Sorry for Non-DVC?

[BEASLYBOO]

I don't feel sorry for non-DVC'rs, makes me appreciate mine just that much more. I don't feel sorry for people who stay in studios anymore than I feel sorry for people who cook in their villa or eat offsite. To each his own.

I wanted DVC, saved and waited till I could pay for it outright, other's have financed theirs, the opportunity is there for anyone who wants it.

DVC or even Disney for that matter is not for everyone, I've adapted how I use my DVC, I eat offsite, I visit other attractions, still using the comfort of my DVC villa. I'm glad it still works for me!

 

[Ln42]

What I love most about Disney is that there are options to fit all sorts of needs. In the beginning we tried all the onsite restaurants, back in the day when the dining plan better suited our needs. Now we have more interest in picking dining here and there onsite and mostly enjoying offsite places. If you told me on my first trip that someday I would enjoy cooking in the room I would have been shocked. Now, I look forward to it. We enjoy our family time together and are not rushed to see everything at the parks. To me, that is the value of going to Disney year after year, its so flexible and we never tire of it. We keep finding new ways to have fun there.

 

[daisyduck123]

I have to agree with that..I stay in studios, so no eating in the room...A lot of other DVC members believe you have to get at least a one-bedroom or it's not a DVC experience and they are feeling sorry for me in my studio...go studio. Less points, more time.

Not much use being sorry for what anyone else does, maybe they like eating in restaurants and only use the room for sleeping and washing.

We usually stay in studios & don't mind at all. I refuse to cook (which also results in cleaning up) on vacation. Even when we've stayed in 2BR or 1BR we did not cook.

Having a TS meal 5 or 6 nights a week is part of the overall WDW experience for my family.

 

[MarlaSingersLaundry]

We usually stay in studios & don't mind at all. I refuse to cook (which also results in cleaning up) on vacation. Even when we've stayed in 2BR or 1BR we did not cook.

Having a TS meal 5 or 6 nights a week is part of the overall WDW experience for my family.

We do the same. I rarley cook at home and I'm sure not going to do so on vacation! We've stayed in studios and 2 BR, but never cook. For us, part of the experience is the different restaurants. We look forward going to our favorites every trip and trying a few more!

Everyone enjoys Disney in their own way. If some families prefer to cook, that's great! More open RSVP's for us!

 

[TomD]

I feel sorry for those that don't go to Disney because they don't get it and those that go and way over plan.

We went as a family in 03 and stayed in a value. Then 04 a moderate. 05 we rented points at BCV and bought while we were there.

Started with a studio and moved to a 1 bedroom over the years as the girls grew. For us easier to do laundry and have a hearty breakfast before we hit the parks.

The way we toured has not changed.

We hit the parks at rope drop till lunch then back to our room to hit the pool. Then the parks in the evening after dinner or back to the pool.

We did it that way before DVC and will continue after the kids leave the nest.

Everyone has their own way of doing things. Just because some ways are not ours does not make us feel sorry for them.

I do feel sorry that we only go twice a year. Dang work keeps getting in the way

 

[thegib95]

We do the same. I rarley cook at home and I'm sure not going to do so on vacation! We've stayed in studios and 2 BR, but never cook. For us, part of the experience is the different restaurants. We look forward going to our favorites every trip and trying a few more!

Everyone enjoys Disney in their own way. If some families prefer to cook, that's great! More open RSVP's for us!

I agree there been several times as a DVC child, and then non DVC and now will be going as a DVC owner in September... we are staying in a 2BR but don't think the kitchen will get used much for us... we just wanted the space with 4 adults and a 18 month old...

We are DLX-DP People (not to open that debate up) & part of our magic is being able to eat whatever, whenever and not look at prices on menus at all... So will be be dining out OFTEN, & snacks and baby's juice and Milk will be all that's in the fridge (Ok Maybe Some Beer)!

 

[jodifla]

At WDW now and enjoying a relaxing vacation. We were a little bit like some who when they first purchase DVC, may tend to have a feeling of entitlement since we are 'owners' of part of the magic. Over the years, that feeling has gone away and has been replaced by more of a feeling of being lucky to not have to travel the way we did prior to DVC. Traveling on transportation and going through the parks the past couple of days almost makes me feel sorry for those who are not DVC. They spend their hard-earned money on small rooms, eat out for their meals and rush through the parks to cram as much as possible into 5 or 6 days. As DVC members, we usually spend anywhere from 8 to 12 nights, take our time in the parks, eat most of our meals in our villa and spend more time enjoying what our resort has to offer. Maybe feeling sorry for the other park goers are not the proper words to use, but we definitely are thankful for our DVC membership.

