Do you regret your purchase?

[magicmommy]

Another who wished we had bought sooner.......

 

[lenshanem]

Although I don't agree, many believe VWL and OKW have a less desirable location. That may be why resales are a tad less expensive. Personally I love everything about VWL, including the location.

VWL is near the MK! The ultimate park IMO even before we had kids! Just hop on the enjoyable boat ride and VOLIA! - you're there!
I didn't realize some did not like it's location.
Wow...

 

[bwvBound]

To: What the Heck

FWIW, I'm registered as "still not sure."

My perspective comes from owning a variety of vacation products and having added DVC as a backup plan. We use a DVC resort once each year -- but I'm uncomfortable waiting for the 7mos DVC booking window and tend to book the reservation as soon as it appears via II (usually 10mos from travel).

The two things that I find "least friendly" about DVC (based on the way I want to use the product) are:
a) the banking/borrowing rules
b) 7mos/11mos booking windows

However, I'll admit to not being as "Disney" as most participants here and am aware that the majority of DVC owners are often very satisfied.

 

[MinnieFan]

We have no regrets, financial or otherwise. DVC is the best thing we've ever done. There is no way we would be able to go to WDW every single year in a value resort, never mind in deluxe accomodations, without DVC. The way I look at it, we are making precious family memories with our DS and DD, who are growing up way too fast (darn kids!), and that is priceless to DH and me.

 

[spiceycat]

bwvbound - most of us do our home resort at the 11 month - then if you want to change it at 7 month you can (generally)

you will learn to love the flexibility of DVC - it is great - no other timeshares or vacation club offers the flexibility of DVC.

I love my DVC - no regrets ever - it will be my last asset to sell if I ever get in finance trouble. It is great!!!

we have stayed in wonderful places that if I was paying cash would not have happen!!! Everyone case is different. but if you love WDW and go each and every year (if not more often) - then I would definitely consider DVC.

sometimes looking forward to my DVC vacations kepts me going - work can be pretty nasty at times - but I tell myself that I am paying for my WDW fix....

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Okay - probably one of the minorities here.

I love DVC, love the rooms, but!!!

I feel like I am forcing myself to go, we have 260 points, our last trip was in February during presidents week and that was last years points, I just can't find the time to get down there!

I booked a nice 5 night trip for New Years, myfamily doesn't want to go. Between my husbands work, and my daughters school and horseback riding, there doesn't seem time during the summer. We also go to Myrtle Beach for a week in August and own 2 weeks of timeshare in St. Maarten that we use everyear.

My husbands likes to go back to St. Maarten for 4-5 nights without the kids in the fall.

So when do we get to go to Disney!!!!!!!

I have thought about selling, and then when we want to go just pay for it, but then we would probably start going every year again and then I would be made that we sell. If we don't go in December, I may just bank the points, sell the 17 points from last year or loose them, and do a big family trip in 2006? But it just seems like it is getting harder and harder to go.

PLUS - guess I can be spolied at times, while I love the rooms, I do wish they were more high end accomodations, ie: conceirge, turndown, newspapers, daily housekeeping, (I wish it was included and that you didn't have to pay for these services). But I knew ahead of time that we didn't get these, they are just things I enjoy while on vacation.

 

[jenny2]

I voted for "Still not Sure". The emotional factor is high - I LOVE being able to say I "own a piece of the mouse" and "I'm home". But we're very new members to SSR and we have yet to see how owning into DVC will help or change our vacation plans.

 

[MiaSRN62]

PLUS - guess I can be spolied at times, while I love the rooms, I do wish they were more high end accomodations, ie: conceirge, turndown, newspapers, daily housekeeping, (I wish it was included and that you didn't have to pay for these services).

I'm sure alot would enjoy this ! I think DVC would have to charge more than they do though. Timeshares aren't traditionally fashioned this way to my knowlege, but for a price I bet many would buy.
We, personally, are a low maintenance kind of family . I don't want housekeeping prancing in every day......once a week is enough for us. We lead hectic lives in the real world (as I'm sure many do) and we value serenity and relaxation as a big part of our vacation. But it would be interesting to see DVC offer something in the caliber you mentioned.

Also, I can sort of understand how you feel about trying to fit in the time to use all your points. In fact, this year, we're giving away our week at our Vistana timeshare to our in-laws because at this point in our lives, we're finding it a little tough to find "time" as well. When our kids were very young we felt we could jet off to WDW more often (we had been known to stay 14 days straight). Simply not easy to do this any more. Now, the kids just miss too much school work (at ages 12, 14 & 18) if they even miss 3-4 days of school. And my oldest is going off to college in the fall. But I do see an eventual return to increasing our visits down the line (maybe 5 years or so)---though it might just be dh and I for awhile !

