Is it worth it?

[Shooby doo]

Hi folks,
We are thinking of buying DVC points at AKV,those of you that "own" is it worth it? We normally travel out every 2 years so would be using the bank/borrow option but even still we would have to spend about £9k to get enough for 3 weeks. I can see how DVC appeals to the US owners as they can avoid weekends but for us it would just be too much hassle to move out then back in!
We were going to buy now but as we've never stayed on-site before have decided to wait until our trip then take one of the tours.
Any views much appreciated
SD

 

[Miffy2003]

Just bear in mind you may not got an unbiased view here

Is it worth it? Such a difficult question.

We love to stay onsite and are happy to pay a premium to do so but equally we love staying offsite in massive accommodations for much less money as we travel with our DDs who are now approaching teenhood I can see how we may come to appreciate even more our own bedrooms

We have spent some particularly happy times at DVC resorts, but also some very happy holidays offsite for a fraction of the price. For me the ideal combination is probably a bit of both on each holiday.

So, is it worth it? Depends on you, and what you want from a holiday. Some folks return from an onsite stay and say they are glad they did it but give them the extra space and cheaper costs offsite any day. Maybe it would be worth seeing what you make of your upcoming first onsite stay, and take it from there? When you do a DVC tour then you can see what you think.

Good Luck!

 

[scottishsue]

We have never stayed on site before either - but this May we bought into SSR, after a lot of researching on the net about the DVC. We have 225 points and our "home" resort is Saratoga Springs and we also plan on going every 2 years, banking from the year before.

What we usually do is go for around 4-5 days to the Gulf coast first, then travel over to Orlando.....that way giving us 3 weeks out there.

If you PM me with your details, e.g. how many, when you want to go, and what size accommodation, how long for, etc. I will work out how many points you will need.

 

[Merylj]

We stayed onsite at least 10 times before we decided to buy. We own at SSR and AKV, however we are very familiar with both resorts and have stayed at AKL before.
We don`t like to drive in Florida - so staying onsite suits us fine - however if I did like the driving I`ve seen alot of very nice villas close to WDW which I would have liked to stay in.
If you`re uncertain wait and see, DVC will still be there as will the offers.

 

[LeCras]

For us nothing beats the convenience of staying onsite. We don't have to worry about transport - DME to and from the airport, Disney buses to and from the parks/other resorts and free taxi transfers to and from the Disney golf courses for DH... We like to enjoy a bit of wine with our dinners and it's nice not to have to worry about getting back home at the end of the night.

Of course, DVC ownership doesn't suit everyone - only you can decide whether it's worth it for your family and circumstances. I do recommend booking a tour of the AKV villas though - they are beautiful and there truly is no 'hard sell' involved.

Good luck with your decision, let us know how it went - perhaps we will be able to say Welcome Home soon!

Charlotte

 

[lesley.a.murray@talk]

Hi Shooby Doo,
By the time you have stayed on site you will be able to make your own comparisons and weigh up all the different factors. One thing to remember is to compare like for like. IMHO you cant compare an off site hotel stay to an on site, one for various reasons. Villas are fabulous, spacious and have their own pool, but we also found them quite lonely and missed the buzz of a hotel. Each to their own.

Over the years, we have stayed in off site hotels, a few private villas and in WDW resorts and after all of those, knew what was right for us. Actually, we porbably knew from early on but gave everything a fair try anyway.

We are in the process of buying just now.

If you have any more questions, fire away! Happy to help.

 

[juliebrooks35]

Like the previous poster, we've also been to Florida several times and tried all the accomodation types but found them to be missing something and yes, I understand exactly about the villa's being lonely!
I'd already decided that I would love to buy into DVC as what if offers is exactly what we are looking for but didn't think I could afford it. In July we took the tour, worked out the finances & were amazed it was affordable for what we needed. Anyway, we decided to buy at AKV. AKV are simply stunning.
We'll not be able to visit until 2009 and I'm so excited already
I guess we could do the Florida holiday cheaper but have spent years compromising and couldn't afford to stay in Disney deluxe accomodations unless we were DVC members factoring in flight prices etc(during school holidays!!).
DVC gives you such a warm feel good factor and that's something you can't alway put a price on.
I wish I'd bought years ago.

 

[lesley.a.murray@talk]

I know what you mean Julie about adding in the cost of flights in school holidays but we keep reminding ourselves that it won't be forever. I'm desperately trying not to wish my kids lives away but will just say that we are dreaming of the days where we can go grt a flight at a moments notice and eat our way around Epcot like adults. Going in to all the restaurants you wouldn't dare with 2 kids in tow.

Well, you have to have something to look forward to!

