What Makes DVC "Magical" or Not?

[Mom B]

The first bit of "magic" for me was finding a place DH would agree to go, outside of our home state, time and time again, and feel comfortable. For one thing, at Disney we always feel like "part of the family" and we can always count on great accommodations, entertainment, and dining. And the chance to see the wonder of make-believe..the characters, the movies, the rides, the stories...in our kids' and grandkids' eyes...is just...priceless!

 

[princessbride6205]

The first bit of "magic" for me was finding a place DH would agree to go, outside of our home state, time and time again, and feel comfortable. For one thing, at Disney we always feel like "part of the family" and we can always count on great accommodations, entertainment, and dining. And the chance to see the wonder of make-believe..the characters, the movies, the rides, the stories...in our kids' and grandkids' eyes...is just...priceless!

That's key, isn't it? I'm in the same boat. DH is scared to cruise (head injury a few years ago resulted in dizzy spells and motion sickness), won't do any tours or group trips, and is only interested in a few other places to visit. We've had a great time at DL and WDW.

Now that we have DD, there's some extra magic. Knowing we will return to WDW with her is great, and to deluxe accommodations we like/love (rather than ones we just settle for, like the Values).

Magical specifics:
1. Seeing animals from our balcony. DD was only 2.5 at our last stay, and 6 months later, she's still talking about it!
2. The little touches - like free coloring pages at the BCV shop, bongo drumming in the Kidani lobby...
3. The kitchenettes. I'm not sure if we'll end up cooking full meals in our rooms when we move up to the 1 and 2 BRs - but even the studio kitchenettes were so convenient.
4. "Pre-paid" resort stays - I know we pay MFs and that we may not really save a lot of money overall, but not having the hotel cost as part of every vacation is really nice.
5. Discount on APs
6. Not worrying about and waiting for room discounts
7. Visiting more often!

 

[AndriaRose]

Wonderful, great, worth it? Many reasons.

Magical? Seeing the true meaning of "light up and shine" on DGD's face when she saw Pooh coming to the table just to see her.

 

[ssawka]

After taking DD to the World a few times, we decided that we wanted all of our vacations to be Disney Vacations. The reason: DD has cognitive disabilities (Down syndrome) and while at Disney, everyone (guests and CMs) treat her like every other child. For one week out of the year, she can just be a "kid" and not have to worry about doctors, therapists, or teachers. On top of that, she also has Celiac disease and needs to have a gluten-free diet, and no other restaurants we go to accommodate her better than the Disney restaurants.

Granted, that is why we go to Disney, not why we love DVC. We love DVC because of the convenience of staying so close to the parks in delux accommodations. Also, we figured that if we were going to commit to Disney for our vacations that it was time be a bit more leisurly with our travel. Gone are the days of trying to go as cheaply as possible and rushing to see every attraction. I don't mean to offend if you like to vacation that way, but we prefer a slower pace.

Also, I love the fact that there is a good market for renting out your points. This is not to say that we plan on doing that often, and I would not buy to rent, but it is nice to be able to rent your points to someone else so they can get a discount and you can use the cash to take other types of vacations. It's a win-win for both parties.

Lastly, I love the fact that we are able to budget our vacations through monthly payments from our bank account rather than paying a few thousand dollars at one time. Granted you could set up a separate "vacation" account, but I like the "pre-paid" feeling and treat the MFs as just another bill.

 

[heathers4um]

I am sure my answers are duplicated in here but, for us, the magic in DVC is all around!

~ it 'forces' us to take vacations at least once a year. If not for DVC we would find reasons to 'wait til next year'.

~ in our minds, and in our checkbooks, the accomodations are all paid for. In 'rich' years we can do the parks and dining plan and get all we can out of them, or in 'leaner' years we can cook in the villa and take advantage of all the resort amenities and relax but still feel the magic all around...and in even better years we can do both!

~ just knowing when you leave that a piece of you stays behind, and you bring a piece of Disney home with you...and it's only until next time since you know there will be one soon instead of feeling that heavy heart and sadness wondering when you can make it back.

~ the no more commando feelings when you get there...the rush is blown out and you can sit back and really enjoy and let it all seep in. you arent as disappointed when you dont get to something on your wish itinerary because theres always next time.

