Any regrets?

[Terapin]

I'd say we have a little buyer's remorse. We can't seem to book into Fort Wilderness, and we couldn't get all the days we wanted at our home resort at 11 months out.

We'll see over the next few years, but for now we are feeling hemmed in, and are still needing the pay cash for part of our vacation. We've been waitlisted for *one day* for a couple of months now with no word yet. It's a lot of money to pay for unavailability. After lots and lots of research we finally bought in, and we wish we hadn't. Maybe that will change with years of positive booking experiences, but for now our first trip was a huge letdown due to unavailability.

 

[CarolMN]

I'd say we have a little buyer's remorse. We can't seem to book into Fort Wilderness, and we couldn't get all the days we wanted at our home resort at 11 months out....(snip)......

You must have wanted something very limited in supply for a relatively popular time. Perhaps concierge at AKV? Standard view at BLT for Christmas week? etc.

It is very rare to be shut out at 11 months. In fact, it doesn't happen unless the member is set on something very limited. For example, the Concierge category has only 5 two bedroom lock offs. But we've not had any credible reports of an AKV owner not able to get a Savanna View room at 11 months.

Just posting so that newer posters don't get the wrong idea and think it is "normal" to get shut out at 11 months. But I don't doubt you ran into trouble if you were seeking something popular and limited.

 

[Billary41]

Been members since 1995 and my only regret is that I didn't buy more points to start with. I can't believe the prices these days.

Same with us. We haven't always gotten our first choice of resorts or accommodations, but nothing has ever resulted in a disappointing trip. It only can if you let it.

 

[stampingoddess]

We have been members since the mid 1990s and they only time we "sorta" regret the decision is the day we have to pay the maintenace fees. Otherwise we are very happy.

Our children are older, with one at home and another out of the house. We use most of our points for a week at HHI and the rest for long weekends for the varisous Disney races. The kids usually come with us to HHI.

Even though others would say it's not a good use of our points, we have used points to take cruises 3 times-by banking points from years when we stay elsewhere w/o using our Disney points.

 

[dbs1228]

I'd say we have a little buyer's remorse. We can't seem to book into Fort Wilderness,

We are hoping to use points there at some point, we LOVE it there! I know not a good "deal" for our points but we have soooo many memories there!

 

[crisi]

I think this concern over "having enough points for our kids" is often a little shortsighted. It SOUNDS like a great and fair idea at the time, and its a generous thought. But kids don't always grow up to want or be able to afford regular Disney vacations.

I think the best way to avoid regrets is to look at this as a "ten year" thing. Don't worry about what happens in 2042 (or whenever contracts expire), whether you can will them to your kids (you can). At the same time, don't assume you need to buy BLT to be near the Magic Kingdom because that is where your three year old spends all her time. You'll blink, she'll be thirteen, and wanting to spend all her time at Typhoon Lagoon.

If you can get value out of it over ten years, its probably a pretty good deal. If you can't, its probably not a good deal. And if you are looking at it as something that is going to bring you joy for fifty years - I hope it does - but your crystal ball is way better than mine.

The other thing about looking at it "over ten years" is that unless you plan on doing a LOT of hosting, you aren't tempted to add on for that ONE big family reunion. I think thats another "generous, great" idea that turns out a little shortsighted. This is great! We can share! And before you know it the idea of bringing grandma and grandpa has turned into bringing them, two siblings and their families, and your cousin (who just sort of invited herself) and you need MORE POINTS. But that's ok, you'll bring your husband's family in a year or so. I've watched a few people end up with a LOT of points in those first few years so they can bring family or friends - and it a generous move. But ten years from now do you still want all those dues so you can bring the same people - or different people? Maybe you would be better off arranging rentals for the few years you bring friends. Maybe you could even collect some money from your self invited cousin, or tell her to rent her own points (who cancels anyway two weeks before and leaves you stuck with the studio she insisted she have for her family because she didn't want to sleep with your kids).

 

[DVCAmy]

No regrets of buying here but I do wish I had thought to break it into 2 smaller contracts.

Amy

 

[Kidanifan08]

Maybe you could even collect some money from your self invited cousin, or tell her to rent her own points (who cancels anyway two weeks before and leaves you stuck with the studio she insisted she have for her family because she didn't want to sleep with your kids).

love it!! Sounds like someone speaking from experience. Non-DVCers just don't get it -- especially ungrateful cousins!

 

[Caren90]

It seems that smaller contracts of 150-250 points seems to be the way to go. These contracts are the ones that are easier to sell if necessary.