I posted here a couple of months ago trying to figure out how DVC works and you all were SO helpful. I've done reading on DVC but never even really mentioned it to my sensible DH b/c I didn't think he'd even really consider it.
Well. We just got back yesterday from our annual trip to DLR. DH stopped buy the DVC info booth on his own initiative and signed up for and attended an open house! By himself while I watched the kids! I am truly truly shocked.
So now he is extremely interested in DVC but of course being cautious wants to give it some serious thought over the next few months. He wants me to do more research and due diligence since that's my role in our family.
****Here's the catch:*** Imagine my dismay when over the past 24 hours my research has led me to believe that DVC really really does not make sense for a family who wants to travel regularly to DLR.
Please, please someone tell me I'm wrong!
Here are our travel habits:
- DLR once per year for 5-6 nights in late April or early May (non spring break time). We are willing to settle for a nice offsite hotel at a nice price but MUCH prefer to stay onsite.
- We have food allergies and don't love DLR food so we like having a fridge and preferably a microwave (thus we'd love a villa).
- We do see ourselves traveling instead to WDW every 2-3 years for 8-12 days or so. Esp since our kids get older and more tolerant of longer flights (we're West coasters.)
- We also see ourselves maybe going to either resort once in awhile during early January.
- We like travelling with extended family and friends.
- Finally, we love beach vacations too and would like to occasionally use some points to go elsewhere.
Basically we are drawn to the supposed flexibility of DVC and we are huge fans of Disney vacations. We want to prepay and force ourselves to take a really nice vacation once per year with the occasional long weekend at DLR. There is emotional value for us in basically having a vacation already "paid for" and not having to pay large hotel costs out of our bank account. Does that make sense? We will take nice annual vacations no matter what anyway.
Anyway, I've been reading and first off, am realizing that buying in at a home resort in WDW that we will rarely visit only to use the points at the DLR hotels might not be the best option. That was DH's plan. Also, it seems that GCV is unlikely to be available to non-DVC members. But that if we bought at say SSR to gain access to GCV we'd still have to add on like 180 points there in addition to actually be successful in booking a week there every spring. Or could we get away with a smaller GCV add on?
So sorry to ramble but would any of you see DVC as a good option in my case. It is soooo appealing to a novice like me and my DH is open to buying (we can pay cash). How can I resist??? Please help me resist if this is not a good value in our case!
Thank you for reading and for any sage wisdom you DVC vets can offer!
Well. We just got back yesterday from our annual trip to DLR. DH stopped buy the DVC info booth on his own initiative and signed up for and attended an open house! By himself while I watched the kids! I am truly truly shocked.
So now he is extremely interested in DVC but of course being cautious wants to give it some serious thought over the next few months. He wants me to do more research and due diligence since that's my role in our family.
****Here's the catch:*** Imagine my dismay when over the past 24 hours my research has led me to believe that DVC really really does not make sense for a family who wants to travel regularly to DLR.
Please, please someone tell me I'm wrong!Here are our travel habits:
- DLR once per year for 5-6 nights in late April or early May (non spring break time). We are willing to settle for a nice offsite hotel at a nice price but MUCH prefer to stay onsite.
- We have food allergies and don't love DLR food so we like having a fridge and preferably a microwave (thus we'd love a villa).
- We do see ourselves traveling instead to WDW every 2-3 years for 8-12 days or so. Esp since our kids get older and more tolerant of longer flights (we're West coasters.)
- We also see ourselves maybe going to either resort once in awhile during early January.
- We like travelling with extended family and friends.
- Finally, we love beach vacations too and would like to occasionally use some points to go elsewhere.
Basically we are drawn to the supposed flexibility of DVC and we are huge fans of Disney vacations. We want to prepay and force ourselves to take a really nice vacation once per year with the occasional long weekend at DLR. There is emotional value for us in basically having a vacation already "paid for" and not having to pay large hotel costs out of our bank account. Does that make sense? We will take nice annual vacations no matter what anyway.
Anyway, I've been reading and first off, am realizing that buying in at a home resort in WDW that we will rarely visit only to use the points at the DLR hotels might not be the best option. That was DH's plan. Also, it seems that GCV is unlikely to be available to non-DVC members. But that if we bought at say SSR to gain access to GCV we'd still have to add on like 180 points there in addition to actually be successful in booking a week there every spring. Or could we get away with a smaller GCV add on?
So sorry to ramble but would any of you see DVC as a good option in my case. It is soooo appealing to a novice like me and my DH is open to buying (we can pay cash). How can I resist??? Please help me resist if this is not a good value in our case!
Thank you for reading and for any sage wisdom you DVC vets can offer!
And I really love the short plane ride and the fact that everything is within short walking distance. And the incredible themeing and Walt's influence. And the weather. And California in general. 
