Is anyone out there still happy with their DVC membership?

[Donna M]

We're happy with DVC too. We have enough points so the change won't effect us.

I think there are some people who forget that they are dealing with 'people' when they interact with CM. The CM could be having a bad day and need a little slack. Also, when expectations are too high that leads to disappointment. Yes, the place is 'magical' but it's still only a resort. We go with the flow.

 

[eliza61]

It seems like most of the threads on this Message Board as well as the Planning board are people complaining about DVC and saying things like they are going to sell their membership, etc. If it's not the new points charts, it's the wait list policy. If not wait list, it's walking reservations. And we always have the random post about how the person would never stay in xyz resort again because their room was filthy or they ran across a rude CM. I'll admit, I've done my share of complaining also. But in spite of that, I'm still very happy with our DVC membership and looking forward to all our future trips. It's funny, I was talking to a friend of mine on Saturday, who is also a DVC member and he had no idea that all this controversy was going on. In fact, he said he likes the new points charts. I'm just wondering if there is anyone else out there that is still very happy with their membership in spite of all the changes that people seem to be complaining about? It sure would be nice to have some positive posts for a change.

I have a few very unscientific theories out there.

1) I think for the most part the dvc'ers are very happy with their memberships but you're bound to get complaints with any changes that in effect cost you more. Hey wander over to the trip planning board any time ticket prices go up.

2) I know in my life I probably put a lot of expectation into my vacations. RL some times seems to get a little harder. So when you have some systems that may now make your vacation a bit harder (say not getting a waitlist) it's only natural to vent.

3) I find DVC'ers are a lot more flexible group than most. We know this may not be the best situation but I find we tend to move on and continue to make more memories. Sure I think the new point system sucks but I'll continue to make 10 day, weekend reservations and have great vacations.

4) Remember these boards are a really tiny fraction of all the dvc'ers. I got 2 family member to join and they rarely read the mailings that I look forward to. They simply book their trips so I'm not surprise your friend didn't even realize there were changes.

We are estatically pleased with our purchase. We are looking forward to tons of new vacations.

 

[disneynutz]

I wouldn't say that we dislike the DVC, but we dislike the policy changes that have occurred during the last year and we wonder if it will stop. As long as we continue to save money by being members, we will keep our memberships.

We are also concerned by the continued changes at Disney Parks. Less product and higher prices.

New members shouldn't answer the question because the honeymoon isn't over yet. Wait a couple of years and see if you loose some of the magic.

We hope and pray that Disney will adopt a different business model before it's to late.

 

[robandkelly13]

We still love our 370 points DVC AKV heaven! Granted we've only been members 4 months, but we'd buy again in a heartbeat. We're so glad that we bought in before the price increase too - even though the cruise would be nice!

 

[bobbiwoz]

For the first time in memory I am not able to have a trip in our plans. Too many health issues for the foreseeable future. For those who are bummed about all the changes, be glad if you can still plan a trip. Someday we will be planning again, too, no matter what the new policies are. Love our DVC.

I pray that soon you'll be happily planning!
Bobbi

 

[Chellymouse]

I wouldn't say that we dislike the DVC, but we dislike the policy changes that have occurred during the last year and we wonder if it will stop. As long as we continue to save money by being members, we will keep our memberships.

We are also concerned by the continued changes at Disney Parks. Less product and higher prices.

New members shouldn't answer the question because the honeymoon isn't over yet. Wait a couple of years and see if you loose some of the magic.

We hope and pray that Disney will adopt a different business model before it's to late.

We have been members for a little over a year, but we've been travelling to WDW for the past 10. I know...flames all around for not buying in sooner!
We noticed some very significant changes at the Disney Parks on our 12/08 trip. Mostly little things....service not quite up to par, transportation worse than usual, not quite the meals we've come to know and love...I know the economy is bad and I'm sure Disney is feeling the pinch, but cutting back on the customer service they are known for isn't going to help them. But all of those little things added up to a less than par trip for us.

