How long did you research/think about DVC before buying?

[luckyman_apd]

We spent exactly 11 months deciding. Took a trip on Rented points exactly one year ago today at Bay Lake Towers. I felt like we were vacationing in pure luxury compared to what we normally would have booked in a value or moderate.

Anyway, I've always loved Disney, but it was a rare thing for me growing up. I went 3 times growing up. Then I had my own kids. With my DD at age 3, and a son on the way, we went down for a trip and my DD LOVED it. It was awesome. After about 2 months after the trip, my daughter created her own behavior chart with a Disney trip as the reward at the end! A 3 year old!!!!!

We went last year and it was about 20 months after our first trip. My DD and DS had a blast again. We stayed for 5 nights and the DVC room was Phenomenal. I couldn't imagine staying in a "regular" room again. I stopped by a DVC booth in the park, and talked with a CM for about 30 minutes all about it. He was very informative, and wasn't selling me. Just trying to sell me on taking a tour that would try to sell me. I didn't take the tour, but did get a lot of info.

We lucked out and had friends invite us to go with them in their DVC room for FREE 2 4 months after our trip last year. This time at SSR, and we really liked it there too. Missed the monorail, but the resort was bigger with more to do. We stayed 5 nights the first trip, and 7 on the second. The first trip felt too short and left us wanting so much more. The second trip made us feel like we got enough Disney in. After the trip, we started to seriously research DVC again. I didn't think we could afford it, and just kind of thought maybe we would rent every time we wanted to go in the future.

I knew you could buy DVC resales, but never researched it until I came across Disboards. So basically from June to December, I read, researched, and conversed with the Mrs. until we decided to take the plunge in December. We found a contract in early January. We are about to close and looking forward to our future with it.

 

[hmire]

Thanks everyone!!! This is where I am at. I really want it. But keep talking myself out of it. I know without DVC, we would always stay at POR (bc it fits 5) or a value suite. I won't spend more than that on a room per night. I do look for specials BUT doesn't mean we go only if there is a special (FD or %off). If there is a special than bonus. When we went this last trip there was no specials going on. I really love the idea of staying in a deluxe villa, bringing family, enjoying the parks and the resorts, not having to feel as rushed because I know we will be back very soon. I am thinking with DVC I would make more than one trip a year. I think I just need to do it...lol

 

[com_op_2000]

Not one minute, knew as soon as we heard about DVC that we would buy.

 

[disneydivermom]

2008 first family vacation ever and boy was it amazing. Disney land and sea full fare because we were totally uneducated and had no clue about any discounts. Arrived home to an email inviting us back with the free DDP. Went back for a 2nd time in 2008 and looked into DVC. We would have needed way to many years worth of pts for the land/sea vacation so didn't give it another thought.

Back to disney in 2009, 2010 & 2011. Before 2011 trip email asking us to check out DVC before out August/September vacation. That's when the research really started. Got the info package, read the DISBoards a LOT! Went on the tour while on our Aug/Sep vacaton. No pressure to purchase during the tour (thankfully). Came home and started watching for resale. I think it took 2 whole days for find exactly what we were looking for SS 150 pts with the previous years pts banked. Closed in time to book "epic" vacation checking out HH, BWV & VB. LOVED every minute of it.

Heading back for a girlie week-end with my daughter, her friend and my mom. I cannot imagine going for a 4 day long week-end if we didn't have DVC. Going again in August 1 week at VB.

One of the best decisions our family has made .

 

[disneydivermom]

2008 first family vacation ever and boy was it amazing. Disney land and sea full fare because we were totally uneducated and had no clue about any discounts. Arrived home to an email inviting us back with the free DDP. Went back for a 2nd time in 2008 and looked into DVC. We would have needed way to many years worth of pts for the land/sea vacation so didn't give it another thought.

Back to disney in 2009, 2010 & 2011. Before 2011 trip email asking us to check out DVC before out August/September vacation. That's when the research really started. Got the info package, read the DISBoards a LOT! Went on the tour while on our Aug/Sep vacaton. No pressure to purchase during the tour (thankfully). Came home and started watching for resale. I think it took 2 whole days for find exactly what we were looking for SS 150 pts with the previous years pts banked. Closed in time to book "epic" vacation checking out HH, BWV & VB. LOVED every minute of it.

