Comments Off on Resale Policy Update – Effective January 19th
The following policy change has been posted to the DVCmember.com website:
Update to Disney Vacation Club Resort Access for Contracts Not Purchased Directly from Disney
Effective January 19, 2019, only Members who purchase directly from Disney will be able to use their Vacation Points at the 14 existing Disney Vacation Club Resorts or future Resorts—such as Disney’s Riviera Resort or Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge. Resale contracts purchased for the existing 14 Disney Vacation Club Resorts will only be able to exchange Points into those 14 Resorts.
This change does not apply to contracts purchased prior to January 19, 2019. Contracts gifted to family members will continue to have the same Resort access as before the ownership transfer.
The eligibility rules for Membership Extras and RCI access remain unchanged.
The Buena Vista Trading Company Disclosure Guide has been amended accordingly.
What does this mean?
Anyone who purchases resale after January 19th will not be able to use their points to book Riviera or any new DVC resorts to come. Instead, you will have access to booking the current 14 DVC resorts as well as RCI. The 7 and 11 month booking windows remain in affect — book your home resort up to 11 months or book one of the other 14 DVC resorts up to 7 months in advance.
If you are a current owner (direct or resale), you are not affected by this new policy. The points you currently own are grandfathered-in with any future points purchased via resale being subject to the new policy.
If you are under contract to purchase a DVC resale and scheduled to close this year, you are also not affected by this new policy and will be grandfathered-in.
If you are not a current owner and the ability to book Riviera and future resorts is important to you, you need to have an offer accepted and signed contracts submitted to Disney for ROFR before January 19th in order to retain these benefits.
Eligibility rules for Membership Extras and the current resale policy can be found here: Resale Policy
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our team: 866-544-2919 or team@resalesdvc.com
Comments Off on How to Rent DVC Points as a Resale Owner
“Welcome Home!”Hearing this greeting when you arrive for your Disney resort stay is like sweet music to the ears; it helps create a direct connection between your family and all of the magic that Disney has to offer.Choosing to purchase a Disney Vacation Club resale contract strengthens this connection. It allows for endless smiles and countless memories made over years of Disney trips using the magical points you now call your own to plan the vacations you’ve been dreaming of.
fountain in the lobby of the Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Sometimes life can get in the way of trip planning when unexpected expenses such as medical or car repair bills pop up that clear out your vacation fund.Over the years weddings, school schedules, or relocating to start a new job may affect the time set aside for a getaway. Maybe even a new vacation idea has begun calling your name!Instances like these, is where David’s Vacation Club Rentals comes to the rescue!
Our service can assist DVC Resale Owners in a variety of ways, and through this post, we will discuss some of the many perks of working with our company.
“In Every Job That Must Be Done There Is an Element of Fun!”
The Disney Vacation Club is undoubtedly a program full of magic, and once you have purchased a DVC contract there is a whole new language to learn!The words “banking,” “borrowing,” and “expiry” start to loom large.Things such as booking windows, deadlines, calendars, and availability start bouncing around in your brain like Tigger on his tail!Figuring out how best to use your points within their usage stipulations can seem quite daunting!It’s not uncommon for DVC Owners to find themselves overwhelmed by the complexities of the Disney Vacation Club’s details and policies.
As it is something we work with all day every day, our team is well-versed in the various aspects of Disney’s timeshare program.We have worked with countless DVC Owners who have come to us with questions and confusion regarding their use years, banking/borrowing/expiry deadlines, point totals and more.Our team is happy to break down the information, making it more understandable and easier to utilize.As the pioneers of DVC point rentals, we began in 2005 and learned the policies, procedures, and rules involved with DVC.We’re happy to assist all Owners in learning how best to work with their new contracts.
To be as efficient and effective as possible, our team has amassed an expansive knowledge of not only the DVC system, but also the resorts, destinations, and more!We work with all 14 Disney Vacation Club resorts across North America and have demand for all of them.No matter which DVC resort you call home, we can work with your points to find a match.
Disney’s Beach Club Villas
Our team members will look at the Use Year/Month of Issue/Expiry of the points listed for rent and will search for a guest request that would be the best match and offer the maximum usage.
