Where did you stay before DVC ownership?

[casper]

I was curious where DVC owners stayed during their Disney trips before they purchased DVC, not specific resort but resort classification.

I stayed in the moderates.

[TisBit]

I stayed at Moderates (once) and off property timeshare rentals several times. I have also stayed at local hotel once.

[magicaldisney]

This is an interesting thread. I can't wait to see how it turns out.
By the way, moderates for us.

[kikiq]

We stayed at the villas where the Disney Institute used to be and where SSR is today, the first 3 trips. We "splurged" one trip on the Poly Concierage and were totally spoiled, ended up at the Poly on all our trips except for the days following our cruise where we ended up at POR. I thought it was nice, my dad, DH and DB were not impressed....spoiled by Poly.

[Barb]

As a family of 5, we had to stay in a Deluxe. So I voted deluxe. If I traveled solo or with my friends, it was typically a value resort.

[podsnel]

After college, before kids, we stayed off site at the Orlando vacation resort, which I don't think exists anymore. After the kids, years later( I HATED that break!) we were told by our whole neighborhood to stay at the Beach Club- and we were so glad they did! :thumbsup2

[liznboys]

Mostly Moderate.

[hematite153]

We'd stayed offsite and at a value before our purchase.

Since buying into DVC we've stayed at a moderate once and had a sense that we didn't want to go lower than that.

But, we ended up spending a night at a value resort as part of a short notice trip and we have a value stay booked for the free dining bounceback for next year--the moderates went up too much from 2007 to 2008 (around 40%!).

I doubt we'd have ever gotten to the point of staying in the deluxes without DVC.

[crbruce_us]

Always deluxe for us. We've stayed off-site in a rental house and at Carib Royale once (and never again).

[DebbieB]

Mostly deluxe, GF, Poly, BC. My stay at the Beach Club in 1998 is when I fell in love with the Boardwalk area. A few months later, I stayed with a friend at OKW in a 2 bedroom, that's when I got hooked on DVC. A few months later, I was signing by the mickey ears.....

[yitbos96bb]

Values... the regular rooms are WAY WAY too much. As much as I wanted to, the $100 a night was more feasible than the $400 or more at the nicer resorts. And I didn't really have an issue with them... after all, we don't spend all that much time in our room and don't use the pool. What convinced me to do DVC, BESIDES the nicer rooms, was the cattle call bus rides back to the values. Sometimes, the waits were so long that after waiting for an hour and not really moving in line, I'd just get a cab.

So if it wasn't for the terrible bus service to the values, I might not be a DVC owner.

[llmurphy17]

We only were able to stay deluxe with value season. But once we tried it we loved it. :goodvibes :lovestruc

[Claire L]

We stayed in deluxe for three visits (WL, AKL and YC) but moderate (POFQ) once when we did an additional vacation in 2006, couldn't afford deluxe as it was over New Year. I think the New Year trip was what persauded us to go for DVC as we much preferred the deluxe rooms as they have a balcony and a bit more room, so for price DVC worked out much better in the long run! Although we did love the theming of POFQ and its size from now on we will be DVC :)

Claire ;)

[WDWLVR]

We've pretty much stayed at them all. We honeymooned at the Grand Floridian, stayed at All Star Movies on the trip where we bought DVC and just about everything else in between.

The All Star trip was a quick weekend down to see The Main Street Electrical Parade before it left and to look at DVC before purchasing (we already had done all our research). I will say that after staying at All Stars and then seeing the King sized bed and jacuzzi I was more than ready to sign on the dotted line. :lmao:

[justjudy]

We stayed offsite once, moderate once (CSR) and deluxe twice (Poly, WL).

[Richard Bruvofetc]

Now how do I answer this?:

2006 Moderate - POFQ
2003 Off-site - Holiday Inn I-Drive
2001 Value - Allstar Movies

[CDNmouse]

First trip, we stayed off site on International Drive.

Second trip we stayed at Port Orleans. (beautiful property, loved it there)

Third trip was at the pop Century. (Our kids loved this place)

I guess a little of everything.

This March we will stay at BCV (first time using our DVC points) and in 2009 we are going on the Disney Cruise and probably will stay a few nights at the BCV again.

