Anyone dissapointed with DVC?

[Demosthenes]

My wife and I are on the verge of buying points @ the BCV. We will be @ BC in 2 weeks, and we will make our final decision then, when we tour a villa. I'm just curious if anyone on these boards regrets their DVC purchase, and if so, why? I have found no real negative comments as I've looked around, and I'd like to hear the downside of ownership to give us a contrasting point of view.

 

[PamOKW]

Negative views will be hard to find on these boards. Awhile back we did have someone write very eloquently about the reasons why she gave up her DVC membership. Unfortunately, I can't remember what she said. Maybe she'll re-post.

As I recall, even in that case, it wasn't so much a dissatisfacation with DVC in terms of there being anythingn "wrong" with DVC but rather that it just didn't "fit" into their lifestyle.

If you do your research and have an understanding of the program and the costs of maintenance fees, travel, etc. you should be able to make a decision that will be right for you.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

No regrets here. We just love it!
I must qualify that statement, as we have not yet used our points for a stay. The important thing is that we did NOT have that "guilty feeling", or "feeling of uncertainty" that sometime one gets after a large purchase. This tells me that we made a great choice. Good luck with your decision.

 

[ceejay13]

I only have one regret, we didn't buy sooner! I don't think you'll be sorry. We purchased 2 years ago and are in the process of adding on for the second time. We think it's the only way to travel.

 

[westjones]

We are new, so no personal experience. But on this board and people that I have met personally who are member have all had good things to say.

Now for us, one of the things we did consider was that we did not want ALL of our vacations tied to Disney. We do want to do other things.

But that is why we liked the 'bank & barrow' options. We just bought this year and we are banking all of our points for next year, then we are also going to 'barrow' from the following year.

By 'banking and barrowing' we can have a very nice vacation with Disney every other year (or go for a real big vacation and use 3 years of points all in one year by BOTH banking AND barrowing in the same year).

So we only bought the 150 points, planning to bank and barrow a lot. Next year we are planning on going on the cruise (3 day) and staying at WDW for 4 days before heading out. Then the following year we won't be going (we already know in 2004 we are going to Hawaii), so we will plan another wonderful trip for 2005.

Anyway, my point was, that I didn't want All Our Eggs In One Basket, so we bought the fewest points and look forward to enjoying a very nice vacation every other year.

DJ

 

[SusanD]

Although we love Disney, we wondered how practical it would be to own a timeshare in Florida when we live on the west coast. I agree that the banking and borrowing aspect of DVC has made it workable for us.

The other issue is if our children would still be excited to go when they were in their teens. The magic still hasn't worn off and my children are very delighted to hear we'll be going this year. It has become a tradition and a bonding time for our family.

 

[scootert]

DH and I are also new to DVC. It's not a problem for us, but If you are a "spur of the moment" person, I think DVC would be frustrating as you may not be able to get into the resort you would like. I think the program works best if you are able to plan very far in advance to take advantage of your 11 month window.....

We also bought a limited number of points, with the idea of banking and borrowing. It's just the two of us so we can be flexible with studios or a one bedroom (although it's true that once you stay in a 1 bedroom it's hard to go back). We will probably look into using the Concierge collection next year as we don't want to do WDW every year

 

[Eeyore2U]

We have owned for two years. DW and I took an adults only trip this past October. That told it was the PERFECT thing for us. I think WDW is more for adults. The only negative is that we don't have all our points in one place.

 

[Doctor P]

It's a big expense, there is some level of uncertainty, but all in all we have been ecstatic with our purchases. We are using it (as intended, I think) as a prepaid vacation plan. Nothing more. Nothing less. As a prepaid vacation plan, it's a nice deal and gives one some piece of mind over some of the major factors that tend to increase the costs of vacations. I think many people do end up dissatisfied if they do not like planning vacations ahead of time, do not plan on going to WDW every couple of years or so, or look on it as an investment.

 

[I <3 Eeyore]

No regrets at all. We're so happy with it we bought more points this Spring.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Just to follow up: For us it is more expensive than the way we used to do things. However, Our frequency and quality of vacation accomadations has gone up proportionally higher than cost. This was our choice, as we could have bought less points, kept our vacations about the same and come out less expensive.
At least for us, it was not as much about money, as it was a lifestyle decision. There is something to be said for "pride of ownership". My wife and I have been coming to WDW for several years, and we are proud to be associated with a top notch company like Disney.

 

[Bennet]

Not at all. Turned out better than we expected, well except for the Disney addiction.

We added more points via resale to keep them all at BWV. Very happy with it.

 

[CarolMN]

Awhile back we did have someone write very eloquently about the reasons why she gave up her DVC membership.

Pam - I think this is the thread you remember. The poster was Lisa P. It's well worth another read, IMHO. Carol

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=66538

 

[Demosthenes]

Thanks for all the input. DW and I make at least two long weekend trips or 1 week long trip to WDW each year. We ahve been ADP holders for several years, and spend quite a bit @ WDW. We think this might be a good wau for us to save money. After reading your replies, and older threads, I'm closer now to committing than ever before. Thanks again for your input.

 

[sgtdisney]

We have been members since 1992. No regrets yet...

 

[AnnK]

No regrets, DVC has been wonderful for us, but I would suggest:

#1 Buy where you want to stay,even if it means going resale.
#2 Buy a little more than you think you need, (cause it seems like you always need more.)
#3 Buy only if you like to plan in advance, and plan to mainly use your points at WDW DVC resorts, trading out is a great option, but not the best point value.
Good Luck, Hope to "Welcome you home soon!"

 

[MdmMim]

We just love our DVC! We're two old fogies (joined in Oct/00), but we have so much fun at WDW! DVC has made our vacations so much more enjoyable--no worrying about getting that elusive room discount; no concern over higher resort rates. Our stays are much longer--9 days in Dec., 3-4 weeks during the winter. We usually stay in studios, as DH prefers them to the 1-bedrooms! He just needs a bed and shower.

I, too, regret that we did not buy in sooner, but I would always walk by the DVC booths and think we could not afford it. (And probably back then, we couldn't.) It's so great to know we have our vacation taken care of.

The flexibilty of DVC is also great. DH is thinking of taking some friends to WDW, staying in a 2-bedrm, then heading off to Daytona for the 500. If you plan in advance, there are so many possibilities.

 

[Jeanne]

We have been members for 4 years, and wish we had joined when we first toured 10 years ago. We have taken family trips, couple only, last year I took my best friend who had never been, and this is the year my teens have been waiting for, the year they each get to bring a friend. Only regret, wish we had more points. We are moving to Florida this summer and are looking forward to shorter trips, but going more often.

 

[MAC3]

Even with the fact of being nervous that it won't always fit into our financial scheme of life. Hesistant at first, we just did an add on and I can't forsee any regrets at the moment .

Like others I wish we had bought in sooner. With all the trips to Disney we had taken it could have payed for itself.
DH and I have decided if/when it becomes too much for us we will bestow it on our dd and whatever family she will have to enjoy it.

But in all honesty, I doubt it!

 

[Dean]

One should buy DVC to use, not to trade or the other points options. I haven't heard anyone going that route that was unhappy. Even the complaints on this board are almost always from people who are pleased with the program overall and just unhappy about one aspect or another.

The person who sold and still posts here is Lisa P. It was simply a financial decision as I understand it. She owns other, far cheaper resorts that allow her to do what she wants overall. DVC wouldn't do what she wants by itself.