Does DVC make you feel like you're a member of a private club . . . an exclusive private club?

[kniquy]

darn timeshare and who cares, nothing to see here?

Yes it is a timeshare, but i do feel like it isn't your typical timeshare - mainly because of the value it holds. I could sell today and make money on my contract. where as other timeshares are worth very little if someone needed to sell.

I also feel that when I am staying in the deluxe accommodations - I look at those who have paid for those similar direct deluxe rooms and think -- poor thing probably paid way too much for their room. So yes i am a member of the - I get deluxe rooms at a much better price - group.

It certainly is not an exclusive club as there are many hundreds of thousands of owners. Club 33 is an exclusive club. But I do still feel a little special being able to walk into that store in Epcot and being allowed to go up stairs for my free soda.

 

[chalee94]

(except for the lock premium and reallocation of point charts which still fries me).

Most of the other stuff moving DVC in the direction of weasel timeshares like Westgate annoys me. But I agree that threatening to raise the point charts across the board like that was very very dirty. That would actually justify a lawsuit IMO.

 

[groverdog]

I'm certain there are as many ways to feel about DVC as there are members, but based upon me and my wife's feelings I would say we feel like we're members of an exclusive club. It seems like others feel the same way.

I mean, you are a "member" right (not just an owner)? So there's even some language queues that support this. Perks and other benefits (aside from the rooms your points will provide) seem like privileges of membership.

The clothing and other swag about DVC make it seem exclusive, no? There is a sort of tribalism to it all; like being a Notre Dame fan (which I am not).

Or am I all wrong and it's just a darn timeshare and who cares, nothing to see here?

I definitely feel like a member of an exclusive club, especially when I walk to my beautiful room at BWV or head into the tower at Blt instead or standing in line for a bus or boat. I love my DVC.

 

[Magical_Suitcase]

I'm certain there are as many ways to feel about DVC as there are members, but based upon me and my wife's feelings I would say we feel like we're members of an exclusive club. It seems like others feel the same way.

I mean, you are a "member" right (not just an owner)? So there's even some language queues that support this. Perks and other benefits (aside from the rooms your points will provide) seem like privileges of membership.

The clothing and other swag about DVC make it seem exclusive, no? There is a sort of tribalism to it all; like being a Notre Dame fan (which I am not).

Or am I all wrong and it's just a darn timeshare and who cares, nothing to see here?

Years ago, yes, we felt we were a member of a special club. Perks were many and the theming was awesome but as the perks decrease and all the resorts are starting to have the same interiors, the clothing and DVC swag, i.e, not exclusive to OKW, AKV or BWV.... we no longer feel it is special to own at DVC or at a particular resort. In fact, we no longer visit very often but tend to use our points for other family members. The magic is, sadly, fading.

 

[bumbershoot]

Does DVC make you feel like you're a member of a private club . . . an exclusive private club?

Nope. Not at all.

like being an alumnus of Notre Dame in my original post

Your OP said “like being a Notre Dame fan.”

Being an alumnus is a bit more exclusive. Being a fan isn’t.

And with Disney's pathetic black and white half a page welcome letter

?

Hipster transplants are in their own club, they are NOT NYers. Some use terms like "Fi-Di" or the "metro", they are the ones who would wear a ground zero cap and they don't know what the East River drive is, many of us make fun of them.

All genX and older NYC people that I know act like it’s a club to be from NYC.

When buying some 10 years ago, a person felt like they were part of a special Club.

I didn’t. Maybe I missed it by a few months.

Then again, my now-ex felt like that. He also felt special when we stayed club level somewhere, or concierge on DCL. It’s not something I comprehend or feel. It’s something I pay for. Sometimes I get a good deal. Sometimes the things I get from it make sense for the price. But it still doesn’t feel like a club or special or exclusive. Pay enough money (woth the luck to book it before it sells out) and anyone can do it.

While at home or somewhere other than WDW DVC chasing the elusive magic, my kids would say “it smells like Disney”

That’s not a Dvc thing. We never stay Dvc at Disneyland, and we’ve been saying it longer than we owned.

I definitely feel like a member of an exclusive club, especially when I walk to my beautiful room at BWV or head into the tower at Blt instead or standing in line for a bus or boat. I love my DVC.

But anyone can book those places.

