Has anyone regretted buying into DVC?

[my3kids]

We're thinking about it again. A couple of years ago I wasn't sure it was worth it, but we've since gone on the Magic, to DL, and twice to WDW. In addition, we've visited lots of other places which probably are within the trade plans.

Does anyone regret the club? Does anyone think it isn't a good value, adding in the initial cost as well as ongoing maintence. Has anyone seen a decline in the quality of the villas over the years?

I guess, all answers to questions I didn't think to ask would be appreciated.

 

[rinkwide]

Does anyone regret (joining) the club?

I think most on these boards, like myself, will tell you they regret not doing it sooner.

 

[emememem]

Agree with the above post!!

 

[JimB.]

Double Dog Ditto.

 

[rocketriter]

Nope. I've spent too much on deluxe accomodations over the years. A couple of days ago I got back from a 7 night trip that cost less than our old 4-nighters, and we had larger quarters to boot!

 

[KelNottAt]

Not at all. I don't regret our purchase for one second. But, having said that, I do wish we had put some more thought into the types of points we bought.

We bought 306 at BWV so we could have a week in a 2br in Magic season. In hindsight, I wish we had bought half our points at BWV and half at HHI. We could bank and borrow in alternating years and have the best of both worlds.

Oh well, I'm still perfectly happy. I had no trouble getting in HH on my first attempt.

Kelley

 

[kristielee]

I only regret not having more points

 

[OneMoreTry]

No regrets.

But I don't think DVC points will save you on cruises. If that's what you're planning on doing.

 

[Simba's Mom]

No regrets. I admit I haven't thought as carefully about the financial value. But I know that it's really forced us to take some wonderful quality vacations as a family. And just like they say in the DVC promotional video, it's certainly changed the WAY we vacation. Joining DVC has taken away that frantic, "gotta do it all before it disappears" way I used to act at WDW. Now we relax and enjoy our time there so much more than we used to, I think. So although I haven't thought about possible decline in villas' quality, I can tell you there's been a huge increase in vacation quality for us.

 

[jekjones1558]

If you have been reading these boards you know that many of us have the opposite problem -- we are so happy with our purchase that we keep buying more points! When I think back to our original thoughts about whether we had done the right thing, LOL... We have added on 4 times and are looking again. It REALLY feels like a second home, and we can't get there enough!

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

We generally have no problem with the resorts. They are all great vacation resorts. We've stayed at all except for BWV and SSR.

Not so many regrets, but just some downsides to keep in mind about program in general. The exchange programs are often hyped during the sales pitch (i.e., trading points for a cruise, or Disney resort, or other member getaway), but the points required for these trades have literally exploded over the past three years. This has deminished overall program variety and value.

Also, don't expect anything "special" from Disney. To date, Disney Corp. hasn't gone to far out of their way to offer "club members" anything spectacular in the way of pass discounts and other perks. They tend to be run of the mill discounts repackaged and advertised for the DVC member. Also, special member events tend to be priced $$$ over and above the going Disney rate for comparable ammenities and services. IMO, Disney views DVCers as the cash cow that requires no prodding to get into the stall. This has caused some long time DVCers to look for other entertainment options while staying at their "Orlando timeshare".

Dues have gone up about 5% for each of the past three years. The inflation rate has been very low during this timeframe so, IMO the dues increases have been a little high. I hope that trend does not continue.

Keep in mind that you are only prepaying for your accomodations, and there are numerous other costs with vacationing at WDW.

The offsite DVC resorts are the most affordable from a budget DVC vacation standpoint. Also, HH and Vero have more onsite resort activities and function much better as stand alone vacation destinations. We love the HH resort.

If you don't care which resort you stay at, I'd buy the cheapest one you can find by resale.

Good luck with your decision...Johnnie

 

[WDWJWEB1]

I did'nt regret buying into DVC the first time (VWL) and I did'nt regret buying into DVC the second time (SSR) and I'm sure I will not regret buying in for the third time (SSR)

As you've probally figured by now, my "only" regret was not buying sooner.

We love vacationing and we love Disney it just made since for us.

The conditions of the resorts are top notch, oh you may have a minor problem now and then but they (Disney) are pretty good when it comes to correcting a complaint.

