Interesting thread in the resort section,...

[WALTSAGOD]

In the resort thread, there is an interesting thread about frequent visitors that have not bought DVC.

It is amazing that there are SO many people that visit WDW on a regular basis that really have ZERO knowledge about just what DVC is, how it works and how little they know about it; banking, borrowing, renting, hopping, vacationing outside WDW, etc.

Check it out for a good laugh.

 

[tgj]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2120745

Don't know if I posted the link correctly....

Yes, this is VERY interesting. People who go two or three times a year!
There's also a number of people who "only" stay at the GF and demand a certain level of service, convenience no matter the cost....certainly not a life-style I'm accustomed to....!

 

[chalee94]

There are some good points for reasons why someone would not ever buy DVC, though.

*if I only wanted to stay at the GF (or Poly or whatever)
*if I expected to have continuing access to castmember discounts or military discounts at Shades of Green
*if I planned to stay primarily long weekends
*if it were absolutely critical to me to get daily housekeeping
*if I am perfectly happy at the value resorts
*if I can’t ever make plans more than 3-4 months out

DVC is a pretty good deal for me, but I always try to avoid encouraging someone to buy DVC if I think they’ll run into frustration due to their expectations or preferences.

Spending money at Disney to stay onsite is always at a premium. I can't see blaming people who demand certain levels of service, even if they prefer to pay more than I do. Different strokes...

 

[tgj]

There are some good points for reasons why someone would not ever buy DVC, though.

*if I only wanted to stay at the GF (or Poly or whatever)
*if I expected to have continuing access to castmember discounts or military discounts at Shades of Green
*if I planned to stay primarily long weekends
*if it were absolutely critical to me to get daily housekeeping
*if I am perfectly happy at the value resorts
*if I can’t ever make plans more than 3-4 months out

DVC is a pretty good deal for me, but I always try to avoid encouraging someone to buy DVC if I think they’ll run into frustration due to their expectations or preferences.

Spending money at Disney to stay onsite is always at a premium. I can't see blaming people who demand certain levels of service, even if they prefer to pay more than I do. Different strokes...

Yes, I agree with you. It isn't for everyone, especially for those you've mentioned.

However, some of the responses (not to mention the math) are outright LOL in my opinion!! Very entertaining thread!

 

[fers31]

I know....I just posted over there.......it's insane some of the things people are saying. If you haven't read it...please do. I can't believe how off some people are. My favorite is people are TERRIFIED to have an oven in the room! They would feel obligated to cook and it wouldn't be a vacation anymore! What???? Guys, you've got to check out the thread. There are some decent points and obviously DVC isn't for everyone. But there are people on there that are spending $5000 a trip and think the maintenance fees for DVC are too high! I was just astonished as I was reading it. I'm probably sitting here at work with my mouth open the whole time. I must look amusing.

 

[Brian Noble]

I'm not at all surprised. Part of the problem: timeshare (or, if you prefer, "vacation ownership") has a terrible terrible reputation. DVC has to work very very hard to overcome all those negative stereotypes before they even have a chance to get someone on a tour, let alone sell them.

Add to that the "expert DISer" phenomenon: you know, where You know what you know and you know that's all you need to know.

 

[culli]

Maybe DVC is the best kept secret!?!?!?!?

I ran into a very nice family of 6 that stays at the Wilderness every year and love it. I don't know what accomidations they have but they said one of the few places on property that accomidate 6. I said we have the 2br and the biggest thing for us is the kitchen, and they drooled over that aspect. But had no clue about DVC except they kind of rolled their eyes when we mentioned ownership. I didn't push the ownership or anything they just said they bet the villas are nice and I said yeah we love it and it works great for us. Then the boat came and they seemed like they ran away from us! Had a nice talk in line right before that

 

[n2mm]

I saw it too, but just walked away. Sometimes it's better not even to post things when folks have already made up their minds. I love the one that someone said "I'm not cooking on my vacation". They made it sound like it was a rule if you had a kitchen you HAD to cook. BTW--I don't cook on vacation either, I also don't have to shell out a ton of money anymore either and my points allow me to go 5-6 trips a year. Some comments were valid, while others were way off base and you had to say "what".

 

[bumbershoot]

You guys DO realize that anyone can come over here and read this, right?

