Life at WDW after ownership

[Jennasis]

Now that you're an owner, are your trips to WDW still as special? Does it "feel" different arriving at the resort knowing you "own" part of the magic? Do the frequent trips make it less exciting, the anticipation of your next trip?

We are in ROFR hell, waiting for our first contract to go through, and as I've said many times, we are GIDDY over the prospect. But I want to temper that giddiness with reality. Hopefully the magic never wears thin, and of course I can't imagine it would...but I've got "new-owneritis" and possibly delusions of grandeur about what owning is like?

So did there come a point when the shiny awesomeness of owning wore off? Is your eleventy-fifth visit to the World still making your heart go pitter patter like the first trip?

We have been visiting every other year since 2000 (and I made 20 some odd trips prior to that with my family as a kid). Those in between years we couldn't go were TORTURE. Now with our DVC membership we are excited to have a vaction to look forward to every year!

So...what's life like a few years into ownership?

 

[disneynutz]

Seems like you know what to expect, the more you go the more you know the less of a first date feeling.

The DVC is a discounted room and after a while you find out why it is discounted. You will know more than the people working there and you will find out that DVD gets most of the attention and DVC not as much.

You will ask yourself why does DVC have a chat feature when the CM's can't do what you need done. Why do they have the people to call you at home to tell you about the new for pay member magic events but they don't have the people to answer the phone when you call member services.

Bill

 

[Msmithmd]

I think there are two ways to go with a DVC membership and your experiences. One- stretch your points in room size and travel dates, to go more often than you did before. This is obviously what Disney wants you to do. Two- force yourself to continue your prior visit frequency, utilizing DVC to stay at better accommodations for less money than you could have otherwise.

Option one gives you "more" Disney. More costs than before you bought, also. I suspect the majority of DVC members do this. This is where the Disney corporation overall comes out so far ahead by running a timeshare, versus other companies who run timeshares in a "lodging only" model. For Disney, the timeshare just gets you on property, where then they can make their real money on tickets, dining, retail, etc.

Option two might actually save you money. Or at least give you a bigger/nicer room for the same money.

As to which experience set gives you more enjoyment? Well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Speaking for my family, we are clearly "option one" folks- and for now that is a good thing. We have three young Disney fanatics living with us, and we choose to spend our vacation income with the mouse. DVC allows us to justify more of that. There's just no way we would have taken as many vacations and stayed in as nice accommodations if we didn't own.

The option two folks probably see the "magic" more- as it is still kinda new, if you only visit once every couple years. But youth, especially grade school magical youth, is fleeting. And it's tough to see those points in your account just...sitting...there.

Either way, while there are things to be cynical or frustrated about with DVC (or any other luxury product for that matter), overall we still appreciate it just as much a few years into membership, as we did when we booked our very first point-based trip. I do think there's something to be said that Disboards can at times make you feel down on every aspect of the Disney corporation. Just read any tirade on the theme parks board on FP+... But I still think it's a pretty awesome product and company- and I bet that the OP will as well.

 

[quandrea]

It is different but better imo. We go more often. Actually treat it like a second home. Dh has bad allergies down there that we will hopefully get under control so we won't have to sell.

When we go we don't feel pressured to do it all. We enjoy some park time, some down time , a few good meals. We feel completely at home, which we love. We don't get much out of eating out as often, but we love our home cooked dinner and a movie nights.

The cast members so far have provided great service. We almost always stay at animal kingdom Kidani. We love that we can go into the parks for one ride andhead out for a restful day somewhere else.

When I read about people's jam packed, one in a few years trips, I don't envy them. I am so glad to have lost the pack it all in feeling. I know I'll be back.

We don't do much shopping any more. I guess the mouse gets fewer of our dollars than a first time visitor.

I love my dvc. It's home.

