An anti-bash...

[cgcw]

Originally posted by reneesam
Hearing my son tell the flight attendant that we're going to "our other home" on the flight to Orlando.

Our DS3 refers to Disney as his "vacation home". Until we bought into DVC, we never would have chosen to make WDW a vacation year after year. Now, we can't imagine not going. Definately a WOW factor for us.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Originally posted by wdw4me13
This past Jan we were staying at OKW for marathon weekend. As we headed out at 4:00 AM to catch a bus to the marathon start. We realized we missed the bus at the stop near our room so we started to walk to the hospitality house hoping to catch it there. The bus pulled over to pick us up saying we were going to do enough walk/running today. He continued drive around picking up people wherever he saw them until the bus was full.

Later that day after the marathon I was in the hot tub and some nice children kept starting the cycle for me becasue I was too tired/sore to move myself.

Finally as I was hobbling/walking back to my room after the hot tub someone from maintenance in a golf cart offered to take me back to the room even though it was about 500 ft away.

Sabrina

We were there during the marathon this year too. We were getting on the bus for AK about the time many of the marathoners were getting back. I felt so sorry for the way some of them were walking! I also was amazed to see some of them in the parks later that day!

 

[Zurg]

We have taken the kids fishing trip from Boardwalk a number of times and the guides have been very cool each time. Zurg isn't much of a fisher guy and these gentlemen make up for it.

The are very patient and attentive to the boys. Their enthusiasm for catching the big one is contagious. Every trip we have caught fish, using the famous hot dog bait technique, but more importantly the kids have been taught and led in ways of having fun and respecting nature at the same time.

So catch the kid's fishing triptrip next time you are down at WDW and real in some extraordinary service.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Your post, Zurg, reminded me that 2 years ago we had a guest with us who decided he wanted to do the OKW fishing experience. He turned out to be the only adult there, but he had a blast and caught a fish!

 

[ceejay13]

How fun this has been to read everyone else's experiences. I think every trip "home" is special. Our first DVC trip was to a 2 bdr at OKW. I don't think I will ever forget opening the door on that very first visit to that wonderful room. My DH told me I had a smile on my face that he had never seen before. We bought sight unseen and so had never seen any of the accomodations. We had a room in building 64 that overlooked the 7th green and was surrounded by water. Sitting out on the balconey with a glass of wine just before sunset is truly magical. Our second trip was to our BWV home and we had a 1 bdr with a Boardwalk view, on the 5th floor. Sitting out on the balcony wathcing Illuminations and people watching was also wonderful. Pulling up to the guard gate when we first arrive and hearing "Welcome Home" always tugs at my heartstrings. This January I'm sure we'll capture more special memories as we are bringing 11 of my family members for a 1 week stay at the BWV.

 

[msdis]

I remember the first time I saw the big OKW tower and thinking wow people are really going to be able to own a piece of the magic. Then when BWV came on line and we toured it thinking how magical it would be to be able to stay there a few nights and if we could only win the lottery we could buy there. Well, we didn't win the lottery but we have made many DVC purchases and still consider it the best personal investment ever. In realizing how easy it was to buy and no it really was not cost prohibitive. I had one dream come true this year and that was to take my family so they could experience "my world". My next DVC dream was to stay at VWL and see it all decorated for the holidays. On a whim I booked it last week and will be there this Nov. Life is for the living and as long as I'm living, I'll be at DVC, my happy place!

If anyone questions their DVC purchase I have a Days Inn in Columbia SC I can recommend. We stayed there last month on our drive down. DVC complainers, you've got nothing on this place.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I have to agree, Msdis! It is definately the best investment we made too. Our only mistake was not doing back in 91 or 92 when we first heard about it.

 

[Zurg]

Two Tales of the WOW Factor.

Zurgswife surprised me with a trip to WDW for my 40th birthday. We had been down to WDW twice before, staying at CBR and loved it. We were in the wilderness lodge cabins for this trip.

They were nice enough but a little rustic for our taste. The second day I mentioned that it just wasn't the total Disney immersion experience I likes. ZW calls central booking and they swap us over to BWV. It was beyond the Disney resort experience I was looking for.

I had a sister in DVC so I had looked into DVC before and figured the numbers were a push between buying in and just getting rooms at CBR. BWV just blew us away. It was so much more than CBR that the financial push was no push at all. We bought DVC that trip.

We are now going far more often and having more fun knowing that we will be back and don't feel any pressure to "do it all."

