The Tipping point - of buying in; what was yours?

[megrod74]

We were planning our 5th annual trip to WDW and realized we could have bought DVC by then. Plus we were always bringing someone with us and sharing the room
I had to make all kinds of spreadsheets to push DH over to YES.

 

[OneMoreTry]

My love affair with Disney.

One stay in a 2BR at OKW on cash!

An excuse to vacation every year in a really nice place.

A DVC presentation.

The TIPPING POINT: Resale at $60 per point when they were selling new points for $75 soon to increase to $80.

 

[lisareniff]

DH saying 'yes'!

 

[bbowers]

A fantastic resale at the "home" we wanted... my entire decision was made with my heart, not my head, but I certainly don't regret it and we use it more than we ever thought we would!

 

[jonestavern]

Our tipping point came as a result of a family trip back in December, 1996. At that time we were doing the 'obligatory' Disney vacation because DS was 8 and it seemed about the right time to take him so we could 'get it over with' and move on to other vacations.

By the time we returned home, we were hooked, talking excitedly about how we couldn't wait to go back

Well, we didn't manage to do that until March of this year, and we loved it this time just as much as last. We just decided that we didn't want it to be over eight years again until we felt that way again.

We are now planning our next trip for December of this year, and our excitement level is already starting to build

Chris, Jean and Patrick

 

[rtobe]

For me it was seeing the two bedroom that friends had at BWV and then the price of staying at Pop Century in late Feb. of this year with an annual passholder discount, decided I prefered the location of DVC so I bought resale.

 

[cristbaby]

For us, it was being able to afford to stay onsite everytime we go to WDW and being able to prepare some of our meals without having to go out to eat all the time. I wish I would have made this decision long ago.

 

[allforpooh]

The tipping point for us was our trip Sept 16, 2001 - before that we were taking vacations every few years because something always came up. After Sept 11th we decided that the family time was more important, by buying into DVC we basicly committed to at least one vacation a year. So our 5 year house restoration plan turned into a 10yr or more plan, but with the memories and fun we have had it was more than worth it.

Denise

 

[lovesdisney44]

Mine was coming back from our trip wishing that we could buy, but knew we couldn't afford it and then being offered a part time job. We called our Disney guide the very next day!

 

[mbb]

1) Two "Nizdee" obsessed kids with ASD. NOWHERE else comes close to providing families with special need kids that kind of vacation, IMO

2) $7500 on a 12 day stay...ASM, the Polynesian, and Wyndham Orlando...hey, it was the "once in a lifetime" trip, right?

Magic lives there..and we brought some home...

 

[dvc_john]

For me, it was when they lowered the minimum buy in from 230 points, to 190 points, and finally to 150 points. I didn't know how I'd ever manage to use 230 points a year, but I figured I could use up 150.
Of course, that was 8 add-ons ago!

 

[Lasrnw]

Owning a business, never taking time off, chest pains and a hospital stay! Those five or six minutes before they wheel you in makes you remember all the fun things in life - WDW was a GREAT memory. Called while home recovering and bought SSR sight unseen. Knew if it was Disney it would be great!!

 

[ScottOKW2K]

For my family and I it was two things - Dixie Landings and this board ! Our first family trip to WDW was in 1999, staying a week in Dixie Landings. We were bowled over by the whole experience, and knew that we were going to be coming back again. I remember waiting for the town car to take us to the airport and thinking to myself "I haven't felt this relaxed in years."

Fast forward about 4 ~ 6 months, where I first learned about DVC through R.A.D.P. - which led me to this forum. Got the video, read the information, and asked many questions here. After 2 months of research that convinced me that this would work for us I started to discuss this with my wife. Two more months and she decided that this purchase would be good for us, too.

The rest is history. I contacted the two resellers that most use on a friday afternoon, and Jaki called us back on saturday morning with a contract that met our specs. We called her sunday night and said "lets do it !" Five to six weeks later we were new OKW members. We purchased never having done a timeshare tour or stay of any kind after only one trip to disney - and had never seen OKW or any other DVC resort.

