Any regrets for doing DVC?

[honeymo78]

disney villian - we were in the same boat. It got to the point where DH said we can't keep spending that kind of money each year for disney - we either have to stop going or change how we vacation. We are now waiting for closing on our first contract and if all goes well, we will be at disney more often, in the same quality room (same location if/when BLT comes around) and still spend less than 10k a year without really sacrificing the deluxe quality of our vacation.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

We took a trip with 5 people, DH and me, DD and DS, their friend. We stayed at the Contemporary because it looked like the only hotel that could fit 5 people. DH and DS slept in one bed, me and DD in another and friend on a fold out couch. We drove off site to Mickey D's for breakfast. Bought a styrofoam cooler and kept stuff like milk, oj, etc. to save money. We also bought stuff like peanut butter, jelly, bread, etc. Took the DVC tour the last day. How I wish I would have known about it! We spent something like 6,000.00 for 5 people for 7 nights. Granted that included access to the parks, but when I found a 210 resale at OKW for 15,000.00 - how could we not? We have been able to have a family reunion in a grand villa, a wedding with reserving a couple of 1 and 2 br villas, and many fun trips for DH and I. I have the annual dues taken out monthly from my checking account so it doesn't hurt. We pay more now for disney than ever before because of the park tickets, but we have no excuse not to go now, and vacations that were last on our list became first on our list. Planning ahead is not hard - it takes a lot of worry off of us. The point system is so flexible that we can always find something to suit our needs.

Should have done it sooner (as others say)!

We were spending close to $10k/year on our Disney vacations before DVC . . . and it took us a while to figure out that DVC could bring down those costs.

Well that says it all. No Regrets!!

DVC is the best decision we've made.

 

[tropical10]

I think we are going to go for it. We don't spend much money on ourselves, other then a nice dinner or what not. We are now child-free so don't have restrictions on when we can travel. I don't mind mind planning a trip 11 months in advance. The more planning the funner anyways.

DH and myself are ready to have some fun in our lives and get to finally live it up. It's our turn!

I noticed the dvd mentions that the DVC is about what you would usually pay for 7 trips. Is this how you look at it, and did it help you decide to go for it and join?

 

[DVC Mike]

No regrets here... just wish I had know about DVC earlier!

 

[grizbuzz]

I have never regretted my purchase. But I am a Disney freak who lives to plan vacations. So I would take my advice with a grain of salt.

More telling, I think, is my husband. I basically strong armed him into buying. He went window shopping for cars, drank whatever koolaid they were offering and called hysterically that he had to get that car that minute. I agreed sure, as long as you let me get DVC. He reluctantly agreed.

Now a year later, he's happy as a clam to be a DVC member and I think/hope he's even ready to buy more points at VGC.

 

[dvcbnd]

No regrets here! We are absolutely in love with our DVC and have been members since '97.

Best of luck to you in whatever you decide!

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

No regrets here !!! We love our DVC ! Recently had lunch with a friend that is very anti-dvc and even she had to admit...."that Disney thing is really working for your family isn't it?" she said.

Keep in mind...
It is not a cheap way to vacation, but if you would be headed to Disney at least every other year and staying above the value level, it probably makes sense.
I wouldn't suggest financing. To me borrowing for vacation is not the best decision.
We definitely vacation more now, so this is costing us money ! But I love the fact that we have started going to WDW at least twice a year, if not three times !!

 

[blame my sister]

The only regret that we have is that we bought it as a way to go around to not only just Disney places. It costs ALOT more points to stay at another place in the other non-Disney spots. Cause we like to go on long weekend trips that are in driving distances but it costs alot more in points. And with the soaring prices for airfare driving comes into play more. But we've used it 4 times in the last 2 years so we're getting good use out of it.

 

[jamie&Greg]

at all.... but you have to LOVE disney, and more importnatly LOVE disney resorts!!!

If you have the money - do it!!!