Keep us posted on your decission

 

[crisi]

Once in a great while we will get someone here who posts that they weren't happy and sells. There is a Disboarder (can't remember who now) who sold and posted why a few years ago.

In these cases it is often one of two things:

1) They really couldn't afford it to start with. DVC is pretty expensive.

2) DVC doesn't really fit their vacation needs. The Disboarder who sold was just as happy offsite (in which case there are tons of cheaper options). We've had people who bought primarly to cruise and as cruise points have gone up, its become less of a good deal. DVC doesn't work well for spur of the moment vacations or long weekends.

 

[kocar]

After much arm-twisting and mathematical computations of the costs of vacations for our family of 6 over the next "x" number of years, my math teacher husband finally agreed.

On our first trip in June, he actually admitted he was glad we did - after having to listen to him complain as we paid off the purchase price and annual dues!

Now he's hooked- never to regret the purchase again!

Just look below at our trips planned. I feel more points a-coming as an anniversary gift in March!

The more points, the better!

Michelle

 

[nasmith]

I have some regret - No problems with Disney, or DVC accomodations ----- But our family has a hard time planning vacations 11 months out (or even 7 months out). My Husband is in the Military, and the inability to count on anything except constant change is something we have to live with.

Due to 3 years of struggling to use our points due to no availability when we've had an opportunity to go, we've sold 2/3 of our points. We still go to WDW several times a year, and always stay on-property - but not DVC ---It may NOT be the most cost-conscious, but then I don't have headaches over whether my points will be wasted (not used) or not.

so there - a dissenting vote - but mostly just to consider when you will be trying to take your vacations (during school breaks, holidays or other popular time periods) and whether you will be able to commit to your vacations dates 11 months in advance if that's the case.

Oh, By the way Crisi - I can afford the points (they were paid for) - and I am NOT happy staying offsite - in fact, I'm happiest when staying WDW Concierge ....But like you said - it didn't really fit our vacation needs (which need to be a bit more spontaneous than DVC allows)

 

[DrTomorrow]

Please Note: Johnnie Fedora makes a VERY IMPORTANT POINT! When you buy into DVC, you are only purchasing annual points which can be used as specified in the DVC documents - nothing more. If you are expecting substantial additional discounts, special treatment by Disney based on the size of your purchase, or "warm fuzzies & pixie dust", look elsewhere.

That's not to say that there isn't a sense of "family" or "belonging" amongst some DVC owners; witness the outpouring of sympathy and fondness when a long-time DVC owner here on the DIS recently passed away. However, that's not in the POS....

If you just keep in mind that all you're "guaranteed" are annual points in a time-share - and any additional benefits are a bonus - you should do just fine.

 

[JimC]

No regrets about joining. We should have done it sooner.

We also have stayed at all but GF, YC (done this November), SSR and PC. We have enjoyed all of them and have and will likely continue to use points and AP codes to stay at non-DVC Disney resorts from time to time.

And we agree with Johnnie Fedora's and Dr. Tommorrow's points as well.

Nasmith also raises an important consideration. This program works best for those who can reasonably plan vacations in advance.

Good luck.

 

[my3kids]

No problem planning in advance, but we do like to go a lot of different places. Does it work out well, or not so well to use the points towards resorts across the county. I have not received the curent prospectus information so I can't see what is available. We are a family of 5 who love to travel. Definately NOT wedded to Disney but if we are doing a Disney activity, we will always stay with Disney because we know the service will be helpful and polite & the rooms will be clean and interesting.

We love cruising, but again, not exclusivley on Disney. Are the points available to cruise on other lines? Seems like I saw Alaska on the video.

Money isn't really an issue, other than I will always seek out a bargain if there is a bargain to be had. If we couldn't afford it, I wouldn't consider it. BUT, if it doesn't prove to be a bargain in the long run, then I don't much think I'm interested.

We're going for 5 days this winter and spending about $2,000 on room alone. Would the club have picked that up, and more in a typical allotment of points?

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

I'll join in the DVC mantra.
I wish we joined sooner.
I wish we bought a few more points.

Other than the above, I have no regrets in joing DVC!

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

No regrets here.

We LOVE our DVC!!!

:thewave: