DVC continues to amaze

[Luigi's Girl]

And people say DVC is NOT an investment!!! It just goes to show how some things can do more for you than just having money in the bank!

 

[zurgswife]

Lisa, thank you for saying exactly how we feel about DVC too.

It truly means going "home" for us....a shelter in the storm and the chance to reconnect with what's important in order to soothe your soul.

Hope you have a wonderful time.

Yup...I refer to it as My shangrala.....I've also had a rough 2 yrs, deaths, unemployment, chronic illness....but ya now what I was always able to recharge and continue because of DVC.

I hope you and your family are able to recharge and go on. It helped me after multiple devistating family deaths..

 

[lisaviolet]

This is what I knew when I wrote the original post. I knew there were other DVCers, many, who had obviously experienced the same thing as we were. Knew that for sure. My heart goes out to all of you. It feels nice to share.

We often talk about the $$$ of DVC on here. And it has to be looked at...no doubt. It's very important. It was a combination of finally having the $$$$ to buy in and the realization of "life is so short" after the first deaths that made us say, "okay..maybe this is the time"

Yet I was still uneasy about the maintenance and the exhange rate of my dollar last summer. We don't earn a lot .....yet!!!! And we were used to paying Value so DVC wasn't a money saver. But boy I craved to have a kitchen and a balcony.

I came on these boards going back and forth about timing and money and that dreaded/exciting CRV hook. But it was someone on these boards who said to me, "Lisa stop the chatter.....calm your mind.....and just buy it". It was a "pointe finale" type of statement.

You know somehow I needed that. I smile to think that that person, a DISer in cyber space, really affected me.....made me push the button .....us both not knowing consciously how much more the DVC would mean to us than just a whole lot to fun.

Life is so interesting.

 

[lisaviolet]

Oh and here is a good laugh.... I think. We live in a 440 square foot condo in downtown Toronto. So you know how a lot of you buy DVC to get room for your families' vacation. You know suddenly on vacation the family is in close quarters. Well we finally did a one bedroom recently.

And I sat there and thought well this is a nice vacation I'm doubling my living space!!!!!

 

[ericamanda01]

Thanks so much for sharing your story. I'm sorry to hear about all the loses you and your partner have had over the past year. It's nice that you were both able to create new memories for your family. I hope you have a great time!

 

[bongo59]

This thread embodies what DVC can be..............but for those like me who give newbies advice on DVC..............it is not a financial investment and should be bought with excess money..................it does no one any good to go into debt and put a family in a bad financial position......................this thread was wonderful to read................but i hope no one makes the emotional leap if the money is not there to support the purchase.......................DVC is a wonderful thing for a family............no one here questions that.....................i just think too many jump and buy before they have really thought things through..................I hope your vacation is the best ever at the end of May...................we will be there too from 5/27-6/3................i will keep an eye out for a large group of Canadians...............maybe wearing Maple Leaf caps? Enjoy.

 

[lisaviolet]

This thread embodies what DVC can be..............but for those like me who give newbies advice on DVC..............it is not a financial investment and should be bought with excess money..................it does no one any good to go into debt and put a family in a bad financial position......................this thread was wonderful to read................but i hope no one makes the emotional leap if the money is not there to support the purchase.......................DVC is a wonderful thing for a family............no one here questions that.....................i just think too many jump and buy before they have really thought things through..................I hope your vacation is the best ever at the end of May...................we will be there too from 5/27-6/3................i will keep an eye out for a large group of Canadians...............maybe wearing Maple Leaf caps? Enjoy.

It's funny. I totally agree with you. But I am surprised because the first thing that I said in my original post was that DVC is a large financial decision....it should bought after very careful financial consideration. That came before any stories of how terrific DVC has been during this time. And that I was reaching out to those who "had the financial means" and who were sitting on the fence. Not those who were thinking they were not financially ready. I was clear on that. I too do not want anyone to look at this situation and just jump. I'm sure I stated that at some point.

Also, the DISer who told me the calm myself and stop the chatter knew that we had waited ten years. And he knew that we had the $$$ (I guess excess?!??!...eek not sure if it was!) to pay upfront even though I was still leery of the big purchase. I should have made that clear. Sorry. We could have easily financed during these "want" years. Oh boy did we want. But we were intent on having the total $$$$ to pay out for our first purchase (not that there is anything wrong with financing....we did the on second contract after years of saying "never"...and have since paid it off in full ). We wanted that way only b/c in our financial circumstances (ours only...everyone is different with financing and the means to pay monthly or it's a good option for them) that was the only way for this dream/DVC not to be a total burden. We didn't want that. I'm not in the camp of I wish I did it earlier. Never have been. We bought at the right time even though we could have bought during the 7000 ??? days. I have always stated that I do not wish I had joined earlier. We didn't for financial reasons and that was smart. And delayed gratification is delicious. So delicious. Underused. My first trip to DVC I sometimes felt like a queen and sometimes like an imposter who should run back to the Values at any time.

I was reaching out to those people like me last summer who have the means but are focusing on the maintenance (maybe not for finances..just focusing) or just the idea of simply making the decision.

