How did you decide DVC was worth the money?

[snyderla]

We had been going to WDW every year (almost) since 1995. We purchased in 2005. It wasn't until my children were adults and I was getting ready to rent points for a 2BR at OKW for the 2nd time that we decided NOT to rent, but that it made more sense for us to use that money to purchase DVC ourselves. Part of the reason is because my brother and his family live in Miami, and my father lives in Bonita Springs, the rest of us live in Illinois. So it's a great meeting place for family reunions. At least that's what we told ourselves at the time, and it has worked just that way! I've never regretted it.
DVCLori

 

[paminpa]

Our family has always believed that vacations together are important! Having the vacation club has always meant we could go every year- and we have never had any regrets in 17 years!

 

[skelfbsfb]

We bought into DVC in 2007 after visiting WDW many times, we wanted to stay at resorts that we could not possibly afford normally, however DVC allows us to do this. We have no regret buying DVC except our first home resort which we asked for.

 

[CruznLexi]

we have a small point contract 100 points that we bought in 09 when the monthly payment for dues and DVC payment is less than $150 it is well worth it too me.
Lexi

 

[JWG]

We found a suitcase full of cash, like crazy full. Inside was a note that said free to you if used to purchase Disney Vacation Club. Obvioulsy not everyone's bag because a few people ahead of us looked and walked away, but we were all over it.






We (meaning I in my dear family of 3) had wanted to do this since 1998 when we first took the tour. At that time, it just wasn't the right financial decision for us. My parents did purchase in 1999, so we have benefited from 4 WDW trips and a cruise off their points.

Finally, this year, we were added to my parents deeds for estate planning and we could buy the smaller contract we wanted as existing members once that was done. They also lowered the buy-in minimum this year, so we could have purchased either way, but keeping the same use year and membership number were important to us.

While my wife will try to deny it, we have a blast at Disney. Especially with our 4 year old. It's the best family time we've had together without interruption because everyone has fun (though I'm sure our DD would love Mt. Rushmore ). It's quality time you can't put a price on or get back if you don't do it. I travel for work a lot and my vacations are important. We know we can enjoy this as a family for years to come.

Edit:
I don't want it to sound like you can't have fun quality time as a family without Disney or DVC, that came across wrong. Just that, we are very fortunate to be able to afford it, and we have so much fun in our bubble of happiness that DVC locked in that we would commit to it. Without DVC it's easy to find reasons not to go or go somewhere maybe mom and dad like but DD doesn't, etc. I feel like I've protected and guaranteed that awesome family time.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

We found a suitcase full of cash, like crazy full. Inside was a note that said free to you if used to purchase Disney Vacation Club. Obvioulsy not everyone's bag because a few people ahead of us looked and walked away, but we were all over it.

If you find another bag full of cash...its ours!!! We'll be happy to claim it.

 

[Disneywedding2010]

DH and I are 44 and 42. We have 2 DD's currently 17 and 12. We decided (well I decided and it took DH 3 years and 1 DVC stay) that this is where we would like to vacation regularly. While we enjoy the parks, we could and plan to do resort only stays. OKW is our home resort and we will be comfortable in a studio for many years to come with its limited upgrade kitchenette. We are simple folks who are content to eat cereal each day (do it at home) sandwiches for lunch, and simple dinners (pick up a cooked chicken at Walmart) For us this makes for a very inexpesive trip each year. Yes we will dine out if we want to. We do that at home as well What I feel DVC is giving us is a trip every year in a nice resort with upgraded accomodations, it gives us the flexiblity to try the other resorts around WDW to give us some varitey if we want, and it also gives us the flexiblity to pick and choose when we want to travel, how and what type of accomodations we want to stay in ect. We bought in as an investment in our personal vacations, the value is in the fact that we will go away each year. And down the road when DD's marry and have kids we will have a wonderful vacation spot to share with our DGC.

The words were taken right out of my mouth. This is also why we bought into DVC. We go at least twice a year and it just made sense.

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

That would only be applicable if you'd stay in that option, most wouldn't.

Okay, then take a look at what it costs to stay in a studio or a one bedroom if you are not a member and if you are paying cash. Enough said.

 

[Dean]

Okay, then take a look at what it costs to stay in a studio or a one bedroom if you are not a member and if you are paying cash. Enough said.

Again not applicable unless that's where you'd stay on cash or at a similar option. Even if it was, rack rates are an unreasonable comparison unless you go consistently at high demand times. There really are 2 issues, that of cost and that of value. Cost comparisons are what you would have spent without DVC, value is what you get above (or below) the item you would have paid cash for. DVC compares favorably to the deluxe resorts for a studio and a 2 BR (2 rooms) and isn't that much more than the moderates though you do give up other specials like free dining. It's hard to make the math work comparing to a value resort, if you usually travel off season or using a 1 or 3 BR unless one were doing the suites consistently.