Tell me why you bought DVC...

[WDWLayla]

I'm on the wait list for OKW and am starting to have doubts about whether or not it's worth it for me. I'm a single mom with two teens. We got to WDW every year, and I figure we'll be doing so for the next few years. But what happens when they are older and don't want to go... What then...

Tell me what made you buy dvc...

 

[cbnsoul]

I'm in a different situation as I have one little boy instead of older children. We just found that we always really enjoyed going to the parks. There are so many things to do either in or out of the parks. I think as our son gets older we may go a bit less but with so many activities for all age groups, it makes for a great vacation spot whatever his (or our) age. We also found that we enjoyed the trips a LOT more if we stayed onsite and especially if we were in the deluxe or villa rooms. We use to live in Orlando and Tampa and only went to WDW occasionally. While we enjoyed it then, we have a much better time now that we stay at the Disney hotels.

We have been members since '09 and have increased our points from 100 to 300 in that time and plan on buying more. We absolutely love it!

 

[bwvBound]

We made the initial "purchase" leap in 2004 because our employer quit paying for our IBM Technical Conferences held annually at the Dolphin/Swan. We figured staying at BWV via DVC would be better for us than paying out of pocket for hotel rooms. So far, that plan has worked well for us.

In addition to using DVC for Conference travel, we very much enjoy using our points across the various DVC locations: Aulani, California, Vero Beach ... as well as WDW. The ownership isn't just for WDW!

 

[chalee94]

I'm on the wait list for OKW and am starting to have doubts about whether or not it's worth it for me. I'm a single mom with two teens. We got to WDW every year, and I figure we'll be doing so for the next few years. But what happens when they are older and don't want to go... What then...

maybe renting is a better situation for you. don't feel obligated to buy in to be part of the "club".

i know i'm a long-termer and like to go to wdw every year or so - DVC is a great way to stay onsite. and i have family in the area so i can combine wdw with family visits. it works for me. but it doesn't work for everyone.

 

[quinnc19]

Would you want to go by yourself if/when the kids no longer want to go to WDW? Or, do you think as they age they may enjoy the non-WDW resorts more? If not, I'm not sure the long-term committment is right for you.

I'm on the wait list for OKW and am starting to have doubts about whether or not it's worth it for me. I'm a single mom with two teens. We got to WDW every year, and I figure we'll be doing so for the next few years. But what happens when they are older and don't want to go... What then...

Tell me what made you buy dvc...

 

[disneynutz]

I'm on the wait list for OKW and am starting to have doubts about whether or not it's worth it for me. I'm a single mom with two teens. We got to WDW every year, and I figure we'll be doing so for the next few years. But what happens when they are older and don't want to go... What then...

Tell me what made you buy dvc...

We bought DVC to save on paying the cash rate for the same room.

We wanted to stay in the villas.

We plan on vacationing at WDW every year for years to come.

We can afford to pay cash for our contracts and the thousands and thousands of dollars that a Disney vacation will cost each year.

We realize that DVC isn't really a club and that staying outside of the DVC resorts on points isn't a good deal.

We understand that Disney will change the rules, policies, fees, required points for a stay and that is what it is.

We know that we will sell our contracts at loss when we decide to sell and that the longer you own the contracts the less that they are worth.

We realize that the dues will increase each year.

We love WDW and we enjoy staying there.

Bill

 

[Meggysmum]

We love our trips to WDW and go every year or sometimes every other year.

I detest staying in standard hotel rooms, I like a little more space and always want a balcony. I am also quite particular about where I will stay.

We have older teens and love being able to be flexible with accomodation when we are together or provide accomodation when they travel independently.

We had received a large bonus that would have gradually disappeared in to house decorating etc and we wanted something more tangible that would give us great pleasure. The MFs are not a problem financially for us and it was fine having the cash to pay outright for purchase.

We like to know that we own our very own tiny piece of the Magic across the Pond. It is especially heart-warming during a typical British wet and chilly winter to think of Orlando!

We plan to travel without the children and still enjoy visiting the parks occasionally but enjoy the location anyway.

 

[geraghty]

I'm on the wait list for OKW and am starting to have doubts about whether or not it's worth it for me. I'm a single mom with two teens. We got to WDW every year, and I figure we'll be doing so for the next few years. But what happens when they are older and don't want to go... What then...

Tell me what made you buy dvc...

We bought because we have two young kids and plan on going to Disney at least once every two years for the next 15 to 20 years. It will take us close to ten years to get a return on investment. For us it was an investment. We wanted to stay at a resort on the monorail, and renting from Disney was, and will continue to be, too expensive. If you have not spent months investigating DVC, you may want to reconsider. Short term, renting may be a better option. DVC only makes sense for the long term investor. IMHO.

 

[skeeterfoot]

My two sons aren't interested so I take my sister and or grandchildren or a friend. It works. I am a Disney Enthusiast. That is why I joined.

