Why do people like the DVC resorts?

[Starr W.]

Views are pretty much, low on my "must haves" for a resort.

Views arent' important to us either, but we have lucked out so far. DTD view at SSR and we could see the lake through the trees at VWL.

 

[goofy4tink]

The only time 'view' is important to me is at BW...then if I can't get a standard view villa, I request a boardwalk view one. I also book BW view if I'm traveling with other people...it is really, really impressive!
I don't like to have housekeeping in my room every day, so not having my villa 'cleaned' every day is a plus for me. If we are in a studio, I will buy an extra towel pack. But, if we are in a one bedroom villa, we just toss the towels in the dryer. After all, they are just damp, not dirty. Then, when we do our first load of laundry, we throw in the towels as well.

Back in '03, when my dh first suggested buying DVC, he said he would only buy at BWV...twist my arm a bit honey!! We were owners within 2 months. He will only go to WDW if he gets to stay DVC. He tried POP but that just wasn't for him. It was fine for dd and myself, just not 'home'! He does get a hankering for the Polynesian once in awhile....perhaps a stay there is in order in the near future.
But, DVC has made it possible for us to vacation as a family for a change. My dh does not vacation well at all...always feels the need to head back to the office if he gets bored at all. And being a complet type A personality, that happens a lot, but not at WDW!!!

So....have to say...I love having a kitchenette in my studio, I love having a sofa bed in the studio rather than another queen bed. I love having a master bedroom in my one bedroom villa..with the full kitchen, living room area, and w/d...you just can't beat it. Views just don't matter to me very much. Vacationing at WDW is more to me than a 'good' view. Being able to see the Castle is not a big deal...besides being way too expensive. I would rather go more often, stay at my beautiful villa and have a truly relaxing vacation.

 

[trivial]

I've only been to WDW once, but our preferred boardwalk view at the BWV was outstanding; so much that it's my first choice for our next trip. I can't speak for the other DVC resorts or room views, but our view of the boardwalk, Crescent Lake, and BC and Epcot beyond, was brilliant.

 

[limabeanmom2003]

I agree with the OP. We love WL, and I know that I would be disappointed if I owned DVC there and had to stay in the VWL instead of the main lodge. We had a great room overlooking the courtyard the last time we were there. For those that say view isn't important, I have to disagree. We could see the electric water pagaent every night from our balcony (maybe you can see it from the DVC rooms too). I have stayed in a woods view room too, and I think the courtyard view is much better. I enjoyed sitting on our balcony looking out over the courtyard each morning and night. Plus, my boys loved the bunk beds (can you get these in the DVC rooms?) Turndown service was a treat every night! My son thought that mickey was visiting his room every night and leaving him a chocolate on his pillow. I never pay rack rates for our rooms (saved 35% on our WL room this trip) so we save money every trip too.

 

[sweetinmaine]

When we get to our room, one of the first things I do is order an extra towel/washclothe set ($5.00). This works great for us now we always have a clean set in the morning and usually in the afternoon, if we shower after the pool or before dinner. While we use one set, the other is in the washer. It is such a routine that before we head out to the parks, some one usually goes around gathering up the towels and turning the washer on. Total time 2mins. tops.
It works great. I'm starting to like not having the maids come in every day because I'm one of those crazy women who cleans up before people who clean up come in. My dh thinks it's hilarious.

Maybe we weren't supposed to do this After using the pool towels we brought them back to our room, washed / dried them and used them if we needed extra towels... As for the trash, we'd just bundle up and empty it on our way out the door...no big deal really..They gave us plenty of extra bags...

 

[n2mm]

I agree with the OP. We love WL, and I know that I would be disappointed if I owned DVC there and had to stay in the VWL instead of the main lodge. We had a great room overlooking the courtyard the last time we were there. For those that say view isn't important, I have to disagree. We could see the electric water pagaent every night from our balcony (maybe you can see it from the DVC rooms too). I have stayed in a woods view room too, and I think the courtyard view is much better. I enjoyed sitting on our balcony looking out over the courtyard each morning and night. Plus, my boys loved the bunk beds (can you get these in the DVC rooms?) Turndown service was a treat every night! My son thought that mickey was visiting his room every night and leaving him a chocolate on his pillow. I never pay rack rates for our rooms (saved 35% on our WL room this trip) so we save money every trip too.

I guess since these things are important to you, you probably are not a good candidate for the DVC. We love that we joined the DVC because it's a perfect fit for us. But it's not a perfect for everyone else. Now that our kids are adults it's nice that we don't have to pay extra for more than 2 adults per room, which was a deciding factor as our grandkids are getting older. We like having the kitchette in the studios and love the $100 discount we get on APs. It took us a long time to realize that the DVC fits us perfectly. But obviously does not fit everyone, that's why there are so many choices at WDW. See you around the lodge!

