Probably silly but I'll ask anyway...

[MickeyMomOfThree]

We are "value" people. I love the "Over The Top" decor of the values and everything that comes with it and my family is right there with me. I would love to buy into DVC but just can't get myself to stay anywhere but at the All Stars. I was working with DVC for a while thinking of buying in but in the end my family and I decided we just love the values too much. The guy I was working with said he can honestly say that he never lost a sale to the resorts being "too nice". HEY, I am the first!!! We look at the book often and spoke to lots of people about it on our trip last month, they all kept talking about the o moderates, but I just would miss what we consider our Disney "home".

I doubt it will ever happen, but do you think there would ever be anything offered at any value resort OR do you think you will ever be able to use your points at any values. I know this is silly, I know the answer, but I just want it so bad but I can't see me ever being anything but a "value" girl.

I know I am probably alone in this, and you all probably think I am crazy. Well maybe I am, but that's me. I love all things value and while I enjoy dining at other resorts (we have eaten at many of them) at the end of the night I am always so happy to go back to my room at the All Stars. I have never desired to stay anywhere else.

I thank all of you who are kind enough to reply. Take Care...

 

[chalee94]

I doubt it will ever happen, but do you think there would ever be anything offered at any value resort OR do you think you will ever be able to use your points at any values. I know this is silly, I know the answer, but I just want it so bad but I can't see me ever being anything but a "value" girl.

yeah, i doubt anything would be offered at the values either way.

no need to apologize if you prefer the values, though. (and you're not actually the first, but the salespeople sometimes get carried away.) you most likely wouldn't save money with DVC and there's no DVC with similar theming. DVC is just not for everyone...

 

[Cricket2]

I think that part of many of our love stories for WDW include a climb up the resort ladder. We started offsite and then went to All-Star's and through the moderates and into a few deluxe stays prior to buying into DVC. I know a couple of my favorite stays were at "Dixie Landings" (call it what you want). Sometimes weekend starts to our stays include a stay at POP and I have to comment almost every time how much I still appreciate the styling of the Values.

Then I get into the room itself and cringe.

 

[ILIKEWDW]

Think on DVC only if you love space more than "value".

You are a family of 5, can you imagine sleeping in an spacious 1BR at AKV or BLT (kitchen and living included? instead of staying in a small value hotel room.

Imagine how much you could save by taking breakfast at your own "home"

As the above poster said is hard to think there will be a "value DVC".

All of us like to save $$$ but I guess the most important to save is time (it will never come back ) just think in the time you could save in a 1BR with 2 bathrooms instead of sharing one between the five of you.....

Think also in your children, you have three girls that sooner or later will be teenagers. DVC is to think in vacation not only for the present, but for the future. So you could start thinking how would you sleep all together when teenagers or when grown up.

I had a similar case, but contary to you, we love deluxes, and can´t accept esporadic housekeeping. But like you we have three girls in our family, plus a little boy. So, thinking in the future I voted for the comfort of giving girls their own room for privacy, also for us, our master bedroom completely private, and for our little king: the sofa-bed!!! LOL (poor him).

Fortunately for us deluxes are included in the Disney collection, so, if we missed them so much, we can still use our points (or part of them plus cash) to stay at deluxes.

I suggest you to try it first, renting points for a vacation to see how do you feel in a villa.

And remember time savings, space and privacy is priceless!!!

At least for us

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I think the first poster gets me the most, and you are right DVC probably isn't for me. I guess I just want to have it so I own a piece of the place I love so much.

But I do have a teenager and a 9 year old who thinks she is (the hair just so, even a little make-up). We only have one bathroom with one sink at home, so we don't need more while on vacation. It's what we are used to. Our home is 1000 sf so I don't need or even desire more space. We have never felt cramped at the values (again, probably odd.) My 2 younger DDs share a room at home that is about 8x8, the size of some people's closets, and they are happy with that, they don't want to be split up. (They have bunk beds but often sleep together.) While on vacation our DD14 sleeps in a seperate room with the grandparents, but if Disney allowed we'd be OK all in one room. It's like a sleepover--- not tons of room but lots of fun. We all get ready in our room, however and all her stuff is in our room.