 

[AdamsMum]

At one time I did, I was new to DVC and couldn't believe my good fortune. To me this was such a different experience, it didn't feel like a timeshare. I found out what the best kept secret was! LOL That shine has worn off. I still love my DVC home resorts and I feel very fortunate to be able to stay there. However, the last few years have been a reality check, nothing exclusive about it. The division of direct and resale creating a second class of owners who don't get full benefits...yep definitely a reality check.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

*Slightly* off topic, but.... we became Members in 2002. We actually took the sales tour in 1996..?? Can’t remember exactly, but we saw the OKW villas and a model of VB. Obviously we did not purchase at that time.

That said, I seem to recall the OKW villa with the table set along with color coordinated cloth napkins. The bathrooms (I thought) also had color coordinated towels.

Was that a thing or am I remembering incorrectly?
My point is, that did look VERY special (although not exclusive).

On a side note I recall the guide telling us that every-other-stay must be at your home resort.

 

[DougEMG]

At one time it might have been more than just a timeshare, but now Disney seems to be turning it into a timeshare that just follows the industry standards. I do not view it as anything special or unique or exclusive.

I have always viewed it as a way to get the room at a cheaper price. So far that has turned out to be true so I am satisfied with my purchase.

 

[cruisin5]

There's really nothing deluxe about a DVC room. Way back in the early 2000's I was so impressed with our deluxe DVC accommodations. But now, after having the luxury of spending time in resorts that are truly deluxe some of the shine of DVC is gone.

I brought 3 friends to BCV last October for FW and was holding my breath about the accommodations. Fortunately, there were no issues and we all had a blast! Disney continues to be, well, Disney!

And honestly, when I see a family wearing DVC gear or a DVC sticker in my local area ... my first thought is to run, run, run. It just screams "I'm better than you are" to me.

Does owning DVC make me "feel" like I'm part of an exclusive group? No. I'll stick to facts and not feelings. And I love my DVC.

 

[bwvBound]

*Slightly* off topic, but.... we became Members in 2002. We actually took the sales tour in 1996..?? Can’t remember exactly, but we saw the OKW villas and a model of VB. Obviously we did not purchase at that time.

That said, I seem to recall the OKW villa with the table set along with color coordinated cloth napkins. The bathrooms (I thought) also had color coordinated towels.

Was that a thing or am I remembering incorrectly?
My point is, that did look VERY special (although not exclusive).

On a side note I recall the guide telling us that every-other-stay must be at your home resort.

Interesting. Our timelines are similar but off by two years. We toured in Sept 1998 and closed on first contract in May 2004.

Yes, I do recall the tableware following the theme of the resort (brightly colored plates in BWV). I don’t recall cloth napkins but do recall colored bath towels.

I do not recall the “every other stay” rule. Wow, that would have killed my 2004 direct purchase. I wonder when that rule (?) disappeared. Was it official or just sales-speak?

 

[bobbiwoz]

Belonging to DVC and going on the DVC West Coast Member Cruise had allowed us to join the ABD at DL. That was an amazing experience and something we never could have done without owning DVC. We were in Walt’s apartment!

It is a timeshare that we pay for, but it does have a positive emotional effect on me.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

Belonging to DVC and going on the DVC West Coast Member Cruise had allowed us to join the ABD at DL. That was an amazing experience and something we never could have done without owning DVC. We were in Walt’s apartment!

It is a timeshare that we pay for, but it does have a positive emotional effect on me.

This is a good way to state it. "Exclusive club" is not what it is, but I do get a positive emotional effect. The very fact that I am a "member" makes me happy. Intellectually, I know it's a timeshare. I know it's prepaid vacation. I LOVE knowing that I have a prepaid vacation. It makes me happy.

 

[Deb & Bill]

*Slightly* off topic, but.... we became Members in 2002. We actually took the sales tour in 1996..?? Can’t remember exactly, but we saw the OKW villas and a model of VB. Obviously we did not purchase at that time.

That said, I seem to recall the OKW villa with the table set along with color coordinated cloth napkins. The bathrooms (I thought) also had color coordinated towels.

Was that a thing or am I remembering incorrectly?
My point is, that did look VERY special (although not exclusive).

On a side note I recall the guide telling us that every-other-stay must be at your home resort.

Yes, the Fiestaware was a very nice touch in the villas. I'm not sure I remember the peach colored towels, but somewhere in my head I think I do. I do remember the green placemats.