I get exactly what you are saying!

I grew up near Disney, so did mostly day trips until I was in college, when I went the Fort Wilderness or motel on 192 or sleeping on friends' couches route. After getting real jobs, we started staying on property more at moderates (or Fort Wilderness).

Then we got several $99 deals at Disney Resorts, including one at Vero, where we did the tour, knew pretty quickly it was for us.

So yes, when I see people stuffed into hotel rooms when I am in a two-room suite on my balcony with a nice cocktail in hand, I do feel a bit sorry for them. And grateful. And glad I bought when I did, when costs were a fraction of what they are now.

And we take friends all the time, and they freely admit they are jealous of the fine accommodations we stay in routinely. And VERY glad to join us.

 

[312.Duck]

I am completely with the OP, vandy. Well, I would LIKE to be completely like the OP, vandy!
Yet my wife is a crazy Diz'er and since purchasing we have not changed from our break-neck pace,
and spend as much eating out as we do on all other expenses, LOL!

I'd like to eat in the villa at least a time or two. On our first trip ever we were offsite in a condo
and my mom cooked breakfasts. It was much more relaxing... Lately I've been on a breakfast
smoothie kick, so I've been thinking about bringing the Vitamix and making them in the rooms. I tend
to eat too much at breakfast and don't feel like going full (wife) speed the rest of the day.

Also, like daisyduck123, my wife won't cook on vacation, and I don't cook, period!


re: studio/1 BR experience...
I would be more likely to do studio DVC experiences if we did more short trips, or if I traveled alone.
But when I'm there a while (5 + days) I need to be able to spread out like at home, laundry in the room,
two bathrooms [Kidani > Jambo].

 

[dvcdisney]

When we first purchased into DVC membership, we did rush around and tried to go on almost all the rides several times. But after a few years, we started to slow down. The last 2 years, we have spent more time in the restaurants than at the parks. We still enjoy the rides and shows, but we prefer to relax and enjoy our meals.

The only thing we have cooked in our villas is popcorn in the microwave. We do make good use of the refrigerator for milk, water and juice. On the days we don't have an ADR for breakfast, we have cereal in the villas. So, we don't book the 1 bedrooms for the kitchen.

What I do love is the insuite washer/dryer. I end up doing many loads of laundry and I like to wash the towels as well. It does save room in the luggage. For a 2 wk stay, I usually only pack for 1 wk. So we usually end up with only 4 luggage for my family of 4 (and that includes bedsheets/blankets and snorkel gear!

Actually, I believe quite a few people love the "commando style" touring and even eating at the restaurants all the time. So, I don't feel sorry for non-DVCers. I still believe DVC isn't for everyone.

 

[smidgy]

I don't think it matters if you own DVC or not, it seems those of us who have been more often get "less commando" over time.

one of the main reasons we ahve not purchase DVC (and we go to WDW twice a year (sometimes more), is we actually love the moderate resorts. and we get a kick out of the value resorts. we tend to alternate. use points from friends for deluxe, use discounts for value or mods.

we actually like exterior corridors. and the way the moderate resorts are spread out. and the themes.

we are kinda old to be purchasing dvc anyway (55 and 57), but Op, I am happy you are enjoying your purchase!!! no need t feel sorry for us, though! we just spent 10 nights at CSR, and spent a TON of the time relaxing by the pool , moseying around the park, etc.

 

[312.Duck]

one of the main reasons we ahve not purchase DVC (and we go to WDW twice a year (sometimes more), is we actually love the moderate resorts. and we get a kick out of the value resorts. we tend to alternate. use points from friends for deluxe, use discounts for value or mods.
.
we actually like exterior corridors. and the way the moderate resorts are spread out. and the themes.
.
we are kinda old to be purchasing dvc anyway (55 and 57)

Not all DVC is exterior entrance (OKW), and 55 is NOT old!!!

We are DVC, and we've still stayed at Port Orleans to fill in gaps, or just for fun for a few nights.


But overall I agree - if you're fine with how you travel to WDW, no problem. I know it sure didn't stop us prior to getting into the DVC!