 

[Nancy F]

NOPE! We've been going since 2005. We bought at BLT in 2009 and used it the first time in 2010. We go twice a year and every trip is as magical as the first. Now we own at VGF too
Nancy

 

[disfanforlife]

Since buying in 2008 we went once a year except 2012 we skipped. So we just went twice for the first time in 12 months and loved it even more. Feels like it will be along wait until our next visit in 8 months. We love staying in the beautiful villas. We still go to the parks most days but overall have a more "relaxed" feeling when visiting.

 

[DebbieB]

It is much more relaxed. You don't feel that pressure to see and do everything because you know you will be back.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

My trips are now much more relaxed. My time in the parks has significantly decreased and I spend more time walking the resorts and exploring the various shopping and dining locations. Actually, now, I love finding available benches and taking the time to sit and enjoy the views.

 

[bwvBound]

We've owned timeshare for 14 years and DVC for 10 years. For us, there is always something marvelous about being away, anywhere, yet together. My husband relishes not having to complete for my attention against the horses, the dog and the parrot. (I'm thinking your DH might feel the same about your time and attention?) From the moment we enter the timeshare unit and set down our bags he begins to relax. That moment, his relaxing, is the reward!

Most of our trips to WDW are for business conference purposes (not parks) -- but being there is still a big thrill. The conference allow us to reconnect with industry friendships we've formed over the past 20 years. The Epcot resorts (Dolphin/Swan/Yacht Club and for us Boardwalk) are like a college reunion held "on campus" as that space has been the heart of ongoing education for us since '96.

That DVC added locations at Disneyland (our backyard) and Aulani are sweet bonuses. We love "vacationing" at DVC when we get the chance. Similar to our other timeshares, we love having the space and privacy a large unit (1BR and up) affords. We love "living" on vacation as one might do at home with "ordinary" tasks: meal prep, laundry, a soak in the jetted tub, etc. but with the hustle, bustle and excitement of the parks just outside. These are the moments we treasure together.

Edited to add more thoughts ...
Timeshare is something "magic" to us. Somehow it carries much less guilt than booking vacations out of pocket.

• It is paid up front -- no bill at checkout. Yippie.
• Is is "use it or lose it" -- so we gotta go!
• Folks at work seem to give more understanding when you grimace and say, "Sorry, it is my timeshare. I booked it a year ago and can't change the dates." Cool beans: I get to keep my pre-scheduled vacation and others have to give up their "cash out of pocket" plans.
• Sometimes the vacations simply feel "FREE!" -- especially when booked on left-over points. (I especially enjoy booking that "2nd" or "3rd" trade against my SoCal summer week through RCI.)
• And lastly, booking a timeshare vacation is sometimes like winning the lottery. It fills my need to gamble. You can't imagine the sheer joy until you've done it: booked a prime unit for a major holiday; scored a last-minute studio for a getaway; etc.

Love it!

 

[sarahk0204]

We started going to WDW as a family in 2008, and we bought DVC in 2010.

I love being able to slow down and not do everything this trip because we will be back.

I love staying in deluxe accommodations at a reduced price, and a prepaid one at that. Having the $0 balance on checkout is awesome (and also why I will never charge anything to the room).

We own at BLT. Growing up in the 70's, I visited the MK several times, but only as a day guest. (My grandparents lived 90 minutes away from WDW.) I remember riding the express monorail through the CR and thinking that I would never be rich enough to stay there. Now, we own there! I don't think that will ever get old.

 

[wdwchamp]

We got ours in 2011 and DW and I enjoy our visits at Disney. As others have mentioned we enjoy the relax pace when we are at Disney. Typically we go twice a year. We go during Labor Day Weekend by ourselves, where we relax at our resort and explore WDW at our leisure. Our second trip is either early June or Late October with our kids. While we relax at the resort, the boys use the community room, the resort pools and trips to the parks.

Welcome Home, and enjoy your stay at WDW.

 

[Micca]

Hi Jennasis, I recognize you from the community boards We've been going to WDW since the late 70s, we finally bought DVC about 6 years ago.