[alldiz]

2 visits to the WL was all it took to sign the papers:goodvibes

I still want to....and will try every WDW resort.
Kerri

[TiffanyW1]

We've only ever stayed at the Deluxe resorts. Poly, Contemporary, and Wilderness lodge :thumbsup2

[starbox]

We've done all sorts of things. In its early days, Priceline ruined me. Growing up, we had very little money - so we always stayed in economy hotels on vacation and that was fine. Then, right around when I got married, Priceline started and it was the first of its kind - the deals were crazy. I'd bid 30$ for four-star or better and get it! We used to stay at the five-star Westin Peachtree Plaza just for fun because it was so cheap. I Priceliened whenever we traveled and got used to deluxe accomodations.

So, our first trip was Priceline - I think I did anything in the DTD area 4-star or better and we ended up in the Grovesenor when it was new for 35$ a night. :rotfl: (Now there are so many travel sites and so many people use them - the deals are not quite that sweet anymore).

Then, we had done a trial 1-year membership/Discovery program w/Fairfield and stayed in one of their 2-bedroom condos for a week.

ON-site, we stayed in moderates. (POFQ and CSR). Very nice - I actually think the mods have better dining options and more fun/clever pools than many deluxes (and DVCs) :confused3 .

Then, made the mistake of staying in POP and was miserable at the resort (of course, Disney was still fun). Teeny room, teeny and hard-as-rocks beds, no coffee maker!!!, no pool towels!!.

We joined DVC after that trip!:rotfl:

[athenna]

I always stayed in the moderates....CSR was always my favorite of the 4....I did stay deluxe at the CR when I was a child, but I wasn't paying the bill:rotfl:

[nunzia]

Only been to WDW once, splurged on Beach Club and loved it. At Disneyland we have stayed all over the place. When I was a kid I remember the Saga and our splurge at the DL hotel. As adults with little kids we did all the economys..Tropicana, etc...in retrospect they were miserable..full shuttles or risking your life dashing across Harbor..and a hassle to get back to the room at the end of the day. Now as older adults we just can't imagine staying off site. In fact my biggest concern about going back to WDW is the bus horror stories.. DLR has us spoiled on ease of getting around. I think things are different at DL now with the surrounding area being upgraded and isn't there some sort of walk over across Harbor..we haven't left the property in so long I haven't a clue. BTW anyone know how far the outlet mall is from DLR?

[tchrrx]

We stayed at the Contemporary our first trip. After that, we joined DVC. Didn't take us long to get hooked!

[Happy Birthday Cat]

We always stayed at a deluxe, usually the Poly. On our last trip (pre DVC) we had two connecting rooms and a bill of almost $7,000.00 (rooms and tax). Those same rooms for the six of us today would cost us almost $10,000.00. Yes DVC has saved us a lot of money.

HBC

[vabeth]

We've previously stayed at all of the choices.

[tomandrobin]

Moderates, too cheap to stay at the Deluxe Resorts, too snobby to stay at he Value Resorts.

Just like in life, were stuck in the middle.

[UP Disney]

We preferred to stay at Port Orleans Riverside. We did stay at Caribbean Beach once when the food court at POR was closed. DVC was definitely an upgrade for us and something we are getting used to. It's going to be tough. NOT! :rotfl:

[Alexander]

We always stayed at POR. I then rented points from owners and stayed at OKW, and VWL twice. Just before our third stay renting points DH said "Why don't we sell the RV and join." It took about 1/2 a second for me to say "yes". We were actually owners when we stayed at the VWL on rented points for the second time.

[DVC Mike]

Deluxe (GF, BWI, BC) and Mod (POR, POFQ) -- I have never stayed in a Value resort.

[sjdisneywedding]

We mixed it up a bit depending on the trip

for deluxe we went to AK, WL, and GF

mod Caribbean, Coronado

[bobbiwoz]

3 trips prior to owning DVC:
Dolphin
FW trailer rental
WL

Since DVC we have stayed at S/D or at a value, usually Pop on weekends, but we are becoming more inclined to stay DVC even on weekends.