I never dread our room at the AllStars, in fact I love it. Not taht I am opposed to more space, just don't need it.

As for a kitchen, I have absolutly no desire to cook while I am on vacation. We sometimes do cereal in our room at the Values, but that's about all I am willing to do on vacation (maybe that seems silly, but we eat out very rarely, I cook all our meals, so every 2 years I take the week off.)

I think what you are describing sounds great for some people, many people in fact, just not me. I appreciate your suggestion, but I know me well enough to know deluxe or even moderate is just not for me.

I was more wondering if anyone ever thought there would be any possibility of points being able to be used at a value. I really don't either, but I guess I was hopeful that someone knew better.

As a child I visited Disney often. I was an only child being raised by my (wonderful) grandparents. But I was always lonely, even in the Happiest place on Earth. I would dream of the day I would be a part of a family aand visit my "happy place" with my family. While I am very happy in my life, I am a different kind of happy in Disney and now I dream of visiting there for years to come as an old married couple, as a grandma and thought DVC would be a nice way to go. But when I picture myself old and gray with my DH, I see us at the AllStars. I am sure the deluxes are amazing, but I guess I am more of a pizza and rootbeer girl than a fillet and champagne one. I guess that's what makes Disney so great, there are places for everyone. So for us, we'll just pay as we go.

Thanks for your suggestions, I appreciate them.

 

[Lynne M]

DVC is really pitched as a luxury alternative. It's aimed directly at the people who don't like the values, for the smaller rooms, the fewer amenities, and the theming.

I can't imagine that they'd ever do a value DVC resort. It wouldn't fit at all with the other resorts. Villas across all the DVC resorts have generally similar amenities, and generally similar room sizes. The people who bought DVC for the larger room sizes, full kitchens, jacuzzi tubs, etc, would not be interested in staying at a resort with double beds and rooms that are a fraction of the size of a DVC villa. It'd throw the points system out of balance.

There may come a day when DVC allows members to use points at the existing value resorts that are outside of the DVC system, as they do with the other non-DVC resorts at WDW. But even if they did, it's be a terrible value, and you'd most certainly not want to buy in just to use points outside the DVC system. You'd be able to stay much more cheaply at the values by paying cash.

If you prefer the themeing of the values, are perfectly content with the rooms and amenities, and dislike the theming of the DVC resorts, there's nothing about DVC that would make it a good value for you. It'd definitely cost more than you're currently paying for the values, any break-even would be a decade or more off. And you'd be staying at resorts you really don't care for. Not much upside there.

 

[Lynne M]

Since you specifically asked about using points at a value, let me expand a bit more on why that wouldn't be a reason for you to buy in.

Very few members use points at the non-DVC resorts. They are completely outside of the DVC system, and are treated as exchanges. Meaning, that you have to pay a $95 fee to stay at the other resorts.

Every year, DVC negotiates what they will pay to the Disney resorts for members who want to stay there. That means the point costs for the other resorts are re-negotiated every year - unlike the point costs for DVC resorts, which are essentially fixed, the non-DVC resort point costs can and do go up every year. They're already outrageous, and will only go up. For example, it's 16 points a night to stay at a moderate on a weeknight, as opposed to 8 points a night for an OKW studio, which gets you a much bigger room, balcony, kitchenette, queen beds.

So even if you could use DVC points at a value, it'd almost certainly cost you more than paying cash.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Yes, I can understand that. I wouldn't think many people who bought into a high end anything would want the low end version. I guess I was hoping there would be one within the values someday. I get it though, it's what I assumed. It's interesting to hear the exchanges and how they work.
I certianly will always visit Disney so I don't need to own it to have that assurance, I just thoguht it would be nice.
Thanks...

