DVC experiences

[dixie6]

We are looking to buy DVC and wanted to hear about your experiences. Please let us know if you've encountered any negatives: for example, any difficulty reserving a room when you need? Any problems, when you need to change or cancel a reservation? Would you have any advice for a newcomer?

 

[Richyams]

Read, read, read a little more, and then start reading. There aren't many unsatisfied people here, its a DVC board, we love DVC.

The best advice is to buy where you want to stay, and don't wait too long, the price increases all the time.

 

[Cruelladeville]

I have been a member for 6 years, and I have found Member Services to be uniformly friendly and helpful, even when I wouldn't have been under similar circumstances. Changing and cancelling ressies is as easy as can be--many DVC members have very complicated ressies, and MS is still helpful. I don't think you will find a kinder group of people, even though they are getting paid for it. The only negative thing I could say about DVC is that it gives you a higher standard for your vacations. Pretty soon you will be posting here that you won't go to Disney if you can't stay in a one bedroom, when you used to stay at the Motel 8.

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by Richyams
Read, read, read a little more, and then start reading.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by Cruelladeville
I have been a member for 6 years, and I have found Member Services to be uniformly friendly and helpful, even when I wouldn't have been under similar circumstances. Changing and cancelling ressies is as easy as can be--many DVC members have very complicated ressies, and MS is still helpful. I don't think you will find a kinder group of people, even though they are getting paid for it. The only negative thing I could say about DVC is that it gives you a higher standard for your vacations. Pretty soon you will be posting here that you won't go to Disney if you can't stay in a one bedroom, when you used to stay at the Motel 8.

Nicely put!
.....psst....I think it's Motel 6 or Super 8

 

[disny4ever]

After justing buying in October, my DW,DS, and myself needed a quick getaway in early Dec. I called about a 1 bedroom on Monday
for a ressie starting on that Thursday for 4 days and 3 nights. Not only did I get the room , but in my home resort. That made our 1st trip home extra special.

 

[dixie6]

To Disney4ever - which property were you able to get reservations so quickly?

 

[jimmytammy]

Like anything you can have some negatives BUT the positives far outweigh them. Our biggest negative is we didnt buy when we 1st looked into DVC.

 

[msdis]

Has everything been 100% perfect 100% of the time? NO! But what in life is? It's all in the attitude and how well you are at problem solving and dealing with the occasional bump. We sold part of our DVC last year, long story( not because of unhappy w/DVC), but as of this week we have added all the points back between VWL before they sold out and BWV with the new add-ons. No way I will ever sell it again.
Yes, we have had problems bookings but not DVC's fault. We book at the last minute a lot. If you are willing to take any DVC resort that you can get, chances are you will get something. We are booked Memorial day week and I booked that just last week. Only thing in all DVC's was OKW. Not my 1st choice but we will take it and be happy. It's almost like fate determines where we stay, it's kind of fun. We call it our mystery vacation. We have a pecking order when I call and go down the line till we have a match. As we get closer to the bottom of the list, panic sets in, then we are glad to get anything.
If you go into it thinking you have spent a fortune and you expect more for it, you will be disappointed. But if you compare the cost of your dues for what you would pay for a moderates, a studio looks REALLY good for the money, and it just gets better from there.

 

[imgoingtodisney]

When we first bought DVC Nov 01 I was all for the idea, booked our cruise, etc. Then before the cruise I booked our first trip "home" to VWL for Oct 03. Thought DVC was the best thing I ever bought.
"Plans" changed and I got very discouraged with DVC, Disney, DCL. Im hoping our Nov cruise and being able to book our first trip "home" for Oct 04 will change my mindframe. Gotta get back on track. We just paid off our DVC and we're in this until 2042.

Seems most people start out on the positive and stay this way.

 

[WDWLVR]

We bought DVC in January of 2000 and our only regret is we didn't buy sooner.

We've never had any problems with MS in booking - either for our own accomodations of when booking trips for my in-laws (we let them use our points to stay at Vero).

I agree with those who say read all you can. An educated consumer is a good consumer. I also agree with buying where you want to stay. Our two homes are Boardwalk (where we own the most points) and Vero (where we did an add-on). The add on gave us points we can use for all kinds of things plus as I said above my in-laws love Vero.

As for negatives - we only had one bad experience and that was at VWL. Our room was supposedly ready and when we walked in someone was sitting on the bed! A quick call to the front desk got us a new room quickly and efficiently. I personally didn't care for VWL - too dark for my tastes and i didn't care for the snake that went past the door of our 1st floor room Others love it. That's why it pays to do your homework and see where you'll be happy. Then figure out if you want to buy from Disney or go the resale route.

For a picture of lots of happy DVC'ers click on the link below and it will take you to pictures from this past Feb. DVC Member Cruise - great time!

 

[Melrosgirl]

I joined in December 2002. I have had nothing but good experiences with DVC. I booked my May 2003 trip (leaving in 2 days!) originally back in December. No problem. Got the 1 bedroom I wanted. Then just last week we decided to head to Vero Beach for two days beforehand...checked to see if they had a room, they had a gv room. Took it. Great! Called yesterday to see if by chance an opening for an ocean view room opened up. It did! LOL - got it! Can't wait!

PLUS, in March, we had to get out of town. The snow was driving us nuts. Called to see if there were any rooms anywhere for the next week at WDW. Got a studio at VWL. Loved it!

I've used up all my points for this year and into 2003 points, lol, but that's okay. DVC has really come through for me and I'm very happy with it.

(AND I'm the person who always has something go wrong, so DVC is a breath of fresh air!)