Took DVC Tour - strange experience

[jdg345]

We took the tour at 7pm. We didn't realize that we would get a different type of tour depending on time of day.

We didn't go as a group. We went as a couple. It seemed that everyone else was there as couples also. No one seemed to know each other on the tour.

It was really weird at the end. I got the impression that other couples also were surprised at the abrupt ending with no chance to really talk about buying.

Wow ... that's totally opposite my experiences ... when we went on the tour, we just showed up one day and asked to talk to someone ... we had to wait about 10 minutes and our Guide came out, asked us a few questions to gauge what we knew so as not to waste our time, toured us around the models, and answered our questions.

Since our tour, (3) of our friends have gone on tours as well, and they all had similar experiences ... no large groups, it was all very personal ... and no pressure ... in fact, one of our friends had to ask several times to just skip over stuff and get to the signing.

 

[jdg345]

Ok, so Question!

I have read time and time again people who visit WDW 2-3 times a year!!! HOW can you afford this!? I mean, obviously if you're rich you can, but how can a normal person afford this!? Sure your accomodation is paid for, but what about EVERYTHING else?! Flights are SOOOOOOOOO expensive. and then you have your park tickets on top of that. I don't get it.

Do all these people live in Flordia? Or right next to it?? Are you all rich??

I can't speak for everyone, but we visit WDW quite often since becoming DVC members. That said, we do live in Florida, so we don't have to worry about flights -- just a couple of hours in the car. As far as park tickets, you'll find when you go as often as we do that the AP's are the way to go, especially now that DVC gets the best AP discount out there. I've also found that we actually do a lot more as AP holders and we do it in a more relaxed way. If I had to pay $60 for my ticket, I'd want to be in the park open to close and would be completely beat up by the time I went home. Instead, we take leisurely runs and even take part in special events and festivities. For example, I'm not willing to drop $60 just to see Fantasmic or a Fireworks show ... but ... since I can just walk in ... it gives me something else to do when we're there wondering what else we should do on a given day. ;-)

For your last point, unfortunately, not financially so. But Rich in many other ways.

 

[Slakk]

Ok, so Question!

I have read time and time again people who visit WDW 2-3 times a year!!! HOW can you afford this!? I mean, obviously if you're rich you can, but how can a normal person afford this!? Sure your accomodation is paid for, but what about EVERYTHING else?! Flights are SOOOOOOOOO expensive. and then you have your park tickets on top of that. I don't get it.

Do all these people live in Flordia? Or right next to it?? Are you all rich??

Hmmm well I am in NC and I visit once a year and watch DING! We like the moderate and deluxes (mostly AKL) so DVC accomadations work for us. We stay with my parents and get a 2BR and LOVE IT. It is so much better than two regular rooms! When you DVC you don't usually commando the parks. So room size does matter!

I did just buy a BMW 325i so does that make me rich???

(traded in my pickup and now my payments are LOWER can you believe that!)

 

[DonnaL]

We're in PA and since we bought DVC in 2001 we've been averaging twice a year. However, we stagger it so we can take the best advantage of our AP's.....we usually get three visits from an AP. We also bought DDE (Disney Dining Experience) this year for those meals we eat out. On our last trip with four adults we saved a little over $100 on meals out in six days (that was after the cost of DDE deducted). We also ate out a little more than usual that trip. We also eat in a lot........I ship a package via UPS about five days before we leave addressed to us c/o of the front desk at whatever resort we're at....in the package I put coffee, cereal, salad dressings, whatever seasonings I need for the meals I have planned (premeasured into Ziplocs) basically nonperishable foods I need for any meals. Then, I have a good size insulated bag which I take as my carryon ...in the bag goes some butter, precooked chicken (frozen), spaghetti sauce/meatballs (frozen), and usually some precooked ground meat (frozen) for tacos, sloppy joe's, etc. Everything is usually still frozen when we get there. When we get there we hit the grocery store for juice, fresh bread/rolls, some deli stuff, eggs, fruit (anything I couldn't send or carryon) We always fly SW out of Philadelphia, a two hour drive for us but the fare savings over other airlines from our local airport is definitely worth it. Fare from our local airport is about $300 rd trip......our last three trips from PHL were $137 rd trip. With all of the above .......we can do a week trip for our family of six for under $2,000 .....that includes the cost of AP's (divided by three trips), airfare, a car rental and two meals out. It does not include our accomodations because we pay for those monthly with our dues and our initial investment to buy into DVC. However, we do get deluxe accomodations for our money. Heck, I know people who go to the shore and pay $2,000 to rent a condo (which has seen better days) for the week, but, it's oceanfront so it commands top dollar. And, that's just their accomodations.......any entertainment and food for the week is extra. So, that's how my family affords to go to WDW a few times a year.........

