Question for the Vets of DVC...The early years

[jimmytammy]

OK, we are still in our 1st yr. of ownership and we know what it took for us to get into DVC...what I want to know is what inspired those in the first yrs. to buy into DVC, an unproven possibly risky investment at that time that we are glad we are a part of.
You folks are the pioneers so give us newer ones some insight if you dont mind.

Jimmy

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Location, location, location. The Disney name, the beauty of the accomodations, the flexability, and, the passes until 1999 didn't hurt either. We bought sight unseen and handled the entire transaction via Fed Ex. I have yet to regret the purchase.

 

[Chuck S]

We were staying at the Contemporary for the 3rd year row - never thinking we'd be doing WDW EVERY year. We'd overheard a conversation on the monorail on the way to EPCOT between a younger and older couple - the younger couple had just become members and were telling the older couple they just HAD to see the condos. We had received a postcard about DVC just before leaving for our trip, but just didn't want a "Florida Timeshare" - you know how bad the reputations of timeshares are

Well, we went to the DVC desk at EPCOT - then it was located inside Spaceship Earth. We made an appointment for a tour the following morning - bright and early. We figured how much the room at the Contemp was costing us, and bought the minimum number of points (230), still quite wary of a timeshare - as Gail said, the free passes were a BIG incentive. We've added on 3 times (all at OKW) and now vacation at least 2x a year at the world. We were in hopes that the Newport Beach resort would have become a reality - as we have friends in CA, and visit usually every other year - but we still love our DVC.

 

[SueM in MN]

We joined in March of 1993. We had been coming to WDW annually since 1986 and saw our room prices go up almost every year. We were curious about DVC, not really worried about it as risky since, it was Disney after all. The thing we were most concerned about was how expensive we thought it must be. We were also concerned about being tied to WDW for a certain week per year since we were familiar with "regular" timeshares doing it that way. When we actually went for a presentation, saw the actual cost and how flexible the point system was, we were sold. The free passes were a nice incentive too.

 

[WOW]

Our first trip to WDW was in 1986 and we fell in love with it and went almost every year. We stayed at the Poly which was our absolute favorite and paid dearly, but it was worth it to us. We were at the Marketplace one day and I went into a shop and left my DH outside. Well that was it, he went to the kiosk and we became members in November 1993. We would get free passes until 12/31/1999 and we were thrilled. We have gone back every year since, sometimes 2 and 3 times. We have added on many times--we started with 190 points and we now have 600. We were comfortable with the Disney reputation and have never regretted it. It is still our favorite destination. It also encourages us to get away each and every year--at least once. Our children have also gone by themselves--at the appropriate age of course. They are now 23 and 24 and they go often with friends. We live in NJ so the airfair is very reasonable--about $200. No regrets!!!!

 

[nuthut]

For me it was six years of free park passes. Imagine staying in a OKW studio for 5 nights and getting 10 free park passes for only 40 points! Now that is a deal.

 

[Caskbill]

In '92 my brother first saw it and told me about it. He didn't buy for himself then, but did buy later.

So on our June '93 trip we decided to check it out. We had been to other time share presentations before so I was a little reluctant, not knowing what to expect. But Disney was totally different. Absolutely no pressure. A tour of the models, explanations on how things worked, etc. Of course the park passes through the end of 1999 seemed incredible.

I've always been a cautious buyer. Always followed the rule that 'if it seems too good to be true, then it probably isn't". I kept asking myself what am I missing? And I couldn't think of a single thing I found objectionable. Disney presented the program, and I simply trusted them. As it turns out, everything they said was absolutely true.

I think the clincher was, near the end, I asked the CM if by any chance it was possible to stay there that night, for 3-nights total. We could stay there instead of where we were at. She checked and found a 1-B/R was available. We signed on the 'disney' line.

Went back to our regular hotel, got our stuff, and within an hour were in our new 1-B/R unit at OKW (then simply called Disney Vacation Club). It was too late to check out of the other hotel, so we had that night still, but didn't stay there. That didn't bother me at all. Staying in our DVC unit, compared to a regular off property hotel room, was, well night and day. (We checked out of the hotel the next morning)

Now, 2 add-on's later, and finally retired, we're spending about 20 nights a year with DVC. Still today, I consider it the best 'investment' we ever made.

 

[Merilyn]

Because of our handicapped brother, we wanted to stay somewhere that had a kitchen. We called and booked OKW and stayed there for 5 days with cash. While we were there, we saw people taking tours. We didn't know about the timeshare. When we decided to go back the next year, I called and had Disney send me information about their timeshare. It was the best move we ever made. We bought over the phone. It was nice to have stayed there first, but I think we would have bought sight unseen. In fact, we just did that at VB. We have been very happy with both. It is the best place in the world to take a handicapped person. They make my brother feel like he is so special. He has books and books of pictures and talks about going back all the time. DVC has given our family many years of family vacations, and we look forward to many more. The memories are endless. Can't wait to have grandchildren to introduce to "Mickey's home".

 

[fkj2]

My mom and I were staying at the Yacht Club when the phone had one of the pretaped promo calls. I think there were some brochures in the room. I can't remember now what the "gift offer" was to come and do the tour but OKW pretty much sold itself. That was 1992. Like the others, it was the flexibility of the program that I thought was a real draw. I originally used some of the points at the Poly, GF and the Contemporary. After my mom's health started to fail, it became apparent how wonderful the DVC accommodations were for the physically challenged. The in-room kitchen and washer/dryer just added to it all.

We loved going to WDW so much and I know that the next 40 years or so of "prepayed" vacationing is such a deal. I wasn't one for staying at anything less than the deluxe resorts although with the economy the way it is now, I suppose I could, but DVC always gives me that deluxe feel.

So, to sum it up, it is the financial advantage long term, flexibility, usability, atmosphere, and convenience.

 

[jimmytammy]

Its interesting to see all the diverse reasons you folks joined DVC in the early stages. Pat yourselves on the back because if yall didnt join DVC probably wouldnt have survived to this point. A big THANK YOU. Keep the posts coming.

Merilyn
Your post was especially moving. I know some folks who have physically challenged members in their family who find WDW a great place to vacation. To hear their stories about how accomodating the CMs are and the attention to detail that Disney has put in to make sure ALL guests are given the best that is possible makes me glad I belong in some small way to that organization.
I know a handicapped mother with 2 grown teens who along with her husband make an annual visit to WDW and the first thing they do is hit RnRCoaster before doing anything else. For her, its a challenge to walk to the entrance of MGM let alone make it to the ride, so with help from her family and a wheelchair they go through the special entrance so her and her family can ride and to see her tell about how much fun that ride gives her and how the CMs help her on and off the ride, that is just so cool.
We have a mentally challenged and somewhat physically challenged DS who loves WDW and along with our DD look forward to many many yrs. to come at DVC!
Sorry for such a long post.