Come sail away, Come sail away, Come sail away with me TR Completed 2/8/2012 - Page 8 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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I've done two non-DVC bookings using points. One was at the Disneyland Hotel, years ago, the other for a weekend stay at the Loews Regency in NYC. Both were smooth and easy to book, and very nice but you definitely get more value for your points at a DVC property. If you're short on cash and have extra points, it's a great perk, but the value in DVC is Disney. (I think a weekend night at the Regency is around 60 points!!)
I know, but for the points I want it is going to be a big chunk of change. Then my other question is, you still have to add on park tickets and dining. Then, how are the other DVC places you can go, ( non-Disney.....I know, the horror) like Europe or out west for skiing??? I never hear anyone talk about those places. I have alot of questions.
Ok, first off, there are so many other Disney places you can go on your points. We've been to Disneyland three times on our points, once at the Disneyland Hotel and twice at the Grand Californian, we've taken three cruises on our points (two we paid for both of us, a three-night cruise and the Alaskan cruise a few weeks ago and the other we paid for one of us on the Med cruise), as well as one stay at Disneyland Paris. You can also use your points for Adventures by Disney, Hong Kong Disneyland and Tokyo Disney, so lots of Disney options. And, as others have mentioned, there's also Hilton Head, Vero Beach and now Aulani in Hawai'i to enjoy.
We've also used our points to stay at the Fairmont in San Francisco, the Coronado in San Diego and the Royal Garden in London, so we've made really good use of them.
you have to add on park tickets, but with the $100 discount on an Annual Pass for DVC members, that's a very nice perk to have and helps a lot and you get dining discounts at various restaurants, as well as discounts on backstage tours - all things to bear in mind.
Ok, first off, there are so many other Disney places you can go on your points. We've been to Disneyland three times on our points, once at the Disneyland Hotel and twice at the Grand Californian, we've taken three cruises on our points (two we paid for both of us, a three-night cruise and the Alaskan cruise a few weeks ago and the other we paid for one of us on the Med cruise), as well as one stay at Disneyland Paris. You can also use your points for Adventures by Disney, Hong Kong Disneyland and Tokyo Disney, so lots of Disney options. And, as others have mentioned, there's also Hilton Head, Vero Beach and now Aulani in Hawai'i to enjoy.
We've also used our points to stay at the Fairmont in San Francisco, the Coronado in San Diego and the Royal Garden in London, so we've made really good use of them.
you have to add on park tickets, but with the $100 discount on an Annual Pass for DVC members, that's a very nice perk to have and helps a lot and you get dining discounts at various restaurants, as well as discounts on backstage tours - all things to bear in mind.
Can you tell I love being a DVC member?
LOL, yes I CAN tell how much you love DVC and I enjoy hearing about all of it from you guys. Looks like Arnaud and I will have lots to discuss out on our verandah every night while the kids are sleeping
I also wanted to ask you again about the spa treatment you did on the Dream this past year. I remember you saying it was a special or a combo treatment?? It stuck in my head at the time, but now I can't remember what it was and it sounded fabulous, do you remember the name of the service/price? Thank you soo much
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Ok, first off, there are so many other Disney places you can go on your points. We've been to Disneyland three times on our points, once at the Disneyland Hotel and twice at the Grand Californian, we've taken three cruises on our points (two we paid for both of us, a three-night cruise and the Alaskan cruise a few weeks ago and the other we paid for one of us on the Med cruise), as well as one stay at Disneyland Paris. You can also use your points for Adventures by Disney, Hong Kong Disneyland and Tokyo Disney, so lots of Disney options. And, as others have mentioned, there's also Hilton Head, Vero Beach and now Aulani in Hawai'i to enjoy.
We've also used our points to stay at the Fairmont in San Francisco, the Coronado in San Diego and the Royal Garden in London, so we've made really good use of them.
you have to add on park tickets, but with the $100 discount on an Annual Pass for DVC members, that's a very nice perk to have and helps a lot and you get dining discounts at various restaurants, as well as discounts on backstage tours - all things to bear in mind.
Can you tell I love being a DVC member?
There are so many things I've been able to do just because I was able to use my DVC points. While I haven't done nearly as much as Cheryl, I have been very lucky. Another thing I considered before taking the plunge was the amount of money I spend on a hotel stay each time I go or a Disney cruise. If you were putting that money into the DVC, it would be paid off in no time instead of just spending it on a one time vacation.