Our friends think we are nuts for loving Disney so much, (you all know that feeling right? LOL.) Last spring break some of them wanted to do WDW so we helped them rent points and stay at DVC. We were doing DCL. We flew into Orlando on the day of the last Tapestry. We drove over to have dinner on the boardwalk and see the last parade and stopped into visit our friends before driving over to the port.

They were blown away with a two bedroom. They were very impressed with the living space for their family (3 active boys) and the quality of the villa.

They kept saying, "Now we get it. Why you like it so much."

 

[RobDoc]

On our first DVC trip, 10 years ago, we were swept away when we crossed over the "Welcome Home" door mat in the entryway to our 1BR villa. At the time, we didn't fully appreciate the meaning of that now-familiar phrase, but did truly feel at "home" in the accommodations.

On each subsequent trip (since that time we will have spent over a full year in DVC accommodations on our next trip ), we have grown to appreciate the meaning of those simple words, even more.

Having stayed in all 6 DVC resorts and having the same general room layout and physical amenities in each one, we do feel we're at home at each resort. Other that turning left instead of right after entering, the master bedroom is always basically the same, the kitchen is always basically the same, the living room is always basically the same and the feeling of home is definitely always the same.

<marquee>WELCOME HOME!!</marquee>

 

[Zurg]

Originally posted by WebmasterDoc
(since that time we will have spent over a full year in DVC accommodations on our next trip

Cool!

 

[Laurabearz]

This couldnt have come at a better time.... As I currently have 3 trips planned.... the Nov. and Feb trips were booked way out, and this last minute trip this coming September.....

Our first trip home to OKW the kids were given balloons at check in. Not really a big thing, unless you are 4 and 2 years old, but it made thier day.... and everytime that CM was working behind the desk the girls pointed him out and said there is the nice man who said this was our house (he welcomed us home.... lol

The front gate staff at OKW are always so happy to see us.... I mean I really think they are glad we are there.... ya know??

The staff at HHI (the guys and gals that work in the activites center) bent over backwards to show everyone a great time. I have never felt so included in a resorts activies as I have there. I would love that job! LOL

I love DVC.... all the resorts, all the locations.... all the options. Cant wait to hit Doc's mark...... off to count! LOL

 

[bunnymkc]

We were staying at the YC on points about 2-3 years ago and I had asked to be put in a room that was reccomended by you guys here anyway the magr said it was rented already but we could move in it the next day..we checked out in the morning went to the parks came back ready to move to our new room..the girl that was checking us in said "I am sorry but that room has been taken" I really was upset but not at all nasty just disappointed she got the mgr who promtly said how sorry she was but she would give us the room just above it and also would we please accept the conceige!! We were just dumbfounded and couldn't even speak..we had a great time at the YC that week and now are spolied for life..LOL ALSO JUST wanted to throw this in..after our 2nd year of DVC and 4 trips later our family was just sitting at America in Epcot when my DIL said to me"look how everybody is just rushing around not even looking at the little things"..at that point it dawned on me how lucky we were that all of us were just sitting down enjoying each other's company and feeling like we were at home in our own BACKYARD..It still amazes me how we can get excited for each trip that we do and that is at least 2-3 a year..DVC was the best thing we have ever done as a family..enjoy it everybody here and God Bless you all..Marianne

 

[Zurg]

Originally posted by bunnymkc
"look how everybody is just rushing around not even looking at the little things"..at that point it dawned on me how lucky we were that all of us were just sitting down enjoying each other's company and feeling like we were at home in our own BACKYARD..

Outstanding Anti-Bash!

DVC makes the Been There, Done That, Going Back factor so much more real, and it does change the way you see The World

 

[dianeschlicht]

after our 2nd year of DVC and 4 trips later our family was just sitting at America in Epcot when my DIL said to me"look how everybody is just rushing around not even looking at the little things"..at that point it dawned on me how lucky we were that all of us were just sitting down enjoying each other's company and feeling like we were at home in our own BACKYARD..It still amazes me how we can get excited for each trip that we do and that is at least 2-3 a year..DVC was the best thing we have ever done as a family..enjoy it everybody here and God Bless you all..Marianne

This truely best discribes the way we feel about DVC! Some of our guests never quite "get it", because they refuse to come and spend a minimum of a week, opting for 4-5 days instead.

