Why have you NOT bought DVC?

[dzorn]

Mouseaholic!! so sorry about your illness. But in the last two years I have lost my brother and father. My brother battled Non-Hodkins Lymphoma for over 5 years. He never lived to enjoy retirement or see his kids graduate college. His wife (now only 56) is wheel chair bound and quality of life is suffering due to MS, she is currently in assisted living as she does want her children to graduate college. Illness has made us realize we need to enjoy life while we can because you never know what may happen. Oldest DD is autistic and the joy on her face at Disney is worth much more than any investment ever could. Disney is a place she can be like any other kid. Dh and I live very modestly and do not splurge often. We of course want to make sure DD is very well set for when we are no longer here. Illness and the realization that life is short pushed into enjoying it now and DVC does allows that. It is not an investment in anything other than the happiness we get in Disney.

I don't think anyone was trying to be cruel they probably just did not know your situation. I wish you the best of luck.

Denise in MI

 

[MiaSRN62]

Also, with the exception of AKV, I don't believe there are food courts in any of the villas - I like those given the age of my kids.

First of all....just have to say, I'm a VERY happy and satisfied DVC Member. I know we have saved money over the years. Being a family that generally travels with 5 and sometimes 6 we need the extra space. I spend about $600/year in fees and can spend a week in a 2 bedroom villa for that. Or longer in smaller sized units if less are traveling with us. Like this summer, my ds decided he didn't want to go to WDW with us (he's in college).

So we've got 3 nights in a one bedroom AKV villa followed by 7 nights in a Vero Beach Inn room (studio). I think this is well worth the price of the $600 yearly maintenance fees. We paid off our contract years ago (and paid extra to get it to zero balance in only 5 years). But everyone knows what is right for THEM. There is no one correct answer here. All families have different needs/wants.

To address the food court issue. You're right. It is a problem for some people. VWL also has a food court. SSR has one. BCV has a small area---called the Marketplace. They are not the typical huge food courts of the value and mod resorts. I think, from DVC's perspective, they figure you have the full kitchen or kitchenette for meals. But you're right...not everyone likes to cook. I sometimes miss the food courts myself......but then I realize I like DVC and the accomodations more than I miss the food courts.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Although I prefer deluxe resorts and have gone to Disney twice a year for the last few years, I have chosen not to purchase DVC (although I have to admit I almost did).

What stopped me was:

1) Pull out couch instead of a second bed - I usually bring my parents which means they would have a bed and I would sleep on a pull out couch (with either a studio or a 1 bedroom). Not my ideal situation.

2) My vacations are rarely planned 11 months in advance (or even 8 months). Although I know the month, the week isn't usually set until 3-4 months out. Which brings me to point 3

3) I don't like OKW. I rented points and stayed there in May 06. I didn't enjoy it and my concern is that if I don't/can't book early, that's where I'm going to end up staying.

Additionally, I like daily housekeeping but doubt that when push came to shove that I would fork over the extra money for it. I can't see myself using the kitchen (except the microwave) as I don't want to cook (not even simple breakfasts) when on vacation - the fridge and coffeemaker in the deluxe resorts is enough for me. I can also see where most of my points would end up being used by other people (I am a sucker and I know my family and friends would promise to pay me for the points but would always be "broke" when it came time to hand over the cash).

I agree that the emotional "tug" to purchase DVC is very strong, and considering what I have spent at Disney in the last 3-4 years, financially, it could be beneficial, but logistically, it just doesn't work for me.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Although I prefer deluxe resorts and have gone to Disney twice a year for the last few years, I have chosen not to purchase DVC (although I have to admit I almost did).

What stopped me was:

1) Pull out couch instead of a second bed - I usually bring my parents which means they would have a bed and I would sleep on a pull out couch (with either a studio or a 1 bedroom). Not my ideal situation.

