Is DVC really this good?

[adamak]

I have been asked this question constantly, by my non- or anti-Disney friends.

I have owned DVC for 6 years now, and I have yet to find any flaws with it (with serious continous researches). I don't know if I am just too biased at this point to give objective recommendations for DVC. I sometimes wonder if there is any anti-DVC sites out there with real, negative opinions.

Maybe I just was spoiled by WDW services. Until very recently (Four Seasons), I did not find any other non-WDW resorts that can even be compared to service level of mid-range WDW hotels.

IMHO, DVC is not cheap. Just the annual dues can probably buy you a week at the Hilton elsewhere. But there is no other place which I know where I can treat my extended family & friends for a vacation of a lifetime, every other year. With no hugh financial committment.

DVC is a prepaid package of magic. I hope you agree.

 

[ryley44]

icannot say my wife was anti disney but she was very skeptical about dvc. we went down 6\06-6\14 and stay at a downtown disney hotel. we planned on looking into dvc when we were there and make a desicion. after three days of non disney transport and only a bus too the waterpark three times a day my wife swore never again to stay at a non disney resort . we looked at dvc on that wed and bought on thursday. i guess it boils down to service and disney is second to none. you come to expect to get the same from other resorts and it never quite match up

 

[Maistre Gracey]

In short, yes, it is that good.
There are some anti-DVC sites, but it is my strong belief that it is mostly out of jealousy.

 

[BuffaloDisney]

It is the best thing I have ever purchased period.

 

[anniet]

When I signed the papers last year, I came home and tried to find some anti-DVC sites (I was still within the two week window to change my mind and was already impressed that they gave me two weeks to back out if I wanted)

The worst I could find was a site where people were arguing the "investment" value of DVC, but since I wasn't buying it to make an investment, I let the paperwork go through and I have not regretted one moment of it.

p.s. I'm also in the middle of paperwork for an add-on right now!

 

[CaptainMidnight]

I'm still impressed with how nice it is when we go home. DVC continually exceeds my expectations.

 

[Beth]

I'm going to accompany my cousin to an off-property timeshare on Friday....

After this weekend, I suspect I'll know <i>for sure</i> how good I've got it with DVC!!

 

[Pa@okw95]

DVC has excellent accomodations for WDW. I have been a member of OKW since 95. As for the service it is below the norm as far as I am concerned.. But then again WDW when it comes to service has been going down hill for years. I will be happy in the future just to winter at OKW and stay away from WDW. WDW has become an amusement park for the masses as far as I am concerned. In the future you will see more and more local teenagers running all over the place. The last people I want to see on a vacation are local teenagers.

 

[RoutemanDan]

Originally posted by Pa@okw95
DVC has excellent accomodations for WDW. I have been a member of OKW since 95. As for the service it is below the norm as far as I am concerned.. But then again WDW when it comes to service has been going down hill for years. I will be happy in the future just to winter at OKW and stay away from WDW. WDW has become an amusement park for the masses as far as I am concerned. In the future you will see more and more local teenagers running all over the place. The last people I want to see on a vacation are local teenagers.

OKW is a part of WDW.Are you referring to the Magic Kingdom or all of the Theme Parks in general?

 

[draje01]

ADAMAK

The only thing I could say in response to annual dues is that I disagree with your statement that it would be cheaper to stay at a Hilton for a week somewhere else. My annual dues are approx $600/year and I don't know any hilton that cheap for a weeks stay. I agree totally with you on the prepaid magic though and we have never regretted our decision to join DVC for one minute. It's so nice to know that when we get stressed out, it won't be long before another vacation is around the corner and with such great service and quality!!!

 

[Merilyn]

DVC is the greatest thing we ever did as a family. We have so many wonderful memories that we wouldn't have if it weren't for WDW and DVC. The times we spend as a family with my Mother and children are exactly what makes DVC a family plan. You can never live those years again, but you can certainly remember all the good times at WDW. I am so thankful I saw the people taking tours the first time we were there. Before our next trip I called and got the information in the mail. We bought before our next trip home. It really is like "HOME" to our family and many others.
Thank you DVC for making so many memories of our family times together. I do not think it has gone downhill. I just traded to a Marriott and it was certainly no better than any DVC resort. There are problems everywhere and sometimes even at DVC resorts. I do think they try very hard to fix anything that is a problem and rather quickly in my opinion. I think the number of people who are DVC members tells the story.

