What made you pull the "trigger"

[mouseaider]

We are two people in love, meeting way too late in life and both wanting to see WDW and in 2001 we visited MK for the first time. I was 50 and my DW is a little younger.

We were married in 2002 and honeymooned at WDW and a Disney Cruise.

We kept coming back for more and took the DVC tour in 2006, but we didn't want to finance the $16,000 minimum to buy in and didn't have the cash.

This last year, my DW's son had to be in Orlando for a conference and he wanted us to come to Orlando and show his girlfriend and her seven year old daughter around WDW. We were also planning a trip to Hawaii for our tenth anniversary in 2012.... and Aulani had been announced. We also have saved up some money and decided we should look at DVC again.

We found a 100 point BWV resale contract that we could afford and decided to use the money we would spend in Hawaii and in January at WDW and buy into DVC now.

We went on the trip in January and loved BWV and the vacation felt more relaxed in a studio at BWV than it ever did staying in a hotel.

We've just added another small 55 point SSR contract that make it easier to stay at Aulani and will allow us to stay at WDW more often.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[mjc2003]

We're only in ROFR, contract went 2/24 so we're hoping. This is long so sorry but Anyway, we finally put in an offer because of my Dad.

My Dad died in August. He was 67. He loved WDW even though he never really took us as kids because he was too busy paying for parochial school and college for us, we went once together when I was 3. Anyway, as I grew up I loved WDW, despite only going twice as a kid. DH and I even honeymooned there. Well, once we were all married off Mom and Dad took some time for themselves and got to travel a bit. WDW was their first stop. He was hooked. He wanted to buy into DVC but by his 60s he felt it was too late. He even went through the tour at SSR as it was being built. He was diagnosed with inoperable prostate cancer almost 2 years ago.

Before he was diagnosed DH and I had decided to go to WDW and take the kids. We asked Mom and Dad to come. I had a FD pin we could all use. They were psyched, we hadn't been there together, since I was 3. Well, when we realized how serious his illness was my brothers and their families made the very wise decision to join us. My Dad always wanted to go with all of us. Between my 2 brothers and I, we have 3 spouses and 7 kids, they were all 10 and under. So in Aug 09 all 15 of us went for 8 days and stayed at POR.

I being the Disser planned the whole thing. Made reservations for 15 of us for 1 TS per day and HDD. That was a challenge!!!!!

Well, we had the most amazing time!!!! All of us! The kids had a blast, sure there were meltdowns, but my father loved every second of it. By this point, we didn't know his bones were breaking down and he would be using a walker within weeks of coming home. That trip is a treasure for my whole family and I. Dad died a year to the day we got back from that trip.

I had been thinking DVC but it really is out of our budget a bit. However, priorities have changed. DVC didn't seem like a luxury anymore, but a necessity. Dad didn't die wishing he went to Disney with his family. I don't want to either. The memories seem more important to me than anything. I made an offer on an SSR contract and we're waiting for ROFR.

Thanks for listening.

Thank you for sharing. Very touching. So nice to hear your dad got his wish, and I'm sure it was the thrill of a lifetime for him, and a memory you'll cherish forever.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

A friend let me use their OKW membership several times. Being gun shy about the whole timeshare business, it took me a couple of stays and a DVC tour/sales pitch before I understood the flexibility of DVC compared to other timeshares. Being the Disney nut that I am, I was hooked but I realized real quick that I could never afford it. My friends mentioned the resale market, so I saved my tax refunds for 2 years (personally, I can't finance vacations) and then I quickly found a loaded OKW resale for 210 points and finally bought in 2000.

and I've never regretted it! I love DVC It works for me and my family!

 

[mdsd8700]

There were several factors as others have said that finally made us purchase. BLT being built was one of them. Although we loved the EPCOT DVC resorts it was the shorter length of the contract with those that held us back. Then factor in the rising costs of rooms since we starting going each year starting in 1997. We didn't know how our kids would be able to afford to take their kids. Lastly, now we had the cash we didn't have when the kids were younger (they are now 14 and 17). These were the big three for us. It probably took us longer than I would have liked to buy in, but overall it worked out the best for our family and we are absolutely thrilled that we finally were able to join.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[mdsd8700]

We're only in ROFR, contract went 2/24 so we're hoping. This is long so sorry but Anyway, we finally put in an offer because of my Dad.

