Caught the Disney bug!

[waterladder]

Hello All

We are new to this discussion board so forgive me if its not in the usual format. We've (DD, DM & 2 DS's) just returned from a fortnights fanastic holiday in Orlando. The first week was spring break and very very busy in the parks especially MK but the second week was much better.

The holiday was so much of a success we're considering the DVC and thats why we've come onto this discussion board. So if you have any helpful info please feel free to let us know.

Waterladder

 

[KayleeUK]

Hi Welcome to the DIS

Buying in to DVC would be the best thing you do Have you checked out the FAQ thread.

 

[waterladder]

Hi

Yes we've checked that out, it was really helpful. We've getting quite a bit of stress from our family, suggesting we're still in 'holiday mode' and making a quick decision. We've checked out what everyone has to say on this discussion board and every comment is positive. I think people are a bit scared when you mention 'timeshare' but this package seems so much better than average timeshare.

Do you mind me asking when you joined?

Waterladder

 

[Miffy2003]

Waterladder - I love my DVC!

But bear in mind almost everyone who posts here has already bought it and is more than likely to only say positive things - I wouldn't have bought mine if not (or I would have sold it by now if I'd had second thoughts)

I think your family give good advice - it might not hurt to leave it a while before making a big decision

 

[mark&sue]

I think that if you are sure you will want to go to WDW for ever and want to stay on site then it will be worth it. This May will be our sixth time to Orlando and we made our decision to buy whilst we were staying at the Grand Floridian last October when we worked out how much cheaper it will be for us in the long run. We were really impressed with the accommodations compared to the "deluxe" we were staying in.

Hope you make the right decision for you.



Susan

 

[Hilary]

If you don't plan to return to WDW for a while, take your time getting as much info as you need to make sure you really want to join DVC!

Ask away here if you have any specific questions, otherwise I suggest keeping an eye on the US DVC board here on the DIS where you're likely to read answers to questions you'd never of thought of asking!

 

[vernon]

For anyone that's thinking of making regular and long term repeat trips to Florida for their holidays then taking a good look into the various timeshare options is a sensible idea.

I can understand some of the feelings your friends and family have, however timeshare in the USA is quite different from some of the VERY dodgy stuff that went on in Spain and Mexico in the past. There are benefits and drawbacks on all the different styles of timeshare companies, checking out the different styles and systems will narrow down your list of possibilities. DVC is certainly a lot different from many of the other offerings, it's a system that works well for most ( but not all) of it's buyers. IMHO the most important thing is to look into your vacationing style and your future needs and work out if the outlay up front is likely to give you big savings over the length of the program. It's very difficult for other people ( even friends) to be able to make that judgement call on your behalf, there is a reasonably easy financial template to work out the costings of timeshare/DVC but particularly DVC there is a certain amount of quality choice/desire that is impossible to attach a $ value to. Someone who's not visited Disney is never going to be able to understand why someone should want to pay extra to stay on site, much less understand the difference between staying at a Disney All Star resort as opposed to the Beach Club. Everyone has an area of their life where they particularly like a little luxury, for some it's drinking good wine (GBP 15+ a bottle) as opposed to GBP3 a bottle, for some it's driving a BMW instead of a Skoda, for some it's living in a GBP 500,000 house instead of one half the price, for some it's sporting an Italian suit instead of one from M+S. In all those cases the cheaper option will, in theory, do the job just as adiquately as the expensive option. I'll bet if you asked those friends who are trying to warn you about this "extravagance" why they waste their money on their own little bit of luxury they would become quite defensive. In my case I don't smoke, I don't drink (much) I don't buy expensive clothes and I drive a pretty cheap car, all of those facts are pretty consistant in my life I do however like to spend money on having good holidays, My DVC purchase has allowed me to have some extraordinary vacations with my children that would have been impossible to afford otherwise.

 

[gilld]

Vernon has made a very valid point- we all choose how we spend our own money. Personally, we ( husband and I) spend a LOT on holidays, we have at least two a year and spent at least £5,000 -6,000 each BUTwe don't smoke or drink and most importantly it is OUR CHOICEand we can afford it.

For us buying into DVC wasn't about saving money, as I'm not convinced we do save much - if at all, more that it was being part of it all and being able to let our children use the points when we don't want them. We certainly shan't visit every year but someone in the family probably will, and if not then we can bank.

I wouldn't rush into anything, give them a call and discuss the details. They'll send you a pack and will follow up with a call or two if you want. All in all our purchase, sight unseen, took around a month.

Good luck.

 

[Bexx]

We bought into DVC three years ago and I haven't yet regretted my purchase in any way!

As gilld said I'm not sure how much of a saving it will be for us, but I know that it means we will now have to stay in nicer accomodation than we would choose otherwise!! I was lucky enough not to have to do any kind of financing when I bought my points, so apart from the dues - okay so I know that doesn't work out that cheap! - I feel as if I have pre paid for my future Disney holidays!

But, bear in mind that DVC is expensive for a timeshare. If you just want a nice timeshare in Orlando, there are better value options. If you need the Disney magic then DVC is the only way to go!!

BTW - we didn't tell our parents about DVC, it just wasn't worth the bother!Maybe we will one day!!

 

[Hilary]

BTW - we didn't tell our parents about DVC, it just wasn't worth the bother!Maybe we will one day!!

LOL! Now you mention it, we don't exactly shout about our DVC to friends and family either

That's what's so nice about these boards - we can talk about DVC to our heart's content without that glazed "are they nuts?" expression from people who don't understand

 

[Pootle]

LOL! Now you mention it, we don't exactly shout about our DVC to friends and family either

Oh how I identify with that sentiment Hilary

You've been given some great advice here already. I took 9 months and 2 visits to Florida (including a trip down to Disney's Vero Beach resort) plus had a notebook of figures and projected costs before I decided to buy in! My guide says she remembers how suspicious I was (well she puts it a tad nicer than that) and always tells me how I make her laugh since I have just completed my fifth add-on.

Have you thought about renting some points for your next visit and trying before you buy? Do a 'dummy' run maybe and book flights and car hire separately? You can get good prices, but if you are tied to school holidays then booking a package may make DVC less of a good deal if cost is a crucial issue.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Bexx]

That's what's so nice about these boards - we can talk about DVC to our heart's content without that glazed "are they nuts?" expression from people who don't understand

Yep, there's no doubt these boards are a blessing!! Both for me and probably for the people who used to have to listen to me!!

 

[waterladder]

Thanks all for your helpful responses

When l read some of the postings, you say that you've holidays booked in 2007. Are these actually booked at the resorts or just pencilled in your diaries? I was under the impression from our DVC meeting that you can book 11 months before your holiday at your home resort and 7 months at another resort. Is this right?

 

[MrsJobba1]

We became DVC members just over 6 yrs ago.
Best thing we every did.
We bought enough points so that if we wanted we could get a studio for 14 nights every year. But what we have tended to do was to go every 2 years and have a really special hol including the disney cruise.
Looking forward to this year

 

[Miffy2003]

Waterladder - yes you're right you can only book 11 months ahead (home resort) so a holiday for 2007 is still in planning stage as far as DVC goes

I have my holidays till at least 2012 mapped out in my head though

 

[paulh]

I have my holidays till at least 2012 mapped out in my head though
Miffy
you have saratogs you should have them planrd for the next 49 years unlike us who have dvc elseware only have them planed for 39 years
Paulh