Long Time DVC Owners - Still Enjoying It?

[tx911]

28 year owner at Boardwalk - bought all our points on day 1, no add-ons since (we bought enough to cover the trips we intended - two weeks in a 2-bedroom at Boardwalk during 2 higher-priced seasons and 2 cheaper seasons, It actually works out to about 25-30 days a year when choosing 1-bedrooms, occasional studios, staying at lower point resorts, etc.

My trips have changed over the years - but they're no less enjoyable - just for different reasons. Does that mean I haven't been disappointed with some Disney changes? Of course not - I loved the original fast passes (before you reserved them online even), hate Genie. I find lots of little perks and included services have disappeared or are now charged for. Some restaurants have gone a bit downhill. I don't think I ever encountered a mediocre Disney cast member, let alone a bad one, until the past 5 years or so, where now it's a little more common to get someone who's not quite as friendly or magical. Costs have definitely skyrocketed.

Yet, I still enjoy my trips, and just work around the things that changed. I don't bother to drive my car most places - I just use the Disney transportation. I don't use the Genie system at all - I just decide what to ride based on standby times. As I've aged, hitting as many rides as possible in a day is no longer important...so if the line is over 40 minutes, I can just skip it and plan on trying next visit.

Food, drinks, and entertainment are more important to me now than they used to be. They were still important in my 20s, but I still wanted to go on rides with friends and get in as much as possible. Now in my 50s, I enjoy strolling and walking around the grounds and resorts - I spend probably equal amounts of time in parks as I do in and around various resorts these days. I like some changes - more DVC lounges and resorts are nice - I think restaurants are starting to improve again after dropping a bit since the pandemic...more bars are sprouting up which I like. And various expansions to Disney Springs and the parks have been nice to see - with more coming.

I'm not in-town local, but I'm a 2 1/2 hr drive away local - so Disney trips are still easy to plan - just a quick drive, no airport messes and schedules, packing limitations, and transportation from airports to deal with - I toss whatever I want in my car (I can overpack like a maniac, because there's no real penalty for taking too much), take a short drive, and I'm there. While I'm paying for my Disney trips, most of my expenses are 'pre-paid' - ie: DVC is already purchased, dues are annual, and I buy an annual pass...so all I need to think about when I make my Disney trips is gas to get there, and food & entertainment while staying there.

My trips used to be very family centric - I owned points with my parents who also liked to go, and my brother who lives in the same town could bring his family. Now, my brother doesn't really go anymore and his 3 kids all grew and moved away, both my parents passed away last year, so the trips are now either solo or with friends. Most of my friends have become addicted to Disney trips the way I like to take them - relaxed, no rope-drops, late starts each day, good food and bars, etc. The same way my family liked to do it too - so really little has changed other than who I go with.

We’ll need to run some tests, as it appears you are completely immune to addonitis

 

[zackiedawg]

We’ll need to run some tests, as it appears you are completely immune to addonitis

I was kind of lucky to have added the right amount of points from the outset to cover all the trips I could fit in...we sometimes had to make it work out by sticking in some value season studio time when going solo, so family could get a 2-bedroom and we pretty well used all our points in a year. But with my brother no longer using it, and now with both parents passed on, I have more than enough points to cover my own needs - usually I end up perpetually rolling points over, and never stay in less than a 1-bedroom even when going solo. Boardwalk is my favorite location because I'm a big Epcot fan, so that's really the only one I need the 11-month booking on - I have a pretty easy time getting into other resorts at the 7 month mark because my travel dates/times are very flexible - I generally go sometime in mid-Jan to mid-Feb, sometime in June or early July, sometime in September, and in the first 2 weeks of December. I always travel over a weekend too, so no worries about not being able to book the cheaper weekdays in the middle that are more often sold out (same with 1-bedrooms over studios).

 

[DebbieB]

When I bought BWV in 1999, the other resort choice was OKW. I never dreamed there would be all these resort choices. I’ve hit them all at WDW except SSR and CC. Also bought VGC in 2020.