This has been one of the best decisions we have made in our life. Because of DVC we were able to have my wife become a stay-at-home mom ( which has helped to significantly reduce the stress in our lives ) while still being able to enjoy Disney trips. We have been able to invite others along with us on our vacations. In fact , our first stay at our home resort was at a GV over NYE 2001 with my mother, father-in-law, brother , and cousin. Just being able to have breakfast with the whole family during those mornings is one of my best Disney memories, or being able to let my 16 y/o cousin come and go as he pleased because we were on-site. Without DVC this would not have been possible.

One last "tipping point" - Richyams. Anyplace that could impress him had to be worthwhile. He is truly missed .

 

[Simba's Mom]

Owning a business, never taking time off, chest pains and a hospital stay! Those five or six minutes before they wheel you in makes you remember all the fun things in life - WDW was a GREAT memory. Called while home recovering and bought SSR sight unseen. Knew if it was Disney it would be great!!

Wow! I'm sorry it took that extreme measure, but I can certainly understand, having a "workaholic" DH myself. I just hope telling your experience serves to wake up alot of spouses today. Thanks so much for your honesty!

 

[kristielee]

For me it was a no brainer...We have a child with a life theatening heart defect. He has been through so much more than ony child or adult deserves. Convincing my DH took a little work, but not too much. Having a sick kid really changes your priorities. Sure, we could have paid off a lot of bills or done some big home remodel with what we've spent on DVC, but a good friend of mine put it best..."you're dead for a long time"

Life is to be lived..... The smiles I have seen on my kids faces at WDW are worth every last penny! My little guy still wakes up EVERY morning asking, "Mom, when are we going back to Disney World?" Because for that brief period in time, there are no doctors, no hospitals, no surgeries....just magic! For that I will always be grateful.

 

[lllovell]

For us, it was our first trip Oct, 2004 where I feel in LOVE with WDW, two children who seemed to truly have a wonderful time and a hubby that would much rather do other vacations than beach vacations (still my fav, but hey - now we have VB to choose from right?). We turned our 5 day hoppers into annual passes on our next trip in December of that year and ended up going 20+ days (mostly long weekends) on those first annual passes.

Fast forward to July, 2005 and we went down for my nieces 3rd birthday to have dinner with Cindy and Prince Charming and they stayed with her hubby's sister at OKW. It was beautiful and I asked her all sorts of questions. Hubby had been bugging me to stop in at one of those booths for the longest time, but I kept thinking "timeshare - ack!!!".

After getting home, I discussed it with hubby (trip was just the boys and I) and within 2 weeks we had signed the papers for SSR sight unseen.

Now if I can just make up my mind about this add on deal! ARGH!!! Having another child realy makes me realize that the bigger the accomidations, the better vacation we will have. (this one on the way will make 5 and I want to have enough points for a couple of weeks in a 2 bedroom!)

 

[goldilocks_63]

9/11, and everyting going to H---,

I needed some happiness in my life, so bought 2 resales....
Goldi

 

[chimera]

It took us 2 1/2 years, but we finally bought earlier this year when the AP/FL resident discounts started not looking so good. When we found out that the points don't increase, seemed like the best deal in the world.

I also have a friend who's a DVC member and kept telling us that any family that goes 4 or 5 times a year like we do really needs DVC!

 

[Oz-Ma]

For me it was a no brainer...We have a child with a life theatening heart defect. He has been through so much more than ony child or adult deserves. Convincing my DH took a little work, but not too much. Having a sick kid really changes your priorities. Sure, we could have paid off a lot of bills or done some big home remodel with what we've spent on DVC, but a good friend of mine put it best..."you're dead for a long time"

Life is to be lived..... The smiles I have seen on my kids faces at WDW are worth every last penny! My little guy still wakes up EVERY morning asking, "Mom, when are we going back to Disney World?" Because for that brief period in time, there are no doctors, no hospitals, no surgeries....just magic! For that I will always be grateful.

Kristielee,

Sounds to me like you have your priorities in the right place! There is no time like the present to enjoy your child and make lasting family memories!!!

Best wishes to your family from a fellow "Capital Region" Dvc-er.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

We had toured the "first" DVC location, OKW and I fell in love with it (and it is still my favorite). We didn't purchase then, but years later when they tore down the "visitors" center and made more units and points available, I knew I had to own there before it sold out again, my next favorite was the Yacht and Beach location, so when BCV became available, I wanted to own there, too. Then when SSR was built, I just wanted more points, and we love the DTD location, too. Actually, I would love to own at each and every location, but I don't think that is going to happen for me.