 

[eliza61]

Maybe we weren't supposed to do this After using the pool towels we brought them back to our room, washed / dried them and used them if we needed extra towels... As for the trash, we'd just bundle up and empty it on our way out the door...no big deal really..They gave us plenty of extra bags...

Not illegal at all, many people do this. Most of the time I've got pixie dust in my brain and forget about this.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Originally Posted by limabeanmom2003
I agree with the OP. We love WL, and I know that I would be disappointed if I owned DVC there and had to stay in the VWL instead of the main lodge. We had a great room overlooking the courtyard the last time we were there. For those that say view isn't important, I have to disagree.

I agree with n2mm. You most likely would not be a good candidate for DVC limabeanmom2003. What is important for one traveler is not necessarily important for another. I'll take the spacious villas with washer/dryer, kitchen etc over a view of EWP. As a family of five, we can't all fit in one room---and connecting rooms are not always guaranteed. We requested that in 2002 and didn't get it. Was very inconvenient to have to keep going out into the hall to see/talk to eachother and dh and I had to sleep in different rooms.
But that's just because my family's needs are different than yours. We stayed in a 2 bedroom at VWL a couple years ago and had a lovely view of the courtyard on the villas side. We could see the lake through a break in the trees. We were quite happy with our view and our roomy villa. Turndown service is very very low on our priority list.
Nothing wrong or right about either....just different needs and preferences. It's nice disney has something to offer us all

 

[disneydoula]

I would love to learn more about DVC. I know there's a forum for this but I just can't figure out one thing for the life of me:

How can your stay be cheaper than a hotel room if you have to pay this exorbitant amount to join the club?

And, once you join, is there some sort of shopping around you still have to do in order to find the best deal?

I love the idea of being a DVC member, but I just don't get how it will save me money. BTW- I have a DH, DD (15), DD (10), and DD (9).

Thanks in advance!

 

[mlill]

It seems that the DVC resorts don't have the best views. For example, Wilderness Lodge and the Villas. When I go there I get a courtyard view and it overlooks the main pool, the whole lodge and the beautiful bay lake where i can see the boats coming and going, etc. Yet the Villas can't really see the lake and would have to look at the quiet pool. It seems that the DVC people are Disneys best customers, so why give them the worst views?

Huh?

I guess we were just unlucky when we got this bad view in December.

 

[spiceycat]

if you are comparing apples to apples - that means you compare your DVC studio to a DVC studio or deluxe - or even a moderate most of the time you are ahead of the game. If you are comparing it to a value - then sometimes you aren't.

there are a couple of programs that will do this for you.
http://mysite.verizon.net/brian_siu/timeshare/timeshare.html
http://www.timesharecostcalculator.com/

DVC does very well - because staying onsite at WDW is expensive.

the DVD disk will tell you that you should get your investment back staying at WDW in a DVC unit in 7 trips.

so if you only go once in 2 years - that is 14 years, if you go yearly that is 7 years.

of course that is one of the problems - most DVCers will increase their trips. So the other cost - transportation to WDW, grocery or food, tickets (although the discount on the annual pass helps) - you have to pay for each and every time. that can get expensive.

I use to go twice a year then I joined DVC 4 to 5 times a year are comment now.

once the investment is returned you will only be paying 30% of the cost (room only - annual fees).

I get better but I go more often than most people will.

of course there are though I am so jealous of they go just about every month and stay.... one guy stays for 6 months.

here are some disney rates for the above programs

if you are getting 2 rooms - then put in the 2 rooms price.
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/resorts/resortRates?id=PolynesianResortRatesListingPage

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/resorts/resortRates?id=CoronadoSpringsResortRatesListingPage

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/resorts/resortRates?id=AllStarMusicResortRatesListingPage

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

There are some good views at the DVC resorts as other posters have explained. Personally I think, from pics haven't stayed there yet, that the BCV got the most shortchanged on views (I love the theme and decor there though so it's a trade off). Although it's possible there to get a view of Spaceship Earth and Illuminations so it's not all bad.

We are in the process of buying into DVC. Although view is important to me, there are some other things equally important like:

WALLS! Having your own room and the kids in theirs - priceless! I love my kids but a little space when you need it is a good thing!

Kitchen, eating out at WDW is very expensive, especially because DH hates fast food. Just stocking our kitchen with water, other drinks, snacks and breakfast saves a lot. I don't want to do lots of cooking on vacation but when we stayed at HHI I made some simple stuff like spaghetti.

Two or more tv's, dvd players - so I can watch grown up tv when I want and the kids can watch what they want.

Washer and dryers in one+ bedrooms - comes in handy in the summer when everything you wear gets wet. YOu don't have to spend $$$ in the laundry rooms.

Not having to worry about what kind of discount I can get and where I can afford to stay every trip. Especially because we are going to travel during Spring Break, early June, Thanksgiving or Christmas. Not deeply discounted times usually at WDW resorts. Planing our points purchase accordingly (peak times do take more points).