2) My vacations are rarely planned 11 months in advance (or even 8 months). Although I know the month, the week isn't usually set until 3-4 months out. Which brings me to point 3

3) I don't like OKW. I rented points and stayed there in May 06. I didn't enjoy it and my concern is that if I don't/can't book early, that's where I'm going to end up staying.

Additionally, I like daily housekeeping but doubt that when push came to shove that I would fork over the extra money for it. I can't see myself using the kitchen (except the microwave) as I don't want to cook (not even simple breakfasts) when on vacation - the fridge and coffeemaker in the deluxe resorts is enough for me. I can also see where most of my points would end up being used by other people (I am a sucker and I know my family and friends would promise to pay me for the points but would always be "broke" when it came time to hand over the cash).

I agree that the emotional "tug" to purchase DVC is very strong, and considering what I have spent at Disney in the last 3-4 years, financially, it could be beneficial, but logistically, it just doesn't work for me.

Valid points --- especially the sofabed vs OKW.

 

[micmacmissy]

...I spend about $600/year in fees and can spend a week in a 2 bedroom villa for that....

Well, for that and a good $15,000 upfront...

 

[dvczerfs]

First of all....just have to say, I'm a VERY happy and satisfied DVC Member. I know we have saved money over the years. Being a family that generally travels with 5 and sometimes 6 we need the extra space. I spend about $600/year in fees and can spend a week in a 2 bedroom villa for that. Or longer in smaller sized units if less are traveling with us. Like this summer, my ds decided he didn't want to go to WDW with us (he's in college).

So we've got 3 nights in a one bedroom AKV villa followed by 7 nights in a Vero Beach Inn room (studio). I think this is well worth the price of the $600 yearly maintenance fees. We paid off our contract years ago (and paid extra to get it to zero balance in only 5 years). But everyone knows what is right for THEM. There is no one correct answer here. All families have different needs/wants.

To address the food court issue. You're right. It is a problem for some people. VWL also has a food court. SSR has one. BCV has a small area---called the Marketplace. They are not the typical huge food courts of the value and mod resorts. I think, from DVC's perspective, they figure you have the full kitchen or kitchenette for meals. But you're right...not everyone likes to cook. I sometimes miss the food courts myself......but then I realize I like DVC and the accomodations more than I miss the food courts.

i dont know why you spent all that money on dvc. you could just sleep in your van at the rest stop on int.4 and hop the fence to get into the parks and eat cheetos for two weeks and only spend $30 on cheetos. oh my! this is fun.

 

[MiaSRN62]

micmacmissy says : Well, for that and a good $15,000 upfront...

Well.....we bought years ago at $2,000 up front (that was our choice---they only asked for $500), then financed the remaining $8,500 over 5 years (again, our choice. They offered us 10 years). And I've had my DVC room rates locked in for 42 years of vacations in larger accomodations that suit my family. I know people who have bought their DVC outright using the equity in their home for a much lower interest rate. My friends did this for a 5% interest rate a couple years ago.

We own at OKW (love it there !), but have been able to stay at BWV, VWL as well. Have plans to stay at all the WDW DVC's over time. We're staying at AKV this summer in a one bedroom savanah view. Can't wait We started adding up what two rooms at a moderate resort was costing us over the years. Made buying DVC a "no brainer" for us. But then again ....MY dreams and preferences of what I want our vacations to be like, could be 360 degrees different from yours. It's ALL good.......

dvczerfs says : you could just sleep in your van at the rest stop on int.4 and hop the fence to get into the parks and eat cheetos for two weeks and only spend $30 on cheetos

Ohhh....now stop that right now ! Don't tempt me like that ! You're making me regret my decision

 

[huntconn]

No Poly so no DVC for me!

 

[MiaSRN62]

No Poly so no DVC for me!

Well you can use your DVC points to stay at the Poly.....it's just not the best use of them. They don't go as far. But I understand your point. Maybe one day there will be a Poly DVC ? They're building a Contemporary DVC, so anything is possible

 

[dvczerfs]

No Poly so no DVC for me!

maybe the contemp. is done they can move next door and build one there!!i would go.easton? weres easton?