Bobbi:goodvibes

[kt-scarlett]

Well, over the years our family has grown from just DH and myself to a family of 5. Over the course of these years our visits were few and far between and we stayed at
Royal Plaza- 1986
Caribbean Beach - 1992
Wilderness Lodge - 1992
Dixie Landings - 1997

It was our stay at DxL (it will always be DxL in my mind) with the three kids in one room with the trundle bed, that cured us of ever staying in a 'regular' room again. Five people, a week of pouring rain, one bathroom, no dressing area, eating meals sitting on the edge of the bed. Ugh. The next year I became a Disney Store CM and was able to use my CM discount to buy our points at the Boardwalk. It's been pretty much annual trips since then. I love DVC. :cheer2:

[tinker_me_happy]

Only one visit as an adult. As a child we camped somewhere, but I was so young I can't even remember where. (And I think the contemporary was the only hotel!) Last July stayed at Pop Century with my DD17 along with my friend and her DD12. I talked her into going to see the DVC and we both ended up buying!!! Cant wait for our first trip "home" in August!:cool1:

[Laurabearz]

Our first trip to WDW I booked us a 2 bedroom at OKW... Took the DVC tour, went home bought resale... and other than a stay at the Poly lagoon View Concierge and a BC Concierge stay (on all the bank points from our resale contracts) we have pretty much have only stayed at DVC.

So Do I vote Deluxe?

[disney54us]

Poly concierage, still love it there:goodvibes.

[athenna]

Moderates, too cheap to stay at the Deluxe Resorts, too snobby to stay at he Value Resorts.

Just like in life, were stuck in the middle.




:lmao: I like that! You sound just like me!

[gtrist4life]

Though our pre-DVC staying history is mixed, I voted Moderates as that's where I believe we would be staying had we not joined.

Summary of pre-DVC stays
Honeymoon 1986 - Offsite (Ramada I think)
1996 - All Star Music
2001 - All Star Music
2002 - Port Orleans FQ
2003 - Swan (DVC tour-purchased BWV upon returning home)
2003 - Coronado Springs - planned trip prior to joining DVC

DVC since, love it, want more points:thumbsup2

[MikMin6554]

We mostly stayed at All-Star or Pop. Tried POR once since there were 5 of us on that trip. Next trip was Beach Club and that sold me/us on buying DVC. We could not imagine going back to the full size beds after sleeping on the queens and BC. Now we are just sorry we didn't buy in sooner.

[Alexander]

Moderates, too cheap to stay at the Deluxe Resorts, too snobby to stay at he Value Resorts.

Just like in life, were stuck in the middle.

OMG! So totally true for us!:lmao:

[mouseclick1]

I din't vote because we tried out different locations. Before DVC, we stayed at:
Polynesian
Coronado Springs
Wilderness Lodge
Allstar Sports
Boardwalk Inn

It was during our trip at the Boardwalk that we bought into DVC. We loved the Boardwalk area and bought it as our home resort.

[OKW Lover]

I voted mostly deluxe. But at that time (pre 1995) at least one of the "deluxe" resorts weren't considered deluxe - ie the Wilderness Lodge and there weren't any value resorts. Favorites at the time were the Poly and the BC, but other stays included WL, Contemporary, GF, CBR and Dixie Landings (now POR).

[JimC]

Read my signature line.

[emlutz23]

As a kid, my family stayed at Fort Wildnerness (cabins) and CBR. Once I got married we stayed at FW a few times (including honeymoon). Then we decided that DVC was the next logical step as we like the suite type accomodations.

[Nala80]

I voted Moderates (been to them all), but I had begun to head more to Deluxe...

[auntsue]

When the kids were younger, we always stayed at the Poly, but with the expense we could only manage a trip every two years. We'd come home from one trip, book the next and then send in payments every month. When they decorated the castle as a birthday cake, I just had to go see it. It was in between trips so I went to my TA and he said there was no room at the Poly, but we could get the Yacht Club. We booked two rooms there for a four or five night stay, and we were hooked on that area ever since. We got home and switched our next year's ressie to the YC. Then in '99 while staying at the YC we took the boat over to the Boardwalk, took the tour, saw the 1BR and signed on the dotted line. We've never regretted our decision. The funny thing is that even buying in, we sold back half of our points for the $10 discount, so we still didn't go back for 2 years. That was the last two-year span. We went once every year from 2001-2006. Now, thanks to addonitis and the freedom of retirement, we are lucky enough to own enough points to go two or three times a year.

