Anyone else wonder...............

[DVC Grammy]

What are the reasons some of the die-hard WDW visitors don't buy into DVC? I can understand the people living in Florida (lucky them to live so close!); they could commute.
But sometimes, when I read some of the other threads on these boards, there are folks who go at least once a year, stay in the mods or even more likely, the luxury hotels, state that they'll be returning to WDW "forever", and still don't buy (invest?) in DVC. It can't be mousekeeping, since they could pay for daily service; many of the villas are attached to some of the same hotels they'd be in anyway, or if not, close by; if they're planning on going "forever" they're still "tied down" to a WDW vacation. So what is it?
Can someone please enlighten me? I must be missing something..............
Just curious, that's all.................

 

[gcbsdad]

Sometimes it takes a long time for people to "get it".

We are Floridians, living 60 miles from WD in Brandon. We bought 160 point last September and added 50 points this July. We take shorter trips but love the DVC.

 

[chorlick]

We always stay at the Deluxe resorts. The only reason we bought into DVC is because we have 4 kids of our own(5 counting my SIL), and now have grandkids and in order for everyone to go, we had to do something where we could get one large place or several smaller places without having to pay and arm and a leg. With the cost of a flight, tickets and food prices, a place to stay is an expense that my kids won't have to worry about.

If it were just me and my husband and maybe one or two of my kids, we would never venture out of the GF or the Poly. NEVER!!!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

What are the reasons some of the die-hard WDW visitors don't buy into DVC? I can understand the people living in Florida (lucky them to live so close!); they could commute.
But sometimes, when I read some of the other threads on these boards, there are folks who go at least once a year, stay in the mods or even more likely, the luxury hotels, state that they'll be returning to WDW "forever", and still don't buy (invest?) in DVC. It can't be mousekeeping, since they could pay for daily service; many of the villas are attached to some of the same hotels they'd be in anyway, or if not, close by; if they're planning on going "forever" they're still "tied down" to a WDW vacation. So what is it?
Can someone please enlighten me? I must be missing something..............
Just curious, that's all.................

Speaking for us, who didn't join until we'd taken about 15 trips, about once a year, it was sort of "don't upset the apple cart" (as my grandmother used to say), we were happy as things were (or so we thought), timeshares have a bad name, are we going to be pressured to buy something, basically-things were OK going to WDW as we were, so why look into change-humans resist change. I'm sure I'm not alone in that I took the DVC tour with no intention of buying. I was on a solo trip (yep, DH didn't even tour) and this tour thing was just something new and different for me to do. Bless Glenn (our guide) for treating me seriously, giving me all the info to share with DH, and bless DH for asking all the questions, wanting to see the tape, and actually talking me into buying (I really wanted to, but I'm the Disney nut so I was convinced he was just being nice). So what were some others' stories?

 

[DVC Grammy]

Speaking for us, who didn't join until we'd taken about 15 trips, about once a year, it was sort of "don't upset the apple cart" (as my grandmother used to say), we were happy as things were (or so we thought), timeshares have a bad name, are we going to be pressured to buy something, basically-things were OK going to WDW as we were, so why look into change-humans resist change. I'm sure I'm not alone in that I took the DVC tour with no intention of buying. I was on a solo trip (yep, DH didn't even tour) and this tour thing was just something new and different for me to do. Bless Glenn (our guide) for treating me seriously, giving me all the info to share with DH, and bless DH for asking all the questions, wanting to see the tape, and actually talking me into buying (I really wanted to, but I'm the Disney nut so I was convinced he was just being nice). So what were some others' stories?

We didn't join either until '98, after going umpteen times, too, so I get that. I'm wondering more about all those people, mostly with kids, who intend to remain non-DVC (and some are very adament about it!), even though they're spending a fortune each year (they can't ALL be multi-millionaires, can they?)

 

[Figment2]

I have friends who like staying in the value resorts and we have all decided that DVC is not for them. They go down about twice a year.

