What do you love best about your DVC ownership?

[crock]

This is a great thread. My husband and I are also looking into buying DVC. We have done Disney 3 times since 2001. We originally thought that going every year may be too much, but I like all the positives so many members have illustrated here. (I have read the negatives as well) This past trip my son and I were both feeling the dread of being another 2 yrs before our next visit, and I agree with those of you who said it allows you to have a solid family vacation every year! I can't wait to take the plunge.

 

[DVC Mike]

Without being repetitive, I just wanted to state that I share most of the reasons stated so far in this thread - we love our DVC membership and are happy members!

 

[shellbelle1971]

Wow...where to start.

1) I love the flexibility. Within reason, I can vacation anywhere (through Concierge or II), anytime I want in great rooms. I also like that I can choose the size of room based on my need for that trip. If I need a 2-BR, I can get a 2-BR. If we want to stay the weekend, a studio saves points and works out quite nicely. Should I choose not to use my points during a given year, I can bank my points. Though I don't, renting your points out is an option as well.
2) Having pre-paid vacations for the rest of my life at today's prices is a bonus. I know others have said that DVC is not an investment, but for as often as we were going and paying rack rates , I can't help but believe that it is! Who knows what the prices will be 30+ years from now!
3) I've never been anywhere where I have felt more welcomed by the staff than I do at Dis. The more I go, the more it feels like home. The more I go, the more I realize DVC was a great choice for our family!
4) I know you'll see die-hard fans of a given resort, but I love them all! I love not having to stay at the same place every time. I can have different experiences depending on what I want for that vacation. If I want relaxation away from the crowds and parks, I book at OKW, VWL or SSR. If I want in the action, BCV or BWV. With the addition of AKV, Hawaii, DVC out in CA and possibly the Contemporary, the options just continue to grow.
5) I love the memories we're making with our children. You don't have to buy DVC to do that, but it's sure a magical place.
6) Last, but not least, should we ever decide to sell, the resales have increased over time due to Dis's ROFR process. Though I would never call it an investment, it's not like a car that you drive off of the lot and it depreciates when you sign on the dotted line.

Yeah! What he said! Me too!

Plus what Granny said about being forced to take a vaction, plus having a full kitchen and a washer/dryer is huge for us...all that contributes to things we love about DVC.

For me, though, the absolute best part of DVC is not any one specific thing; it's the *magic*, pixiedust, whatever...the un-named something that still gives me butterflies in my stomach, or giggle at the same time as my 2-year-old princess, the "only here" moments that make me LOVE being onsite at WDW. Did I mention that I love it??

Okay, I'm pretty gushy, but where else can two ultracompulsive, type-a, redder-than-red personalities (DH & me) just unwind, relax, and live in Fantasyland for a while?

 

[Tarheel Tink]

Without being repetitive, I just wanted to state that I share most of the reasons stated so far in this thread - we love our DVC membership and are happy members!

Ditto!

 

[LSchrow]

~ the accomadations are always deluxe, including, at the very least, a kitchette
~ the flexibility (our vacationing style has changed ~ DH, DD, DS & i used to go 1x year in a 1-bdrm, now we go at least 2x a year in a studio with just DH or DD & myself).
~ the relaxation of knowing you'll be back soon (no worry of saving up for the next big trip)
~ our points have appreciated in value over the years

& EXTREMELLY important:
BOARDWALK VIEW!!!
(BW view cannot be booked on cash, only points)

 

[DVC Grammy]

Ditto!

Me, too, plus all the new locations we can reserve!

Totally OT:
P.S. TarheelTink: ain't UNC great this year (sorry WolfPack fan)? (We won't mention the Panthers, okay, even though they're the team that can snatch defeat from the jaws of victory!))

 

[DisDaydreamer]

DVC allows me to really "live" the magic.

No more running around all park commando...

Real relaxation....in beautiful accomodations with the knowledge of
many more awesome vacations just like it.....
Kerri

Hey Kerri, I think you got it. Living in the world and just enjoying the moments. It is sooo easy... and wonderful.... and knowing that you have many more of these great moments to come.. You are right on spot.