[dolphingirl47]

We have always stayed offsite as we never felt that we could justify the extra cost for staying on Disney property. We became members during our last Orlando vacation and I can't wait to finally get to stay onsite.

dolphingirl47

[ead79]

We typically stayed in deluxe resorts for our week-long December trips. For short, long weekend trips in the spring, we usually stayed in value resorts.

[cobbler]

I didn't vote because I stayed at both value and moderate.

I have a quirk and want to stay at all the Disney owned resorts on property. So we had stayed at all the moderates and 2 of the values by the time we bought DVC, so we would be moving up to the deluxe anyway, had we not bought.

[robinb]

We only visited WDW once before buying into DVC and that was at All Star Movies.

[justloveit]

We stayed offsite our first trip 1998, then Dixie Landings 2000, then Disney Institute 2002, took the DVC tour, the rest is history! We will never again be happy in a regular hotel room! :thumbsup2

[AKV707]

We staed at CBR, CSR, POFQ, Contemporary, and Swan. 14 trips before joining DVC. Add me to the long list of those who wished they had joined sooner!

[Splash Mountain Fan]

CBR twice, ASMo once.

[LarryM]

We stayed offsite for our first visit in 1989, then at Dixie Landing's and we loved it there. But now BWV for us!

[christianweecare]

All of the above. Value, moderate, and deluxe. It depended on our circumstances for that particular trip. We have been regular visitors since 1975.

[bzzelady]

Deluxe resorts...mostly Beach Club and Wilderness Lodge.

[disneymom8589]

Most of our Disney trips prior to DVC were at the DLR. We have stayed at all 3 DLR hotels as well as hotels along Harbor Avenue that I would consider either moderate or deluxe. DH and my 1st trip to WDW together was in July 2006 and we stayed one night at CBR and then 4 nights at BC as part of the land/sea DCL package. After that trip, DH and I started talking about DVC and took the plunge in August 2006. It sure does spoil you!! :laughing:

[skunk]

Between 1996 and 2003, all trips were with the kids. First stay was at the Dolphin. Then it was two moderates and two values. One time at BWI, followed by house rental. Kids went off to college and we rented 4 times at BWV. Purchased BWV contract August 2006. Going home again in February!!

[jx3smom]

We owned at Vistana for over 10 years before purchasing DVC in 2000. We could never understand the draw of staying on site until we took a trip in Feb. and stayed at Dixie Landings. We loved staying on site and purchased our first DVC pts for BWV on our last day. Now I hate when we have to stay at Vistana but usually combine it with some on site stay.

[Donald is #1]

I am a deluxe girl. :lovestruc

My first trip was off-site and that was great because it was cheap. But after that I started staying on-site and now I don't want to go back. Most of my on-site trips have been in a deluxe besides one stay at CBR. The CBR stay was fine but I have gotten spoiled by the deluxes.

[shellbelle1971]

I voted for "offsite." We were pretty far offsite, though--we stayed home!

[photobob]

Didn't vote because we stayed in all Disney categories. CBR, ASMo, ASMu, YC, YC, YC and CS, in that order. During our CS trip we visited friends staying in a 1bdr villa at VWL and that sold us on DVC.

[highoctane]

We stayed at an All Star for our Honeymoon and then stayed at POR until last year when we bought in to DVC.

[vwlvette]

We always stayed deluxe, Grand & Poly mostly but have stayed at the Tree house Villas during golf trips!

[Chester's Mum]

Mostly moderate, but we have stayed off site, value, and deluxe at least once each.

[StormTigger]

I didn't vote cuz basically did one stay each before we bought. 1st trip was a split between Value and a Delux, 2nd was Moderate, 3rd was technically the cruise where we bought into DVC. We have done a value since we have bought into DVC and although we had no complaints, we promised never again. DVC has definitely spoiled us!

