Is anyone here a DVC owner?

[irish_trip_mom]

We visited for the first time last fall and loved every minute of it. We were warned that our two ASD boys may not do well, but it was quite the opposite.

We'd stayed at the Contemporary so we'd be able to go back if our one little guy needed a break during the day. I must say we were spoiled being that close. We've considered a dvc, but really loved being that close. Any opinions either way?

 

[dclfun]

We have been DVC owners since 1996 and can't say enough good things about being a member. You might want to check the DVC boards- there are probably threads there about joining, etc. ---Kathy

 

[DIS-NH]

We've been DVC owners for 2+ years. My 2 ASD boys love it !!!

We prefer to stay at OKW, as they have the largest rooms and a nice
quiet environment. Bus service has never been a problem.

 

[MBW]

As we're a larger family (2 adults, 4 kids) and it gives our autistic boys lots of room to run around.

It's also considerably cheaper than getting two rooms at the high-end resorts, and we have a full kitchen (which is great, as one of our sons has celiac, so we can prepare many of his meals.)

Just edited this to say we stayed last time at the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge, and it was very easy to take a break during the day (just took the boat from MK.)

 

[OKWMom]

We actually purchased our DVC points because of my daughter with autism. Like DIS-NH, we stay at OKW because of the extra room and because it is generally quieter and gives her more of a break from the parks. The 2BR villas are large enough for us to bring her ball and other sensory toys and still have room to move around. Add that to the jetted tub which she uses every night and every morning and she is in heaven.

We first started staying there because of the kitchen. It was nice not having to stress about whether or not she was going to eat the different versions of the food she would normally eat. With the exception of our last trip, she would not eat anything at all in any park. I don't know if it was because she was overstimulated or if she just didn't want to stop to eat, but she would not eat even the snacks I brought for her. Without that kitchen, we would have been sunk.

With the discount on annual passes offered to members, we are able to take more than one trip per year. Now, if I could just convince my husband to add on more points, we could add an extra trip to really use those APs.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

We own @ SSR and our son had a stroke and because of that has alot of dev delays and epilespy. We love it because it is a guaranteed room every year without having to "pay" for it. We can take a trip when we feel like it or not. It leaves so much flexibility to our planning. In the past preDVC we it was one more thing to plan. Now we know it will be one of the DVC resorts Plus having the kitchenette available in the studio is AWESOME for DS to have snack cold drinks. Small meals too are doable in the room DS loves easy mac I would say go for it

 

[SueM in MN]

We have been DVC members since 1993 and have enjoyed the extra room, the cooking facilities and laundry in the room on every visit.

 

[BroganMc]

We'd stayed at the Contemporary so we'd be able to go back if our one little guy needed a break during the day. I must say we were spoiled being that close. We've considered a dvc, but really loved being that close. Any opinions either way?

Not to start trouble, but you could always rent DVC and wait to buy until they build that rumored Contemporary Villa.

Wilderness Lodge has a smaller DVC (100+ rooms) and is a ferry away from MK. Beach Club and Boardwalk are ferry rides away from Epcot and MGM, or a 15 min walk.

Saratoga and Old Key West are standalone resorts that give you more privacy and have fairly direct bus routes to the parks.

The new Animal Kingdom Villas is a short bus or car ride from Animal Kingdom.

Having been in the vacation club ownership world since '01 (when I purchased Marriott), I've foresworn any and all regular hotel rooms. Even the Contemporary is just an overpriced bed & bath to me, subpar from even the lowliest studio room.

But be warned, if you go the DVC route you will probably find yourself traveling to Disney more often and possibly seeking more points for longer stays.

 

[Linnie The Pooh]

We own points at SSR and our ASD boy(7) does really well. he doesn't mind waiting in lines as long as he knows he gets a big treat at the end like a ride or character meet. We've stayed at the Boardwalk, OKW and SSR and I think our favorite is OKW b/c it's big and roomy and you can park close to your room, although this had no effect on DS at all. We are very glad we bought into DVC and are looking to buy more points possibly this year or next. We need more points!!

 

[OneMoreTry]

With our daughter who has severe myoclonic epilepsy and PDD the extra room and "at home" feel of a DVC 2BR have become indispensible. We wouldn't consider trading that for a "closer" room as long as we have DD7 with us. She also needs a break from the excitement and OKW is the perfect place for her to crash and recouperate. (Actually, we ALL need the break, which helps make the crowds more bearable.)

