Why do you "get it?"

[pwoodham]

I see posts all the time about those of us who "get it" about WDW and DVC, and others who don't. Is there one thing about DVC that caused you to "get it?"
The one thing that grabs me more than anything else is that WDW really WANTS my children to be there! All five loud, squirmy, sometimes grubby boys. Not only do they want them in the parks, they want them in the hotels, and in the shops, and at the pool. My children are accepted and wanted and know it. We still insist on good behavior, of course, but what a joy to know that children are not only allowed, they are welcomed with open arms!
There are MANY secondary reasons, including more affordable vacations, but this is #1 for us.

 

[Synonymous]

What an excellent way to put it. I've felt the same thing. Our first DVC trip was to BWV. We got there around noon and, of course, our room wasn't ready. Being newbies, we decided to wait around, hoping it would open up early. Of course, it didn't and by 4:00 we were all cranky and bored, especially my 3 yr old DD.

When we finally got to the counter, the CM had a whole conversation with DD about Disney World, and Mickey, etc. She gave her some special treats. It made me so happy to see a total stranger, in the middle of a very busy work day, take the time to go out of her way just to make my daughter happy.

This kind of thing was evident throughout WDW. We've had busy maintenance people stop their work to trade pins with her, not grudgingly, like it's a chore, but happily. At California Grille (a restaurant I would not normally take her to) she caused a terrible fuss and spilled my glass of wine all over the table. The waiter never batted an eye.

I've never been to any other place where so many people are concerned with making sure that my family is having a good time. That's why I feel WDW is special and why we keep going back.

 

[new_yawka]

For me, this is what it boils down to...

Do your eayes sparkle as you see the doors to a monorail open and hear that all too familiar voice?

Do you get pangs of anticipation walking through the tunnel onto Main Street USA?

These are the feelings of childhood. Those who truly "get" the WDW experience are those that are drawn to the 8 year old inside....

I for one have never left that 8 year old behind. I am as happy with Mickey walking over to our breakfast table as my DSs are!

There are no doubt other ways to "get it" (because WDW has clearly set itself as an entertainment resort of the first caliber with both child and adult in mind), but being in touch with the true joy of childhood and the unadulterated fun associated with the "experience" that you are immersed in once you enter WDW, is what it is all about!

 

[DebbieB]

Regarding DVC, a friend of mine bought at OKW in 1996. I thought she was nuts spending all that money. I didn't "get it". What turned me? She invited me to spend a long weekend in an OKW 2 bedroom with 2 other friends. Walking into that villa, I suddenly "got it". I wanted to spend all my vacations in a room like that! It's weird staying in a regular hotel room other places now. It makes for such a more relaxing vacation.

 

[Granny]

pwoodham...I think this is an excellent thread topic, so let's push it back up for tomorrow's readers.

You really pose two questions...."getting WDW" and "getting DVC". You could get about 2,000 posts in three hours on the Parks board for the first question, so you might enjoy posting there as well.

As for "getting DVC"....it was our total enjoyment of Wilderness Lodge. When we saw what we could afford with 1BR and 2BR suites at VWL and still have the beauty and splendor of WL, we "got it".

I do like your description of how WDW welcomes children, and goes out of their way to make them know they are welcome. One of the neatest things from our first trip, that really struck me as totally classy, was how the maids would arrange my DDs' stuffed animals into different poses and scenes while we were out in the parks. We all enjoyed coming back to the room, anticipating what "scene" would be there! I don't miss maid cleaning at VWL, but we do miss that little bit of magic they brought!

 

[nezy]

Great thread!!

Before we had children, I knew that DVC was the place I wanted to be. After having kids we finally joined. I always "got it", but DH needed a little convincing!

-Knowing that we could take our family year after year to a place we could trust and feel totally "at home"

-Knowing that the only surprises would be good surprises

-Knowing that it was Disney, and always would be Disney

-Knowing that each year I would be able to walk on Main Street and See Cinderella's Castle, or watch as the flag was lowered at sunset in the center of Main Street and being able to give that gift to my kids every time we go back home, I certainly "GOT IT" and "get It" every time I hear "WELCOME HOME!"

 

[carone0318]

Back in 99, we went down with our best friends. We brought enough money for the down payment for DVC, although we had never seen it. We just knew it was something for us. We are Disney freaks!!! That 99 trip was our dd's first (she was just shy of 3) and seeing her face and her enjoyment, we knew we were making the right decision. From a financial stand point I know it was worth it too. I think that after our May 03 trip we will have topped what our investment was because we are doing a cruise and staying at BWV. This is the greatest thing for my family. I plan to go every yr and hopefully one day take my grandchildren - realize my dd will be 6 next month and my ds is 18 months - so I have some time to plan for grandkids.... until then I will enjoy bringing family and friends

 

[anniet]

I have to agree with New Yawka!

