If you've been in DVC for years...

[palhockeymomof2]

We have been taking our kids on yearly trips to WDW since they have been born..my son..now 21 was 3 months old on his first trip....we purchased DVC in 2001..and have been going twice a year since....our "kids"..now 21 & 18..still love going...but now it's with girlfriends and boyfriends..so a 2 br villa.....the time of year we visit has changed also to reflect their school schedules.......and since my son turned 21 last Sept.....the food & wine festival is a must do....instead of breakfast in the castle........and when they both graduated from high school....they each stayed 5 days at the Boardwalk in a studio with friends as their graduation gift...their idea not mine

 

[eliza61]

Our trips have changed. We don't go for 10 days every year like we did when we first brought in. Now we some times go for 5 day trips. Also dh & I will go by ourselves now that my kids are college bound and a teen. I've taken my girlfriends for an "old broads" getaway weekend.

We enjoying knowing we don't have to go every year (next year, we want to go the Yellowstone and the grand canyon). We do skip some years.

I also agree with disneynutz, I'm not lovin alot of the changes the world has done to bring more folks into the parks. Dining plan has made food generic and uninspiring so we find ourselves eating off site more and more. cutbacks in little things like live entertainment and preshows make us sad.

 

[Goofy DVC]

Members since 93 and still going strong. DD 22 and DD 20 are still in to Disney. For a time, it appeared as if they were becoming too cool for the mouse.But for whatever reason, that never happened. Our oldest DD went to BCV this past January with 5 of her GFs from college and had a BLAST. DW and I went to SSR this past March and the girls called often, just to make sure we were ok When the oldest called one time, I told her that I couldn't talk because it was too hot at the pool, and I needed to get in the AC.She told me she hated me and hung up, only to call back an hour later.The 20 yo, protested saying she was the only one in the family who didn't get to go this year. So, as a result ,we are all going in mid August.

 

[minster22]

We have only been Members for about 6 years but have been going regularly to WDW since our 1st trip in 1986, my son was 8 on that first trip. He is going to be 31 @ the end of this month. He loves going to WDW just as much as an adult as he did when he was young...maybe more. It has allowed us some very special times together...I just met him at BW for a quick, last minute trip in May this year(he does not live close by....we see each other in Florida more some years than in each others homes!) A couple of years ago, we took DH's family, sisters, nieces and nephews.....we had one of the best trips ever.For us, the tone of trips to WDW has changed....no more commando touring, lots of resort lounging....great dining and general moseying around. As we have all grown older , we appreciate our time in the magic of Disney more than ever....we are lucky to have this beautiful place to spend our vacation time!

 

[rentayenta]

We only joined DVC this pas May however, I grew up 10 minutes from Disneyland and would go weekly, if not almost daily during the summers. Not only did the magic of Disney stay with me but it is alive and well and being passed on to my children. Even my Disney muggle DH is a believer now.

 

[AnnaS]

We bought in 2000. We have more or less taken yearly trips to WDW.

We have also cruised every other year. So far each cruise has also been with my friend (DVC member) and has three kids same age, same gender.

They are now 23, 21 and 16. We celebrated my dd's 16th last August. I invited three of her friends and my sister.

My oldest son invited two other friends on one trip.

This year my oldest and my middle one are going on their own (separate dates) with their girlfriends.

My oldest last night just asked me when are the new ships coming out. He told me (laughing) to make sure I have enough points/banked to include him (who knows probably his girlfriend too).

We have also gone now where it might be two/three or four of us. Gotta change it a bit here and there and go with they flow as they are older.

For us adults, it's more about spending relaxing time at the resort and less time at the parks. There are so many restaurants we have yet to try and we have not yet stayed at all the dvc resorts.

We officially exchanged this year (DH and I only trip) and going back to WDW end of the month (DH and I w/my brother (also dvc member) and his family.
My dd will be down there at the same time with her girlfriend celebrating her friend's 16th birthday.

I would not worry about it now. They might still love it or get tired of it (including you). Let's hope Disney keeps the magic there and we still hold it too.

