Who else is glad they bought 20 or 15 years ago? Or even 10?

[Mickey'sApprentice]

We bought in January 2006, and have not regretted it.

Resale prices were higher then than they are now, but we are also grandfathered in if we ever decide to cruise. We figure if we ever buy more points that we can bank and borrow our 100 pt. contract so that we can use up to 300 points for those other options.

With that said...we can't think of anywhere we want to go besides WDW.

 

[CMOORE185]

We bought in 2000 after a couple of years of thinking about it. We have 500 points which works out well for us. I would never buy at today's prices because I do not think you get the same value as when we bought.

 

[bwvBound]

With that said...we can't think of anywhere we want to go besides WDW.

I'm on the opposite side of the coin with respect to this statement. I'm weary of "Disney" (WDW, DLR, DCL).

As to OP's question, I'm mostly neutral about our DVC membership. On one hand, I'm glad I purchased in 2004 vs 2013 ... but it remains a somewhat "unloved" timeshare. It is the best-thing-ever for our work-related conferences at Dolphin/Swan but I sometimes view DVC as repetitive, constrained and unworthy of my vacation time.

I need more adventure, more diversity and far fewer "rules" than Disney generally permits on their experiences. Our best vacations have lots of room for danger, have little supervision and few "safety nets." It isn't that I'm a thrill junky, I just don't like to stay on the sidewalks or "inside the lines."

Give me 30 minutes in a roundpen with a fresh-off-the-range BLM mustang; a zodiac landing on the Antarctic peninsula to see Gentoo, Adelie and Skua; a hike through tall grasses on Diego Ramirez to see Albatross nests; a week of self-guided driving through Kruger National Park with overwhelming wildlife encounters; a 4x4 through the Sierras; biking the Hiawatha trail; an opportunity to get lost in Jerusalem; 20 minutes of (scary to me) conversation with armed military in Ephesus; a last minute trip to Australia; digging my own "spa" on the shore of Deception Island; plunging my feet into the fish-spa at Sudwala Caves; etc. There are so many great things we've already seen and done ... I can't wait for what the future may offer!

 

[CMOORE185]

I'm on the opposite side of the coin with respect to this statement. I'm weary of "Disney" (WDW, DLR, DCL).

As to OP's question, I'm mostly neutral about our DVC membership. On one hand, I'm glad I purchased in 2004 vs 2013 ... but it remains a somewhat "unloved" timeshare. It is the best-thing-ever for our work-related conferences at Dolphin/Swan but I sometimes view DVC as repetitive, constrained and unworthy of my vacation time.

I need more adventure, more diversity and far fewer "rules" than Disney generally permits on their experiences. Our best vacations have lots of room for danger, have little supervision and few "safety nets." It isn't that I'm a thrill junky, I just don't like to stay on the sidewalks or "inside the lines."

Give me 30 minutes in a roundpen with a fresh-off-the-range BLM mustang; a zodiac landing on the Antarctic peninsula to see Gentoo, Adelie and Skua; a hike through tall grasses on Diego Ramirez to see Albatross nests; a week of self-guided driving through Kruger National Park with overwhelming wildlife encounters; a 4x4 through the Sierras; biking the Hiawatha trail; an opportunity to get lost in Jerusalem; 20 minutes of (scary to me) conversation with armed military in Ephesus; a last minute trip to Australia; digging my own "spa" on the shore of Deception Island; plunging my feet into the fish-spa at Sudwala Caves; etc. There are so many great things we've already seen and done ... I can't wait for what the future may offer!

Sounds like DVC wasn't for you from the beginning.

 

[toniosmom]

Coming up on the 5-year mark for my first DVC contract and haven't regretted it for a day. I've added on a few times and am currently in "ROFR limbo" on my latest addition.

 

[christianweecare]

We bought in 2005 and have never regretted it. We wish we would have done it sooner.

 

[bwvBound]

Sounds like DVC wasn't for you from the beginning.

Sorry for the soapbox. I've been been wresting with nagging, wandering, unfocused thoughts for days as to why I wasn't excited about upcoming plans for VGC. The comment I quoted above popped when I read it and put into immediate focus the answer to my musings. Now I know why I'm not excited or even looking forward to the reservation.

DVC has been great for our conferences. We love relaxing in a 1BR Boardwalk view unit between intensive technical sessions and combative missions navigating the showcase floor.

Disney, in general, is also handy for those days you need to practice smiling at people you don't know. The parks and hotels create a safe place to refresh that skill.

But for my free time? Hmm, you are right. By and large, Disney isn't a good fit. I'm glad I bought earlier than later ... but could likely live w/out it.

Sorry again for my soapbox ... my apologies also to the OP for wandering off topic.

 

[bringmethathorizon]

and so far so good.
yes there have been changes but none we cant put up with.
got the first blt contract paid for and added on at ssr resale.
in 09 we figured we better get it before ds started college.i am glad we did because i dont know if i would pay todays prices.

 

[mickeysbestfriend]

ago after doing the math and deciding that since I was going to Disney World at LEAST once a year that it was a GREAT value!