 

[hrsmom]

My only regrets are not buying sooner, not buying more points, not buy at VWL! (Don't get me wrong we love SSR, but we REALLY love VWL and when we can afford to buy an add-on it will be there!)

 

[bookswin]

I noticed the dvd mentions that the DVC is about what you would usually pay for 7 trips. Is this how you look at it, and did it help you decide to go for it and join?

I would say the estimate you hear of 5-7 vacations to recoup your money is optimistic.

I constructed a very complex Excel spreadsheet and did the calculations myself with assumptions/estimates for interest rates, inflation, increase in dues, opportunity cost for the money tied up, personal income tax bracket, tax write-off for the real estate portion of maintenance, depreciation (since the contract expires in the future), and everything else I could think of; depending on how the variables fell, I came up with more like 8-9 vacations.

 

[DVC Eric]

No regrets, just wish we would have bought when we did the tour in 97 rather then buying in 05.

 

[Safari Queen]

We love it! It forces us to take vacations and we stay in lovely resorts that have really started to feel like home. Though we do spend more money on APs, we get to stay on-site, don't need a rental car, we save money on food and laundry because of the villa accommodations, and we really relax, because we know we'll be back and we don't have to rush around trying to do everything on every trip. In a way, it's like having a family place on the water (or in the woods, or Africa...) that you visit every year and know inside out. I'm very excited about every trip and we always have a wonderful time.

 

[MagicalPins]

I am defently regreting purchasing DVC. I purchased DVC so I could make more trips out to Disney World, the main draw for me was the Adventurers Club at Pleasure Island at Downtwon Disney. With that closing, DVC is pointless to me.

I really regret commiting to such a long term deal at Disney World with their current management team that care more about shops than attractions.

The DAY sales open for the Grand Californian is the day I sell my Saratoga Springs points.

 

[rutgers1]

MagicalPins...While I am totally bummed out over the loss of Adventurers Club, I really can't say that you made a well thought out decision if you bought because of one attraction. An attraction can debut or be closed at any time, and an investment like this shouldn't be made over one attraction.

With the changes at PI, I am still holding out hope that they have something better planned. I have been very happy with the evolution of Disney over the past 20 years (more hotels, DVC, new parks, new attractions), and they haven't given me many reasons to doubt that another great addition is around the corner.

 

[tink4ever]

We have loved our DVC since the moment we bought in 2001. Without it we would not have been able to afford to go 5 times this year alone. With the DVC's and the annual passes it makes it very painless for us to go whenever we can get away. The accommodations are also wonderful. We don't travel with less than 7 adult children anymore so a 2 bd allows them to have their space. I highly recommend DVC to everyone.

 

[jpolak]

Only that we didn't do it sooner! Although I quess everything works out for a reason.

 

[eliza61]

Hi,
I'm new and just received my dvd on the DVC. Is there any of you that purchased the DVC and regret ever doing it? and why?.

Thanks so much!!!

Nope, so far so good.

 

[chorlick]

I'm 50-50 on it. I love being "part" of Disney and having a great place to stay when we're there.....however, I really don't like the pressure of not being able to get ressies when you want them and having to be put on the waitlist.

I understand nothing is guarenteed, but it is a little frustrating for everything to fill up fast (mostly for seasonal times) and then your plans have to just hang until or IF your waitlist comes through. Especially if you need to get flights and you watch the good deals come and go!

 

[eliza61]

I would say the estimate you hear of 5-7 vacations to recoup your money is optimistic.

I constructed a very complex Excel spreadsheet and did the calculations myself with assumptions/estimates for interest rates, inflation, increase in dues, opportunity cost for the money tied up, personal income tax bracket, tax write-off for the real estate portion of maintenance, depreciation (since the contract expires in the future), and everything else I could think of; depending on how the variables fell, I came up with more like 8-9 vacations.

Wow, I'm impressed.

Op
Before dvc we pretty much spent any where between 4-5 K on lodging so 7 years was a realistic estimation for us.
Also we now go (spending more ) way more than if we didn't own.