Just listed our last two contracts...

[dwdeb]

Relaxing at the resorts is what we like best, too!
Even our 14 yo daughter prefers hanging out at the pool with a book, to going into the crowded parks.

If our points don't sell right away, that will us at the pool everyday with noses in our books!

 

[dianeschlicht]

OT...a little.

I wish Disney would wake up concerning the decreasing quaility of WDW dining. At this point, we aren't selling our DVC, but we don't dine in the parks like we did in the past.

That's us too! I have voiced my concern to MS everytime I can, and I also have mentioned it each time I call for dining ressies. Of course, now we do that online, so none can hear our rants!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I think, under the influence of addonitis, many DVC members, like myself, added on more points than they needed. I was up to 550 points and have sold off enough points that I am now down to 340.

I think you are SO right about that. We started with 230 and added 150 within the first year. The 380 was really perfect for us, but I HAD to have at least some points at AKV, since I would have bought there right away if that had been an option back in '97. Now we have 449, and I'd like to still have the 380 maintenance fees. However, I love the CL at AKV, so I'll still be doing that at least every 3rd year. I have thought about eliminating the 150 point contract, but OKW unextended means I wouldn't fare too well, so we'll hang onto it and hope the DS eventually wants to take it over.

I thought we were very smart with our original DVC purchases, and that's why we haven't really had the need to sell any yet.

 

[TLSnell1981]

That's us too! I have voiced my concern to MS everytime I can, and I also have mentioned it each time I call for dining ressies. Of course, now we do that online, so none can hear our rants!

They way I look at it? Why waste the calories and cash on mediocre cuisine?

 

[tjkraz]

As long as they can keep they restaurants busy they don't care who is in them. They have so many first time guests that do not realize how much it has changed.

Aside from the newbies, there are also a lot of people on the DDP--particularly "free dining"--who don't even care about the quality. All they know is that they are "getting a deal" on the food or even dining for free.

Hopefully with the higher prices and even tiered pricing for 2010, the numbers using DDP will decline to the point of Disney taking notice.

 

[jodifla]

Decided to sell our BWV points (sold 3 contracts 2 years ago).We have been members since 97 and still love WDW, DL, DLP, and all the resorts, but have been vacationing differently.

More time at spent at Indian Rocks Beach or Sanibel over Feb and April vacations and summer trips to England or France.

I do still believe no other resort has the quality and theming of a Disney resort, however, imho, the parks are too crowded and the dining plan has ruined what used to be good restaurants.

Will still vacation at Disney once in a while... will never give that up; will have to do it the old fashioned way, book a room through CRO!!

Definitely made good use of our points and would say got more than our money's worth..

So.. farewell DVC, but not farewell WDW, DL, DLP..
Deb

One note: the parks were definitely NOT crowded the week right before Labor Day.

We'd been in January for a week, during the middle of the month, and were astonished by the crowds this past January. Normally, we walk on everything then!

But Aug. 30 in the MK, no line was more than 20 minutes in the middle of the day.

 

[permavac]

... I do still believe no other resort has the quality and theming of a Disney resort, however, imho, the parks are too crowded and the dining plan has ruined what used to be good restaurants...
Deb

We started going to the World in 2005 and have noticed that the crowds have steadily gotten worse every year - in the supposed "off" season. Fortunately, we didn't really believe that the DDP had done all that much to food quality so we were spared the double whammy of disappointment - until this last trip Just got back on Sunday and I finally understand the complaints about the dining. The fish at Yorkshire County Fish Shop has shrunk dramatically and the crispy batter exterior is now some sort of limp, wet multigrain nightmare. The nice (decently portioned) scrambled egg on the Gravlox and Egg sandwich at Kringla in Norway is gone - replaced by 2 microscopic slivers of hard boiled egg. The black forest roulade has been removed from the menu at Biergarten You can still buy a slice at Sommerfest (the black forest "cake" version is gone) but you only get the same amount of cherries you would have gotten in the tiny slices that used to be available in the buffet. The ice cream at the counter service at Caribbean Beach used to be really good - now it's some sort of ice milk. We still have some favorites that remain unchanged, but this past visit was an eye-opening one and we now understand what all the fuss is about as it has finally affected us. Sorry to say that I understand where you're coming from...

Terri

 

[littlestar]

Through the years we've owned 550 total DVC points when I count all the contracts. Now we're down to 155 at SSR. That gives us enough to stay once a year for five nights in a 2 bedroom or 6 nights in a 1 bedroom.

We come to Orlando usually about 3 times a year and enjoy staying at other resorts in Orlando. We're trying Bonnet Creek in May 2010 - found an RCI rental for around $500 for a two bedroom.