~ hearing 'welcome home' and having that vested interest in your home resort. at the same time, always having an option of going to a different resort if you want to for a change of pace an never feeling as if you are 'only visiting'.

I could go on an on an on....

 

[BeesKnees]

I agree with most of the lists that have already been made. I will throw in that it is more magical when it is paid for. Also, that it was never a financial burden... we loaned for 7 and paid it off in 4.

It makes it easier to focus our attention on the parts that make Disney magical and ignore the areas where some of the polish has come off over the years. It is certainly easier to appreciate the intangible benefits like taking family and the relaxation of knowing the next trip is usually only a few months away.

So if you are asking me for a 'not' I would suggest that it is felt by people who have a hard time affording the membership. They probably bought in for less points and that the week they get to spend ever so often at disney doesn't make up for the sting of the monthly payments.

 

[rentayenta]

After some more thought I may have to retract my *not magical* statement. The fact that DH even bought me DVC for our anniversary last year makes it magical.

 

[Snurk71]

We don't find DVC "magical" - WDW/DL is/has been the "magical" part for us.

I guess the only magical thing about DVC for us is how it cut our vacation lodging costs in about half. I guess that's kind of magical.

 

[nickspace]

Having something special to look forward to like a DVC vacation is magical. We need things to look forward to to make it through the mundane and difficult parts of life.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

DVC Pixie Dust??

How's this?

2005 Trip (pre-DVC)
Drive to WL for 5 days, pay extra for a Courtyard view, get a very worn room with a view of downed pine trees, get sick, try to enjoy the parks even though you're sick because your spending so much money to be there, and wait 1/2 hour or more for all of the busses and boats because you "just missed it," and then drive back home while still sick.
Price - $2600 plus food.

2009 Trip (DVC)
Fly to MCO, take Magical Express to Boardwalk Villas, find luggage waiting for you in the room, enjoy beautiful Boardwalk view for 5 days, relax and have a great time, enjoy regular DDP for 5 days, take Magical Express back to airport, fly back home.
Price - $1200 total.
2010 trip - very similar - already had APs - total cost $750.
(Not counting DVC purchase and MFs of course.)


Yes, I know that DVC didn't solve all of our 2005 trip problems, but I must admit that our DVC trips have just had more pixie dust flying around. We NEVER got a good view before joining DVC, and have only had one bad view since joining. Plus, even though we paid for DVC and our maintenance fees, it doesn't feel like we are paying for it when we make the trip. That makes everybody feel happier and less tense. Dh doesn't fuss over money as much, which always adds to the pixie dust.

 

[stichy]

The not so magical parts are member fees and having an extreme case of addonitis.

 

[corpcomp]

WDW is magical because when arriving on ME and we pass under the big welcome sign, we all smile - the outside world can implode - we are in a world untouched by greed, suffering (except when I get a large dinner bill) and foreclosures.

DVC is magical in that we have a home that is prepared and that we don't have to clean when we leave, unlike our beach house in NC. CMs generally are all helpful and people say welcome home.

Then we go back on ME the opposite way and our smiles turn back to blank stares, especially when we land back in LaGuardia, ughhhh.

 

[mello]

Magical was being able to provide beautiful accommodations at WDW for our whole extended family a couple years ago, and being able to see our kids experience the magic of meeting Mickey, seeing the Castle, watching Wishes, etc. etc. with their cousins and grandparents. Brings tears to my eyes still!

Magical was DH and I getting a week all to ourselves at SSR, complete with sleeping in, spa treatments, and a lovely evening at Epcot, for our anniversary 3 years ago.

Magical is "having" to go to Disneyland in a couple weeks on a spur of the moment trip because we had some points that needed to be used up.

None of those things would EVER have happened prior to DVC for us.

Not Magical? Maintenance fees every January.

But the trade-off is worth it for us, without any doubt.

 

[ssawka]

... we are in a world untouched by greed

Sorry, this made me laugh! Disney is far from "untouched by greed". Disney is a great company and provides outstanding service, but don't think for a minute that they aren't greedy.

 

[nolanboys]

It's all about trip planning for me. DVC allows me to think about all the trips we are going to take. I love to think about future trips and plan them out. My boys are getting so big, anf DVC allows us to kick back, relax, and enjoy the time we have together.Just the thought of us being there for my youngest 6th's birthday next year puts such a smile on my face - and it's 7 monthes from now!