Disney appeals to the child in me.....that has to be the reason since DBF and I have been vacationing in Disney for the last 11 years and we don't have children. I can remember at an early age my mother once told me to GROW UP, and I told her she could expect me to assume the responsibilites of my age, but I would NEVER GROW UP! Luckily I found a DBF who refused to grow up too!

DVC took us a little longer to GET. We had been perfectly happy staying offsite, after all we figured we just needed a place to sleep and a refrigerator and with the number of trips we take we try to stay within a budget. Then DBF's cousin worked as a CM at CSR for two years and we began staying there with her CM discount. We knew that Disney resorts offer a whole different experience, but still we have a hard time parting with our money. So when DBF's cousin moved away and left Disney we didn't think we'd stay onsite that much anymore, even though it's hard to go back to staying offsite.

I think what clinched it for us was that we toured Ron Jon's resort--with no intention to buy, we just got a great rate on their rooms for taking the tour---- prior to DVC and had a horrible experience. Even though the timeshare looked great we were treated very disrespectfully and felt like the sales reps were trying to take advantage of us. How can anybody buy anything from someone who treats them that way???????

On the same vacation I convinced DBF to take a look at DVC with me. It was such a positive experience that we didn't even ask each other "should we do this" we just began discussing whether we could still get VWL and where do we sign?

I'm so happy to know that from now on we will be vacationing in Disney accomodations that we never thought we would before and that we've upgraded our yearly vacations in a cost effective way for us!

I can't wait to go home to WLV in January.....it's worse than waiting for Christmas!

 

[DoeWDW]

Once I set foot on Disney property, I feel like a kid again. I can truly be free to be silly. Don't get me wrong - I can be silly at the grocery store or the mall at home, but people look at you strangely there. I don't get any of those strange looks at Disney, and if I do, I'm confident that I'll probably never see those people again....LOL! I leave all the stress and responsibilities at home and just have FUN!

Thank goodness my DH, DS & DD all feel the same way. We've been making 1, 2 or 3 trips a year to WDW for 10 years now and just bought into DVC since there's no end in sight and we have always loved the Beach Club but could rarely afford to stay there.

Knowing I have 39 more years of magic just waiting for me helps me get through those "blahs" that occasionally hit at home.

 

[The Disney Bunch]

We got "it" on our honeymoon- DH didn't to go to Disney - he wanted to go to Hawaii (his sisters told him that the best place to go was Hawaii) But I had my way & off the Disney we went - My parents had bought into OKW the year before & gave us our honeymoon as a gift - We fell in love with OKW!! My dh didn't want to leave- We bought the following year & added on the year after- We just love the coziness of OKW & the great time we have while at Disney/

You can't beat the roominess of OKW! We had friends visit us who were staying at The Yacht Club - They were very suprised and are now interested in buying in!

And we love hearing 'Welcome Home!'

 

[new_yawka]

I will admit....I am a bit of a sucker for the "Welcome Home", whether it be in the form of a sign or a smiling, friendly face. Overall DVC was, at base, a bit of an emotional purchase. Being able to "own" a piece of the magic, was remarkably appealing to us. Kudos to Disney's marketers!!

As I had said in my earlier post, there are likely many ways to "get it." Nonetheless, no matter how objective; no matter how many numbers you may crunch; no matter what anyone else says...."gettin it" is going to be very individual and, at base, an emotional statement that you want to be a part of the Disney vacation experience for years to come and do it with all the comforts of home.

It is easy to make the financial arguments (i.e., "this room's rack rate is"; or, "you wont spend as much on food," or "in 20 years you will be spending almost nothing and still be enjoying first class accommodations")....the problem is, these arguments can be made for ANY timeshare....If you do not have some love or, at minimum, appreciation for the joy of the Disney Vacation experience (or use the term magic, if you'd like), DVC is simply not for you.

It makes me SMILE!!! Just writing about Disney!! That's what "getting it" is all about, for me!

 

[DeeP]

I had been looking into DVC from the very beginning of it's opening, I had gotten the video, taken the tour, spoken to the DVC guides etc but it just did not appeal to me to the point that I wanted to spend the money for a membership.
I finally "got it" the first time I went to BWV to see the resort. BWV had just opened and as soon as I entered this resort I was in love and just knew I had to have a membership there, so I came home and bought one!! I knew I liked the concept of a DVC membership from the beginning since I go to WDW so often, I just needed for them to build a DVC resort that wowed me and fit into my vacation tastes and BWV did this and more. My only problem is VWL and BCV have also wowed me so now I am itching to buy a membership at these resorts as well! LOL!!

