One thing that made you take the plunge?

[DizGirl20]

I am really enjoying reading these responses. I too want to buy IN THE WORST WAY. We are finally recovering from my husband's job loss a few years ago... it has made me very hesitant to pull the trigger. But I am on these boards every day and constantly looking at re-sales. I think we are getting close. Great thread... and best of luck to you!

 

[Sandisw]

We decided to become DVC members this year because of BLT. We have been going to Disney since 1994 (when are children were young) and contempleted it several times.

However, we loved staying at the Contemporary and knew that staying anywhere else would just not be the same for us. We ran all the numbers each time and it always came down to "Will we be happy staying at the DVC resorts?". The answer was always No.

About 5 years ago, we decided that if they ever build at DVC at the Contemporary, we would buy. When they knocked down the north wing and the rumors started to fly about it being DVC, we got very excited.

Even before we bought, I ran all the numbers against resale and did contemplate buying SSR to save money, since it would have been about $5000 less. But, then I realized that over the course of time (even if we only go for another 10 years), it amounted to only $500 per year more to be thrilled with DVC vs. being disappointed.

We went with BLT and could not be happier with our decision!!! The great thing about DVC is that there is something for everyone and that whatever is important to you (cost savings, location, flexibilty, etc) will work with DVC.

Good luck!!!

 

[newlife]

since we as a family were going to go to WDW every 2 years and stay for an average of 9 days, that cost came to around 2,000 for a stay at a deluxe resort.

since my boys were rapidly growing teens at the time, space became extra important. we needed the room because the boys simply were not going to share a bed. so we needed extra room so we could bring an aerobed. dvc offered us the room we needed and since it fit into our budget it was an easy decision for us. i always fel extra special when i stay at any dvc resort

 

[toniosmom]

Hmmm....I'd say I contemplated buying into DVC for about a day. I was never aware of DVC -- I had seen the signs around WDW, but never really looked into it. In April 2008, I took a vacation with extended family to All Star Movies. My then-3 year old son and I shared a room with my handicapped mother (w/ ECV) and father. Our room connected to my sister (a/k/a the trip killer) and her 3 kids. Needless to say, we were all tripping over each other, especially with an ECV in the room, and there was NO WHERE to sit and watch TV unless you were on the bed. My back was killing me.

I decided to go on a DVC tour and when I saw a 1BR model of AKV (with the spa tub), I fell in love. Going back to the ASM room sealed the deal for me. All I could think about was sitting in that spa tub after a long day at the parks. Yes, I jumped in without research, not knowing about resales, and having never heard of the DIS boards. It was probably more of an emotional purchase than anything.

I am a single mother (adopted my son by myself) and I want to make happy vacation memories with him, like my parents did for me. DVC seemed to be the best and most cost-effective way of doing that.

I had enough cash to buy it outright, but it would have wiped me out. So, I financed and have never regretted the decision to jump in without looking.

I wish you the best in your decision and (eventual) membership.

 

[shonnons]

I am interested in hearing from various people why they finally took the plunge and bought DVC. Also, how long did it take you to finally buy after starting to look into it?

I have an offer in now. I input my numbers into this spreadsheet http://www.mousesavers.com/DVCvsCash2008.xls with the requirement to have it pay off in under 10 years for AKV vs./ renting a DVC.

 

[Big Kid]

This is a really fun thread, and it's reassuring to hear that everyone so far is happy with their decisions.

Reading your stories about researching for years and visiting various resorts is making me feel uncomfortably impulsive.

I went to WDW for a day when I was 6 or 7 years old and had fond memories, but never had or made the chance to go again. I hadn't even heard of DHS or AK until my wife insisted that we needed a vacation in the sun in the fall of 2006, and delegated the planning to me (she's a pretty good manager). So I followed an Expedia link to vacation packages at the World, which looked like a fun getaway with lots to do. Then I saw pictures of AKL and the hook was set. I found the DISboards and wondered who are all these obsessed people; they sound like grown ups, but they act like WDW is the happiest place on earth or something??? Needless to say, we had a great time on that trip and discovered that Disney is made for kids of all ages. Oh, and made a baby.

We took a second trip with then 18-month-old DS in January and stayed at Pop Century. Pop is wonderful and we have great affection for it, but it can be a little loud and a little crowded for our taste. And there are no giraffes to be seen anywhere!

So this summer my wife tells me that "everyone" in her office has a timeshare somewhere or other and they're all taking wonderfully relaxing vacations while we load the screaming kid into the minivan to go to the zoo down the road where there are--you guessed it--even more screaming kids. So she delegated this too.

Hmmm, I think to myself, aren't timeshares just sleazy scams that pressgang innocent vacationers into day-long tours with the promise of 50% off a second buffet dinner? And who would want to go to the same place year after year ... unlesss (lightbulb finally flashes) it happens to be, literally, the happiest place of earth? I remembered seeing the DVC booths around the World, noted that their occupants never once engaged us in seemingly idle chatter as a pretext to stealing our time with a sales pitch, and had heard something about ultra luxury suites being built at AKL. My "research" consisted of ooogling the pictures on the DVC website and the decision was made. To justify it after the fact, I read the DVC forums to figure out how it all worked.