 

[Viki]

We're in PA and since we bought DVC in 2001 we've been averaging twice a year. However, we stagger it so we can take the best advantage of our AP's.....we usually get three visits from an AP. We also bought DDE (Disney Dining Experience) this year for those meals we eat out. On our last trip with four adults we saved a little over $100 on meals out in six days (that was after the cost of DDE deducted). We also ate out a little more than usual that trip. We also eat in a lot........I ship a package via UPS about five days before we leave addressed to us c/o of the front desk at whatever resort we're at....in the package I put coffee, cereal, salad dressings, whatever seasonings I need for the meals I have planned (premeasured into Ziplocs) basically nonperishable foods I need for any meals. Then, I have a good size insulated bag which I take as my carryon ...in the bag goes some butter, precooked chicken (frozen), spaghetti sauce/meatballs (frozen), and usually some precooked ground meat (frozen) for tacos, sloppy joe's, etc. Everything is usually still frozen when we get there. When we get there we hit the grocery store for juice, fresh bread/rolls, some deli stuff, eggs, fruit (anything I couldn't send or carryon) We always fly SW out of Philadelphia, a two hour drive for us but the fare savings over other airlines from our local airport is definitely worth it. Fare from our local airport is about $300 rd trip......our last three trips from PHL were $137 rd trip. With all of the above .......we can do a week trip for our family of six for under $2,000 .....that includes the cost of AP's (divided by three trips), airfare, a car rental and two meals out. It does not include our accomodations because we pay for those monthly with our dues and our initial investment to buy into DVC. However, we do get deluxe accomodations for our money. Heck, I know people who go to the shore and pay $2,000 to rent a condo (which has seen better days) for the week, but, it's oceanfront so it commands top dollar. And, that's just their accomodations.......any entertainment and food for the week is extra. So, that's how my family affords to go to WDW a few times a year.........

All I can say is. "Wow!"

It's funny, we do some of the same things you all do: we fly Southwest, we have APs, a DDE and are DVC club members, but the big difference in spending is meals. We do breakfast and snacks in the room, but otherwise we enjoy a counter service and table service meal every day.

 

[DVC Grammy]

Ok, so Question!

I have read time and time again people who visit WDW 2-3 times a year!!! HOW can you afford this!? I mean, obviously if you're rich you can, but how can a normal person afford this!? Sure your accomodation is paid for, but what about EVERYTHING else?! Flights are SOOOOOOOOO expensive. and then you have your park tickets on top of that. I don't get it.

Do all these people live in Flordia? Or right next to it?? Are you all rich??

We're not rich either , but we also go 2 or 3 times a year, probably for a total of about a month , BUT, we go off-season, our kids are grown, we're quite happy in a studio (more WDW days ), and we don't spend very much on food, probably averaging about $50/day or less. We do have an annual pass and the DDE, and make them cover at least a year's worth of vacation. What makes it even more affordable for us is good old Southwest and their great Dings ! DME is free (at least for now), and we never rent a car. Sometimes we even have a good amount of Disney $$'s from our Visa.
Out of curiosity, we compared long weekend trips to the Outer Banks, or Asheville (NC), and per diem, going to WDW for us is a bargain
Of course, when we were a family of 5, it was a whole different ballgame!! Now, if only DVC had only started in the 80's...................

 

[dianeschlicht]

Ok, so Question!

I have read time and time again people who visit WDW 2-3 times a year!!! HOW can you afford this!? I mean, obviously if you're rich you can, but how can a normal person afford this!? Sure your accomodation is paid for, but what about EVERYTHING else?! Flights are SOOOOOOOOO expensive. and then you have your park tickets on top of that. I don't get it.

Do all these people live in Flordia? Or right next to it?? Are you all rich??

It requires planning, but we usually buy APs (LOVE the DVC discount!) and stagger our trips so we can get by getting APs every other year. Then we just shop airfares (which can be difficult from Minneapolis), and hope to get something less than $350/person. With our APs, we will plan 3 trips in 366 days, and stay about 28 nights. That gives us nearly a year off in between.

 

[jdg345]

All I can say is. "Wow!"

It's funny, we do some of the same things you all do: we fly Southwest, we have APs, a DDE and are DVC club members, but the big difference in spending is meals. We do breakfast and snacks in the room, but otherwise we enjoy a counter service and table service meal every day.

Sounds like DDP is the way to go for you!

btw, we don't have DDE ... we figured that DVC and AP was enough ... does DDE help?

 

[jdg345]

I did just buy a BMW 325i so does that make me rich???

(traded in my pickup and now my payments are LOWER can you believe that!)

Probably saving on gas too!

 

[Viki]

Sounds like DDP is the way to go for you!

btw, we don't have DDE ... we figured that DVC and AP was enough ... does DDE help?

Precisely because we love dining all around WDW DDE is a great help. We save oodles that way.