 

[ron7654]

For me it's more than just feeling like a kid again. It's living life again through my 3 year old son's eyes. There's no greater feeling than the hug you get at the end of a long day of park hopping, from your child that just fell asleep on your lap with his mouse ears still atop his head. Give them a kiss , and your wife a knowing a smile, and realize you couldn't have made a better decision than to buy into the wonder of it all. Life is just TOO good. Enjoy every minute of it!!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

DVC was our first timeshare tour experience. It sounded like a really good idea and deal, but we were skeptical, so we went home and toured some other timeshares. It didn't take us long to "get it" after that!!! DVC was so low pressure and honest in comparrisonl. At the others, our question was,"would we be able to trade into Disney?", and the answer was always "yes". Then we started doing some more detailed research and found out the hassle it would be. Since we knew WDW was where we wanted to be most trips, we "got it" and purchased there. The best thing we have ever done, BTW!

 

[Donald7570]

We first toured DVC in 92 when it wasn't completed. We fell in love with it and the only concern we had at that time was that we won't be able to exchange like you could with other timeshares and we may want to travel somewhere else. Then they added that feature and we bought in 93 and have never looked back. The irony is that we love DVC so much it's the only place we want to go which is fine with me. We now have grandchildren and it's such a delight to be able to take them. My DW keeps telling me that OKW is really our home and our other home is just where we live between visits to OKW. When people say to me why do you want to keep going to WDW, I reply "Why would I want to go anywhere else, they have everything I want here. The parks, pools, movies, shopping, entertainment, the lakes, everything." DW wants to do Hawaii some day and we will, but for now we love our OKW home and just knowing that we can go home twice a year every year is such a warm, fuzzy feeling. When things get you down, knowing you have this haven. What more could you ask for. We love taking family and friends but we also cherish the trips that are just for the two of us. By the way, I think a lot of people who say they "don't yet it" are a little jealous of the piece of magic the rest of us have found.

 

[WOW]

What a great topic!!!!!!!!! We have been members since 95---have added on several times and now have 600 points which is just teriffic for us!!!!!!! I am the real WDW nut in our family, but DH DD and DS are close behind. Our kids are now 23 (almost) and 24 and they are not as interested in WDW as they once were, but they still visit. One GREAT thing is that they can go with their friends and we are so comfortable with them being there. We feel that they are safe. (We are somewhat less comfortable since 9/11, but still feel that it is a safe place for them). Sometimes my DH is too busy and the kids can't go and guess what? Yes, I have gone solo. I was hesitant at first (a family trip fell through), but I was so depressed that my DH suggested to I go alone, and you know what? It was really great, for relaxing and that is what I needed at the time. Of course, it is more fun with the family, but going solo is also good---you only have to take care of your own needs and wants, and can go on a favorite ride (Mine is Splash Mts.) 100 times!!!!!!!

 

[ScottOKW2K]

The two "Get its" - WDW and DVC.

The first is easy - our first trip there in November~December '99 was absolutely magical !! We had discovered Deb's site earlier that year and with all the information she has available it felt like we skipped "newbie" stage and went straight to "expert" on the first try . Weather perfect, lines - zilch, housekeeping putting out the towel critters, breakfasts at Cindy's and Crystal Palace, and many other memories. I had not felt sooooo relaxed in years !

And the second - I have to thank this forum for this "Get It." I found out about Pete's board early 2000, with the memories of out trip still oh soo fresh (mmmmmm). With some information from Disney and a LOT of great info from the fantastic people here we decided to purchase a resale at OKW in summer 2000. Though we were not able to use the points for our next trip (no availability for our dates by the time the contract closed) I was able to make reservations for our summer 2001 trip while we were there.

And what a change it was ! Our first two Disney trips were both stays at Dixie Landings [ which we still love ] but the next two were DVC - a 2-bedroom at VWL, followed by a larger family stay in an OKW GV over New Years 2001. We would not have been able to do this without DVC, and it is still one of my fondest Disney memories. Not only were we able to "get it" , we were also able to "share it", too. Many Thanks to ALL .

 

[Richyams]

I don't have anything profound or any warm fuzzies, its simply the math.

I get an OKW Grand Villa for around $125 a night(dues).

 

[BCVOwner2002]

WDW - We "got it' years ago after we made the mistake of staying off property one year. The hassle of parking, International Drive, etc. just made us realize we would never stay outside of WDW again! The fact that our DS who is almost 17 can go off to the parks or DTD without us speaks volumes! Also, you can't beat the Disney charm. From the CM at the front desk to the bus driver who on our last trip sang the Disney version of "The Wheels on the Bus" to a crying baby makes me feel warm inside. There is a magic that can't quite be explained.

DVC - We got it years ago but didn't purchase until this year. We knew we wanted to do this and since we love YC/BC decided this was the time and place to purchase (especially since we got in before the price increase). Being able to stay at DVC for the next 40 years and passing this great gift on to DS is exceptional. We want to enjoy years of fun with him and hopefully, someday DGC!! We want DS to know and understand the Disney magic and experiences we have had. The best part for him is he'll only have to pay annual dues!