7 days to go - DVC is a dream come true

[DVC_Dreamer]

When my DW and I were kids, we watched Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday nights and dreamed of WDW. We both had friends that would make the trip with their families and we'd be jealous. In my case, I had a neighbor who would drive down from CT and get fireworks from South of the Border. <side note: We drove to WDW on our second trip and South of the Border was a let down>
My dad was a construction worker and my mom was a bank teller and then a secretary. We went on nice beach vacations but not WDW. My DW is first generation American. Her parents immigrated after WWII from Germany. We've learned second hand from them about war, suffering and starvation. Not trying to be a downer but THEY had it rough. Then, they came here on a church sponsorship trying to make it not knowing the language in a strange place. DW did not speak English very well as a kindergartner and remembers being chastised for it. They, too, were not poor but WDW was not a vacation spot.
In 1999, I traveled first time to FL and WDW for a technical conference alone. I was in awe of WDW and couldn't wait to share with my growing young family. We first went in 2001 and stayed at the Double Tree in DTD. I had stayed at the Royal Plaza for the conference so I thought Double Tree was a good value on property and it was for like $99 a night. DW was blown away and has been daily DIS board lurker ever since. We both have a huge sense of gratitude and accomplishment. We really appreciate this and it's a dream come true. If you notice us a bit annoyed at rude behavior or complainers, it's comes from a deep emotional place of gratitude.

DW and I debated DVC for 10 years. Too bad our kids are basically grown and we missed this opportunity. Frankly, we raised 3 kids on one salary. I caught the end of a 30 minute DVC promotion on tv yesterday. They were telling a story of a couple like us. Made me feel good about our late decision for DVC. We'll bring our kids this trip but who knows the makeup in years to come. Just the two of us or grandkids, we're looking forward to it all. I'll reflect on the in-laws sacrifices and my parents working two/three jobs to get me through college.

Now, it's time to celebrate. Time to get ready for our first trip to BLT!
Then, we'll get to work on adding on and the next dream of having enough points to retire with like 6-8 weeks on property in the middle of winter.

P.S. Thanks to SuperSuperWendy advice and some testing yesterday, hope to do live trip reports via iPad including photos. Lift off this time one week from today!

 

[maburke]

Thanks for that reflection. It helps to keep it in perspective.

I hope you love BLT! It has a lot of sentimental meaning to me, as my first (& only) childhood trip was to the Contemporary.

And who knows? Maybe your mostly grown kids will love DVC so much that it keeps you having vacations together.

 

[DVC_Dreamer]

Thanks for that reflection. It helps to keep it in perspective.

I hope you love BLT! It has a lot of sentimental meaning to me, as my first (& only) childhood trip was to the Contemporary.

And who knows? Maybe your mostly grown kids will love DVC so much that it keeps you having vacations together.

Exactly. Like the DVC infomercial showed, vacations together, even when they're adults, is what I'm hoping for.

 

[Corinne]

Exactly. Like the DVC infomercial showed, vacations together, even when they're adults, is what I'm hoping for.

When we bought in 2001, our boys were 14 and 11. Now, at 24 and 21, I can tell you, they still LOVE to come with us! They have brought friends and girlfriends along on many of our trips. Enjoy your first (of many!!) trips home, I look forward to your trip report!!

 

[Sandisw]

Love the story. It took us about 15 years to buy in to DVC and in 2009, my oldest was 20 already. But we knew that our love of WDW would continue, with or without our children.

Mine have been going so long that they love it as much as we do. My DD 18 missed last summer since it was her last one before college. This year, she can't wait to revisit--matter of fact, she found out that one of her good friends, whose family is also Disney crazy, will be there.

He told her that no one gets it like her!!! Memories are what it is all about and I wouldn't change a second spent at WDW!!!

Woke up this morning, knowing its 10 days but because of my segmented trip, can't do online check in, but it was nice to see the button!!! (tried anyway, knowing it wouldn't work!!!)

 

[jamaka66]

We also bought into DVC after our kids were grown and we had one grandchild. We brought our kids to Disney all the time growing up and it's there favorite vacation place and still is. DVC is perfect for us as sometimes we go just the 2 of us, sometimes with friends and then the trips with the whole family. My husband loves to go to VB, we find it a great vacation spot, but this spring we went to SS and did a no park trip and it was perfect. We are planning a trip for next May with the kids and the grandkids to a Treehouse villa.

Congratulations on your purchase and have a wonderful trip.

 

[mdsd8700]

What a wonderful story, thanks for sharing! We too thought long and hard about DVC for more than 10 years and finally just purchased last year. Our kids are currently 14 and 17, so definately on the later part of our family vacation years. We have taken 2 trips so far and one is planned for November and we are bringing people with us. This wouldn't be possible without DVC. We are looking forward to future vacations together as "adults", DH and I alone and in the future with our kids families. I think purchasing when our children are older will work out very nicely for us and I am glad that it worked out that way.