My Dad died in August. He was 67. He loved WDW even though he never really took us as kids because he was too busy paying for parochial school and college for us, we went once together when I was 3. Anyway, as I grew up I loved WDW, despite only going twice as a kid. DH and I even honeymooned there. Well, once we were all married off Mom and Dad took some time for themselves and got to travel a bit. WDW was their first stop. He was hooked. He wanted to buy into DVC but by his 60s he felt it was too late. He even went through the tour at SSR as it was being built. He was diagnosed with inoperable prostate cancer almost 2 years ago.

Before he was diagnosed DH and I had decided to go to WDW and take the kids. We asked Mom and Dad to come. I had a FD pin we could all use. They were psyched, we hadn't been there together, since I was 3. Well, when we realized how serious his illness was my brothers and their families made the very wise decision to join us. My Dad always wanted to go with all of us. Between my 2 brothers and I, we have 3 spouses and 7 kids, they were all 10 and under. So in Aug 09 all 15 of us went for 8 days and stayed at POR.

I being the Disser planned the whole thing. Made reservations for 15 of us for 1 TS per day and HDD. That was a challenge!!!!!

Well, we had the most amazing time!!!! All of us! The kids had a blast, sure there were meltdowns, but my father loved every second of it. By this point, we didn't know his bones were breaking down and he would be using a walker within weeks of coming home. That trip is a treasure for my whole family and I. Dad died a year to the day we got back from that trip.

I had been thinking DVC but it really is out of our budget a bit. However, priorities have changed. DVC didn't seem like a luxury anymore, but a necessity. Dad didn't die wishing he went to Disney with his family. I don't want to either. The memories seem more important to me than anything. I made an offer on an SSR contract and we're waiting for ROFR.

Thanks for listening.

Thanks for sharing your story, it was very heartwarming. I am sure all your DVC vacations will carry an extra special place in your heart and that your dad will be a part of each one. Good luck with your contract and I hope all goes smoothly and you will be "home" again before you know it!

 

[DeeCee735]

I have found the contract I want, I have the cash, and I can't seem to "pull the trigger!!!!"

I'm not sure why.... Maybe the large amount if money I'd be parting from, or just the thought if what if?

What made you just do it all ready?

Just the thought of what if! That's why we bought! What if we want to do this with our children and grandchildren (if we should be so blessed to have them) over and over again? What if we don't have the money in the future? What if we get older and older and wish we had taken the plunge and had many years of great vacations behind us, but I didn't do it?

That's the what if I'm talking about

 

[MFMont]

It depends on a bunch of factors in your particular contract but if you buy at the correct price with loaded points from 09,10 and 11, you can recoup a good portion of your investment back depending on how willing your are to not use those points. With the robust rental market, I will make over 10% conservatively on my investment on the years I do not go. On the years I do go, I will have a very good discount on a premium hotel with tons of flexibility. For me there was no way I couldn't pull the trigger. I tried to not buy, but it just made to much sense. Make sure you get a good price!

 

[LJD2143]

Because we realized that what we were spending in the course of 5-7 trips could actually pay for dvc!

We would have never paid the price to stay in the two bedroom units, and now have that option. It has completely changed how we vacation.

1) I will want to go to Disney over and over
2) My husband and I will go to Disney when our kids are not with us and not "into" it
3) I want to take my grandbabies one day (and I acknowledge that it is nuts to say that when my kids are 10 and 6)
.....my DVC makes me happy!

Plus at 40 I was ready for Disney "luxury style"

Dad didn't die wishing he went to Disney with his family. I don't want to either. The memories seem more important to me than anything.

They built BLT. We debated it for years since we were going almost yearly and staying at deluxe resorts....

We loved the location and wanted to be there for most of our trips. When BLT was built and we could now buy DVC without giving up our favorite spot, we were in.

