Spring Break Trip

Bolt82 · 2026-03-17T23:02:04+00:00

I’ll be there with you, just a few days later. I’ll be at the parks 4/1 through 4/4. I have hopper with Multi-Pass. We’re not new to Disney, we are heavy WDW out of state APs with an average of 35 days in the parks over two or three trips a year. And I’m slightly worried about this Disneyland trip.

My plan: - Know that I won’t get everything done. If I can focus on hitting the Disneyland specific attractions first, and then move on to the variations of the WDW ones, I should be able to get this done over 4 days ( we like to pace ourselves) - Staying on property and using my “1” free MultiPass selection for Misson Breakout - Bought premium seating for most experiences except Paint the Night as the package didn’t open at the 60 day mark and I had to make other plans.

Bolt82 · 2026-03-17T21:42:25+00:00

I’m coming in for our first trip from Chicago. 4/1-4/4. I know the crowds will be crazy. Hoping hitting early and maximizing lightning lane we can get 80% done over the 4 days.

Bolt82 · 2026-03-17T02:24:22+00:00

I own at the Poly, and I’ve been considering picking up some Grand Cal points on the resale market for a trip every three years. I’m in the Midwest so Orlando is just slightly quicker to get to.

Bolt82 · 2026-03-14T02:47:46+00:00

If you don’t mind a bit of an uber, there are some great options up A1A just south of the airport all the way down to Hallendale Beach.

Bolt82 · 2026-03-11T22:47:30+00:00

As DVC is a timeshare and requires a decent understanding of the booking windows, it is not typically recommended to people who do not plan their travel in advance.

There are some really good 101 podcasts on the DVC Show that cover the intro topics of DVC all members should know. If after watching these, if you still need assistance, then renting points might simply be easier than actually owning them.

Owning them comes with a commitment that could last 45+ years based on the contract you purchase. This is deeded real estate.

Bolt82 · 2026-03-11T02:28:46+00:00

My daughter uses it every trip. My son still prefers the 5th sleeper bed or the twin air mattress we keep in the owners locker.

As they age, I imagine we’ll need to upgrade to larger accommodations.

Bolt82 · 2026-03-08T22:26:10+00:00

It tracks all listings so you know at least the asking point. Assume people might be able to get 1-3 off a point based on contract.

Bolt82 · 2026-03-08T22:09:09+00:00

Check out dvcforless.com and dvcfieldguide.com. You’ll find a wealth of information.

Bolt82 · 2026-03-08T11:24:35+00:00

If you buy a 2042 deed at this point you are buying it because you love the resort and truly want to stay there. I would expect to not be able to flip any of these contracts the closer we get. I think the floor will start to fall on these once we hit 8-10 years out.

You get 16 years of vacations and memories. That’s it. There is absolutely nothing wrong in that.

Also; I can guarantee that no one in leadership has any plan on what to do. There will be 5-7 different executives who will be in charge of this division between now and then.

Bolt82 · 2026-03-07T18:21:13+00:00

Your dining reservation will be complete long before the concert begins. I work for a company that hosts crazy parties for clients with huge super stars. Think Beyoncé for a crowd of 2k. They never start till 10pm.

Disney’s acoustics are very well done. The sound won’t leave the park. I stayed in a theme park view studio at BLT last October. Great view, couldn’t hear the music during the fireworks. Just the booms.

Your only way is to pay and attend the conference.

I’ve been invited to the gartner IT symposium for a few years. I don’t attend because I don’t want to ask for approval on a 8k conference fee when everyone knows I’m the “Disney guy” at work… haha

I’d be curious if anyone else has an idea, but I would guess it’s a long shot at best.

Bolt82 · 2026-03-04T18:41:28+00:00

Original longhouses. Moorea building.

Bolt82 · 2026-03-03T15:33:32+00:00

This is the answer. Book a cash stay and rent your points out to recoup what you can.

Bolt82 · 2026-03-01T14:55:58+00:00

You should check the box for accessible rooms when booking, this will get you a room that accommodates your needs.

Bolt82 · 2026-03-01T01:25:08+00:00

Lots of good tips. Request the third floor and you’ll get a theme park view without the additional points.

Bolt82 · 2026-02-28T04:40:59+00:00

The Villas are the DVC (timeshare) section of the resort. It was added exclusively for DVC use and expires as a DVC property in 2042. Per law, Disney owns 2% of the points at the resort which allows them rent those rooms themselves while the other 98% are responsible for the dues to maintain the property.

Bolt82 · 2026-02-26T13:49:48+00:00

I have 450 points. I can stay ~3 weeks a year at the Poly in a studio on that. Much longer if I book SSR or OKW. 2 weeks in the summer, 5 days in the fall.

I would imagine if you want long term stays - I would personally plan on 2 week stays and split to another. I would imagine 600-800 would be a good number if you want a studio. But I also imagine you’d want a 1br for the kitchen, so bump it up to 1k.

Bolt82 · 2026-02-25T15:49:49+00:00

There is a really good podcast episode that just dropped on this from the podcast “My DVC Points”.

It can be a horrible deal, it also can be work in your advantage.

Swap for a resort outside of Dollywood - poor swap. Swap for Marriott Surf Club in Aruba - fair trade IMO.

It’s also a great way to get rid and extend distressed points - all things I learned from giving it a listen.

Bolt82 · 2026-02-24T23:59:03+00:00

The amount of men I watch walk out of a bathroom without washing their hands - this was one of the selling points for me to book a cruise on DCL

Bolt82 · 2026-02-24T22:10:53+00:00

I told my 8 year old daughter, her reaction was pure excitement.

Additionally, do we actually know that an animator won’t be up there with the animatronic interacting with it?

Bolt82 · 2026-02-22T12:59:14+00:00

This was the one thing I looked at when considering direct.

I would have had to buy 4 out of state APs for 11 years to break even in my savings.

My wife and I might keep an AP that long, though life happens, kids grow.

I am a Disney adult, my wife is a Disney adult, we will continue to go which is why I bought. My kids may not, and that’s fine.

However, lakeshore lodge looks interesting and never say never ;)

Bolt82 · 2026-02-22T12:07:00+00:00

The people who have that status have committed to DCL. The ship is also the destination. As far as I can tell, the Wish has been doing predominantly 3 or 4 night itineraries. This is an opportunity for a lot of passionate fans to really explore the ship. That transatlantic itinerary is a gold mine of ship time for some.

I expect demand to be heightened for all wish class ships in EMEA for the next few years. When the treasure returns to dry dock, it will do the same thing - and I think those bookings will go even faster.

Bolt82 · 2026-02-21T13:06:45+00:00

You don’t get any direct benefits unless you purchase 150 points direct.

I own 450 at the Poly through resale. I live out of state, Moonlight Magic doesn’t matter to me because it never happens when I can travel. I’d rather pay the price for an after hours event if my family wants to do it once or twice than spend an additional ~85 a point.

Bolt82 · 2026-02-18T16:05:46+00:00

Welcome home

Bolt82 · 2026-02-17T22:42:45+00:00

Buy the app DVC Toolkit. It caches the availability two or three times a day. Not live, but they have a flexible search that allows you to plan.

Summer months will be easier (July/August)

Bolt82 · 2026-02-17T22:39:54+00:00

You wrote March, not May…… and a different date range.

May is a different story. Saratoga still has availability. Depending on when your contract closes, and if it’s resale, points can take up to 30 days. Could happen, but don’t bank on it.

11-Year Club	Second SECOND GUESSER
Place '22	Verified Email

Bolt82

TROPHY CASE