We do our very best to match available points for rent as quickly and efficiently as possible; aiming to maximize the points used, and in conjunction with that, the funds recouped by the DVC Owner for those points that may otherwise expire.Our service is truly a win-win situation!DVC Owners are able to receive financial compensation for points they are unable to use, guests can experience their dream stay at a deluxe resort at significant savings, and Disney sees their resort rooms (and parks) kept at a higher occupancy, thus leading to higher revenue!As Mary Poppins would say, “it’s practically perfect in every way!”
Copper Creek Grand Villa at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Let Us “Share a Whole New World With You!” – Other Point Swap Options
The Disney Vacation Club does limit some of the ways that DVC Owners can use their points when they have purchased their contracts through resale.Two of those restrictions involve using points towards bookings with the Disney Cruise Line and Adventures by Disney.While this is something that resale Owners are unable to book directly through the Disney Vacation Club (due to stipulations in their policies), we have designed point swap programs which still allow you to book the Disney cruise or adventure of your dreams, all at a better value for your points!If like Belle you’ve wanted “adventure in the great wide somewhere,” we are here to help make that dream a reality!
Disney Dream
When using points to make a booking through the Disney Cruise Line or Adventures by Disney, DVC charges a fee for transferring your points into a different system, as well as offers a lower value for points used outside of the DVC resorts.When working with our cruise swap service, our Cruise Specialists will book the sailing with the Disney Cruise Line directly (where the cost of the cruise is determined in dollars, not points) and rent your unused points for a guest staying at a DVC resort. The funds for reservations made is applied towards your cruise.This allows us to maximize the value of the DVC Owner’s points financially, as well as avoid the conversion fee charged through DVC.For resale Owners, this provides an opportunity to use your precious points for any kind of Disney vacation you truly want to take, without the added limitations set by the Disney Vacation Club.
We handle all communication with the cruise line, allowing the DVC Owners we work with to focus on a stress-free vacation and avoid the time and hassle of planning the details.As a thank you for booking with our service, we also offer an onboard credit to your stateroom!
Stateroom on the Disney Dream
Our newest service offers the same benefits for Adventures by Disney vacations!Much like our cruise swap program, we apply the funds for point rentals to the cost of the adventure of your choice, saving you the cost of fees and giving you a higher return for the value of your points.
Adventures by Disney trips often take a lot of planning, as well as back-and-forth communication with Disney’s Vacationistas, and our team is happy to take care of that on your behalf.Allow us to handle the calls, hold-times, and hassle as we put your points to work!Adventure is out there, and our team is here to help you find it!
Adventures by Disney – Gondola in Venice
All it takes to get started is a phone call to our office at 1-800-610-5791 (9am-5:00pm EST, 7 days a week) and one of our Team Members would be more than happy to provide you with additional information, as well as a quote on the vacation you are interested in!
“You’ve Got A Friend” In Us! – Customer Service You Can Count On
Along with the financial perks that can come from renting unused Disney Vacation Club points, we are committed to providing a high level of customer service to both guest and owner.Our team works with DVC Owners from all over the world, and as many of them have busy schedules, we aim to keep our process as streamlined and efficient as possible.Our system doesn’t require DVC Owners to contact us each day and chase after potential reservations.We assist the guests with their vacation planning and handle all questions and communications.We then contact the DVC Owners we work with and whose points fit the request once availability has been checked and the reservation details are lined up and ready to go.
pool area at Disney’s Old Key West
As we never have access to the DVC Owners’ membership accounts, we do rely on them for certain aspects of our service, such as making reservations and completing certain changes or additions to reservations which have already been secured.These changes and additions are ones that the guests or our team members are unable to complete on their behalf (such as adding/removing guests, adding dining plans, making room vicinity requests, etc.)We do our very best to keep the number of reservations made with an Owner’s points as few as possible to minimalize the number of additional tasks.We also handle all communications with the guests, so the DVC Owners we work with have no direct contact with the families that rent their points and do not need to obtain or verify information on their own; we take care of as much of the process as possible!
Many DVC Owners will choose to work with us not only because of the ease of the process, but also the security.Both the DVC Owner and guest are held to a legally binding contract to keep the reservation in good standing.This means that once an Owner’s points have been used to make a reservation and those guests have paid in full, they are not able to cancel and the Owner is guaranteed payment for the points used.There is also no direct contact between the Owners and guests, so the DVC Owners’ membership details and personal information are kept private and confidential.
