DVC Bashing

[DougEMG]

I think these discussions are great, but at some point we need to stop analyzing life and start living it.

Says the person who is on his way down to WDW to "start living". Enjoy your trip.

 

[DeeCee735]

It works for us, and has given us lots of pleasure!

Even if we only had 1 DS, our Disney hater, we would own DVC for our own enjoyment. We all have just one life to live, and let each enjoy what they can in peace.

Bobbi

Hear Hear! I second that! We bought it for ourselves, selfish as that may be, when our kids were just barely 10...not knowing if they would want to continue travelling with us to Disney, or use it when they were older. It was for DH and I, and that whole one life to live thinking. We loved it then, we love it now...no regrets and to each his own. It's not for everyone, but it's definitely for us

 

[DizBub]

Did she price renting points? Also, she could get 2 value rooms. As I said, I know the accommodation size is different but.... Free dining is rarely a better deal than a room discount unless it is at a value resort.

How about AoA? I believe they hold 6 but I may be wrong.

Having stayed on site and off site, I prefer the timeshares off site. They seem more luxurious and have great programs for the kids and adults (free wine/beer tasting with cheese etc.).

Some love DVC, for some it is not for them. They prefer something else.

Thanks for the suggestions. They will be staying with us at BLT.

She just gets excited about the free dining offer and with her family it looks like it would be a great deal. I've tried to tell her that to get that you must book at rack rates, meaning that free dining isn't free at all.

We are already planning to do breakfast in the villas. Probably a few lunches and some counter services. Table service restaurants would be a waste on most of these kids, they eat like birds.

 

[Dean]

People always ask me what kind of Mileage my Yukon XL gets. I look at them and say I have no idea, When it's empty I fill it up. I guess I look at DVC the same way. I enjoy staying at the DVC resorts so the Numbers don't matter.

I'd look at it another way. Since most of the discussions are about buying rather than already owning, the best analysis would be if you were considering a new vehicle. Assume for sake of discussion that the GMC, Chevy and Ford were all very similar except the gas mileage varied from 12 to 20. I'd be surprised if you didn't at least consider gas mileage in your decision making.

 

[dclpluto]

i have been a dvc member since 2000 i have added on three times since than.
it was one of the best choices i have did in my life. started going to disney in 95 stayed in a cheap off property than i moved up to the allstar resorts. where will i be if i didnt join dvc i will probaly have stayed at all the pop century places all the all stars and i will probaly be booked for the new value resort thats opening soon. but since i have owned dvc i have stayed at every dvc resort at wdw some more than once stayed twice at vgc. instaed of staying at a value resort im staying in a nice place.

 

[Alexander]

To be honest, DVC isn't for most folks IMO but they make it work. Many buy without really knowing what they are getting into but the sales presentation is very powerful and after all, it is Disney so you know that they wouldn't take advantage.

Human nature makes it hard to admit that we made a mistake so some owners refuse to sell. We have met many owners over the years who only use their points once in a while. Some didn't even know about banking or the rules.

You can't use the internet to judge DVC satisfaction levels. A very small percentage of owners post on forums or message boards.

Bottom line is the DVC might save you some money but it also requires that you vacation with Disney every couple of years and that can cost a few thousand dollars in addition to your initial buy in.

Bill

I don't think that many people go into DVC blind. I know we certainly didn't. We never once attended a presentation or sales tour. I researched, rented points to "test the waters" and when we decided how many points we wanted to invest in, we made a phone call and purchased site unseen. I also know a lot of people who don't use their other timeshares but continue to make payments on their annual dues. My BIL hasn't used his in 15 years, yes I said 15 years. We on the other hand happily use our DVC 3-4 times a year.

I think these discussions are great, but at some point we need to stop analyzing life and start living it.

Be fiscally responsible and do what makes you happy. It will work out in the end.

Or if fiscally irresponsible makes you happy, do that too!

I'd look at it another way. Since most of the discussions are about buying rather than already owning, the best analysis would be if you were considering a new vehicle. Assume for sake of discussion that the GMC, Chevy and Ford were all very similar except the gas mileage varied from 12 to 20. I'd be surprised if you didn't at least consider gas mileage in your decision making.

Maybe...however, the GMC and Chevy are going to pretty much be identical given they are produced by the same company (just saying). And considering I know many people who would never in a million years ever consider buying anything other than a GMC or Chevy, it would never matter how the mileage was on a Ford, Dodge, etc. My FIL almost dropped on the spot when my DH came home with a F-350. Honestly, we aren't even allowed to park it in his driveway!

 

[Dean]

Maybe...however, the GMC and Chevy are going to pretty much be identical given they are produced by the same company (just saying). And considering I know many people who would never in a million years ever consider buying anything other than a GMC or Chevy, it would never matter how the mileage was on a Ford, Dodge, etc. My FIL almost dropped on the spot when my DH came home with a F-350. Honestly, we aren't even allowed to park it in his driveway!

The analogy was to demonstrate that one should look at the info differently and more critically in buying than if you own. For sake of discussion and to remove all other variables. Assume that there is a 25% difference in gas mileage between the GMC and Chevy with all else being equal other than cosmetic differences. Simplistic I know but it illustrates the point in question. Buying any timeshare without looking at as many variables as possible is simply irresponsible.