Uk dvc members please help..

[Meggysmum]

We bought 160pts at BLT and buying direct we had two years worth to spend so booked a 1-bed. We liked it so much that we decided to add on another 125pts at BLT resale.

We have found that even though we live in the UK we can still find good deals for flights and our DVC gives us great flexibility. Our holiday pattern has changed beyond belief!

We stayed last October at BLT in a 1-bed.

Last week e spent 4 nights in California at GC in a 1-bed in a location we would never have dreamed of paying for and our DVC made it possible.

In September my daughter and her friend are heading to studios at BLT and then BW. This is their pre-university holiday, they are paying for their own flights but I was able to gift them the accomodation so I know they wont be staying in some seedy motel!

In October we are taking advantage of the free DDP and staying at SSR for a week. The deal was actually cheaper than our flight prices only for last year so I couldn't resist!

In December we are staying a couple of nights at AoA then using DVC for a 1-bed at OKW for New Year.

Having pre-paid our accomodation has given us the ability to just save for our airfares and snap up bargain flights when we see them knowing that we are more than likely going to be able to sort out some DVC accomodation or other.

[happyj]

We bought 250 points at SSR in 2005 and 35 at AKL a year later. We have never regretted it only wish we had done it sooner. We go every year for about 3 weeks. Spend a few nights off Disney using Avios. Now we are only 2 but even when our daughter came with us 3 was fine in a studio. Yes more would be nice but we prefer to stay longer. Thus year we had 2 studios as my daughters partner came. We love the choice we have and are very happy with DVC. we also get 2 years out of an annual pass and do virgin miles plus money.

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Hi Happyj. How lovely re spending 3 weeks! I wish we had enough to do that. Do you stay at SSR using the 7 month window with the extra AKL points you bought or do you change resorts after a few weeks and go to AKL using the 11 month window for both?

[happyj]

Hi Paula we have tried all except OKW. Our favourite is BCV and BLT. But if we would be happy any where. We have never had any trouble booking at the 7 month window. Though we do normally book at 11months SSR.
Janet

[Huey]

Hope I am not hijacking a thread, not only am I new to this forum, I am new to forums full stop...sorry if this is bad form.

Hopefully just about to pick up an OKW contract through resale which is fairly heavy on points. I scoured this site for information before committing to make sure I was armed with information needed to make such a big decision so thanks to all the experienced DISers for the help I have gleaned so far.

My question: I am considering converting a capital sum into US Dollars when (if) I close on the DVC contract. The idea is to invest enough in Dollars to pay future dues and holiday spending money from growth on the investment. If the Dollar weakens in the future I can still choose to convert more Sterling and pay for the dues as they occur but if the Dollar strengthens I will be holding Dollars so it won't matter. Please can anyone recommend a bank which offers an account which can hold Dollars, has a debit card facility to pay the dues from the UK and use for spending money in the US as well as a linked investment account that will let me deal shares in Dollars or buy Dollar denominated funds to get the investment growth I require all for a UK resident?

I had better say thanks in advance in case I can never work out how to log back in again, so "cheers" and happy holidaying!

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Thanks Janet! We would like to try DWL next maybe around Christmas. I understand they have a massive christmas tree in the lobby! We visited this resort for the day last time ( we nose around all the different ones lol ) and fell in love with it.

[Elise79]

Originally Posted by Huey

Hope I am not hijacking a thread, not only am I new to this forum, I am new to forums full stop...sorry if this is bad form.

Hopefully just about to pick up an OKW contract through resale which is fairly heavy on points. I scoured this site for information before committing to make sure I was armed with information needed to make such a big decision so thanks to all the experienced DISers for the help I have gleaned so far.

My question: I am considering converting a capital sum into US Dollars when (if) I close on the DVC contract. The idea is to invest enough in Dollars to pay future dues and holiday spending money from growth on the investment. If the Dollar weakens in the future I can still choose to convert more Sterling and pay for the dues as they occur but if the Dollar strengthens I will be holding Dollars so it won't matter. Please can anyone recommend a bank which offers an account which can hold Dollars, has a debit card facility to pay the dues from the UK and use for spending money in the US as well as a linked investment account that will let me deal shares in Dollars or buy Dollar denominated funds to get the investment growth I require all for a UK resident?

I had better say thanks in advance in case I can never work out how to log back in again, so "cheers" and happy holidaying!

To pay dues by monthly direct debit you need to hold a US based account. We hold one at SunTrust - it's a checking account and comes with a check (debit) card.

For the rest you need a good IFA to advise

[happyj]

We also like going around the resorts and Christmas that would be lovely. GF is supposed to be amazing. Unfortunately we cannot go at Christmas due to work.

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

It will be amazing when they have built the dvc at GF! One year we went in November and we managed to see the gingerbread house there it was out of this world! We also got to see MVVMP and the Osborne lights. Wow! I know it wasn't Christmas but it was cheaper less crowded and we got to see all the Christmas stuff! Still love to go for Christmas one year though!

[happyj]

I never thought about November. Was that at the end of November ?

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

We went for the first two weeks in November. The Osborne lights starts around the 9th November and we got one of the MVMCP. We were delighted! The only thing we didnt catch was the tree at WL as that is put up after thanksgiving I understand with most of the actual christmas decs. Trouble is if you go at the end of November its really expensive because of the US thanksgiving. So if you wanted to see the decorations as well maybe the beginning of Dec.

But that time in Nov was magical as the weather was just perfect, flights cheap and rides with low waits! MVMCP was amazing.

[Huey]

Originally Posted by Elise79

To pay dues by monthly direct debit you need to hold a US based account. We hold one at SunTrust - it's a checking account and comes with a check (debit) card.

For the rest you need a good IFA to advise

Thanks Elise, do you not need a US address to open a SunTrust account? I had tried a couple of American banks who wouldn't offer me an account due to my UK address and residency. Tx.

[happyj]

Originally Posted by Paula Sedley-Burke

We went for the first two weeks in November. The Osborne lights starts around the 9th November and we got one of the MVMCP. We were delighted! The only thing we didnt catch was the tree at WL as that is put up after thanksgiving I understand with most of the actual christmas decs. Trouble is if you go at the end of November its really expensive because of the US thanksgiving. So if you wanted to see the decorations as well maybe the beginning of Dec.

But that time in Nov was magical as the weather was just perfect, flights cheap and rides with low waits! MVMCP was amazing.

I think we will wait and till we retire and do end November beginning dec to keep the cost down