The whirlpool tub is awesome, more than one bathroom is too!

I get to visit WDW every year and stay longer, or go more than once a year. We live close enough to drive.

Flexibility of the points system, can use points elsewhere if we want, or even at a regular WDW resort - if we wanted.

BWV and AKV can be booked with preferred views if you want to use your points that way.

And that's what I can think of just off the top of my head . . .

disneydoula you should check out the dvc boards! We are buying a resale so didn't have to buy Disney's minimum 160 points and paying cash (hopefully we will get through ROFR, but if not we'll keep trying). We will add on points as we can pay cash for it, so though a lot of people finance we won't have that additional cost.

Good luck!

 

[MomWith2Cinderellas]

For our family it was the fact we wanted to go to WDW at least once a year (with maybe a small 4 day trip thrown in here and there) and stay in a deluxe resort. The view is not always important to us. I like the fact that it pretty much gets me a vacation with my girls and husband at least once a year.

 

[Esmerelda]

OK Disneydoula...let me see if I can help put this in perspective for you money wise.

I just checked on the WL for a 6 night stay in a courtyard room for July. I only used WL because that is the example that was used at the beginning of the thread.

The total the Disney site quoted me was $1,991.28 for the 6 night stay. When we bought into DVC at $89.00 pp (175 total) 3 years ago that brought us a grand total of $15,575 for our total purchase and its good until something like 2049 I believe (that could be incorrect but I'll be in my 80's by then anyhow..lol) If I stayed 8 times at the WL at the rate I just was quoted, I will spend at least $15,930.24 for only 8 vacations. But what you forget is that Disney raises its room prices almost every year and discounts get harder and harder to come by. My point prices will never change. Its already paid for. Will they raise the amount of points needed per night, probably but its a very slow process. It hasn't changed much in the past 4 years. Once your initial points are paid for you simply pay maintenance fees of around $650 per year (of course, that's based on how many points you own also). The other discounts they give you are fantastic. We saved $400 last year on our 4 annual passes which was our food for nearly 2 trips...(we have a full kitchen remember). If you want to vacation at Disney for the next 40+ years and save yourself lots of money...this is the only way too go. We are exchanging our points next year for Hawaii and cannot wait. There is no limit on what you can do with your DVC points. Its also a deeded property so you will get credit on your taxes for it which is nice.

Next time you are at Disney...take a few hours and tour at SSR and do the DVC presentation. You might be totally surprised as we were 4 years back. We absolutely love it!

hope this helped,
Esmerelda

 

[keishashadow]

If this ever takes place DVC members will get first crack at buying at CRV. I predict that CR will sell out quick if it happens.

from your lips, to DVC's ears!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Hmmmm.....
all this talk makes me want to go looking for a DVC contract

 

[dannyh23]

We are exchanging our points next year for Hawaii and cannot wait. There is no limit on what you can do with your DVC points. Its also a deeded property so you will get credit on your taxes for it which is nice.

Next time you are at Disney...take a few hours and tour at SSR and do the DVC presentation. You might be totally surprised as we were 4 years back. We absolutely love it!

hope this helped,
Esmerelda

That's a great summary Esmerelda! We bought BCV sight unseen in 2003 for $70something a point with the incentives... It's more than paid for itself, and we could sell it today for more than we paid for it... Of course it's not an investment, it's just an asset at this point to us...

Oh, if I remember hearing this correctly, the people who bought OKW in the 90's got points for dirt cheap (compared to today!) -- and got free AP's for years!!! Talk about a good deal!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Will they raise the amount of points needed per night, probably but its a very slow process. It hasn't changed much in the past 4 years. Once your initial points are paid for you simply pay maintenance fees of around $650 per year (of course, that's based on how many points you own also).

Esmerelda said it well.....DVC is like pre-paying for your vacations and locking into "today's" prices.
My only question is to the statement made above ? I thought the point charts for the DVC resorts were fixed. Meaning the points can't increase. DVD can, however, switch the points around--making different seasons or different size villas more or less. But if they raise it in one area, it's going to go down in another. This was my understanding.
Now I know they can raise the points for the disney cruise and places you can exchange out to....but I thought the DVC resorts were fixed/finite from when you bought it. To my knowledge, DVC cannot raise the points for the DVC resorts, but they can rearrange them.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Oh, if I remember hearing this correctly, the people who bought OKW in the 90's got points for dirt cheap (compared to today!) -- and got free AP's for years!!! Talk about a good deal!

That was a good deal ! We only had a choice of Vero, BWV or OKW when we bought in 2000. The others (BCV/VWL/SSR/VAK weren't even built or thought about then). No free passes, but got $66/point for OKW !

 

[danielle782001]

You cannot get bunks in the DVC rooms but if you get a two-bedroom you get two queens, one king, and a sofa bed. A one-bedroom gets a king and the sofa sleeper.