You can also trade out for DCL or RCI. I know people say DCL is not an efficient use of points but it works for us (12 cruises down, one booked for 2020).
DW and I just returned from our 10-day stay at SSR. The stay was "fine" and SSR staff extended warm hospitality--though the rooms are in serious need of updating and removal of the mustiness that has accumulated over the years. As for the parks, I found the summer crowds to be relatively light everywhere--except MK, which always finds a way to be super busy. Overall, it was a "nice" vacation--but lacking in the number of WOW moments. This, I think, has much more to do with our now extensive familiarity with WDW rather than what WDW has to offer. (And yes we've gone in the summer a lot--so the nuclear heat isn't really the tipping point issue.) I just might--finally-- be Disneyed-out.
In August 2001, DW and I brought our 3 young children to WDW for what was to be a "once-in-a-lifetime" vacation. Instead, it became an annual trip back "home" to soak in the magic over and over again. Our kids went from toddlers to College Program participants (2) and now even a full-time cast member. So, let me be clear, I/we still love WDW and all that it has meant to our family for the last two decades. We have so many magical memories to treasure!
But, alas, I must confess that our annual, now sometimes twice-annual treks to WDW, have become just a bit too familiar--even, as yes, we try new things and do them differently as empty nesters. I understand that transitions in the family dynamic are a natural and desirable part of life; and, yes, there are new things to be excited about--especially seeing our daughter work in the world--super cool! It's just that on the whole--I think it's "enough"--at least for now. I say that not as a knock on Disney and with full appreciation for the privilege it is to be sufficiently resourced to have made so many trips there over the years. I've just come to recognize that a break may be in order. Besides, didn't someone once say that "absence makes the heart grow fonder?"
Check back with me first of year to see if my Disney fever returns...
If I could write as well as you, I would have said the exact same thing. You covered all the points perfectly. I agree with you 100%DW and I just returned from our 10-day stay at SSR. The stay was "fine" and SSR staff extended warm hospitality--though the rooms are in serious need of updating and removal of the mustiness that has accumulated over the years. As for the parks, I found the summer crowds to be relatively light everywhere--except MK, which always finds a way to be super busy. Overall, it was a "nice" vacation--but lacking in the number of WOW moments. This, I think, has much more to do with our now extensive familiarity with WDW rather than what WDW has to offer. (And yes we've gone in the summer a lot--so the nuclear heat isn't really the tipping point issue.) I just might--finally-- be Disneyed-out.
In August 2001, DW and I brought our 3 young children to WDW for what was to be a "once-in-a-lifetime" vacation. Instead, it became an annual trip back "home" to soak in the magic over and over again. Our kids went from toddlers to College Program participants (2) and now even a full-time cast member. So, let me be clear, I/we still love WDW and all that it has meant to our family for the last two decades. We have so many magical memories to treasure!
But, alas, I must confess that our annual, now sometimes twice-annual treks to WDW, have become just a bit too familiar--even, as yes, we try new things and do them differently as empty nesters. I understand that transitions in the family dynamic are a natural and desirable part of life; and, yes, there are new things to be excited about--especially seeing our daughter work in the world--super cool! It's just that on the whole--I think it's "enough"--at least for now. I say that not as a knock on Disney and with full appreciation for the privilege it is to be sufficiently resourced to have made so many trips there over the years. I've just come to recognize that a break may be in order. Besides, didn't someone once say that "absence makes the heart grow fonder?"
Check back with me first of year to see if my Disney fever returns...
look into using points to go with RCI . you can use them almost anywhere you'd care to roam! some you can even book 1-2 or 3 nights! We have been disgusted with ticket prices for a while now, and limit disny to every couple years with grandkids, the rest of the time we wonder. This year, however, we go to Aulani for 10 days in Jan. Can't wait. we used rci in vancouver pre-cruise, in Breckenridge CO and another ski resort , Blue sky montanna to explore yellowstone, ( amazing vacation), and in NYC.I am 100% with you. I have been experiencing "Disney Ennui" for a couple of years. We bought DVC in the 1990's before we had our DD and now that she's in college (a Junior) and doesn't join us very often ... it's pretty boring. I have a trip next month with the DD and her boyfriend and I actually have a level of excitement. I also have a trip planned in October with adult friends for "Grub and Booze". I think for us we have to transition from a "family" vacation to an "adult" vacation. Disney is fine with my DD and fine with friends, but frankly NOT fine with my DH. I would rather do/experience something different with him. Disney is *gasp* boring.
Our APs expires in late December. We won't be renewing them. Instead we will be selling our points to pay for more exciting vacations (edited, renting out the points, not selling ... yet). I think we'll wait a year and then see if something floats our boat. If not, we might sell at least one DVC contract.
