If you could do it again would you?

[brandip22]

The only thing I'd do differently is buy more points!

 

[DVCtinkerbell]

At today's prices, no I wouldn't buy again. I agree with the previous post in that DVC/Lewis is more concerned with growth rather than member satisfaction. But, we joined ten years ago and enjoy our home BWV very much. The kids still love it and always look forward to going.

 

[abk96]

Well we've been talking about selling our contract more and more lately. We are still making monthly payments and have to pay those dues yearly. It adds up.

We can only do Disney now in the summer because of school and husbands job. We've only been staying for 4 nights in a 2 bedroom because we only have 200 points and they don't go very far.

After adding up the park tickets, food, and airfare it's getting to be way too expensive. We're still waiting for it to feel like it's worth it. Not feeling it yet though.

And all the special incentives they've been offering non vacation club owners to go to Disney sound way better than the "perks" dvc'ers get.

 

[franandaj]

I think it's so worth it! We bought in June 2007 just after we had stayed in a 1 br AKV Conceirge level room for 3 days and then GC for six days. The amount we paid for for those 10 days cost us about 1/4 of our entire SSR investment, and the SSR investment lasts until 2052. Even with the dues we get some pretty amazing accomodations throughout WDW for essentially dirt cheap. Yes the cost of dining, park admission, etc keeps going up, but don't tell me dining out in Las Vegas, New Orleans, LA and NYC isn't going up either. Everywhere is expensive.

We had originally thought about skipping a couple years at WDW and going to HI or just banking our points, but I couldn't stand the idea of going more than 2 years without visiting WDW, so our points are really great becuase it doesn't cost us out of pocket.

I've become so pleased with the idea of DVC, that we even added on points at GCV and we only live 20 minutes from the park. Just the allure of being able to stay overnight during special events like F&W and having that 11 month booking window are really appealing!

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have owned for 13 years, and have 3 contracts, and I would definitely do it again! We feel we have the right number of points for us now though, so we aren't inclined to buy anymore now.

 

[christa112]

I can definately understand where this person is coming from. It is hard to swallow when you see great incentives out there for people booking outside of the DVC. I know the offers won't always be there but it is definately frustrating.

We just purchased in May and our 1st vacation is this month what I was kinda annoyed about is my friend is traveling with us but staying at CS. She got the special offer about the Photopass and tickets for mini golf etc. As DVC members we don't even get those offers anymore. I honestly don't care about the golf because we probably won't even go but the Photopass offer would be a nice thing to extend to DVC members. It is not like they are giving it away for free you still have to buy something. Her and I are splitting the Photopass anyways but still. (phew!!! had to get that off my chest)

Well we've been talking about selling our contract more and more lately. We are still making monthly payments and have to pay those dues yearly. It adds up.

We can only do Disney now in the summer because of school and husbands job. We've only been staying for 4 nights in a 2 bedroom because we only have 200 points and they don't go very far.

After adding up the park tickets, food, and airfare it's getting to be way too expensive. We're still waiting for it to feel like it's worth it. Not feeling it yet though.

And all the special incentives they've been offering non vacation club owners to go to Disney sound way better than the "perks" dvc'ers get.

 

[dvcdisney]

Yes, we would do it again.

DVC has made it possible for us to go twice a year with each vacation lasting 14 nights. Without DVC we would probably be going only once a year and most likely for only a little over a week.

But I think I would think twice about choosing one of my home resorts.

 

[Disney Doll]

Yes, I would do it again in a heartbeat.

I love the larger units with full kitchens, washers/dryers. We only stay in 1BRs or larger for the most part, because we usually have people with us.

We go at least once a year, and usually more often, so for us, it is cost-effective to a degree to get deluxe level accomodations at a better cost.

DH figured it out when we were purchasing and determined that as long as we were going to go at least every other year, it would be worthwhile. Since we go at least twice a year, and more often when $$$ & schedules permit, it's quite worthwhile for us.

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

We bought our first contract in 1997. We added on with four more contracts (one resale, three through Disney). We sold two of them about three years ago. We'll probably be selling off the rest in the near future if the resale price on points goes back up.

It was fun while it lasted, but I think Disney charges way too much for new resorts. They are more into sales mode than maintaining mode and keeping existing members happy. Their focus is on growth rather than management.

It was more enjoyable when it was a cozy little "club". Now it's just a way for Disney to manage their bottom line.

I truely hope DVC management reads these posts.

 

[franandaj]

She got the special offer about the Photopass

What was the special offer? On another DVC group I subscribe to someone suggested that I email Member Services and today they got back to me with a coupon code for $50 off the photopass CD.