 

[epcotized]

We bought twenty some years ago and haven't been to Disney since sometime before Covid. We do use our points at HHI in the Winter to snowbird, and we don't have that many points. For us, it was a "buy because our kids were young" and we got great use out of it, but we prefer World travel to Disney World travel now that its just the two of us. We are looking toward a "adult kid" trip in the next few years, but its hard with young adults and limited vacations.

Note that a lot of people like me exist, but aren't going to be here on the boards - here you get people who love Disney and still own their points - not a lot of people hang on the Disney DVC site who aren't getting the use out of it.

I agree that the people on these boards could affect the results as compared to a professionally done poll.

Although I should not have been surprised the number of people who enjoy it better than before (even the 1990s) is a bit more than I expected.

 

[sarahk0204]

Almost 15 year owners here. We bought at BLT in 2010 when our twins were almost 6. We took 2 trips a year in the early days. We slowed down as the kids grew, but we went to DLR in 2016 and Aulani in 2017. VBR several times.

DD 20 just did the DCP this past spring. When we dropped her off in January, DS 20 had a bad time with everything too crowded. A month or 2 later, he reconsidered, and asked if we could get in a couple of park days when we picked her up in May. We had a great, though short trip, staying in SSR and using Minnie Vans. Everyone had such a great time that we added on at RIV!

We did get the cash bonus for giving up our 2024 points at RIV, though. It was mainly because after dropping off DD in January, DH and I visiting her in March, and the family trip to pick her up in June, I'd blown through all of my vacation time.

We are tentatively planning a December 2025 trip with our good friends who also own DVC. They purchased BLT a couple of weeks after us and have added on at VGF. We've traveled with them to WDW, Aulani, and VBR.

DH and I talk about using our points someday for winter getaways when we are retired, but we are likely 10 or so years away from that.

 

[mac_tlc]

We toured the Hospitality House at The Disney Vacation Club Resort in November 1991. Bought in February 1992. We added on a little at Bay Lake in 1999. When we originally bought in, our kids were 5 and -2. Now they are 37 and 30. They enjoy going as much now as when they were small. For years we would cram us all into a Studio to save points. We would hardly ever stay on-site the first day we flew in -- to save points.

It was rope drop to fireworks almost all the time. The memories are priceless. My daughter was married at the Wedding Pavilion with the reception at the Napa Room at the Contemporary. Overall I have been to WDW over 100 times. Now the grandsons make the trip often.

In 2013, we bought a house in Orlando about 20 minutes from the Epcot parking lot. The use of our points has changed, as has the focus of each trip. A day here, a day there, larger units, maybe rent some points out. My wife and I will spend a day at the Cabins at FW in two weeks to see what it s like. Just reserved a Grand Villa next July for everyone for four days. Even with the house, its more convenient to stay on-site, especially with the grandkids.

Wife and I go more for the food and events than the rides. F&W next week, a holiday journey for a few days in December.

WDW and DVC have become a very large part of our family and traditions -- and we never regretted our DVC purchase for even a minute.


mac_tlc

 

[DeeCee735]

We own for almost 25 years now. I can't believe I just "said" that! Now we have 3 grandbabes, with another on the way. We have gone every year (or more than once a year) since we purchased in 2000. Last trip was this past March, and with much going on, we are skipping our fall visit.

We are going again in February with the kids and grandkids. It's still amazing, even more with the kids because we get to see it through their eyes, as we did when our children were little, and I love that.

That said, I have lost a bit of interest in the parks....too crowded and too expensive. They should offer a good senior discount....fixed income and all. I don't know if I will continue my 2 or 3 trips (besides the every other year with our grandchildren trip), as often as I was. Now that I am retired, I want to do some other vacations outside of WDW with my friends and cousins. Although, when I revisit the boards here, it does make me want to book a trip!

All in all, we do still love it and I can say with absolute certainty, this is the best money we ever spent.