In addition, we have found the HH resort to work out very well for us and DD7. We visit there more than WDW now.

I can't say enough about DVC for a family with a special needs child.

PS. consider waiting until June to buy DVC if you think DVC at Animal Kingdom would appeal to you.

 

[KathyRN137]

We became DVC members specifically because of our autistic son (8yrs). WDW is like a form of therapy for him (and us!) We wanted to be able to afford an annual WDW vacation and it has really worked out well for our family.

Like others, we love the large accommodations, laundry in-room, and the whirlpool tubs which are great if your child craves deep-pressure. Having a kitchen allows us to eat breakfast in our room every morning which saves a lot of time and permits us to prepare any special foods as needed.

I have found that if we visit during the less busy times of the year, the bus/boat service is very good and we are able to return to our resort for an afternoon break every day.

We are now considering adding points so that we can get a 2BR home each year...my DH's great-aunt (75yrs) came with us last year and had such a great time, she wants to come with us every year from now on!!

We consider it a good investment.

Kathy

 

[shovan]

We purchased DVC at the Beach Club last year. (resale purchase) My DH has MD & uses a power WC.

We are former Polynesian Addicts, the Poly's location is just so convenient for us with disability issues. If they ever add DVC to the Polynesian, we'll be waiting in line to purchase.

We just returned from our second trip at the Beach Club & we really love it! Since we love Epcot, being able to walk (or roll ) right in to World Showcase is great. Our first trip in October we had a studio with mini-kitchen, it had 1 queen bed & queen sofa sleeper. This last trip we had a 1BR with a handicap roll-in shower plus the jacuzzi! It was fabulous. We had the roll in shower for my DH & I got to soak in the tub in the evening! I don't think it gets any better than that! We had 4 adults & a 4 yo old on this trip & having the kitchen & washer/dryer in room was a real benefit.

 

[disneyfool_1202]

We bought DVC on our honeymoon and never realized how much it would impact life with a son who has ASD (PDD). We vacationed with him at Hilton Head and VWL, both times loving the fact that we had laundry in the room, a full kitchen (he also has a peanut allergy), and a seperate bedroom from the "living" area. We went to Sesame Place last year and stayed in a regular hotel room with him and it was HORRIBLE. He saw the beds and thought we were always going to make him go to sleep so he cried and cried and cried... Not to mention once we'd get him to sleep we had to sit in the dark or go to sleep ourselves (at 8pm). I love having the ability to put him to bed in one room and go sit and watch TV, have a cup of tea, spend some time with my husband with the lights on, etc... It really is home away from home and IMO makes vacationing much less stressful!!

 

[spiceycat]

I have also owned since 93. mother was not getting any younger - neither was I - but the main reason for me was my food allergies.

now Disney does an excellent job with normal food allergies - mind aren't normal.

Pepper, Rye, Oats - are my 3 worst one. Pepper being the worst. I get a version of food posioning if I eat it.

Disney chefs are the best - but asking them to avoid pepper is hard. So it takes a while.....sometimes a long while for them to prepare me something.

while waiting for my meal and waiting for it - wishing I was in the parks instead....

so having a kitchen or kitchennett is heaven for me. I don't have to eat out.

I can when I want too - but it is not longer a have to when visiting WDW.

plus since I am cheap and would rather go more often than stay in a 1 or 2 bedroom it is studios for us.

Mother went on her last trip last year. She kept getting me up all night long - asking where were we and trying to leave. Since we flew in, we couldn't leave then and she kept demanding to leave. It was not fun for either of us.

she is still fine at home - but no more overnight trips for her. day trips she is still fine.

 

[roadtripper]

Not to start trouble, but you could always rent DVC and wait to buy until they build that rumored Contemporary Villa.
.

BroganMc--you beat me to it! Check my signature--some of us hope it will be announced soon! We are DVC members, and bought partly due to son with CP, devl delay, etc. He likes vacations to be predictable-- we show him pics of the room, rides, etc. Plus, the accessibility is the best of anywhere we have ever been, which is a factor for us. Lots of room to spread out so that you don't feel trapped in a hotel room. It's nice especially on days when DS decides he doesn't want to be in the parks at all--not my favorite days, but at least we have the great pool!.