 

[Jacky]

I love my DVC!! I just added on some BVC and some BLT!! Everything changes. The initial DVC purchasers got free passes for years too-- an even better deal. I think the longer you have DVC the more you save (the move you spend too= more trips, more APs more visits hahaha) I have owned since 2004 and just wish I bought in earlier.

Now is actually a great to buy if you can, I think I got an all time low price that passed ROFR for BCV at 82 per pt for 110 points.

I LOVE my DVC. Its not perfect, but its soooo great.

Jacky

 

[Anal Annie]

While I am glad in these hard times that we have our DVC membership and I feel fortunate for even having it, my addonitis has been cured for now with all of these recent changes and I am no longer drinking the koolaid. I am in addonitis recovery and koolaid anonymous and am expected to remain there at least until our next trip in August.

Right now I mostly am not a fan of how DVC handled the announcement about the chart changes, or should I say LACK of announcments (if it weren't for the DIS I still wouldn't know about the changes to the 2010 charts). Their IT Dept. is screwed up and I don't get their emails even tho I've complained directly to them. They just say it looks like I should get them...well, hello? I don't. I think this should've been handled with a special mailing via Pony Express to all members. I also don't understand why some members have received personal phone calls in response to their complaints when I have not. I just don't get how they operate. We pay our dues just like everyone else so I think I deserve the same treatment & response.

The switch to RCI leaves no good choices for Maui (sort of a regular destination for us that we HAD intended to trade for once every 5 years). With the price increases, the minimum add-on increases and the higher point charts I feel we also not be buying an add-on at Ko'Olina. In fact, if the points charts are as high as I am afraid they will be it will be cheaper to book a cash room somewhere on our own. Costco has some terrific prices to Hawaii. Had also hoped to go back to Aruba sometime (we went on our honeymoon) but now there are NO choices for Aruba.

Not pissed to the point of selling yet but I will no longer be recommending DVC to family & friends or passing along their marketing material. I'm actually too embarrased about the recent changes to even TELL anyone about it. I will just quietly go about our business and if someone asks where we're going on vacation I'll just say Florida. No plugs from me for the "best kept secret". Just figures the first time we attempt to plan 3 trips as far ahead as 2010 they'd go messing it up for us for the 2nd two.

I'm sorry. Do I sound bitter? Hummm...must be the aftertaste from the koolaid.

 

[TiszBear]

Been a member since Feb 1999 and still loving it!!! Yes we all have complaints at times, but nothing will make me sell my DVC. Hey I have added on twice since 1999.

Loving DVC and all the vacations I can get with it!!!


I have found that those who complain are just unhappy people and there is nothing that will please them, there are those that like to complain on these boards and others to just see what people say and how they react, and there are those who really don't "get it" even thou they own DVC. So there will always be those that complain about DVC and the such, to them I say "bring it on with your negativity. I love Disney and my DVC and if you don't like it then sell your points and be done it. I don't have to listen to you." Ok I am off my soapbox adn getting back to work.

 

[JimMIA]

We are not dissatisfied with DVC, but we're certainly not as enthusiastic as we once were. We no longer recommend DVC purchases to our friends, and we are leery of recent and future changes which might dilute the value of ownership. The DVC we own today is quite different from what we bought five years ago.

Basically, our position is that DVC still meets our needs, so we'll keep it. That general satisfaction is mostly because we bought DVC for the bare basics of staying at DVC resorts at WDW, but we also bought it for the long term and we don't know what the long term will look like.

We have enough points, so we certainly will not be adding on.

With the current economy (which I believe will persist for 3-4 more years regardless of what the government does or does not do) we may actually have too many points. We're banking 3/4 of our current UY points, and if that underuse continues, we'll probably sell at least our smaller contract and possibly our larger one instead. If we do sell, however, it would be economy-related, not DVC dissatisfaction related. No sense in paying dues for something we're not using.

Even if we did sell, we'd probably rent for a couple of years and wait for all the panic selling and foreclosures to work their way out of the resale marketplace.