Dee

 

[corpcomp]

We bought in 2006 when my DS was 11. We were older parents but went twice a year until the pandemic. DS now is on his own and does not come with us but DW and I still go at least 3 times a year for short visits maybe 3-4 days as I purchased a 2nd home in Orlando. Relatives keep asking us why we go to Disney, don't understand the attraction and said we should visit the mountains, Crand Canyon, etc... and would never waste the money on Disney. I just ignore them and have already passed some points to my son for his use. Cost of the membership is not a concern, but I don't get Genie + because I consider it a scam. I almost never get more than three rides when I tried it. As Disney keeps raising prices significantly beyond inflation, we simply adjust our spending. We don't go to the expensive restaurants now (most are not all that good anyway) and don't kill ourselves staying in the parks 10 hours a day. As
DVC and Annual passholders, we don't buy much anymore (which means we are the type that Disney does not want) and are shifting to the Florida Annual pass which will save us about $1200 a year for the two of us.

 

[peabody58]

Bought in in 2010 (BLT) and Add-on-itis in 2021 (BWV). Our AP days will suspend in Sept 2025 as we will be taking a break from lots of WDW trips to fewer but more 1 BR's, as our nearing geriatric ages (67) has translated into a more relaxing kind of vacation. We may recommence AP's in 2027, we'll see. We plan on some resorts only stays at CFW as well as HHI to enjoy day trips into Savanah. Yes we are still enjoying it, but in a different way. Having less trips may actually increase our 'enjoyment' level.

We're also venturing back into overseas travel, so less time for WDW.

 

[Chuck wright]

We bought twenty some years ago and haven't been to Disney since sometime before Covid. We do use our points at HHI in the Winter to snowbird, and we don't have that many points. For us, it was a "buy because our kids were young" and we got great use out of it, but we prefer World travel to Disney World travel now that its just the two of us. We are looking toward a "adult kid" trip in the next few years, but its hard with young adults and limited vacations.

Note that a lot of people like me exist, but aren't going to be here on the boards - here you get people who love Disney and still own their points - not a lot of people hang on the Disney DVC site who aren't getting the use out of it.

Me too and that is why I sold 80 percent of points and getting ready to sell 200 more

 

[ScottOKW2K]

Been an owner sine 2000 and still using and enjoying DVC. Probably would not buy at current points cost but have been enjoying my stays these last few years and all the ones before.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

Member since 2002. As a family of 3, we still enjoy it but not as much as we used to. All the planning really puts a damper on it for me (I do the planning). The price increases, charging for things that once was "free", etc. gets to me too. I don't think we'd be going to Disney if it wasn't for DVC. I wouldn't buy into DVC now at the price point they are now. Would like to stay at some other DVC resorts. In 20+ years we've only been able to stay at 2 DVC resorts that wasn't our home resort.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

More than 30 years ago we bought at the original Disney Vacation Club Resort (OKW), and have enjoyed so many good times and memories - never regretted the purchase. But our enjoyment has changed over the years. We first bought with small kids, who are now adults. So we do more 'adult' trips now, often just 2 of us, and we love it more than ever - just a different point in our lives, and it's still one of our favorite things to do. We also have options to take family and friends most years. Perfect? Absolutely not - but neither are other options for our vacation dollars.

 

[melk]

Member since 2002. The early years were definitely the best, our kids were little, we didn’t have to plan out every day of our vacation, and we could just go with the flow.

That being said we have used our DVC to the full. We’ve been to the Grand Californian, Hilton Head, and my daughter has used it for Aulani. So yes, we’re still enjoying it but the early years were our most enjoyable.

 

[sethschroeder]

Not a fan of all the planning

What are you planning now that you were not then? I saw the height of planning to be 2004 once FP+ came out with 120 day dining and 60 day FP+ reservations (or whatever the times were).

At this point I never had issues with moving park reservations, getting a dining reservation a couple days out, and you can't (yet) prebook Genie.

 

[71 Truck]

My wife and I bought at Old Key West January 1997, almost 28 years ago while on vacation staying at the Wilderness Lodge.
We were supposed to leave Disney and travel to south Florida for a few days before heading home however the weather was rainy.

After we finished the paperwork and because one of the perks at the time was the past years points we asked our guide if we could stay at Old Key west for a few days once we checked out of the Wilderness Lodge. After he checked with the front desk on availability his answerer was, yes.
That was when we knew we made the right decision for many years to come.

Over the next several years we would come to Disney World and stay anywhere from ten to fourteen nights every year.
Over the years we have been to Vegas on a trade but most of our DVC use has been mostly at Walt Disney World. Also back in the early days we did several, seven day Disney Cruises using points.

