Confused- just looking for a few answers...thanks!

[wbl2745]

If you are looking into DVC it is because you like to vacation at WDW, and typically go every year or every other year. That is where its value is.

Or you also like to go to DLR (VGC), VB, HH, and Aulani too. There's more in the club than WDW, although WDW has the largest number of resorts and will continue to do so. We bought at VGC because we live in Utah and are more likely to go to DLR than WDW. If we were limited to just our home resort, I'd be OK, not happy, but OK with that.

 

[carm424]

Hi Bill,
We just bought into SSR. Reading your posts kind of makes my stomach turn and I have myself asking the questions again was this a good idea that we did this. Do you regret buy in DVC?

 

[Dean]

Hi Bill,
We just bought into SSR. Reading your posts kind of makes my stomach turn and I have myself asking the questions again was this a good idea that we did this. Do you regret buy in DVC?

If you're concerned about being restricted ONLY to SSR, I don't think you have anything to worry about and I'm more cynical than most in this area. As long as you plan ahead, try for other resorts at 7 months out and are willing to be a little flexible as to which other resorts for a given trip, you should be fine. Over time you'll get to try all resort options except things like AKV concierge and 3 BR at other resorts; esp if you use the Wait List well.

 

[disneynutz]

Hi Bill,
We just bought into SSR. Reading your posts kind of makes my stomach turn and I have myself asking the questions again was this a good idea that we did this. Do you regret buy in DVC?

Sorry that I have that affect on people.

DVC works if you vacation at WDW every couple of years, have been doing it for some time and love it so much that you expect to do it for years to come.

Time will tell if you made the right decision but what ever happens, if things don't work out or your interest changes, please sell. I have met many people who hold on to their contracts thinking that the prices will go up or that they are some how giving in if they sell.

My goal is to get people who love Disney to stop and truly understand what they are spending their hard earned money on before they buy.

DVC can be a good thing for many and a unexpected burden for some. The changes that have occurred during the last 2 years with the DVC have been a disappointment to me. Problems with MS and the condition of some rooms have also been below par. I understand that life isn't perfect but life at Disney should be pretty close, at least that is what Disney has taught us over the years, that's one of the reasons so many of us love all things Disney.

I am waiting to see what the new Disney Vice President does with the DVC. She talks the talk but so did the last guy.

Bill

 

[luckyman_apd]

Even though I am excited at becoming a new member with our pending purchase, BILL has kept me even keel his posts have helped make sure I truly understood everything before stepping into the water. Everyone has their own preferences and what is good for one, is not for another. Keeping this in mind, I think I made an informed decision. BLT I fell in love with our first time, although Bill has said it's his least favorite. Our stay at SSR left me a little disappointed in the room compared to BLT. The design and setup was a little different and I felt BLT felt more "open". But to each their own.

I have appreciated everyone's comments both positive and negative as it gave me more perspective to make a decision.

 

[disneynutz]

Even though I am excited at becoming a new member with our pending purchase, BILL has kept me even keel his posts have helped make sure I truly understood everything before stepping into the water. Everyone has their own preferences and what is good for one, is not for another. Keeping this in mind, I think I made an informed decision. BLT I fell in love with our first time, although Bill has said it's his least favorite. Our stay at SSR left me a little disappointed in the room compared to BLT. The design and setup was a little different and I felt BLT felt more "open". But to each their own.

I have appreciated everyone's comments both positive and negative as it gave me more perspective to make a decision.

The wonderful thing about the DVC is that they have a mix of resorts that will allow everyone to feel at home. BLT is a nice resort and the proximity to the MK and the monorail are a plus. Our family just feels like we are staying in a convention hotel or high rise some where other than WDW when we stay there. The contemporary theming while having a clean Ikea look to it just doesn't do it for us.

The condo style resorts, SSR and OKW have a spread out feel to them and the hotel style, BCV, BWV, VWL, and AKV all have their pluses.

Our favorite is BWV. We love the MK but being a older family we tend to spend most of our time at Epcot where it's less crowded. Being a boat ride to Epcot and DHS can't be beat. The Boardwalk view rooms are some of the best views offered by a DVC resort IMO and the view of the nightly fireworks at Epcot from our balcony is wonderful.