Much like Pinocchio, we’ve got no strings to hold you down, make you fret, or make you frown!There are no fees to sign up with our service, and we also don’t require owners to keep their points in our queue if they decide to change their minds.Any unused points are always the Owners’ to use at their discretion.There is no penalty to remove any unused points from our rental queue or change the number of points listed, and our team is always happy to assist accordingly!
There are many positive reasons to work with us, and our team at David’s Vacation Club Rentals is ready, willing, and able to help you take your points “to infinity and beyond!” ~Stacy
Join us in celebrating “Grandma” Jaki’s 85th birthday
Today we celebrate the 85th birthday of the “matriarch” of ResalesDVC, “Grandma” Jaki.
Jaki is an original co-founder of Garden Views Realty, Inc and has been instrumental in the success of ResalesDVC for over 20 years.
And like a fine bottle of wine, she only gets better with age!
We, the ResalesDVC family look forward to another 20 years under her guidance and inspiration to always put the client first.
Please join us in wishing “Grandma” Jaki a happy birthday by leaving your birthday wish in the comments section below.
Note for mobile users: If you do not see the comments, scroll to end of post and click on View non-AMP Version
Also, enjoy the video interview below where Jaki talks about her history, ResalesDVC, and the importance of Family.
Comments Off on Why Disney World with young kids is still a magical experience!
Disney World is a place where dreams come true, your imagination is set free and even the most responsible adults, turn into kids when they step foot into the park.
Disney is aimed at everyone old and young, however it is usually considered that those under five may not appreciate the park in all its glory. Those who’s little legs get tired quicker, those who are more likely to be restricted on rides due to their height.
Well, this is where this article will set your minds at ease, as there are several reasons as to why Disney World with children under five is still a magical experience that you need to try!
Advance Dining Reservations
All parents know the art to a smooth trip is planning. With Advance Dining Reservations (ADRs) you can book up to 180 days in advance for meals such as character breakfasts and Dinners.
Disney Dining Plan
Another meal perk is the ability to pre-pay for your food and drink. We all know the frustration of the kids becoming bored whilst waiting to pay your bill in a busy place, but with Disney Dining Plan (DDP), it allows for you to exchange your money for credits that are redeemable amongst most food service locations.
FastPass+
Most Disney parks operate a two line entrance to the park; a standby line which is for standard guests and a FastPass+ line, which allows those with a reservation to enter without queuing for too long.
This FastPass+ is where you are given an allocated time slot to go on the ride. However you are limited to 3 advance reservations per day per ticket and only selected rides offer this service.
My Disney Experience
Disney have created an all-in-one web portal that allows guests to book and manage their trip. They can make FastPass+ selections, set Advance Dining Reservations, check times of shows and entertainment and find answers to FAQ. My Disney Experience can also be downloaded as an App to your phone to be used on the go!
Extra Magic Hours
Take advantage of the additional park hours that are exclusively for use by guests of Walt Disney World resort hotels and select partner hotels. Us parents know that little ones are early risers, and the rush of all the Disney excitement may keep them awake longer than usual so use these extra hours to go on the most popular rides.
If you research popular rides and their queue times, then you can be practical and beat the queues! The extra hours do change daily so do make sure you check the guides for details.
Pushchair Hire
There are pushchair rental centres in Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom Theme Park and Disney Springs. This means you can leave your buggy behind and save more space for shopping woohoo!
Rider Switch
This is perfect if you have a little one who wants to go on a ride repeatedly or have a sibling who doesnt want to go on a ride! Rider Switch gives everyone a turn while also stopping little ones from waiting unsupervised.
The way this works is that some of your group will enter the line, and the rest of the group will wait in a designated area. When the first group finishes, the adult takes over supervision and the waiting group boards without waiting in line.
Disney Springs
Disney Springs is comprised of four areas:
1) The Landing – this contains most of Disney’s newest restaurants and signature nightlife.
2) The Marketplace – a shopping district with World of Disney and multiple themed restaurants.
3) Town Center – designer and branded shops alongside a large-scale bar
4) West Side – The old classic entertainment facilities of Downtown Disney.
Walt Disney World Relaxing Activities
Taking time to unwind is easy at Disney World with the choice of the following:
1) Epcot’s Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf for children aged three and up.
2) Movies under the stars – All of the Disney Resorts have regular outdoor movie schedules which all Disney guests can attend for free by jumping on a bus from a park to the resort in question.