What I loved about it is that it took the stress out of waiting for discounts, pin codes, etc. (have you ever read the frustration from those that never get them?)

Once the money is gone, and you are planning trips, it is so nice to have the flexibility.

...all I kept thinking was "what a great way to bribe them to still vacation with us occasionally"!

...the flexibility of DVC compared to other timeshares.

Then factor in the rising costs of rooms since we starting going each year.....

All of the above!!!!!!!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

My biggest problem, now that I've pulled the trigger, as you put it, is not reloading the gun and adding on! It's a constant mental fight to not add on!

 

[disneylover1959]

I took a tour in 2008 while at Disney World and made up my mind to look for resales when I got home. When I came across a good deal, I made an offer and have never looked back.

 

[Disneyfriend]

We're only in ROFR, contract went 2/24 so we're hoping. This is long so sorry but Anyway, we finally put in an offer because of my Dad.

My Dad died in August. He was 67. He loved WDW even though he never really took us as kids because he was too busy paying for parochial school and college for us, we went once together when I was 3. Anyway, as I grew up I loved WDW, despite only going twice as a kid. DH and I even honeymooned there. Well, once we were all married off Mom and Dad took some time for themselves and got to travel a bit. WDW was their first stop. He was hooked. He wanted to buy into DVC but by his 60s he felt it was too late. He even went through the tour at SSR as it was being built. He was diagnosed with inoperable prostate cancer almost 2 years ago.

Before he was diagnosed DH and I had decided to go to WDW and take the kids. We asked Mom and Dad to come. I had a FD pin we could all use. They were psyched, we hadn't been there together, since I was 3. Well, when we realized how serious his illness was my brothers and their families made the very wise decision to join us. My Dad always wanted to go with all of us. Between my 2 brothers and I, we have 3 spouses and 7 kids, they were all 10 and under. So in Aug 09 all 15 of us went for 8 days and stayed at POR.

I being the Disser planned the whole thing. Made reservations for 15 of us for 1 TS per day and HDD. That was a challenge!!!!!

Well, we had the most amazing time!!!! All of us! The kids had a blast, sure there were meltdowns, but my father loved every second of it. By this point, we didn't know his bones were breaking down and he would be using a walker within weeks of coming home. That trip is a treasure for my whole family and I. Dad died a year to the day we got back from that trip.

I had been thinking DVC but it really is out of our budget a bit. However, priorities have changed. DVC didn't seem like a luxury anymore, but a necessity. Dad didn't die wishing he went to Disney with his family. I don't want to either. The memories seem more important to me than anything. I made an offer on an SSR contract and we're waiting for ROFR.

Thanks for listening.

Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful story. You wrote so eloquently!

I am so glad you have such happy family memories from when your father was still relatively healthy. And may your dear father rest in peace.

 

[Disneyfriend]

Well, we just bought about 10 days ago (I guess that means today is my last day to cancel ).

I have been madly in love with Disney since I was 4 years old. It's now, um, almost 4 decades later and there are no signs of anything changing. Many, many of our favorite family memories involve our Disney trips over the years.

We too did the math and realized that, even adding in the maintenance fees, we would break even in roughly 7-9 years. After that, we are getting deluxe accomodations - and flexibility - for the relatively modest cost of the annual maintenance fees.

My husband and I have two sets of children - two daughters we had very early in life and two more kids we had a bit later. We know from experience just how quickly children grow up, and how marvelous a Disney vacation can be for families at so *many* different ages and stages. My little ones get ferociously excited about Dumbo and Peter Pan . . . and my teens are every bit as happy to be at Disney and close out a Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party by themselves.

We want to take these young kids to Disney for the next 15 years, and at some point in that same time frame we are likely to have grandchildren as well. We really want to be the cool Disney grandparents who are able to occasionally bless their grown children and their families with a Disney vacation. We really want to meet up in family groups to do Disney together; we want to be those grandparents who borrow their grandchild for a long weekend at Disney.

One other factor is that my DH and I have never really enjoyed staying in a single hotel room if there are children with us. It gets to be crowded, and the lack of space really puts a damper on what is supposed to be a vacation. Mom and Dad want their privacy . . . and they don't really want to have lights out at 8 pm, you know?