Also, you are so right about not being able to put a price on the feel good factor. We have not told any of our friends about us buying in to the DVC because we just know they won't "get it". There are ones who love their villas, others who won't be swayed form 2 weeks by the pool in Tenerife(or anywhere hot) and see Florida as too much effort so we know they just won't understand why we have paid a LOT of money for POINTS to go to Florida for the rest of our days. We are happy with our decision and thats all that matters.


Let me know where you are in Glasgow! ( by PM if you like)
Lesley

 

[scottishsue]

Lesley and Julie................. another Glaswegian born and bred here !!

Whereabouts are you both?

 

[juliebrooks35]

I'm from the southside of Glasgow. Thornliebank to be exact, what about you two?

Seems to be a lot of us Glasgow gals about

I totally agree that some people just don't get the Disney thing, to be honest I didn't understand all the hype until the first time I went either and now I don't really want to go anywhere else! and it's wasted on kids
I too seem to spend all my life wishing both my own and my kids lives away waiting on the next holiday. I try not to but I can't help it.
Lesley, where are you buying points and Sue, where do you own?

 

[lesley.a.murray@talk]

Hi girls!
I'm in Wishaw in Lanarkshire, famed for John Higgins the snooker player and EColi..wonderful eh?
I am at the ROFR stage of buying BCV points. It was a really difficult decision, choosing our home resort and they all have their merits, but I think the Boardwalk area is where our dream lies. The idea of dinner, watching Illuminations and then a stroll "home" is, for us, what its all about. I'd asked on another forum, should I go with my heart or my head, (head being one with a longer contract and lower MF) and the reply was to "go with my dream". Decision made. BCV. But I'm hoping to stay at ALL of the others over the years.
I am a definite planner too and usually book 11 months out so I will be taking advantage of the owners window at BCV .

We are off at the end of July 08 for 3 weeks and all being well, will use our newly acquired points for that stay, anywhere that can take us as by the time our purchase closes, we will be nearer to 7 month window. I dont mind where we stay and I'm prepared to move about if necessary. I see it as "sampling the delights of DVC!"
We are also on the DCL as its....ahem....a special birthday for me next year, so thats my treat.
So Julie, did you buy AKV this year, did you take the tour?

Sue, I am presuming you have still to enjoy your first DVC stay?When are you planning to return?
Lesley

 

[juliebrooks35]

We took the tour in July on the last full day of our holiday and I wish that we'd gone earlier as I would have liked a few days to have a quick visit to all the DVC resorts knowing that I would be staying at them all over the years.
I just loved the AKV as soon as I saw the rooms. Our only (slight) reservation was the fact that we would need to get buses or drive to get around but we decided for the concierge level etc, this was a small price to pay. The distance to AKV's has been covered in depth on these boards though and it's put my mind at rest to know that once the bus leaves it really takes no longer than the alternatives.
That said it would be fantastic to stay in the Beach Club and just wander on back after the Epcot fireworks which are my very favourite But, I know that I'll be able to do that on a future trip.
You must be very excited about everything coming through then. Congratulations on passing ROFR.

 

[lesley.a.murray@talk]

knowing that I would be staying at them all over the years.

No " just in case"..... or "in the hope that"..... KNOWING you will be stayimg at them all!! YEEHAAAA! That's the kind of talk I like to hear.


As for.....
Congratulations on passing ROFR.

...... No quite time for celebration yet. Still waiting to hear if Disney have been kind to us. Don't worry, when I hear, you will hear,all the way to GLASGOW!
Must remain calm and patient.

 

[Shooby doo]

Hi folks,
Many thanks for your thoughts,I think that we have more or less decided to wait until our trip & go & go on the tour.Hindsight is 20/20 vision & we should have bought at BWV about 7 years ago! But at the time the room size in the studio seemed small,now with DS soon to be a teenager it seems alright for us old foggies! Although I've worked out that 180 points would allow us to get a 1 bedroom SV for 3 weeks every 2 years (we like to go in Sept & catch all the Halloween goings on).I will keep you informed of any progress!
SD

 

[TinkTatoo]

.......Although I've worked out that 180 points would allow us to get a 1 bedroom SV for 3 weeks every 2 years (we like to go in Sept & catch all the Halloween goings on).I will keep you informed of any progress!
SD

A 1 bed Savannah view at AK would cost 615 points for 3 weeks in September so your points wouldn't stretch that far every two years.

.......I can see how DVC appeals to the US owners as they can avoid weekends but for us it would just be too much hassle to move out then back in............

I thought all the moving would be a hassle but it's really not as bad as it sounds. We tend to do the longest stay at the beginning (say 12 nights ending on a Thursday so missing out on weekend points) then do a couple of shorter stays elsewhere. We'd pack up most of our stuff for going home and just have a couple of smaller cases for the things we need for our last few days.

 

[juliebrooks35]

Shooby Doo, All the best with your decision when you get there and enjoy your holiday. Let us all know how you get on