Long Time DVC Owners - Still Enjoying It?

[epcotized]

DVC ownership is sold to people who, of course, will increase in age. I am curious about how DVC owners' perspectives are affected over time. With the increase in thrill rides and other changes over the years do long time DVC owners (for this thread greater than 15 years) still feel as good about recent visits as they did during the early ownership years?

 

[MyDogTink]

I moved away from DVC and Disney for more than 15 years. I couldn’t sell my contract so would instead rent out points. I hate saying this, but I also lost points some years. Life changes. Never thought I’d have a child in my mid-40s. Used my DVC membership last year and came home and bought more points. We realized Disney is where we want to be now.

 

[Sandisw]

We have owned now over 15 years and just came home from a family trip. It made us realize how much owning means to us!!?

 

[2010dvcfan]

It'll be 15 years in May 2025, I do enjoy my membership as much or more then that first year, I like the way it has changed my attitude towards vacationing. I dare say I enjoy planning and booking the trips as much as I enjoy actually going on the trip.

 

[RickNJane]

I think we qualify as old timers! We first bought into Boardwalk in 96. We really could not afford it, but bit the bullet and went for it. In the early days we would bank and borrow points to have a 2 to 3 week stay every other year. We would pull the kids out of school and hit the parks open to close. Heck one time we even stayed the whole month of December at OKW.
As you stated life changes. For a period of time before covid we could not go on any vacation. We rented our points or let our kids use them . It was a bummer but we never regretted being DVC.
Now we are retired. We added on at BLT (split stay!) and Disneyland Hotel. Now we go several times a year. Usually once with the GrandKids and once for just us. Still very happy to be DVC. We take things much slower now. We enjoy just being out and about. We do hit our favorite rides, but do not fret if we don't. We have a trip coming in May for Epcot flower and garden festival and will probably just do Epcot and resort hop. Something we would never do in the old days.

As Disneygrandpa says, slow down, recharge, relax.

 

[Travel60]

We've owned at HHI since the beginning.

When our kids were young we alternated years at WDW, HHI and cruising. When kids were older, it was mostly HHI and cruising. Through the years also did a few trade outs through RCI. Haven't done II yet.

Now that we have Grands we've started back with WDW (although after last year's visit, I'm not keen on it .....not even sure the Grands are - too much work to stand in lines.) Just finished 9 days with whole fam in HHI grand villa and everyone wants to go back there.

DH and I have started spending 5-6 weeks at WDW resorts and Vero Beach in Jan/Feb.

So use has changed but still enjoying. We will be ~90 when HHI points expire so really don't care what DVC does with it.

 

[kanerf]

Planning my next trip is what I do after returning from the last.

 

[Disney Spaz]

We owned in 2007 then left and came back in 2013 with the opening of VGF. I guess we kind of count at 15+ years. Our trips have changed significantly since we first purchased but we have zero regrets and added more points just last year and will add on more CCR points in the next few years.

Most of the changes to our trips is that we go slower and do not stress about what we don't get done. Instead we stop and enjoy to little things and the ambience of the resort. I would say our trips now are just as enjoyable if not better than the ones when we first bought in and the kids were young.

 

[RickNJane]

We owned in 2007 then left and came back in 2013 with the opening of VGF. I guess we kind of count at 15+ years. Our trips have changed significantly since we first purchased but we have zero regrets and added more points just last year and will add on more CCR points in the next few years.

Most of the changes to our trips is that we go slower and do not stress about what we don't get done. Instead we stop and enjoy to little things and the ambience of the resort. I would say our trips now are just as enjoyable if not better than the ones when we first bought in and the kids were young.

Totally agree! We now slow down relax unplug and just go with the flow.

 

[CarolynFH]

We have been members for almost 27 years now, and of course our trips have changed. Our kids have grown up going to WDW almost annually, gradually being allowed more freedom in the parks. Our daughter spent her honeymoon in a Boardwalk view studio that we booked with our points. We've brought our family, including grandkids, on several occasions. Now we've had some life events get in the way of visiting as frequently as we would like to, but WDW is still our happy place even if DH and I spend most of the day in the villa and just come out in the late afternoon to enjoy the parks at night. We'll be there in January introducing our latest granddaughter to WDW, and we hope to use our points to visit Disneyland during its 70th birthday celebration.

 

[crisi]

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.

 

[AnnaS]

24 years of ownership.

We actually did not take yearly trips until about 4/5 years after purchasing.

Have taken trips with family, friends, kids' friends, met friends and enjoyed many trips as a couple.

My daughter did the CP.

My daughter met her husband in the CP also and married in Disney.

Two of my kids also own DVC.....

We also took many vacations with and without points or Disney related. Have split Disney trips with Vero, HH and DCL.

A few years ago we started to split our stay Disney/Vero twice a year - 2 to 2 1/2 weeks each. We planned on staying for a month each time within a year or two.

We went to Italy last year for 2 1/2 weeks and made plans to go back within a year or two. We still had so many plans and places to visit on our list (as many do).

We always discussed WDW is a destination I could do a solo trip if my DH was sick or passed.......

Unfortunately the time recently came. My next two trips are with one or two of my kids (and their families). Not sure if my first one solo will be a year from now. I can't wait for my family/friends to always go with me and the couples trip that we took a few times is more or less done now....so I am more grateful now that I have my DVC points to use in Disney. I will not be renting a car to make split stays (HH/Vero).

We bought because the kids were young, because of the kids, the product, quality, a place we did not mind going back for more over and over for a long time. We did not buy thinking we will sell in a few years or when the kids were adults. We knew it was a place we could also enjoy as adults. Relaxing at the resort, pool, F&W, F&G, Concerts, etc. We are not thrill ride seekers but look forward to new rides, shows, restaurants, etc.

