Did anyone else buy DVC because they loved the atmosphere?

[MissCecelia]

Confession:

I'm not that much of a Disney movie fan. I don't like rollercoasters or large smelly crowds. I HATE Disneyland. It took me a long time to even think about GOING to WDW and when we did it was becasue it was on my husband's bucket list. As soon as we got there I fell in love.

I like not having to drive. I like that I can pay extra to have an all-inclusive feelings as far as food goes. I also like that I can have a fridge full of food for breakfast and my autistic kiddo. I like the pools, the food, the fact that everyone is so darn nice, the level of service.....

That Disney Bubble is real and it's refreshing.

I'm never bored just at 'the resort' becasue the property is HUGE. The last time we went we didn't even go into the parks and it was amazing. I want to go back and stay at the Boardwalk for 5 or 6 nights. Maybe go to Epcot 1 day. We have a list of places we want to eat lol.

Will we go to the parks? Yeah sometimes. Is it why I want to go a lot? Nope. Heck, I'm thinking about working summer school AND doing summer tutoring so we can buy 100 more points instead of the 50 we have planned, that way we can alternate and do a "Adults Only" no parks trip and a kids trip.

Anyone else like me? I think I'm an oddball. It's something that my husband has always loved (Disney) that I was ick about and now we both love it!

 

[disneynutz]

We were park people for years but the more we vacationed at WDW we found ourselves spending less time in the parks. Same with some resorts, staying at all of them several times we discovered that all were okay, just that some are not our favorites and some of those we purchased.

Now we spend much more resort time, getting to know the CM's, learning about Disney behind the curtain, relaxing, watching people, enjoying life.

Bill

 

[MJB62676]

I can't tell you exactly what led me to buy in...but I will tell the story.

We have two young ones and we always knew we'd like to take them. I was able to find some EXTREMELY cheap flights to Orlando and got a wild hair that we should book the flights "in case we want to go" to Disney. This was last March I believe. We had some unexpected expenses come up, and I had major sticker shock when I got the initial quotes for resorts, passes, etc, in May or June (I was such a rookie that the 180 day window meant absolutely NOTHING to me). Finally decided for sure we were going to go in late August and by that time I could barely find lodging (didn't know a thing about renting points, etc), and ended up finding OKW 1 BR. (I was of the mindset I wasn't spending over 350/night for a "hotel room", which is what it was looking like...I think for our dates there were exactly 3 choices by the time I booked.).

As we planned, we "winged it"...got our fast passes, made some dining reservations, etc. The whole time I was thinking this would be a one time "kiddie trip" and I hoped to enjoy it but couldn't quit thinking about what it was costing us.


We've now been home exactly 2 weeks, and we sent in our DVC papers yesterday. While we were "winging it", we were able to ride almost everything we wanted to, did Bippity Boppity Boutique, had character dining at Royal Table and Garden Grill, experienced the Candelight Processional, Jedi Training, took every type of transportation, etc...and even finally checked out Disney Springs (which was much more than "just another shopping center" as I found out).

Most importantly, it was the first time I'd spent in at least 10-15 years where I didn't even TOUCH work/school for a week. That was a liberating feeling, and I think I may have enjoyed our time at WDW even more than the kids did. Every bit of skepticism was met with a pleasant surprise, and even though we felt like we didn't stop for 6 full days (all in the parks) we didn't feel like we even touched the surface of what there is to offer at WDW in the "bubble".

When I learned about DVC, the potential caught my eye...and the more I thought about it the more I realized it's probably perfect for me and my way of thinking. I often have to plan out my time off a year in advance anyway to help keep things manageable at work). We have kids that can enjoy WDW until they are tired of it, then I can use it as a built in excuse to go on golf vacations, see the Garden Festival, repeat the Festival of the Holidays, do Food and Wine, etc...and even still hit the parks in the future...or go to Hawaii, Hilton Head etc...

While I readily admit that the "pixie dust got me", I'm convinced this is a good decision as I'm not the type to make myself take trips like we just did unless it's "taken care of"...(for instance, I know the Dining plan probably cost me more, but I fully loved the convenience and the beauty of not worrying about the menu prices I saw and just enjoyed!)

It doesn't hurt that I am growing tired of cold weather, so looking forward to a "pre-paid" break from winter every year is very appealing, and I love traveling domestic...just way less hassle. I can easily see us going and not using the parks, especially once the kids aren't interested, with the exception of Epcot. I absolutely loved the World Showcase.

