Anyone feel locked in with the DVC?

[susanreed]

Please share your opinions with me. First off, as everyone else on this forum, I must admit that I absolutley love Disney. In the last six months, I've visited three times and it is 1200 miles away for me. I seem to fit the profile of a typical DVC member so I am considering buying into it. However, I would do so with the thought of exclusively using the points for stays at WDW, Vero, and HH. From everyone's wonderful input it seems apparent that the value for trading points for other vacations just isn't there. With that being said, does anyone tire of going year after year? Even with buying a small contract of 150 points or so, when we are retired we could be going 2 or 3 times per year, staying in a studio and going in off peak time periods. Does anyone feel so locked in? (Disney year after year!) Thanks!!

 

[Chuck S]

It seems you are like most DVCers. We enjoy WDW as our vaction spot, do not foresee that changing anytime soon, and would vacation there anyway, DVC or no DVC. If that is the case, how can you feel "locked-in"? That is not to say that I don't enjoy an occasional trip to Vegas or California. But the lodging is so inexpensive in Vegas, I wouldn't trade out points to stay anyway. And when I go to Califorina, I generally stay with friends, or spend only a few nights in a motel.

 

[DrTomorrow]

We just bought into SSR last fall, and our first trip Home is in May, so I can't address "lock-in/burn-out" from experience. However, we did consider this before we bought, and what convinced us that this wouldn't be a problem is this: DVC is a time-share in Orlando, Florida. Yes, it's in WDW, but WDW is not the only thing to do there; not by a long shot. So if we ever do get a little over-Disneyed ( ==> ), we'll have a wonderful resort in central Florida; and, as you can see from the "Michigan DVCers to Florida" thread, just having somewhere warm to dodge winter's cold and snow is a benefit!

Now, add in the variety of HH and VB - as well as a rare trade-out - and being locked into DVC is something I can easily live with (like being locked in an elevator with Nikki Cox )

Best of Luck!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

We have to been to WDW many times prior to DVC. Friends, family, and even some folks on The DIS Boards will sometime ask this question.
At least for my wife and me, it is the exact opposite. Even with the many times we have visited, we actually become bigger Disney fans with each trip. We try to go more often, instead of less often. We have two large trips planned for '04, and we are also planning a small X-Mas getaway on top of that.
Now, that is not to say we do our trips like we once did. Our trips now are laid back, and much more relaxing.

Tired of Disney? For us, it just keeps getting better!

MG

 

[jarestel]

That's a very interesting question. Considering that DVC is an option that will last from 38 to 50 more years, who can really say if after 20 years ( and hundreds of visits ) any of us will still be as charged up about going to Florida. I have a feeling the majority of posters on this board have been members for under 10 years, and even the really old-timers couldn't have much more than 10 or 12 years. But my rationale is since I like visiting WDW today ( bought in 2001 ), DVC is still a good vacation plan and I'm glad I purchased. If you wouldn't mind reposting this in another 20 years or so, you may get some different responses.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We are going on our 8th year of membership and are in our late 50's. We never tire of Disney trips, and have 3 planned this year including different groups of friends. We have used DVC to trade out to Hawaii, but generally agree that DVC is a prime timeshare and is thus not as good a trade out value unless you are trading into another prime area. I suspect you will soon find 150 points is just not enough. We started with 230 and very quickly added on another 150. Now we feel we can live with this amount, but we NEVER stay in a studio.

 

[donald@home]

I have been going to WDW at least once a year since 1979, and since becoming a member of DVC seven years ago, I have gone to WDW, VB, HH and DCL many times in a year. I don't get tired of my Disney trips, but I must admit the parks do not hold the same attraction for me that they once did. We don't go to WDW for the parks anymore, but we now go for relaxing in beautiful resorts, wonderful dining, fun recreation, beautiful holiday decorations, fun times with friends and family, and a much needed escape from the cold New England winters. We still go to the parks, but we treat them more like side dishes rather than the main course. We always enjoy the parks for special events like the Mickey's Holiday Party, the Halloween Party, and the Food and Wine Festival. We still vacation at other places, and even have a time share at the Westin St. John for our non Disney Trips. This year alone, in addition to Disney/VB in Feb, Oct, and Dec, we are going to Arizona, Las Vegas, Montreal, San Francisco, and St. John. So just because you own a Disney Timeshare, you can still go to other parts of the world in addition to your trips to Disney.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by donald@home
...I don't get tired of my Disney trips, but I must admit the parks do not hold the same attraction for me that they once did. We don't go to WDW for the parks anymore, but we now go for relaxing in beautiful resorts, wonderful dining, fun recreation, beautiful holiday decorations, fun times with friends and family, and a much needed escape from the cold New England winters. We still go to the parks, but we treat them more like side dishes rather than the main course. We always enjoy the parks for special events like the Mickey's Holiday Party, the Halloween Party, and the Food and Wine Festival....

