Who else is glad they bought 20 or 15 years ago? Or even 10?

[loveswdw]

I very much regret that we didn't buy BWV when we stayed there on our honeymoon back in 1997. We were young and didn't think we could afford it. I am happy though that we did finally buy 5 years ago. I can't believe how much the prices have gone up in just that little bit of time.

We were the same way. We looked at BWV on our honeymoon in 1999. Didn't think we could do it (but really we could have) at the time. We did buy in at BCV in 2003. March to be exact so we are celebrating our 10th DVC anniversary this month! I think we paid $72/pt. then. And amazingly, we've not added on to our measly 150 pts.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If we hadn't bought in 1997, we wouldn't be visiting Disney now. I'd never pay what people are paying now. I don't like paying for park admission at the prices they sell it at now.

 

[AirGoofy]

Like others, I wished we had bought sooner. DW and I Disneymooned at WDW in 2000. We started going annually in 2005, when youngest was 15 months, and haven't stopped. We finally bought in 2008 and have mostly stayed in studios thus far because of our family size, but would never have paid for a deluxe resort otherwise.

 

[Husurdady]

15.5 years for us and my only regret is that it wasn't five years earlier! I see the prices people are paying today and am so glad we bought in at $62.50.

Same with us, we bought our first contract June 1997. And it is time to start selling it off.

I'm even gladder we sold our OKW points before the bottom fell out!

The bottom has not fallen out all that much, not the small ones anyway.........just sold a small OKW contract the last month of 2012, for 8.00$ per point more than I paid for them in 2000. And it was not loaded either.

 

[Goofy DVC]

We bought back in February, 1993, site unseen. The only information we received was in the mail after we responded to a postcard that was slid under our door while we were staying at the Yacht Club. 4 add ons later and not one regret. Best family decision we ever made.

 

[PamOKW]

Bought in 1993 -- went to see this magical place Disney Vacation Club that I was sure was only for millionaires and came out an owner. I debated whether I should wait "cause the price would go down as less time remained on the contract"! Guess that thinking was way out of whack. Beyond the monetary win/no win arguments, the memories I've had with the DVC are truly priceless

 

[XGrumpy1]

First bought in 2008, I'm glad I bought then and have added on since. It has been a great ride so far.

 

[cseca]

13 years... still enjoying the membership so far!

 

[TeresaNJ]

It really hit home with me today as to how lucky we are that we bought when we did, as I've been pricing resort rooms with an AP discount! Yikes! A 2BR at Wilderness for a week in May is almost a thousand dollars a night with tax at rack rate!!! A standard studio at BWV with AP discount $305/night plus tax! Standard view AKL studio $248 plus tax AP rate. We purchased VWL in 2001, and BCV in 2002. Not regretting it for a second.

 

[eliza61]

I'm very happy that I purchased more than 10 years ago. No way would I purchase now. while we've had tons of great vacations, too many cutbacks and terrible food for me to invest in the long term.

 

[mnra]

bought back in 1993 again in 2003 and again in 2008 glad we did and have gone so many times. The family memories through the years are priceless.

 

[Hollymom1229]

We bought in 2004, and our only regret is that we didn't buy in 2002 when we first toured it. We did wait those two years though so we could get married and buy a home so was probably the right choice. We have done 2 add ons since the initial purchase and never looked back. We love our DVC.

 

[sgtdisney]

We bought in 1992 and have not had one regret about the purchase. It was a great deal and the free park tickets for 8 years "almost" paid for our initial buy in. As others have mentioned some things changed for the better, some for worse, but we still enjoy the membership. Had a case of sticker shock in 2000 when we had to start buying park tickets, which honestly has only gotten worse over time. I do have to agree with Deb and Bill that if we hadn't bought when we did we probably wouldn't be going to WDW as often as we still do, only because of the way they are pricing everything else down there lately. Still love being there though.

 

[disneybass]

As I see these point prices skyrocketing, I'm SO GLAD we bought right away, right after our first trip to Vero Beach. We knew we'd be going to Disney for the duration, and we wanted to stay more upscale than we'd been doing. It was hard buying a "timeshare" and facing some criticism (or at least skepticism). Of course, everybody thinks we made a great decision now (and they'd also love to come with us, of course!)

We even financed, and I'm so glad we did!!! We had it paid off quickly, and we used the money that we were already spending going to WDW and applied it to the payments. We also put off buying a car and put the car money toward that. Because we paid at a fraction of the cost it's going for now, we got a great deal, have had 17 years of great vacations, and it's really been wonderful since we are no longer DINKS and have less disposable income.

We've treated friends and family multiple times, and it's our son's favorite place. Even DH, who likes it more than loves it, keeps asking me to look up availability for a spring trip, even after he said we weren't going this year.

Oh, and no restrictions on our points!

So glad we were "early adopters."

It has only been 7 years for us but we have had and will continue to have lots of fun making memories with our points! What a fun place to visit!

 

[Greysword]

...and why didn't I listen to my wise parents!

I'm waiting for DD to say this some day...but I'm not holding my breath


I find this thread interesting, as instead of the normal (I should have bought sooner, sign me up quick!) sentiment, it has changed to being glad we signed up before the prices went through the roof

 

[Tamar]

We bought in 2001 and haven't ever regretted it. We no longer own at HH, now own at BWV and OKW. AKV might be in our future, if I can find the right contract.....

 

[dan and scott]

Glad we bought in 98 when I thought buying in was expensive at $9600.00.
...and I am so glad were in the position where we don't have the problem of "never enough" or the "add on itis" .
and after going on the Dream last month to the "member" party where DVC guides treated it like a "church experience" (get out there and get us more new members so we can make even more$$$) --done going to that also!
Mind you that I usually never attend the member get togethers on the ships anyway.
The current prices of direct purchase are way out there now and unattainable for a blue collar worker such as myself.
I am glad that I still find real value in the points Dan and I have and piece of mind of what we purchased them for.
We have had such amazing trips out of them.

Scott

 

[letitsnow]

Okay...so we just bought 2 years ago OKW $60/pp right before the march 20th deadline. We spent $9000 and I think we have already gotten our $$$ worth. We will be going to Aulani with 3 studios booked for 3 days. I estimate those few days to be $4500 considering its probably around $500/nt. we have also stayed in. 1 br for 5 days in July when we first bought and that has for to be at least $2000 and a few random days here and there. I regret not buying VGC when we first had the opportunity to 10 years ago. Luckily my hubby inherited some $$$ and this was first on the priority list. We love Disney and our vacations are that much more magical!

Now I wish they will open up more Villas in California. It's hard to get a room now that you can book online! I wish we can add on...hopefully soon!

 

[disneychic]

We purchased in 2000 when we learned about DVC while staying at the GF on our honeymoon! I went in to the rest room by GF Cafe,I came out and my DH was over at the DVC desk - where he informed me "we're going on a tour tomorrow"....and I didn't want to! To think, I almost missed out on the greatest purchase EVER!! But, he convinced me to go and we joined BWV was our 1st home resort. Then we added on in 2001 at HHI, 2007 at SSR, 2008 at BLT, 2009 at AKV and again in 2010 more points at SSR.... yep, we're hooked! Love our DVC!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[DeeCee735]

We bought our initial contract at BWV in early 2000 for $65 per point. Then added on there a couple of years later for $79 a point. Back in 2010 we bought at AKV when our son was in the college program with the CM discount, paid $84 a point. That's as high as we will go, so no more for us. I will say this, it's the best money we ever spent!!