New member

Thanks everyone. Our DVC home resort is Old Key West. We have stayed at Saratoga Springs and Animal Kingdom as well. We've stayed in 1 BR to Grand Villa. Would like to look into purchasing points at the new Contemporary Resort.

I agree!! I looked into various time shares and after visiting WDW and saw they had their DVC, I looked at thier options. After comparing all of them - I decided with DVC and have not regretted my decision. For me, DVC allows us to plan "family" vacations. Moreso, it forces me to take a vacation. I have used the Grand Villa multiple times at OKW and this has essentially paid for the initial buy in. Also, living in AZ - it allows us the opportunity to plan a short weekend trip to Disneyland. I know buying into DVC is not cheap - but if you use it, I think it pays for itself - not necessarily monetarily, but if you are a Disney fan like our entire family - the life experiences to be had are priceless!

I've read Allie's trip report and everyone else's. It is incredible how everyone seems to have similar experiences - both good and bad. Even if there are difference in opinions on different aspects of WDW, the common theme seems to be the total excitement of going to WDW!!!!

We would love to go to Aulani. We stayed at the JW Marriott next door during our honeymoon. The land that the Aulani is on was supposed to be a condo development. We loved the Ko Olina area - there isnt much around which we liked. Definitely not Waikiki.

I think we'll be planning a WDW trip for December 2013 - I'll post it on the vacation planning forum when confirmed.
Could be doing a last minute Disneyland trip this December 2012.

Yes - you initially purchase points at a specific "home resort". By purchasing points at a home resort, you get to make reservations 11 months in advance at your home resort (depending on availability) and can make reservations up to 7 months in advance at all other DVC resorts (upon availability). Reservations are made by first come first serve basis - I tried reserving a Grand Villa last year for a week right after Christmas through New Years (at the 11 month window) and was put on a wait list. We eventually got the Grand Villa - I think we waited about a month. You can use points at all Disney properties and cruise - they also have an exchange program with RCI and Buena Vista Trading Company as well if you choose to reserve something out of Disney.

My next big project is to somehow plan a trip to Tokyo Disney Resort. Will have to bank and borrow points from my use years. I've been there once a long time ago - just a day trip as we were staying at a different hotel in Tokyo and took the train to the resort.

I guess my ultimate bucket list project is to go to each Disney resort worldwide - WDW, DL, Tokyo, Paris, and Hong Kong.