LOL, yes I CAN tell how much you love DVC and I enjoy hearing about all of it from you guys. Looks like Arnaud and I will have lots to discuss out on our verandah every night while the kids are sleeping
I also wanted to ask you again about the spa treatment you did on the Dream this past year. I remember you saying it was a special or a combo treatment?? It stuck in my head at the time, but now I can't remember what it was and it sounded fabulous, do you remember the name of the service/price? Thank you soo much
I'm not sure it was me. The only thing we got on the Dream was the pass for the Rainforest for the entirity of our cruise. I did get an amazing combination treatment on our Alaskan cruise, but that was the Wonder and that was a special deal on board.
I'm not sure it was me. The only thing we got on the Dream was the pass for the Rainforest for the entirity of our cruise. I did get an amazing combination treatment on our Alaskan cruise, but that was the Wonder and that was a special deal on board.
Ok, I'm an idiot and sure screwed up someone's TR. I remember reading about on the first day the spa having a raffle of a spa service? I'll just head right to the spa that afternoon and see what deals they have going..........geez, I'm sure I can find something that will work
There are so many things I've been able to do just because I was able to use my DVC points. While I haven't done nearly as much as Cheryl, I have been very lucky. Another thing I considered before taking the plunge was the amount of money I spend on a hotel stay each time I go or a Disney cruise. If you were putting that money into the DVC, it would be paid off in no time instead of just spending it on a one time vacation.
Like what? Indulge me. Anything other than DW, DL or DCL?
Taking it all in
Ok, I'm an idiot and sure screwed up someone's TR. I remember reading about on the first day the spa having a raffle of a spa service? I'll just head right to the spa that afternoon and see what deals they have going..........geez, I'm sure I can find something that will work
You know what, I'm the idiot! I had totally forgotten about the raffle and the special offer that they did there, which I did take - that night. Gosh, my memory is not what it used to be. : The problem is I don't think you'll have any way of knowing what deals they're going to offer until that afternoon when you board. It may be something that appeals (as it did to me, although it obviously wasn't THAT memorable! ) or it may not... of course you may luck out with the raffle or you may not. There's just no guarantees on anything with this approach....
I'm dancing with you....can't believe the cruise is so close now. I am going to chime in on the DVC wagon now...I put it off, and off - my rep had the patience of a saint because it was about 3 years from our first conversation to when I bought in and all I can say is I wish I did it sooner. When I think of what I spent on our trips for those three years I was deciding...definitely would worth putting that to my DVC payment instead.
As for mother with a million questions at the IEP meeting - that would be me. I used to think I was driving them crazy then at the end of last year her counseler at the school e-mailed me to say that she really commends me on taking such an active role in Angel's education - she said she has a lot of kids whose parents come in for the initial IEP meeting and then she does not hear from them again for the rest of the year. I call her, e-mail her - I question this poor lady all year long but I want to know what is going on and how she is doing.
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) like Europe or out west for skiing??? I never hear anyone talk about those places. I have alot of questions.
you have to add on park tickets, but with the $100 discount on an Annual Pass for DVC members, that's a very nice perk to have and helps a lot 
and you get dining discounts at various restaurants, as well as discounts on backstage tours - all things to bear in mind. 
There are so many things I've been able to do just because I was able to use my DVC points. While I haven't done nearly as much as Cheryl, I have been very lucky. Another thing I considered before taking the plunge was the amount of money I spend on a hotel stay each time I go or a Disney cruise. If you were putting that money into the DVC, it would be paid off in no time instead of just spending it on a one time vacation.
The only thing we got on the Dream was the pass for the Rainforest for the entirity of our cruise. I did get an amazing combination treatment on our Alaskan cruise, but that was the Wonder and that was a special deal on board.
. I remember reading about on the first day the spa having a raffle of a spa service? I'll just head right to the spa that afternoon and see what deals they have going..........geez, I'm sure I can find something that will work
I had totally forgotten about the raffle and the special offer that they did there, which I did take - that night. Gosh, my memory is not what it used to be. 
: The problem is I don't think you'll have any way of knowing what deals they're going to offer until that afternoon when you board. It may be something that appeals (as it did to me, although it obviously wasn't THAT memorable! 
) or it may not... of course you may luck out with the raffle or you may not. There's just no guarantees on anything with this approach....
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