What do you love best about your DVC ownership?

[pixie08]

In light of the thread about regrets I thought I would start the opposite thread. The regrets thread was helpful as my dh and I are seriously considering purchasing in the next month or so and I am the type of person that likes to know all the positives and negatives to a situation.

I realized however, that I started focusing on the negatives and a poster mentioned "if you posted about the positives I bet you would get a hundred great responses"...so I was hoping that all of you DVC members could express what you love best about being a DVC member!

 

[OlderMan]

...OKW. They are larger than any other resorts'.

Sitting in a hot tub while so many others are in the parks.

Cooking out on a grill/eating what we've cooked on the grill by one of the satellite pools.

Watching my DD's (trying to) play ping-pong and/or shuffleboard.

Having breakfast/dinner on our OKW balcony.

Etc, etc, etc--apologies to the King of Siam!

 

[Buckeye Fan]

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. For the price of a car (plus MFs), DH and I purchased 390 points via 2 contracts at SSR. Should the MFs grow beyond our liking, we know we can sell without losing our shirts.

DVC is not for everyone and I realize that. However, we've been extremely happy with our purchase and now have "addonitis." My BIL/SIL joined back in 1993 and have added on two or three times since they joined! It's good you're researching (I do the exact same thing!!!) and evaluating DVC for yourself. Regardless of your decision, I wish you the best of luck!

 

[Granny]

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.

 

[Chic]

My favorite part of being a DVC member is the security of knowing I will always be able to afford a Disney World/Disneyland vacation several times a year for the next 47 years. We paid cash for our membership and only have the maintenance fees to pay each month. My father is now retired and on a fixed income which prevents him from vacationing more than once every couple of years. I enjoy knowing that I will be able to experience Disney magic until I'm 90 years old, regardless of what my fixed income will be after retirement. The bottom line is we will always stay on property in the Deluxe style hotels. The nightly rate at these resorts is high now and will continue to get higher over the years. No matter how expensive these rooms become, we will still be able to stay where we are happy. In case anyone was wondering, we do plan to purchase membership into the Contemporary Villas when they go on sale. Then I can go to Disney up until I turn 100!

 

[kikiq]

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!

Ahh Granny , well said. This one reason was THE deciding factor after all the number crunching and touring the different resorts this summer. Whenever I ask my dh where he wants to go on vacation, he says Hawaii or WDW and then I have to practically tie him down to actually go.
Now we can go to WDW and stay comfortably. Even though we own a family condo in Hawaii, we will add on there, so that the whole family can be in Hawaii without trying to fit 3 families in one small condo.

I like being able to stay in different resorts and sometimes being in a studio and sometimes being in an one bedroom plus being able to go when we want to go. And we don't have to worry about the rates going up.

And as corny as it sounds...when my brother's boss asked if we owned a "piece of the magic", he said yes, they said, "how lucky we were". Yes, we love that we finally own dvc, only wish it could have happened sooner.

 

[flyerron]

Great, There shuold always be more focus on the positives than the negatives, with everything in life. This holds true especially for DVC. That's what it is all about!
We were there in May with one set of kids & grandkids. November with just my DW, that was sort of a forced vacation to use up some points. What a great time we had, just doing adult things without a schedule & without pressure to do a ride or anything. We just had a ball. We wouldn't have done that without DVC.
We go back in January with another set of kids & grandkids. WOW what a life. Again that is because of DVC. We love the AP discount, the condo effect, the DDP, The bus transportation is just great also. The cast members at SSR have been open, friendly, & happy to assist with anything.
Let me say that we are very experienced travelers & have 4 other weeks of timeshare in other locations for over 20 years. The WDW & DVc magic is unbeatable.
Those who dwell on the negatives probably don't enjoy life in general.

 

[llmurphy17]

With three young kids the washer and dryer in the room is a blessing , being able to eat breakfast in the room , and of course feeling like you are at home

 

[dvc at last !]

bump...