Now here we are all these years later and is it still worth it and are we enjoying it, yes.

Since we now live closer to Disney we look at shorter stays, one to three nights on average.
We also no longer have park passes although that might change next year. For the most part we like to just get away and spend time either at the resort or Disney Springs.

 

[ZerasPride]

We have been owners for nearly 25 years. DH was never a big Disney fan and would only agree to an "off site" purchase which is why we own Hilton Head and not Boardwalk. My son has never really been a big Disney fan. They both went along on these trips for my amusement. Son is almost 40 and has no desire to ever go back and hubby is facing some challenging health issues and will most likely never return. I had a Disney travel buddy who was my Disney "road dog" for over a decade. She now has health issues and we will most likely never return together. Family members and other friends have no desire to travel to Disney so I find myself all alone.
Just typing all this makes me sad. But I am determined to get this all out.

As I age (with my own health issues) I don't do the parks like I used to do them. They do not hold the same joy for me they once did. But I love the resorts! VGF and RR being my favorites. I was able to convince a niece of mine to accompany me on my latest trip a few weeks ago and we had a ball! I can see as many of you mentioned if I had family and friends that enjoyed it I would find much more enjoyment with my membership. Since I foresee many solo trips in my future I have to learn to DVC differently. I do not want to give it up because Disney in general is still my happy place. I just need to find a way to adapt to this new and unexpected normal. I mean who turns down a free all expense paid Disney vacation? Many of my friends and family members are doing so and I'm done begging folks to accompany me. I have discovered a couple of Disney solo Facebook groups and see there are many in a similar situation. Who love Disney but their loved ones are either not interested or they even prefer to Disney solo. I hope to become that type of Disney traveler as the years go by.

So having said all that I am the type of long time owner who is shocked to find myself basically the last man standing in my circle with a love (or even a like) of Disney. I plan to use my points for mostly resort only stays with occasional park visits. Never been to either Aulani or Vero Beach. I will hopefully be able to focus my next few trips at non-park destinations.

Thanks for listening all!

 

[tgropp]

We have owned DVC since 2007 but have been regular visitors to WDW since 1989. Due to the many “ongoing changes” we do not enjoy Disney like we did in the 90’s and 2000’s. The only thing that keeps us going is watching our grandchildren Expeirence what we watched with our children. My wife and I will go during the Christmas season for a week but will only do a Christmas party and a day at Epcot. Still the wisest travel investment that I have ever made

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

We bought in 2005 at SSR, and added on in a resale in 2012 (320 pts total). We have spent birthdays, anniversaries, and Christmas at SSR and others. Our DD spent both their HS and university trips there with us and friends. In 2025, they’ll be there with 6 BFFs celebrating birthday 25.

DVC has been a place of respite after visiting my parents - complicated - and a sanctuary after their burials. So it has been there through good and bad.

DH and I are late 50s and are Disney and Pixar and Star Wars and Marvel fans. My only two gripes: IP in EPCOT and Pleasure Island. We enjoy light park days - sauntering, riding, people watching. We also enjoy the pools - hello CC cabanas - and just being at the resorts or any bar with a view.

We use DVC differently today than we did 15, 10 years ago - yes. However, we still enjoy it and DVC itself remains an excellent value to us.

 

[jekjones1558]

We bought in 2005 at SSR, and added on in a resale in 2012 (320 pts total). We have spent birthdays, anniversaries, and Christmas at SSR and others. Our DD spent both their HS and university trips there with us and friends. In 2025, they’ll be there with 6 BFFs celebrating birthday 25.

DVC has been a place of respite after visiting my parents - complicated - and a sanctuary after their burials. So it has been there through good and bad.

DH and I are late 50s and are Disney and Pixar and Star Wars and Marvel fans. My only two gripes: IP in EPCOT and Pleasure Island. We enjoy light park days - sauntering, riding, people watching. We also enjoy the pools - hello CC cabanas - and just being at the resorts or any bar with a view.

We use DVC differently today than we did 15, 10 years ago - yes. However, we still enjoy it and DVC itself remains an excellent value to us.

What is IP?