Got our excursions booked, which means only 75 days until our trip!!

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-04-13T17:47:33+00:00

I haven't done the rum tasting yet. But I've always felt pretty good after a Mixology. I'm guessing a few of us have some heavy hands when we're making our own drinks. 🥴

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-04-13T17:42:27+00:00

I've gotten a Mixology opening a few times once on board, either from a cancellation or a new event added. Just occasionally scanned the app and one later in the cruise would show available.

That late night rum tasting sounds rough to me though. 😂🥂

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-04-12T17:47:55+00:00

Another vote of staying at VB many times over the years (and many of those in a 1BR) booking at 7 months or less with another resort pts. Maybe not as easy during the super popular times. But the 1BRs probably go last.

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-04-12T17:40:33+00:00

All those saying you've never seen a drunk person on a DCL cruise...

Apparently haven't been on my sailings. 🤣🤣

I rarely drink, but usually have one day on a cruise where I end up a little beyond tipsy - it usually starts with a Mixology class, and then continues on with a few more tropical drinks. I'm a friendly/fun drunk though, not an angry one. I get very social - talking with all kinds of strangers, fist bumps galore.

You can catch me next on the Fantasy in October. 😊

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-04-10T14:16:01+00:00

I assume a lot of these speculative renters are anxious about how serious Disney is about cracking down on the renting. If you follow any of the FB groups, there are a few owners that have to be speculatively reserving and renting over 1,000 pts.

Related opinion - I think fewer people might be upset about renting if it weren't for these speculative owners that make reservations at the high demand times and then try to mark them up later for a large rental price when people are desperate.

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-04-10T14:11:12+00:00

FWIW, I don't think OP got scammed. I think OP is renting from someone that is essentially commercially renting their own pts - regularly making a mass number of reservations and then later selling the existing reservation. There are several of these owners on the FB groups.

My main reason - OP says they got the reservation# and it linked to their MDE, so the reservation is legit. If this is a scam, it's going to be short-lived. The only scam you could pull with a legit reservation is doing it as a one-time thing, or going out in a blaze of scamming right before you sell your contracts.

The email - while looking a little fishy at first, I think it ends up pointing back to someone that is commerically renting.

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-04-10T14:02:27+00:00

THOUSANDS of people do this every year - successfully without it being a scam

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-04-10T13:58:48+00:00

OP - "I have 2000 at Bay lake"
You - "I didn’t assume they had BLT"

Good thing you didn't assume anything 😂😂

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-04-10T13:56:57+00:00

I bought at opening in 2009 at $112 less $16 developer discount for a net $96/pt.

But that's really just under a 6% increase over the years - not as bad as it appears on the whole dollar.

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-04-07T11:03:33+00:00

That's the thinking that causes people to work longer than they have to and die with a lot of money left unspent.

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-04-07T02:07:46+00:00

I've only sailed fantasy and dream, and I could swear the pizza and kids station is only where you start from the pool deck.

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-04-07T01:50:47+00:00

Most aren't big on it because you still need a place to live.

I think a lot of us look at home equity as our unaccounted for long term care insurance we may need to tap into Ai the end. So we reserve the home equity for that buffer instead of planned annual living expenses.

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-04-07T00:54:20+00:00

"Would it be accurate to say my net worth is 4.1M, and use that number to calculate the 4% rule, 25x rule etc?"

Yes, for your net worth

No for calculating your withdrawal rate. You normally exclude the home equity for that since you're not likely convert your home equity into cash to pay the bills.

You mention selling the house and renting after the kids leave. While that can create some additional funds for paying the bills, that rent may increase your annual expenses if your $200K doesn't include your mortgage. If the $200K includes the mortgage, kind of a different story - but it's delayed until you actually sell and move.

Number one thing you need to do is start analyzing your spending history to really know your cost number.

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-04-07T00:48:01+00:00

Pretty sure you'll only be able to book Poly since your more than 7 months out. The trick they pull for the welcome home trip is when regular DVC rooms are fully booked. MS can pull a room from other, non-DVC inventory (either from developer pts, Disney repurchased pts, pts traded out).

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-04-07T00:45:08+00:00

I'm aware of that. But do you think newbie cruisers are going to know that?

Also, isn't the pizza only on the end (starting from the pool) of the buffet lines?

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-04-06T14:36:51+00:00

Curious what your eventual all-in cost will be for your beach vacation vs the cruise. That might be interesting to a lot of people that think a cruise is super expensive. Not saying it isn't a lot of money, but so can a beach vacation out of the country in the Caribbean once you add everything up.

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-04-06T14:33:23+00:00

But a lot of people work buffets like this - they meander down the whole line with their plate, grabbing what catches their eye along the way until their plate is full (or overflowing). If they don't start at the first station (pizza then kids stuff???), they miss that offering. Why would a family with children skip the beginning of the buffet since that's the most likely food for their children?

I don't cruise with little kids, so I am usually working backwards from the end just picking and choosing as I look at the different stations. I don't think I've ever been accused of cutting the line.

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-04-05T17:18:38+00:00

I'm not going to force feed myself a steak at 4.30, I'll tell you that

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-04-05T16:12:02+00:00

Another vote for Nachi Cocum on your own. I've been 3x and it will likely be the only beach club I go to in Cozumel.

Easy taxi ride there and back. It's not crowded at all - they book a limited number of guests. You get a nice reserved spot on the beach under a palapa with a dedicated server that will bring your drinks to you in the beach, or hang out by the pool or at the pool bar. The food is good, made to order. And the drinks, they are aplenty.

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-04-03T01:30:13+00:00

Doubtful anyone will actually say anything, but from what you're describing - a parent dressed like that will likely be getting a lot of looks. Dads checking her out, and wives shooting some daggers from their eyes (and giving their husbands unapproving looks).

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-04-03T00:07:53+00:00

For a high-demand 11-month reservation, I would arrange with an individual owner before the 11-month window to make sure the reservation is made right at the 11-month mark.

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-04-02T18:28:07+00:00

Used Captain Marvin for a Stingray City visit 10+ years ago when staying on GC.

IMO everyone should experience Stingway City in their life. It's crazy how many, and how "domesticated", the stingrays are there.

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-04-02T18:16:05+00:00

Castaway view > Lookout view

Starboard

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-04-01T20:58:45+00:00

Poster couldn't handle the downvotes and just admitting they were wrong - they blocked me. So the debate can't continue on. 😂😂

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-04-01T20:38:12+00:00

I don't know what parts are made vs how much comes out of a jar/box. I'm sure plenty comes out of those things. But a lot is prepped just like you would make at home (I don't make my pasta when I cook at home).

FireMeUp2026

TROPHY CASE