We couldn't say no! New members!

[zalansky]

Welcome home neighbor! We bought at SSR this past year and so far have stayed at BCV two times, SSR one night and have a 3 night ressie in March at VWL a week before Easter which is supposedly very difficult to get. We also financed 1/2 our contract so I suppose that makes us idiots too.
The first time we went home we realized it was the best decision we have ever made. As you and your DH have children you will appreciate your membership even more as your family & fun both grow. Enjoy!

 

[littlestar]

This thread got me to thinking. So since we own other timeshares and can search online with Interval for availability, I posted some Interval International sitings over on the planning board just for the heck of it.

Again, enjoy your membership and welcome home.

 

[Lexxiefern]

Welcome Home!! We've used our points only at WDW so far so I can't help you with the trading out question. Enjoy your membership!

 

[paults]

 

[bwvBound]

My question is, how many of you go to places other than Disney and is it easy to secure rooms? We were really impressed by the list of other places we could travel and I wanted to hear a little bit more about your experiences.

Congratulations!

My DH and I travel a great deal outside Disney - but not using DVC points. Using the "biggest bang for the buck" model, we try booking travel using the right tool for the job. For us, that means having a mix of timeshare properties, searching discounted online travel sites, bidding on auctions, etc.

When we want a great escape at the lowest possible cost - we'll hit the web searching for discounts or auctions. We'll see if we can fill the need using one of our other timeshare properties (directly or via exchanging) and we'll check for discounted rental weeks from both RCI and Interval International.

When we must have a specific location/dates - we'll book directly, note our cancellation options, and search for less expensive routes until we exhaust the options. (Nice to have the bird in hand ... )

For us, DVC ownership is a matter of convenience: book our annual work-related conference stay in a single, easy phone call. Compared to our other tools, DVC is a costly product -- but it is the right tool for the annual trip. It does not yet appear to be the right tool for our other travel adventures.

Hope this makes sense.

 

[mj2vacation]

What is worse? My post or the person who , when they are done laughing and saying "right on", starts typing a feel good response that they think wil be popular on the boards?

Sorry but my post is what most of you thought whether you'd type it or not.

Dumbo,

IMHO at some point, you stopped sounding profound and started sounding bitter.... Just stating how it sounds.

Please don't assume your thoughts belong to anyone else.

Let the OP enjoy their decision. They will learn what the best use for THEM of THEIR points are.

 

[eliza61]

What is worse? My post or the person who , when they are done laughing and saying "right on", starts typing a feel good response that they think wil be popular on the boards?

Sorry but my post is what most of you thought whether you'd type it or not.

Nope, not trying to be popular at all (that's the great thing about being over 50, you stop giving a hoot ). The OP ask who has used their points outside of Disney. We do all the time and probably will continue to do so. Pretty simple

 

[3DisneyKids]

Sorry but my post is what most of you thought whether you'd type it or not.

Please do not tell me what I am thinking....

(Only my kids are allowed to do that! )

 

[dblr]

Welcome Home it is what you make of it, if you feel it was worth it and enjoyed yourself that is all that matters. We are big into RVing but still bought DVC and love it if we can't use it we have friends and family ready to use it and they all help cover our cost so like I said as long as you are happy.Also we love to visit Kennywood every couple of years it is a great place.

 

[phisigprincess]

Well, at least you are Steelers fans.

I still didn't see an answer posted to my question or in this case suggestion that you used DVC financing? Did you or did you not?

Did your guide also tell you, after showing you all of those lovely pictures of the exchange options around the world, that you could also "stay at BCV anytime using your SSR points"?

How about DCL? See those great photos? Wonder if you saw the enormous amount of points requred? Maybe your guide couldn't locate those point charts.

My post although harsh, really was intended to be only slightly harsh in your direction and really harsh in your guides direction.

Who was the guide by the way? Did he give you some magic 3 days to decide or the offer would be rescinded? Did you get the referral discount?

Make no mistake I hope this ends up being the single best decision you've ever made. Your OP just leaves some doubts.

Please answer my questions and keep us all updated on your future trips.

As you are a Steelers fan, I guess I'll give you some leeway. We did use DVC financing, which was our choice.

I am very well aware that it's very difficult to get other resorts other than your home resort and we chose SSR because it felt right to us. If we can get into other resorts, fine. If not, no big deal, we'll stay at SSR.

We didn't take DCL into consideration when making our decision, nor did we see any photos.

This wasn't a snap decision, we did our research, we've talked to members, I've surfed the boards and we made the decision that seemed best for us. The tour was really just a formality considering we had already looked into our options and made our choice. And yes, we used the referral discount as we know quite a few members.

I appreciate your concern, but in this case I believe it's unfounded. I merely wanted to see if anyone had any experience outside of the Disney resorts so I could see if that might be an option for us some day. It's seems that the answer is no and that's fine. We'll enjoy our DVC membership at SSR for years to come.