Have a wonderful time on your adventure and welcome to the neighborhood.

Bill

 

[JimMIA]

Almost a year ago DVC decided to restrict resale points so yes, there are differences. Resale you can't use points for DCL, Disney Collection, Concierge Collection, and Adventures by Disney. You can still use them for DVC, RCI and BVTC (Disney's own timeshare exchange company) the same as all other owners. IMO, you really lose nothing of value buying resale and you can save a ton of money in many situations. Even BLT is available resale. The only option that won't be available resale for a while is the GF. Please note they could remove other perks from resale members is they chose or they could add perks to qualified members excluding resale buyers. To me it's a no brainer, buy resale and avoid the options that are a poor value anyway. IMO, they've actually done resale buyers a favor by keeping them from making an emotional decision and buying too many points.

What he said.

 

[JimMIA]

Or you also like to go to DLR (VGC), VB, HH, and Aulani too. There's more in the club than WDW, although WDW has the largest number of resorts and will continue to do so. We bought at VGC because we live in Utah and are more likely to go to DLR than WDW. If we were limited to just our home resort, I'd be OK, not happy, but OK with that.

If you look at DVC in a vacuum, you are correct. However, if you look at DVC in the context of the overall vacation lodging world, or even the timeshare world, the picture changes quite a bit...IMHO.

To me, for ALL of the non-WDW locations -- including DL -- there are numerous better, less-expensive options for equal or better lodgings. There are other options and other timeshare systems that offer more for those locations...plus a LOT more.

I really look at non-WDW DVC resorts as similar to the cruises, ABD, and other options. Yes they're there, but probably not great values.

 

[discorsner]

Hi OP. I had the same dilemna regarding the purchase with also working in the industry. We have stayed on an industry discount a few times. (Isn't it nice?) but it doesn't always have everything available. We also calculated with as much as we go to WDW and want to stay in bigger units with extended family that DVC was going to pay off for us.

We also like to get the dining plan and we really couldn't do that with the industry room only discounts.

We didn't have to finance the dvc purchase though and if we had finance charges that proabably would have made the calculations much different and we might have just said we will book whatever we can get on the discount when we want to go. Not sure.

We also have wanted to be members for years though and have been discussing it for like 10 years. (not even exaggerating!) We just went ahead and put an offer in on a BWV contract in the middle of November and we should close any day. Wish us luck!

Good luck with your choice!

 

[kangaroodle]

Another thing to look at is the points to stay at each resort. we own OKW and it has the biggest DVC rooms and the lowest points to stay thre any time of the year. It seems with each new resort, the price/point increased and so did the ponts to stay there each week.

We have owned since 1995 when we only paid about $59/point AND got free park tickets until the year 2000 with each stay. We have more than gotten our money's worth out of it! If we had to pay cash, or even pay to rent points for each vacation, we would never be able to afford going to WDW as often as we do. And definitely not in condo-style lodging on the property.

And we do plan to own it till it expires in 2042! Our kids will be grown by then and they can take their kids!

 

[lindsroc]

Hi OP. I had the same dilemna regarding the purchase with also working in the industry. We have stayed on an industry discount a few times. (Isn't it nice?) but it doesn't always have everything available. We also calculated with as much as we go to WDW and want to stay in bigger units with extended family that DVC was going to pay off for us.

We also like to get the dining plan and we really couldn't do that with the industry room only discounts.

We didn't have to finance the dvc purchase though and if we had finance charges that proabably would have made the calculations much different and we might have just said we will book whatever we can get on the discount when we want to go. Not sure.

We also have wanted to be members for years though and have been discussing it for like 10 years. (not even exaggerating!) We just went ahead and put an offer in on a BWV contract in the middle of November and we should close any day. Wish us luck!

Good luck with your choice!

Thanks for your side of the story. We have been talking about it almost as long, i would say we're going on 8 years. lol. I think we are going to wait a year and pay for it in cash- that will really make it seem more worth it. Thanks again and good luck.