We're in process to close on an AKV contract and have our first trip home booked for January 2010. AKV savannah view, of course, because we really, really like giraffes. They're just cool--what can I say. And then Bay Lake Towers for a few days so we can walk to and from MK. With a spare bedroom for my mom for the part of the trip that she will be with us. She has even offered to babysit one night so that we can go to a sippy-cup free dinner. So many menu choices ... could we eat dinner twice in one night I wonder?

It is a ton of money for us. We could stay at value resorts for less, especially with "free" dining, 4/3 promotions and the like. But that's this year during the worst recession since the big one. And there are no balconies and you have to pay for refrigerators and internet, and we have to have two connecting rooms so that punkin can take a nap and we don't have to all go to bed at 8:00 PM. Or we could stay off site ... actually, we couldn't: Disney resorts are as much a part of the experience for us as the parks are.

So looking at that big ole pile of money another way, it's about three years worth of car payments. So we each drive a car an extra 18 months (one car mind you, not every car we'll ever own) , and voila! DVC is paid for. And we can take a great vacation every year until we're really old for less than a thousand (2009) bucks in maintenance fees, plus the cost of airfare, food and park tickets. I honestly don't think that we'll ever get tired of the World, but if it should come to pass, Hawaii has been on our list for years, and D.C. will be on the list (again) in a few years when DS is old enough to relate it to his Civics classes.

So, the one thing? It will be spending a week of quality time with DW and DS in a very comfortable environment far removed from the daily grind for as many years as we have left.

 

[Chic]

Why did we take the plunge?- I received my annual credit card summary and realized I had spent almost $20,000 that year vacationing at Disney. We visit several times a year and tend to invite friends along to share the "magic". I realized I could join DVC for less than $20,000 and could stay about 16 nights a year in a Studio if I avoided weekend stays. My purchase into DVC would and has paid for itself in 3 years. I now have 45 more years of virtually free vacations ahead of me. We calculated our average room costs of a Studio over the life of the contract and it comes out to about $64 a night for a Studio. The current Studio rates are about $350 a night and will absolutely increase over the next 45 years so I consider DVC a great deal in the long term.

How long did it take us to decide?- We attended an Open House during a Disney Cruise and bought in that day. We never really understood how the point system worked until that meeting. Also, EVERY single DVC member we have talked with in the Parks and on the cruise were very happy with their decision to join and had no regrets. After 3 years, we have no regrets.

 

[Coach81]

My family. About 4 - 6 months. Zero regrets since.. best thing we could have done for our family!


Good luck with your decision!

 

[Coach81]

Well, in our case it took Disney a LONG time to finally come around to our way of thinking. LOL!! Actually we were waiting for Disney to finally get into the timeshare business. We bought right away, in 1991, one of the first 10 people, site unseen. Never did a spreadsheet, didn't have to look at it, yada, yada. We knew we would love it because it was Disney. Still, love it, love it. love it!!!

Enjoy The Magic!!

If you don't mind.. how much did it cost back then.. what were the incentives, and how many (just a ball park idea) times have you gone since?

 

[Chic]

If I'm correct, I believe Old Key West was selling for around $55 a point back in 1991. Just think, the resales at Old Key West are currently going for around $75 a point. What does this mean? A member who joined back in 1991 could sell their contract now at about $20 a point profit. Not only could they make money, but all of their vacations since 1991 would have been free. I paid $95 a point 3 years ago and the current price is $112 and supposed to increase next week. DVC sounds like a winning idea to me.

 

[disneyfam]

We have been researching this for awhile now, just waiting for the "right time".

Well 3 weeks ago my mom's best friend went to sleep and never woke up. She had a brain aneurysm in her sleep. It reminded that life is to short and that we shouldn't wait for things we really want because there might not be a tomorrow.

So Sept 16 or DVC contract went to disney for ROFR. We're waiting to hear back. Positive thinking, we WILL be DVC owners!

Cynde

 

[Chic]

I agree that life is short and we should do the things we really want because there may not be a tomorrow. Another way I view it is we need to do things now before we are too old to do them. For example, my father is in his 70's but he can't go to Disney now because his physical condition doesn't allow. I believe that "now" is the time to go out in the parks, experience the attractions, see the sights and enjoy the magic while you're still young enough and have the strength. My dad went to Disney World and Disneyland several times during his younger years and feels blessed to have had the opportunity. It's better to have the memories instead of the regrets.

