19 Year DVC'er

[KevinNYC]

It just struck me that 19 years ago this week - December 15, 1991 - we signed our first contract joining DVC. Wow, time passes. It was just the DVC then - one resort - and only partly constructed. Buyinbg in back then was kind of scarey since we didn't have sites like this to learn all the details. We just had faith that Disney would make it work. So we bought in with a little faith, trust and a little pixey dust.

Well, we never looked back and have enjoyed this experience and look forward to more. We never thought it would grow into the DVC it is today. But, we are glad it did.

One added fun thing is that we still have loads of DVC stuff with the original logo. That logo is different from the current logo. I liked that original better but some legal issues necessitated the change.

Anyway, its nice to be 19 in DVC World.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Wow 19 years. Happy Anniversary.

 

[Granny]

Buyinbg in back then was kind of scarey since we didn't have sites like this to learn all the details. We just had faith that Disney would make it work. So we bought in with a little faith, trust and a little pixey dust.

I've often thought that those who bought very early in the DVC product were very brave! Yes, we all think that Disney will "do things right", but still it was quite a leap of faith for the early buyers. Of course, it helps that the price was what...about $51 per point and it included some AP's for a while?

Still, kudos to those who jumped in on the ground floor of what has become a substantial timeshare product.

 

[briangib]

Congratulations Kevin, you must have been one of the first to buy into the resort. We became members as soon as we saw Old Key West during a stay at POR. Even though it was a resale, we received passes for the first couple of years, which was a nice benefit.

 

[KevinNYC]

After our initial buy-in, we added more points during early incentives so we have just under 600. I don't have the papers before me but the average point cost was about $54 when it was all done.
In the beginning, the resort was called Conch Flats, and eventually the Old Key West resort. And they gave us so many great benefits then to encourage sales. We did benefit from that. i.e. about 10 years of free park passes.
The nice thing was we paid it off by 1997, so other than maintenance, we never get a bill for our DVC trips.
Who knew it would grow into what it is today!! Thanks to DVC we are going on our 12th cruise in January and plan on exploring Adventures by Disney.
In 1991, time shares had terrible reputations all over the country. So Disney really pioneered itself to come up with the flexible plan that has spawned other companies to follow its lead. We are glad we took a chance.
And even those buying in today have a great opportunity.
Anyway, we are happy here after 19 years and we have really wonderful memories watching the DVC grow up/

 

[skelooch]

WOW, That's pretty awesome, CONGRATULATIONS!!!

I hope your next 19 years are just as memorable.

 

[lizanne]

Congratulations!
We bought - sight unseen - in August 1992. We had a trip planned anyway and a friend told us about DVC. We were able to cancel our reservations, buy into DVC, and use the money we had planned on spending anyway but got an extra 40 some years of resort use. Those free park tickets were really nice too.

I don't remember Conch Flats, I thought it was simply call Disney Vacation Club Resort. My memory is really bad.

 

[BUDDYBEAR]

GREAT 19 YEARS

 

[Cyndibear]

Congratulations!! Thanks for being one of the many firsts to take that risk!

Cyndi

 

[ekm]

We're oldtimers too. We bought in July 1992.

It was amazing to get the free park passes throughout the 90's.

We were at OKW last week and bought two ten day park hopper passes with no expiration, and it cost over $1100!

 

[sillykid]

What's the story with the old logo? I don't even know what it looked like.
Thanks in advance

 

[cyuchyi]

so much fun in DVC. Lots to learn. Hurray.

 

[KevinNYC]

The original DVC Logo had 3 large bright red mountains with white snow caps and a big bright yellow Mickey head. Some time later, it was reduced to 2 smaller purplish mountains with a smaller Mickey head.
Back then, the story behind the change was that someone else had that logo or a similar logo and complained. So the DVC logo was altered.
Initially the resort was informally referred to as Conch Flats and the Hospitality House stores, Community Center, Hanks and pool area was called Turtle Kraal. They made a specialtiy rum drink in the bar called the Turtle Kraal.
I wonder if any of the DVC "old-timers" remember who Capt. Wahoo was and where you could find him at Conch Flats? Anyone remember Olivia's Character Breakfast? How about Frenchie or Miss Vickie?
It was always very special and good times in the beginning.

