Profile of a DVCer ...

[Patricia]

These were so interesting to read! Thanks to the original poster whose name I can't remember right now.
My husband talked me into buying DVC when we were 34, and 33 back in '93 and DID NOT have the money to be spending a chunk like that on DVC. But he really believed in it and we did it and it is the only thing that I let him say was his decision and is a good idea. Haha.
Fast forward 9 years...We have a 16 year old daughter, a 12 year old daughter and a 7 year old son. I just returned to work as a teacher after a 7 yr. home stretch, and he works as an accountant for a brokerage firm. DVC is a luxury I pretty much hide from most from most people who don't know us very well. It just sounds like we have more than we do. Life is good for us but not loads of money left over. The leftovers are purely spent on our children and our vacations. Now that I am looking at only 2 years until my daughter is in college, I appreciate the memories we make at DVC even more. It's been the best gift we ever gave our family and I can't say enough good things about it.

 

[Mic]

Glad to meet you, neighbors! We are a married couple in our mid-30's with 4 kids. DH works for UPS and until recently, was in the Army Reserves. I have a background in Early Child Ed., but found it did not pay well enough to afford daycare for our brood, so I opened my own small daycare. Like you, Dreamfinder, I have a 14-year-old blonde, hair-flipping cheerleader...and she has taught her 2 younger sisters well! We often joke that the youngest won't be able to stand herself in a few years! We have 1 son(child #3)that has so many "mothers" that he can't dress himself, but by all accounts, he is societally functional. We tried to take the kids to WDW when they were younger, but we had other priorities then(like buying a house) that prevented it. We finally made our first trip in 1998(kids were 4-9 years old) after my FIL passed away right before retirement, and we decided family vacations should take priority over EVERYTHING else. DH is not the disney nut I am, but he always accompanies us at least twice a year to WDW, and I have been known to take the kids alone for shorter trips(like a few weeks ago for 5 days). We are far from rich, but our families and friends think we are because of our multiple trips to WDW. Those closest to us know that I can go to WDW four times with the same amount of money most folks spend on 1 trip. We have taken family with us twice, and my DD invited 3 friends with us to celebrate her 14th birthday a few months ago(and you know what that means...we started a tradition...1 down, 3 to go). To be honest, I hope it is a tradition we can extend to our grandchildren some day. To that end, we have purchased 2 small add-ons since our initial purchase, and right now we can't afford any more. I hope to have enough points in smaller contracts to divide among our children in 20 years(unless, of course, their worst nighmare comes true, and DH and I live long enough to semi-retire at OKW). My next endeavor is a trip involving several families of my daycare children sometime in 2003. My kids are really looking forward to that trip because we are so close to them. I find myself apologizing to their families for corrupting them with Disney movies and songs, but I secretly long to see their little faces light up at WDW, just like I did with my kids. I don't try to keep DVC a secret at all, and I have even embarrassed my older kids a time or two talking Disney! Some folks (uh, family)will never understand our desire to return to the same place year after year, and I don't care to try to explain it to them again. I just smile when they talk about the $$ they spent at Myrtle Beach for a long weekend, and I keep planning my next trip to WDW, with a budget of much less.

 

[sgtslovak]

What a fascinating thread! My DW & I are in our early fifties-no kids-married over 30 years. We live in Queens in NYC & both work for the big utility company in NYC-DW in the office, me in the field. Even though we are not management, we both have excellent paying jobs, thanks to our union. I also work part time as a tax preparer for a major national income tax franchise during the tax season as well as have my own tax preperation business out of our home. (needless to say, we never go to WDW from Jan to April 15th). We also rent out a walk in apartment in our house. All this puts us, I guess, in the upper middle class.
We bought into DVC in Jan 96 & love it. We own at OKW & WL It allows us to make 2 trips per year to Disney. Every other year one of the trips is to Disneyland & we did use points for the cruise a few years ago. Like others who have posted, family & friends can't understand why we keep going to Disney again & again (as well as thinking we must be millionaires!) We love all things Disney & are avid collectors. I like to say that Disney World is the real world-where we feel alive & revitalized and that the daily grind is the real fantasyland.

 

[SimbaNoodle]

My DW and myself each just turned 34. We have a DD (8) and a DS (6). We own a Tire Recylcing Company and a Retreading Facility here in Mobile, AL with the rest of my family.

