15 years later, still VERY glad to have our DVC!

[jodifla]

Just got back from 6 fabulous nights at BLT in a dedicated 2 bedroom. It made us VERY glad we pulled the trigger back in 1996 and bought 150 OKW points. We bought directly from Disney, financed, and paid if off early...easy to do, because the points sold for half what they do now.

We've had 16 years of great vacationing from these points. Because we have a modest amount, we've never felt burdened by them.

Along with many longtime members, I haven't been happy with a lot of the changes with DVC. It was better in many ways when it was smaller. But as I looked out on Bay Lake each morning, I was pretty glad they built there. AND I was VERY glad I wasn't paying either the $900 a night rack rate or the $500 a night "discount." Because we would never do that.

But because we were very smart 15 years ago and didn't second-guess ourselves to death, we can now stay at places like BLT.

 

[magicaldisney]

So glad to hear you feel this way. We as well, have been extremely happy and have never regretted the decision we made. It's not for everyone, but it is definitely for our family!!

 

[mouseaider]

Very nice post ! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.

We just joined last August after much debate with a small (100 point) contract and made our first trip to BWV in January. While there we decided we loved it and called our guide to see about adding on. But Disney prices were way to high so we bought another resale to give us a total of 155 points and we couldn't be happier. We don't want any more.

We are two grown (old) adults and our points will do us very well without feeling burdened by maintenance fees.

 

[DMKEDM]

This thread has given me quite a bit of food for thought.

I bought in 2006 (at the urging of my then college-freshman son)...we turned out to be one of those DVC families that (dramatically) increased the number of times we go, so we didn't save any money. But we surely have enjoyed our membership. I've added on 5 times, bringing us to a total of 515 points--split about 1/3-2/3 between BCV and SSR...still not enough points for all the times I'd like to go for the next year or two...but w/DS finishing law school and starting in on an intense work life (w/vacations MUCH less doable than while he was in school), I think I've talked myself into doing transfers and/or renting add'l points rather than adding on again...

I've been very "jangled" by the many, many changes to DVC over what seems to me to be a fairly short 5-year period. Some have been good (e.g., free internet access--and internet access is an absolute necessity for me if I'm to go as often as I do...working on site is what makes it possible)...most have lessened my ability to use DVC (e.g., restricted wait listing potential--that's probably the one that most hurt my ability to use my m'ship in a way that works well for me and my "Disney friends")...

But it now occurs to me, after reading this thread, that while I may not like most of the changes, I still very much DO like being part of DVC...I simply would not go to Disney 4-5 times each year, with my son and with other family and friends, were it not for the "pre-paid" rooms (and the "pre-paid," via the AP, park admissions)...food isn't all that much more costly at Disney than it is at home (I don't "eat cheap" -- or even reasonably frugally -- at home, either). And air fare there & back isn't all that big an expense, for just me (or just me & my DS)...and I've had such special times with DS, and also with dear friends whose trips w/me were made possible by my DVC...

And I had another thought: When you go as often as I do, your chances for encountering mistakes or glitches or challenges dramatically increase...I suspect Disney's mistakes (other than its truly abysmal computer system) are no more frequent (or disruptive) than any other business'--I just get many more chances to experience one given how much more frequently I go to Disney!

So, thank you OP for causing me to recognize that DVC is still a very very good thing for me and my family/friends. It may not remain that way til the end of the contract...my patterns may change; Disney may ultimately make changes that tip the balance of "good" versus "not good" away from the "good" side of the equation. But for now, while it's not "as good" it's still better than not owning! I think that's a really important thing for me to keep in mind when I think about my DVC m'ship...

 

[dianeschlicht]

We are right there with you on that one! We purchased 14 years ago in 1997, and while it did mean we increased the number of times we go to Disney, we now feel like it truly is our "home away from home". It's the vacation "go to" spot where we truly can relax and do something that can't be done anywhere else in the world!

 

[DVCconvert]

.... because the points sold for half what they do now.....

I'm thrilled at having been able to, in 2011, buy OKW points at about the same price they were being sold for in 1996!

 

[csharpwv]

This - more than a "SHOULD I BUY?!?!" thread, makes me think about the times that we have enjoyed the ability to go to WDW without saving for years.

Our story on DVC goes back to 2006, when we stopped at a kiosk at Downtown Disney on one of the last days of our trips to ask "We've see Disney Vacation Club EVERYWHERE, all over the resort - WHAT IS IT?"

Given the name - I actually thought that it was a 'perks' or rewards program for frequent visitors.

Well - at that time, Saratoga Springs was for sale right across the lake - so looking over across the lake, the Cast Member dropped that bomb that the purchase price was around $16,000 at the time.

YIKES!

That was a LOT of money!

So we said "Oh, OK - THANKS!" and went on about our merry business.

Well, over the next year we kept wanting to go back - but we kept saying - we'll have to save up, we'll have to plan a year or two in advance.

Well, by 2008 we were more than ready to go back - AND take my parents with us. Dad has just retired that Spring - and my Mom - who had been in a wheelchair since 2001 or 2002 was really ready to take a vacation from all the burdens and stresses of her medical issues (Rheumatoid Arthritis mainly)

So we planned a September 2008 trip, and it was going to be my parent's first flight since around 1969 or 1970.

We planned the trip down to the last little detail, and it was an AMAZING trip.

We had planned another trip with Mom and Dad, we were to be there May 7th -12th. It was going to be a great cast of Characters - and we had dubbed the trip "Kaden's First World Tour" since my my middle brother, his wife, and their 2.5 year old son Kaden - Grandma's favorite little man - was going to be along for the trip - and he was going to meet Mee Mou for the first time!

On April 18th Mom went into the hospital with a very serious infection from complication from her Arthritis - and passed away on May 1st. We were devastated.

However, our 2008 trip with Mom and Dad will be forever some of the most special memories I have of my Mom in my adult life. Plus, on that trip - we bought our first DVC contract at Animal Kingdom Villas. So, it's going to be a lifetime of memories, family, and pure joy for this DVC family.

Life is to short to worry, life is too short to save pennies at a time.

Over the last few years I have really come to understand that value of time - VS. the value of money.

While something may be cheaper, but take more time - is the price difference worth the time lost. Somethings are a labor of love, while other are just toil and labor.

I am allergic to grass, so every time I mow the lawn, I'm sick for a few days afterward. What is worth more to me - a few days time - or cash paid out to someone to mow the lawn?

We are not wealthy people - BUT we don't waste money. We are dollar wise - not penny wise. Time is money - and there comes a point when you have to put a price tag on your time, and ask what the value of your time REALLY is.

DVC is a pretty big financial outlay - it isn't an investment really, because you are paying into something that will have no monetary value. HOWEVER - what you cannot put a price tag on is your 61 year old Mother, after hearing that Mickey Mouse would be coming out in his Sorcerer Mickey costume - turning to you and saying "If it's not too crowded, and the line isn't too long, can I get my picture taken with Mickey Mouse?"

OF COURSE YOU CAN!

I don't care if the line is from Magic Kingdom to Universal - you, my Mother Dear - WILL get your picture taken with Sorcerer Mickey!

There is no price on that moment, and it will forever be cast in my memory like stone.

Mom passed away at the age of 64 - I'm 29. Way too soon to lose your Mom. But you know what, she lived a full life - and ever since we went to Disney as a family in 1987 - she always said - I'd love to go back to Disney World - I'd love to go back to Disney World - she said it time and time again.

In 2008, we took Mom back to Disney World - and we had the best time ever.

We weren't DVC members until the end of that stay, so we stayed at Wilderness Lodge. We had just made reservations for regular - no specific view. But we had to have adjoining rooms, and one room had to be ADA compliant with a roll-in shower.

When we checked in - we had been upgraded to Club Level with a woods view.

At Festival of the Lion King, I was selected to 'lead' the Elephant group (which Mom thought was a riot! HAHA)

The weather was fantastic - the crowds and wait times were low - AND on the flight back - Mom and Dad both got upgraded to first class.

Priceless memories - and with DVC we will continue to make memories, and remember our previous trips, and remember Mom -

Thanks for the memories!

 

[nunzia]

Love these posts..all so true and we have so many family memories thanks to Disney..from my first trip when I was 7 years old holding my Dad's hand crossing Harbor and riding Peter Pan over and over (he also died too soon at 62) to the time we took my grandparents for their 50th anniversary (Italian immigrants who thought Disneyland was true magic. I will never forget my Grandfather in total awe) to all the trips we took our own kids on and how we purchased DVC to be able to treat all 9 grandkids to the magic. Thank you Disney and thank you DVC for taking it all a 'step up'.

 

[mdsd8700]

Csharpwv thanks for sharing your story it was heart warming and touched me I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your mother at such a young age for you both. I lost my mom 4 years ago and I miss her everyday. I am so glad that you were able to take her to WDW again and that she got her picture with Mickey Mouse, priceless!

To the OP thanks for sharing your thoughts on DVC we are pretty new members only about a year and have not been too affected by all the changes of late and those I have read about since we are to new to the program. However I do hope after 15 years or more that I am still pleased about joining as I am today. We have two trips planned this year and the one in November we are taking family and friends with and I the only way this would be possible is because of DVC. Ultimately is is about the memories and I am looking forward to making them.

 

[Dizny Dad]

Still DVC Happy since 2006, with 6 add ons (so far)

 

[rentayenta]

Great post OP.

 

[friends with mickey]

19 years here and enjoying DVC more than ever. Our kids were 6 & 7 when we joined. They are grown but still love to go to Disney. My wife and I are enjoying our second childhood with our trips to Disney with out kids. We just did our first add on getting 150 points at SSR to go with our original 270 at OKW. That should hold us unless the rumored tiered loyalty program makes it worth it to reach 500 points.

 

[mysevendwarfs]

10 years here! We planned a family trip back we only had 4 kids . After doing some planning here on the DIS, DVC seemed to make sense for our family. We knew we would be coming back as the kids grew and we traveled often with my parents and much younger sister. We had a cash reservation at BWV for 9 of us that we converted to a DVC purchase. For a big family, DVC was a great way travel and we , like so many of you, have precious memories with our family. Dad bought first into WLV and later added on AKV.

 

[Sammie]

I agree, I am glad I bought in the 90s, because honestly at today's prices and uncertain management, I would not do it now.

 

[moredisneyplease]

i've only passed my 5 year anniversary but i'm still in love!!!!

 

[FindingFigment]

I know this comment will probably seem really off topic, but in a ways it's not. When we took our 4 year old last October, she is REALLY into the princess stuff so we splurged on the "castle package" at the Bippity Boppity Boutique. The total price with tip and all was $225 and I swore I'd NEVER pay that kind of money again. The experience was fun and all of her pictures that day (with each character she visited) show her dressed up as as Sleeping Beauty and she loved it and still talks about it to this day. Even though I'm frugal and hated spending that money, it honestly created some terrific memories and was one of our most favorite things about that trip and I don't really miss the money but I remember the experience and I guess I have to admit it was worth it. So, DVC is sort of like that. The initial buy-in cost makes me choke (compared to what we paid for moderate and value rooms) but I really believe the memories we have of enjoying ourselves in the deluxe accomodations will be worth it in hindsight...as long as we can avoid addonitis...because I do believe there is a tipping point where the burden of the cost outweighs the enjoyment.

 

[jodifla]

I know this comment will probably seem really off topic, but in a ways it's not. When we took our 4 year old last October, she is REALLY into the princess stuff so we splurged on the "castle package" at the Bippity Boppity Boutique. The total price with tip and all was $225 and I swore I'd NEVER pay that kind of money again. The experience was fun and all of her pictures that day (with each character she visited) show her dressed up as as Sleeping Beauty and she loved it and still talks about it to this day. Even though I'm frugal and hated spending that money, it honestly created some terrific memories and was one of our most favorite things about that trip and I don't really miss the money but I remember the experience and I guess I have to admit it was worth it. So, DVC is sort of like that. The initial buy-in cost makes me choke (compared to what we paid for moderate and value rooms) but I really believe the memories we have of enjoying ourselves in the deluxe accomodations will be worth it in hindsight...as long as we can avoid addonitis...because I do believe there is a tipping point where the burden of the cost outweighs the enjoyment.

I do get what you are saying. I'm frugal...but once the money is spent, as long as I'm having a great time, I can let it go. I only suffer when I spend a lot of money then feel it's not worth it!

 

[mopee3]

I agree, I am glad I bought in the 90s, because honestly at today's prices and uncertain management, I would not do it now.

Well Sammie are you still receiving the same wages you were making back in the 90s when you first bought in?? I doubt it.

I love this thread, there are many who sell off their DVC for many reasons and I may do so some day but for now its.... , etc. We have been going and using for the last 6 years and can not wait to get "there" in November!!!

When people say "why do you continually go...", I just smile because I am hooked so wonderfully!!

And as for buying in now, many have and will continue to say "it's just not as good", well to the best of my knowledge we cannot go back in time, so... hop on board and enjoy the ride!

I am 64 years old and am not promised another day on this earth, and remember you will never see or experience this day again...be it good or bad.

Moe

 

[csharpwv]

Way to live life, Moe - and I bet you guys have a BLAST at WDW!

 

[dmoore22]

I wish we had known about DVC and bought sooner. We joined DVC in 2001. Each visit has been as Magical as the first time.