 

[thesupersmartguy]

In my opinion, DVC would no work for your family. We bought for space and luxury, and with that it saves money in the long run. The minimal buy in from Disney is roughly $17,920.00 plus closing costs. at that price, you could stay 199 nights at $90 a night in a value. All in all, do whatever makes you and your family happy.

 

[PatMcDuck]

If you like the Values so much dvc would not make much sense. You said you go every other year to a Value? You would save $$ going during promotional times, like free food, etc. Or buying one AP and getting the AP rates.

One reason WE went to DVC was that with 4 kids, we had to rent 2 rooms anyway. And we did cook simple meals, some trips we only ate one dinner out (we did use park counter service). I use the washer/dryer every trip, too.

We bought in with 150 points, and went every other year for the first 5-6 years. Now we only have 200 points, we go almost every year Sun-Thu nights. (still get a 2 BR unit).

As for the Values, I like them too. I seem to end up there every other year or so. They do not have hot tubs, but they are ok to me. My tweens and teens loved the values.

 

[thelionqueen]

I don't think it's a silly question at all. I LOVE Pop Century and honestly will look forward to staying there over weekends (I just can never see me spending my points for weekend stays). I can totally understand how you would want to own where you love to stay; many DVC owners buy for just that reason, only difference is, they love to stay @ Deluxe resorts.

I agree with other posters that it would likely not ever come to be that DVC would offer a value type resort, but you can always hope. Never say never

 

[hakepb]

As a former Value lover, I'd suggest staying in an Savannah view AKV studio. Real animals outside your room, that's over the top!

DVC does require some vacationing changes to talke full advantage, and may not be for everyone. I also suggested AKV because the combination of CS and buffet replaced most of the lost food-court convience.

One of my greatest new vacationing joys has been the morning cup of coffee on my private balcony: Overlooking a golf course at SSR, Sitting in my "little sun beam" watching guests entering BWV, and overlooking the Savannah at AKV

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

My co-worker loves Values too. And my mother & sister loved the All Stars too.

I on the other hand love to get a great value and I feel DVC gives that to me. Affordable luxury!!!!

Next time you go to Disney try a moderate or rent points and see if you'd like it enough to purchase. The Dvc resorts like AKV, BLT and BCV and BW have the greatest locations (sooooo close to the parks and the best pools!!!)

Try one you may be converted.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

If you like the Values so much dvc would not make much sense. You said you go every other year to a Value? You would save $$ going during promotional times, like free food, etc. Or buying one AP and getting the AP rates.

One reason WE went to DVC was that with 4 kids, we had to rent 2 rooms anyway. And we did cook simple meals, some trips we only ate one dinner out (we did use park counter service). I use the washer/dryer every trip, too.

We bought in with 150 points, and went every other year for the first 5-6 years. Now we only have 200 points, we go almost every year Sun-Thu nights. (still get a 2 BR unit).

As for the Values, I like them too. I seem to end up there every other year or so. They do not have hot tubs, but they are ok to me. My tweens and teens loved the values.

Yep, I thin youare all right, it's not for us. Just had to ask. We do always get a deal too. This time was free dining (which we usually pay for anyway.) In the past we have gotten the room for as low as $44 a night.

Thanks everyone, it was nice to get my thought confirmed, so I stop thinking about it...

 

[Dean]

You will not generally save money with DVC over the value but I bet if you tried it you'd be hooked. I'd suggest you consider a stay at SSR or OKW which are similar to the values in SOME WAYS related to resort location and set up. And while not cheaper, even the mini kitchen in a studio would be an upgrade over a value room. Ultimately whether it makes sense from a cost/value standpoint comes down to how long you stay and how much weekend vs weekday emphasis you place.

