Favorite thing about DVC?

[mickey1979]

What is your favorite thing about dvc, or best experience with the hotels / cast members, please stay positive!

 

[Dee77]

I have several favorite things about DVC, first is that without it, I don't think my family, DH, DD(5) and I would necessarily be at a point just yet with making vacations a priority. We had such a wonderful time on our first Disney World trip (which was a generous gift from my in-laws) that we signed up before we even left. I don't think that we would be making it a point to go away and do things with extended family that we have for the last three years if we hadn't fallen in love with Disney and DVC back in 2008.

Secondly- It has been so nice to be able to invite family members that may not have had the means to go to WDW without us sharing our accommodations.

Lastly- there is always a trip in the works or one we just came back from that I can focus on and smile when life gets chaotic and messy.


A great CM interaction I had was at SSR in November 2008 on our first trip, when my DD who was 2 at the time and I went to Artist's Palette to get some breakfast. My in-laws and husband had not come down there yet so it was just DD and I there, I had to have her wait in line with me for obvious reasons and it was a very busy time in the morning, the line was wrapped all the way around the gift shop racks heading towards the main resort entrance. There was a young CM that had a deck of cards and he started doing card tricks and magic for the kids that were also in line with their parents anxiously waiting for food. He was so nice and engaging for all the different ages of children that none of us realized the time going by and before we knew it is was time to order breakfast. It was such a pleasure! I only wish I knew then how much I needed to pay attention to the name tags and dates of these great interactions so I can properly acknowledge wonderful CM's through messages to Disney management!

 

[cdmickey]

Since we come to visit the 'World' twice a year (usually), and previous to DVC, usually stayed at a moderate resort, it just feels more at home since we started staying at DVC. While the 'moderates' were certainly nice, there is still a feeling we were staying at a hotel (certainly an upscale hotel but still not on par, with even, a Studio). And this, all at a similar price (after amortizing the initial investment over multiple visits of course).

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I've had to reduce my work and income over the past few years as I've finished up my Ph.D.

DVC allowed us to take wonderful vacations, instead of staying home, or spending the weekend at a state park.

 

[Ms. WDW]

I think what we love the most is the fact that you can really go to WDW just about anytime you want too! In the 12 years that we've been members I don't think I have had to change our vacation plans due to our requested dates not being available. We love the accomodations....you don't feel like you're in a "hotel". You really feel like this is a "home away from home".

There is a life guard at the Boardwalk and his name is Thomas. I met him 2 years ago when I was on a "solo" trip. He is such a lovely person. On my this last trip a week ago I saw him and he immediately recognized me and asked "do you want a noodle"? We both laughed because last year it was quite warm in October and there were always lots of "fun noodles" around the main pool. He would always manage to get one for me if it wasn't being used and we laughed about that. This trip the heater was out in the main pool so the leisurely floating around in the water was out! It was cold!

We've been able to share the "magic" with friends and family and help create great memories. As a matter of fact, yesterday I was cleaning out the "Disney only bags" and came across my son's autograph book from about 14 years ago!!! Granted we weren't DVC Members yet; but the memories still came flooding back when I opened it.

And lastly, I always have a trip planned and this planning helps pass the time away until I'm back in "My Happy Place".

 

[moredisneyplease]

i agree with the first post: it makes vacationing a priority for my entire family!! Not to mention it has changed my vacations.......i used to focus on hitting the parks HARD and nearly killing myself to see it all. now, because i know I'll be back in under 12 months, i've started enjoying the resorts more. the kids LOVE the pool activities and community hall.

DVC is the best!

 

[mickey1979]

I am glad to here good stories I have been reading a lot of negative stuff on the boards and I have been to Disney 12 trips (well in 12 days is my 12 trip) sense 2001 we are sarting to go twice per year now. Also we just bought in to DVC. Our first trip on points is set for feb. I have never had any bad experience at the world cause I am not looking for the bad and cause I am on VACATION! Thanks for the stories and please keep them coming!!!

We have had a lot of great times at Disney world every one is great!

 

[supersuperwendy]

My favorite thing about our membership is getting to share it with friends and family. We almost always have guests with us! So far all of my DVC stays have been magical. The only issue I ever encountered was no Trash and Towel service at SSR in January. Not a big issue at all once we stopped at the front desk they sent someone to our room to change out the towels and trash.

 

[allshookup]

Like others have said, it really changed the way we vacation. With a 1BR we have plenty of room to sit around and relax. If we do a park, we usually don't go until later in the afternoon. We have also taken family & friends with us or have even offered them accomodations, knowing they wouldn't otherwise be able to go. We also go a lot more frequently, even though I'm no longer a SAHM and I don't have the vacation time DH does, we will do long weekends here & there. I don't cook on vacation, but if we go for more than a few days, we stock the kitchen with bagels, donuts, cold cuts & usually only eat dinner out. Saves on the pocket & the stomach. Oh going home with clean clothes is really nice too!

We have never had major issues with DVC & in fact we've ALMOST always found that CMs have been accomodating with any requests or needs. At SSR, when it was still fairly new, we went to pull out the sofa bed & was literally split in two & wouldn't open right. The bars were broken in half like someone jammed it in or something. We lived with it that night since it was late & it was the foot of the bed that wouldn't lay flat on the floor. We called maintenance in the am & in no time we had 3 people in our room. As they were there, I was making coffee & when I poured the water in it went all over the counter. The maintenance woman looked up & said, "better get you a new one of those too." She went right away, got us a brand new coffee maker & a new bed was installed by that afternoon.