 

[kbtennant]

We bought into DVC 8 years ago and it was the best money we ever spent. You can go whenever you want, unlike other timeshares when you have to go a certain week. You don't have to do just Disney. We have been to Hawaii twice with our DVC and this October we are going to St. Martin for our 10th wedding anniversary. We do like going to Disney a couple times a year, so we get the annual passes, with DVC you get a very nice discount. We would recommend it.

 

[kgc07]

I guess you were wrong on both points.

Yes, I consider your posting cruel and yes there are plenty of ways to travel freely - without restriction, including at WDW in Deluxe properties, and spend much less than DVC....AND with far more flexibility.

No worries.

Please tell me what was cruel about the following statement...

You may be able to spend less money than you would staying at DVC, but I don't know of any deluxe resort that would cost less than a DVC stay.

I understand you can't beat traveling for free, but most people do not have that luxury.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Please tell me what was cruel about the following statement...

You may be able to spend less money than you would staying at DVC, but I don't know of any deluxe resort that would cost less than a DVC stay.

I understand you can't beat traveling for free, but most people do not have that luxury.

Please see my private message sent this morning to your attention.

 

[kgc07]

Please see my private message sent this morning to your attention.

I would, but I do not have a private message sent from you.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Please tell me what was cruel about the following statement...

You may be able to spend less money than you would staying at DVC, but I don't know of any deluxe resort that would cost less than a DVC stay.

I understand you can't beat traveling for free, but most people do not have that luxury.

The original reson for this thread is ..... why we DON'T want to own DVC.

My reason given is I have a terminal illness and I do not have 50 or even 5years most likely. For my husband and I - a long-term commitment doesn't make sense.....(even if we did not travel at WDW with castmember benefits).


To answer this posting by explaining the cost savings of DVC vs deluxe resorts seems to .... miss the point just a little, don't you agree?

There are many valid reasons to not pre-pay for a vacation. That's what we are talking about here. Medical conditions are just one that had not been mentioned here before.

 

[Reginak]

Yes there are many valid reasons for not buying into DVC. AND, we DVCers can't help ourselves, we want to spread the good news. Many of us wish that we had bought much sooner but we waited because of many of the reasons stated in previous posts. If we only knew that we could finance through Disney, that Disney accepts less than perfect credit, that point values don't change, etc.; then we would have purchased much sooner.

I wish that I knew some of this years sooner and even though it will make WDW more crowded, etc., I want to help others.

Regina

 

[DVC Mike]

Yes there are many valid reasons for not buying into DVC. AND, we DVCers can't help ourselves, we want to spread the good news.

As a DVC member myself, I can say that DVC is definitely NOT for everyone. It is a luxury purchase, IMO. Just like everyone doesn't need to drive a Lexus or Mercedes, but can be happy with a Yugo, not everyone needs to buy DVC.

DVC can make sense financially -- assuming you would always stay in a deluxe resort. If you always stay in a value resort, then it won't -- but that's not an apples-to-apples comparison. The DVC resorts offer deluxe amenities and room size.

DVC membership might make sense if you meet most or all of these criteria:

• The cost of membership and dues does not appear to present a financial hardship.
• You vacation at Walt Disney World frequently: ideally at least once every two years.
• You plan to continue vacationing at Disney World far enough into the future to make the membership at least break even.
• You prefer to stay in Deluxe or DVC accommodations and/or you stay a long time (10 days or more per year). If you always stay at a Value resort, or always stay off-site, or you really spend the entire day at the parks away from your hotel, and you don't spend time at the resort itself (other than crashing at the end of the day), then DVC may not be for you.
• You are able to plan your vacations well in advance -- ideally 7 to 11 months out. If you aren't a planner, don't even look at becoming a DVC member. If you can't plan and book your vacations 11 months in advance, and staying at a particular DVC resort is important, then don't join DVC. If you really don't care which DVC resort you end up with, then it's not an issue.
• You stay more on weekdays and can limit Friday and Saturday night stays.
• You can do without daily mousekeeping and room service (of course, you can pay extra and get mousekeeping as a DVC member).
• You desire more space than a typical resort room (such as a 2 bedroom villa, with full kitchen, living room, 2 bathrooms and jacuzzi suite, and even a washer/dryer).
• You’re not looking at DVC as an investment or a way to make money (it’s not). It is a decision to prepay, at today's rates, the next several decades of Disney trips.