As other have said, it's a more relaxed paced trip because you know you'll be returning sooner rather than later. The peace of mind of knowing that removes that "torture" you feel when skipping for a period of time.

We really enjoy the accomodations and feel that they are much better than we'd ever have paying for a mod or value out of pocket.

Perks are ok, they come & go but you'll find some of them worthwhile.

We're having fun with our DVC membership, it's something we always wanted to do and we're now glad we have done so. We've added contracts/points every year since we joined

Hope your ROFR goes through and we become DVC neighbors.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I think our trips have always been MORE special since we purchased DVC back in 1997. We look at going to Disney like going to our other home! Two to three trips a year makes it feel like Disney is our second home.

I differ a litter from some of what the others have said. There is no way we would stay in a studio for a DVC trip. We like the idea of a villa that has a full kitchen, a king sized bed, an in room laundry, and our own Jacuzzi just like at home.

One of the things that makes it more special is that we can occasionally bring friends and family along and enjoy seeing Disney through "fresh" eyes.

 

[KiminChicago]

As others have said, vacations are definitely better now that we own DVC. We're in the "continue with the same frequency but stay in bigger accommodations" category. We bought enough points so that we could get a two bedroom villa every other year and that really works for us, especially now that both of our children are teenagers. We know that we'll be back again so there's no need to see everything, but by spacing the trips out a bit, there's always something new to see or do on every trip. That being said, it was also great to go on a biannual trip last year, then know that we could use points again this year when we found out that DD's dance studio is attending a Disney dance workshop. If we had to pay out of pocket, I might have had to pass up the chance to see my daughter dance on the stage at Downtown Disney.

I think the best thing about DVC is that it really is "vacation as YOU wish" because, although others may have ideas on the best way to use your points, you really can choose what's the best use for your points.

 

[gdrj]

Seems like you know what to expect, the more you go the more you know the less of a first date feeling. The DVC is a discounted room and after a while you find out why it is discounted. You will know more than the people working there and you will find out that DVD gets most of the attention and DVC not as much. You will ask yourself why does DVC have a chat feature when the CM's can't do what you need done. Why do they have the people to call you at home to tell you about the new for pay member magic events but they don't have the people to answer the phone when you call member services. Bill

15 years in and are experience is much better than Bill's based on his comment. You can find the negative in anything if that is how you choose to go though your experience. Quite honestly in all the years of going I never have felt the need to dissect our vacation experience and worry about things that Disney or any other vacation spot does. If I got to that point I would probably just sell, it's easy enough to do.

Anyway, for us the magic of our Disney Vacations is still there, and IMO it is because of DVC. Without DVC we most likely would not go as often , and definitely would not be staying in the equivalent of a hotel 1 or 2 bedroom suite. I could but wouldn't pay300 to 400 a night or more for the same DVC experience.

Our vacation experience has changed over the years, but as we are 5 days from our next trip, the excitement Is definitely there. What has changed is us, our family dynamic has changed, our age, our interests, our dining wishes, our tour plans etc. it has changed but not negatively, in someways more exciting.

So congrats on your DVC purchase and Welcome Home!

 

[luckyman_apd]

I'm all about the bottom line. DVC can cost you or save you, it all depends on how you use it. I always loved Disneyworld as a kid. I went 3 times from ages 5 to 18 (and one of them was my senior trip in high school). I always wished i lived closer so I could have been there more as a kid. 2009 was my first time there since I was 18, and I was parent of a 3 year old. There is nothing like experiencing WDW with your kid for their first time. Each trip since has been magic, and it's different each time as they get older (now 2 of em). After that first trip, we couldn't wait to go again, but with a baby on the way and finances, it just didn't seem possible for a while. 2 years later we were given a chance to rent points and were exposed to the DVC experience. After many months (almost a year) of reading and researching and planning (with good advice from Bill whose been labeled Negative here) we bought a resale contract and it has really maximized our Disney trips. We got a small contract, and boy do we stretch it. As our family ages, we know that we won't be able to continue our current pace and it's not too small that we can't upgrade our accommodations and go less often. The Mrs. is at her happiest immersed in the environment there, and we are learning to relax our pace and actually take a vacation at WDW since Mr. cheapskate (ME) has found ways to reduce our costs each time. Whether it's driving an hour an half to another airport to save $500 or taking the dreaded SPIRIT no frills plane to get airfare for $150 a person roundtrip, I can always find a deal.

