Profile of a DVCer ...

[lurontravel]

Hi everybody. I've read every post on this thread. Glad to hear th at we all have the same priorities. Vacations with our families. My DH (39!) and I (32) have 2 DS- 3yrs 2mos and 14mos. We are middle class somewhere I don't really know if we are middle middle or upper middle? But, I"m a NeonatalICU night nurse (12 hr shifts) so I can be a stay at home mom 6 days/nights per week, and my DH is an x-ray technologist turned Director of Radiology. We have had FL Res. Seasonal Passes since we were dating, I've always loved WDW. Grew up in FL and took many day trips to WDW (3 hr drive each way), as well as weekend trips where we never stayed on grounds. We were very happy going as a couple for long or short w/e and never seemed to get enough. When we were trying to get pregnant we temporarily gave up our passes. It ended up being about 2 very long years that we did not have them. By the time I had our 1st baby I was dying to go back to WDW. Exactly 14 days after I delivered our son, We left to go back to WDW. With the baby, of course. We go to WDW about 6-8 trips per year, ranging in length from 2 to 5 days long each. We stayed on grounds for the first time at All Star Sports in Sept 2000. We were so disappointed in the rooms, how far we were from the parks, and the resort (if you can call it that). I said that the only place at WDW that I would ever try again ( if I tried anything again) was the GF Concierge. When I was 8 and a half mos pregnant with our 2nd, my DH took me for my Bday (Aug 2001). It was so wonderful. We were in a honeymoon suite with a view of the castle and a jacuzzi tub and a balcony and an amazing bed. We decided that Disney had redeemed themselves. Then we began to dream of going back to the GF. We hated the hi pressure sales of timeshares, but decided to give Disney a chance-never know what you'll get... Well, we bought OKW on the resale in Oct 2002 (just b/c it fit our budget better then the BCV)and have stayed at OKW and WLV. The studio fits our life style very well. We bring our electric skillet and cook all breakfasts (my best meal of the day) and one dinner. It works so well to eat in with the kids. Our priorities are vacations and early retirement and no debt. Eventually we'll add our kids education too. I'm so happy we joined. Any one else feel like you just can't buy enough points?
My mom says that she and daddy boat and we do WDW, and she thinks that it is wonderful that we have a "hobby" that is a get away. We take at least one BIG trip every other year now that we have kids (used to be at Least once every year Before kids, to Russia, Europe, etc...) on the same budget or less then most families who vacation to WDW. We love it. I'm a big fan, my husband and ds too. My oldest talks to everyone about "Mickey Mouse WDW" and recognizes the signs on the turnpike on the way to WDW. No complaints, other then there just are Not enough points! We love it!

 

[wilderness01]

DH is 40, I am 37, DS 8, DD 7 and DS is 3. DH is a government employee and I am an Registered Nurse. Bought into DVC about 13 months ago. We are very middle class and think vacations are a top priority. People who do not really understand DVC think we are crazy to go 3 times in a little over a year! It is wise to use the AP for more than just 1 trip. Most people who don't "know" just don't understand. That is ok though..... Going back to WDW in about 39 days. Hope the weather is good!

 

[icydog]

My DH,71, is a retired General manager at a NJ gas co and I,56, was an Account Executive with a large phone company. We have been members since '92 and we bought on the phone sight unseen. I have a problem with passing our 800 pts down to our kids. I don't think any of them values the pre-paid advantage of WDW and DVC. I am sure none of them will pay our large dues payment each year, so our investment will be lost and not passed down.
We have enjoyed DVC immensly and have taken advantage of all our points each and every year. We have used the Concierge collection and the Disney Collection extensivly and of course many many visits to WDW. Our son lives in FL now and has used the OKW studio a couple of times and our daughter has been down many times when she was younger, and once recently, but our 3 other kids don't go because of the expense in flying down etc. We are not in the posistion to pay their way so they don't come. What a WASTE.
Anyway it was nice to hear from all of you and to know we have such accomplished neighbors.