 

[extremesoccermom]

I had 2 reasons. One was price (we don't do credit) and the other was that I didn't think we would really want to back to Disney that often.
We went once in 94 and then again in 98 each time when the kids turned 4. Then things started escalating. We started going every 2 years then more and more often. As of last spring we had been 20 times since 94 and we still love going and can't wait for our next trip! For a while we were even planning our trips so that we could buy and annual pass and use it two or three times in that one year.
We usually stay in values or moderates. The only deluxes we have been to were WL when it first open and we only had DS and DH was making great money as a Sears Store Manager (since then he had been downsized when the store closed) and AKL when DMom paid for it.
This past June however after saving our money like crazy (DH and I both working 2 jobs & sending DS to private high school) we bought a small 50 point resale and paid cash. We will be going for the first time in Oct and staying at OKW. We are very excited and saving up more money to add on.
For us it is a time in our lives when we are ready for bigger rooms and enjoying the resorts more than the parks. We now want to try the golf and spas.
Good Luck with your decision.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Remember when I said one of the reasons we do NOT participate in DVS is the convenience of non DVC reservations. I copied the last page of the "waitlist" thread in the DVC section. It sounds like if you like SSR or OKW you are set....but otherwise you must book FAR in advance. Where's the convenience and flexibility?


Another 7 month update

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well, I called MS this morning for my 2nd day of the 7 month window. Well, basically, the only places with 1 bedrooms are OKW and SSR. Since I already have a reservation for this night, I didn't change anything. But I asked the CM for the availability going forward and she said that there is almost no availability at AKV, BCV, and BWV in my timeframe (12/3-12/14). This may also apply to VWL but I am not sure. So, now I am thinking about:

1) On 5/14, try to move my entire reservation to SSR 1 BR. This will cover the the 2nd night (12/7) where I don't have a points reservation plus will move me up to a 1 BR. I toyed with staying at the studio that I currently have booked until one of my preferred resorts open up, but I still have a few banked points that I need to use so I figured I was better off moving to the 1 BR now so that I would be assured of using the points (plus I want a 1 BR anyway).

2) On 5/14, rearrange my waitlists so that I have waitlists for the trip for BCV and BWV. I am not sure about putting AKV on the waitlist since I really wanted to try BCV and/or BWV and if the AKV comes through, then I would need to re-waitlist at BCV & BWV.

3) I am considering breaking my waitlist into 2 or 3 sections. That way, I would waitlist 3-5 days together and worst case would require me to move 2-3 times while hopefully making at least some of the wait list easier to come through. Any thoughts on this?





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I need to start calling tomorrow to get on the waitlist for BCV. I have decided to keep our SSR ressie intact and make a seperate ressie on the waitlist. It is for 12/7-12/12, a 2bdrm and a studio. Is it possible to specify that we would take any room as long as we had 3 total (ie-3 studios)? Or should I just say 2bdrm and a studio and leave it at that?
Also, can I waitlist for each day and also the week as a whole or would it make a difference? As far as the domino effect, we just have to hope that people start canceling their plans, that would make them tumble!
__________________




Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 198 Called bright and early this AM to change the first two days of my December trip -- the 4th (Thu) and the 5th (Fri) -- from a value one bedroom at AKV to a studio at either 1. VWL, 2. BWV, or 3. BCV. VWL didn't have anything available, BWV and BCV only had the Friday night. So I'm on the waitlist for all three resorts (any view at BWV).