 

[Terry S]

Originally posted by bunnymkc
after our 2nd year of DVC and 4 trips later our family was just sitting at America in Epcot when my DIL said to me"look how everybody is just rushing around not even looking at the little things"..at that point it dawned on me how lucky we were that all of us were just sitting down enjoying each other's company and feeling like we were at home in our own BACKYARD..It still amazes me how we can get excited for each trip that we do and that is at least 2-3 a year..DVC was the best thing we have ever done as a family..enjoy it everybody here and God Bless you all..

Wow Marianne! That quote belongs on all the threads where people ask about the advantages to buying DVC! It just says it all!

 

[bunnymkc]

one year I think it was 2001 we were going on the DCL after staying at BWV for a week..we had to walk to the BC as they would not get ourluggage and we had to drag the luggage(thank God we had the stroller) needless to say we were all not HAPPY..on our way over we stopped at the BW bakery and got some egg sanwiches ,donuts ,coffee,juice etc.we then went to the gazbo that is just on the way to BC before the bridge must I say it again..we had the best breakfast kind of like a picnic and we just talked about how lucky we were..really it felt like we were at home having breakfast on a sun morning and we were outside! there are so many more memories that can never be duplicated so enjoy your time at the world and thank your lucky stars that we have DVC. even if DVC ended tomorrow (GOD FORBID) we have so many memories and pictures to go with them that I consider us to be very lucky..so when they ask you "What, you're going to Disney again!" just smile cause you got a secret!! Marianneps WE ARE A FAMILY OF 6 DH,DS,DDIL,2DG'S (WHO HAVE BEEN GOING SINCE 2 MONTHS OLD) AND ME!pps aLSO WANTED TO SAY SO GLAD THAT I FOUND THESE BOARDS THANKS TO ALL THE WONDERFUL PEOPLE HERE AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO PETE FOR MAKING US FEEL LIKE WE HAVE ANOTHER FAMILY TO RELY ON..CAUSE THAT JUST WHAT YOU PEOPLE ARE ANOTHER FAMILY TO ME..

 

[dianeschlicht]

so when they ask you "What, you're going to Disney again!" just smile cause you got a secret!!

Absolutely!!! Probably the biggest perk and secret is that we get to go back so many times year after year, and always have a GREAT place to stay!

 

[MaryJ]

I love this thread! We stayed in a DVC room for the first time on cash, and I knew that we had hit upon something special. It was really special to go last year with our entire family plus our two sons-in-law (to be at the time )

But I think my favorite comment came from my DH this summer. We traveled separately to WDW and I arrived at VWL with our DD's before he did. His work schedule just wouldn't allow him to leave sooner. He has never seemed to be the Disney fanatic that I am, and I sometimes thought that he agreed to DVC more to please me than for himself. The girls and I were in the park when he arrived at VWL, but he told me later that when he walked into the lobby, he just SMILED because he was so glad to be back! It was then that I knew he loves DVC as much as I do!

 

[Laurabearz]

I am planning a spur of the moment trip for this September (booked 37 days out lol).

Our first thoughts were to stay at BCV.... we got all excited..... started talking about everything thing there is to do there.. hanging out at SAB, Cape May, etc. Then we called... no rooms at the inn....

No problem...... we booked a one bedroom at BWV... got all excited.... started talking about everything there is to do there.... How are kids would love the slide and the whole pool theming.... walking the Boardwalk... etc.......

Then our waitlist came thru.... for a 2 bedroom at VWL.... we got all excited...... started talking about everything there is to do there.... walking the paths, checking out the lodge, etc.......

I am soooo tickled pink to be a DVC member..... in 5 days we have had 5 plans.... (or so it seems) and each and everyone one of them have been wonderful. All different..... all wonderful.

We are a very lucky group, we DVC'rs........ We really are.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Sometimes, it's the little things that can make a trip truly special.

The bell hops (as Zurg mentioned previously) and the CM's at BWV were wonderful. They really interacted with our kids (17 months and 3 1/2 yo at the time).

The bell hops were always making balloon animals and swords. All the kids that attended the morning Disney Character Caravan's were gathered around the bell hop station after doing the obligatory character tour! The characters were left standing around with only the parents to "talk" to - that's how popular the bell hops were with the kids!!!

And the CM's went to the back to get helium balloons for my girls a few times during our trip. Walking around the pool and community hall, many of the CM's would stop and talk to my girls and ask them if they were having fun.

The CM's at BWV made our family feel special that trip and thus our whole trip felt special.