Could we be honest and objective concerning DVC?

[JBx3]

Couldn't state it any better than your post!

 

[twinklebug]

So are we all sniffing pixie dust, incapable of seeing the timeshare hell others believe we are in?

That poster must be comparing DVC to stereotypical timeshares.

Most of us are realistic about what we've bought regarding DVC, and when one of us isn't happy, we sell.

Am I in love with my DVC membership? Have I inhaled too much pixie dust? No, not in love. I really enjoy my membership and think DVC is a convenient arrangement that makes sense for the way I vacation with my kids. It's not for everyone, but for us it's the best option. I enjoy the flexible options and on site locations. I am aware that on the books I could save a good sum of money by staying off site. Even more if I were to stay at my parent's winter 'castle' and take the 20 minute drive. But neither of those choices are a vacation to me and those options to me would be a waste of a vacation & money. The poster who stated DVC folk are unhappy didn't take into consideration that not everyone vacations the way he/she does.

Inhaling Pixie Dust? Nah.

 

[jodifla]

the 1200 pound gorilla in the room is................i can rent your points you dont use............and there is always plenty............and get better dollar value out of your DVC membership than you do.........without the commitment. i do not mean this as a negative statement. it is simply the truth.

And then if your plans change, your stuck. Or if the renter cancels your reservation and just takes your money, you are out of luck.

Lots of risk involved. NO THANKS!

 

[dbs1228]

Been going to Disney and staying off and on site for over 30 years, and when I had children we stayed at the Ft Wilderness cabins, fell in love with the "home away from home" feel and would not stay at Disney without a kitchen and seperate sleeping for kids after that. Unfortunetly it took us over 15 years and ALOT of money (Approx. 30,000.00 using AAA discounts!) and we finally joined DVC. I have to say the last 2 years staying at Ft Wilderness were very disappointing (that is one of the reasons we finally bought into dvc, time to try new resorts but absolutely NEED to be on property), prices went up on EVERYTHING at the resorts (considerably) and service, maintances and amenties went way down hill. I do not think the negative comments about dvc are dvc specific, I think it is all of Disney. IMOA it is the result of cutting corners in a bad economy!

 

[kamik86]

I agree that I think most people can give a objective review of DVC. I can't but that is because I just bought and haven't actually stayed there yet .

However I don't think the disboards as a whole can give an objective review. Why because the people who weren't happy with DVC are probably not so all-consumed with disney to be on these boards. There may be a few who are still huge fans but prefer normal rooms but the people in timeshare hell that can't afford it, hate having the timeshare, don't want to go there, and can't manage to sell the thing even if they existed (which I don't know if they do) wouldn't be here.

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

I do not think the negative comments about dvc are dvc specific, I think it is all of Disney. IMOA it is the result of cutting corners in a bad economy!

I agree. When income declines, Disney has to cut somewhere. We went to Disney during Thanksgiving week after 9/11, and the place was relatively empty. We had a Russian exchange student living with us at the time, and we were excited to share Disney with her... having told her how fantastic it was. We literally decided to go the night before we flew out, purchased the plane tickets that night for bargain prices, arrived in Orlando with no reservations, rented a car right off the plane, and called Disney to make room reservations (also at bargain rates) on our way to the resort. Well, it was still great fun, but things were very different. Disney had laid people off due to the massive resort cancellations in the wake of 9/11 and it showed throughout the parks and resorts. We were at Caribbean Beach and the gardens looked unkempt, trash was not picked up as regularly, and a lot of the little "extras" that we had traditionally experienced were missing.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I think the main reason why someone might be unhappy with their purchase is that they think it will save them money.

I can't explain why the average person might want to buy a DVC membership but I can explain why I did and why I would do it again:

1) Travel for work. If you live in a hotel room 45ish days a year the idea of going on vacation and staying in another hotel room is not as relaxing.

2) Stress. For my wife and I vacations are not a luxury they are essential. My productivity falls if it has been too long since my last vacation. We take 2 week-long vacations a year and usually 3 long weekends away.

3) Stress again. Sure I could rent points but I like knowing they are always there waiting for me. It gives me something to look forward to even if the next vacation hasn't been planned yet. Owning them is soothing. Even in years where we have to buy a new roof a vacation is always a possibility.

4) Did I mention stress? If we stay 7 days at disney we usually only go to the parks 3-4 of those days. Going every day from opening to closing is not something we want. We want to have fun some days and relax others. It is nice having a home instead of a hotel room to relax in. There is no reason to make a hit list of park attractions because we will be back very soon.