We're on the edge of deciding to buy, and it would be very good for us, and we don't let people sway us, but some people do consider the company they might keep, and this sort of "let's laugh at their thoughts" thread is really...my true feelings about it probably shouldn't be typed, but it's just not very nice. It's probably pushing people away, emotionally at least, when they might have wanted to check it out.

As far as I know there are no private forums here, so remember, anything you write about people "over there" can easily be read by those very same people.

 

[n2mm]

You guys DO realize that anyone can come over here and read this, right?

We're on the edge of deciding to buy, and it would be very good for us, and we don't let people sway us, but some people do consider the company they might keep, and this sort of "let's laugh at their thoughts" thread is really...my true feelings about it probably shouldn't be typed, but it's just not very nice. It's probably pushing people away, emotionally at least, when they might have wanted to check it out.

As far as I know there are no private forums here, so remember, anything you write about people "over there" can easily be read by those very same people.

Some of the comments are pretty offbase, but as some of us mentioned, some are very valid. Many of us have tried to defend our choice of choosing DVC, but threads like that don't really care what we have to say. I say, do your research and make the best decision that fits your needs and the needs of your family. I read the DVC boards for several months before buying DVC. We were getting CM discounts, so didn't have a need to own DVC. Then that came to an end when my husband's store was about to be sold, so we knew then that DVC best fit our future vacation plans. Anyone who wants to do research or have questions about DVC ownership, should post here. I found alot of the veteran DVC owners really know their stuff. I've only been an owner for 3 years and I learn new stuff from these boards often.

 

[stopher1]

We're on the edge of deciding to buy, and it would be very good for us, and we don't let people sway us.

Bumbershoot - I hope if you do join DVC - that it all works out well for you. We are very happy with our membership. I read through part of that other thread (but not all of it yet) this morning and just shook my head at some of the misconceptions, but could see some of the points being made against it as valid, too - but I will say that prior to joining DVC - my DW for years absolutely, hands-down refused to buy ANY timeshare thanks to some very lousy stays we've had with her dad at some of his many RCI, Marriott and Hilton timeshares through the years... but then she came around with the DVC concept after multiple tours and lots of research, as well as talking it over numerous times with friends of ours who've been members for 11+ years - and she was finally convinced, and now she's thrilled about it. DVC might not be right for everyone, but it definitely has been for my family, and again, I hope it all works out well for yours, too!

 

[WALTSAGOD]

My favorite posts are the ones where the vacationers state they only want "Deluxe" resort type hotels; and this is still in WDW.

They must be thinking about to the DVC rooms in the value locations?!

 

[parlay]

Maybe DVC is the best kept secret!?!?!?!?

I ran into a very nice family of 6 that stays at the Wilderness every year and love it. I don't know what accomidations they have but they said one of the few places on property that accomidate 6. I said we have the 2br and the biggest thing for us is the kitchen, and they drooled over that aspect. But had no clue about DVC except they kind of rolled their eyes when we mentioned ownership. I didn't push the ownership or anything they just said they bet the villas are nice and I said yeah we love it and it works great for us. Then the boat came and they seemed like they ran away from us! Had a nice talk in line right before that

We also "ran" into a couple at the AKV hot tub on our "first" visit home. We got to talking and asked the couple if they owned at AKV (because they remarked that they loved WDW and made annual trips, sometimes two a year, for the last 9 years). When they asked what I meant I was stunned! I tried to cover as much as possible without being overwhelming! At the time we were staying in a 2Bdrm on the Concierge level, so I gave them my room number and told them to call us if they wanted to look at the room. Well could you imagine my surprise when 2 days later I get a call from DVC member services asking me for the spelling of my last name because the couple is sitting in their office signing up to be members and wanted to give my name for the referral! And they honestly knew NOTHING about DVC after all that time!

 

[cogero]

I have to go and read the thread but my DH and I were those people up until July we go yearly and only stay deluxe. My DH has only ever stayed deluxe.

We are very happy with our DVC purchase and are kicking ourselves not buying sooner

 

[Hollymom1229]

It's not for everyone, but for those that it is for, it's one of the best things you can do. While I'm not a big cook on vacation person myself, it's nice to be able to toss together a quick breakfast in the room while everyone else is getting ready. It's also nice having my own space on a big family trip with my mom, MIL, and sister. The idea of 4 women in one room with one bathroom makes me shudder. Did it once at the GF, never again. For our next trip we'll be in a 2BDR at BCV, which will be a blessing.