3) Explore woodland trails with bikes thanks to Disney’s Bike Rentals, including a 2, 4 or 6 person surrey bike!
4) Retail Therapy at any of the Disney shops.
Disney Water Parks
Disney has two Water Parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. Both are brilliant to chill out after a few days of hustle and bustle. These two places have splash zones, white sandy beaches and a lazy river. Genuinely perfect especially with little ones!
Attractions for Kids Aged 0-5
There are many things to do with under fives including exploring the depths of the ocean at The Seas with Nemo and Friends in Epcot, Toy Story Mania in Hollywood Studios and experiencing a world of dinosaur discoveries at The Boneyard playpark in Animal Kingdom. There is also Dumbo the Flying Elephant, The Magic Carpets of Aladdin and Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid all in Magic Kingdom.
Relaxation If after all of the above you find your little ones are in need of some down time then why not try the following spots:
1) Gorilla Falls in the Animal Kingdom – Enjoy the trail full of exotic animals and forestry.
2) Walt Disney World Railroad – Why not take in the views and admire Magic Kingdom park in full.
3) Disney Shows – Watch Beauty & the Beast Live on Stage, Festival of the Lion King, Disney Junior on Stage are just the start.
4) Tikes Peak & the Beach at Blizzard Beach Water Park has miniature rides for little ones.
5) The Sea Base in Future World at Epcot – Surround yourself with marine life in the 5.7 million -gallon aquarium.
With all these tips in mind, I am sure you will have the most amazing time and if you have anymore questions feel free to message me over on Twitter or Facebook.
Comments Off on How To Choose Your Disney Cruise Cabin
When it comes to choosing your cabin on any ship, much comes down to personal preference. After all, if the same thing worked for us all, there would only be one type of cabin. When making your decision these are some of the factors to consider:
Do you need the children to sleep in in the morning?
When travelling with small children, inside cabins are my personal preference. Evenings aboard the ships are filled with amazing shows and character appearances, and putting the children to bed at their normal time would mean they would miss out on much of the fun. That said, no one wants children so tired that they can’t enjoy their holiday. Having an inside cabin means that you can switch their day around, and as no natural light enters the room, they will sleep longer in the morning. It even means their accompanying grown ups get the odd lie in, which has to be a win win situation.
How many guests are in your travelling party?
For those travelling with more than a couple of passengers in their cabin the Deluxe staterooms are worth considering. They offer a “split bath” meaning that instead of one larger bathroom, there are two areas, one containing the shower/ tub and sink unit, and the other containing a toilet and sink unit. This means that when everyone is trying to get ready at the same time, there are more options and less chance of arguments about whose turn it is to use the bathroom next.
For families travelling with a stroller these rooms also have the advantage that you can store it the bathroom area during the times when no-one is showering, whilst still having full access to toilet and washing facilities. As space is a premium, this makes a big difference to being able to move around your room with ease.
How much time are you planning to spend in your room?
As a family when we board, we are rarely in our room. We’re usually found either out on deck or wandering around the ship looking for characters. Our room is somewhere we go back to, to change and to sleep. For us that means we would rather go on a longer cruise and have a less expensive room.
However, it can’t be denied that the inside cabins could feel a little claustrophobic if you are the kind of family who likes to spend time relaxing in your room rather than being out and about in the hustle and bustle of the ship. Oceanview staterooms have large porthole windows, with stunning views of the ocean around you. They also provide beautiful photo backdrops, after all how often do you get to look as though you are surrounded by the sea?
Are there lots of sea days?
On port days the ship is never very busy, you can move around, sunbathe where you like and easily find a space to relax. On sea days however, when everyone is onboard communal areas are often busier and you may not be able to find a seat or sun lounger in your ideal spot. For those wanting to soak up the rays in peace, a balcony cabin is the perfect option. Setting sail looking at the ocean from your very own space is a feeling that is hard to beat.
As a further caveat and to help you decide whether this is the option for you it’s also worth bearing in mind the clientele who are likely to be on your particular cruise. Whilst on most cruises the adult pool area is comparatively quiet compared to the children’s areas, during transitioning on the Transatlantic crossings this often switches round, with more adults than families cruising.
Are You Looking For The Height Of Luxury?