 

[J and R's mom]

I feel like I am forcing myself to go, we have 260 points, our last trip was in February during presidents week and that was last years points, I just can't find the time to get down there!

We're fairly new to DCV so I'm not sure if this is possible, but, can you sell part of your points (say 150 of them) and keep the rest, or do you have to sell the contract as it was originally written?

I just have a question for those who have purchased DVC. Is it worth it?

I voted for "absolutely worth it" (even though we haven't taken our first DVC trip yet) because we plan on going to WDW once a year AND we like the fact that we can use our points for so many other locations as well. The fact that we don't have to pick a specific week or resort is also a big bonus (and necessity) for us.

We started off with 150 points at SSR back when they were running a special where the points came out to about $77 each. We liked the extra 12 years and only bought 150 points since we weren't sure how many we'd really need in the future.

 

[doc hog]

This was the best purchase for my family! We could never stay at any of the higher priced properties at WDW. My family loves going different times of the year. Wish we bought prior to '97.

 

[FreeTime]

I voted that it was absolutey worth it financially and otherwise, but I have to say that I am experiencing burnout! I am ready to vacation in other places. Finally, this year we did something else. Went on DCL. I want to go back, but have said that I want to wait a few years and not get burned out on DCL as well. My FIL is wanting to go to WDW in August (he has points also) but I really don't want to go as I know I will purchase AP's since we are already going in October (my side of the family who has never went together so I can't back out), and then we will end up going back 2X next year to get lots of use out of our AP's. The point is, it is worth it but I think that you want to make sure that you spend time elsewhere also.

 

[nboicepardee]

The only regret we have is that we didn't join DVC sooner!!!

Me too! And we haven't even used it yet! Can't wait!

 

[magicmama]

I have no regrets. Even though I've only had three trips! We are a very thrifty family, we have to be. Crunching the numbers for DVC showed us we could have nicer accomodations than Motel 6, have the kitchenette or kitchen, stay on property all for $100 a day or less. (including food) (yes, we really are thrifty!!) (usually stay in a studio if we want to stay longer) And we have a blast!! We have 210 points and would like to get more but any addons will have to wait.

 

[Pig Pen]

No regrets. We bought at VB because we didn't know any better. Then I became concerned that DVC would not allow VB owners to stay onsite. However, after finally visiting my home resort, I would be very content to vacation there every year!

I almost had DH convinced to buy some SSR points, but we plan to retire to FL so it may be a waste in the long run....

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Speaking as a Brit, we love our DVC. We investigated buying a mobile holiday home in the UK but because of annual site fees and the fact that the whole unit had to be replaced every five years 'cos the site didn't allow them over fives years old!!! - DVC was cheaper to buy, better value overall and much more fun!!! Even taking into account the annual dues and flight costs from the UK it is better for us than a holiday home in the UK. Go figure!!!

I think having your vacation home all the way across the pond is a pretty strong endorsement.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Every time this subject/poll comes up, there are always a few that vote in the negative. I do understand that although the vast majority of members enjoy their DVC, there will be some who do not.
Strange thing is they always vote, but never follow up with a post.

I would really like to see a post in this thread from a member who truly regrets their purchase.
[ClarabelleCow doesn't count, as her post implies she does like her DVC.]

It always makes me suspicious of trolls....

MG

 

[CHOPR]

We join the crowd of "damn I wish I bought it sooner" I also love the idea of having my kids use it for their families 20 years from now and maybe dragging there old parents (grandparents?) with them

 

[JimB.]

Double Dog Ditto's to the "wish we had done it sooner" crowd.

We joined @ OKW in 1977, & have added on 3 x since then. We now own more points @ VB than OKW, but because we are relatively local & tend to make shorter trips in non-peak times of the year, the 7-month window has never been a factor to us.

With DVC, we have done things we would have NEVER done otherwise............. a week in Aruba (@ 160 points. a steal!!!!)............... a 7 day Magic cruise .................. and we just used opints to stay for 4 days at the AKL Concierge. We would NEVER do that if we paid $$$$.

Even with the dues/point, we feel that VB has been a good buy. They were cheaper, & we now have enough points to do pretty much anything we have time to do.

 

[thelobstershanty]

We do not regret our DVC purchase at all. But we also do not plan to spend every trip, where we use DVC points. at WDW. The trading out option was very important to us. The exchange for DCL and non DVC resorts is insane, but theere are many other great options available for members.

 

[JimC]

We only regret not joining earlier. The one bedroom villa costs less than a moderate with AP code. Add to that the other benerfits and it only gets better. The villas are very nice. DVC is great within the system. The value of trading into the other Disney options varies and we believe the trading value for outside of Disney is even less. We own Marriott Vacation Club for going elsewhere. General rule is buy where you want to stay on a regular basis.