 

[DVCconvert]

While there are many positives....I still feel that any rational appraisal has to take into account that DVD/DVC can and does change any rule/promise/commitment to members at their whim and without member imput. I do NOT consider this a positive.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

While there are many positives....I still feel that any rational appraisal has to take into account that DVD/DVC can and does change any rule/promise/commitment to members at their whim and without member imput. I do NOT consider this a positive.

Agreed... but we have visited many resorts in and out of DVC. They all reserve certain rights to make changes.... all things considered, the other timeshare resorts we have visited recently are really in physical shambles... I have to give Disney credit for their efforts in keeping the grounds, buildings, and facitlities at above an acceptable level.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Oh wow, you are going to get a LOT of responses to this one!

There are many things I really like about our DVC ownership, but I'll just put down my top ones:

1. First and foremost, DVC forces me to take a quality vacation every year. Before we bought DVC, I always had a million excuses for why I couldn't break away from work long enough to take a good family vacation. DVC changed that and with the long-range planning I can lock into the vacation time at work with plenty of notice!

2. We are staying at WDW in spacious accommodations that we would never pay cash rates for, even at a discount. No way would we be staying in 2BR villas for the four of us without DVC. So not only does it make it affordable, it allowed us to dramatically upgrade our accommodations. This in turn has very much helped us better enjoy our vacations.

3. Another great benefit derived from DVC is no more commando touring of the parks!. We are going back soon, so no big deal if we miss something. Again, we come home from WDW very relaxed instead of worn out in need of another vacation! The other thing is that it has helped my family enjoy each other more...takes the stress out of getting out of the room early for a rope drop or worrying about scurrying around the parks. Just makes for a better family atmosphere.

4. The perks, especially the discount on AP's and free valet parking. I know, they might not last but for now both of these perks dramatically increase our enjoyment of WDW vacations. A big part of the slowed down rate of park touring and overall improvement in relaxation.

There are more, but those are my highlights.

Boy, Granny, you described it so well. #1 could have been written by DH. Pre-DVC, it was so hard to pry him away from work for vacation. He always had so many excuses why he couldn't take off. Not only no more commando touring, but also a lack of panic if a beloved attraction is closed for renovations, just [shrug] "Oh, well, next time!"
The only big additions are thanks to DVC, we got introduced to a couple new resorts we LOVE. We didn't even know that HHI resort existed until we joined DVC. And although we'd heard of OKW, we had no desire to stay there untilwe tried it just because it was one of the DVC resort s to try-now our fave at WDW.

 

[disneymom8589]

I loved reading everyone's responses! It just reinforced my excitement for DVC. DH and I were just recently talking about how we are glad we became DVC members last year. It feels good knowing that when our DD gets married in the next 2-3 years and when my parents celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2010, we can send them on dream vacations using our points!

 

[bwvBound]

spoiled space washer dryer kitchen jetted_tub flexibility any_size 3BR 2BR 1BR studio any_date short_stay long_stay any_location okw bwv akv vb hh ssr vwl bcv gcv hi easy_booking MemberServices MagicalExpress budget banking borrowing forced_vacation econony reheat leftovers control costs diet more_vacations better_places options

... you get the picture!

 

[byoung]

Being able to go 3 times a year with our 200 BWV points.

 

[Chim Chiminy]

WDW vacations at a relaxed pace.
Washer and dryers are convenient.....even if you are in a studio. Just take your laundry down and wash while the kids swim!
Not feeling like we have to do and see everything. Even the kids are fine with it now when I say "we'll ride splash mountain next trip"
Great resort activities for the kids. DD loves going to the community halls.
Great pools.
Being able to choose different lengths of stay and different size accomodations.
Did I already say DH is forced to take a vacation, since it is "paid for"?
Being able to treat family and friends to great accomodations that they would never be able to afford themselves.
Being able to use our points at HHI and VB.