Disboard-like camaraderie at the actual resorts?

[rutgers1]

Considering I have been stopping by this message board several times per week since we purchased points in April, I feel like I have become a DVC regular. However, we have yet to take our first trip. We will be going for about 2 weeks in August.

The funny thing is that I have been spending so much time on this board that I am almost expecting a "Norm!" (Remember the show Cheers?) welcome when I first step foot on the SSR property. I realize that it isn't going to happen, but at the same time, I am wondering if there is a different sense of community/camaraderie at a DVC resort than your typical hotel. I am wondering if people hanging around by the pool bar (Is there one?) are more likely to strike up a conversation about DVC and other Disney related issues than your typical Disney hotel guest........I know families who go to the same beach every year and actually look forward to seeing each other each year at the same time. Does that happen at DVC? I would imagine that some people block out the same week year after year for their DVC vacation.

Any insights?

 

[dianeschlicht]

There certainly is at OKW where it's a stand alone DVC resort not connected to an existing hotel. I kind of felt that a little bit at SSR too, but we stayed there very early in its existance. I do NOT get that feeling when we are at some of the DVC resorts connected to existing hotels. The exception is VWL which is isolated a bit with its own building. Hopefully AKV and BLT will be that way as well.

 

[bwvBound]

A "disboards" (not DVC) trend was to wear a lime-green Mickey-shaped paint sample picked up from the hardware store. The lime-green Mickey could be hung on your backpack or pinned to your shirt for recognition as a DisBoards community member. This idea often extends from the paint sample to other forms of lime green apparel or accessories.

The funny thing, to me, is that although folks wore them from the moment they left the house -- they didn't expect to be recognized until hitting the parks. While sitting in an airplane watching folks board I recognized a family wearing lime-green uniforms from their DisBoards avatar. I offered a greeting and must of shocked them as their response was a truly unpleasant glare. Oh, well!

Not surprisingly, one routinely receives warm greetings in the resorts from CMs. Not so much from other guests ... even if you offer one first.

 

[starbox]

We've stayed at all the DVCs and have felt that sense of comraderie most at HHI and VB - not as much as the Disney-area DVCs.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I expected but did not experience some sort of community feeling with other guest staying at DVC's. We've been members since '03 and never owned a time share before, and I didn't know what to expect, but I think you are right that the Disboard time that I had gave me some expectations that were not met.

I have met some Disboard people. I wear a Disbutton with my screen name on it. I've booked Illumination/Wishes/Pirate cruises with specific people, and owning DVC and using the Disboards HAS DEFINITELY added much to our WDW vacations, but people staying at DVC's are not any more inclined to chat with strangers than they are when not in vacation.

I've said it before, I've had some very satisfying conversations on WDW buses when people notice my Disboard button!

Bobbi

 

[rutgers1]

When I was touring SSR, the guide said that we could ask a guest what he or she thought about being a DVC member. We went up to two groups, and neither were actual members. I get the impression that a chunk of the people at the resort at any given time aren't DVC members, either through trades or simply paying cash.

Although it would be neat to have some camaraderie on trips, I have to admit that I rarely have much time to talk to people. In fact, I can't really recall every just hanging out chatting with people pool-side. For some reason, though, I thought that perhaps it would be a bit more festive/friendly.

 

[starbox]

Although it would be neat to have some camaraderie on trips, I have to admit that I rarely have much time to talk to people. In fact, I can't really recall every just hanging out chatting with people pool-side. For some reason, though, I thought that perhaps it would be a bit more festive/friendly.

It all depends - I've met some really nice fellow DVCers (mostly by pools) and usually because of something I am reading (evidently I give off "I'M AN ENGLISH TEACHER" vibes by my choice of reading ).

The most friendly, by far, have been at the beach resorts. I even had a fellow DVC owner offer to let me tour her beach cottage at Vero when she heard me say I thought they must be really neat. I'd say that unquestionably, the beach resorts cultivate that "family" feeling. Since the resorts are small and you tend to spend all your time onsite, the CMs also get to know you - a few even recognize and know my kids by name now. It's very cool.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We've met a few Disboard members at WDW, Dianeschlicht and Jimmytammy for a few. We even met one while we were on vacation at Mount Rushmore. We met some via the Cruiseboard and then met up again at BWV on a subsequent trip. We've even seen one Dis friend both at WDW and at DL.

For all of these, we set up a time to meet ahead of time before we left home. Except for our friend we saw at both WDW and DL. We met that Diane while we were at the WDW marathon, then saw her again at the DL 1/2 marathon, then found out we were both on the Dis.