 

[Ms.Mouse]

DVC's are not like other timeshares in that there are no high pressure salesmen harrassing you to buy. Also, DVC sells themselves... They don't need to pressure anyone to come in... They don't need the "extra lures" that other timeshares have.That's all they have to do is present the info... If you don't buy... There are many more ready to do so...Many people go into these info meetings cold so the sales people want to give you your info and send you out to think about your decision.... A SMART THING FOR THEM AND YOU I THINK!!! All they are there for is to show you the resort... not talk money at that time... It's an informational tour.... Not a sale!!! In fact, I think that's what they called it when we went to the meeting....
Also, if you want to buy elsewhere, that's what the appt. is for...They can't present at those info meetings what is not technically for sale... The other resorts are "sold out" so IF you want in one of those resorts, you have to wait till the points come forth... They are selling the resort with the points open and available (which for now is SSR). They do push that you can stay anywhere because technically, right now at least, you can stay anywhere (unless it's a popular time of year and the rooms are all taken by those who own at that resort)... I couldn't get into my own "home resort" when I called in the other day after I decided to take a "spur of the moment trip" in Sept. It's because of the food and wine festival... BWV's were all taken for Oct. so I had to do the trip in Sept.... BUT... nothing special on my second choice so I got right in.
If you think about it and still have "a bad taste" in your mouths, maybe it's not time for you to buy in yet....or maybe not at all..... It took us years of "yes and no" before we bought... BUT.... while you're deciding.... remember that the price is only increasing and increasing as you go along.... It certainly did from when we were beginning to look to when we finally bought!!! Like about $20 pt more!!!

 

[spiceycat]

Ok, so Question!

I have read time and time again people who visit WDW 2-3 times a year!!! HOW can you afford this!? I mean, obviously if you're rich you can, but how can a normal person afford this!? Sure your accomodation is paid for, but what about EVERYTHING else?! Flights are SOOOOOOOOO expensive. and then you have your park tickets on top of that. I don't get it.

Do all these people live in Flordia? Or right next to it?? Are you all rich??

You are kidding.

I drive to WDW most of time. but when SW is having a sale that is less than the cost of gas - it is time to fly.

Own a Honda Civic which is good on gas.

Buy my groceries at the grocery store (no taxes in florida. in Ala you are charged taxes - so cheaper). Eat most of my meals in the studio.

Also have an annual pass.

I have a DDE too - but since I eat mostly in the studio it has not saved me as much money as it costs. So I probably won't buy another one for a while.

if you are willing to budget and not eat out in the WDW restuarants alot - you can definitely do fine with buying a DVC resort. I have food allergies - bad ones - so I am not quite as tempted as other members to eat out. I definitely use the kitchennett or kitchen (when I get a bigger villa)

 

[hollyberry16]

i wasn't really kidding.

With a flight that's over 6 hours long, including at least one stop, which you can't get cheaper then $700...that was my impression.

 

[Viki]

i wasn't really kidding.

With a flight that's over 6 hours long, including at least one stop, which you can't get cheaper then $700...that was my impression.

Oh, my that's a hike! But, really, it's the $700 that HURTS! Is that per person? That's the total of what we pay for four folk.

 

[BeccaG]

i wasn't really kidding.

With a flight that's over 6 hours long, including at least one stop, which you can't get cheaper then $700...that was my impression.

Wow!! Where are you flying from? I have always gotten flights to FL from Southern California for $280-$300 per person. With the increased cost in gas it looks like its going to cost around $325-350 this time around. I do book three months out every time as well.

 

[hollyberry16]

I'm flying from Edmonton....and yes that's $700/person.

I did just check...and with a sale it can get down to $570/person - off season w/ sales. (which i guess is when you'd go)

 

[DonnaL]

hollyberry16,

Could you possibly fly into either Seattle or Spokane for a low fare? SW flies from both cities and sometimes the airfare is under $200 rd trp with a Ding.....Granted you would need to change airlines in either city and I don't think SW flies from either direct to MCO, but, if you could get a low fare from Edmonton to Seattle/Spokane you probably could save a significant amount on airfare........

 

[hollyberry16]

That's a great idea, and it is one really good reason to live in Vancouver....

....cheapest flight from Edmonton - Seattle (alaskan airlines) = $370 [return]
it's even more to Spokane.

I don't think I'll stay in Edmonton long.

 

[vonderbar]

We live on the East Coast, but since becoming DVC Members, visit WDW 2 - 3 times a year. We get AP (thanks to Membership discount) and work visits around expiration date. We try to fly airlines, who have lower rates. We also don't fly during peak times of year. One trip, we actually drove. We limit visits to the more expensive restaurants, although the Disney Dining Plan has a nice discount. There are other discount perks for members. My DH and I work full-time, but are NOT rich by any means. It is all in the planning. If you aren't restricted to time of year, or pickey about which DVC resort you stay (OKW) always has lowest points, then you can take advantage of last minute airfares and such.

 

[jdg345]

hollyberry16,

Could you possibly fly into either Seattle or Spokane for a low fare? SW flies from both cities and sometimes the airfare is under $200 rd trp with a Ding.....Granted you would need to change airlines in either city and I don't think SW flies from either direct to MCO, but, if you could get a low fare from Edmonton to Seattle/Spokane you probably could save a significant amount on airfare........

What's a 'Ding' ?