 

[ClosetDisMom]

This is why we purchased in. We went to Disney for a recon trip 5 years ago. Stayed off park; did it cheaply (by Disney standards); and loved it but knew there had to be better. We stayed last summer on park, as cheaply as we could (Pop Century). We fell in love... hard. My husband - a self-described jaded individual - turned to me the last day and gave me a mission: figure out how to go back to to Disney every 2 years with bigger accommodations. DVC resale market was my answer. So, we purchased because being in the "Disney Bubble" is where we want to be for the foreseeable future. It was all the perks of staying on park that made us believe it was worth the upfront money. We are headed to Kidani in July and I am SO excited.

 

[tachyonbb]

I first went to the "land of the big rat" in 97 when my wife and daughters insisted I go with them. When I got there I loved it. No driving, no rental car hassles, all the restaurants had gluten free options for my daughter with celiacs. Like MJB it was the first time in 10 years that I really forgot about work and concentrated on the moment. We went every couple of years after that usually staying at Port Orleans. A few years ago we bought into DVC and are in the process of adding more points. The Flower and Garden Show, Food and Wine, Behind the Seeds tour, The Magic Behind the Steam Trains tour. A week at Hilton Head. The attention to detail and scenery. We go a few times a year now and don't try to "do everything" as we know we will be back. The bubble is real for us.

 

[zachatak]

To the OPs question - yes. I work crazy hours running 2 different businesses and my blood pressure drops greatly the second I step on property. To all of my friends/acquaintances that give me a hard time about all the time I spend with the mouse, I tell them it's my escape from reality and I get to be a 10 year old kid again. We have 3 kids between 7 and 14 but at least half of our trips are adult only. We've even converted a few of our skeptical friends into 'adult Disney trip' people. My wife and I now own 3 different contracts and we plan on using WDW as our escape for many years to come.

 

[Bellecruiser]

I love the atmosphere! We go to the parks, but not a lot, and really enjoy staying at a beautiful resort. Now that we are retired we go in January for two weeks. Pretty great! It is usually cool, but green and full of flowers. We are surrounded by beauty, friendliness, competence, and service (I know, I know...there is a dark business side to Disney but mostly they deliver on their values). Yes, there is a Disney bubble.

 

[bakerworld]

We love the bubble and enjoyed resort vacations at the moderates however the DVC gives a nice 'tweener' feeling between a moderate and deluxe resort. WDW is clean, the CM's usually service oriented and the theme-ing so detailed that each resort feels unique. We were never tempted by a Timeshare until we experienced DVC.

 

[Disfam19]

YES!!!! We did!!! I always loved Disney movies, have never particularly been drawn to Disney theme clothing, or the Disney cult-feel, but had an amazing time at Disney world when I was younger, thought the resorts looked amazing, and always dreamed of it with my husband. When he went for work, and he took us along, we LOVED it! I think we didn’t have many expectations of whether we’d ever go again or not, BUT then we went the next year, and then again a few months later, and then again after that, and you know what??? It’s just as magical every darn time!!!!!! The Disney bubble is REAL and it IS the magic. The hospitality and customer service are fantastic and the all inclusive part of food, transportation, entertainment- incredible! My husband is a deluxe resort kind of guy, and I appreciate them as well. The other thing was that I thought moderate resorts were kind of a waste of money with the busing being a major time inconvenience and dining being meh. I thought value resorts were actually a better value than moderates, and DVC, especially resale, a better value for Deluxe! Just love it!

 

[gillep]

We bought in because before DVC DH and I never took a vacation together, we both work long hours, DH especially, and just never took the time to get away. Now we vacation and travel much more often, and WDW is still our favorite place to do that. For us vacationing at WDW takes basically no effort, I think of it as our time to reconnect, we have been so many times that we don't have a long list of 'must dos' we book dining and FP+, but we don't worry too much about canceling FP, if we don't feel like doing something, we don't. I love just walking around the parks and resorts, and have gotten to know a couple of the CMs, as well as other frequent Disney guests, mostly from DH doing the RunDisney races. To me, WDW is the most relaxing place that I can think of.

 

[Wakey]

My long term vision is when the kids have left, me and Mrs Wakey will do 2 weeks a year, perhaps late Feb. SSR with DS will be very appealing then as we won't buy park tickets, just come for some winter sun. The not driving and being able to visit so many places and hotels etc, and soak up the atmosphere was a main reason I bought too.

 

[Chuck S]

I think that is one thing I really love about OKW vs resorts like POP and All Stars. I love the parks and the DIsney atmosphere while in the parks, but it is great to unwind after a day full of Disney in a more subtle environment. It is still Disney (Mickey head cutouts in the balcony railings and such) but subdued.