Did you get what you think you paid for?

[Dreamfinder2]

After a couple of years as DVC owners (WVL and BWV), we've been sorta evaluating what we've got.

Short answer: We couldn't be more pleased with our purchase. We've been spared a lot of the problems some people have experienced (awkward check-ins, dirty or worn rooms, etc.) I think the price and the value received match up nicely.

Just curious ... do you think you're receiving the best bang for your buck? (and I'm talking about accomodations alone - not tradeability, or perks, or wishing we had more discounts, etc.) Is your purchase all you wanted it to be?

A caveat: Your answer might be influenced by what you perceived WDW in general, and DVC in particular, to be. For me, as a huge Walt Disney admirer, I'd like to believe that DVC fits into his overall philosophy, of providing a family place where people of all ages (children and teens to the oldest grandmas) could be amazed, entertained, enlightened ... I really don't think he intended for any of the parks to be places totally beyond the reach of the average family of modest means. See, I think there's a place for both the All-Stars and the Grand Floridians ... and the Rock 'n Roller Coaster and It's a Small World.

So - is what you've got worth what you paid? Any regrets?

 

[spiceycat]

no regrets I brought in 93 and other than a few problems - I love it!!!

When I compared my few problems to those on the resort boards - I am so glad I brought when I did.

the vacations that I have given my family, friends and co-workers - have been the best.....

WDW is a lovely place to vacation at - it is great for helping to kept families together.

It is our special place to relax and not worth about the world for the short time we are there.

 

[goldilocks_63]

Has been that the amount of points I thought would be enough, and have needed to add-on.

Oh, and that there haven't been any ticket discounts.

Goldi

At the parks, being a women with a small child, I wish they were being kept cleaner.

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

No regrets here... AT ALL. We joined in 2001 and have enjoyed each and every vacation. We truely love DVC and all things Disney. We feel that DVC allows us to take many more vactions (3 long trips this year).

We didn't join DVC looking for discounts just like we didn't buy our AP's looking for discounts. I feel like any money we "save" with our memberships is a little gift Disney gives us to say Thanks.

Ooops, I just thought of one regret... I wish we joined sooner!

 

[JVL1018]

I am more than pleased with DVC. Definately worth what we paid for it!
There have been some times that a room has been dirty or that I am not pleased with the bus service, but never ever anything that makes me think I made a mistake in buying.

 

[jaysue]

I am going to give a very specific and potentially loaded answer:

Our decision to buy DVC and add-on has been driven by two key factors which are both related:

1) The Orlando area in general with all the family oriented activities - WDW, Universal, Sea World, Gatorland, Science Centre etc.

2) Our desire for the location of the DVC WDW resorts and to be specifically staying on-site within walking distance of MGM and Epcot or boat distance of MK or walking distance of DTD

We were going to buy some type of timeshare investment in the Orlando area and the: Specific attraction of WDW pulled us to pay a premium for the WDW DVC locations

Thus to us mentally and dollar wise, we are attracted to DVC 50% by Orlando as a whole and 50% by WDW specifically thus we have a strong implied interest in the parks and their condition

thanks
jaysue

 

[Granny]

We have been very pleased with our DVC purchase. We think we are getting a strong value out of our vacation investment in terms of accommodations, etc.

Dreamfinder2...in your second to last paragraph, I think you did a very nice job of summarizing much of the way that DW and I feel about DVC, WDW, and Orlando. And yes there is plenty of room in this world for Rock n Roller Coaster and It's A Small World, as well as fans of the various DVC resorts.

 

[sgtdisney]

No regrets with our purchase per se. I am happy we got in when we did ('92) and really got great value for our point cost especially with the free passes. So, overall, I am happy with our purchase, but if I am being honest, slightly dispointed with how the DVC as a whole has been treating it's membership in regard to perks and member benefits. Maybe this new management team will work toward changing this.

 

[mbb]

Originally posted by jaysue
I am going to give a very specific and potentially loaded answer:

Our decision to buy DVC and add-on has been driven by two key factors which are both related:

1) The Orlando area in general with all the family oriented activities - WDW, Universal, Sea World, Gatorland, Science Centre etc.

2) Our desire for the location of the DVC WDW resorts and to be specifically staying on-site within walking distance of MGM and Epcot or boat distance of MK or walking distance of DTD

We were going to buy some type of timeshare investment in the Orlando area and the: Specific attraction of WDW pulled us to pay a premium for the WDW DVC locations

Thus to us mentally and dollar wise, we are attracted to DVC 50% by Orlando as a whole and 50% by WDW specifically thus we have a strong implied interest in the parks and their condition

thanks
jaysue

We factored in the same considerations...Orlando, as a destination - in and of itself - offers our family what we've determined to be important in our vacation needs.

Now...primarily WDW
Next 4-10 years...US/IOA and WDW
Later...quality resort vacations...that just happen to have lots of things to do...

 

[OneMoreTry]

No regrets. We'll see how I feel about it in 20 years.