 

[Lisa P.]

Adamak, it sounds like DVC is wonderfully well-suited to your needs. I disagree that it does not require a huge financial commitment.... you paid it upfront, that's all. But if you have found that it works well for you, it really doesn't matter if anyone else agrees or not.

Beth, if you visit another timeshare resort and compare it to DVC in terms of convenience to Disney's theme parks, then you're already set against anything else being acceptable. If you want to make a reasonable comparison, then compare what you see to the Vero Beach or HHI resorts, as if they had no affiliation with WDW. Those are good points-based timeshares with lovely rooms, good locations and plenty of onsite amenities and activities. If the other timeshare cannot offer something similarly nice, then it's a lower standard. If they can, recognize that it's a very nice place for the right owners, who want what that timeshare can offer.

Remember that timeshares vary widely! If this will be your first look at a timeshare other than DVC, it will not be representative of all non-DVC properties. All that said, don't buy from a developer. Resales save thousands!

 

[KarenB]

We joined in 2000 and are doing an add on as we speak/write. Our only regret is that we didn't join sooner!!!!

Karen

 

[spiceycat]

first of all are your friends disney nuts - if they aren't disney nuts then don't even try - it takes a true disney nut to appreciate DVC - I was at Williamsburg, VA for the week of memorial - what did I do but miss Orlando especially OKW - sad - very sad....

So unless I can find a good trade for my other timeshares we are sticking to Orlando. Of course if I got a good trade would I appreciate it - probably not....

there are other places in the world that are wonderful - but I seem to prefer Orlando at WDW - it just a matter of personal taste.

oh what is a disney nut - a person or family that must go to WDW at least every year (or every other year) and must stay on property....

 

[pixiedustforever]

Until 3 months ago, I lived in South Florida & was in Orlando
about twice every month - sometimes more often. I had
Disney annual pass (still do) and annual for Universal &
Islands of Adventure.

By far, I saw many more local teens hanging out at Universal
& IoA than at Disney parks. Downtown Disney was (and is) so much more pleasant in the evenings than CityWalk.
Also a plus is the Disney parks being smoke-free (except for those designated areas), whereas Universal & IoA are NOT smoke-free.

But that's not what this thread is about, is it???
Don't get me started....LOL!!!!!




Yes, imho, DVC IS really this good!!! Bought Jan. 2002 after
staying everywhere else & can't imagine a better value for the $$$.

Went on a Westgate presentation after buying DVC, the salesman
understood why I wasn't seriously considering Westgate. But he did try real hard to sell. I bought when single, now married for
3 months, DH wants to add on - doubling our points.


"Pixiedustforever"

 

[Loubon]

No it is not.....

It is BETTER!

 

[Disney Doll]

DVC is the best purchase we have ever made, bar none.

 

[bcvillastwo]

We liked WDW long before we ever knew about DVC. It's well managed and has a very good corporate culture. Is it perfect? No, of course not. Could it be improved. Sure, everything can be improved. But, it's clean, the staff are well trained, I am treated well (getting keys locked in the car and a WDW Locksmith gets them out free as a service of WDW, no charge thank you very much). It's a place where I can count on good service and I am the one who sets the pace. There are plenty of things to do or I can just lay around, relax, and read a good book.

DVC is just the icing on the cake for me.

But, obviously it's not for everyone. It does cost a good deal of money and not everyone is fortunate enough to afford the cost. Do people have problems once they join, sure but if these boards are any reflection on the general attitude of DVC members at large, well it seems that most consider the cost money well spent.

It's true what they say about one size not fitting all but for the size that it does fit, it's nice and snug.

 

[chainkid]

In 1998 We sold our business and put most of our money into Mutual funds for our eventual retirement and spent $40,000 on BWV points. Years later, our mutual funds have lost at least thirty per cent of their value and our BWV points are worth 25% more. We could sell them right now for more than we paid plus dues and have had some wonderful family vacations in the meantime. Our we happy, you bet. I wish I had the time to rent out points to cover dues. I would then buy alot more points. I didn't buy as an investment but its been by far the best deal I have ever made.

 

[JimC]

bcvillastwo summed it up nicely for us as well. Our regret, not findling some way to afford to do it sooner, particularly in 1992 when we first looked at it.