Hey ...hope to see you too Bongo.....We are two families one black ...one white....well actually I'm pink....no Canadian hats but I do say Eh a lot.......some at SSR...some at OKW...some at POR.... ran out of points!!!!! How will I know you?

Have a wonderful trip Bongo. I agree with your points. And I am so long winded. Another novel. Geez......

 

[LAWalz23]

Reading these posts brought a tear to my eyes because even though I did not purchase DVC until 2004, WDW was my savior in 2001. It was 16 months after my older sister's very unexpected death, a trip that had to be cancelled and rebooked 2x due to my nephew's illness, when I came home from that trip I was able function much better. It was my first stay onsite and gave me a new lease on life. I have been back at least 1x every year since, WDW is my refuge when the world gets to be too much.
Lisa, I know how you are feeling and hope that you, your partner, and families have a great time!

 

[shantay1008]

Hey, Lisa,
Don't worry, you were very careful about how you worded things to potential DVC purchasers and did not come across as giving people bad advice. I think everyone here totally gets where you're coming from; Bongo was just giving a gentle reminder to all of us that we need to be careful with our finances (I know I need reminders like that so I don't get carried away reading these threads and just go out and do add-ons all over the place). It can be so hard to word things carefully on here...I just got knocked around a bit on another thread for not choosing my words as well as I could have; I think it's a common experience!

Anyway, DVC is an awesome program, and one of the best investments we have ever made in our family. We're waiting to see what new things might be on the horizon for DVC before we make any decisions about adding on.
Shannon

 

[lisaviolet]

I know I need reminders like that so I don't get carried away reading these threads and just go out and do add-ons all over the place

Me too Shannon. Boy do I dream. We stayed at the BW in March and loved it. Yep, a small BW contract would be nice. It's so addictive. A friend of mine and I laughed when she said "you know Lisa you know life is good when her biggest problem is whether to change her ASSp "free dining" res from 7 days to her dream of 10 days". We are all so lucky.

 

[lisaviolet]

Bongo was just giving a gentle reminder to all of us that we need to be careful with our finances (

Very true. I was a tad defensive too. But my night is improving. Phoenix just took care of the Lakers and this girl is now in a fine mood!!! Yeah Suns.

 

[DisneyMim]

I am sorry to hear of your losses. I hope you all have a wonderful vacation and create many happy memories. I too know what you mean. My husband has had cancer during the past two years and I have been diagnosed with a chronic disease and our DVC membership has allowed us to have great vacations away from our problems. We've had people tell us that you can't run away, but I have to tell you, Disney lets you really get away from everything and for us anyway, return to reality with a whole new outlook. I hope you, your partner and everyone in your family can escape reality for a little while and recharge.

ENJOY!!

 

[WelcomeHome]

Dear Lisaviolet,

Take a deep breath in - exhale - good girl. At this moment in time, you have the opportunity and power (and money) to achieve a life long dream - take it - don't compromise yourself, pick your FAVORITE resort that is available NOW - and love and enjoy your choice for the rest of your life.

Life is much to short to take chances with fate. Let me make it clearer for you - how goes it feel that I'm the first to say to you "Congratulations and a very sincere "Welcome Home!" Quiet your noisy brain and listen to the wisdom of your heart - go for it!

Best wishes,
Dave

Best wishes,
Dave

 

[lisaviolet]

Best wishes,
Dave

I don't know Dave. Does the angel have a strong New Yauk accent?

That was so sweet. My stomach dropped and I had a huge smile. Best wishes to you too.

Lisa

PS. Can my angel be with Nash and the boys tonight too? Can I share?

 

[soozer52]

I told our guide originally that we had bought in because we wanted "forced vacations" for us (empty nesters) and it ended up being our "blessing" . We used points for our daughter's honeymoon at Vero (loved, loved, loved it) and when my BIL died of a brain tumor at the age of 52 a little later we used points to take my widowed SIL and nephew on a much needed R&R. My DH and I waited 10 years to buy in and its funny--there is nothing FORCED about going. We plan and plot and buy add-ons! Another daughter is going to SSR in Aug. Its truly been a blessing.My DH has decided life IS too short.
Heart goes out to all.

 

[jimmytammy]

Thanks for sharing this with us. DVC is a great refuge from the real world for sure.

Our 1st trip to WDW happened because of my DW losing her Dad to ALS at a very young age. His wish was for nine of us(our family, DWs brother and family and DWs mom) to go on a cruise. He and my MIL were going on one in 5 yrs as a retirement celebration. He never got to see that dream come true. But the kids being young, the youngest at 2 didnt reason in for a cruise. So we opted for WDW after a brief look into Hawaii.

Why am I sharing all this you say? We ultimately bought into DVC because life is fragile. We didnt want our lives to pass us and say we wish we would have done this or that. These trips are creating lifetime memories that we hope to share with our grandchildren and great grandchildren. But we have a few yrs to go on those. DVC has made it possible to allow us 2 visits a yr to WDW, but more importantly it has forced us to vacation as a family. It has allowed us to take my parents 3 times. It has allowed us to take MIL twice. It has allowed us to be kids around our kids. That alone is priceless.

So thanks for sharing your story and thanks for recognizing the people who are special enough in your lives to want them to experience the magic of WDW along with you.