 

[christa112]

20% off

What was the special offer? On another DVC group I subscribe to someone suggested that I email Member Services and today they got back to me with a coupon code for $50 off the photopass CD.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

YES!!! And I do it again and again because I purchase add-ons

I can't tell you how much our vacation experience has been enhanced since we purchased DVC. Prior to DVC we stayed in value and without DVC we probably would stay in the moderates.

I know its a lot of money, but the type of accomodations you get with DVC makes it worth it. Its like going out to eat and get Filet Migon instead of chopped hamburg. The experience of going out to eat and not having to cook or clean up is wonderful in itself, but the quality of the meal and the food makes it a better experience.

Our vacation next month will consist of 3 nights in a 1 brm-Boardwalk view at the BW--- 4 nights at the BLT in a 1 bedroom-standard view and 2 nights at VB in a Inn Room --VB is right on the ocean and is a very beautiful and peaceful resort

So for 7 nights I get a full kitchen, washer /dryer, king size bed, a balcony with a great view, great proximity to the MK, Epcot & DHS (NO BUSES) and 2 great resorts with awesome pools, shops, restaurants, features and then for 2 nights at VB I get just a regular room at a great resort right on the ocean.


Next year I am planning on using my points for a Disney Cruise on the new DREAM.

 

[lulukate]

We thought about it and discussed it a lot and just purchased at VGC!! SO excited and looking forward to our first trip. Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and feedback, it was very helpful.

 

[Husurdady]

We bought our first contract in 1997. We added on with four more contracts (one resale, three through Disney). We sold two of them about three years ago. We'll probably be selling off the rest in the near future if the resale price on points goes back up.

It was fun while it lasted, but I think Disney charges way too much for new resorts. They are more into sales mode than maintaining mode and keeping existing members happy. Their focus is on growth rather than management.

It was more enjoyable when it was a cozy little "club". Now it's just a way for Disney to manage their bottom line.

DEB & BILL , Well said , I to see the same "writing" on the wall. If I can talk the dw in to selling in the next 2 years or so.......It's-A-"gonner".We have 5 contracts totaling 400 points.All OKW W/ A FEB. U-year.

 

[bwvBound]

We thought about it and discussed it a lot and just purchased at VGC!! SO excited and looking forward to our first trip. Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and feedback, it was very helpful.

Congratulations, lulukate! I hope you are delighted with your purchase for years to come!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I would do it again in a heartbeat, as a matter of fact, I wish I could have done it sooner when points were cheaper. Started to pine for DVC in 1996, finally was able to afford it in 2000 and it's been fantastic ever since. It's lived up to my expectation!

 

[abk96]

We thought about it and discussed it a lot and just purchased at VGC!! SO excited and looking forward to our first trip. Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and feedback, it was very helpful.

Congrats Lulukate!!

 

[K9pal]

We bought our first contract in 1997. We added on with four more contracts (one resale, three through Disney). We sold two of them about three years ago. We'll probably be selling off the rest in the near future if the resale price on points goes back up.

It was fun while it lasted, but I think Disney charges way too much for new resorts. They are more into sales mode than maintaining mode and keeping existing members happy. Their focus is on growth rather than management.

It was more enjoyable when it was a cozy little "club". Now it's just a way for Disney to manage their bottom line.

Very well said. Ditto.

 

[dmoore22]

We are in discussions with DVC to purchase a contract. Haven't made a decision yet and are going back and forth on whether or not we want to do this, it's a lot of money, which resort should we have as our home, we have been to both DLR and WDW twice in the last 5 years, not sure if we should have GCV or one of the WDW as our home. I have lots of questions about the pros and cons of DVC membership but I guess the bottom line is - if you could do it again would you? Why or why not?

Thanks

A definite "Yes!" I just wish we would have known about it when DVC first opened. We have never been disappointed in any of our trips with DVC. It has made a positive difference in our lives with quality time with my spouse and children.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Without question the best purchase we made as a family. Our kids were really young when we bought in, so we have really seen the benefit of DVC. The extra space is such a blessing when traveling with small children (not to mention a kitchen and washer/dryer!). We love, love, love it.

Now, that isn't to say that we are pleased with some of the recent changes. Like Deb & Bill, it used to feel much more club-like. Like we really WERE part of the secret, if that makes sense. Once the economy tanked, Disney noticed that the one branch of the company that was making money hand over fist was DVC. And then the real growth began, along with the cutting of a perk here, a perk there.

So we'll see what the future brings. But for now? YES, we love it and would do it again in a heartbeat. There are some great deals to be had out there right now, so it is a good time to buy if you can swing it.