 

[pixie08]

With three young kids the washer and dryer in the room is a blessing , being able to eat breakfast in the room , and of course feeling like you are at home

really that has such imapct. I had my wedding reception at the BW this summer and so a large majority of my family stayed there some for a week - 2 weeks. We rented some points and were able to "experience" DVC for the first time. My brother was a big nay sayer before this (what married in Disney?) but now he keeps saying he wants to live at the BW because he just loves walking in and being told "welcome home" everyday.

That trip was the "AHA" momnet for us. So now come Jan we will be buying DVC!

 

[alldiz]

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

 

[dianeschlicht]

1. I KNOW I am going on vacation every year because it's already mostly paid for.
2. Flexibility of DVC. I can stay any time, for any length of time in an size unit as long as I have the points for it.
3. I can trade to HAWAII if I want to!!
4. I know my home resort, and it feels like a second home to me.
5. Having a full size laundry and kitchen in our OKW "home".
6. In room Jacuzzi so it feels like home.
7. Easy transportation to and from the parks so I don't have to drive.
8. Annual Pass Discounts!
9. Great views at OKW!
10. The ability to "buy" AKV and "live" with the animals!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Between '95 and '03 when we bought into DVC, DH and I took at least 1 cruise a year, and often 2. DH liked the fact that you unpacked once, and got to experience varied activities, different countries and he didn't have to drive!

Many of these cruises were multi-generational, but DM turned 85 in '04, and she wanted to spend her birthday in WDW. Our family was growing with DGC and we're a spread-out family, so gathering for family vacations is one way we connect with each other. We didn't know when our DGC would be joining us at WDW, but if DM wanted a Disney party, I wanted to give her one, and DVC seemed like a perfect way for us to host this party and more into the future. That was a great success, and DM even got to see her picture in the DVC vacation magazine!

We don't cruise as much as we used to, but I think DVC/WDW offers some of the best points of cruising. We still unpack once (mainly, but even on cruises, we would head down the night before, so there would be a night in a hotel before the cruise) and enjoy many varied activities, and the pools at the resorts are much better than the most of the pools on ships, and there's no wave turbulence! Especially, DH does relax at WDW as much as he did on cruises. He loves VB, VWL and BCV the most, and we own at all of those, plus BWV and AKV. We love to cruise with a balcony, and so one is a must for me, and DVC villas have them!

Relaxing ourselves and being able to share our vacations with others are the 2big points for us regarding DVC. The two types of vacations, alone and with family are so different, and we NEED both types to fully enjoy DVC. DH is a few years, probably 3, away from retirement, and we're among those who plan to spend a winter month or more in Florida at a few DVC resorts. My DSis has agreed to host our dogs during these times!

As long as we can use DVC these ways, for relaxation and as a great place to get together, we will be owners.

Bobbi

PS. We do have a Western Caribbean cruise coming up in March. I can only go so long without a great snorkeling experience!

 

[Coach81]

1. The fact that we will be going to Disney World / Orlando FL TWICE next year
2. We are already planning our 2009 Vacation to Disney World!
3. DVC rooms will be better than the value rooms.
4. Watching my children GLOW in complete happiness on vacation!

And we haven't even starting using our DVC yet

 

[WDWLVR]

We love our DVC and to us it was one of the best things we've ever done.

We are middle aged DINKS and here is what we love best about DVC:

Flexability of dates/room sizes. We bought enough points that we could do a one bedroom for at least a week any time of year. We love the space of a one bedroom as well as the washer/dryer, spa tub, and full kitchen. Yet we've also stayed in a studio and a two bedroom. Getting that choice is great.

Variety of resorts. We love our Boardwalk home and spend most of our time there, but it is so nice to have so much variety. We've also stayed at VWL, BCV, OKW, VB, and HH. Each brings their own magic. We are hoping to try SSR next year.

Having a home on site not just a hotel room. We don't do commando any more. We like to spend time back at the villa. In a hotel room you really just have the bed, maybe a chair and if you are lucky a microwave and small fridge. In our one bedroom home we have a full living room where we can stretch out to relax, read, whatever. The kitchen lets us have breakfast in the room and bring back leftovers from other meals. The washer/dryer lets us pack lighter than we normally would and come home with clean clothes.

