Thought Some of You Might Be Interested

[PamOKW]

in a comment I heard today.

I purchased DVC back in 1993. Roughly around that time a relative who loves Disney also took the tour. At the time, she & her husband were interested but, being in her early 60's, she talked it over with her daughters since they knew they would someday "inherit" the membership. They told them they would purchase DVC and pay for it but that "someday" the two of them would have to take over the maintenance fees to continue using the membership. One daughter was newly married and the other was still single in her mid-20's. They didn't express much interest.....

Fast forward...last year I let her and her husband use points at both Vero and OKW. She approached me about going again this year with her daughter's family who now has 2 children and a 3rd on the way. So, they once again went to Vero as a couple and then a 2 bedroom at OKW for the whole group. (I think I was a nice goddaughter/cousin, don't you?)

Needless to say, they had a great time. Today, she was showing me the pictures and said "I really regret that I didn't go ahead and buy when we took the tour. Now that she has children, Debi really loved it too." Her other daughter is also now married with a little girl and probably has a WDW trip in her future.

Those of you "on the fence", remember it's not just today but all your tomorrows that you can think about when you buy DVC.

 

[new_yawka]

Yes...you were a very nice goddaughter...

...DVC makes valuable memories in so many ways...

- your own special vacations;

- vacations with family and friends;

- giving family and friends special presents that they will never forget...

....We donated points to our church. The family that used the points had never been to Disney and cannot stop talking about how wonderful it was and how, if not for our donation, they still would not likely have gone. If those are not the kind of heartfelt memories people cherish, I don't know what is.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[msdis]

Pam-you are not a nice goddaughter, you are an angel. What a wonderful gift to share. I'm sure it made you sad to hear her say that. I hope you reminded her that it's still not too late. Yes they are a lot older now, but how can you count the memories and justify how many years is worth it.

I'm taking my family in July for the same reasons. The years really do get away from us.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Pam, my only regret was not purchasing DVC even earlier than 1997 when I bought my first OKW points. We had some wonderful family trips, but it was just 3 short years later that we suffered my DH's untimely passing. I am thankful, though, that my girls have some wonderful Disney memories with their dad there too.

 

[PamOKW]

CarolAnn, you know only too well about making memories that last.

A side note to this group of relatives is how their trip came about. The two little boys are 2 and 4. "Grandma" really wanted to wait another year before taking them to Disney but when she heard her daughter was pregnant again knew it would probably be 2-3 years before the trip would happen. (They wanted to take the kids when they'll remember the trip.) Her husband has had health problems in the past but has been doing well for several years. No problems they knew of but she knew they should take this opportunity to go on the trip. They came back from Disney toward the end of March. In the past week, they discovered that "Grandpa" has cancer. His prognosis seems good but they are all glad they already have this Disney memory that they can keep.

 

[jimmytammy]

Its hard to appreciate those valuable moments in life until you experience an untimely loss of a loved one. Our 1st trip to WDW came about because of my dear FIL passing at a very young 51 yrs of age. That trip was the beggining of my becoming a Dis fanatic which led us to DVC. So many memories made, so many still in the future, with DD and DS and someday we hope with grandchildren as well.

 

[Dizzy4Dizney]

I know this feeling. My DH and I went to WDW on our honeymoon. We saw all the signs of DVC and talked to
a guy at one of the keosks. I wasn't that interested, because
I'm REALLY down on timeshares, but hubby wanted to check it out. AFter doing the tour and seeing the rooms, DH was hooked. It's all he could talk about. I was leary because of the price. We came home, I did the numbers and said OK. Glad I did at that point. Couldn't do it now! But it was one of the best investments we ever did next to our house. Everytime we plan a trip, I thank my DH for talking me into DVC. We've talked one other couple into it and are working on a second.

I LOVE DVC!

 

[Tinkerbelloncapecod]

Work friends and family all think we are crazy that we talk "disney" and go to "disney" but we know we are truly blessed that we have wonderful memories of Disney vacations, whether my children who are in their mid 20's come or it's just time alone together.

I remember my daughter's 21st birthday at Disney, my Mom being pushed in a wheelchair enjoying her time with us, taking and showing friends what it's like to enjoy wonderful accommodations, time with my husband, this past Christmas and New Year's with my family, Disney's Eastern Carribean Cruise and that baby blue water.......all because we joined Disney Vacation Club.

Life is certainly too short. I pay my disney loan and my maintenance fees monthly but I smile doing so because I know there is another memory right around the corner with another vacation planned and that is what we look forward to...having fun, relaxing, spending time with family or doing nothing but spending time in a wonderful resort.

If you are thinking about joining and can possibly afford it, I say go for it for you will not regret it. For those who think Disney is just for kids, I feel sorry for you because there is so much to do and see for all ages.....open up your eyes and see all the happiness that a Disney vacation gives.

Thank you for listening to me because I could blab on and on and on about DVC.

 

[KNWVIKING]

They only had regrets for not buying after YOU took them to OKW and rubbed their nose's in what they had been missing all these years. Have you always been this vicious ?








PS: I am of course KIDDING :-}~

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Thanx for sharing that great story, Pam.

 

[speedway66]

I've said it before here, and I'll say it again. Our kids are 21 and 16, and they both still look forward to "Going Home" as a family. Most of the people we know with kids in the same age bracket have nothing in common with them. Disney is our family's common denominator, and DVC is what makes it happen. We've kicked ourselves in the rear-end for not buying sooner, but we are very happy with our BWV, which was the "current" resort when we purchased.

Sometimes it's hard to recognize gold when you look at it, so it's always good to climb down from that fence and take a closer look.


Jim

 

[prncssjas]

Pam OKW and CarolAnnK and everyon else, this post almost made me cry! Call me corny or sappy or whatever but this really moved me! I think it is SO true! Take advantage of the time you have NOW and enjoy DVC. I am SOOOO glad that DH and I joined in 2001. I only wish it could have happened earlier. I think very much about how I can't wait for my son, who is only 11 months old, to grow up amidst the Disney "magic" and is fortunate enough to have experiences that we have.

Maybe I am just emotional today or maybe it's because I am getting ready to leave for the BWV tomorrow--YAHHHOOOOOOO!!!!! I am taking my little brother (well, not so little...14 years) and younger sister (not too young...23) and we are having a sibling trip! It's wonderful to share DVC with family. What a gift!!! Thanks for the post...it makes me appreciate what I have....

 

[PamOKW]

PrincessJas, lucky you!!! Have a great trip!!