We'll see what happens! A larger group of us are staying in a 2BR at AKV beginning the 6th, so I thought that staying someplace different with just my older kids (DH and DS1 are joining us later) the first two nights would be kind of fun. Fingers crossed!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Welll, I thought I could start calling today to get a day by day waitlist, but I was told I had to wait until tomorrow because it would be the check out day. for 12/7-12/12.

The CM I had on the phone was not very nice. She asked if it was for 1 night and I said yes because I was going to be calling day by day to get on the waitlist. She said "Oh no, we don't do that. You have to call on May 13 and get on the waitlist for the entire 5 night stay. We don't do day by day."

What!!! I thought all kinds of members have made day by day ressies before? What gives?
__________________




Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: CANADA
Posts: 268 I just wanted to update I went off the boardwalk waitlist, I have a small contract at OKW and booked what I could with those points, I have dec 6-10, so I will be calling day by day to book a studio for the 10-13, I hope I don't have to go back on the list again.. I'll be calling at 9:59!!!!






I have Dec. 7th - 12th wailisted for any studio at BWV for the entire stay but I decided that I was also open to going Nov. 30th - Dec. 5th..

I called just before the 7 month window opened and discovered there was a BWV studio garden/pool view available for the nights of Nov. 30th and Dec. 2nd and decided to take them and waitlist for the nights of Dec. 1st, 3rd and 4th. I also waitlisted the entire stay from Nov. 30th - Dec. 5th at this time for BWV studio BW view and SV. The CM put in his notes that I only wanted one of the weeks whichever one came through first.

When the 7 month window opened I called and booked the nights of Dec. 3rd and 4th at SSR and asked about availability for the night of Dec. 1st. I was told there were only 2 studios left at SSR for the night of Dec. 1st and decided I better take it even if it meant we had to move 3 times during our trip. I debated about canceling the night I had booked at BWV for the night of Dec. 2nd and just booking that at SSR so we wouldn't have to possibly move 3 times but the CM told me that there were still 30 studio units available at SSR for that night so I decided to leave things alone and take my chances that my waitlist would come through and boy am I glad I did because yesterday my waitlist came through for the night of Dec. 1st in BWV garden/pool view.

So now I am still on the waitlist for Dec. 7th - 12th BWV studio any view.

I am also waitlisted for the nights of Dec. 3rd and 4th at BWV studio garden/pool view.

In addition I waitlisted the entire stay of Nov. 30th - Dec. 5th at BWV studios BW view and SV and I also waitlisted the entire stay at BCV and VWL.

I had them put in there notes that I only want one of these weeks and I would take whichever one I could get first.
__________________



NO studios at Saratoga on December 7th.

There are 1 bdrm's available for that week so I figure I'll book the 1bedroom so I have someplace to stay (141pts sun-sat) and then hope for my Animal Kingdom (home resort!) studio waitlist to come through.

Or for 110pts (plus $95 fee) I can book a disney collection moderate- Hmm, don't really need all the room that a 1bdrm has, plus someone would change my towels and make my bed everyday, hmm

One cool thing, I had DVCmember.com up while on the phone, right after the call I hit 'refresh' and the reservation showed up already
__________________


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I called this am to get on the waitlist for the first day of our day by day calling. I requested a 2bdrm and a studio for 12/7. We are actually staying 12/7-12. The only thing is that the very nice CM I spoke with said that once one of the requested units is filled from the waitlist, the other request would be canceled. WHAT! I told him we needed both units and couldn't he specify that. He said that no, once one was filled the other was removed.
I even made the request under two seperate names, although both using my points. Now I have to watch very carefully to see if anything comes through, because I will need to call back immediately and get back on the waitlist for the other unit. This is driving me crazy! Any suggestions?
__________________

