I've stayed at 'em all, and here's my scorecard!

[nezy]

You are a great writer!
You had my attention the entire post and I even felt my eyes well up just near the end!!

Great Job!!


"WELL UP"????
Tears are streaming down my face!
There's No Place Like (my Disney) Home!

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Let me give some of you new owners or soon-to-be's a couple of insights.

I've been around Disney for years. I don't post here a lot (I moderate a board for Marine parents, and that sucks up a lot of leisure computer time. Semper Fi!) but I've (modestly) got a pretty good grasp on things. And I'm not so Pollyanna-ish that I'm afraid to be critical when criticism is due.

But, dang. Compare what you get with the whole DVC/WDW package with what you get with the rest of the civilized leisure world. We are a family of modest means, but decided some years back that a reasonable use of our vacation $$ would be to spend (not invest, in the traditional sense) monies on a DVC ownership.

We have never regretted. Never looked back. Fact is, if you were to try to figure an objective way to value what we've spent on the joy we've received, then it's the best thing we've ever done with our paychecks. All the on-site DVC properties are just magnificent in their own way, all different, and at that point personal taste does come into play. Try 'em all - that's why they make Fords and Chevrolets and Toyotas and Nissans, 'cause not everybody likes the same thing.

I guess it's just the luck (or misfortune) of the draw, but we've just not had bad experiences with accomodations. Now, if I found grunge or grossness in my bed, on what were supposed to be clean sheets, I'd holler for housekeeping pronto, and would expect service. But it would hardly ruin my life. I have, btw, had an experience like that on a business trip to Phoenix at a very, very well-known hotel, but I'd stay there again - they were responsive to the problem, and I'm guessing Disney would be, too. Stuff just happens.

Mostly, gang, here's what I want you to understand, from my pixie-dusted heart to yours: Your experience with Disney in general, and DVC in particular, is directly proportional to the attitude you bring with you. If you expect magic, you'll experience it. If you expect to be disappointed, you will be. I can tell you, without pretense, that just beneath the surface of all you see and experience, Walt's heart still beats. As corporate and as bottom-line conscious as Disney is (and, I suppose, has to be), Eisner and his minions have not been able to squelch that original dream.

To all who come to my happy place, welcome. The joy is there for the taking. Grasp it. Hold it. Embrace it for years. DVC has allowed me to do that.

And for the grinches and grouches and muggles who think I need to have my meds adjusted, well, tough. You live your mundane life, and I'll relish mine. Deal?

I admit it. I'm an idealist. Glory be.

 

[athenna]

Very well said!
Kudos to you!
Let's all enjoy many more pixie dusted DVC vacations for years to come!

 

[lsutiggeratwk]

Thanks from another grateful reader. It gave me great pleasure to read your wonderful post as I sat at my desk eating my lunch. It helped transport me back to "The World" were we'll be in three short weeks for a quickie trip. Your post and my WDW music!

I agree with your philsophy - it's all about attitude!!

 

[Dreamfinder2]

OK, OK, in reponse to some gentle goading in a couple of PM's... and a little bit of agonizing...

DW and DD's favorite of the DVC's? Boardwalk.
DS's? Wilderness Lodge. ("My kind of theming," sez the Marine.)
Mine? Cop out answer, but ... if we have a long stay, I prefer OKW. It feels more and more homy the longer we're there, and it's simply because of the unmatched space. For other stays - and for some of y'all, this will be totally bewildering, but you asked - I like Saratoga Springs. It's a combination of the condo feel, which I like, and the proximity to Downtown Disney. We stayed in the Springs, but I sure did like the view from Congress Park, across the water from DD. I might add that we watched New Year's fireworks from there (along with others in various states of sobriety, some in their PJ's), and we were able to see four consecutive displays at the same time. Way, way cool, PJ's notwithstanding.

But I love 'em all, and cherish the thought of staying in any of them.

As an aside, we've stayed in the All-Stars, the Poly, the Contemporary, Caribbean Beach, Port Orleans, Dixie Landings (when it was what it was), Yacht Club, and Animal Kingdom Lodge, and Fort Wilderness Cabins and campsites... our unanimous family favorite, no debate, has been AKL. But, again, there's stuff to admire, if not love, about all of 'em.

And, for those that keep score, we had plenty of "Welcome Homes" at SSR, especially from one wizened old gentleman gatekeeper who always seemed perfectly pleased to see us.

 

[coasterbob]

You are da MAN! I wanna be just like you when I grow up!
Wait a minute, I'm a DVCer, so I ain't ever gonna grow up!

Actually my family and friends all tell me I have the youngest add-e-tude for an, ah, "experienced" man, that they ever seen! You. Dreamfinder, say, what I think and also say, (but not as eloquently) about the magic of the MAN, and his MOUSE.

We are just starting our adventure as DVCers, and only hope we will experience all of this magic as good and grand as you have presented it!

Bob