Originally Posted By RoadTrip Ann and I had decided that our Disney for this year would be just the Disney Cruise... that we really had no desire to visit the Florida Disney Parks. But then I was thinking early this evening... why spend $125 to stay at Port Canaveral the night before our cruise when I could use my points and stay at WDW for free? I wasn't at all sure I could get a reservation at this late date (we would be there in two weeks) but I decided it was worth at try. I checked the new DVC online booking site and found that we could get a Studio at Saratoga Springs. The site works very well and is quite efficient to use... I wish their regular booking site worked as well. So I get to experience my FAVORITE part of WDW... the beautiful resorts and the atmosphere. We will check in and go over to Downtown Disney and perhaps the Boardwalk, returning to the resort for a late night swim. No $100 a day for park tickets for each of us, no waiting in long lines for attractions I've seen 50 times. Just the BEST of WDW the day before heading out on our Disney Cruise. Color me happy!
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Can you use your points for the cruises?>> Yes, paid in full. All I pay cash for is getting there, souvenirs and alcohol. For a retired guy it is a much better use of points than staying at WDW and still having to pay a fortune for park tickets and dining. Next year we are going to vacation at the DVC Vero Beach Resort. A more laid-back style vacation, no running around the parks or expensive tickets to buy. Just relax and enjoy the beauty of the area... sit around the pool or on the beach. We've never done something like that before and are both looking forward to it.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance Sounds really nice. I could sit around a pool or the beach all day long. Not sure I could stand being that close to the parks without going though.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip As I've gotten older the parks are less of an attraction. Partly, I've been to WDW 25+ times in the past 20 years, so I've seen it all many times. A big difference from my "theme park commando" days. Now spending 12 hours a day walking around and standing in lines to experience maybe 2 hours or so of actual time on the attractions just doesn't seem like that good a deal. My COPD can also make things difficult. Most days I have no problem walking as long as the ground is level, and WDW certainly is. But there is always the occasional bad day, and a park visit becomes quite exhausting. I refuse to rent an ECV because of the nasty looks and comments a person who is not obviously disabled has to put up with. I'm thin which would eliminate the "he's too fat and lazy to walk" comments, but there are still many who think you are out to game the system.
Originally Posted By Mr X I say, to hell with whatever others may think. If you need it, use it. Why suffer? Having said that, I can see why a somewhat lower-key vacation is more appealing, even if just in case.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost RT, I made that mistake once. I had an accident about 3 months before a scheduled trip to WDW with my Daughter and her family. By the time of the trip, I was walking OK, (leg injury) but I couldn't walk the amount needed for WDW and stand in line that long (combined). I am overweight but have never used an ECV because I have never wanted to. In spite of my weight I have always been in good enough condition to navigate the parks. When it became apparent that I would need one to make that trip I cancelled because I knew that everyone, who for some reason think it's any of their business, would be judgmental about my using it. Except for a scar on my leg that although visible, it wasn't in your face visible. I cannot tell you how much I regretted that decision. After which I vowed that I would never miss out on a family memory again because I cared about what others thought. I don't know what I was thinking at the time. I had never before cared, but there I was concerned about what some shallow people that cannot stay within the confines of their own lives, thought.
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 Sounds great RT, I'm wanting to do one of the Disney cruises. Just needing to convince my hubby.
Originally Posted By danyoung >Not sure I could stand being that close to the parks without going though.< I'm with you on that one, CC. But I can understand Trippy's new mode of vacationing. A WDW visit is usually physically challenging, which is a good thing for me - something that I have to train a bit to get ready for. But even now I'm slowing down a bit, taking things much more leisurely than I used to, which is just fine with me. That's the benefit of an AP and frequent trips - if I miss something, I'll just pick it up in a couple months!
Originally Posted By RoadTrip The Bahamas four-day cruise. I like having the extra day at sea to enjoy the ship (even though you go a whole lot of nowhere that last day... if you are up late at night you see the ship is barely moving).
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost To be honest...one spot on the ocean looks pretty much the same as another. Even if you were cruising at 100 knots, it would still look the same. Just a bigger wake.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub Hi RT , Have fun on your cruise. If you have the time you should check out the new Grand Floridian DVC Model units at the Saratoga. You might need an apptment but they are worth the walk-thru just to see.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Thanks MMC... I will try to get an early morning appointment to see if I can have a look before we need to leave for Port Canaveral. I never would have thought the preview would be at SS. I would be curious to see what they look like. At my age I'm certainly not in the market for more points... I already have enough to pay for a month in a Studio or two weeks in a One Bedroom unit, or a Cruise and a one week stay in a WDW Studio besides. But I would be interested in taking a look.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub Do you ever post on mouseowners.com? How many points do you have ??? ...cause it sounds like a lot. ...
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I'll have to check out mouseowners.com.... was not aware of it. I have 320 points... not a huge amount, but since we generally go to WDW in January it buys a lot of time.
Originally Posted By tashajilek I can understand how you would want to just enjoy your resort. I'm thinking about trying to visit the resorts one day before I actually get to the parks. During Christmas it was really fun taking the monorail to the different resorts and getting to check out the decorations and gingerbread houses. I usually have very little interest in Visiting the hotels at Disneyland, but at WDW it really is amazing.
Originally Posted By Disney Joy On one of my trips I took a day and visited the high end resorts. That was fun. RT - I understand totally just enjoying the parks now. I have been going to Disney & WDW for about 20-25 years - sometimes 2 or 3 times per year. I don't need to run around on the rides. I enjoy the atmosphere and watching people. I have been on 2 cruises and I need to work more of those into my plans. So enjoyable and Mickey is on the boat.
Originally Posted By steamboat1928 Bon Voyage and Fair Winds to you both Roadtrip!!!! Have a great time.
Originally Posted By demderedoseguys >RT - I understand totally just enjoying the parks now. I have been going to Disney & WDW for about 20-25 years - sometimes 2 or 3 times per year. I don't need to run around on the rides. I enjoy the atmosphere and watching people.< My wife and I go alone now that the kids are grown up and instead of running around like crazy, we just enjoy the sights and watching the people. We stay at the BW or BC and fully enjoy the resorts with the parks being something we do at a leisurely pace. We may as well enjoy that now because our two grandchildren will have us back on the fast track in a few years when we start bringing them. They're only 1 and 2 years old now and we refuse to become part of the stroller brigade. In the meantime, all of you crazy people please try and not knock us over while racing to your next Fastpass or favorite attraction.