 

[DisneyOutsider]

Wow, what kind of Kool-aid are they serving in the WDW timeshare office these days?

 

[bwvBound]

Wow, what kind of Kool-aid are they serving in the WDW timeshare office these days?

We attended the Member’s Tour last week. If I recall correctly, it was a lovely, tropical mango juice?

 

[keishashadow]

There's really nothing deluxe about a DVC room. Way back in the early 2000's I was so impressed with our deluxe DVC accommodations. But now, after having the luxury of spending time in resorts that are truly deluxe some of the shine of DVC is gone.

I never did have a real wow moment re the rooms, possibly because I tend to stick with studios lol.

It’s true though, other than location & amenities @ WDW, it’d be difficult to grant a deluxe rating to the actual units as a whole.

There are far more luxurious properties in MCO we have enjoyed visiting, but it’s always nice to come ‘home’. As an aside, the universal loews’ onsite PBH is one of my favorite hotels, period.

And honestly, when I see a family wearing DVC gear or a DVC sticker in my local area ... my first thought is to run, run, run. It just screams "I'm better than you are" to me.

I’m wearing a PoC tshirt today, probably the first one I’ve donned all summer. Saw it in the drawer, it made me smile. That’s all it took, winner-winner, an emotional lift on a day that was truly taxing. PS I do carry a HM dooney bag in RL

IMO, the wearing of the ‘colors’ pegs me as a disney loving nerd vs a passive agressive swipe at non fans/DVC have nots. I don’t have any of the DVC gear as (no flames) I don’t care for the artwork...not even the that Dooney bag.

It is a timeshare that we pay for, but it does have a positive emotional effect on me.

Ditto, and that is all that is important in the long run!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Belonging to DVC and going on the DVC West Coast Member Cruise had allowed us to join the ABD at DL. That was an amazing experience and something we never could have done without owning DVC. We were in Walt’s apartment!

It is a timeshare that we pay for, but it does have a positive emotional effect on me.

That's very cool Bobbi! Did you know they frequently tour Walt's apt on the Walk in Walt's footsteps tour there too? We did that tour once (for my 40th BD actually) but at that time they substituted touring the upcoming Dream Suite above Pirates of the Caribbean. Prior to it being built. But they had pictures of the what it would look like! I wish they had given us rainchecks to see it after it was done. Someday I'll have to do the tour again to see Walt's apt - hopefully.

 

[tjkraz]

DVC has been gateway to a variety of unique perks and experiences that I wouldn't have otherwise enjoyed. Discounted APs including the Gold Pass....Moonlight Magic...Member Mixers....Epcot Lounge...Top of the World Lounge, etc. On that level, I'm appreciative of the doors it has opened.

Did I pay for this access? Absolutely.

Do I walk around with my chest puffed out, proudly sporting my DVC swag? Nope.

Do I feel I'm better / more important than other Disney guests? Seriously, who has time for such things?

Still I have some appreciation for the "perks" made available to owners, regardless of DVC's motivation. Their desire to sell additional points is the reason for the items I listed above, plus many more. And it's been about 10 years since I considered buying any points. I'm fine with them continuing to tempt me, though...

 

[Maistre Gracey]

DVC has been gateway to a variety of unique perks and experiences that I wouldn't have otherwise enjoyed. Discounted APs including the Gold Pass....Moonlight Magic...Member Mixers....Epcot Lounge...Top of the World Lounge, etc. On that level, I'm appreciative of the doors it has opened.

Did I pay for this access? Absolutely.

Do I walk around with my chest puffed out, proudly sporting my DVC swag? Nope.

Do I feel I'm better / more important than other Disney guests? Seriously, who has time for such things?

Still I have some appreciation for the "perks" made available to owners, regardless of DVC's motivation. Their desire to sell additional points is the reason for the items I listed above, plus many more. And it's been about 10 years since I considered buying any points. I'm fine with them continuing to tempt me, though...

I think your reply is about spot-on.

That said, the perks mean more to some than others. Since I sold I will not be able to do the Lounge or MM (well, I might as we have friends in the right places), but park tickets, TIW, and most other perks I have the same access to (or more) between being a FL resident and an AP holder.

 

[DVC-Don]

Private club? Nope. Just a timeshare owner.