Cyn

 

[JimC]

My 2 cents:

1. Timesharing reputation still not stellar

2. Significant upfront cost and reluctance to borrow to vacation

3. Concern over ability to sell later on

4. Fear of being obligated to ever increasing maintenance fees for 40 some years

5. Sense that Disney gives best deals to the guests they do not own

6. Not really sure they want to be obligated to vacation at Disney or anywhere each year

7. Lack of understanding of when it might be worth their while to undertake timesharing because what they mostly hear are the horror stories when someone made a mistake

8. Not a good fit for them for many reasons even though they come frequently

We bought when we lived in PA. Now that we are in Orlando we are wondering if we should keep DVC or not. Right now we believe we still want to "get away" and immerse ourselves in Disney. Now we can do it without getting on an airplane!

 

[fgauer]

A lot of it might be the up-front costs. Given a lot of people's economic resources, there are very few times in life where you are faced with an initial outlay of over $15,000.00.

The two primary times are HOME and CAR. Given the nature of these two items, people pretty much have to contend with these decisions at the appropriate time in life.

However when you psychologically marry VACATION with $15,000.00+. The mind goes into a tail spin. Just look at all the posts of the people who 'run the numbers' obsessively before making the decision, or who are up nights thinking about it, or who have to have countless discussions in order to 'decide'.

It's a tough thing for most people. Even after running numbers etc. etc. and mathematically proving that it makes sense, this may not be enough to convince someone to actually overcome the EMOTIONAL factor of spending this kind of money. Especially when we equate money with things like security etc. this is a very big jump for a lot of people to make.

For example for me, I constantly have to convince myself that I 'deserve' a vacation. Now what is that? Neurosis? Yes - probably. But still it freezes me into a neurotic kind of inaction. Look at all of the folks on the boards who 'waited'. They probably waited until a lot of the emotional barriers subsided and it was clear enough for them to just 'do it'...

Now there is a .01 percent of people out there who don't have to worry about these kinds of costs. But for the rest of us...

And I say this out of experience because I run the numbers weekly and go through this over and over again because I'm really interested in taking the plunge...but for some reason some 'stars' just have to align themselves right before I can be compassionate enough to myself to give myself (and my family) a gift like this...

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

I have a friends who is going for the 4th time in a year and is taking the whole family (and paying for it) next year.

For what she has spent and will spend she could of bought into DVC twice by now. However, she keeps telling me "I can't afford it" -- but then every 3 months she is off to Disney . ???? (and she didn't even take advantage of the free dining this time either-- ) She can't make plans that far in advance.

I think people are afraid of the commitment. 47 & 39 years is a long time to be married to Disney!! And knowing that you have to pay MF for that long is scary too.

 

[magicmommy]

My friend simply is not a planner. She books trips 2-4 months in advance and that is really the only reason they have not bought DVC.

 

[disney-super-mom]

DH and I almost bought a DVC membership last winter, and spent a lot of time here on the DVC Disboards learning all about it.

We go on a Disney vacation every year, but we go to Disneyland because it's so much closer to where we live.

We decided to not buy, or at least wait to buy because:

1. Not sure if we want to make that long flight to Orlando every year with 2 young kids.

2. We decided to keep our new travel trailer (we were going to sell it to buy DVC) because we get a whole summer of fun with it and our boat, whereas with DVC we'd only be able to use it once a year.

3. We want a DVC at DL in California! That way we might be able to make more trips with a DVC membership.

4. We've never been to WDW, and both DH and I feel that we should see and get a feel for the DVC resorts and parks in person before we make a decision. (We're hoping to go sometime in 2007! )

Overall though, DH and I think DVC is wonderful, and we love the fact that you have so many options for types of vacations (golfing, relaxing, themeparks, beach and ocean fun, educational, etc...) all located either in WDW or a short drive away.

So for many, like us, it's just not the "right time" to buy..........YET!

 

[lisaviolet]

I really think it is about the upfront cost for a lot of people. Knew about DVC since 1995. I'd look at the newest DVC tell the info booths CM not possible right now and they would still somehow get me on the tour. Good freebies though...

And my guides would ask me the same question as the OP. "What the heck are you two doing down here AGAIN without buying DVC? It doesn't make sense."

But it did.