Heading back for a girlie week-end with my daughter, her friend and my mom. I cannot imagine going for a 4 day long week-end if we didn't have DVC. Going again in August 1 week at VB.

One of the best decisions our family has made .

 

[DisneyMama21]

Love this thread! So interesting to hear all the different stories! Here's ours: Took our first WDW trip ever this past summer and took the DVC tour and heard the pitch. I would have signed on the dotted line right then and there, but luckily my husband was more level headed. We knew it was right up our alley because we both fell in love with Disney, as did our kids. Wanted upgraded lodging when at WDW cause we are a family of five (my husband did NOT like POR's small rooms...we are used to condo sized vacation spots such as our usual vacation spot in Myrtle Beach). Even though we were sure we'd buy, DH wanted to research to make sure we were making the right decision. Came home, researched here and there, found out about resale, thought some more and made an offer in early August, closed by mid September! I know it seems quick, but we are quick decision makers (DH proposed after 3 days of dating...sometimes, you just know something is meant to be!)

 

[nolanboys]

We first heard about DVC in 2006. We were staying at OKW and they asked us if we wanted a tour. We didn't have the time, but when we got home, I requested a DVD to learn more about the program. We decided to wait and see. We took a trip in 2008 and stayed at POFQ and then in 2009 and stayed at OKW again. That's when I made the decision to push for DVC. POFQ was lovely, but we so enjoyed the extra space of the villas! on that trip, we did take a tour, but I already knew about resales, so we couldn't justify the extra cost. We came home from that trip, ran the numbers for the different resorts we were interested in, and then started looking for a contract. We bought in March of 2009 and have been very happy. I'm glad we took our time. We knew a lot about the program, the in's and out's of it, and found a good contract with the right amount of points. So for it's been great!

 

[tamu91]

If you visit WDW on a regular basis and prefer staying at premium resorts, then DVC is almost a no brainer.
We first purchased DVC before we even knew what DVC was. I wanted the ability to stay at premium resort and invite family members to join us. After nearly 6 years of ownership, I can clearly say this was one of the best decisions we've made as a family. We're so pleased with DVC, we're adding more points.

 

[jupers]

We talked to a guide on our honeymoon in 99 but as newlyweds we didn't think it would be a good idea...fast forward 10 years. Now I was Disney obsessed and had 2 kids. We took a family trip with my parents and brother because dad had cancer...1year later dad was gone...realized life was too short...I wanted no regrets..started digging through resales..my 2nd offer on an SSR contract was accepted. We got in just before the march deadline. Since then took mom to food and wine...my immediate family...and have a trip planned for dd and I in June. I love it...wish I did it on my honeymoon!

 

[DisneyMim]

I always laugh when I read these threads because our experience was so different. We first heard about DVC in spring of 1991. There was nothing there, no buildings, not even any info that Disney could send us. My husband and I just looked at each other, didn't have to say a word, we knew that we were going to buy. I've been waiting for this forever. We were one of the first to buy. We knew we would be happy and now 21 years later we still are. Sometimes in life you don't even think. This was one of those times for us.

Enjoy The Magic!!

 

[hmire]

Never really answered. Went to Disney Mar 2010 with the twins. When we got home I sent off for the DVC CD. We talked about it but just didn't think it was for us. Still researched it off and on. Oct 2011 went to Disney, Talk to DVC CM. Came home and found disboards. Have been researching and reading and reading and reading. And we made the decision today we are ready to buy resale~

 

[peabody58]

In March 2010, after an 11 ear hiatus from WDW, DW and I spent a short week at WL and on a whim, took the DVC tour. Emotionally fell in love with BLT, and after crunching numbers all day, we bought in direct that late afternoon. I did not know about resale, but am still happy with our purchase.

DVC has been a blessing for me, as I am finally getting some quality vacation time, am more relaxed and quality of life has improved dramatically.

 

[peabody58]

In March 2010, after an 11 ear hiatus from WDW, DW and I spent a short week at WL and on a whim, took the DVC tour. Emotionally fell in love with BLT, and after crunching numbers all day, we bought in direct that late afternoon. I did not know about resale, but am still happy with our purchase.