Thanks! I will look into that, but right now I'm renting out my points and using the cash to pay for other vacations.look into using points to go with RCI . you can use them almost anywhere you'd care to roam! some you can even book 1-2 or 3 nights! We have been disgusted with ticket prices for a while now, and limit disny to every couple years with grandkids, the rest of the time we wonder. This year, however, we go to Aulani for 10 days in Jan. Can't wait. we used rci in vancouver pre-cruise, in Breckenridge CO and another ski resort , Blue sky montanna to explore yellowstone, ( amazing vacation), and in NYC.
Good idea...or Aulani. we did that in October. We loved it!Have you used your points for Vero Beach or Hilton Head? We don’t do Disney World every year-but going to the beach resorts are a great alternative.
We fell the same way...the concierge collection is good. weve also enjoyed the cruises. We’re older now, so the parks are hard to navigate unfortunately. I’d love to go to the parks for just a few hours and just people watch, but ticket prices are too much for that.. it’s a beautiful place during the holidays!We're in the same boat as you. We bought DVC in 2004 so we've been DVC members for 15 (!) years. After a pretty amazing decade of Disney trips, we quickly became Disney-ed out. For many of the same reasons you mentioned. We've since used our DVC points at Concierge Collection Resorts (favorites including Fairmont San Francisco, Keystone Resort in CO, and the Mandarin Oriental in DC, among others) - which I realize isn't a good value. At the same time, we didn't buy into DVC as an investment, but as an opportunity to travel and have really wonderful places to stay while doing so. Disney still has high standards for its resort and hotel Concierge Collection selections so we've never been disappointed. We now go to WDW every 3-4 years - we experienced Toy Story Land and Pandora in Dec 2018 for the first time, which made the trip really memorable. We'll be at Aulani for the first time this winter - really looking forward to it. I've been reading some pretty incredible trip reports of folks traveling to the other Disney parks around the world. It's my dream to one day check out Disney Paris and Tokyo Disney.
I do agree that perhaps we need to let WDW cool off till the next generation arrives. Or a recession.... a recession would perhaps stall the hyper insane price increases, and allow the crowds to become more manageable. Time will tell....
Thinking about renting our points too. Never done it before. Is it hard?Thanks! I will look into that, but right now I'm renting out my points and using the cash to pay for other vacations.
It can be super easy if you rent them through a broker. People like David's DVC Rentals (www.dvcbyrequest.com) which is a board sponsor. He'll pay you $13.50 - $14.50 per point with almost no work on your part. You can also rent direct here on the DIS for more, but you'll have to put more work into it. You'll get about $2 more per point here on the DIS. I rent existing reservations on another DVC site that is censored here for some reason so I can't share it with you. I would do it here on the DIS, but I would have to pay $199 for a Premium Rental plan to do so.Thinking about renting our points too. Never done it before. Is it hard?
We're in the same boat as you. We bought DVC in 2004 so we've been DVC members for 15 (!) years. After a pretty amazing decade of Disney trips, we quickly became Disney-ed out. For many of the same reasons you mentioned. We've since used our DVC points at Concierge Collection Resorts (favorites including Fairmont San Francisco, Keystone Resort in CO, and the Mandarin Oriental in DC, among others) - which I realize isn't a good value. At the same time, we didn't buy into DVC as an investment, but as an opportunity to travel and have really wonderful places to stay while doing so. Disney still has high standards for its resort and hotel Concierge Collection selections so we've never been disappointed. We now go to WDW every 3-4 years - we experienced Toy Story Land and Pandora in Dec 2018 for the first time, which made the trip really memorable. We'll be at Aulani for the first time this winter - really looking forward to it. I've been reading some pretty incredible trip reports of folks traveling to the other Disney parks around the world. It's my dream to one day check out Disney Paris and Tokyo Disney.
I do agree that perhaps we need to let WDW cool off till the next generation arrives. Or a recession.... a recession would perhaps stall the hyper insane price increases, and allow the crowds to become more manageable. Time will tell....
Why would you have to pay $199 for a Premium Rental plan on here?It can be super easy if you rent them through a broker. People like David's DVC Rentals (www.dvcbyrequest.com) which is a board sponsor. He'll pay you $13.50 - $14.50 per point with almost no work on your part. You can also rent direct here on the DIS for more, but you'll have to put more work into it. You'll get about $2 more per point here on the DIS. I rent existing reservations on another DVC site that is censored here for some reason so I can't share it with you. I would do it here on the DIS, but I would have to pay $199 for a Premium Rental plan to do so.