 

[zalansky]

Can more of you elaborate (thanks premavac) on why you think Disney Dining has gone down the tubes? We used to get the DDP on every vacation when the price was lower and it included the appetizer and the tip. Now its not as good a value so we usually pass on it. I would love to see additional opinions specifically on whats going wrong.

As for points, we'll probably be in the same boat as the OP one day. Right now our kids are 4 and 6 and we live very close to the world. So it works well for us. As the kids get older though we do want to branch out and see more than Disney World. So maybe we'll sell an add-on in the future. Only time will tell.

 

[dwdeb]

We're baack....!
took the points off the market... 3 weeks is too long to sit without a bite..

So, guess we will take advantage of all the beaufiful resorts, hang by the pool, limit the the food intake, and enjoy.

In all fairness, there ARE a few restaurants we still love for atmosphere, and family tradition; Rose and Crown, Olivia's, Whispering Canyon, and Kona Cafe.

Deb

 

[Deb & Bill]

We're baack....!
took the points off the market... 3 weeks is too long to sit without a bite..

So, guess we will take advantage of all the beaufiful resorts, hang by the pool, limit the the food intake, and enjoy.

In all fairness, there ARE a few restaurants we still love for atmosphere, and family tradition; Rose and Crown, Olivia's, Whispering Canyon, and Kona Cafe.

Deb

We did start with four contracts for sale, wound up selling two very quickly and then decided to take the other two off the market. Then put one smaller one back on the market. Got two bites, no sales and are back to using them. Wait until the market is better.

 

[dwdeb]

..Just booked BC studio for Dec 23-30, this Xmas(will be our 10th xmas in wdw), and SSR studio for Feb vacation. YAY.
Will enjoy the resorts, visit the parks, visit other resorts(our favorite thing to do-just visit no pool-hopping;]).
so... it is ok to not sell, life is good!

 

[zalansky]

Glad you kept the points. We almost put one of our 100 pt contracts for sale this past January after the dues statement came. I had TTS fax us everything, filled it out and thought I faxed it back but it didn't go through. Decided to not sell once I calmed down about the dues and I am so happy we kept the points now.

Great on booking those vacations OP!

 

[dwdeb]

Thanks!
Yes we were very lucky to get the BC studio Xmas res...
Love love love the epcot resorts/international gateway area.
Was able to get dining res. for our dates too, so we get to hit our favorites..
Guess the points didn't sell for a reason; we are still meant to enjoy WDW!!

 

[manning]

Thank god Shula's Steak House is not being run by Disney!!!

 

[dwdeb]

..not familiar with that restaurant, Manning. It is in the Dolphin, isn't it?
We never seem to go to those two
hotels to eat... walk through and explore, yes.

 

[manning]

..not familiar with that restaurant, Manning. It is in the Dolphin, isn't it?
We never seem to go to those two
hotels to eat... walk through and explore, yes.

Yes, it is in the Dolphin thus not part of the Disney operation.

 

[Val]

We put our two contracts up 2 weeks ago and now one is sale-pending......hate to do it, but with 2 kids in college, the change in points, some decline in the "presentation" at WDW and kids who would rather go to the national parks and white water raft- well, the writing was on the proverbial wall. I am very, very sad, but I know it is the right thing. Hopefully our second contract will sell quickly so it will just be OVER!

Someday, when I am old and gray, I may buy myself a little contract for a few small trips. At least we have 12 years of DVC memories!

 

[edk35]

We put our two contracts up 2 weeks ago and now one is sale-pending......hate to do it, but with 2 kids in college, the change in points, some decline in the "presentation" at WDW and kids who would rather go to the national parks and white water raft- well, the writing was on the proverbial wall. I am very, very sad, but I know it is the right thing. Hopefully our second contract will sell quickly so it will just be OVER!

Someday, when I am old and gray, I may buy myself a little contract for a few small trips. At least we have 12 years of DVC memories!

 

[laura-k]

however, imho, the parks are too crowded and the dining plan has ruined what used to be good restaurants.:

We purchased dvc last year ,but won't stay until March ,but we have visited every year for the last 10 years or so and over that time I think one of the things that gets worse each visit is the restaurants , reservation situation and It used to seam that Disney had allot of very cool cm's that really liked there jobs and went out of the way to tell you a cool disney fact , point out a new pin or just be very polite ,many times now it just seams like they just do there job ! (So it's all fine just a little less "special" sometimes )

PS I have had some truly great things happen too ,so thank's to you amazing cms out there !