DVC Newb

[TheBig2na]

OK so I went on the tour when I was there and I am really interested in buying DVC but at this point I am still buying diapers so maybe in a few years.

I am looking at going in October of thsi year for a week to Disney World. We are looking at a suite at the All Star Music resort, but was wondering how they compare to a DVC resort if I were to rent off a DVC member for a week. I have been looking around but I haven't been able to answer my question yet as to how it works and what not. Also can DVC reservations use the DDP yet?

Any help would be great.

 

[stefanospops]

I've been a DVC member for two years and absolutely love it! Feel free to PM if you have more questions, but here is a quick rundown:

- You can buy the dining plan with DVC reservations but you do not ever get free dining when Disney offers that promotion.
- I would consider renting DVC points off a member so you can try it out. You may find the cost to be a bit more expensive but at least it gets you in the right frame of mind. I believe David's DVC Rental is still a sponsor on this board so you can try through his service at: http://www.dvcrequest.com/default.asp or go to the rent/trade board in the DVC section.
- Use the DVC section of the disboards. I got a ton of information before I bought. Very much worth the reading!
- You can get a discount if you are referred to DVC by a member. Consider connecting with a DVC member, like myself! That way we can refer you so you get a bit of a discount. I have never referred anyone but I think in Ontario we do not qualify for the referral gifts that people in some US states can get.

As I said, feel free to PM me with other questions too. I have been about 5 times using my DVC points now. It was so worth it! Good luck!

 

[TheBig2na]

Thanks for the reply. I will check out the other site. I know someone who loves having DVC and uses it around the world for other vacations. It's a lot to take in, lot's of variables, lot's of different opinions....looks so worth it though .

 

[iluveeyore]

We have been members for 11 years and love, love, love it! We have yet to stay anywhere except WDW because we enjoy it so much. Lots of times we will just go and enjoy the DVC resorts and not go to the parks much at all (like next week when we go to OKW!). Once you stay in a DVC villa and enjoy your home away from home, it's hard to stay at just a regular Disney resort. Give it a try, it might convince you to buy your own membership!

 

[stefanospops]

For us the decision was easy. We bought it just before my daughter was born. She was the last of our three kids who are now 2,4,6. We know that our vacations will be Disney vacations for at least the next 10 to 15 years. At that point, we can just resell it if we no longer find it useful, and hopefully at close to what we paid for it. And if not, we still came out ahead since it really works out to be less expensive compared to getting a hotel at Disney for a similar level of accommodation.

 

[TheBig2na]

Definitely have to get on it in the next 5 years. that is our goal. We thought about splitting it with a friend and getting enough points for two weeks so each of us could go for a week or go together. save some money on the big layout at the beginning.

 

[sjsjbrook]

The suites at allstar will not compare to the DVC suites. All star is a value and DVC is deluxe.

 

[b-1]

don't forget to look into buying DVC from a reseller like the Timeshare Store. I saved thousands (really!) compared to if I had bought directly through Disney.

Also read the DVC boards here on the DIS, as a previous poster mentioned. tons of very sage and valuable advice.

 

[dvcdisney]

We have been members for 11 years and love, love, love it! We have yet to stay anywhere except WDW because we enjoy it so much. Lots of times we will just go and enjoy the DVC resorts and not go to the parks much at all (like next week when we go to OKW!). Once you stay in a DVC villa and enjoy your home away from home, it's hard to stay at just a regular Disney resort. Give it a try, it might convince you to buy your own membership!

I know what you mean. We've been members for 9 years now with 13 trips (170 days in total) all DVC stays are at Disney!

Maybe when our children are older, we'll do the Exchanges.

 

[Polarone]

We've been members for about two years now and have already taken 2 trips to Disney and a short cruise on the Dream with our points, plus we treated my parents to a night and are going down for a long anniversary weekend in about a week.

Loving the ability to just do things like that - we're even thinking of treating my parents and sister to a trip next year for my parent's 50th anniversary.

I really agree with the poster above - even the smallest DVC studio is going to be much nicer than a Value room (not that there is anything wrong with the Value rooms - they were always great when we used them!). The extra bit of space, the kitchen/kitchenette area and the great themes at the DVC resorts are all just really nice treats. If you can definitely try renting some points and test the waters to make sure it is for you before you buy!

 

[dvc deernut]

We have been members since 1998. We wish we bought earlier. There is no comparison to value resorts. DVC are DELUXE. We have almost 600 points. I think you said you may buy two weeks worth and split. DVC is different you dont buy a week or 2. Each resort and day and size of type of rooms are all different point values. You can book a day if you like. We go 3 or 4 times a year. We do the DVC member cruise in Sept. Its a special cruise with special surprise guests etc. Its so cool meeting people from everywhere who belong to DVC and talk DISNEY. Any questions feel free to message me.

 

[surfer_ed]

I am glad I bought when my daughter was still in diapers since now she is older and we have a second child, I could not afford to now. We bought pretty much around her first birthday.

No regrets...love it.