There’s no denying that everywhere aboard the Disney ships embodies luxury, but the very height of that are the concierge suites. From the larger more spacious accommodation, to the dedicated concierge team on hand to meet your every need. And of course not forgetting the private areas of the ship – including a sun terrace – available to concierge guests only. If you are looking to add the icing on to the cake of what will already be an incredible vacation, these are the rooms you’ll want to investigate.
Wherever You Choose…
Wherever you choose to lay your head at night, you can be sure of a holiday to remember. Your cabin will be beautiful. It will have all those Disney extras, that make a difference to your stay. And, most importantly of all, it will have you. A family destined to make memories.
Victoria is a lifelong Disney fan from England, who loves spending family holidays onboard Disney Cruise Line. A mum of two children, one nine and the other eighteen months, she is also a qualified teacher. When she isn’t running after children at home or at work she blogs at www.mummytimestwo.com.
Comments Off on Animal Kingdom Lodge: Savoring the Senses of Africa
Savoring the senses of Africa
Arusha. Uzima. Kudu. The sounds of these words transport you into an exotic world before you’ve even found the hallway that will take you to your villa at Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Jambo House. And if you weren’t too rushed to check in, you might have paused as you first set foot into the soaring lobby to absorb the cool dark wood purpose-built to shield your eyes from the blazing sun outside. A similar experience awaits you if you are checking in at Kidani Village. Both properties which welcome DVC members home are treasure troves of sensory experiences…IF you make the time for them. And that is hard to do when you are juggling kids and luggage and groceries and project managing transportation, dining reservations, and fast pass return times, so it needs a boost to float up on the list of priorities!
It’s a fair argument that the Animal Kingdom Lodges of Jambo House and Kidani Village showcase Disney theming at its best. After all, theming here goes way beyond décor and wall art and includes “props” of live giraffes, impala and zebra! Not to mention cultural ambassadors from a host of African nations who are always willing to share stories about where they came from. Both Jambo House and Kidani Village provide a feast of color, sound, scents, textures and flavors. Not all of them are obvious, but many are so powerful, carving out a portion of a day or an evening to experience them away from the chaos of the parks may just become the most memorable part of your stay. Even if you’ve stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge multiple times, it is easy to miss its more subtle wonders. So here’s a Sensory Spotting Guide to Animal Kingdom Lodge!
The Sights
Jambo house lobby
Unquestionably the focal point of Jambo House, the lobby is decorated with brightly colored light fixtures, furniture, area rugs and sculptures which contrast with the dark, soothing wood. A suspension bridge and floor-to-ceiling windows draw you in from the main entry. On either side of those great glass windows are unobtrusive doors that lead to a covered balcony with rocking chairs overlooking the vista from a bird’s eye perch. There are hardly ever any other people there. In fact, you usually only notice them when you are outside by the storytelling fire pit, looking up. And speaking of looking up, don’t forget to! The architectural details at the roofline are fascinating, as well as the materials that make up the roof and ceilings. Look up when you are in the pool area, too. There are real bananas growing on the trees!
Kidani Village has its own brand of eye candy. It scales things down due its much smaller lobby area, but is still alive with color and contrast. The lantern wall just outside the entrance offers a glowing welcome by day and is positively enchanting at night.
In both resort buildings, African art is spread not just in the main public areas of the lobby, but also down the hallways to guest rooms. Glass cases in elevator bays display items like tribal headdresses and ceremonial costumes. Stop and take a look…they are 100% authentic. If you are hauling luggage down those long hallways, it’s a good excuse to stop and rest while you admire the display! After dark, find a pair of the night vision goggles available at select animal overlooks. You’ll get a whole different perspective on the savannahs at night which may look empty but are still full of life.
The Scents and Flavors
Sanaa “Bread Service”
Since the main restaurants of Boma and Jiko are in the very heart of Jambo House’s lobby, the mouth-watering smells of meats cooking and sauces simmering are ever-present. Don’t miss the opportunity to sample all kinds of foods deliciously foreign to most American and European palates at Boma’s buffet. Full-service Jiko is equally exotic and steeped in quiet elegance, but there’s something to be said about being able to take small portions of the many, many tantalizing offerings that make a Boma meal an adventure! Leave room for the wildly popular Zebra Dome desserts (and don’t worry if you couldn’t get to Boma, you can pick up a pack of Zebra Domes to go in the Mara quick-serve!)
