Massachusetts DVC Owners Group

[Lakegirl]

Very similar dates. 16-26. I am starting to feel better about some normalcy by then after today's news of FL peaking mid-April and not mid-may. I'm actually praying we don't have EEE to also worry about over the summer here in MA.

Lucky you. That is a nice long trip!!! At least we can see the mosquitoes and use something to combat it.

 

[MM0422]

Hi everyone. Hope you're all staying healthy and safe in this crazy new world we're in. Random question for the group. For those who have visited on New Years Eve but didn't go to a theme park, which resort(s) (DVC or not) have you found to have the most entertainment for all age groups? We went last year and were at Port Orleans - FQ and had a blast. This year we were thinking of doing a bungalow to celebrate a 40th bday and NYE. I can't book until the 7 month mark because we don't own at Poly, but hesitant given the number of points required. I'm torn because I'm sure it will be amazing, but also wonder whether it will be really noisy (we'll have a 3 year old at that point). It's also crazy in terms of number of points. Any thoughts or suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

Anyone nervous about their August trip? I read somewhere that worst case scenario has the parks opening back up in Sept. My trip starts 8/17.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Anyone nervous about their August trip? I read somewhere that worst case scenario has the parks opening back up in Sept. My trip starts 8/17.

Close-my trip is scheduled for September, and I'm nervous-not just about being there, but just as much about getting there. We always fly, since it's 1200 miles each way, and no matter what Southwest does, airplanes are flying petrie dishes.

 

[Lakegirl]

Anyone nervous about their August trip? I read somewhere that worst case scenario has the parks opening back up in Sept. My trip starts 8/17.

Yes ours starts the 19th of August. A few weeks ago when I reschedule I thought we would be fine. Now not so much.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

Close-my trip is scheduled for September, and I'm nervous-not just about being there, but just as much about getting there. We always fly, since it's 1200 miles each way, and no matter what Southwest does, airplanes are flying petrie dishes.

Yes ours starts the 19th of August. A few weeks ago when I reschedule I thought we would be fine. Now not so much.

I thought I was safe too with a late August trip. At least with a Dec UY, I can still cancel by mid July to bank my points. I’m looking at losing two points which in the scheme of things is not bad at all. I’m just wondering what would happen to my SW flights since travel funds are only for a year from booking date. Also already bought Halloween party tickets so I wonder what will happen to that.

 

[Lorana]

Just saw this thread and joining in. We're DVC owners and live in MA - home resorts at BRV and AKL. We have a mix of direct and resale. Our next intended trips are DL in September for the Oogie Boogie Party at my son's request and right before Christmas in WDW. Fingers-crossed we get to spend time with the Mouse this year!

 

[aokeefe]

Anyone nervous about their August trip? I read somewhere that worst case scenario has the parks opening back up in Sept. My trip starts 8/17.

Yes- (have trip booked 7/28) but luckily I have a Dec UY so as long as the holding status is still listed I can cancel right before my banking deadline. I'm more nervous for my Thanksgiving trip and lost points if we can't go. Though I guess if we are still dealing with this then, I will have more things to worry about than lost points.

 

[twinklebug]

Mass gal here too. Bought AKV back in 2008 as an achievement gift for myself and my kids. Never regretted the decision.

 

[brenbrady]

Mass owner here, from Boston Mass, Own at Bay Lake and we like to go at least once but mostly twice a year, Have tried most of the resorts over the years but love Bay Lake. Hopefully we will all be able to return to Disney in the near future. We had to cancel a family trip but Husband and I have a December trip plan, we like to go every year to see the decorations and yes we do some rides. Family trip hopefully next spring. Hope everyone stays safe.

 

[Amanda&Mike]

We're close...Southern NH BWV owners

 

[cel_disney]

MA DVRers here! Although I often consider myself southern NH instead because of our proximity to Nashua!!
We first toured DVC in 2002 on our honeymoon - and anytime we think about the fact that we turned down those BCV or BWV points at $72 a point we just sigh...the amount of trips we ended up taking before we purchased was crazy!

We finally purchased direct 160pts in 2009 at BLT. We really do love BLT though and I think we paid $113 after sales. We have really enjoyed our points - using them at several resorts and for different room types and even for a few extended family trips..

We sadly had an April trip planned - 5 nights in a value 1 bedroom at AKV-J, running in the Star Wars race and then taking off for a 5 night Royal Car Cruise... rescheduling any of this has proven to be REALLY hard as this was the last year before my son will have full freedom to travel on school vacation weeks...Starting next year - if things are back to normal, he will be on a high school sports team for winter and spring and they play games over all vacation weeks.....was really hoping that things were back to normal and we could try to pull the kids out for a few days this fall - but with Disney furloughing for up to a year I’m still nervous about that being possible...(without us all having to spend another 2 weeks in quarantine when we return!)...

really hoping that we get some nicer weather soon!!

 

[lopo]

momtwoboys, has DVC's recent announcement about extending expirations, etc. helped you out?

 

[kniquy]

Thanks or starting this group! We are from Western MA. We bought our first AK resale contract at the end of 2015, just before the restrictions- a great 40th birthday gift to myself. Our first stay was a split between Poly and AK and unfortunately was bitten by the add-on-its bug and had to get a Poly contract, so in 2019 we bought another resale.