We stayed in a 2 BR villa at Kidani last year and thought the full kitchen and extra space were heavenly. And the washer dryer? Seriously, I think that factor alone made me want to buy into DVC!

I honestly wish we had bought earlier, but here we are, finally, and happy to be DVC owners at last!

 

[Ryansdad0727]

We had thought about it since 2004 but when we had our son in 2010 i immediatley bought in. I knew we would be going at least every other year for a long time. We have made 3 trips planned already.

 

[missycj96]

I had been interested but always thoughtbit wasn't worth the money. On a cruise I went to a dvc presentation where they gave you great information and considerations for if this is right for you. I also met a dvc owner who had slowly bought a large amount of points and it sounded something that would work for me. So I decided to buy. But to get enough points for dvc to work for me at a price I could afford I bought an SSR resale with banked points. I trusted the dis boards so I went with the timeshare store. It was very successful and i have added on twice since. I have had luck at 7 months (we don't travel christmas) and I hope to add on more.

 

[dominicve]

We finally "pulled the trigger" after three trips in three years. The total for 20nights at BWV, BC, and Swan was ~$8000. After each trip we said we would wait a few years before returning but couldn't wait longer then 8-10 months. With 2 children, a third on the way, and in-laws that like to travel with us, and babysit, a DVC purchase was a must. Our membership will pay for itself within the first 5-6 trips we take which may only be 3-4 years.

 

[disneydenisel]

We bought DVC because "life is short," and I wanted to enjoy time with my family because "you never know" what is going to happen. I grew up going to DL every year, probably since my mom was pregnant with me. We drove down ever year in our un-airconditioned car and stayed at the $25/night motel and loved every minute of it. My fondest memories are walking down Main Street, the Main Street Electrical Parade, and riding Dumbo after waiting in line for what seemed like forever.

My mom died very young, 57, and I just wanted to make sure that we could enjoy Disney vacations before I get too old or sick to do any of it. My dad first took us all (15 of us) to WDW in 2005, and I researched the accommodations and rented BCV from an owner. Everyone else stayed offsite. Our family is complicated because my DD is autistic and I knew that we needed to stay onsite where we could come and go on the buses and always have a "home base" to run back to. After we got back from that trip, my DD asked when we could go back, so I knew then and there that I had to find some points at BCV.

Now DH wants to go to DL, so I am trying to buy points at VGC. I also might consider more BCV points down the line....

Lots of love for Disney and DVC here .

Whenever I walk down Main Street, I am usually crying happy tears for my childhood and mom. The money we spent (sold the piano to pay for the points) has bought us priceless memories, so it's money well spent.

 

[GEB@okw]

The free park passes caused me to pull the trigger. Now 13 contracts later never been sorry. Getting ready to will the points to my four kids, 435 points each.
good thing I bought smaller contracts.....

 

[spandelides]

It was hard for us too. But now that we did it, it's nice to know that every year we have a "family" vacation to look forward to.

 

[soxyes]

We did the DVC tour in August of 2009 and were very interested, but the direct pricing was a bit too much for us. Fast forward about 8 months...we had researched resales, found some great (resale) deals, and then my annual bonus paid out nicely. That combination of factors resulted in 2 contracts last summer. Now we're waiting on ROFR for a 3rd so we can go twice a year. We just love it!!!

 

[jarrdisney]

We were planning on moving to Orlando (and still are) a couple years back. When my wife couldn't get a teaching job 2 years in a row, the money we had for a downpayment on a home went to DVC. We were traveling to Disney at least 2 times a year, staying on and offsite. We would wait eagerly for codes to come out and our first stay onsite we paid rack rate at WL which set us back a good $1500 over 5 years ago. We were married in WDW Dec 08 and knew that DVC was something we wanted to be a part of. I'd done tons of research and it was not only an emotional investment, but also a practical one as well. We can now stay in deluxe studio rooms multiple trips a year. We know that we can spend our anniversary where we got married, at the Boardwalk, our favorite time of year (Christmas). Having that comfort is worth the cost of membership for sure.