[iluvdisney]

I didn't vote because we would stay at the Ft Wilderness campground - first in a tent and then in a pop-up - boy, am I glad that DVC came along altho the campground was a lot of fun when my kids were young but we all love our DVC!!!

[Tink-n-Belle]

When Mom & Dad were paying we stayed Deluxe and at the Villas at the Disney Institute.

when we had to pay ourselves, My husband and I started in the Values-- Stayed twice at all Stars, once at the Contemporary (fantastic deal) and once at the villa's with my mom. The last trip in the values with 2 kids was NO fun so we bought at the BW!!!! Great choice!!! I absolutely love it!!!

[boettj]

Cypress Pointe. It's a mile from Downtown Disney. You have the convenience of a Dunkin Donut's on the way to the park. This allows you to grab that needed ice coffee. Along with the Dunkin Donut's there are several restaurants in the area. Add to that a Pharmacy and a shipping store. There is a grocery store in the plaza just outside of the DTD entrance. Though we would take the 10 minute ride to Walmart for cheaper prices and better selection.

[KevGuy]

We stayed at a value resort (All Star Movies) before we went high class lol. :cool1: Although we are gonna do a Disney Cruise in the next couple of years and plan to stay a couple of days at Disney before/after, my kids have demanded we go back to ASM lol, they really loved that place!:thumbsup2

[Fitswimmer]

I've actually stayed all over the resort, but since I could only pick one I picked Deluxe because we've spent most of our trips at CR, Poly and Boardwalk.
I've also stayed at Coronodo Springs and Pop. Interestingly enough, Pop was the last place I stayed before I bought DVC. I wonder if there is a connection.

[Jaaron2]

moderates -usually at POR. We really enjoyed staying there but couldnt go back after staying in 2 bedroom units now:woohoo:

[OKW Mom]

We stayed at Wilson World- a quirky hotel with an atrium restaurant and indoor pool. The room fee would be $19.85 per person per night (double occupancy). That was in 1985! PLUS they threw in a buffet breakfast.
I have photos of our infant son, propped in the bed, holding the Mickey phone receiver.........
Those were the days of the 3 Season pass for Florida ressies. Unlimited visits in January, May and September for $40 some dollars.....WOW-we were spoiled.
I could not even find Wilson World with all the buildings and new roads since then.
The big pink Embassy Suites was great, the bus ride was heck (too, too long going to all the different hotels before getting to the MK).
Loved the Contemporary waterview room although not thrilled with indoor hallway and screaming cheerleaders at 11pm.
Since 1996 our family has truly enjoyed DVC-mostly OKW.

[Uncleromulus]

All deluxe--and almost always the Poly.

[jpolak]

We stayed at both moderate and value, with maybe one more trip at value. We used to be of the "how much time you actually spend at the resort" mentality, and before DD came along we didn't spend much time. I think that is why are DVC is such a treat to us. We get to stay at beautiful resorts that we other wise wouldn't, and get to really enjoy them.

[lovinthemouse]

We did a variety of things. Moderates, Value and off site. :goodvibes

[arabesque]

The first time we stayed at the all stars as this was the cheapest hotel available for us when we booked our holiday at a travel agents. We live in France and didn't know anything about WDW or the hotels etc. After our first visit we really wanted to go back and in between time I'd discovered all the sites on WDW and so we did all our arrangements ourselves and by buying Ap's got our next 3 week holiday at Port orleans riverside for the same price as our 2 week holiday at the all stars. Since then we've been to a moderate every year till we bought into DVC last year (whilst staying at POFQ) and we'll be going 'home' for the first time in February this year :banana: :banana:

[DVC-Don]

Stayed at the Deluxe resorts for years, then tried a couple of the Moderates in an attempt to cut costs. Couldn't take the smaller rooms, full sized beds and lack of a balcony, so took the plunge into DVC. Shoulda done it years sooner.

[mom-mom2three]

We have been going to Disney since 95. We stayed offsite untill 2005 since then we have stayed at the Polly, Coronado Springs, and the Pop. We bought DVC last September:cool1: , stayed at Old Key West in October and we LOVED it!:lovestruc :banana:

[Thumper4me]

We stayed at the Moderates. Dixie Landings was always our favorite.:)

[gcbsdad]

We always stayed at POR. We loved everything about that resort.
If DVC wasn't available for any reason I'm sure we would go back.

