people who influenced you DVC purchase

[skorpie]

I was wondering if any of you out there had a person/couple that helped you decide to purchase DVC. I wish I could thank the couple we met at Epcot, in "England" who began talking to us, out of the blue, about the advantages of a DVC purchase.

My DD age 9 didn't want to go back to the BW to further discuss a DVC purchase. My DH was talking to her, saying we had an appointment and had to go. This couple, who we happened to sit next to on a bench said to her,"Oh yes you want to go back to hear about DVC!" My DH, who was the most resistant, had to sit and listen to their praises of DVC while I had on a smile, similar to the Cheshire Cat!!! This couple(if you're out there and read this particular board, were also Tanzanite lovers!) made all the difference in the world. I pointed out, to my reluctant DH, how great DVC must be if perfect strangers would go on about it! Anyway, we are now proud owners at VWL of 250,and a good deal is due to the anonymous couple at Epcot. So if you folks are out there, Thanks!!!!!

 

[RobDoc]

Great topic!

In the spring of '93, I had a patient at my office who had just returned from Spring Break at WDW. I asked what they had enjoyed most about their trip and they described their DVC tour and subsequent purchase. I asked many questions, called them at home a few times and decided that we'd enjoy the program also.

While at WDW a few weeks later, we stopped in at Commodore House without an appointment and asked if there was someone available to sign us up and they quickly found Bettie Pleasant to give us a quick tour. We had no questions, but enjoyed the movie and tour, signed our documents, had our picture taken and enjoyed a sundae- all within an hour. The rest is history!

I thank that patient often!

 

[Mattsmom]

The people that helped/influenced us the most to buy DVC are right here on the DIS!!!!

We haven't finished buying yet, plan to finish 5/6 at WDW.

I came to the DIS looking for info. for our last trip. Some of the posters that helped answer my questions had DVC logos, etc. It got my curiosity, I came to the DVC board for more info. The more I learned the more I realized DVC was for us.

So thanks Granny, PamOKW, EeyoreU2, Drusba, Uncleromulus and MANY others whose names will come to mind the minute I post this!

 

[nisiemouse]

If it was not for the DIS I do not think I would be a dvc member right now. It was something I really wanted to do but just could not convince dh. I had requested information last summer about VWL. Learning about resale purchases on the DIS and who to contact did the trick to convince dh. We saved $2400 over buying through disney and got a contract with all of last years points banked. Thanks to all the experts here who were all so patient with my questions.

 

[Regina]

My father-in-law's wife. She absolutely hated DVC. We couldn't sign the contract fast enough after that.

 

[ceejay13]

We had wanted to sign up back in 1993 but didn't feel we could afford it. We continued to talk about but never checked into the details. In early 2000 one of my co-workers and their significant other who is a physcian bought 150 points at HH. They originally got us motivated to get more details. I had frequented this site for general WDW info in the past and noticed the DVC board. It was the wealth of information and guidance I received from the posters that finally made us feel comfortable with the decision. We gave the referral to our co-workers. Interestingly enough, they just sold their DVC points as they weren't using them as often since they just adopted a baby boy.

 

[rbuzzotta]

A woman from Chicago who bought into DVC with her brother, his wife and their child(ren). We met her at VB and I really enjoyed listening to her explain all about DVC. We then set up a tour and at the time were building a new house and my DH was afraid to spend more money.

Anyways, I wouldn't let up and 3 years later bought resale at OKW. I still want add-ons at VB.

Webmaster Doc answered many of my questions including the one many ask......"How many in a 1 BR". Yes, we are a family of 5!! LOL!!!

This board was a great resource! Thanks to all.

 

[ncligs]

My sister bought in 95 at OKW and invited our family down in a GV for a week..........Now 4 in our family are DVC members.

 

[Granny]

Like mattsmom, the most influential people were the ones I met here on the DVC DISBoard.

We were in an "every other year" mode for WDW because of the cost. But even in the "off" year, I found myself looking at Disney World sites and doing some daydreaming.

One of those sites had a brief description of DVC and a link to this board. I lurked for quite a while, read the FAQ's and asked a few questions.

The positive feeling that came from this board made me comfortable in making such a sizable investment. I am happy now to pass that same feeling along to others!

Nice thread, skorpie.

 

[cgcw]

We first heard about DVC through a neighbor. When we'd inquire as to how he could manage so many trips to Disney, he started dropping hints here and there about DVC. One day he dropped off his membership book and we read it front to back. We had an upcoming trip planned so he suggested when we went down, to talk to his guide (Judy Kauffman). We did and I think we knew we were going to buy before we even went down. That trip we bought our initial 150 at BWV. Wanting to try something different, we went to HH last summer and added on another 150 point there. We now have our neighbor beat with DVC points but he recently built a home down in Orlando. This could be trouble for us if he starts dropping hints about his home ownership which he's very happy with. For us, we're really happy with DVC and it works well for us.