And I would answer the same, unfortunately, every time:

1) Just because we get down here (only one time at a big expense..FW cabins) does not mean that I have thousands sitting somewhere for the upfront costs.

2) And can't afford to finance. Would take the "fun" on it. (I realize some can)

So we waited until we had the upfront $$$$. And unlike others I don't wish we would have bought sooner. It made it even more sweet. A dream come true. And you know what....finances change and if we had to pay financing charges right now plus the maintenance we would be very stressed.

So getting money together for a WDW vacation is not the same as the commitment to a contract and all that it entails.

 

[6mouskateers]

I am also of the opinion that folks are afraid of the committment but also don't understand it. We just got back 2 days ago from our first stay at VWL. We took my parents for their 50th anniversary. They are WDW veterans, they go several times a year and love it. They usually stayed at a mod or value and have annual passes. I never understood why they didn't DVC. Now after staying there my dad doesn't know why either. He said he "just didn't get it but now he does". Now that they are in their 70's it's not really worthwhile for them, although they can always give their points to me...

DH and I took the plunge as an impulse. We are not sorry. We see ourselves 30 years from now with our grandkids just like we were with my folks this week. I'm glad I "got it" early.

 

[Sammie]

We did not care for OKW when it was first built. As we aged it grew on my parents.

We did not care for BW. So I guess with us it was a case of we liked the nonDVC resorts better. We loved HHI and Vero Beach when they opened and truly really like SSR now.

Also until recently we truly did not need the extra space. In my opinion, and I know many disagree, a studio is not an advantage over a nonDVC resort room.

We did not need or want DVC until we got to the point we needed a 2 bedroom villa.

As long as a regular resort room worked for us we liked the nonDVC locations better.

We still stay at our favorites, Yacht Club, Grand Floridian and Polynesian but we get 2 rooms.

Many are happy to stay in a value or moderate resort and the dues would be more than that. Cost could be a factor for them.

Others really want to stay at a certain deluxe such as the Polynesian or Grand Floridan and want room service, daily maid service and concierge. Cost of DVC is not a factor for this guest, it is more about being where you want to be.

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

Well, we put if off for a few reasons. Even now, we aren't officaially DVC members - still waiting for the closing .

First, we were concerned that, while we love Disney now, we might not feel that way ten years from now. Second, the initial cost is quite high - I don't view DVC as a prepaid vacation, b/c of the maintenance fees, I see it more as a guaranteed deep, deep, discount. Also, we were concerned about being limited to one resort for every trip - we plan to vacation during busier times, so the 7 month window for staying at other resorts (mainly BCV or BWV) might not work for our visits. Also, we were concerned that DVC would limit our vacations to Orlando - we want our children to have a variety of travel experiences.

In the end, we compromised with a small (100pt) contract. This will allow us to stay for 5 nights in a 1 bedroom for the next 2 years without borrowing points - after that, who knows - our kids will be a little older and maybe ready to appreciate some other great destinations and we can switch our Disney trips to every other year, or add more points ... Who knows. We are tiptoeing into DVC territory after years of pondering the decision.

 

[KatiebugsMom]

Well it took us 7 years from our tour to buy. For my story, DH and I were on our honeymoon while touring. We were just married, no house yet/renting and did not want to be tied down to WDW, wanted to see the world.

Move forward 7 years to 2006.....9/11 happened, have experience now in making big purchases (house, cars), have dogs and now very cool DD. Have also gone to WDW a few more times since honeymoon (side note staying and enjoying Value resorts), decided to take DD to WDW for 1st birthday and got attracted to the DVC section of these boards.

After reading and researching, decided DVC was going to be a good fit now for us. We have a DD who I want her to grow up with WDW, have no desire to really go anywhere else with the way the world is now, the perks and discounts have greatly improved since first tour or at least seem better to me, can take my points and use them for other destinations I enjoy like Hershey and Williamsburg plus use for other Disney collection properties and realized that I enjoy the Disney concept of resort life making everything all encompassing.