 

[photobob]

My son quit going with us starting his senior year in high school. We did take he and his fiance with us in 2008 and they had a great time with us and we are sending them to Vero Beach for their honeymoon this coming weekend! My soon to be 17 yo daughter loves going and wants to go to WDW for her senior trip with friends, I don't think she'll ever tire of going.

 

[dairyqueenmom]

I think you have nailed it on the head with your comment on your children talk about experiences. My oldest will be 13 very soon and has been going almost every year since she was 5, and she still continues to love going.

I think your friends are of a different mind set then DVC members, they go once, have fun, but don't quite understand the magic that has taken hold in us.

My kids love the planning, my 10 year old this year has taken over making our Disney Trip binder. She love the rides still, but also loves the experience.

I know I will continue to go long after my kids have grown and I look forward to taking my grandkids. That is was makes DVC perfect for us.

 

[Goofy&Sleepy]

We've been members since 01 (before DD7 &DD4)were even born. They have gone 2-3 times a year & aren't tired of it...yet. DD7 came to my work the other day & someone said "I hope you don't ever have to work in an office like your mom" --I turned to her & asked," tell them where you are going to work"...without missing a beat she said, "probably at Disney as a vet at AK"--I still hope she'll be an imagineer....

I try to get the kids to notice all the details &not think of it as just an "amusement" park. (sorry DD4 needed to see that one).

Of course, we bought in "planning" to go other places when the girls got older so we'll see.....me, I'm happy planning the next trip as soon as one is over..

 

[DVC Mike]

I don't see me getting "tired" of taking Disney vacations for quite some time, but I'm sure it will happen eventually.

 

[eliza61]

I don't see me getting "tired" of taking Disney vacations for quite some time, but I'm sure it will happen eventually.

I don't think it's a matter of "getting tired", for us it's a matter of wanting to see other places. I would love to be able to see the world and go to Disney.

 

[jade1]

Does Disney hold the same magic, especially for your older kids?

It does for ours, been going over 10 years (maybe 20 plus trips) and they still couldn't wait for XMAS last year (date is wrong on the first pic). They were single digit age when we started.

These kids actually skip to the rides-not even kidding (I have video).

Self explanatory really.

 

[kim_d]

We have been members since 2002. Our children are 6.5yo and 4.5yo- DVC babies in the sense that they have always been members so they don't really have anything to compare it to and since they are relatively young Disney is their first choice for a vacation destination.

We have 305 points so a decent amount but certainly not enought to bind us to Disney for all our vacations as the children get older. I imagine we will bank some points and go every other year and visit Universal and such more as the kids get older and allow them to bring friends. Or add a trip to Vero in the mix to make it a WDW/beach vacation or hopefully visit DL (we are east coast) or DVC Hawaii eventually.

So while we do see our vacation habits changing, DH and I still see DVC as part of the equation.

 

[GoofItUp]

jade1 - I love those pics! (And wish I could still jump that high!)

DH and I have not yet bought in to DVC, but are looking at doing so soon. One of the things we've discussed is if we (& the kids) will want to go to WDW for 50 years. I've got so many different trips I want to take - some with extended family - of course, yearly treks with my boys as they grow up (2 yrs and 10 months old now) - trips that include inviting people to come with us that might not ever get to go - letting the boys invite friends - eventually, when the kids get older, DH & I only trips - that I can't imagine a time when I won't want to go. And, with such varied experiences each time, I can't imagine that my DH or kids will get tired of it. Plus, we definitely will take advantage of HHI, VB, Hawaii, and wherever else might come up.

This thread has got me back on the "I want to own DVC NOW!" bandwagon. When you think about the next 50 years of vactioning with family and friends, it's hard to put a price tag on it.

Anyways....I know this doesn't answer the OP's request for those who have already owned a while and experienced this, but reading about where you all are now - and the memories and experiences you have had and are still making with your family - just struck a chord with me and I had to post!

