family vacation where everyone gets to do what they want. You can let your kids wander around the ship with no problems or worries and you can sit back and enjoy all the fantastic adult areas and entertainment and activities. Of course you can always do things as a family but cruising is a great way to let everyone do what they want.

A theme park vacation is also a great way to spend those vacation days, and there are many different ways you can enjoy the theme parks and Disney Resorts. There are less opportunities for kids to do their own thing and more opportunities for family activities as I’m sure very few parents are willing to let their young children wander around the park unsupervised. There are plenty of things to do even if you are just enjoying the spas and pools and shopping and not riding the rides and seeing the shows.

Most of the time I find it comes to the budget when it comes time to decide on a destination- cruises in general tend to be much more than a park vacation- but the food is all included (unless you go for Palo or Remy)- also keep in mind alcohol and specialty drinks are additional charge so that is something to keep in mind when budgeting!

I hope this little blog helps some of you determine where you go with Disney next! Enjoy and feel free to share 🙂

NYC: Why I Love City Life

  
The hustle and bustle of a city teeming with life and excitement is something that lots of people don’t care for. They can’t overlook the unsavory smells, the green puddles you step over, the loud subway and traffic noise, and most of all the sheer amount of people you encounter in day to day living. 

But I look beyond all of that and see a place where I can explore more about the world I live in through so many different ways. In the past few days I’ve eaten restaurants with cuisine inspired by Japan, Mexico, Italy and of course right here at home- America. I’ve had the chance to see the city in all its glory lit up at night. I’ve gone to a German pub and an Irish pub and never left the upper east side. Things like this you can’t do in a small town setting. 

The people you interact with are from all sorts of different places and stages in the world and in life. You hear languages from around the world being spoken and you only traveled 10 minutes via the crosstown bus. The opportunities to expand your world view and mindset are endless. 

I love public transportation and those awesome spontaneous conversations with complete strangers. I love being in a place where your feet can get you so much further than a car and a bus or a train is never far away. It makes me feel like I can always go exploring without it being to much of an inconvenience and I never feel trapped because I have endless opportunities to go exploring. Whether it be stopping in a new local pub or exploring a park to find hidden gems, exploring doesn’t have to be expensive or scary and it is always within reach. 

That vibe you get from the city where you never don’t have something to see or somewhere to go. Something is always happening that inspires you to look beyond yourself and see so many more opportunities. Countless museums and art galleries, theater performances, bars and pubs that make you feel as if your living abroad- all these parts of the city help me discover more about what’s important to me. 

Coming from a small town I may just be envious of the big city life, but I will never stop being astounded at how much there is to see and do in these wonderful global cities like NYC and London. Never stop exploring my friends.