Everyone has their thing, we're lucky that DVC works for us. They are lucky that they know what works for them.

 

[jodifla]

You guys DO realize that anyone can come over here and read this, right?

We're on the edge of deciding to buy, and it would be very good for us, and we don't let people sway us, but some people do consider the company they might keep, and this sort of "let's laugh at their thoughts" thread is really...my true feelings about it probably shouldn't be typed, but it's just not very nice. It's probably pushing people away, emotionally at least, when they might have wanted to check it out.

As far as I know there are no private forums here, so remember, anything you write about people "over there" can easily be read by those very same people.

This works both ways....I mean, how many people are over there saying how nuts it is to buy DVC and that only a stupid person who liked to throw away their money would buy a timeshare.

For us, we're really glad we bought 13 years ago. That's a lot of premium vacations and much less than premium prices,

I know you live a long way away....I do hope it works out for you and that you enjoy it as much as we have!

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I guess ignorance is bliss.

IF someone wants to pay that much more not so see a stove and to have a mint on their pillow at night (MANY of them have said exactly this), then far be it from me to suggest they shouldn't.

I look at it this way. Somebody's gotta be the sucker and pay the high prices at WDW CRO so they can continue to turn a profit and stay in the black. Somebody's gotta do it. Some of those people have so much as said they have so much money that it doesn't matter to them. GOOD for them! Keeps things more affordable to me. Suits me just fine.

I'd rather have deluxe accomodations for 1/3 the price and they can keep the mint. Different strokes for different folks.

Personally, I wish DVC was Disney's Best Kept Secret.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I just feel so bad for people who give the lack of daily housekeeping as the reason for not joining. That was our main stumbling block for a long time, just couldn't get past that, and when we did finally join, we saw giving up daily housekeeping as the one downside. But after one trip, I came to really enjoy not having a stranger in "my" home while I was out.

 

[Golden Rose]

I probably would have been one of the people writing about going every year and staying in Deluxe accomodations just a year ago. Well, by a year ago, maybe not, since we had decided we were going to buy sometime... But for years we thought DVC was not for us for the following reasons:

1. It's a Timeshare. Timeshare? You've got to be kidding me, we aren't the type of family that would ever own a timeshare. Timeshare, slimeshare, no way, we're not getting suckered into something like that. They're all scams anyway.

2. We only stay in DELUXE accomodations. We love the Beach Club, the Boardwalk, and the Grand Floridian best, although Animal Kingdom savannah view is pretty cool.

3. We plan far in advance, but we'd probably have to buy some week or something, and we go at different times every year.

4. We do a lot of travel to places other than WDW. Who wants to get locked in to going to the same place every year?

Seriously, this was what we would have said just a few years ago. We're Disney fans, we go just about every year, and we were literally perfect DVC candidates... but we had NO idea. We didn't even know enough to worry about no housekeeping... that became a fear once we learned more. And I will say, it really did used to be the best kept secret. I learned about it here, not at WDW. I will also say, I have an automatic reflex to sheer away and give a wide berth to anyone trying to sell me something. To this day, I see a timeshare kiosk anywhere and I walk to the other side of the path... old habits die hard, even though we might be in the market for another one before too long!

 

[Amy&Dan]

You know is funny. I finally got over here to read this thread and I don't see much on here that is offensive! I posted that there were offensive things on this thread in my post on the other thread, my bad, I should have looked here first and not taken others word for it. I was expecting some pages long thing that was full of rants and poking fun of specific posters and there is no such thing.

The amount of misinformation and resort snobbery over there is what is laughable. Suddenly the DVC resorts are some sort of thing to avoid at all costs. Whatever, I am secure enough in my decision with what we did four years ago to not let other people's opinions bother me too much. I am done with that one, its not worth it!

The resorts board ain't what it used to be! And I do agree that there are very many valid reasons not to become a DVC member. In general and with many or even most of the posters over on the other thread. As usual, the way a few people choose to express their thoughts in a post are making a whole thread/topic go south.