5) Stress, oops, no, Family. In the last 10 years we have taken various family members with us 6 times. We like being able to do it for family and we like having them along.

6) I know it sounds cheesey. DVC is a vacation home. Home being the operative word. Some people would find it nuts that anyone might want to cook, do laundry, waste precious time playing card games, read a book, watch TV, sit on the balcony and watch people go by, etc., etc., etc. But with a home instead of a hotel room you have greater control over your vacation experience. Quite frankly, the idea of spending a good chunk of a day in a hotel room is not appealing.

As a member of almost 10 years, my thoughts exactly!!

We purchased DVC instead of a Florida Vacation Home. DVC is a luxury. Yes you can rent, but there are reasons for being an owner and they are not all Value based. It's like asking someone with any other expensive hobby (boating, horses, golf,watersports, rv etc) why they choose to own over just renting.

DVC is our family home. We entertain family and guests there. We visit 2-4 times a year. It's a beautiful place to be, easy to get to and has enough activities to keep us entertained or relaxed. I dont have to work too hard to be there and it has nothing to do with "vacation" for us, it is home! It is our RV, our lake house, our boat.

As for renting,

My last 2 guests, 1 in Oct 2009 SSR and the other in Dec 2009 BWV, both inadvertently allowed to check out and leave a balance due.
Both times I found out more than 6 months after they checked out and DVC attached the bills to my membership. Thankfully they were not random strangers and I was able to clear up after being notified, but these situations (which never happened in the past) definitely puts renting to strangers in the questionable column for me.

Our next trip is Oct DCL with 25 family members That's a true blessing and I would never do that without our membership.

Stress management is big for me also! Just knowing I have a visit planned, allows me to stay focused at work and be more productive.

I'd rather spend my money at DVC than CVS!

 

[BeesKnees]

The most important thing is that even though I love being a DVC member I do not try and sell others on it. In fact, I always tell them there are cheaper ways to have a disney vacation. When others here say it is not for everyone that is exactly what I tell people who are interested.

You are spending money on an experience. It is only a value if you value the experience.

When we take family they plan their days and get in as much in at the parks as they can because they don't get to go as often. They appreciate the room but they don't get much value out of it.

I think anyone who is thinking of purchasing should rent a couple of times first. Do not let people who love it influence you, it is your vacation and your money. Do your homework.

 

[perfectparanoia]

Yeah, I could rent every year. But would I? Buying DVC means that I am likely to take trip every year without thinking too much about it. I love Disney World and need it to get my stress out!

But I am always telling others that it is not for them. If you don't intend to stay on property at least once a year and don't mind sleeping in the same hotel room with all your kids...it's just not for you.

It's the same as most other time shares. If you plan to go to the same place at the same time every year...go for it. Otherwise, move on.

 

[BeesKnees]

Stress management is big for me also! Just knowing I have a visit planned, allows me to stay focused at work and be more productive.

This. Looking forward to a vacation is not the same as being on a vacation but for me it is therapeutic. Even though we go all the time we still spend hours and hours each year planning the trips just because it is a stress reliever. Even silly things like looking through menus reduces has a calming effect.

 

[dianeschlicht]

When I first started going to disney, we rented and I thought DVC was the cat's meow. We rented 1 bedrooms in BW and OKW. But then one year we really really wanted to try BWI b/c the rooms were just rehabbed and I haven't looked back. The difference to me was astronomical. The rooms are so much NICER at a non DVC room. Better taken care of. DVC seems tired and shabby in many of the rooms. And at a DVC, you are stuck with a pull out couch unless you stay OKW and their mattresses are the pits! So once we experienced BWI with the lovely interior we were hooked back to regular disney staying...especially iwth pin codes..very reasonable...I feel we were treated better as a regular disney guest which I would think would be opposite.

We have since stayed at BWI, YC deluxes after we ditched DVC rentals...I just love the decor better at a regular room...and the bedding situation....

I disagree. When we have stayed in non-DVC rooms, we have always yearned for our kitchen, Jacuzzi, laundry room, ice maker in the room, big balcony etc. etc. etc. The Jacuzzi alone in a DVC makes the biggest difference. It's also why I don't consider a stay in a studio to be a DVC stay...It needs to be at least a 1 bedroom.

 

[BeesKnees]

In the interest of full disclosure I should mention that while we usually fly we living within driving range of WDW (9 hours). For us owning means a guaranteed vacation as long as we can afford the gas and groceries. Sure we wouldn't be able to eat out or go to the parks (unless we have leftover tickets) but we would have a vacation and a nice one. I realize that not everyone has this particular perk.