I know someone may say well if you liked the Values why go DVC, well even going every other year for the rest of your life Values are going to increase exponentially and even a small contract of 150 pts would make much more sense to purchase for todays prices especially if you have a small family and would enjoy long stays and don't mind studio accomodations. And personally now with a kid like to stay in a little bit better accomodations. Even get suite type rooms when staying at Holiday Inn express.

We bought it as an emotional and family investment and do not regret it one bit, especially after our first DVC this past AUgust. That trip was an unplanned impromtu lets go see the Doodlebops and take Daddy to Boma for his birthday trip. That would not have been possible without DVC.

Thanks DVC for still being there when I finally wanted you.

 

[DVC Grammy]

I guess I didn't make myself clear ; the folks I wonder about are those who spend $10,000-15,000 per year or two, stay mostly in Deluxes ( not Concierge), usually buy AP's, and definitely intend to return on a regular basis.
Most are married, so it can't be "commitment phobia" !

 

[Granny]

I guess I didn't make myself clear ; the folks I wonder about are those who spend $10,000-15,000 per year or two, stay mostly in Deluxes ( not Concierge), usually buy AP's, and definitely intend to return on a regular basis.
Most are married, so it can't be "commitment phobia" !

I think there are a lot of people that you describe who would buy DVC if it had a monorail resort. And of course, some people just love the Poly, GF, AKL and would buy only if DVC built there.

Frankly, if they hadn't built at WL, I'm not sure we ever would have joined either. Of course, we wouldn't vacation at WDW as often either.

 

[Sammie]

I guess I didn't make myself clear ; the folks I wonder about are those who spend $10,000-15,000 per year or two, stay mostly in Deluxes ( not Concierge), usually buy AP's, and definitely intend to return on a regular basis.
Most are married, so it can't be "commitment phobia" !

Because they don't want the locations of the DVC resorts, many are die hard Polynesian or Grand Floridian or Yacht Club fans. And before anyone says BCV is the same as the Yacht Club, its not.

They want the service one gets from being a frequent guest to the same location, year after year. They want the service associated with a deluxe that DVC does not offer.

However I seriously doubt many go to Disney under your above descriptions. If they spend that much per year most are staying concierge or in a suite and are not interested in anything else.

We went for years staying in a deluxe for a week or two and were not the least bit interested in DVC. I stated our reasons earlier in this thread.

Bascially DVC does not appeal to everyone and that is certainly ok. Does not make it an inferior product, just not one that appeals to everyone. For many they like the flexibility of short notice planning and short notice cancellations.
DVC does not offer that.

Also if you have a problem during your stay, there is a very limited range of what DVC can and will do for you. That is not the case with the deluxe resorts. For example if you are in a BCV studio that has some things that don't work properly, what are your options. They might move you if another studio is available, if not they will try to fix the problems. Might happen while you are there, might not.

Check into a resort room at the Beach Club and have a problem and they will immediately move you and more than likely upgrade you possibly to concierge or even a suite. DVC can not and will not do this and to many it is worth the money.

And lately I would have to say that the deluxe resorts are getting better service and housekeeping and maintenance than DVC. I hope that does not continue but if it does, we will be selling ours and going back to deluxe resorts.

Right now we do both, DVC and Deluxe resorts in the same stay. We spend enough on the deluxe stay to add on points to cover those days, but no way are we giving up completely the deluxe resort stays that we love.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

In my friends case, its easier for her to spend $1,000 -$2,000 per trip than to take on a $13,000 loan. Even though she know she will be going back to Disney she doesn't want to HAVE to go back to Disney.

Also, its the way people look at money. When DH and I got married and bought a house his parents tried to talk us out of it, saying "you can't afford a house"-- the way I looked at it was "we can't afford not to buy one". Sure enough, 15 years later the rents in our area our $300 more than our mortgage per month-What will another 15 years bring.

That's the same philsophy I used to buy DVC- but some people don't think like that. Before DVC I was staying in a Value--- because I wouldn't spend $400 a night to stay in a deluxe--(I was never in the room anyways). But the way I look at it now its the same annual price of a value minus of course the buy in fee. But since I paid cash, the buy in fee is no longer an issue- (just like the downpayment on a house) and the only expense now is the MF..... and the airline tickets and the park tickets and the food and....................