We had a great 9 night 4th of July trip planned at the Poly - so looking forward to seeing the 4th fireworks from the Poly beach, but to give us more time seeing how everything will roll out we push it off to thanksgiving week- not ideal. The kids will miss a few dats of school, it will be crazy crowded - 10s everyday on touring plans. But maybe crowds won’t be bad and at least the weather will be better. We were really dreading the heat and humidity. We are now booked in a 2 BR at OKW- I have always wanted to stay there so we are now getting excited about OKW and getting to check out Olivia’s.

 

[momtwoboys]

momtwoboys, has DVC's recent announcement about extending expirations, etc. helped you out?

Yes!!!! They can't manually move the 45 2019points , they said it will be done over the next weeks and then I need to call back to allocate them into my rebooked Sept trip. Glad I snagged those sept dates, with all the cancelled spring trips Fall is looking sparse. I was lucky to get 6 nights AKV Std studio. Now once those points are pushed into there I will feel great!

 

[lopo]

Welcome, kniquy!

 

[lopo]

Hi everyone. Hope you're all staying healthy and safe in this crazy new world we're in. Random question for the group. For those who have visited on New Years Eve but didn't go to a theme park, which resort(s) (DVC or not) have you found to have the most entertainment for all age groups? We went last year and were at Port Orleans - FQ and had a blast. This year we were thinking of doing a bungalow to celebrate a 40th bday and NYE. I can't book until the 7 month mark because we don't own at Poly, but hesitant given the number of points required. I'm torn because I'm sure it will be amazing, but also wonder whether it will be really noisy (we'll have a 3 year old at that point). It's also crazy in terms of number of points. Any thoughts or suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks!

MM0422, I cannot offer advice about the bungalows at Poly since I haven't stayed there. However, I do recall folks complaining about the boat's horn sounding several times during the day and night and it was bothersome to them. Also, I simply would never use all the required points for a stay in one of the bungalows (I'd have to give up several trips and bank and borrow.) Have you read reviews from members who have stayed in the bungalows? I imagine that it'd be awesome to experience for one time and a special occasion. BTW, years ago, I stayed at the Contemporary on NYE and thoroughly enjoyed it. I don't recall specific activities (outside of watching the fireworks) though.

 

[MM0422]

MM0422, I cannot offer advice about the bungalows at Poly since I haven't stayed there. However, I do recall folks complaining about the boat's horn sounding several times during the day and night and it was bothersome to them. Also, I simply would never use all the required points for a stay in one of the bungalows (I'd have to give up several trips and bank and borrow.) Have you read reviews from members who have stayed in the bungalows? I imagine that it'd be awesome to experience for one time and a special occasion. BTW, years ago, I stayed at the Contemporary on NYE and thoroughly enjoyed it. I don't recall specific activities (outside of watching the fireworks) though.

Thanks so much for the response. The number of points for a bungalow is crazy but seems like it'll be a once in a lifetime thing. I'm sure it'll be a gametime decision on 5/31 when I'm able to book NYE! Thank you again and hope everyone is staying safe and healthy in MA. I think I've mentioned this before, but I live in NJ now and had to go to Costco yesterday. I was really surprised (and disappointed) that people weren't really mindful of social distancing. I almost felt like people have this false sense of security because they're wearing masks. Anyway, it'll definitely be awhile before I go back to Costco. Hopefully people in MA are being a bit more mindful/smart about it all. Stay safe and healthy everyone!

 

[lopo]

Thanks so much for the response. The number of points for a bungalow is crazy but seems like it'll be a once in a lifetime thing. I'm sure it'll be a gametime decision on 5/31 when I'm able to book NYE! Thank you again and hope everyone is staying safe and healthy in MA. I think I've mentioned this before, but I live in NJ now and had to go to Costco yesterday. I was really surprised (and disappointed) that people weren't really mindful of social distancing. I almost felt like people have this false sense of security because they're wearing masks. Anyway, it'll definitely be awhile before I go back to Costco. Hopefully people in MA are being a bit more mindful/smart about it all. Stay safe and healthy everyone!

Well, while I haven't gone out much in the past few weeks, I did take a trip to Costco a couple of weeks ago. Fortunately, they were controlling the # of customers who entered the warehouse. and they had tape markers on the ground so we knew where we were supposed to stand while waiting to enter. However, I was surprised to see that everyone was not wearing masks (or face coverings) and that some people did not seem to be conscious of social distancing (altho it appeared that the majority of folks were wearing masks and being mindful of distance.) What was wicked surprising to me was the relative silence. I mean it wasn't completely quiet but the usual hustle and bustle and background noise was not there. I actually thought that it was eerie. I do think that our Governor is doing a great job in keeping us informed and watching out for us. I am not a Republican but I give credit where it is due. ;-D Stay healthy!

 

[CLAYINCT]

Hello, I grew up in CT (hence my username) but currently live in Worcester. My family has been DVC members since 1993, obviously at OKW since it's the only resort that existed. I also did the DCP in Spring 2010.

We are scheduled to go to WDW in August as a reschedule from March but I am torn - go to my happy place even with restrictions and risk my health and the health of my older parents, or cancel and wait to visit my happy place until this all passes and it is safe and normal? Hopefully, we will know more as it gets closer to our trip date.