crystal ball

[tvwalsh]

I bought into DVC in 1992. I had my ideas of what DVC would be like. For example, I thought DVC would build many resorts outside of Disney World. I also thought all of the rooms built would at least be as big as those we were shown at OKW. I fully expected to get large discounts on park passes after the free passes were discontinued. I did not expect to ever have to pay for room service or coffee or extra towels.

On the positive side, I was delighted and surprised when Disney Cruise Lines became an option. I like the resorts that are closer to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. I like the dedicated buses for OKW. I never expected a timeshare to be as good of an investment as it has turned out to be.

There are two parts to this thread, chose which you like: 1. What do you see in your crystal ball in the next ten+ years for DVC? 2. How has DVC changed in ways that surprised you? (Good or bad)

 

[SheriB]

I see my husband and myself enjoying DVC with other adult friends. Our children are at an age right now (DD16 and DS12) where they aren't as thrilled about going to Disney as myself and DH. My mother and father can't wait to go back with us-they're in their 60's and never even experienced Disney until their kids were all grown and out of the house. I'd like to explore some of the Disney night life and I know my husband would like to try some Disney golf. We've never tried any of those yet-we're with our kids 24/7 when on vacation. I want to try all the DVC resorts, on site and off. I could go on and on...


Sheri

 

[timC]

Come to think of it... when we first bought in 1999 we really had no expectations beyond what was available at the time.

Then BVC, VWL, SSR came along. All bonus resorts. They finished DtD, built AK. Overall, there way more value now... and getting better all the time.

Did they take away any services from us BWV or VLW owners?? Taking away pool hopping to SAB is the only downer I can think of.

 

[spiceycat]

yea I though we would at least get the Florida resident discount... oh well we got the free tickets and they made going to WDW a need....

I brought in 93 and I didn't expect anything except OKW (then called DVC) - my guide (not the one I have now) - was not even talking about other places.

I also like the adventures collection - one day.....

I would like to see at DVC at DL in Ca, MK in Paris, and maybe one in the China thing they are currently building. May one day....I would also like to see a monrail DVC - that was discussed - but so far....

 

[dianeschlicht]

WE have felt DVC was an EXCELLENT investment for us. The only thing I had hoped was for discounted tickets too. It doesn't keep me from enjoying my investment in vacations though. I am a bit surprised at how many WDW resorts now have DVC, and I can see that continuing into the future. I expect Disney will not build anymore non-timeshare resorts until Pop Century is filled all the time.

 

[dvcgirl]

I'm really happy about the addition of VWL. As a BWV owner, it's great to have the opportunity to stay so close to the MK. And VWL is just a great resort. We definitely don't need an add-on, but if I had to pick one place to add on it would be VWL hands down.

I'm really happy that dues have stayed very reasonable over the years.

I'm really happy to see that the price of points has skyrocketed...even since we joined in 1999...an amazing 37%.

I'm really happy that I'm able to rent out the points that I am unable to use. I know that this isn't a popular topic, but it has easily been one of the most pleasant surprises about the DVC for us.

Things I'm a little bummed about are the fact that the ticket discounts are lousy. I think a discounted AP would make so many DVCers happy and would also encourage DVCer to make even more trips.

I would also love to see a dining program very similar to the Disney Dining Experience which is offered to Floridians. You know, 20% off food and booze for a fee of $75 a year or whatever it is. That might encourage DVCers to cook less in their units and eat more in the Disney Restaurants. Also would keep us away from the restaurants over at Universal and off-site. This program encourages Floridians to dine at Disney, and I think it might encourage some DVCers to dine out at Disney more often.

I would also love to see a DVC property out in CA and perhaps at EuroDisney.

I'm disappointed that Disney has made it so expensive to cruise on the DCL using points. It's a terrible deal to cruise on points and they know it.

Overall though, we are huge Disney fans who are incredibly happy that we joined the DVC. We initially had our doubts and are now kicking ourselves that we didn't join a couple of years earlier. But now that the price is so much more than we paid, I don't feel so bad anymore.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Well, things haven't changed that drastically in the month since we've been DVC owners, so I'll try Door #1.

I don't see many additional discounts, pass, dining or otherwise. SSR seems to be selling well (no need for further inducements) and as the number of DVCers grows, so does the cost of providing discounts (I'm not sold on the 'but a discount will make me spend more' opinion). The one exception to this will be low- / no-cost perks - extra fastpasses, programs at DVC facilities, etc.

I think that we'll see a DVC Resort near / at the AK. I see a pattern of building resorts by theme parks / destinations and AK is the only one without any representation.

I think we'll see more DVC Resorts at WDW. It's a way of having a near-guaranteed stream of visitors (even if they don't hit the parks as much as non-DVC on-siters do) that can help Disney weather slow times. Along these lines, I wouldn't be surprised if Contemporary North does go DVC; I think that the Contemp in general needs a giant dose of PD - maybe paint the outside of each Tower floor a different color of rainbow....

Finally - and I'm going out on a limb here - I predict that Richyams will still be pointing out that the OKW size and layout is by far the best.

 

[tvwalsh]

I predict that DVC will introduce a long list of ways to use our points. By negotiating lucrative contracts (for DVC) with many companies, we will be given the opportunity to be able to use our points for restaurants, gasoline, clothing, airline tickets etc. Some things will be available at $5/point, others will be available at $6/pt etc.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by tvwalsh
I predict that DVC will introduce a long list of ways to use our points. By negotiating lucrative contracts (for DVC) with many companies, we will be given the opportunity to be able to use our points for restaurants, gasoline, clothing, airline tickets etc. Some things will be available at $5/point, others will be available at $6/pt etc.

DVC will not make any money on these exchanges. Other segments of Disney might make money off us, like the resorts or DCL. It's simply an issue of how good is the cash price they can negotiated and how much can they get when they rent the rooms associated with the units given up for the exchanges. Personally I'd prefer DVC to play hardball and be willing to say no thank you to some aspects like some of the WDW resorts.