Joined DVC in February 2001. We were going every year anyway, so DVC just made sense for us. We do enjoy the villas much more than the traditional "hotel style" rooms and with the children getting older, we enjoy the privacy of a 1br villa also.

The cost of membership really doesn't compare to the cost to stay on site and some of the nicer resorts. I try to use my points as conservative as possible and last year managed 3 five night trips to OKW on 250 points. Just added on another 60 points last week.

Can't wait to celebrate Mardi Gras next March with Mickey and Friends.

Hope to see some of you there.

 

[DeeDeeDis]

I posted earlier on this thread but keep coming back to meet the neighbors, its so cool to read about you all.

I'm amazed with the large number of families that joined DVC who have more than two kids (lets face it, if you only have two kids you could really stretch those points) and how so many of us think spending time with the family is much more important than "keeping up with the Jones".

How we all find creative ways to enjoy WDW more and more. One way we help to save for WDW trips is we have a large (bulk size) pickle jar that we put all our change in (the first few years we started this we had to glue the top shut). Its usually takes about 8 months to fill and we always have around $400.00

psst.. I have a secret hiding place, where I'm saving to buy 50 more points, hoping for BW, figure at two points a month I can buy in two years

 

[ncligs]

Just giving this a"bump" to see if there are any new DVC members.

 

[jcodespoti]

I am 31 and the wife is 28. I do Land surveying and my wife sells houses. We have NO KIDS, however I turn into an eight year old while at WDW and my wife has to try to control me, poor girl.
We bought in 1999 would have bought in 97 had not been for a kid who blew thru a stop sign hit my wife . I love WDW and so does my wife..I swear if we ever get on jeopardy and disney movies are a catagory we will kick butt. (of course the other catagories are a problem)


Joe in CT

 

[Rob&Jan]

This is a great thread!!
We have really enjoyed meeting all of you through the various posts and welcome homes that you gave us when we started to participate in the various forums on the DIS. We are both in our late 40's with a 14yr old DS, we live in a suburb of Toronto Canada. My DW is a Buyer for Wal Mart and I am a Marketing Manager with Sears. We have been going to WDW for 20 years and have been fortunate to have been able to stay on the property most times. We just joined DVC in October of this year probably should have joined earlier but finances didn't allow for it. Some of our fondest family memories have come from WDW and now we have 40 more years to create new ones. WDW truly is a magical place. After 9/11 "family" have become more important than ever and it really feels good to be part of the DVC family. We look forward to meeting some of you in person when we go "home".

Your northern cousins, Rob, Jan and David Skinner

 

[Pig Pen]

I'm going to post this, then go back and finish reading this huge thread! It's fasinating.

DH and I are young empty-nesters. I am 44 (gee - am I really 44 already?) and DH is 47 and we have been married for 26 years. We have been going to Disney together since dating in high school. We both went to high school in FL and attended a grad night in 1975! Although I am the true Disney freak of the family, DH is a closet Disney lover.

We are both government employees, own a house, 2 cars, and that's about it! We are not rich and, now that DS (25 yo) and DD (22 yo) are FINALLY out on their, have just started to spend a little money on ourselves. Since we lived in Florida for a while we made many short trips with the kids over the last 20 years.

We have taken 3 extended vacations over the last 2 years - which all included Disney stops - and decided DVC would work for us. We just closed a few weeks ago and have ressies for VWL in May. I cannot wait!

We have not told very many people that we bought a "timeshare." We both come from very frugal families and this would seem to be a frivolous expense. If asked, we will say we are in the Disney Vacation Club and leave it at that. My son is VERY interested in the "collection" of resorts in the Caribbean, while my sister has been eyeing the cruises....hey these are OUR points!

 

[MELSMICE]

Do I really need to tell my age? LOL

I'm 39 - took dance lessons starting at 3 & now own the dance studio that my mom took me to when I was 12. (also met my best friend there!). Being a dance teacher enabled me to stay at home w/ my 3 DD's during the day while DH worked. I teach a few nights a week & on Saturdays. I am fortunate to have employees that keep the place running when I'm not there.

DH is 40 & is an independent contractor for an advertising firm out of NYC. He had to set up his own company to do this & works out of our home. Because we are both home quite a bit we get to spend a lot of time together while our kids are in school. We always both try to be home when kids come home from school for the dreaded homework!

