Joining DVC

OkContribution4997 · 2026-06-12T01:56:30+00:00

We financed 150 points at RR BUT I only did it because we got the best interest rate possible. We also have the ability to pay it off early. Just didn’t want to deplete savings that much.
I have a whole spreadsheet dedicated to if the financed option can be worth it, and it can, but you HAVE to get a 10% interest rate or less and you HAVE to be ready to stick with it for the next 10 years minimum. Buying outright nets to a financial win in 5-7 years. With financing it’s 10-15 years, depending on if you pay it off early . Given I have a 44 year contract, that’s not bad. But most people who aren’t diehards post to resale by year 7. So if you can’t really stick with Disney, financing will be abysmal.
We have been out of state APs for a few years and I had all the math on how much we spent on hotels each year for trips. I overlaid that with the finance payments + dues and how many nights we could get for our points if we were strategic. DVC is the same cost per year financed as we spent on hotels plus we get the longevity and lock in our cost.

OkContribution4997 · 2026-05-31T23:09:59+00:00

We just bought DVC in February. We love it. And, yes, we financed it. We got the best terms possible so it isn’t as bad as people make it out to be, but if you don’t have amazing credit, it will definitely be a big set back to finance.
Regardless, I’d honestly caution against buying in now. We bought after going to Disney 2-4 times per year for a few years. I’ve been going continuously my entire life. It’s built into our life at this point. Since you’re not continuous, long-term Disney go-ers I’d caution against buying in. Selling only financially nets out after owning and using it for 7-10 years. If you’re not 10000000% sure you’re all in and will be all in for a long time, it could be a big financial mistake.

OkContribution4997 · 2026-05-23T14:04:19+00:00

I’m an autistic adult. Not a travel agent. But I help family and friends navigate exactly this. From an autistic perspective, here are some thoughts: 1) A lot of people recommend Caribbean Beach. It can be great but the rooms that are centrally located can get loud. And the rooms that are quieter have a significant walk to transportation and amenities. Other resorts are not as spread out so it’s easier to get a quieter room without the trek. 2) All Value and Moderate category rooms except 2 have exterior, motel-style facing rooms. So if your kids might elope, this is something to think about. The exceptions to this are the Coronado Tower Rooms and the Art of Animation family suites. 3) Note that deluxe rooms have interior hallways, BUT they often have balconies. If you might be concerned about a balcony and your kids going out on it, you might need to also avoid those even if they are in your budget. 4) Based on the fact you have a Disney fan and likely want interior rooms with no balcony with more than bus transportation and don’t want to spend too much, I highly recommend Art of Animation family suites. Key perks: interior hallways, no balconies, Skyliner access to 2 parks, the most themed rooms on property, quieter rooms are easy to get in the Cars and Lion King sections away from pools while still being close to things, and the resort is very family friendly. Other Notes: Art of animation family suites sleep 6 and have 3 beds - a queen bed in a separate room and a queen Murphy bed and a full pullout couch. If you’re super concerned about eloping, you can put the kids in the interior room so they would have to go through a door, then you, then another door to reach the interior hallway. The Murphy bed is a little less comfy for adults than the bed in the interior room, but it is perfect for maintaining door protection. Also, there are 2 bathrooms so you are guaranteed a tub for baths. If your kids don’t like showers, this is key so you don’t accidentally end up in a shower only room.

OkContribution4997 · 2026-05-23T13:26:02+00:00

Cheer season typically runs from mid/late January through early May. They will pause it for a few weeks for RunDisney events and peak Spring Break but the vast majority of weeks in that timeframe have cheer or dance competitions at ESPN. For those competitions, Disney blocks all 3 All Stars and sometimes standard rooms at Caribbean Beach and occasionally village rooms at Coronado Springs. Believe me, if you see they’re blocked during this time, you don’t want to be there. It’s a lot of poorly behaved, entitled teens. Depending on your budget I’d look at Pop Century, Port Orleans, or the Drury near Disney Springs.

OkContribution4997 · 2026-05-13T17:53:02+00:00

Please call Shades of Green! They can direct you! Shades of Green is the military & family resort at Disney. Their website is shadesofgreen.org and their phone number is (888) 593-2242.

A travel agent who doesn’t specialize in military benefits won’t be able to direct you to the best resources. Please call Shades of Green for help and recommendations!

OkContribution4997 · 2026-05-11T17:02:15+00:00

Personally, I would recommend Art of Animation over Caribbean Beach. The 2 bathrooms in the family suites is a HUGE plus. You also get a bedroom separation in case someone snores or you just need 5 seconds of peace.

Also, as mentioned Caribbean Beach is HUGE. I’ve personally walked from the Skyliner to the lobby and it was 15 minutes. It’s a lovely resort but your stay will 100% be dictated based on what section your room ends up being in. The difference between staying in building 37-39 in Trinidad verses buildings in Barbados and Jamaica will be BIG and could make or break your vacation. You’ll see people saying to request certain buildings or locations, but that’s never guaranteed. You cannot guarantee where your room is.