Precisely!

MG

 

[Lisa P.]

You've mentioned your WDW visits in the last 6 months. Was your first WDW visit just 6 months ago? If so, it's still a little hard to tell what you're likely to think in 3 or 5 or 10 years. There's certainly enough variety of things to see and do at WDW (as a whole, with all its parks and resort activities) to spend many visits without repeating a whole lot. Are you people who enjoy a lot of new exploration or do you enjoy things that are fun yet familiar?

We visited a few times a year for several years and we loved it! Couldn't imagine ever getting tired of it! Then, one by one, we all did. It took about 4 years or so and about 10 visits. We sold our DVC for other, financial reasons but we haven't regretted doing so at all. Most people who tire of Disney are not likely to post to these forums so don't expect to read much about this here.

The beach locations do offer some variety to the membership. If you love beach vacations too, then you would enjoy them as an alternative when you want fun, family time apart from WDW. If you do expect to visit WDW regularly in the coming years and pay to stay at Disney Deluxe hotels onsite, then DVC is a very nice way to do it, IMHO.

 

[Pluto4Pres]

We bought OKW in Jan.'92 and I still say it's the best thing we ever did. We bought 230 pts and it has been more than adequate. There are 5 in our family so we always get a 2BR. We only visit every 11/2 to 2 yrs. The difference in visiting the parks after so many trips is that you don't go with a "commando" attitude. You plan to get to the park early see what you came for and escape before the big crowds hit. You can relax at the resort or visit other area attractions in the afternoon and then go back to the parks at night. I imagine that you could go to the resort and not go to the parks at all, there is so much to do in the area. But I need to hang out on Main St for a while to recharge my Disney batteries.

My recommendation would be to plan fewer trips but upgrade to at least a 1BR. Studios are great for your friends and family. I prefer the comfort of my home away from home.

Good luck!

 

[mom2alix]

I think as others have mentioned that going several times a year for a few years could make you a little tired of the parks.

Upgrading to a 1or 2 bedroom and going every other year or so should help with burnout. For us, that was the real attraction with DVC. I don't think I'd feel as good about being in a studio all the time (too much like a regular hotel room). I LOVE the deluxe accomodations and going every other year works well for us.

If you look at the other posting here about how old DVCers are, you'll see that most are between 28-42, prime years for young children. Even if the parks stay the same, the fact that DD is 2 years older makes her reactions completely different and that's one of the biggest attractions for us!

 

[Beast fan]

Don't feel locked in at all! In fact, DW and I love the choices you get with DVC.......... A relaxing stay in the sun at VB, cayaking at HH, washing and drying clothes in your 1 or 2BR at the WDW DVC resorts. I, personally would feel "locked in", knowing I either had to pack a "ton" of clothes or do the "drag your clothes to the laundry facilities" thing at a typical resort.

Also, with a DS5.5 and DS3, everything "old" to us (DW and I) is NEW to the DS's.

Good luck in your decision.

Dave

 

[spiceycat]

NEVER!!!

I have been going every year since 91 - Cont/Poly - 92 Cont/Poly 93 -brought DVC/OKW/Poly - been every year since - most years several times a year.

I found that I didn't like the Atlantic Ocean - love the Gulf - so I brought a cheaper timeshare on the Gulf. the times I want did not come up on II often and still don't. Besides I would hate to waste my DVC points here. but this is a very different vacation - a do nothing almost - walk along the gulf - swim in the gulf and the indoor pool - but most of the time just relax and see your beautiful view.

at WDW there is generally something new to see or do - I love the resorts - they are worth a visit in themselves. I also kept an annual pass for SW and US/IOA.

there is so much we haven't done - several museums (okay I am strange I like museums) and botany gardens - zoos (although I have no wish to visit gaterland) - there is alot to still do....

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

I don't we get locked in!! There are so many opinions! This year we are going to HH in May & WDW (Beach club Villas) for a pre-christmas trip & next year we are going to do a cruise (disney paying with cash) and vero beach. If we get tired we can always skip a year.

Allison an associate

 

[Granny]

It has been our experience that the variety that DVC offers on-site at WDW is a big plus!!

To us, staying at VWL one time, BWV the next and then taking a trip to BCV or OKW makes the "burn out" factor non-existent. When we stay at different resorts, we almost feel like we've gone somewhere completely different and it freshens the entire experience.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I've had a timeshare in Orlando since 1993. Initially I did Disney every other year along with Universal. Hopper wise it was great. To make a long story short I wound up buying DVC and buying out my partners in the other time share so I've got a ridiculous amount of vacation time.