We are by far rich, but we live comfortably. When we moved to a new home a few years ago we lucked out & got the best neighbors there are. Even if I won the lottery I wouldn't leave here.

I have been a Disney nut since my parents took me there when I was 15. We took our oldest DD on her first trip when she was 2 1/2. All my kids are hooked & although my DH says he isn't he is always the one telling me to make the reservations to go. It was his decision to join DVC - but I didn't argue.

We have learned to take nothing for granted. We are thankful for everthing we have - especially non-material things. I noticed that some "neighbors" have friends/family that think they are rich because they go to WDW often. We have run into this many times. In fact, I once received a nasty threatening letter about it (can you believe it). Although sometimes it just about kills me, we try not to talk too much about our Disney trips to non-Disneyers just for this reason.

That's why I love these boards so much - I can talk about it as much as I want - HURRAY!!

 

[vbfamily]

Hi there

I'm 30 (soon to be 31). DH is 30. We have a DS 6 and a DD 3 (soon to be 4, acts like she's 30)

Both of us went to WDW for the first time when we were little. DH was born in FL and lived there until the age 10. We went to VB for the first time in 2000 and have been back 3 other times and finally took our kids to WDW this year. We never went when we lived in Florida. DH works for the cable company-was transferred to Florida in 97-moved back to MI in 98-have thought about moving back to FL every day. DH is a triathlete so we go to FL a lot so he can compete-they have great triathlons in FL. The schools in East Lansing are awesome-we would move to FL in a second if we could bring the school with us.

I'm a stay at home mom, love it! Our kids are great!

First thought about joining in 2000 and decided not to. Thought about it again in 2001-finally we are doing it.

We are not rich or anywhere close. Make a lot of sacrifices on things so I can stay home. Joining DVC because we go to VB at least once a year, maybe twice. We're pretty excited and a little bit nervous.


We enjoy below zero temperatures, cars that take an hour to warm up, driving on icy roads and shoveling our driveway, NOT!!!!!!!!!! I wish we could buy enough pts to spend the winer in FL

 

[MELSMICE]

I can't believe I forgot to mention my 3 DD's

Oldest is 13 & then we had twin girls - now 10 years old. What a surprise that was!!

DH figures if he can keep them loving WDW forever they will never be interested in boys & always want to go see "the mouse" with mom & dad. LOL

 

[madcoco]

Glad to meet all of you Nomadic Disney nuts here.1st love is DW and DDWe're both 40.well I'll be 41 on the 8th.DD 13 soon to be 14 (going on 21 ).Early retirement as a former solid waste engineering/ landfill owner(otherwise known as garbage man.LOL)and medically retired Airline Pilot. DW is fortunate to be able to stay at home (or unfortunate for putting up with me when home and with constant traveling.)2nd love is Treasure Hunting and Shipwreck history.Currently do volunteer work in the conservation lab at the Atocha/1715 fleet museum in Sebastian.If you are ever over at VB and stop in the museum,give a wave through the lab viewing window.Usually in there with a DVC hat on getting into some kind of mischief when not in WDW Always happy to meet fellow Disney Nuts.It is always so wonderful to meet such warm friendly people and their children at the DVC resorts.

 

[Pa@okw95]

Bump!

 

[ToyStory Fan]

Our DVC profile goes something like this:


We love Disney.

DW & me early 30's 1 DS - 3 1/2, 1 DD 8m.

Both of us have done the Grad school route, both work in Finance/Accounting field.

We are both what you'd consider HIGH MAINTENANCE. We like our toys (cars, electronics, home furnishings, etc) and we like for our kids to have the things that we didn't always get to have growing up. (for example:I didn't know what Nike sneakers looked like until after I got into HS)

That is not to say we feel we should spoil our children, they will grow up knowing the value of a dollar and learning good morals, family values and how fortunate they are.

When we vacation we try to find the best value for our trip, but not to the point of skimping or compromising our enjoyment. That was why we chose DVC..we felt it was a good value, but at the same time if we want to go out to spoil ourselves (i.e. Fulton's Crab House or Victoria & Alberts) for dinners or other goodies while we are away we usually don't hesitate.

