Dean
DIS Veteran<br><a href="http://www.wdwinfo.com/dis
- Joined
- Aug 19, 1999
To be honest, the playing field on resale vs retail has changed so much that you really have to ask those who have bought in the last 2-3 years, esp those that bought after the resale limitations. Prior to that there were no differences in usage and the price difference was only 20% or so. Your other statements in this paragraph are the very reasons we've been pushing you on your thoughts and apparent decisions as you've posted them in this thread. We want to make sure you know exactly what you're getting into, what your other options were and what the real costs and risks are.I have ask this questions to find out good and bads about DVC. The cost ratio of it and been trying to figure things out before or even if I buy in to it. I'm not a person that signs on the dotted line just cause I heard some pixiy dust. I'm just trying to figure it out and I thank everyone for their input. So who all on here is a DVC member and how do you like it tell me if you are resale or direct
No one wants to talk you into anything that doesn't fit. However, it seems you've made the assumption you'll only be happy staying on property without actual comparative data. One of those timeshares I mentioned is essentially on Disney property right behind CBR. DVC was my first timeshare and my first love in timesharing. However, if I had it to go over at this point and knowing what now know, I'd likely either not buy in or just buy a small amount of points, say 50-100.Unfortunatly I really can't remember the name of the time share it was it was also 1996 so there are probably beter ones out there now days but staying off Disney is not what I want to do thoe. I have to drive 18-24 hours depending on traffic so when I get there it is so nice to be able to park my car for a week. Flying is out of the question for 7 people a lot cheaper to drive.
I'm not sure where you're located but 18-24 hours is a long time. I doubt you'd drive that in one sitting. Depending on where you are, some of the other systems might have resorts that were good stopovers. Truthfully, IMO, I think some of the other resorts are nicer than DVC in a number of areas. Larger rooms, staff more responsive, more and better activities (ignoring the parks), generally better pools and somewhat to much cheaper short and long term. Of course they're not exclusive of each other, many of us own both DVC resorts and one or more other systems.
I get the impression you don't have a lot of direct experience visiting Disney. IF this is the case, I'd slow down and do a trip or 2 say renting DVC points and maybe an off property stay at say Bonnet Creek.Part of me is looking at the #s. Another part of me is looking at does the people that have it really love is the service as good as I have heard. I do know the #s can be very misleading and there are so many factors that come in to play. I do believe you can get a discounted room rate. I have just recently started looking at resale and I'm weighing all the pros and cons on that to. I have had people tell me not to buy resale before and people tell me to. Also people not to join at all but most of those people aren't members.
To be honest, I do not think service has been Disney's strong point from a resort standpoint and it seems that is important to you. Not that I feel DVC does a bad job, I don't, but I do feel that the other companies do a better job generally when it comes to service and attention to detail. I could give you a number of examples but I'll just give you one I've seen repeated MANY times. At other resorts when I call for something (need a blender, stove not working, etc) I get a better and faster response than with Disney and I get a follow up call to make sure it was taken care of and I am happy with what was done. I am staying at Marriott's Aruba Surf Club right now and can tell you that the pool is nicer and the room is larger and at least as nice as DVC and the response to minor issues as I just described.
This past summer we were in HI for 3 weeks and stayed at Marriott's for all nights. I had a concern about the resort in Kauai. It's one of 2 hotel conversions in the Marriott system and I found the kitchen to be below reasonable for a 1 BR. I was able to speak directly to the GM of the resort (mixed hotel & timeshare) about my concerns. Obviously they weren't going to be able to remodel the kitchen while I was there but I did have suggestions of how they could change it when the hard refurbishment came around. How many people have been able to pick up the phone while at DVC and do that? I remember a lot of people saying they tried, I'm not currently remembering any that were successful in doing so other than a few after the fact based on more significant concerns.