Even though we have seen some tight years it never got so bad we had to make a trip out of just enjoying the room, pool, and other free area but it was always nice to know that a vacation was guaranteed

 

[kikiq]

To be honest, we have walked away from lots of timeshare offers. Several when we were vacationing in Colorado, love Colorado. BUT not so much to be tied into one resort or one week back then. flash forward 25 years, different place, different timeshare concept and it's Disney. While yes, we considered renting and that is a very good use of someone's points, my DH wants his reservations on his terms and in HIS timeline. It's not for everyone and I would be the first to put up red flags if someone can't pay for basic needs first. It has become a necessity but it's not a necessity

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Somebody may have already said this.. I admit to only skimming the thread--

If we are all sorry we bought DVC, how do you explain all the add-ons I read about every day??

MG

 

[nunzia]

the 1200 pound gorilla in the room is................i can rent your points you dont use............and there is always plenty............and get better dollar value out of your DVC membership than you do.........without the commitment. i do not mean this as a negative statement. it is simply the truth.

That is true..however, as we have recently seen here, things can happen and you have no recourse. Yes, you get a real bargain, but you also have risk as you do not control the reservation. I'm happy to be an owner and have my DVC and stay in very nice rooms for 50 years and have total control. I'm also glad that if I happen to have extra points now and then that there are folks out there who will be happy to rent from me. So..win win for all.

 

[eliza61]

oh......................to the OP, pollster. about the wording of your poll. you might be interested in knowing..............and i have been in the people business all my life...............that it is a big fact that customers lie to salespeople to get what they want much, much more than the other way around. in the sales business there is a phrase..............."buyers are liars". anyone who labels sales people as liars obviously has never been in retail. not trying to be mean............just hate the stereotype.

My apologies.

10 lashes with the wet pixie wand for me.

 

[jblrn2b]

We bought two years ago and have taken 3 trips already with our points. Are we happy? Yes. There are multiple reasons why:

1)I call I book my room and I have usually gotten what I wanted as far as resort and dates. We are leaving in 11 days for a trip that I booked about 4 wks ago and although there weren't rooms at Kidani, I got OKW. I find MS very nice and easy to use.
I have a friend who has RCI (I know that's who we exchange with) who has difficulty booking when she wants and where she wants - and I don't think her dates are inflexible. She says every time I talk about DVC - she wishes they bought DVC.

2) I like the laundry in my one bedroom.
3) I like being able to make coffee in a real kitchen and heat up breakfast - I haven't cooked yet but when we go with extended family in the future we will.
4) I LOVE KIDANI!!!!! - and so do my boys.
5) I like the other resorts we can choose.
6) I like that we don't have to see "EVERYTHING IN ONE TRIP".

Maybe those are simple things but thats why we bought and are looking forward to many memories with our family.

If its pixie dust I'm buying, I like it.

 

[La2kw]

We love our DVC points, but aren't happy with how DVC and WDW have been run over the past few years- especially in regards to housekeeping and general upkeep. We probably spend more time at Disneyland, and things are done very differently here in Anaheim. I also think a lot of people do have on the rose colored glasses when it comes to anything Disney and think Disney can do no wrong.

That said, we're looking forward to another 30 years of DVC vacations, but I doubt that all of them will be at WDW.

 

[jasko5990]

Members since 2003 with no disappointments at all. When my wife & I were looking into purchasing a timeshare we ended up trying to decide between DVC and Marriott. At the time my parents and sister each owned two Marriotts, and two of my friends were DVC members. We also stayed at a Marriott timeshare two years in a row so we were able to form first hand opinions about that resort. After weighing the pros & cons of both we decided on DVC, making our first point purchase through a resale company, settling four months after our last Marriott Timeshare visit. We have never been disappointed with our decision, and have since added on points three times. We were disappointed when DVC dropped Interval International and went with RCI, but it enforced our decision to go with DVC instead of Marriott as being the best for our family. My sister is disappointed that she can't trade her Marriott week to stay at a DVC resort, so she is now considering purchasing DVC points.

 

[Jaaron2]

To be totally HONEST......we love DVC! Warts and all. Nothing is perfect and any perks we get outside of the accomodations we look at as a plus. I think too many people get upset with the "additional benefits" that DVC gives us. If you are just comparing DVC with other timeshares or purchasing a "second home" on your own I think it stacks up pretty well. IMHO.