 

[KKKKCS]

It was kind of spur of the moment for us. Last August we took a 7 day Mexican Riviera cruise on the magic (best vacation ever for us). While on the ship we attended the DVC presentation to kill an hour. After the presentation we wandered around the ship talking about it and asking everyone we saw with DVC lanyards, hats, bags, etc., were they happy they bought in and did they have any regrets. Everyone had the same answers 1. Very happy and 2. We didn't buy in soon enough or buy enough points. What finally tipped us over the edge though was the realization that the cruise we were on was the first family vacation we had taken in 7 years. We decided that for the cost of about 2.5 cruises we would have 50 years of "forced vacations" that we could count on. So, 360 points later, here we are. We just got back from the DVC members cruise (only complaint: not long enough!) and we are spending the week prior to Christmas at our home resort, AKV.

 

[whitfamily]

We actually pondered it one our honeymoon in 2006. At that time though we could never have afford it.

We took another trip in August of last year and got upgraded to the Beach Club. While not DVC we enjoyed the whole Epcot resort area and the nicer pool.

This past January we went for a long weekend (we had to escape the madness of DC during inauguration) and we stayed at Pop. We quickly realized we would never again stay at a Value resort. The room was ok, typical hotel room, but the craziness of sports teams, tour groups, etc just made any experience outside of the room stressful. We took the DVC tour at that time and fell in love with the idea.

Finally in April we took the plunge and bought in at AKV. We stayed at our first DVC over Memorial Day and we immediately knew we made the right decision.

 

[DisneyMim]

coach 81, we paid $49 or $50 per point, I honestly don't remember! As for how many times we've been, I have no idea. Every time I try to count I lose count!! LOL!! I'm guessing around 50 or 60. We actually heard about DVC through a friend who read about it in the Wall Street Journal around February 1991. They are Disney nuts too, although ironically they never bought into DVC. We called right away and the CM thought my husband was nuts, they didn't know w hat he was talking about. We finally got someone who knew but told us we had to wait till the fall. Because of personal reasons we were never able to make it down to WDW that year (we live in Ma). When we bought I had to carry an "artist rendering" of the resort around because nobody believed we actually bought in WDW. People would give us this "sure you did" kind of pathetic look. We had the last laugh. We have added on over the years, but we also like to stay in non-DVC resorts so we stay cash, sometimes club level, sometimes values, depending on the trip and what we want to do. We usually go for no less that a week because we are coming from a distance, although we have done quick 3 or 4 night trips. We also like to do other trips. We love cruising (sorry Disney, but we love RCCL) and other places. I know this is very long and I am rambling, but I always tell people that DVC is wonderful, BUT you have to do what is best for YOUR family. If we could only do DVC every year we wouldn't be happy. My family realizes how very lucky we are and we are grateful that we can vacation like we do. Only YOU can decide if buying into DVC is worth it and you can afford it. It's no fun if it will hurt other aspects of your life.

Enjoy The Magic!!

 

[mariepapa]

Thank you everyone for your honest and forthright answers. I am going to show them to my husband. I loved reading each and every story. I do think that in the end DVC will end up being right for us. Thanks!

 

[Coach81]

Thanks Dismim.. I am soooo jealous of you!!! But we are happy that we are now in the club!!!

 

[DisneyMim]

Coach81, thanks, but please don't be jealous. We are all members and Disney fans so it's all good. Really I would stay in the All Stars if it meant spending time in my favorite place. I forgot to add about what Disney did for us "old timers". We received park passes until 2000. If I remember correctly it was 2 for a studio and 1 bedroom, 4 for a 2 bedroom and 6 (or 8) for a grand villa. They were not annual passes, they were issued each time you stayed on points for the length of stay that you were there. This was great marketing on Disney's part, IMHO, because it made us buy APS once the "free" passes were gone. Also, in the early days Disney would always leave a little present in our room. I remember getting a small photo album, a DVC coin, etc. Also, as many of you may remember there used to be three mountains on the DVC logo (could never figure why they took one away, probably some $$ issue) so we still have some old stuff. Every time my husband wears his "3 mountain" shirt he gets stopped at Disney. Kinda funny! Anyway, thanks for taking me down memory lane. When we first bought our kids were very little and they are now older and still love coming with us, which is another great thing I love about owning DVC. Our kids grew up with it and they have always felt that Disney was their second home, and the characters were their relatives! I am looking forward to sharing the magic with our grandbabies, hopefully someday. This is the real reason I think I love Disney so much. Making memories and getting away from the real world!!

Enjoy The Magic!! And to all members, and soon to be members, have a magical week-end!

 

[ACDSNY]

As a west coaster who never went to WDW until 2000 we didn't think DVC would be for us as we visited DL most of the time. We took a look at DVC in 2003, but still felt WDW was too far away to make it payoff. Finally when we were planning our 2005 WDW trip that we won from an Alamo sweepstakes we purchased a 100 point resale contract to test the water. Boy did we get hooked fast and added on 3 months later.

The VGC are like a dream come true for us as we go to DL quite often.

 

[leelip1982]

This is all i have to say.......89.00 a point grand california villas we want to use points to travel overseas where it would cost an arm and a leg, instead its just a leg.