So, are we still happy with DVC? Naw, not really...but we're not UNhappy yet either.

 

[JimC]

We just added in California and added-on at BCV so that says something. But I agree with JimMIA that DVC has changed, is likely to change more in the future and that all of those changes are not increasing the value of the membership. However, it still is the best game in town unless you are willing to rent instead of own.

 

[madyhamilton]

We've been very happy with our DVC membership. We bought back in '06 and have been going every year - myself, DH, DS9 and DS7. Although my boys are still thrilled every time we go, I'm worried that the magic will wear out for them in a few years. I guess there are other DVC (non-WDW) options out there that we can explore, but at this time our summers aren't complete without WDW.

Our home resort is SSR, and we love it. Our next trip is in August, staying at AK Kidani, so it will be different this year.

Bottom line, no regrets for this family.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I have found that those who complain are just unhappy people and there is nothing that will please them, there are those that like to complain on these boards

Rather harsh judgement, wouldn't you say?

 

[janni518]

Love our DVC! It is the only reason we are able to go on vacation this year. We are even talking about adding on asap.

I don't really have a problem with complaining when it's actually constructive criticism. Some here to seem to take it to extremes though.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Wow, I can't believe the response to my little question here. Since some folks have posted how the changes did or did not affect their satisfaction with DVC, I thought I'd do the same.

1) Booking policy - I really liked that change. I like calling on day 1 for the entire week and since we don't go at peak times, walking is not a problem for us. Plus we love our two main WDW home resorts - VWL and AKV and plan to just make ressies there at 11 months from now on, so wait listing shouldn't be a problem either.

2) Change in points - In the past we had been in the Sun-Thur crowd usually going more than once a year. Well this change actually helps us out. It kind of forces us to only go once a year to WDW (not including HHI), but staying an entire 7 days (if not longer). In the long runs this will save us money, with fewer actual trips, but longer stays. It does hurt us at HHI, but what I'll have to do is just step back to a Studio in some cases rather than a 1BR. Since it's just two of us, this is not a huge deal.

Anyway, like I said in the first post, we are still very happy with our membership and don't regret it at all.

 

[photobob]

I am still very happy to be a DVC owner. Like others I am not very happy with the way things have transpired of late.

A previous poster said that:

"I have found that those who complain are just unhappy people and there is nothing that will please them, there are those that like to complain on these boards ."

which is an awfully broad generalization. I am unhappy with the changes but that doesn't change the fact the I am still happy I own DVC. Having your points not go nearly as far as before could make those with even the rosiest of colored glasses to look through unhappy. I don't believe being upset that your vacation last year is going 25 points higher next year makes you someone who looks for things to be unhappy about! and I am a glass half full kind of guy!

 

[Mom B]

We still love our DVC and never get home from a trip without starting to plan the next one! The only thing I really DON"T like is never having enough points!!

 

[disneybass]

We have been members since 10/06 so we have seen continous change since we have joined. Really, none of them affected us until the reallocation of points. Being Sun to Thurs travelers we are faced with adding on points or cutting days off of our trips. I dont think we will be adding on just yet. Might be time to sit back and see what else they plan on changing.

 

[Dean]

DVC still serves it's place for me that it always has as a specialty part of my timeshare portfolio.

 

[DisneyWalker44]

I'm not only "still happy," I'm happier than ever. Look at the changes we've gotten. If I'd gone back and time and posted that we were getting

- a monorail DVC
- 3BR treehouse units for the cost of a 2BR
- a resort at DLR
- free internet
- MS hours on weekends

people would be ecstatic. I am ecstatic. Add a check-in-day reservation policy that seems to be working great for 99% of people and - best of all - they are finally fixing the weekend/weekday point imbalance. Most of my trips are now cheaper.

I know the changes - especially that last one - haven't been good for everyone. And I sincerely offer my sympathy for those negatively affected. But if its all about me, darn tootin I'm happy.