Posts: 45 Waitlisted 1-bdrm for 12/3-12/5 at OKW

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Called day-by-day to switch from SSR to OKW for my 11/30-12/5 stay and got the rooms I wanted. Yay! Then decided yesterday that I need one more room (1-bedroom), and they only had 11/30-12/3 available, so I am waitlisted for the last two nights for that room. Same availability for a studio. They had one more night available in a 2-bedroom, but I really only need a 1-bedroom, so didn't spend the points to go that route. Sure hope my waitlist comes through.
__________________



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OK, it's been a while since I updated, but today is the 7th month window for our check-out. I called MS right at 9AM and got a nice CM and explained that this is our first reservation as DVC members and I was hoping to finalize my trip with this call.

I orginally booked back in February to at least get our home resort (AKV). Well, the availability even then was not so much so we had to have partial reservations and waitlists and a cash reservation for the 4th and no reservation for the 7th.

Well, the last couple months (after a waitlist came through) looked like this:

11/27 thru 12/4 AKV Savanna View Studio
12/4 Cash reservation for a Standard View studio (waitlisted for above room)
12/5 thru 12/7 AKV Savanna View Studio
12/7 nothing (waitlisted for above room)

I told the CM that we really didn't want to move and if we had to we only wanted to move once. She looked into the system and had nothing for the whole time, but she could give us a studio at SSR for the 12/5 thru 12/7, but there was nothing available anywhere for 12/7.

I was not happy, but said that we would do it and I guess waitlist for the night of 12/7 at SSR. Then the real twist came for me as I told her, as instructed when I booked back in Feb., that I wanted to use my developer points since we have entered the 7th month window. She put me on hold for a while and then came back and told me that she would have to cancel my current reservation and book a new one with points and I could loose the room. I was not very happy and she understood, but her hands were tied.

I asked to speak to a supervisor and got another CM who told me the same thing. He heard me out as I had a lot to say about the dumbness of the whole thing and how their system is not very customer service friendly. I needed to use these points as I only had a year from February and we can't make any other trips by then. If I used it for the SSR portion of my trip it would only take 55 points of the 160, not good enough.

He put me on hold for a really long time and then came back with nothing really new to add and then I explained that I would use more points, but nothing was available. So he said he would look again at what they had (I've been on the phone 1 hour now) and all of a sudden they had a 1 bedroom at SSR resort from 11/30 thru 12/8. Well, I want to even out the two stays more so we looked at it day by day to add the points close to the 160 and finally settled at the following:

11/27 thru 12/2 - AKV savanna view studio
12/2 thru 12/8 - SSR 1 Bedroom

OP - please update the list.

I was not happy that I was forced to burn more points than I really wanted (it would have cost 176 points for a savanna studio at AKV for 11/27 thru 12/2 and then a studio at SSR from 12/2 thru 12/8; now I am using 254 points for the above scenario). They told me one thing and never fully explained the danger in booking a reservation with intention of using developer points outside of the 7month window. The original CM made it seem very easy to switch the points when we reached the 7 month window.

I must say for a first experince with the DVC, we have not been very pleased with our experience. I truly hope this turns around as it was quite an investment and it already seems more frustrating than the traditional way of booking.
__________________

Well our 1/1 2-bedroom just came through. Now we are still waitlisted for 12/29-1/1 but hope to find something when the 7 month window comes. We are hoping for Vero Beach but will take anything to stay in FL!



So the convenience of DVC boils down to....."We are hoping the waitlist clears for Vero Beach but will take anything to stay in Florida". YIKES. This is for a reservation in EARLY DECEMBER - 200 days away. DVC Convenient?

Now I know why our DVC friends book as a second room on OUR reservation when they travel with us.

 

[Ragnrok23]

First off I do not own DVC- mainly because I can't afford it right now


As for the Early december reservation- from what I hear, early december is the most popular DVC time (with the epcot resorts for F&W a close second)