 

[Pa@okw95]

My wife and I have been married about 30 years both of us have advanced degrees from various colleges, have 3 kids who are successful at their various jobs. My wife and I enjoy the good life, we spend about 2 to 3 weeks a year in Florida, plus about 25 to 30 nights a year we stay at one of our local casinos where they give us the room, breakfast, and a gormet meal all for free. Free treats at a casino come with an indirect price of course. We enjoy the free entertainment also at the casinos. We manage to go up north for a week in the summer, usually New Hampshire or upstate New York. On the down side, I have cancer, I have had it for about 6 years now. Some day I will die from it unless I get lucky and die in my sleep, but until then, I have only one thing to say, enjoy everyday you are on in this planet, smell the roses, love the sunsets, love your family, don't let too many days go by without enjoying them, get religion of some kind if possible, how could I forget, have grandchildren, they are the best things in life. My little angel calls me Pa, that is where the Pa@okw95 comes from.

 

[Melrosgirl]

I'm trying to get this thread to still go on, so I'll add to it now that I purchased DVC!

Let's see...I'm 29, dh is 30 and we have a 5 year old girl who is a Princess fanatic as is her mom . DH works for an internet company and I am a sales consultant for Close To My Heart - scrapbooking.

Although I had been to WDW many times as a child, we never stayed on site. In 2001 we stayed on site at POFQ and just loved it. Saw the DVC booths, but never took the tour since time was an issue plus I figured it would be too much money, blah blah blah.

Then last month we decided to look into DVC since we already had reservations at the Polynesian for a week in May 2003. That Polynesian trip for hotel only will cost over $3000 by itself. When I looik at it this way, DVC makes more sense. Soooo...after tons of questions asked on this board, lol, we decided to join up!

Waiting for FedEx man to bring me my paperwork - today maybe???

 

[okwmiester]

After 10 years of membership (we bought in Dec of 92), I can't begin to explain the memories our family has gained from DVC. My former neighbors invited us to join them in a 2br at OKW and after dinner on the 3rd night, I was at the sales office filling out papers (skip the tour, I wanted in!) We had to purchase onsite because at the time it was still illegal to sell DVC to Minnesota residents outside of Florida. I am quite certain the our neighbors get the award for first family from Minnesota to join DVC. Since 92 we have added points at HH.

My family includes DW 45, myself 45 (married 23 years), dd 14, and ds 9. Both of us juggle professional careers and home responsibilities. I am a High School administrator and DW is a Human Resources MGR. Because of the financial committment, we rarely speak about our DVC investment, or any investment for that matter, unless asked. At home, however, we thank God to be so fortunate to have been able to take so many magical vacations with our family and friends.

We often need to pinch ourselves for buying in early enough to receive the full 50 years of magic!

Both of our children have grown to love the magic of Disney and they can't wait to get back again and again. What started as regular trips to OKW 2 to 3 times a year has evolved into ski trips, cuises, more WDW trips, and exchanges at resorts from coast to coast. I can't imagine how we would have ever considered trips like this if it wasn't for DVC.

Merry Christmas!

 

[waltskids]

My DH and I bought in '99 after camping at FW. We are from NJ and are both teachers (I teach third grade and DH teaches music) We have no children, but our love for WDW has us going back twice a year. We still camp often closer to home, but prefer to stay at the BW or BCV while on vacation. We initially bought at the BWV's, but added a contract at the BCV's in '01. That's our story

 

[trishy]

Read but didn't add the first time around; but see this thread just keeps on going. Okay, I'll bite. I'm 36 dh 39 - he's a firefighter in Los Angeles, I'm an at home mom - been together since I was 16. 3 kids 13, 9, 7. Dh was talked into buying DVC by another firefighter he works with and now they bug all their fellow firefighters and everyone else who will listen. Very interesting to read the negatives about people's reaction to DVC. Can't imagine having to hide the fact we own DVC. We have a total of 900 points (450 BWV; 450 VWL) which is certainly not the most (a friend has 1080 points). We love to talk about it to our friends - some have gone with us and some will go with us. Reason we bought is the same as all yours - for the love of our family time together. You just can't get that togetherness at home - too many distractions here. Away from the obligations, we can be truly happy and have the time for each other. Better to do it now than when the kids are already grown up (but to those empty nesters and people with older kids - it is NEVER too late to enjoy DVC). We are Disneyland/DisneyWorld fans (not to be confused with Corporate Disney fans). Thinking about adding on when DI is finished.