My plan now is very simple...target event weeks at Disney and don't worry so much about the parks. As long as I live in a cold part of the country I wont get tired of da World.

 

[Cruelladeville]

The first time I ever went to Disney was in 1974. We stayed in a Day's Inn on the BeeLine, of all places---yuck, yuck, yuck!! It still makes my skin crawl, and I didn't expect much! I stayed on property for the first time in 1977, and I have been going to Disney ever since. I have to travel 1200 miles, too.

At first we did the parks commando-style. DH used to plan our vacations with a spreadsheet for optimum efficiency. Our kids would go to the pools from 1:06-1:57 with three minutes allowed to walk back to our room--with toddlers!! This lasted until I refused to go to Disney EVER AGAIN unless the spreadsheet bit the dust, in about 1985.

We have stayed at every disney resort, and love the luxury places, so DVC was a natural for us--so much so, that we have 700 pts, and visit 3 times a year. We don't do the parks, anymore, unless we go walking or eating. We don't often go on the rides, we do all the other stuff that is offered, like golf and dinner shows. We want to visit other places, but we refuse to give up our DVC vacations. We love the sunshine There is no better place to be! We like it so much that we plan to retire there, and I want to be one of those people who talks to everyone about DVC!!!

 

[eporter66]

We spent a lot of time thinking this over. We love Disney, and thought DVC would be an excellent way to add that special something to our vacations. Here were our thoughts:

1. Buy a small contract (150 pts). We can go every other year and get a 2 bedroom, or go every year and do a studio or 1 bedroom. We can always add on

2. There are a ton of things to do in the Orlando area that are not related to Disney.

3. Golf

4. SSR is a 50 year contract - if we tire after 10 years or see that it just doesnt work - we should be able to get rid of a 40 year contract without too much difficulty or financial issues.

5. Use for friends and family. We gave my parents an anniversary vacation to SSR this year.

We live in NY - so, getting away every winter to sunny florida would be an absolute treat. Just a vacation in Florida is worth getting out of the cold for a week - so it seems to me that DVC will work out fine.

It is hard to determine what your mind set will be 5, 10, or 15 years down the road. But we will pay off our DVC in a matter of 2 years, so other than the maintenence fees - it will be very little expense, and we plan at least one vacation a year. A long weekend in Vermont or Lake Placid during ski season will cost a ton - I will take the sun anyday

 

[crisi]

We are a similar case as eporter....we own a small contract and go every other year. Prior to DVC we were more on a three to five year schedule - but we didn't have kids. Our first trip with kids convinced us that Orlando - and particularly Disney - was a good family vacation destination and we'd want to go more often. It was different this last trip with preschooler than it was with toddlers, will be different again with young gradeschoolers....so as we see it through the kids eyes, it keeps us from getting board.

I do think that its very possible to get burned out by Disney. My family took our first trip right after I got out of high school. My sister is just a little younger than I and it was her first trip as well. By the time she graduated from college, she had six trips under her belt and was a certifiable Disney nut. At that point in time, DVC would have been a no-brainer (she even had a fairly nice job right our of college to afford it). That year, a girlfriend did the college intern program, so she had another couple weeks in a year. Shortly thereafter she married a guy with an annual conference at Disney, and took another trip independant of that conference, with my husband and I, plus one with her girlfriends a year later. By five years post college she was burned out. She now only goes to the conference every few years. Her travel plans - as she has had more money and less time - have changed - she spent a month in Ireland and an month in Eastern Europe since that Disney trip - she'd rather spend the little vacation she has somewhere else. At this point, had she bought DVC, she'd be renting her points or selling her contract - or feeling locked in. I think if she has kids, she will come back to Disney - at least for a few years.

One of the nice things about DVC is that there seems to be plenty of interest among our family and friends for "points we have extra" I'm not planning on financing their vacations, but if we do have points we aren't going to use because we've decided to go somewhere else, I think I can get rid of them and get our friends and relatives to pick up the cost of dues.

 

[DisneyMim]

I understand what you are concerned about so I thought I'd give you another opinion and experience. We've been going to WDW since the 1970's (stayed in a Days Inn on Sandlake Road the first time, yucky as another poster said!) We bought into DVC in 1991, one of the first members. We go at least once a year, most times 2X a year, BUT we also go on other vacations every year. I don't know how I would feel if we could only go to Disney every year, I think I would feel I was missing something, there are so many places we love and so many more we want to see. Also we only use our DVC villa once a year, the other times we stay at the Poly or AKL (paying cash). This gives us a very different Disney experience. I know this would not work for everyone, but it works for us. Just thought as an "old timer" I would give you another perspective. I like your idea of buying a small contract. This could give you the option of going somewhere else in the "off" year. If you ever decide you really wanted more points you could go for it then!!

Happy Planning!!