Zebra Domes
You can enjoy the aura of Boma without necessarily having a meal there by taking some time for a cocktail (the Magic Star ones light up!) at Victoria Falls Lounge, overlooking the restaurant. Upholstered chairs as well as bistro tables for two offer an immersive location to drink in the atmosphere while you drink in an African wine or beer. At Kidani, Sanaa’s lounge is where you can enjoy a similar kind of relaxing, in a bit quieter environment. Don’t forget to listen!
Victoria Falls Lounge
The Sounds
The primal beat of drums can be heard before you’ve even entered the lobbies of either resort. The recorded soundtrack played in the resorts is available on YouTube.com and evokes the spirit of the many tribal peoples of Africa. You sometimes have to work to listen around the lodges because of the number of people you are sharing it with, but with a bit of focus you can start to hear what is always running in the background. Probably the best place to listen is your own guest room at night if you are lucky enough to have a savannah view. Far from the commotion of the lobby and restaurants, you can hear the animals grazing, snuffling through branches, and occasionally even running through the savannah. You can also hear what sounds like a far-off celebration by villagers with music and chanting. If you don’t have a savannah view room, you can still have the experience of sound at any one of the many overlooks (it’s just a bit nicer to do this in your pajamas!)
Nighttime on the Savanna at Kidani
The savannahs themselves, night or day, are full of the sounds of the birds and animals who live there. Don’t miss the squawking frenzy the flamingoes work themselves into near feeding time, the clacking together of horns of sparring antelope or the flapping wings of perching birds arguing over the best spot at the watering hole.
A favorite sound is the accent in the voices of the cultural ambassadors who can be found in several places inside and out, and particularly near the animal overlooks. They will gladly share interesting facts about the animals, but equally fascinating is to get them to talk about how they were recruited to their job at the lodge, what their life was like back home, what their experience has been living in Florida, and what they hope to do when their tenure at Disney is over. For fanciful stories, find out when the storytelling sessions are by the fire pit and grab a chair early. Sitting by the fire listening to someone from Nairobi tell stories of gullible lions and sly hyenas is nothing short of magical.
The Textures
Natural textures abound at the lodges…scraggly branches framing savannah views, cascades of flowers, camouflage netting, tall grasses, stones, carefully conserved water features, animal carvings on the rocks. In your guest room the wispy fabrics over beds and curtains are reminiscent of the mosquito netting at safari camps (which you happily don’t need). Wrought iron light fixtures resemble lanterns and provide muted light. In baths and kitchens, you can trace Simba’s outline on the cool tiles. Colors of the earth are woven into the fabrics and the carved shield on the door. So much to touch!
Experiencing the sensory amenities at Animal Kingdom Lodge can be done accidentally, but is best done intentionally. Whittle out some time to do nothing but look, listen, smell and touch…you won’t regret it.
Comments Off on 7 Essential Things To Pack On Your First Disney Cruise
Your first Disney cruise is a special occasion, you look forward to it for months and want to make sure everything goes to plan when you eventually get there. So, apart from the obvious holiday attire what do you need to pack in your suitcase to ensure you make the most of the magic onboard?
1. Disney Costumes
Although costumes are available on board, and I’m yet to manage a cruise without buying one, taking a few from home never goes amiss. Children love to dress up like their favourite Disney characters, and there is nothing quite like being treated like a real princess whilst wearing their dresses. Whether you’re handy with a sewing machine or opting for store bought options, costumes are one thing you can never have too many of.
2. Door Decorations
On board the ship, every door to every cabin, in every corridor looks the same. Until that is the guests embark. Many guests onboard the ships decorate their doors Disney Style to make sure theirs stands out from the crowd. As the doors are magnetic, this is both easy and mess free. From homemade Mickey ears to go over your cabin number to store bought magnets that reflect where you come from. Your imagination really is your oyster.
3. Small Activities For Quiet Moments
There really is no end to the fun once you board. If you want to run around from morning to night from one wonderful activity to the next there is no shortage of opportunities to do so. But that said, particularly for those on longer cruises, it’s always helpful to take along a few small down time activities. Pens and paper, sticker books and small toys have all gone down well with us. And also serve as a great way for keeping little ones occupied at the dinner table and in lines waiting for their favourite characters to arrive. If you’re really lucky a character may even sit down and play with your little one too…
4. A Fish Extender
Outside each cabin is a small metal fish. It’s designed for holding little notes or information you might need to know. Many families however choose to hang what has affectionately become known as a Fish Extender from this. The Fish Extender contains a pocket for each person in the room, and guests can join online gift exchange groups to surprise each other with small gifts. For those who want to join in the fun without commitment, bringing along little gifts to surprise those travelling in your own party also works well.