 

[polkadotrocks]

We are DVC Members of:

Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort and
The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Resort & Spa


The main reasons we purchased were:

-Fell in love with Disney over again
-Savings on vacations over time
-Ability to go to all Disney properties
-Ability to go to other destinations world wide

Other reasons
-Being able to take more than 1 vacation per year, ie. Aulani and Tokyo
-Sharing it with our Parents (took my in-laws to WDW for their 50 wedding anniversary.
- Sharing it with friends (reserved a 2 bedroom at Aulani this May so my best girlfriend and her boyfriend could join us.
- We do not have our own children however, we do have 9 god children that we would love and have shared it with.
- Being able to see Disney through the eyes of our God children is Priceless
- We are able to "will" the property to 3 of our godchildren.
-LOVE Disney's customer service.

 

[WDWLayla]

I love reading all the reasons why DVC was your choice. Definitely insightful.

I plan on visiting the Disney resorts at least once per year, and when my kids are older, going with friends and family. But as they are teens, aged 14 and 16, I just wonder if the investment is wise for me. We've rented points, and have loved staying at deluxe accommodations. I didn't want to rent anymore and I chose to get on the list.

I hesitate only as soon, I'll be on my own, and it's quite an investment to enjoy sólo.

 

[DVC-Don]

We were staying at WDW a couple of times a years in the deluxe and moderate resorts. Figured it would be cheaper in the long run to buy into DVC (resale market). Plus more options on room sizes. That was back in 2000.

 

[e46m3]

I love reading all the reasons why DVC was your choice. Definitely insightful.

I plan on visiting the Disney resorts at least once per year, and when my kids are older, going with friends and family. But as they are teens, aged 14 and 16, I just wonder if the investment is wise for me. We've rented points, and have loved staying at deluxe accommodations. I didn't want to rent anymore and I chose to get on the list.

I hesitate only as soon, I'll be on my own, and it's quite an investment to enjoy sólo.

I wouldn't think of it as an investment. Think of it like buying an entertainment guide. You get discounts by being a DVC and you have to pay an upfront fee to be eligible for the discounts.

 

[Missyrose]

I love reading all the reasons why DVC was your choice. Definitely insightful.

I plan on visiting the Disney resorts at least once per year, and when my kids are older, going with friends and family. But as they are teens, aged 14 and 16, I just wonder if the investment is wise for me. We've rented points, and have loved staying at deluxe accommodations. I didn't want to rent anymore and I chose to get on the list.

I hesitate only as soon, I'll be on my own, and it's quite an investment to enjoy sólo.

We bought because my fiancé and I love going to Disney and will be take at least one (if not two or three) trips every year for many years to come (especially once we have kids).

Have you looked at the resale market? It would cost you about half of what Disney would charge you directly. And I would suggest you get about half the number of points at DVC trip would cost you and plan to use your points every other year. In the non-points years, you can either take cash trips to Disney (or rent points) or you and your teens can explore other vacation spots.

With kids as old as yours, if you're unsure how committed they'll be to Disney trips after a few years, having a smaller contract would work out better for you. You'd have fewer points to pay for and if you wanted to sell, small contracts sell quickly and for a larger price than their counterparts. Just something to think about.

Also really give some thought to your home resort choice. As more members get added, it becomes more and more difficult to book the more-popular resorts. That's why we bough at the two resorts we love most, BWV and BLT, so we have the home-resort advantage when booking there.

 

[Illini Al]

We're not owners yet, but should be very soon. We bought as we're planning on taking at least 1 trip per year with our grandchildren (1 so far, but more to come soon). Any points left over (LOL) will be used for Winter getaways with my wife.

 

[babesboo99]

We have been going to Disney for years my eldest DD is 22 now and we have twins age 6. And my brother in law first got us interested in the DVC by renting points and we stayed at the BCV and loved it. And we decided right there and then we wanted in. So now we are on the waiting list for BCV and we can't wait to be welcomed home.

 

[chalee94]

I didn't want to rent anymore and I chose to get on the list.

I hesitate only as soon, I'll be on my own, and it's quite an investment to enjoy sólo.

i can't recommend buying direct at current price levels. you will instantly lose 50% of your "investment" should circumstances change such that you need to sell. even a resale purchase is a luxury, but buying direct is too much like throwing money away...

 

[CPTJAK]

WE are Disney fans. WE rented BCV points liked the resort and bought into it. Since than found off property Marriott's and trade them for other places. Than fell in love with Maui and bought Westin on Maui for those trips.

Now kids are grown (20s, they still like disney) and wife and I love Food and Wine Festival by ourselves.

You may find that if you pay for vacations (i.e. DVC stays) when your kids are older they will go with you (if thats what you want) or you can go with friends for adult time.

There is a lot to do in Orlando outside of the parks.

 

[SEC71]

My DH and I bought DVC in 2001 so we could spend two weeks in a studio during Food and Wine. Now we use DVC to take our DD 5 and parents and inlaws

 

[dbs1228]

We went to WDW every year for 16 years when we finally bought in and oldest DD was already in college. We just came to the conclusion we love going to wdw and we want nice/bigger accommodations. Since buying in 3 years ago (and now sending our 3rd DD off to college in the fall) we found we love bringing family and friends. I did a girls week for my friends 50th there were 3 of us in a 2 bedroom, brought another couple for 5 nights again 2 bedroom, did 6 nights in GV at BLT over NYE our 3 daughters brought friends/boyfriend and we had a blast! We provide the accommodations they buy their own air and park ticket.