But when we don't have something set up ahead of time, we'll talk to people at the pool (especially if they have some DVC stuff with them). We'll say hi to the people wearing lime green in any form.

 

[rutgers1]

I never heard about the lime green thing. Do they sell DVC shirts anywhere?

 

[Tara]

I never heard about the lime green thing. Do they sell DVC shirts anywhere?

Gift shops at the DVC resorts sell DVC gear (shirts, hats, pins, luggage tags, mugs, etc.). I'm not sure where else those items can be found...

 

[bwvBound]

I never heard about the lime green thing.

See: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=28758799

or for more fun reading ...
http://www.google.com/search?client...:disboards.com+"lime+green"&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

 

[twinklebug]

As a kid my parents belonged to an RV group. We got to know everyone in the local chapter very well, but the national rallies had the feel of DVC: with exception to those who had traveled with us, we really knew no one. The first evening or two, people were just pleasant strangers, but oddly enough as the week wore on strangers started warming up to each other and that sense of a giant family would kick in just before it was time to break it up and head home.

It would be so nice if we could do that with DVC, but there are just too many members and too many times of year to choose from to have anything meaningful on a regular basis.

However, I'd love it if we could institute a Happy Hour gathering at the DVC community rooms. Donuts, coffee and spirits ... uh... I mean high spirits anyone? Mondays are good for me

 

[Scott]

We have met some wonderful people on our 3 vacations to DVC resorts, especially the VWL pool. In fact that is one of the reasons we decided to buy. For us, meeting and talking to new people from different places is one of the joys of travel, whether that be via DVC or on "rogue" trips.

 

[dburg30]

When I was touring SSR, the guide said that we could ask a guest what he or she thought about being a DVC member. We went up to two groups, and neither were actual members. I get the impression that a chunk of the people at the resort at any given time aren't DVC members, either through trades or simply paying cash.

We've stayed at all the DVCs and have felt that sense of comraderie most at HHI and VB - not as much as the Disney-area DVCs.

I think these posts kinda go together . And with the economy, there could be folks that cant / arent going to be able to goto WDW that are renting out their points, plus some of the discounts they've had this fall it was pretty 'cheap' to pay cash at SSR, so I'm sure there were a number of either cash or renters in the past few months.

As far as the DIS stuff goes, I dont advertise that I'm a dis member, I dont get all exited about that. It has a plethora of information available and is a great site for that, and while I like posting and reading certain posts from a few of the members, IMO it's just a place for information.

And while I'm at WDW I have a great time, and become young at heart, underneath I'm still a grumpy ole *******, so most folks probably wouldnt like me in RL anyway

 

[bradisgoofy]

Not so much DVC, but the group over on the dis camping board do a lot of get togethers, almost 1/4ly. I've found the lime green much more noticeable with the camping group then any where else. I've met half a dozen of the regulars over there, so far.

 

[BroganMc]

The funny thing is that I have been spending so much time on this board that I am almost expecting a "Norm!" (Remember the show Cheers?) welcome when I first step foot on the SSR property.

Any insights?

I think it depends on how memorable a character you are and whether you see the same people on multiple trips. I know after the 2nd trip Grandpa Mohawk and I spent at SSR we started to get a rep among the full time cast members. And I have been approached by a few DISers who are brave enough approach me and call out my DIS username. (Not that it requires bravery. I'm a very chatty engaging person in real life.)

But then how many older men do you see sporting purple glitter mohawks and Chatty Kathy girls wearing funny hats and zooming around in purple powerchairs? We are characters. Whether that's good or bad is open to interpretation.

Now there are several DIS meets that'll take place at times. But if you strike up a conversation with folks in the lesser known non-touristy spots you can meet a lot of DISers. I met one DISer here last NYE when he and his family took pity on us and helped us find our way home in the Orlando airport. (We were on the same flight and lived in the same state.) I'll never forget the kindness his family showed us, even waiting to take our bus when the driver had a problem with the lift. (Yes, you know who you are!) Other than that, I've met DISers at the Barber Shop in Magic Kingdom and hanging out at Artist's Palette.

Never did meet one with a lime green Mickey head though. I look but never find one.

 

[Terry S]

We have met several people poolside, usually it is my kids who initiate the relationship with thier kids thus causing the parents to talk as well. We have actually invited several families to view fireworks from both our room we normally get at BCV or our GV at BWV. We have than ate meals with and/or spent the day with some of these people and are always sad when the vacation ends. Well either way we are sad when the vacation ends.

 

[DVC Grammy]

In my experience at WDW, the OKW/SSR launches to/from DTD have always been the likeliest for DVC-chats.