[dcamdad]

Moderate for the most part but really a combination of everything. Daytona Beach area in the 70's, 80's late teens/20's to "foggy" to remember, 91 offsite (free trip from company vendor), 92 Carribean Beach Resort, 94 Dixie Landings (now PO Resort), 96 Fort Wilderness in a rented RV (Great Time). Actually purchased DVC while at Fort Wilderness. From that point 98 OKW, 2000 OKW, 2002 OKW, 2004 SSR, Chrstmas 2007 OKW.

[Luckymommyx2]

I've been off site, All Star Movies for the kids' first trip, Poly for our anniversary and CBR, when we decided we couldn't live without WDW!

[tink4ever]

We have stayed at Dixie Landing, Disney Institute Tree houses, Fort Wilderness cabins, Grand Floridian, and the All Star Movies. But once we saw the Wilderness Lodge in 2000 we fell in love with the DVC and have loved every minute of it!!!

[TenThousandVolts]

adjoining value rooms most often- but we had stayed in mods on occasion and once in a deluxe.

[Melrosgirl]

We only stayed at PO FQ (moderate) once and then we bought a year later.

[ryley26]

We stayed at moderates most trips. Our last trip DB worked for Hilton so we stayed at Doubletree. My DW who said she would not ready to buy DVC was floored when the bus from Doubletree didn't drop us near the gate at MK.This was the straw that broke her back the next day we had a tour and bought at Beach club.

[3DisneyKids]

I voted Deluxe, but that is not really accurate. I always rented points and stayed at DVC before owning. Maybe you can add that option.

:goodvibes

[JVL1018]

Mostly moderates
The first time we went to WDW was for our honeymoon in 1992. We stayed at CBR.
1993-PO-FQ
5/94-CBR
10/94-AS Sports
5/95-CBR
10/95-Dixie Landings(PO-R)
10/96-AS Music
9/97: Coronado Springs
5/98: CBR
12/98: PO-R

All were wonderful, we always had a great time regardless of the resort we were staying at..


..and then we joined DVC in early 1999, and stayed at the BWV May of 1999.

While most of our trips since have been DVC stays, with maybe a night or two at the beginning in various resorts from Pop to the Contemporary(We're trying to stay in all of the hotels), we stayed at CBR 9/2000 with our then 10 month old DD-quick trip, great airfare, no points left.
It was fine, great trip.

We stayed at CBR again August 2007 for free dining(no points left) and while you can see from my list that we stayed there often and loved it, after being spoiled for so many years with DVC, and with a 5 and 7 year old, we will never do that again. I need a separate room for my kids, and I hated not being in the Epcot resorts.

[colleen costello]

When I was a kid we camped at FW every summer in our travel trailer. As an adult I often travel with my parents and we'd all get 2 Moderate rooms or a FW cabin. Those cabins are pricey but you get a full kitchen and a separate bedroom. Very nice! My kids still want to go back to FW sometime.

[corpcomp]

Coronado Springs many times

[drusba]

Pre DVC (which is pre late 1996) stayed at many including a number multiple times: Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Contemporary, WL, Fort Wilderness (trailers and then their replacement the cabins). the Golf Resort (and then also as the Disney Inn -- it is now Shades of Green), Disney Vacation Club (before it was OKW), Dixie Landings (now French Quarter of Port Orleans, name changed to be politically correct), YC, Dolphin, the Village Resort (which became the Disney Village Resort, which became the Disney Institute and is now SSR), and off-site a few times.

[ChelleinNC]

I am an admitted resort snob princess: I've only stayed deluxe, concierge a few times and "lowered" my standards once to stay at the Swan :guilty: (I told you I was a snob :laughing: It's not a real Disney Resort)

Stayed at SSR in June on rented points, didn't think I'd like SSR (because it's not BC and not next to Epcot), but I love it :love: Bought DVC while we were there :) Just stayed a week at BWV in a 1BR and now my "snobbiness" has been upped to not staying in less than a 1BR :laughing: