When did you know you wanted DVC?

[Girlstar30]

Just curious to hear everyone's story, why did you decide to purchase DVC and when did you know it was for you? Was it a trip you took that made you want to come year after year? Spur of the moment decision? Huge Disney fan? Would love to hear everyone's story!

 

[tgropp]

In the early 90’s As a family of four, we always went to Disney staying at deluxe resorts and paying a lot of money. In 2007, my son got married and we realized that if someday that we wanted to be able to afford to take our grandchildren to WDW and stay onsite, we had better come up with a plan. I read were people rented out DVC points so we rented a 2 BR and the rest was history. We purchased 125 BCV points and 100 BRV points via resale in 2008. As a family of 9 now, There is no way that we would be going to WDW without DVC

 

[Hubalorian]

We took a DVC tour on our honeymoon and finally made the dream come true years later! We bought when our first child was just over a year old and we have made so many memories together that wouldn’t have been possible without it. Now, excited to take our twin baby girls this summer for the first time!

Thank you for starting this thread. I think this is a great way to share DVC stories.

 

[intamin]

For us we didn't know we wanted it but already started falling in love with on our first trip as a couple. We were spoiled by my uncle who gifted us 8 nights in a preferred 1BR at SSR and even though it wasn't park adjacent, having access to Disney Springs was AMAZING. We loved the food there, the ability to go from any resort to Disney Springs and walk back to our room. I had been to Disney World before multiple times when I was a kid and even when I was in grad school but I don't know, it didn't click for me until that stay.

After that stay, we did a stay in a SSR preferred studio and a Coronado springs hotel room but we really missed the space we had in the 1BR. The trip that really made us want to join though was our trip to Aulani. One of my parents is a CM and even with her discount it was 700 dollars a night for a regular no frills, low floor hotel room in like August. Aulani itself was great but I do remember being disappointed with the room considering how much we were paying. At that point I had started seeing DVC around a couple of times and obviously knew about it because my uncle had gifted us the room using his own points and I started listening to DVC Fan and he who shall not be named said something that resonated with me which was you know once you stay at a hotel you have nothing but the pictures and memories when the trip is over but with DVC, you still own it and you know you're going back. I'll admit I wasn't as financially aware back then about opportunity cost and etc. but even with opportunity cost I think it still made sense for us. We go to Disney World and Aulani all the time and I think we joined at the right time for us because obviously during grad school I had no income, there's no way I could've afforded it then but after those 3 trips over the course of the year I was like, we can't keep paying cash when this exists. We need to join now.

We've since spent 76 nights on property and have had our friends actually reimburse us for points spent during our trips and recuperated some of the cost but we also used it to book a 1BR, 2 2BRs, Grand Villa and a bungalow over the course of 5 days when we got married at Epcot. Every now and then I ask myself if I made a bad decision buying DVC instead of putting it into the S&P500 or throwing it into our house but considering the reimbursement weve received from our friends (sorry we're poor) what it's allowed us to do for our families and what it will allow us to do for our future family I think it was worth it.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Been a Disney addict since 2017 after I took my son on his first trip to DL and he lit up with complete joy. Characters in the lobby when we arrived who sat with him watching movies. Thought DVC was for the wealthy only. Had no idea about resale. I knew I needed to find out more about DVC when I dropped $5500 on a cash stay in April of 2024. So I finally ventured into the DVC section of this board (that I had never been in) to learn about DVC and if it was worth it (direct) then I learned that resale was a thing. I was sold immediately.

 

[Girlstar30]

We took a DVC tour on our honeymoon and finally made the dream come true years later! We bought when our first child was just over a year old and we have made so many memories together that wouldn’t have been possible without it. Now, excited to take our twin baby girls this summer for the first time!

Thank you for starting this thread. I think this is a great way to share DVC stories.

You're welcome! Im loving it so far!

 

[RivGirl]

Short answer: After staying in Riviera’s 3BR Grand Villa. (It was an extended family trip on rented points, and it was our first time in a DVC unit.)

I challenge anyone to stay in that Villa and not become obsessed with making DVC their personal reality.

 

[Girlstar30]

For us we didn't know we wanted it but already started falling in love with on our first trip as a couple. We were spoiled by my uncle who gifted us 8 nights in a preferred 1BR at SSR and even though it wasn't park adjacent, having access to Disney Springs was AMAZING. We loved the food there, the ability to go from any resort to Disney Springs and walk back to our room. I had been to Disney World before multiple times when I was a kid and even when I was in grad school but I don't know, it didn't click for me until that stay.

After that stay, we did a stay in a SSR preferred studio and a Coronado springs hotel room but we really missed the space we had in the 1BR. The trip that really made us want to join though was our trip to Aulani. One of my parents is a CM and even with her discount it was 700 dollars a night for a regular no frills, low floor hotel room in like August. Aulani itself was great but I do remember being disappointed with the room considering how much we were paying. At that point I had started seeing DVC around a couple of times and obviously knew about it because my uncle had gifted us the room using his own points and I started listening to DVC Fan and he who shall not be named said something that resonated with me which was you know once you stay at a hotel you have nothing but the pictures and memories but when you have DVC, you still own it and you know you're going back. I'll admit I wasn't as financially aware back then about opportunity cost and etc. but even with opportunity cost I think it still made sense for us. We go to Disney World and Aulani all the time and I think we joined at the right time for us because obviously during grad school I had no income, there's no way I could've afforded it then but after those 3 trips over the course of the year I was like, we can't keep paying cash when this exists. We need to join now.

We've since spent 76 nights on property and have had our friends actually reimburse us for points spent during our trips and recuperated some of the cost but we also used it to book a 1BR, 2 2BRs, Grand Villa and a bungalow over the course of 5 days when we got married at Epcot. Every now and then I ask myself if I made a bad decision buying DVC instead of putting it into the S&P500 or throwing it into our house but considering the reimbursement weve received from our friends (sorry we're poor) what it's allowed us to do for our families and what it will allow us to do for our future family I think it was worth it.

View attachment 1015042

I was interested when I was a cast member and had the discount as well, but when your getting paid peanuts a discount doesnt matter

I feel like my cousin is going to be like you, we brought her and her children on this past trip and now they cant stop talking about it, she said her kids now dont want to stay at any other hotel and now they judge whether a whole hotel is good or not based on the room type Spoiled kids

Nothing wrong with reimbursements! We stayed in the two bedrooms and I feel bad bcuz I was talking bad about how they just took over on a different thread and she called me yesterday and told me that they really want to come with us to aulani next year and i told her we just wont have the points for another two bedroom or two studios and we are saving for direct, but not sure if we can swing it, because of property taxes/annual dues/possible unforeseen circumstances etc.

This morning she sent me a zelle for $3000 and told me to use it for a down payment for Polynesian so we could all go together to Aulani next year and thanked us for letting them experience a 2 bedroom with us for 2 weeks! I was elated!

My wife, who had requested we dont stay in a 2 bedroom with people ever again, is greatful as well, but fears that we will be locked in a 2 bedroom for life

My cousin is already talking about saving for her own poly contract so we can stay all stay together in the bungalows

 

[atthebeachclub]

I heard about it before my first trip to WDW. Halfway through my first trip to Beach Club, I was searching for contacts already.

I had only spent one night at a Disney location prior to that trip, at the Disneyland Hotel in the 90s. And those memories have stuck with me for decades! I knew I wanted to keep going back and knew my kids would want the same.

 

[Girlstar30]

Been a Disney addict since 2017 after I took my son on his first trip to DL and he lit up with complete joy. Characters in the lobby when we arrived who sat with him watching movies. Thought DVC was for the wealthy only. Had no idea about resale. I knew I needed to find out more about DVC when I dropped $5500 on a cash stay in April of 2024. So I finally ventured into the DVC section of this board (that I had never been in) to learn about DVC and if it was worth it (direct) then I learned that resale was a thing. I was sold immediately.

I also thought of DVC as for the wealthy only. A friend knew a lady that owned and she was a doctor and I just dismissed it that it wasnt for me.

When we rented points and stayed for my birthday I knew I would start saving to make this happen after as a top priority.

I started researching and came across DVC resale market when we got home and I called to ask how financing would work etc.

The agent asked what I was interested in and I said BLT and she looked at the most affordable contracts online with me and by the time I hung up I had placed multiple offers and the next day was accepted

 

[Girlstar30]

I heard about it before my first trip to WDW. Halfway through my first trip to Beach Club, I was searching for contacts already.

I had only spent one night at a Disney location prior to that trip, at the Disneyland Hotel in the 90s. And those memories have stuck with me for decades! I knew I wanted to keep going back and knew my kids would want the same.

I went to a quinceanera at the Disneyland hotel when I was in high school and stayed and those memories stuck with me forever too! Finally made the dream happen 25 years later!

 

[Girlstar30]

Short answer: After staying in Riviera’s 3BR Grand Villa. (It was an extended family trip on rented points, and it was our first time in a DVC unit.)

I challenge anyone to stay in that Villa and not become obsessed with making DVC their personal reality.

I was going to say... A Riviera 3 bedroom grand villa as your first stay, there is no going back

 

[Cfabar1]

we knew other people who bought a different timeshare system that they loved... we concluded it was not the right one for us but I loved the idea of locking in now and the larger accommodations and what comes with that...

then post covid we decided to go to Walt disney world.... those two things intersected, and here we are!

Personally I feel extremely blessed that we have been able to buy into DVC... as I know most will never be able to afford such a high up front cost... we would never pay the cash rates for these resorts... I can barely justify the DVC ones... but they give us such joy...

 

[Girlstar30]

we knew other people who bought a different timeshare system that they loved... we concluded it was not the right one for us but I loved the idea of locking in now and the larger accommodations and what comes with that...

then post covid we decided to go to Walt disney world.... those two things intersected, and here we are!

I dont even see dvc as a timeshare, it just feels different, im part of the cool kids club

 

[Cfabar1]

its a never ending cycle... it feels cool... then you wonder are the cool kids the ones who stay CL? are the cool kids the ones who live at Golden Oak? or belong to club 33?

I just say enjoy what brings you joy... don't worry about being one of the cool kids...

 

[Girlstar30]

its a never ending cycle... it feels cool... then you wonder are the cool kids the ones who stay CL? are the cool kids the ones who live at Golden Oak? or belong to club 33?

I just say enjoy what brings you joy... don't worry about being one of the cool kids...

I have thought about Club 33, but i could never justify that even if i had the $$ (Ok if i was rich, i wouldnt care ).

I would rather buy another contract or go on cruises or a different vacation.

Golden Oak i can get on board with

 

[intamin]

I was interested when I was a cast member and had the discount as well, but when your getting paid peanuts a discount doesnt matter

I feel like my cousin is going to be like you, we brought her and her children on this past trip and now they cant stop talking about it, she said her kids now dont want to stay at any other hotel and now they judge whether a whole hotel is good or not based on the room type Spoiled kids

Nothing wrong with reimbursements! We stayed in the two bedrooms and I feel bad bcuz I was talking bad about how they just took over on a different thread and she called me yesterday and told me that they really want to come with us to aulani next year and i told her we just wont have the points for another two bedroom or two studios and we are saving for direct, but not sure if we can swing it, because of property taxes/annual dues/possible unforeseen circumstances etc.

This morning she sent me a zelle for $3000 and told me to use it for a down payment for Polynesian so we could all go together to Aulani next year and thanked us for letting them experience a 2 bedroom with us for 2 weeks! I was elated!

My wife, who had requested we dont stay in a 2 bedroom with people ever again, is greatful as well, but fears that we will be locked in a 2 bedroom for life

My cousin is already talking about saving for her own poly contract so we can stay all stay together in the bungalows

You know the other thing too with the CM discount is you don't necessarily get to book the resorts you want at a discount where as with DVC I can at least book the resorts I own in the room category I want most of the time. I found often the rooms that had CM discounts were like Coronado or OKW you know which are fine but you're generally not going to find a deluxe studio at RIV available or anything like that.

And yeah, I mean we're very upfront with our friends that we own a timeshare but also recognize that the points we use you know aren't free and it at least helps us recover our dues.

 

[Wedgeout]

Mid 2020 there wasn’t much to do when these DIS videos kept popping up. I knew of DVC for years but wasn’t ever interested. Got hooked, was a few years into retirement, had some fun money, looked at a resale site, made an offer, and before the end of that year, I was a member!

 

[CarolynFH]

I've told our story before, but here goes again:

First visit with DH and kids (DS and DD) was March 1994, FW Cabins. I was supposed to spend the last 3 days of our week at a conference, but I never made it there - we were having too much fun. My avatar is our photo from our visit to the Disney Vacation Club during that trip. We were interested, but financially it wasn't a good time.

Next visit was November 1995, stayed offsite with my parents in their Marriott timeshare, spent only one day at MK but had a blast.

Then sometime in early 1996 during the 10-hour drive home from my parents house, we stopped at McDonald's for lunch. They were giving Disney glasses with purchases, and that made DH and me realize we were "a Disney family," so we booked a week at the brand-new Boardwalk in a Deluxe Studio over Thanksgiving.

In January 1997 DH and I spent a week in a lagoon-view room at the Poly, just the two of us.

And for Thanksgiving week 1997, DH and the two kids and I crammed into a standard room at the Poly. We had a blast that week too, but there was only one bathroom, and our daughter barely fit in the little daybed, so we knew the days of putting all four of us in one room were over. Also, over the same years we had been spending vacations with my parents in their timeshares, enjoying 2BR condos with full kitchens and laundry. We knew we wanted that same type of accommodations, and we also knew we couldn't affort to keep paying Disney Deluxe prices. So we marched into the DVC sales center at BWV and told them we wanted 300 points at BWV, because that's what we'd need to stay Thanksgiving week in a 2BR.

We have never regretted that decision!

 

[intamin]

I've told our story before, but here goes again:

First visit with DH and kids (DS and DD) was March 1994, FW Cabins. I was supposed to spend the last 3 days of our week at a conference, but I never made it there - we were having too much fun. My avatar is our photo from our visit to the Disney Vacation Club during that trip. We were interested, but financially it wasn't a good time.

Next visit was November 1995, stayed offsite with my parents in their Marriott timeshare, spent only one day at MK but had a blast.

Then sometime in early 1996 during the 10-hour drive home from my parents house, we stopped at McDonald's for lunch. They were giving Disney glasses with purchases, and that made DH and me realize we were "a Disney family," so we booked a week at the brand-new Boardwalk in a Deluxe Studio over Thanksgiving.

In January 1997 DH and I spent a week in a lagoon-view room at the Poly, just the two of us.

And for Thanksgiving week 1997, DH and the two kids and I crammed into a standard room at the Poly. We had a blast that week too, but there was only one bathroom, and our daughter barely fit in the little daybed, so we knew the days of putting all four of us in one room were over. Also, over the same years we had been spending vacations with my parents in their timeshares, enjoying 2BR condos with full kitchens and laundry. We knew we wanted that same type of accommodations, and we also knew we couldn't affort to keep paying Disney Deluxe prices. So we marched into the DVC sales center at BWV and told them we wanted 300 points at BWV, because that's what we'd need to stay Thanksgiving week in a 2BR.

We have never regretted that decision!

Not buying in during that first trip ended up being a good thing because obviously you pretty much hit the jackpot in terms of location a few years later!