The "first date" feel is definitely gone, but when Bill says you tend to know more than the CM's there, It gives me that "home" feeling. After all, who knows more about my stuff than me Of course, these boards help make that happen. I just like being able to stay in a nicer room, or a closer proximity for less money than the accommodations we had for that first 2009 trip.

And for the record, I don't view Bill as Negative. I see him as realist

 

[luckyman_apd]

It is much more relaxed. You don't feel that pressure to see and do everything because you know you will be back.

 

[DVC_Dreamer]

Great questions but don't worry because your going to love being a DVC owner. First, you qualify because you love to vacation at WDW every other year and you want to stay at the best properties on site.
If you want to be excited about your trips, be excited about your trips. In my family, we talk WDW ALL THE TIME. We're planning our 4th and 5th trip right now. In June, we're doing a 2 bedroom BLT with 8 family members. We have one person, my son's girlfriend, who hasn't been since she was a kid. I love that we can share our vacation with others. We'll never get tired of the warm FL weather, great service, food and all the new attractions. This year, I can't wait to ride the Mine train over and over again. We're doing California Grill for the first time. With all the rotten junk in the world and daily life, believe me, I'm so thankful for our DVC trips! We live for them!
Enjoy your purchase and start planning.

 

[DVC_Dreamer]

Great questions but don't worry because your going to love being a DVC owner. First, you qualify because you love to vacation at WDW every other year and you want to stay at the best properties on site.
If you want to be excited about your trips, be excited about your trips. In my family, we talk WDW ALL THE TIME. We're planning our 4th and 5th trip right now. In June, we're doing a 2 bedroom BLT with 8 family members. We have one person, my son's girlfriend, who hasn't been since she was a kid. I love that we can share our vacation with others. We'll never get tired of the warm FL weather, great service, food and all the new attractions. This year, I can't wait to ride the Mine train over and over again. We're doing California Grill for the first time. With all the rotten junk in the world and daily life, believe me, I'm so thankful for our DVC trips! We live for them!
Enjoy your purchase and start planning.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

Now that you're an owner, are your trips to WDW still as special? Does it "feel" different arriving at the resort knowing you "own" part of the magic? Do the frequent trips make it less exciting, the anticipation of your next trip?

We are in ROFR hell, waiting for our first contract to go through, and as I've said many times, we are GIDDY over the prospect. But I want to temper that giddiness with reality. Hopefully the magic never wears thin, and of course I can't imagine it would...but I've got "new-owneritis" and possibly delusions of grandeur about what owning is like?

So did there come a point when the shiny awesomeness of owning wore off? Is your eleventy-fifth visit to the World still making your heart go pitter patter like the first trip?

We have been visiting every other year since 2000 (and I made 20 some odd trips prior to that with my family as a kid). Those in between years we couldn't go were TORTURE. Now with our DVC membership we are excited to have a vaction to look forward to every year!

So...what's life like a few years into ownership?

We are 4 years in and I still love my DVC. I am still excited about it ESPECIALLY when I see what the cash rates are for a 1-bedroom or 2-bedroom at the deluxe villa resorts My favorite thing is when I'm there, if I don't get to go to a certain restaurant or get on a ride because the line is too long, I know there will be a next time. In this sense, being a DVC member let's me have a much more relaxed Disney vacation. Enjoy!