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by icy-dog
. I have a problem with passing our 800 pts down to our kids. I don't think any of them values the pre-paid advantage of WDW and DVC. I am sure none of them will pay our large dues payment each year, so our investment will be lost and not passed down.

icy-dog,
You can always pass it down to me , I will gladly pay the dues.

 

[Pa@okw95]

You can spend the whole month of January at OKW in a one bedroom. forget passing the points down, you are only 56, that means you will be 96 when 2042 rolls in. What a way to spend the winter every year. I will be 100 in 2042, I have some of the same thoughts about leaving my points to my 3 kids.

 

[MELSMICE]

I would be willing to share the points with Nick & Cindy & I'll have no problem paying the dues either!

 

[colleen costello]

Icy-dog, at least you have TRIED! Not everyone gets the Disney magic, but you have certainly gone above and beyond the call of duty in making family vacations possible for your family. My parents bought DVC last year, and it is the best gift they have ever given us. They have always been generous with my sister and I and my family, but DVC is THE BEST because it means time together -- so special -- in the greatest place in the world. They were just here for Xmas and I was so sad to see them leave, but in just 9 or 10 weeks we will all be together again in a 2-bedroom at OKW. The azaleas will be blooming and the boats will be running and the pools will be open and we'll be in the middle of all of it! For as many years as I can I will enjoy making special memories with my family and if my kids get bigger and don't want to go, the heck with them -- I'll take a neighbor if I have to! My friends here tease me and say I am so addicted to Disney that I need an intervention -- but I know better. Just looking forward to the magic.

I hope you and your family enjoy DVC together for another 40 years!

 

[danny1649]

Hi all we bought in 1992 and never regreted our purchase. DW and I are a tad over 50 and have been married 35 years. We have one child Bruce who is married and 5 wonderful grandchildren. I am tool and die maker and DW has worked 30 years at our local General Electric plant.So if you have a side by side GE fridge my DW inspected it before it left the plant.We love WDW and go down each year first part of December each year. Love the MVMCP,CP and all the great holiday decorations.Also we give other family members some time at OKW.Glad we bought when we did and points were $50.00 each.We are middle class folks and no place near rich. We're happy and thats what counts in the end.Our family motto is "don't sweat the small stuff and remember it's all small stuff. Your DVC pals Danny and Belinda

 

[icydog]

I never thought of using our points for an extended vacation as you suggested. The month of January without snow. Sounds like heaven. Did you come to any decision about passing points down to your kids?

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by icy-dog
I never thought of using our points for an extended vacation as you suggested. The month of January without snow. Sounds like heaven. Did you come to any decision about passing points down to your kids?

Thats what we plan on doing in 4 years when we retire(Jan in Fl),to get away from the snow of Ohio.

 

[colleen costello]

We were down last March at Ft Wilderness, staying in one of their cabins. The crowded sleeping for the 6 of us was part of what convinced my parents that we needed DVC! Anyhow, I was amazed at the amount of retired people "living" at WDW for part of the winter. One nice woman I met was from Minnesota. She and her husband were down for two months -- staying in their pop-up type trailer. Too much "roughing it" for me! They got annual passes and some days they would go into a park "just to see a parade." They love missing the worst of the miserable northern winter. There were also people in trailers who had strung up lights at their sites and quite a few with satellite dishes for TV. They had really "moved in." So I think that staying during January, when point requirements are low, is a GREAT idea. Let's ALL retire in Orlando...

 

[shelbyjosh]

We are a family of 4. We purchased our OKW share on April of 2000. At the time I was 31 and DH was 37. Our dd is 8 now and DS will be 5 in April. DH is an operating engineer and I am a stay-at-home mom. We, like most others, do not have enough points. An add-on is in the future but not sure when. We have taken down my mom, but that is the extent of taking guests. Family members introduced to DVC back in 99 and we have been hooked since. My mom cannot understand why "that is the only place you want to go". We have a blast and that is all that matters. We have just planned our next trip for March 5-14. Less than 3 months out and it feels great. DH will swear up and down that he could give or take WDW, but get him down there and there is no looking back. He is a kid again and doesn't regret the purchase at all.