 

[Rest&Relax]

When we bought the ideal was to make a vacation a priority. Our 2 DS were about 5 & 6. We had gone to WDW couple of times with the boys and believed it was worth the cost at the time. Well, we are proud members since 1993! .

We have had many wonderful vacations with DVC and I am looking forward to many more. We have added on twice just so we can go more frequently.

I can honestly say we have never had a bad experience, but not all vacations were picture perfect either. That's just the nature of taking a vacation. We have so many wonderful memories. DVC makes it easy to go when you want with a variety of options.

This past summer our 2 DS joined us. (We have been doing adult only for couple of years now.) I now a picture of them with piglet at the CP when they were about 5 & 6 and now when the are 23 & 24. Now that is priceless!

 

[Breyean]

We joined in 1993 on our first trip to WDW with our son (who was 7 then). My wife and I had been a few times prior to that, but this was the first time we stayed on property (at CB), and when we saw the DVC storefront (tucked away off to the side of Main Street) we went in. It was our last night and we made and appointment to visit OKW the next day before our flight. We bought and have enjoyed watching our son grow up at OKW from each visit to the next.

We are also taking a family of friends with young children for their first WDW visit this coming January. It gave us a great excuse to book a GV at OKW!

The best experience with a CM was really weird. In 1995, the second year of the WDW marathon, there was supposed to be bus service from OKW to the start at EPCOT. Back then the marathon, like DVC itself, really WAS a well kept secret, and putting the two together created the perfect storm. While 6-8 runners waited at the HH, no buses ever showed up. We could hear the announcements coming from the race start, and we were getting nervous (well, we were probably already nervous anyway, but this was like a bad dream when you just can't get to school on time).

Finally, the CM at the front desk came out, got a DVC van and we all piled in. He drove us to the start, which was way above what we had been pleading him to do for us (which was just to call a bus for us). Funny thing was we didn't know that year Disney changed the start line from where it had been the first year, which had been inside the EPCOT parking lot. Turns out we could have walked to the new start line in an=bout 15 minutes, but we didn't know that at the time. It probably took longer driving there!

I actually found a card where I had written down this CM's name just a year or so ago. I hope he's had a good (almost) 20 years since then.

 

[AKLFan3]

I love being able to stay in a 1 br villa without spending as much money! Before joining DVC, we visited WDW once a year and it was pretty standard to spend about $3000 for a vacation package, and we were staying in a savanna view room at AKL. With DVC, we go to WDW two or three times a year, stay in a 1 br during most of our trips and maybe a studio for the third trip. Plus, our maintenance fees are only $1000 for the year.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We raised our sons in the 1980s and went to WDW every 3 years, now that we have DGC, they've been to WDW at least 2-3 times a year since they've been coming with us. That's since they've been 1,2 and 3 and now they are 6, 7 and 8. We could not have these wonderful times if it weren't for our DVC.

We've been blessed to be able to share with other family members. Our first major family vacaton was in 2004, for mom's 85th birthday. We owned 300 points then, and were able to get 4 studios and a 2 bedroom at BWV for a wonderful 4 night vacation at mom's favorite resort.

I've posted this picture before, but it reminds me that it's not only for the DGC, it was a way to say THANK YOU to my mom, for having me.

I've had many wonderful CM's over the years, but I don't know the name of the one who helped my family the most. The Boston branch of the family were for the first time coming down without DH's or my help. They arrived at the BCV and the room wasn't ready. The DGC were probably 4, 5 and 6 and DS/DDiL were sort of overwhelmed with what they were going to do. The wonderful CM said "Wait just a minute." When she returned it was with 5 free passes for the day to Epcot! She advised them regarding where to store the stuff they had, and told them to go and have a great time, which they did.

Bobbi

 

[com_op_2000]

Being able to take vacations that I could never have without DVC.
Taking free vacations for years to come (Except MFs)

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Building wonderful family memories, and staying in beautiful places we would have never been able to stay in year after year if we had paid cash. Believe me, I'm not saying that we couldn't have built wonderful memories without DVC, but I still love hearing my daughter squeal when she sees the castle or sees it on TV and says, "Mommy, don't you wish we were there?" And then we start talking about all our favorite Disney things!

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

Getting to stay in a 1BR villa every time and being able to relax on vacation instead of cramming into one hotel room with our two small children!

 

[nickspace]

I really enjoy being able to stay at such nice resorts. Having those extra amenities and space make a great difference. The DVC resorts are a vacation destination in themselves.

 

[gojoe]

The best thing we like is "We're Home". It's what we say when we first arrive and after a long day in the parks it's what we say when we get home at night. Like they say "Welcome Home!

 

[happyrebster]

Where to begin?

1. The DVC resorts themselves are so big and comfortable that I feel like I'm staying at a vacation home rather than hotel. It's just incredibly relaxing.

2. The jacuzzi tubs in the one-bedroom villas.

3. Incredible wide range of frequent vacations -- on both coasts -- that we have shared with extended family.

The last one is my favorite. I really feel like the entire extended family -- on both sides -- has vacationed together more frequently since we have had this option available.

So many happy memories.

 

[Kidanifan08]

We always like to have at least one future vacation planned at all times, and with DVC, that is not a problem. We generally are ready to call MS 11 months to the day from our next Disney vacation. We love the variety of resorts that DVC offers at WDW, but more than that, we love our home resort AKV. After having several stays at the moderate and value resorts, it's nice to have a large condominium style room to return to during the day.

We have not had any truly memorable interactions with any CM's at the DVC resorts, but we also have not had any unforgettable interactions either, if you know what I mean. On our most recent visit, the CM's at BLT and the Contemporary were particularly accommodating.

We have not regretted our DVC ownership at any point since we became members in 2008.