DVC has been a blessing for me, as I am finally getting some quality vacation time, am more relaxed and quality of life has improved dramatically.

 

[rmcildw2m]

I did not do any research at all . I did however keep checking into it for over 10 years and then discovered the resale market and struck gold if you know what I mean. I could not bring myself to buy direct ,to much $ but resale was perfect for me . I only wish like so many before me that I would have bought sooner , cause there is'nt anything like staying deluxe when at disney .

 

[akl-fan]

We bought on our honeymoon in 2008, it was my DH's first trip to WDW. We did the tour at SSR and did some research overnight on the computer. We then signed up to 180 points at AKV. It was the first thing i signed in my married name. Sometimes I think we were crazy with very in-love rose tinted glasses. That said I have not regretted it and we are now able to take our DD (2) on fabulous trips that we could have not contemplated without it.

 

[PoohsFan1]

I personally researched for a couple of years before we purchased our first points, however whenever I talked to DH about it he was against the idea. He didn't like the whole points system so he wouldn't have anything to do with it. That is...until I ordered the DVC information video and made him watch it with me. After that, he had some interest in it but not much. This was also when we were only going every other year at best, but when we decided to go every year (sometimes twice a year), the idea of purchasing started to click with him, but he still wasn't sold on the idea because we had a different time share that he wanted to sell first.

When we went back in September of 2010 I told DH I wanted to take the tour just to see what a villa looked like and to also get some more info which he agreed to. After talking with our guide and seeing BLT (which I knew my DH would love since CR is his favorite resort), DH caved and we signed right then and there. Now he loves our DVC just as much as I do and wishes we had done this sooner .

 

[Halefamilyof6]

We went to DL last month and listened to the sales pitch. I'd seen the information booths but never stopped before.

After listening to the pitch we came home (Sunday) and found these boards. I did some research, read the fine print and we made some decisions by Thursday of the following week.

We decided to buy but not AKV which is what they tried to put as our home resort.
After clarifying use year and making sure we understood it inside and out we knew, for our travel purposes, it mattered.

So, knowing it could be awhile, we asked to be put on a wait list for VGC for 210 points (we are a family of 6) and it had to be an September - December UY.

Someone had snapped up all but 50 points that had just come available for VGC with a December UY. We took the 50. Less than a week later, the transaction with those other points fell through and we picked up 160 points.

Our sale will close by March 1st and our 1st trip to VCG will occur next January!

So, we did quick research and figured out what was most important for us and we were willing to wait to get what we wanted.

 

[18sprint]

My DW mentioned DVC to me after our 5th trip...She knew nothing about it and I knew even less. We never stopped and talked with any DVC reps/kiosks, nothing. I read a thread one day about DVC and purchasing from Disney and thought, "are they nuts? Pay over $16,000 for points?" I can rent a value for a long time for $16k. So, out the window the idea went. Then some friends of ours bought into SS on their honeymoon and it got me thinking again. I started paying attention to the message boards and the banner ads that keep popping up. Ummmm..what are resales? Now, all of sudden the cost and options were falling in line. It was starting to make more sense. I spent months putting together spreadsheets, analyzing, analyzing, analyzing. In the mean time, I started looking at the resales sites and comparing contracts. Sorry for the long answer, but it took me about 10 months to finally make up my mind that it was a good idea. Been a member since 2009 and I don't regret it yet.

 

[bwvBound]

Never really answered. Went to Disney Mar 2010 with the twins. When we got home I sent off for the DVC CD. We talked about it but just didn't think it was for us. Still researched it off and on. Oct 2011 went to Disney, Talk to DVC CM. Came home and found disboards. Have been researching and reading and reading and reading. And we made the decision today we are ready to buy resale~

Hey, OP -- Good for you! Hoping your journey is smooooth sailing!

 

[a742246]

In November 2008, we rented some points off a ebay reseller. We didn't
know anything about DVC except that we wanted to go to WDW.
We stayed in OKW and fell in love with it.

When we got back, I researched DVC and within 2 months we were in a contract to buy. Since then we added 4 more small DVC memberships.

It seems like whenever we have some extra money the mouse somehow gets it.