5. Pirate Night Goodies
Pirate Night onboard the Disney Cruise Line ships is a spectacle to behold. And it’s certainly not just an event for children, adults get just as involved and you’ll want to be prepared. Most children onboard will get dressed up for the occasion, and many adults will wear Pirate Night T-Shirts or other accessories such as bandanas. Etsy is a great place to start your hunt for little things to make the evening extra special
6. Favorite Snacks
If there is one thing you’ll never be short of on a Disney Cruise it’s food. The food is both delicious and abundant. For younger children however, it can be tricky to find small familiar treats especially when you are in port. Small sealed packs of dried fruit, rice cakes and mini cookies can be helpful to bring with you, for those moments that call for something known.
7. Last But Not Least…
Probably more important than any physical thing you can pack, is a sense of magic. A Disney cruise is an experience like no other, one where staff really do get to know you and your children. Leave your worries at home, and pop your sense of adventure in your bag. You are going to have an incredible time!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
VICTORIA HATTON
Victoria is a lifelong Disney fan from England, who loves spending family holidays onboard Disney Cruise Line. A mum of two children, one nine and the other eighteen months, she is also a qualified teacher. When she isn’t running after children at home or at work she blogs at www.mummytimestwo.com.
Nestled away among the moss draped live oaks of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina’s marshlands is a little piece of Disney magic—their Hilton Head Island Resort. This property is part of the Disney Vacation Club collection, and one of three resorts not located at a Disney theme park, but at a beach instead (the other two are Vero Beach, Florida and Aulani on Oahu). As a Disney Vacation Club resort the accommodations here are ideal for families—studios with kitchenettes or multi-room villas with full kitchens and washer/dryers. But, you don’t have to be a Disney Vacation Club Member to stay here, just like the Disney Vacation Club resorts at Walt Disney World. While members can book the rooms using their point system, “regular” families (like mine) can book a room through their Travel Planner or Disney directly just as they would any hotel. My family has visited this resort twice, most recently to celebrate the New Year (which may now be a family tradition), and we enjoyed ourselves so much I wanted to share the top 10 reasons why we fell in love with this resort:
10. “Shadow”
Walt Disney World and Disneyland may have Mickey Mouse as their mascot, but Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort has “Shadow.” Shadow is a golden retriever (an actual animal, not a character costume) who “lives” at the resort. There is evidence of Shadow all around: a doghouse out front, doggie footprints in the concrete, a doggie door and bowl by the recreation area. This is one lucky dog! On the schedule of recreation activities you will find times to meet her. Shadow, along with her handler “B’lou Crab” come out to tell stories, do fun informational walks around the property, and to meet guests. B’lou Crab also appears without her sometimes, like in the evenings to tell “ghost stories” of the island. The kids all love Shadow—who seems to be as popular as the mouse himself!
9. Shopping
Did you know that you can buy Disney souvenirs on Hilton Head Island? Well, thanks to a small shop at the resort you can buy pins, magnets, t-shirts, mugs—all kinds of Disney souvenirs. And they have a nice selection of Hilton Head resort merchandise too. But the shopping extends far beyond that. Hilton Head has a great selection of boutiques, specialty shops and art shops for your shopping enjoyment. And just over the bridge going toward Bluffton (where you will also find some adorable local shops) is a Tanger Outlet complex with a nice variety of stores at discounted prices. You could dedicate a full day or more to shopping if you were willing to give up some of the other great activities on the island.
8. The Accommodations
As I mentioned, this is a Disney Vacation Club resort so the rooms available are similar to what you find at the Walt Disney World Deluxe Villa resorts:
Studios with a queen size bed, a sleeper sofa and a kitchenette (sleeps up to 4)
1 Bedroom Villa that has a bedroom with a king size bed, one large divided bathroom, a living area with a sleeper sofa & chair (to sleep 5), a full kitchen and a washer/dryer.
2 Bedroom Villa which has everything the 1 bedroom has plus a second bedroom with 2 queen beds and 2nd bathroom (sleeping up to 9). Sometimes the 2 bedroom could be a 1 bedroom with connecting studio which is slightly different layout.
