Joining 11 years ago, I feel like we are in Phase II of ownership. We started staying off-site using hotel points. My MIL decided to take us for a trip and we stayed at BLT in a 1 BR since she has mobility issues. We were hooked. Purchased a year later. We are long-weekend warriors in general since but when you have
DVC and go for multiple short-trips, APs make sense and suddenly APs make you want more trips. More trips = more points. More trips, more trying different experiences (and spending more money since the room is already paid for). Daddy daughter trips. Mommy daughter trips. Mom and friend trips. More trips to see more off property resorts. We have been to all the offsites and really wanted to hate Aulani as east coasters. We loved it and even went back for Christmas. That said, we have been taking our DD to more non-disney places and overseas while she is old enough and still not in college. We mistakenly booked our first
Disney cruise (other than the COVID one that got cancelled) to Europe. That hooked us on
DCL. On the plane now flying to our second DCL of this year (Alaska DCL this summer) and a few days at the world. Like others, bigger rooms and more relaxed. You asked for honest - we aren’t saving any money… ha ha ha. We are sucked in. I am sure once DD graduates HS we will enter Phase III of ownership. Incredibly grateful for all of it.