 

[DopeyDave]

It just struck me that 19 years ago this week - December 15, 1991 - we signed our first contract joining DVC. Wow, time passes. It was just the DVC then - one resort - and only partly constructed. Buying in back then was kind of scarey since we didn't have sites like this to learn all the details. We just had faith that Disney would make it work. So we bought in with a little faith, trust and a little pixey dust.

Someone else who toured the units wearing hardhats!! I don't remember the exact date we purchased, but I think we're closer to having signed up about the end of October '91. Geez, 19 years, now I'm really feeling old.

But we too have never looked back. We've enjoyed our points, and have also added on about 3 times since. (And those park passes were pretty darn good too!!)

 

[Shadeaux]

The original DVC Logo had 3 large bright red mountains with white snow caps and a big bright yellow Mickey head. Some time later, it was reduced to 2 smaller purplish mountains with a smaller Mickey head.
Back then, the story behind the change was that someone else had that logo or a similar logo and complained. So the DVC logo was altered.
Initially the resort was informally referred to as Conch Flats and the Hospitality House stores, Community Center, Hanks and pool area was called Turtle Kraal. They made a specialtiy rum drink in the bar called the Turtle Kraal.
I wonder if any of the DVC "old-timers" remember who Capt. Wahoo was and where you could find him at Conch Flats? Anyone remember Olivia's Character Breakfast? How about Frenchie or Miss Vickie?
It was always very special and good times in the beginning.

I have a watch with the original DVC logo with the 3 mountains. I never knew why they changed the logo...thanks for the info.

Capt. Wahoo used to sit in a booth at Olivia's. Whatever happened to him? We love Olivia's, but thought the character breakfast was horrible. Did it once...never again.

 

[friends with mickey]

We were about three months behind you, February of 1992. Did you do the extended contract? We did take advantage of that so we still have many years to enjoy what has become an incredible vacation experience. We also have some original logo merchandise. It is cool to wear it when we are there and have the Old Key West CMs ask about it. Most have never seen the old logo. I have had many conersations with Capt. Wahoo while our kids did art work to add the walls of Olivia's. He was not much of a talker, but was a great listener,lol.
Glad you still get so much enjoyment out of your DVC membership.

 

[Shadeaux]

Does anyone know when the colors in the logo were changed? This watch is the only thing I have with the DVC logo in these colors.

 

[JudithM]

I have a watch with the original DVC logo with the 3 mountains. I never knew why they changed the logo...thanks for the info.

Capt. Wahoo used to sit in a booth at Olivia's. Whatever happened to him? We love Olivia's, but thought the character breakfast was horrible. Did it once...never again.

I remember the three mountain logo and Captain Wahoo! I have a coffee mug with the three mountains like Shadeaux' watch. We are not allowed to use the mug so we can preserve the logo .

 

[paminpa]

we too bought early on, as you can see by my tag line. No regrets! Loved those free passes!

 

[NancyDVC]

We are 'old timers' too. The original logo had three mountains, the Mickey 'sun' and a sailboat! I still have a copy of that logo with the sailboat. The first change eliminated the sailboat and then the next change eliminated the third mountain.
Actually the resort was called Disney Vacation Club (I was there the day they changed the signs to OKW when VB officially opened. After staying at VB and being 'guests' at the official grand opening.)
The location was and is still Conch Flats (as I was told when we bought it was the name of the 'town') And Turtle Krawl is still Turtle Krawl. (The area out side HH by the boat dock.) And the specialty drinks weren't bad.
During our preview I was most impressed by the fact that they wouldn't give us a 'formal' tour of the resort so that it wouldn't disturb the guests staying there. (Many of them cash guests because the resort was so new it ended at the bridge next to HH and there was only 1 bus stop. And not many members.)
I still have and wear my member shirt with the 3 mountains (but no sailboat). We bought them at the Conch Flats General Store and paid to have 'member' embroidered on them.
And those park passes!
I think that it is one of the best things we ever did. And I haven't looked back once. (Except maybe to regret that I didn't have the money to buy a huge number of points at that great price.)
We did do one add on. My niece and her husband just bought at OKW and are planning their first visit as members next year!