 

[TenThousandVolts]

I merely wanted to see if anyone had any experience outside of the Disney resorts so I could see if that might be an option for us some day. It's seems that the answer is no and that's fine. We'll enjoy our DVC membership at SSR for years to come.

Hi- and Welcome- even though you joined a day before me- I guess we can welcome each other, neighbor!
Don't give up on trading out using II or the CC. II is pretty reasonable as far as points go (160 for a 1 bdrm in high season), of course add in the exchange fee ($75 I think) and then realize you have to be flexible as to availability. (If you can be flexible with dates/resorts/even desination city- you will probably be able to trade out) There are lots of threads going where people describe their experiences looking for trades in Hawaii, Mexico... Usually they have to go on a waitlist- so it requires patience- but many have had success. Also- the II inventory are timeshare based fixed weeks- so it isn't like planning a long weekend or a 5 day trip will work- the way it works at DVC. So it isn't going to be easy like booking ssr- but still- the choice is available to you. Most on these boards say it is not a very economical use of points. Still- it is an option. I am brand new too- so I may be off base- but this how I understand it. DVC members please correct me if I am oversimplifying or misunderstanding this.
here is a fun link: http://disney.intervalworld.com/web/cs?a=5

 

[dumbo71]

As you are a Steelers fan, I guess I'll give you some leeway. We did use DVC financing, which was our choice.

I am very well aware that it's very difficult to get other resorts other than your home resort and we chose SSR because it felt right to us. If we can get into other resorts, fine. If not, no big deal, we'll stay at SSR.

We didn't take DCL into consideration when making our decision, nor did we see any photos.

This wasn't a snap decision, we did our research, we've talked to members, I've surfed the boards and we made the decision that seemed best for us. The tour was really just a formality considering we had already looked into our options and made our choice. And yes, we used the referral discount as we know quite a few members.

I appreciate your concern, but in this case I believe it's unfounded. I merely wanted to see if anyone had any experience outside of the Disney resorts so I could see if that might be an option for us some day. It's seems that the answer is no and that's fine. We'll enjoy our DVC membership at SSR for years to come.

Nice post and thanks for answering the question I posed.

Steelers may be too little too late but at least we are getting some wins. Tough being a Steeler fan here in Texas. My neighbors play for the Cowboys. Oh well got to stay loyal.

Your OP made it seem like you just couldn't resist and dove into this. I was also concerned about the information given by your guide. Seems you have things well in hand.

Enjoy the membership.

 

[tksbaskets]

Welcome Neighbor! One thing you'll find out pretty quickly here, is that there is always someone ready to make a judgement about something.
Personally, I didn't buy DVC for financial reasons. I bought for vacations at WDW and perhaps an occasional trip somewhere else. If you're going to get picky about it, vacations in general are not the best use of my money but I love them anyway!

I second this!! DH and I just purchased and we had a poster reply to my "happy post" that we'd made a terrible mistake buying ....blah...blah...

I must admit it took some wind out of my DVC sails, but as above other DISers have difficulty putting their own biases aside (is that a word??). I actually had a very kind person PM me after the negative poster.

That said, WELCOME HOME You and your loved ones will get many years of enjoyement no matter how you choose to spend YOUR points.

TK

 

[AnnaS]

Welcome Home!

 

[disneymom8589]

neighbor and enjoy your vacations, no matter where you go!!

 

[Starr W.]

Welcome! Fellow SSR owner. We're planning 1st trip "home" in early May and will be back for Thanksgving 07.


Words of advice I have gotten from this board. Plan, be flexible and don't be afraid of a waitlist(auto confirm seems the way to go IMHO).

Also don't forgot the DDP is the root of all things wrong with food service at WDW.

 

[katedrew94]

Congratulations on your purchase and Welcome Home!

We own at the VWL and SSR, and have enjoyed every resort we have stayed in. If you are a planner and can call at the 7-month window, most of the time you will be able to get in where you want on Disney property. We have not had any problems with that, even at the ever popular BCV. I'm sure that depends on when you can go, but we have gotten rooms there in August, October, December, and May.

But like you, we are happy to stay wherever, because honestly, each place has its own charm and unique qualities. We are just happy to be there and take a break from the normal crazy pace of our everyday lives.

I don't think 125-160 points is all that bad for a weeklong trade to go someplace like the Westin in St. John. We have friends who own there who say it is extremely nice and they love it. It's more the luck of the draw when trying to get the availability.

I hope you enjoy DVC for many years to come! Maybe we'll see you around!

 

[byoung]

Congrats and Welcome Home.

 

[tacomaranch]

Congratulations and welcome home! Also, Merry Christmas! You must have been very good this year, Santa gave you a DVC!