 

[JohnnyII]

I am probably pretty different than most DCVers. I just bought 200 points at BCV last week during a week long stay at AKL. I am 38 and divorced and I have custody of my 3 kids, DDs 9 and 16 and DS, 10.

I figure this will be a way to vacation with the kids for the next 40 or so years!! I haven't decided when to take my first trip home, maybe May if available, or October...

John

 

[trampslady]

Me (34)--Customer Relations for Major Airline
Hubby (37)--Machinist for Major Cosmetics Firm

NO KIDS!

Our very first trip ever to WDW was in May 2002. We were hooked. We both work for outstanding companies whose philosophy is very similar to that of Disney. We were so impressed by the friendliness, cleanliness, ability to truly make the vacation what we wanted it to be, that we bought BCV sight unseen in July and took my mother and grandmother to AKL for seven nights in December! We love WDW and DVC.

On our December trip we went over to BCV and to see my husbands face all aglow affirmed our decision for me. I know we will continue to enjoy WDW and DVC for many years to come!

 

[SnowWitch]

We are a family of four, my DH is truck driver and I am an RN working on my masters. So we are poor! We bought in 3.5 years ago after my hubby sat down and added up what we had spent on resorts in the last 12 monthes. Most of my family has no idea we bought into DVC, I lost count of how many times I've heard, "Your going to Disney again?" My dream is to take my newly retired father to VB this summer and show him relaxing and vacation are good things!!!

Thus far we have enjoyed taking my brother and family to VB and my best friend and her family to the BWV's. I love taking people with us!

 

[ncligs]

Just in case there are any new DVC members....

 

[ncligs]

Just giving this a "bump" to see if there are any new DVC members that haven't seen this thread.

 

[WDWorld2003]

Nice to meet all of you! We just joined DVC (haven't even signed the papers yet!) so it's great to read all of these - lots of people from the Midwest!

We're an average family of 4. My DH is 47 and works in sales for the yellow pages, I'm also 47 and work out of the home. DD's are 15 and 13 and keep us going with dance, soccer, etc.

We went to Disney in 1994 and stayed offsite (a gift from F-I-L) and loved it. Because of financial reasons we didn't return again until this year and stayed at POR and loved it even more! A great escape from the long winter here.

We weren't even aware DVC existed until this trip. It has been a difficult decision because we feel it's very extravagant and our families will think we are out of our minds with college coming up! It was very interesting (and makes me feel better) to read how many people have not told their families or friends - I think we'll be in the same boat.... they just wouldn't understand - it's so hard to keep quiet about it though because we're soooooo excited Wait until we tell them we're going to WDW again next year

We've taken a vacation every year but it's usually in the summer. A winter getaway will be heaven! Our vacations have provided us with such wonderful memories - there's no price on that! Can't wait to see BCV next March (purchased without seeing - if my family knew that!)

 

[KayleeUK]

Hi

Another UK Member here. DH (30) & Me (29), no kids. DH is 'in' computers and I am a Civil Servant. We brought in November 2000 at BWV. It was our first trip to WDW (We got married at the Poly)

Absolutely addicted, going back in October for 18 nights

 

[Lexxiefern]

Great topic!

I am 24, a dental asst., (actually a stay at home mom right now), DH is 29, a kitchen designer/owner of kitchen company. We have a 2 year old DD. We just purchased DVC in April (haven't actually closed yet). I never went to Disney World as a kid and this was something I wanted to be able to provide for my children. To me this a great way to make sure that every year we are able to go.

My family thinks we are crazy when it comes to Disney and because of that, we are limiting who we tell about DVC.

We have been to Disney 4 times as a family and are looking forward to our next trip in October!