Plans change/life changes, It is what we make of it with what we have/need, etc. I never say never, but I do hope and plan on using my points for many more years.

 

[lovin'fl]

Owners since 2006 and, to be honest, I am enjoying it less. Not a fan of all the planning and cost hikes. Just isn't as magical as the early years (2006-2012 range). Plus we live local and go often. Use our DVC about 1 night a month on average. I told the DH living so close would wear the magic a bit for me and it has. Just have to keep finding new things to keep some magic

 

[Judique]

Owners since 2006 and, to be honest, I am enjoying it less. Not a fan of all the planning and cost hikes. Just isn't as magical as the early years (2006-2012 range). Plus we live local and go often. Use our DVC about 1 night a month on average. I told the DH living so close would wear the magic a bit for me and it has. Just have to keep finding new things to keep some magic

Owned since 2000. I still enjoy the rooms and the resorts but all the park planning has made me not want to bother. Yes, there are park things I still want to do but no, I don't want to pay extra to ride the Safari at Animal Kingdom, go to Hollywood Studios for a couple of hours to do maybe 2 attractions that I still enjoy, or use a day of a ticket to go into Epcot to buy dinner or to run to Sunshine Seasons for a tiny breakfast item. Of course hopping has worked for these minor excursions but I'm also getting older and it's a long haul from my car into the parks (such as AK) for just one or two things.

I'm still going but my focus is no longer the parks. Shame as I still have multiple no expiry tickets. Somebody may use them eventually.
I'll be there first week in December and last week in February. Family members in Feb will share my two bedroom and the younger couple will do the parks. The older three will veg by walking around the lake and finding lounges for a cocktail, then dinner somewhere nice. Then we will go offsite to a resort my family often enjoys for another week.

I've thought of taking a quick trip prior to TG for F&W for a couple of days. It's close to my Dec trip but I'm retired and I haven't actually done F&W since pre pandemic. The spoiler is we hit so many festivals that also have food booths, it's not super important anymore. Plus November used to feel cooler.

 

[J-Dog]

I'm a new owner (about 4 years now), so I didn't vote, but I am guessing that this poll is probably skewed - considering that DVC owners that have become disinterested in Disney might not be frequenting the Dis boards very often.

 

[CWTC]

Owners since 2009 - we started with 150 BCV resale points and now are just shy of 1500 points with 4 home resorts (BCV, VGF, BLT, VGC). We don’t have kids, do not live in Florida, are not tied job wise to specific times of year for travel. We generally go for F&W and in early May - we get APs. We usually stay at our home resorts which we love but have used points for AUL and to stay in a poly bungalow.

The biggest shift once we became DVC members was our trips became more relaxed. No pressure to get stuff done because we know we’ll be back. We have a rotation of things we do/places we eat. Depending on where we stay, our trips feel different and we don’t get bored. Honestly we are creatures of habit so DVC fits us.

 

[Judique]

I'm a new owner (about 4 years now), so I didn't vote, but I am guessing that this poll is probably skewed - considering that DVC owners that have become disinterested in Disney might not be frequenting the Dis boards very often.

You might be correct but as a long time owner sort of disinterested in Disney, I definitely am interested in keeping up with DVC and the resorts I have points at, plus other aspects of the Disboards.

I also see loads of people who've been around as long as I have who frequent the boards almost daily.

 

[Cybertruck]

We are in the enjoy it less crowd. It is more planning and effort for less value. The cutbacks, quantity and quality of entertainment has tarnished the magic (Tokyo seasonal Easter, Halloween, Christmas along with Electric Light parades set the bar). Disney World has one parade a year that meets this standard, filming days for the Christmas Parade. Sadly, that is only the level of entertainment that is included with park admission at Tokyo Disney.

We are looking forward to Island Tower since we need 2 bedrooms for family trips. As others have mentioned priorities have changed as our kids became adults. A week at Food and Wine is more important than a day Disney Quest (something their kids will never get to experience).

 

[miksicnarf]

When we bought in 1997 our 3 kids were young and we went to WDW once per year, for a week in a 2BR at our home resort, OKW. That was the routine for many years. Eventually my husband lost interest so it was the kids and me when they were around high school age. After that it got trickier as their schedules and priorities changed but at least one or two of them would usually accompany me. Seven years ago I took my first solo trip and got hooked...now I usually go solo twice a year for 8-10 nights, plus any random nights I can grab at VGC at our local DL. If and when any of the kids can join me, that's great! If not, also great! Two years ago we did what I call the BFT--Big Family Trip--with everyone including our 2 grands in a GV + studio at OKW--it was fabulous and something I hope to repeat. Meanwhile in 2 weeks I'll be solo in a 1BR at OKW for 10 nights--what's not to love?! At 66 I still enjoy most of the rides, the festivals at Epcot, and have no problem walking 10+ miles per day. I plan to ride it out until the end in 2042!

 

[crazywig]

Bought BWV in 2003, when our oldest was 1yr old. We now have two kids in their twenties and they still come with us on our yearly family trip. Now we also do a long weekend couples trip.

I'd say I'm enjoying it differently. We do less park time and more pool time, we cook in dinner almost every night on the big trip because I find the restaurants overpriced and just average. I used to enjoy planning but the LL stuff has gotten out of hand and frankly expensive and we don't buy it, but rope drop instead to get in what we want.

This year we tried Riviera for the family trip and I loved it and that trip felt different because of the new location (my husband had been pretty adamant about staying at our homes of BWV and BLT because of park closeness). Same with the couples trip when I booked Poly lake view. Trying to keep it "new" has been a challenge though.

We're back at Boardwalk for our October couples trip and I will always love it there but what they've done to food options over there is a disgrace.