I had stayed over 400 nights in Disney hotels prior to buying into DVC. I bought 220 points at Old Key West and have never once regretted the decision. I was able to pay cash on a resale so other than maintenance fees I have no costs and I figured that will the purchase and yearly fees it still cost me less that $7 a point.

When I compare the rates for the Disney hotels that go up every year, have less space and are not as beautiful as Old Key West I know I made a stellar decision. We go 2-4 time a year and love the stress free vacations

 

[Alice Sr.]

...I need more adventure, more diversity and far fewer "rules" than Disney generally permits on their experiences. Our best vacations have lots of room for danger, have little supervision and few "safety nets." It isn't that I'm a thrill junky, I just don't like to stay on the sidewalks or "inside the lines."

Give me 30 minutes in a roundpen with a fresh-off-the-range BLM mustang; a zodiac landing on the Antarctic peninsula to see Gentoo, Adelie and Skua; a hike through tall grasses on Diego Ramirez to see Albatross nests; a week of self-guided driving through Kruger National Park with overwhelming wildlife encounters; a 4x4 through the Sierras; biking the Hiawatha trail; an opportunity to get lost in Jerusalem; 20 minutes of (scary to me) conversation with armed military in Ephesus; a last minute trip to Australia; digging my own "spa" on the shore of Deception Island; plunging my feet into the fish-spa at Sudwala Caves; etc. There are so many great things we've already seen and done ... I can't wait for what the future may offer!

I totally agree, I love adventure. The world is so insanely interesting. I have been very lucky, not as fortunate as you, but I can't complain. I think I was drifting where you are now, was even considering selling some points. But now I have a new beautiful little baby GD and I find myself considering adding on, I am so darn lucky.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I've been to Ephesus and didn't feel compelled at all to tallk to the military! bwvBound, we walk to different drummers! What I remember most was the sincerity of our guide, female, who hoped for a more tolerant government.

 

[Fenceman]

Happy we bought in 99. Although I enjoy WDW area my wife loves HH which is our home resort. We usually do HH 2 years and WDW vacation every 3rd year which is coming up in 2 weeks.

 

[dvcnmere]

We bought in 2006, wired money on our way to NICU where our daughter was a premise, it's been magical watching her grow up with Disney so important in her life, we go 2-3 times a year.

 

[bwvBound]

But now I have a new beautiful little baby GD and I find myself considering adding on, I am so darn lucky.

Congratulations on the baby GD! Bringing family along is the *best* reason to have DVC. I'm hoping my siblings will consent to join me next May for Run Disney's Expedition Everest event. I've offered to cover rooms for the weekend at AKV and 5k Registration fees ... but flights might be a burden for them.

 

[bwvBound]

I've been to Ephesus and didn't feel compelled at all to tallk to the military! bwvBound, we walk to different drummers! What I remember most was the sincerity of our guide, female, who hoped for a more tolerant government.

My conversation wasn't quite by my choice but was instigated by one of my actions. Time was late 90's and I entered the site taking a waypoint on my Garmin ///, one of the first handheld GPS units with mapping.

After I stuffed the Garmin into my daypack, a swarm of young officers circled my husband and me, separated us from our group and detained us for a period. They gestured for us to empty our packs for their inspection. Once they had my Garmin they gently "demanded" a demo, of sorts. They passed the unit around themselves for awhile for closer review.

I was mostly breathless during these moments but later enjoyed a sigh of relief when I realized they meant no harm or threat. The officers simply hadn't had opportunity for "hands on" playtime with a handheld GPS before that moment. They were delighted and having fun.

Once their curiosity was satisfied, they gave us big grins, returned our GPS and permitted us to rejoin or group. Ppppp-hhh-eeeeeeee-wwww!

 

[bobbiwoz]

My conversation wasn't quite by my choice but was instigated by one of my actions. Time was late 90's and I entered the site taking a waypoint on my Garmin ///, one of the first handheld GPS units with mapping.

After I stuffed the Garmin into my daypack, a swarm of young officers circled my husband and me, separated us from our group and detained us for a period. They gestured for us to empty our packs for their inspection. Once they had my Garmin they gently "demanded" a demo, of sorts. They passed the unit around themselves for awhile for closer review.

I was mostly breathless during these moments but later enjoyed a sigh of relief when I realized they meant no harm or threat. The officers simply hadn't had opportunity for "hands on" playtime with a handheld GPS before that moment. They were delighted and having fun.

Once their curiosity was satisfied, they gave us big grins, returned our GPS and permitted us to rejoin or group. Ppppp-hhh-eeeeeeee-wwww!

Wow. We were there in the '90s too, and at the House of the Virgin Mary there were plenty of armed guards. If you wanted to shoot Christians, that would be a great place to do it.

Anyway, the library of Ephesus was amazing. These are the things that we did BEFORE we bought DVC. I wanted to do them and more before my walking was more limited. Now, relaxing DVC vacations are just what I need.
Our children and grandchildren can go commando or whatever, I enjoy the resorts and a few activities each day.

Bobbi