 

[permavac]

I TOTALLY understand where you are coming from! I've said it before and I'll say it again - my DH and I LOVE Pop Century We've stayed at All Star Movies and a couple of the moderates too, as well as BWV. We recently bought a small point contract (25 for now) and plan to get up to 130 points in the future JUST so we can stay at BWV every year in January. That's the best location in our opinion and it really saves time being able to walk to Epcot - our favorite park. We don't want more points than that because we plan on staying at the values when free dining is available (usually go for a week in September too). This plan is the best of both worlds for us and I do understand the desire of wanting to own a "piece of the magic". If it weren't for the BWV location, we might never have bought into DVC. For us, the other "extras" of DVC wouldn't have swayed us either. That said, the kitchenette in the studio is immensely handy and we are looking forward to our upcoming trip in Jan/Feb '09 at Pop and BWV!

Terri

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

It's nice to see we are not alone. BUT, we can only get away once every other year with my DH's job, and only for a week. So, at this time it really isn't for us. But it is good to know we are not totally alone.

We have never been to POP, we have had it booked twice but both times we got too good of a deal to go back to ASSp and since we love it so much and could save money, why not? I do have hopes of staying there someday, but that's about as big as my dreams go.

It's silly but I always say if I won the lottery tomorrow I'd still stay at the AllStars... but I'd stay a whole lot longer!!!!

You all were very kind to answer my questions, thanks for you time...

 

[ILIKEWDW]

I must say I admire the OP, I think many others (sometimes included me) are always looking for more, more space, more luxury, best location, best service, best view posible, and trying to get more and more, and she is happy with what she has or can afford.

But I also think we all have one thing in common, we are looking for deals, for her "values" are her best deals, for us DVC is a great "deal" even when it can not compite with values prices but for us that are looking for moderates or deluxes (not for values), DVC is great!!!

The Best of all is that almost everyone can enjoy the magic of Disney and that is SUPER!!! someones in one way, other in another, but inside the parks we are all equals........

 

[permavac]

...We have never been to POP, we have had it booked twice but both times we got too good of a deal to go back to ASSp and since we love it so much and could save money, why not? I do have hopes of staying there someday, but that's about as big as my dreams go...

I hear ya - we keep wanting to go back to All Stars someday too - we have such fond memories of walking down the street to that great McDonald's for breakfast! But, Pop is usually available when we're booking and we like their bus service better (only one stop) so we keep sticking with it. That's the beauty of all the on-property resorts - plenty to choose from for everyone and of course we're allowed to choose our favorites every time!

Terri

 

[Liljam]

As a long time WDW visitor and a DVC owner (and a fairly new one I might add,) I will say that I totally see where the OP is coming from and can even somewhat agree with her thoughts. I didn't buy DVC for the space or the luxury at all. I bought in because it seemed like a great deal and a good way to lock in the next 50 years worth of what we already knew we wanted to do with our vacation time anyway. We also think having points is cool for booking a GV now and then for our extended family to join us since they've supplied with awesome vacations for my 32 years of life!!! I will say that my first trip home was great, but I'm a pizza and burger kind of girl and I miss that from the values. I miss the over the top theming now and then too (although I never stayed in them myself.) I loved POFQ the year before and the room size wasn't an issue. We enjoyed walking the grounds more there than anything. We're one of those families that goes by the whole "when in WDW, we're not in our room anyway," but our GV actually made our trip TOO laid back that we didn't do as much as I was used to doing. Reading this and going over some of the prices and deals has made me think time and time again, and the only thing keeping me connected to my DVC is really the ability to provide vacations to my family too. I know they could pay for their own trips, but I love being able to "repay" them for the years they've provided me with amazing trips. Don't get me wrong, I do love DVC rooms and everything that comes along with it, but I'm finding that I could "do" WDW just as easily without it and I'd still be going 50 years from now because I DO love the place that much. And to think for less than $100 a night I could be getting my bed made daily, at no extra cost.... and with no MF! OP, I've only heard a rumor once or twice of DVC villas at POP and if that ever happens, I can assure you, I'd be right there with you, and we could split a pizza and a pitcher of rootbeer!