DVC isn't for everyone, but it works for us quite well. Those are the reasons we bought into DVC and they still make us happy. Added bonuses for us have been the discount on the AP's (and then by having the AP being able to buy DDE). Both have helped us vacation even more affordably. The opportunity to do DVC Member Homecoming and the DVC Member Cruises. Sure the cost is a little higher than a regular cruise/vacation but we've been able to see the most amazing guests: Roy Disney, Art Linkletter, Richard Sherman, Marty Sklar, WDW Ambassadors, Disney Imangineers, and so many more. We've seen concerts from Jodi Benson, Andrea McArdle, Susan Egan and more. Pure Disney magic.

 

[kapeman]

We took our kids for the first time this past September (we started the buying process through re-sale the week we got back).

We were driving on the Western bypass and I saw Cinderella's castle and the Contemporary in the distance, I pointed them out to my son who just turned five.

As long as I live I will never forget the look of pure joy and amazement on his face.

Being able to do this every year is what I love best about DVC.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

My parents and I started going to Disney from the moment it opened. It was magical then even with the huge wait in lines and the old ticket system, but we loved it still. My parents are gone now but I go with my own family and friends now. The memories created through Disney are truly "Magical" and the magic starts at the guard gate when the guard welcomes me home.

I've heard complaints about towels, and buses etc. and you know what it's all good. You're at Disney, it's almost like being transported to a magical island, who cares about the towels and if the bus was late. Once or twice I've had maintenance problems with my accomodations but they were taken care of immediately. People, don't sweat the small stuff, have you walked around Disney and seen the people yelling at their kids, looking miserable, hey what's all that about, these people need to take Vacation 101, have fun. DVC ownerships gives you the power to relax and enjoy your vacation at your own pace!

I've had 2 family reunions in the OKW Grand Villa, I've stayed in all of the other resorts and hotels and my only complaints are, I don't have enough vacation time or points.

June 2008, 3rd family reunion, OKW Grand Villa of course, we can't wait. The next one hopefully will be in Hawaii, yeah ! ! Life's too short to complain, have fun.

 

[CarolinesMom]

1. After about 6 vacations, our initial cost of will have paid for itself and I still have years of vacations to take!

2. The comforts of home (washer and dryer and kitchen)

3. They are always announcing new DVC resorts!

4. I don't have to budget for vacations anymore

5. I am a owner of the Disney Magic

6. I can give the gift of a trip to members of my family or take them on vacation with us.

 

[Granny]

...the washer and dryer in the room is a blessing ...

This really is true!

I'll add it to my list as #5 reason!

 

[ldo]

We also own at several other timeshares (which we love) and have traded to upscale timeshares the past 10 years, including MArriotts, Hilton, and STarwood timeshares--they also have their issues with maintenance, cleaning, staff. In the past, we stayed every Easter at an upscale TS in Orlando and visited WDW. I always thought owning DVC was indulgent, and too $$$ (and never even went over to the DVC kiosks)---until I stayed this summer for a few days at SSR!
The Community Hall was great, the pools were great, the pool games and even the DVCers staying there were all great--everyone engaged and having fun! Plus the ease of taking ME from the airport and buses to the parks.
When we got back--I still could not get over the difference we felt at DVC vs. another TS (my kids still talk about it). We only went into the park 1 day, and my kids didn't even care that much. We had such a great time.

When I got back, I explored the points structure and found that you could do very affordable vacations--esp. if you can avoid the weekends---that sold us--the banking and borrowing is also great, allowing a few points to be used in many different ways.
We started with a small resale, but will add on next year--I also love that DVC lets you add-on in small increments and with no closing costs--not many places allow this.
Lastly, I love the diversity of resorts--you could stay at a different DVC each year and never have the same trip--from seeing a giraffe with your coffee at AKV, to a pacific northwest Christmas holiday at VWL, to a tropical getaway at OKW--I can't wait to try them all! Elaine