 

[Pa@okw95]

I have been a member since 95 and to give you a simple answer I am happy with what I purchased because of the accomodations. The free passes to parks which I did not know about when I called to purchase certainly adds much to the satisfaction. I am not happy with what I have seen in the last few years with the behavior of some of the guests at OKW and I do not like the direction WDW has gone. They have taken the non-thrill rides away and replaced them with thrill rides. The place is becoming more and more like an amusement park every year with some very nice accomodations however. I miss World of Motion, and Horizon those rides made WDW what Walt wanted a place where the entire family could go on all the attractions. The addition of the value resorts has placed far less demanding guests on the property, I believe that is why we are seeing a lot of problems with the way guests are treated, especially with reports at the shared DVC like WLV and BCV. At any rate, I will be very happy to vacation at OKW in January every year, yes, it was worth it for that alone.Would I buy now, the answer is no, I would not.

 

[sgtpet]

I love the resorts and accomodations within the DVC. I am disappointed by the benefits of being a member. I have been bamboozled as far as these things are concerned. Many people here enjoy those things. It all depends on your perspective.

I can't wait until May when I can float around that wonderful SAB.

 

[garylpn]

we have only been members since 4/03, with a 1 wwek stay in okw studio dec 03 , but so far i think it's worth it, yes i think the park cleanliness standards slipped a little, particularly from 9/11 until 4/03, noticed it mostly during fw campground trip, 6/02, but last 2 trips i think they have rebounded nicely, i look at it as prepaying for high quality vacations, and i just seem to slip into a real laid back relaxrd mode all my hours at wdw, to the point of rarely ever making a ps, and usually no set park plan, we just jump in the disney river and see where the days currents take us, and that is an all too rare state of being,
dvc membership= thousands$
airfare= hundreds$
getting a welcome home= worth a few $
drinking a cafe au lait, eating a marvelous while watching illuminations from the bridge= $PRICELESS

 

[goofy4dvc]

We purchased DVC in 2000 and I wish we had known about it earlier. We didn't get any of the perks like free tickets -- wish we had!! We are definitely NOT saving money by owning DVC because there's no way I'd be able to talk DH into going to WDW this often without DVC. I'm really into the Disney-thing and wanted to share it with our grandchildren. He thinks Disney and DVC is a nice quality place but mostly likes to golf in Florida. So, we both got what we wanted.

I do wish they would sweeten the deal for DVCers with better prices on park tickets because on the trips when it's just the two of us, we don't even go to the WDW parks. We sometimes go to US/IA or SeaWorld or go on day trips to St. Augustine, Tampa, etc. I'd like to buy annual passes if we could get a good rate.

I have noticed that the customer service isn't quite what it used to be and the parks and resorts aren't quite as "white-glove" clean as they used to be. Disney was respected the world over for the highest customer service and human resources training. The name Disney was synonymous with quality service.


That said, I'm hoping they will get their act together because I still LOVE DVC and I'm looking forward to many years of MAGIC!!

 

[gtrist4life]

So far, we're very happy. Haven't been owners that long though.
I fully expect nothing but good things for the next 35 plus years.

Also hoping that some suprising good news for members from Jim Lewis is announced relatively soon.

Peace
G4L

 

[Disney Doll]

It has been some of the best money we have ever spent.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

We are happy as a pig rolling in .... well, whatever a pig is happy rolling in!

MG

 

[DebbieB]

No regrets. I loved our 8 DVC trips since I joined in the fall of 99! I do think they take us a little for granted when it comes to discounts.

 

[Dreamfinder2]

I might just mention, given Jim Lewis' comments about the "prestige" and "cachet" that comes with being a DVC member, that we never considered ourselves as part of an "elite group" in the grand scheme of All Things Disney. I like nice things, but I also like a bargain ... so while to many DVC might be perceived as a luxury, for us the price vs. value balance falls right in the middle of what we can comfortably do.

WDW, to me, is the Versailles of the 20th century, except it's a palace for the people. Some folks save and scrimp for a lifetime to make that one-time visit, and they stay at Pop Century. Some of us make multiple trips in the course of a year, and stay in some mighty fine digs in a DVC property. Either way, I'd hate for anyone to NOT be able to experience just a little of what I enjoy, regardless of their age or gender or economic standing.

While I was delighted at Mr. Lewis' news, I was just a little uncomfortable with a sense that he was playing to the snob gallery (whoever they are - don't know any, personally!)

Now that I've veered way off my own topic ... thinking specifically about your accomodations, and not counting any real, imagined, or wished-for perks ... ya still happy with your ROOMS?

 

[WDWLVR]

I'm very happy with what we have gotten. The trip that we made to buy DVC (and to see the Main Street Electrical Parade before it left) we stayed at All Star Movies. Our next visit was 11 months later in a one bedroom with a Boardwalk view! WOW! We were blown away! DVC rooms have so much to offer, especially the one bedroom which is our favorite.

The king size bed, the jacuzzi tub, the full kitchen, the washer and dryer. All of it wonderful!

The fact that we have the flexibility offered by DVC makes it even better. We can stay in a studio if we want to save points, spend time in our favorite one bedroom, or book a 2 bedroom and bring along the in-laws. The choice is ours!