 

[PoohsFan1]

I have to agree with that..I stay in studios, so no eating in the room...A lot of other DVC members believe you have to get at least a one-bedroom or it's not a DVC experience and they are feeling sorry for me in my studio...go studio. Less points, more time.

Not much use being sorry for what anyone else does, maybe they like eating in restaurants and only use the room for sleeping and washing.

I completely agree with you . We like staying in studios because it allows us to spend more nights in a resort then if we were to stay in a 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom....don't get me wrong, we stayed 3 nights in January in a 1 bedroom at SSR and was very happy with it (loved the whirlpool tub), but I can stay in a Studio and be just as happy .

OP, we have been members since 2010 and it was the best decision that we have ever made. At first DH didn't want to think about DVC and the whole points system, but after we took the tour, and he saw BLT (which he immediately fell in love with), he asked the CM where do we sign . Ever since then, he has been trying to figure out how many points we should buy in order to spend a few months in the winter when we retire (we are from the Chicago Suburbs area) ....our only regret about DVC is I wish we did it sooner.

 

[moericus]

Ever since then, he has been trying to figure out how many points we should buy in order to spend a few months in the winter when we retire

I can't believe I've never thought of this. I'm going to do the same!

 

[laura-k]

I think you change over time to a slower pace. We try and add a few new places to eat each trip. We try other new things like the segway tour at epcot. Its more about experiencing new things than doing everything.

I agree we try and do new things more often now ,even if it means missing something else ,cause we'll be back -

I would have totally agreed with with this about 10+ years ago. Now we do restaurants part of the time, and enjoy dining in our resort the rest of the time. We do a (little) cooking, get food delivered, or carry out. Lotsa fun, but we'd love to go to the restaraunts on property if they had the same quality and choices they did years ago.

I agree the food quality has really gone downhill quite a bit -This year I actually went to Downtown Disney three times ,I would rather eat Wolgang Puck or grab a Earl sandwich than be disapointed in some of my old Table Service favorites exspecially at the spring break rates -

 

[Figment2101]

Buying our first DVC contract in 1999 was one of the best decisions we ever made.

 

[ToddyLu]

It is great to own DVC. This past trip was the first time DH and I said to one another "what do you want to do today?" "I don't know...hey lets stay here for a bit and just watch TV" "Yeah, let's watch Stacy!!" Meanwhile a giraffe walks by the window. How freakin cool is that!!

 

[smidgy]

Not all DVC is exterior entrance (OKW), and 55 is NOT old!!!

We are DVC, and we've still stayed at Port Orleans to fill in gaps, or just for fun for a few nights.


But overall I agree - if you're fine with how you travel to WDW, no problem. I know it sure didn't stop us prior to getting into the DVC!

most DVC in interior corridors. we prefer exterior.

asn thanks about 55 not being old!! of course it's not, but.. usually your DVC contract is good for about 45 years. i in 45 years...well, that's my point.. I know you can leave your contract to your kids, but our sons aren't disney freaks like we are!

nala.. NOT eat in the studios? I;ll have you know we have had many meals using the kitchenette and the toaster. 9ok, not exactly gourmet meals, but things we couldn't have in a regular room: tuna salad on toast. toast and scrambled eggs Microwave).. smoked sausage (hubby's fave). we bring canned food to heat up on a plate ( beef stew, ravioli, chicken ala king, chili)

ok, before I hear any cracks about eating canned corn in MK!!!.... we like these meals, they are hot, quick, save us time to sit with a cocktail on the balcony or time to be a t the pool, AND!! more $ to spend on a nice table service restaurant the next night, or a grand marnier slushie!!!

 

[bytheblood]

If it helps... I feel sorry for you having to eat most of your meals in the room!

Ditto that comment.

 

[vandy]

Wow, I guess I didn't know that we are the odd ones and most people don't eat in their villas. I really don't care to spend another $2,000 for six adults to eat outside the room on a 10 day trip. If I did, I would stay offsite and save even more money. We will just keep to ourselves and enjoy DVC our own way. Maybe DVC can save money and not put kitchens in any of their new developments, hopefully then lowering the cost per point.

 

[princesspiglet]

We are owners and on our 8th trip now and we still go commando. We also do not eat in our villa, except for breakfast which is grab and go. I am on vacation and I refuse to cook! Besides, we actually like the food at Disney. We always get a 2 bedroom so DD can have her own actual "room". We do love having a drink on our balcony every night though.