 

[Desperado]

This board is helping influence our decision after we learned about it from another member. But it is also working both ways, there are lots of negatives brought up here, that seem to go beyond providing pros and cons. It's almost like infighting betweeen home resorts. Some of it seems overboard and unpleasant. It caught us by surprise and has put the breaks on our decision. Maybe it would have been better if we didn't see those, we might already be Boardwalk members.

 

[MaryJ]

We stayed at VWL on cash in March 2001. I left WDW a day early to go to a Bible Study Fellowship retreat. DH and I had talked to someone at a DVC kiosk the night before just because we had time to kill while waiting to be seated at Artist Pointe. Anyway, he took the tour the next day without me. When I got to my hotel room for the retreat, the friend that I was rooming with had ALSO been to WDW and had stayed at BWV. When I told her that we had been at VWL, she said "Oh! Are you Vacation Club members too?" Right then I started talking to her about DVC. It was obvious how happy she was with it. No complaints at all. Then I found these boards....and the rest is history. We bought DVC as a 25th anniversary present to each other, and when I told my friend about it, she said "I can't think of a better gift...to know that you'll be able to take a vacation every year!"

 

[Granny]

Desperado....wanted to PM you but that is not available for you.

The "my resort is best" stuff you see here on these boards really shouldn't influence your decision. It's not like you will be spending your vacation hanging out with these folks, talking about their views on the different resorts.

Sorry to hear that you were turned off by those threads, but you shouldn't base your DVC purchase decision on them. If you love WDW, go fairly often and like to stay on-site in a moderate or deluxe accommodation.....then you should look into DVC. Otherwise, you will be looking back in six or so years thinking how much of a good deal you passed up!

 

[Joeblack]

TO me, it was PamOKW, Webmaster Doc (Previously known as Doc), Bicker and a very nice man called Ed Trybulsky (Ed T) who I miss hearing from. It was basically all their answers and invaluable help that got the DVC bug into me...Thanks to you all.

 

[AnnK]

Desperado,
I agree with Granny. The home resort war was something I never encountered until I came to these boards. ( I was already an owner.) I had bought the majority of my points at BWV but I also own at OKW. If I had not already stayed in the resorts I would be VERY confused by some of the overly negative posts, joking or not, they can leave a "newbie" completely confused.

Don't let it discourage you. Granny has mentioned some of the important things to consider. I would also add that the price has steadily increased over the years, so waiting will end up costing you more. If you get the opportunity to go to Disney you should check out ALL the DVC resorts, then you can decide which is best for YOU!
Good LUck!

 

[JonHM]

I agree with Granny. The 'bickering' that goes on on those threads *only* exists right here, in the virtual world, and not out in the real world at any of the DVC resorts. Many of the threads that you're referring to are *intended* to be funny, tongue in cheek verbal sparring. Unfortunately, some of it doesn't come off that way, and one of the major concerns that some of us have is that some people who have just begun reading these boards will become turned off in the way that you have. But it really should not affect your feelings about DVC itself.

Now, if you have concerns that DVC does not mesh with your travel habits or your finances, then I would definitely put the brakes on, as you say. But if you think that DVC is right for you then I really would not let a few silly people here stop you - you might wind up kicking yourself later on. I know in all the time that I've been here, that the only big regret that I've heard consistently from people about buying into DVC is that they didn't buy in sooner.

Take care. Good luck with your decision. Please let us know if you have any questions about DVC that we can help you with - either 'technical' questions about how DVC works, or questions about our personal experiences. The people here are really fantastic at helping with that kind of stuff!

 

[Dumbo]

Originally posted by Desperado
Some of it seems overboard and unpleasant. It caught us by surprise and has put the breaks on our decision. Maybe it would have been better if we didn't see those, we might already be Boardwalk members.

Desperado,

I agree. There are many here who go out of there way to try and help people in their buying decisions concerning DVC. However there are those who will post mis-information in these boards in a negative light.

It is unfortunate that after reading mis-information concerning Boardwalk Villas you have decided not to buy at Boardwalk Villas at this time. It is very sad to know that you are not enjoying the benefits of DVC membership because of reading this board.


Dumbo

 

[KaterBell]

Back to the original topic, we were introduced to the joys of DVC by our neighbors... We moved into our apartment, and found out that they were crazy about Disney too, so we started talking, found out they were DVC, and I started asking questions. Then this past January I started reading the DIS on a regular basis, and that's where I got even MORE information.

We signed up for DVC in March!

Thanks guys!

 

[llp479]

For us it was our youngest daughter. I found out I was pregnant with her on our visit to OKW in '96. In planning our trip to WDW in '98, I said to DH "What was the Vacation Club?". This was after calculating what it was going to cost for the additional room we needed now being a family of 5! So, called Celeste and bought BWV site unseen, booked our trip and the rest is history!

Just purchased a resale at OKW. Going home in August! Can't wait!

 

[MinnieMe2]

My husband and I have to attend a Christmas dinner for his job every year. In 2000, we were seated with a couple who have owned for years, and once the conversation turned to our mutual love for Disney, they explained how DVC works. The following Feb. we took the tour, and that was it. We're hooked, and our only regret is that we didn't buy sooner.....