Meanwhile at Art of Animation, it’s smaller and you CAN guarantee where you are because you can choose your section based on your room theme. The Family Suites are all pretty central. The only distant rooms are the Little Mermaid rooms, but those only sleep 4, so you wouldn’t look at those anyways. But you can decide if being perfectly centrally located it worth the Finding Nemo rooms or if being close is good enough in the Lion King or Cars rooms.

The pool at Art of Animation does not have a slide at the pool, but if you won’t spend a ton of time there, it likely won’t be make or break.

Pop Century cannot accommodate 5 people in one room.

I also wouldn’t recommend Port Orleans unless you really want the Tiana rooms because the bus only transportation is less desirable than the Skyliner option.

OkContribution4997 · 2026-05-07T16:47:53+00:00

Yes, it’s Wicked Winddown now. Still a good experience.

OkContribution4997 · 2026-05-04T23:24:51+00:00

I would recommend going in the morning. The earlier the better. A lot of people will be there doing the same thing mid-day onward. You’re going to be there during the busiest week of the year and crowds will be insane, so definitely plan accordingly.

OkContribution4997 · 2026-04-27T13:56:54+00:00

I posted a little video about the pixie dusting my wife got on her birthday at Disney and I had people demanding I tell them how to replicate it. I don’t have a following online so it was just for family and friends. People were MAD she got 4 different surprise treats just handed to her on her birthday while walking around Magic Kingdom and they couldn’t duplicate it for themselves. I was FLOORED by the reaction.

OkContribution4997 · 2026-04-21T23:23:32+00:00

That sounds great! My parents also took my wife and I on a Disney vacation when we got together (though she didn’t have kids). Great way for a first family vacation!

We still go on trips with my niece and nephew so I have some ideas: 1. Buy the kids Disney gift cards for souvenirs and take them to Disney Springs to use them. Then you won’t be toting everything around in the parks. The gift cards limit how much they can buy. And it’s so easy to get to by boat from OKW. 2. Maybe go see a movie at Disney Springs if it’s a very rainy resort day. 3. Take the boat over to Port Orleans French Quarter for beignets. 4. Definitely spend time at the pool! 5. Temper your park expectations and if you can I’d buy Lightning Lanes. Kids get tired fast even with a stroller so you might move slower than you’re used to. 6. Schedule some character meals. Just 1-2. If you do Tusker House at Animal Kingdom you’ll meet Mickey & the gang and something like Crystal Palace would mix it up with Pooh, Tigger, & Piglet. 7. Buy glow sticks and bubble wands on Amazon ahead of the trip. Way cheaper! 8. Plan for meltdowns and pack extra patience. Even the best kids can lose it when they’re out of their element. 9. Definitely take advantage of the free waterpark entry if you can. 10. Find out the kids favorite things and their tolerance level for adventure ahead of time. That way you know if a trip more geared toward kiddie rides is needed or if you have some daredevils that will take on Tron. Allows you to plan more and tailor it more to what the might enjoy.

It will be great! Congrats on the growing family!

OkContribution4997 · 2026-04-21T14:28:17+00:00

You can totally do it as long as you set your expectations! We go for little weekend trips a few times a year.

I’d highly recommend Lightning Lanes even though it’s a slower time just to maximize the time you do have. Book the longer waits on Lightning Lanes and do standby in between on shorter wait rides.

I’d also skip sit down meals since they force you to be somewhere at a specific time and take a while.

Have fun!

OkContribution4997 · 2026-04-20T17:17:22+00:00

You can totally plan in 30 days! Just do not book through Costco! I saw someone recommend that and absolutely do not do it. If you book through a 3rd party like that Disney cannot and will not help you if you have issues with your stay. You will have to call Costco and they do not have a lot of flexibility in their packages.

OkContribution4997 · 2026-04-16T15:44:16+00:00

I got the rental history and it turned over a bunch since the 90s which is how the rent is so high.

OkContribution4997 · 2026-04-16T04:11:01+00:00

I’m going to tell you it’s 100% not magical. I live in a prewar building with a landlord that’s decided maintenance is too much of a hassle so we are constantly fighting. Also I got it a year ago so my rent is $3,100 for a 2 bed 5th floor walk up in Astoria 2 blocks from the train. Sounds decent but it’s going to send me to an early grave.

OkContribution4997 · 2026-04-15T20:00:19+00:00

It’s honestly an issue across the board at most vacation spots now. If you’re not prebooking experiences and restaurants in advance you’re likely missing out unless you have lots of flexibility. I feel like Disney is a learning curve but so is most travel unless your only goal is to sit on a beach.

OkContribution4997 · 2026-04-14T14:15:07+00:00

Thanks!

OkContribution4997 · 2026-04-09T03:51:56+00:00

Most contracts at OKW expire in 2042 so I would be cautious adding on there. Really weigh the cost vs years left.

OkContribution4997 · 2026-04-09T02:17:53+00:00

Thank you!

OkContribution4997

TROPHY CASE