Enjoy your DVC!!!

 

[SamSam]

We began going to WDW in 1988 when our kids were 7 and 12. When DVC was first offered, i was ready to buy in...DH was afraid that once the kids were gone we wouldn't want to go anymore.

Fast forward to 2002, we're empty nesters going to WDW even more than when the kids were home. We buy in, then keep adding on so we can spend more time at our favorite place during winter months.

 

[RumpleMom]

I have always said, Disney's best kept secret isn't DVC. It is that WDW is even more fun without kids!

We loved the trips with the kids when they were little, we love the trips with the kids as adults, but we are always happy to visit with just the two of us.

 

[spiceycat]

You will love BLT - just remember you want even number rooms (on the outside of the C - not the inside) - unless you like looking at other people on their balconies then the inside (odd numbers) would work.

joined in 1993 - when DVC was still new and there were very few members. they (DVC) spoiled us - big time. got on a bus was asked if I was member when say yes - he asked me where I wanted to - well since wanted to go to the park that his bus say it was going - that is where we went. but got the feeling the bus driver would have taken me to DD or any other park as well.

the gardeners would give you flowers (they still do but you must ask - then you did not)

everyone went out of their way to help you. even when you did not need it.

not to mention the free tickets.

when you get treated like that it is hard to go back to reality - like we had too when BWV was opened.

so if some of us complaint - it is generally not against Disney as much as what we had then lost when DVC got bigger and bigger.

here the link to tell you more about the rooms\
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2257082

 

[hollis]

Bought DVC the first time we vacationed in WDW as a family with my young son. Back then, he thought being there for 2 weeks was too short. He asked why not a year. So I added a lot more points.

Now my son is not as excited about WDW. With the many points we have, we were able to give a vacation to an emloyee, and more recently, get friends who are also Disney fans to vacation with us (this is also a way to get my son interested in WDW again, by vacationing with friends). Without DVC, I would never have thought of this.

 

[BigDaddySlick]

You will love the flexibility with DVC and the quality of service you get. You will not be sorry...

 

[jekjones1558]

OP, thanks for sharing your story. Sometimes it seems like these boards can be overpopulated with threads that are negative. Your post is a good wake up call to a proper perspective.
I can't tell you how many times I have thanked God that I grew up loved and in a household that just got-by financially. I wouldn't have even dreamed that our family would go to WDW. An ice cream cone was a huge treat. My first WDW trip was as an adult. My DH and I are still not close to wealthy but we are financially stable and share your gratitude and amazement that we are DVC owners and can vacation in the most magical place on earth. I am 64 and will never take my unbelievably good fortune as a DVCer for granted.

 

[debbieandroo]

OP, thanks for sharing your story. Sometimes it seems like these boards can be overpopulated with threads that are negative. Your post is a good wake up call to a proper perspective.
I can't tell you how many times I have thanked God that I grew up loved and in a household that just got-by financially. I wouldn't have even dreamed that our family would go to WDW. An ice cream cone was a huge treat. My first WDW trip was as an adult. My DH and I are still not close to wealthy but we are financially stable and share your gratitude and amazement that we are DVC owners and can vacation in the most magical place on earth. I am 64 and will never take my unbelievably good fortune as a DVCer for granted.

What Jean said ... my mom couldn't afford WDW so I didn't go until I was an adult...makes me appreciate all the magic all the more - can't wait to share that magic with others once I get my points.

DVC Dreamer, I am almost regretting the beginning of your trip because that'll be the end of all of those great threads. Hope you'll be planning another one soon!

Have a great time with all of your packing - I just love that part of a trip. The unpacking - not so much...

 

[ajf1007]

I absolutely loved your post and it made me reflect as well. I made my first trip to WDW 3 years ago, at the age of 37. My DH had been there before, but being raised by a single mother who worked 3 jobs just to make sure we ate, had a roof over our head and clothes on our back, didn't allow for those types of vacations in my case.

When we went to WDW 3 years ago, we went with my best friend and her family. Her daughter and I were the only two out of the trip that had never been to WDW. I've been a complete "nut" ever since. Our 1st trip was September and we bought DVC in June the following year. Since we don't have children and won't, we've enjoyed incredible vacations at VGC as well as AKV usually by ourselves. BUT.......next year, we're taking my whole family, which will be first time visits for everyone! I'm so excited to share this with them and be able to help make and be a part of making incredible memories.

Thanks again for reminding me of the important things and what DVC is really all about.

Can't wait to hear all about your trip and see your live updates! Have a great time and enjoy!!!