The layouts most closely resemble the villas at Old Key West. We were in a 1 bedroom villa and it was spacious and comfortable for our family of 5. I love staying in the Disney Vacation Club villas whenever I can with the space, the kitchen to prepare meals & the washer & dryer. I love coming home with clean clothes! The rooms match the theme of the resort as a fishing/hunting lodge on the island—the neutral colors have a bright, clean feel, granite countertops in the kitchen with stainless steel appliances, and touches of nature throughout on the pillows and lamps. It felt homey & elegant at the same time.
Comments Off on July 2016: DVC ROFR and Sales Data
Below you will find sales and ROFR data from offers that were accepted and sent to ROFR during the month of July. Disney’s Right of First Refusal (ROFR) takes approximately 30 days from the date sale contracts are submitted to DVC. We saw three contracts exercised under Disney’s Right of First Refusal in July with all other contracts waived.
Sale prices remained steady for most resorts compared to May and June sales. Bay Lake Tower and Beach Club are slightly lower on average than the previous months, which is to be expected. Those two resorts increased exponentially at the end of last year and are now starting to settle back down with the market.
If you have any questions about Disney’s ROFR or the resale process, please contact us at team@resalesdvc.com
RESORT
AVERAGE SALE PRICE*
DVC ROFR EXERCISED
Animal Kingdom
$83
Aulani
$99
Bay Lake Tower
$113
120 points at $110
Beach Club Villas
$107
Boardwalk Villas
$97
Grand Californian
$143
Grand Floridian
$145
Hilton Head
$60
Old Key West
$79
150 points at $73
Polynesian
—
Saratoga Springs
$82
150 points at $79
Vero Beach
$58
Wilderness Lodge
$85
*Average sale price is based on total monthly sales for each resort, regardless of contract size. Typically, smaller point contracts sell for around $10-$15 per point higher than average due to high demand and low inventory.
In early April of this year, Disney announced more restrictions to their resale policy to coincide with the changes made in 2011. Following these recent changes to DVC’s resale policy, I was asked to give my opinion on Disney’s newest policy and the current state of the DVC resale market. Below is my broker interview that was featured in an article posted with Theme Park Tourist.
Q: What was your reaction to the announced changes to the DVC program?
My reaction to the DVC removal of member benefits and perks was “not surprised at all” except for the many years it took DVC to finally announce and implement the changes.
Q: As someone whose business depends on DVC’s public perception, did you take the news as positive or negative for your company?
I agree that public perception for DVC is extremely important for the entire industry. I also know that the public’s passion for Disney is very forgiving. There was neither a positive nor negative affect on our company, as this is not the first time DVC has made changes. At that time, most owners reacted negatively, but DVC’s announcement forced owners to examine the true value for becoming a member. The majority understood more clearly and remembered they purchased based on the incredible savings at the “deluxe” resorts compared to renting from Disney.
Q: What’s the general response you’ve received from customers? Have you lost/gained business over this?
As to be expected, the initial response was quite negative. Once the consumers started to understand that the difference in resale prices compared to DVC direct greatly outweighs the incidentals being removed, including the annual pass discounts, it settled down very quickly. We did not have a single purchaser cancel based on the changes.
Q: Moving forward, how do you anticipate the changes to impact your business as well as DVC as a whole?
Going to Disney is an experience many families cherish and remember their entire lives. I’m finding second generation purchasers now popping in to purchase DVC because they want their children to have the same magical childhood they remember. Staying in a DVC resort as a DVC owner is “the only way to go to Disney” regardless of discounts not being offered through incidentals. Disney and DVC are very resilient, and this is already becoming something in the past.
Q: Do you believe Disney behaved appropriately with these changes? And do you have any concerns that they’ll add even stronger restrictions in the future?
Although I understand DVC’s dissemination of the news was very confusing to customers due to the conflicting information being given, I do feel they acted appropriately with the decision to make the changes. As the gap between resale and developer pricing continues to widen, DVC has to have an incentive for buyers to purchase at the higher rates. I do not feel there are any additional restrictions to put into place. The ability to use the DVC resorts with the seven and 11 month booking windows as well as the option to exchange into RCI are the mainstay of the ownerships. The only features left to remove would be the little used Club Cordial and Club Intrawest.
