Our recent DVC experience

[ABE4DISNEY]

DVC is wonderful... Regardless of how you purchased it! Congratulations and

 

[WildernessMickey]

Welcome to DVC! I love VWL and I hope you and your partner will too.
Have a fantastic time at DL and Aulani!

 

[Irishmom23]

As another direct purchase DVC owner with no regrets, Welcome Home!!

 

[DVC-Don]

Congrats on your research and Welcome Home. I've purchased both ways. Direct is easier and resale is cheaper.

 

[csharpwv]

OK, this is going to be a long post... but here goes nothing...

We stopped to find out what DVC was on our honeymoon - we stopped at the Kiosk at DTD.

Having been married less than 7 days at that point in time, and both employed full time for less than a year - we were blown away by the pricetag - NO WAY! That's way too expensive!

Then, over the next two years I researched, researched, and....researched. I knew about resales, and I knew what the process entailed. However, we purchased direct - we trusted our guide, and knew that she would be available to answer any and all questions that we might have - so we were willing to pay for that.

When BLT was finished, we knew we wanted to own at a resort that was THAT convenient - and sure enough, having just completed our first full week stay at BLT we LOVE how close it is!

Then, we wanted access to the treehouse villas at 11 months... BUT with resales prices where they were at the time - we found a small contract that was perfect for what we wanted - so we bought resale.

Then, after trying to book HHI several times right at 7 months - we could never get what we wanted, when we wanted. So I started shopping the resale market and couldn't find what we wanted - SO I called DVC to see if they had what we wanted at HHI.

No they didn't and the guide I talked to (ours was out) said in short - you could be on a wait list for a REALLY long time to get what you want - and the price is $85+

Knowing that HHI was going for $50+ on the resale market - and knowing that Disney had just announced the changes to resale contracts...

I decided to continue shopping for resale.

I found what we wanted (actually more points that what we needed) at a price that was below our budget. We paid $41.85 per point - less than HALF of what Disney wanted.... for what we weren't looking for (they didn't have our UY)

We paid less for our HHI points... FAR LESS.... than the original owners paid per point.

We LOVE HHI! WE have been there 4 times now, and can't wait to go back!

We own at 4 home resorts - and each contract decision was made on what was best for us. 2 direct, 2 resale.

We bought BLT at the absolute lowest slump of the recession when they were offering a free 7 night cruise AND $$$ off per point.

If we were to buy points somewhere else it would be at 'the lodge' (Wilderness!) We LOVE LOVE LOVE that resort!

But anyway - to the OP, you made the right decision for your family, and that's all that matters! You have what you want - and that's the best deal out there!

We asked about VWL when we bought as well, BUT at that time, the points weren't that much less than the new resorts - so it just didn't make sense - plus there wasn't a promotion at that time.

Welcome home, and as always - LOVE your membership, use is at much as possible! HAHA

 

[disfanforlife]

Sounds great! Glad to hear that you had a good experience. We have not regretted our DVC purchase EVER. ENJOY!

 

[michelleiada]

Welcome to DVC. We own at Beach Club and absolutely love it there. If I were to add another home resort it would be VWL. It is beautiful.

 

[nunzia]

Congratulations and Welcome Home! I also own direct points and have no regrets

 

[bobbiwoz]

Welcome Home, VWL neighbors!

 

[jstarcze]

Congratulations and Welcome Home from Mickey, Goofy, and Me!

 

[gracelrm]

Congratulations! We have owned at VWL since 2001 and we love it. We were also impressed with the professionalism of our guide. We've added on small contracts through Disney twice and have thought of adding on through a resale, but it was just so easy through Disney! Enjoy!

 

[sleepydog25]

Congrats and welcome to VWL, our home away from home. I'll tell you right now that you two must visit at some point during the Christmas holidays--the Lodge is spectacular! Welcome home!

 

[cosmos]

Congratulations and welcome home!

 

[eastatlantaguys]

Congrats and welcome to VWL, our home away from home. I'll tell you right now that you two must visit at some point during the Christmas holidays--the Lodge is spectacular! Welcome home!

We are booked the first week of December... I can't wait!

 

[sleepydog25]

My first trip to WDW for Christmas was the year we bought VWL, and it was the first week of December as yours is. That's a perfect week to be there as the weather is generally nice, the crowds aren't spectacularly huge (we tend to do EMH, anyway), the decorations are up everywhere, the Osborne Lights are going full bore, and yet you get to be home for the actual Christmas celebration. Have a great time!

 

[fortheloveofminnie]

Congrats! I took a DVC tour and had a great guide as well who actually recommended (in the most subtle way possible of course) that given my situation resale would be the better option. He was very professional and respectful of my numerous resale vs. direct ?s. I'm now in the process of buying my first resale contract at AKV because it was the best choice for me. But I'm glad buying direct was the best choice for you -- enjoy it!!!

 

[Micca]

We have several contracts--some direct, some re-sale. We have no regrets about any of our purchases and very much enjoy being members.

Welcome home EastAtlantaGuys! Don't make yourselves scarce here on the Dis

 

[MrD1sturbed]

Congrats OP! My DW and I also just purchased direct, but at BWV, and we too couldn't be happier to have the home resort we wanted. Our favorite time of the year to go is during F&W and to be able to book BWV 11 months out was well worth it to us. We looked at doing resale also, but for the first time direct just made more sense. I'm kinda jealous that you got VWL, as that is one of my absolute fav resorts, . And just as an aside, we're also in the ATL, and I agree being close definitely makes buying direct easier to handle (since our travel costs are minimal). GL to you both, and Welcome Home!

 

[mckryan]

Welcome Home fellow Atlantans! Post-Thanksgiving is a great time to go to WDW! I love being 6-7 hours from WDW - any closer and I might feel the gravitational pull to go even more than I do now!

 

[Greysword]

No flames here. You made an informed decision and took advantage of all avenues. You took the tour, asked questions, "reserved" points at AKV , then took advantage of your Right of Rescission. No worries.

The key point is that you made an informed decision, so the extra cost is outweighed by your desire for access to the Collections (which I like, too).

Plus, you likely paid what <looks at DVCNews (thanks Tim!)> $102/point-ish. This is about the same we paid for our points over the years, and much less than the going rate for a giraffe room . <I kiid, I kiid >.

Again, congrats! You made a wise decision.

oh, and Welcome!