 

[MKCP84]

We bought into DVC in 2000. Our DDs are now 16 and 13. I have asked them a couple times in the last couple of years if they are ever sick of going to WDW and their reply is "No Way". We like to try staying at the different DVC resorts, or trying different restaurants, or seeing different shows or doing different tours. The magic is still going strong.

 

[Disneypirate85]

We do vary things up from trip to trip to not get stuck in a rut. But I have also noticed a change in the kids, in a good way, This last trip was just with 2 of them 16 and 12. We spent more time in the resort and just relaxed together and talked, yup just talked like old friends laughed and just hung out! Course we still went to the Parks but not for as long as usual being in DVC the next trip is just a few months away. Now seems like all the employment ideas for there adult hood is Disney related, Culinary or Resort management even something with Cruise lines....Shawn

 

[Checkers]

My DH & I have owned DVC (OKW) since 2000. We have traveled extensively before purchasing and now the only place my DH wants to visit is WDW! We have a grown married daughter and 3 grandchildren and have had the privilege of taking them many times. Our grandchildren (except for the 6 mo. old) have been to WDW many times with us and for the first time they will be going in a few weeks without us (we have another trip planned for Sept. just DH & me) and I am going to be pea green with envy the whole time they are gone! They all love everything Disney (my sil is lukewarm but is enjoying it more since the kids were born) and I am trying to keep the "addonitis" at bay .

Since we go more often, as stated earlier, our trips are more relaxing and we enjoy the resorts immensely. We also love to take extended family as well and will be doing just that next May when we will be celebrating my DGD's 7th birthday. I can't see any of us getting tired of going but perhaps when the children get older we will only go every-other year and then enjoy a longer stay.

 

[Disneypubgal]

Bought into DVC in 1997 while I was still a single gal and actually worked for the mouse... Spent the next 6 years traveling to Disney with my parents, sister and friends... including a bachelorette weekend at BCV for my sister's wedding. In 2003 I married my husband who was hardly the Disney type... with the birth of our little girl in 2005 ... it seems as though Disney is our primary and favorite vacation spot. We own at BW and SSR, but always try and change up resorts to keep things fresh... Like some of the other posters we definitely do not commando the parks.. we spend 2-3 hours at a time once or twice a day and go to WDW 2-3 times per year.... Next year we are planning a grand gathering with the whole family... should be interesting!

 

[starbox]

We've owned DVC for four years now - but our kids have been doing Disney since they were 3. (DS is 13, DD is 11) The way we do Disney has absolutely changed, but their love for it has not.

On our last trip, we all realized that we're kind of "done" with MK - it's nice once a trip for nostalgia, but they find it kind of boring to be honest. BUT - they appreciate Epcot and DHS in a way that they never did before.

 

[katmittens]

We bought into DVC in in 2000, DS was 16 and DD was 13, they are now 25 and 22, I think the math is correct. We have been going to Disney since my son was three years old. Once we bought DVC it was two and three times per year. DH and I will be there alone in Oct. for F & W. Kids are mad they can't go. DS starting his new job as a lawyer and DD is finishing her last year of college (she is going to be an art teacher)We will be going in January for a week with the kids. They still love it. We have taken DD's friends one year and now her boyfriend goes with us. Circumstances change but we still love going.
I agree with a previous post, DS loved to get pictures and autogragps with the characters, now it is a beer at Rose and Crown since he fell in love with England when he studied abroad at Oxford. We still like some of the things we always did, like our first ride at MK is still on Dumbo, (people must think look at those people on Dumbo, It must be their first trip )and we still have some popcorn on the train at MK at the end of a long day. But now we also golf, and shop at outlets, and do more tours like Segway, etc. Some traditions we keep and some things change. Some restaurants we never miss and some we have grown tired of, but we still love our time there to relax and be a family.
I too am looking forward to the day when I have some grandchildren to take, but not too soon. DH and I like to travel alone also, and we have never done Disney alone except for our Honeymoon, so our trip in Oct will be different without the kids. We have done Vero without the kids and really enjoyed it. We would love to try HH, but can never get in. Maybe someday.