Why I changed my mind and bought DVC.

[JohnNJ]

There are hundreds of discussions on the merits of purchasing DVC and I've read them all. My reason for the change of heart is simple. I'm not flexible.

I have always been able to get really good discounts at deluxe WDW hotels and DVC resorts. I'm really good at it and always get a discount (40-45%+), for me and for others. I've always paid cash and never stayed at a moderate or value hotel. It's not about the money for me. If I don't have the money to stay where I want, I don't go. I won't compromise.

Disney is making it harder to get a discount on the rooms I want without buying a package that includes their Ultimate Park Hopper. I hate the UPH because, for me, it's a waste of money. I love Annual Passes. That's where the real vacation savings are for people like me. If I can't use an AP for at least two trips and get an AP discount on the room I'm losing money. It's also getting harder as more and more people discover the "secrets" of Disney discounts because people like me can't keep our mouths shut.

Overall, if you compare DVC costs to AP rates, I may not save a dime on the hotel rooms with DVC but I know I will save money on the admission tickets. I will also be able to book my room way in advance and get the dates I want instead of waiting for the discounts to come out 2-3 months in advance of my trip date and possibly have to change the week I want to go. To me, that makes it worth the initial investment.

I'm only posting this for those that are still on the fence about buying into the DVC concept. I'm not trying to preach to the proverbial choir. You guys have already been pushed over the edge.

 

[Zurg]

Welcome Home

 

[DoeWDW]

From FAR over the edge, someone yells "Welcome Home!!"

 

[spiceycat]

Welcome Home!!!

You can still save money if you are willing to stay in a studio - but once most DVC members have stayed in a 1-bedroom or 2 or 3 - they have a really problem going back to a studio.....

Now I don't - but I know I am saving points for more trips

- once the orginial investment is paid generally 7 to 10 years - then you are saving 70 to 80% off the rooms (your maintence fees) -this beats (most of the time) the annual pass which is generally only 30% to 45% off.

 

[Terry S]

Congratulations and welcome home!

 

[Lisa F]

You hit the nail on the head of why we bought in 4 years ago. It was 1999 and Disney was packed with the millennium celebration. Americans felt safe, the economy was booming and discounted rooms were available but were becoming fewer and further between. You could still stay at the BW/BC/YC for a discounted rate of $169/night (+tax of course) but those rates were booking up quickly and people complained like crazy that there weren't enough to go around.

Now I sit back and watch the "rate scramble" with amusement. I don't have to worry if my resort will have my dates available for a rate I am willing to pay. I'm amazed that even with the economy down, the "AP" type room only rates are now $204/night instead of $169/night for BW/YC/BC when we first bought in. My maintenance fees, however, have gone up $.07/point over the same 4 years. For my 350 points that's a difference of $24.50/year, and that's in a "down" economy. When things start picking back up again, I think you will REALLY realize just what a wise decision you made .

Of course this new "package" policy could be Disney's way of completely simplifying guest types into two major categories... the die hards are encouraged to join DVC because it becomes the best value without AP room-only rates (though I would argue that it's as good a value as AP rates and much better once you've broken even) and force the newbies/occasional guests to go the most expensive way possible.

Congrats on your decision. I don't think you will regret it and welcome home!

Lisa

 

[chris1gill]

This is exactly the reason we bought back in '98 as well, I had just completed that marathon of calling Disney every day for like a month (or two) to get AP rates for a 1 bedroom at OKW... back then, that rate was 169 plus tax.... After that experience, we bought in shortly thereafter, as we knew even then we wanted to stay in the DVC 1 bedrooms for the kitchen, washer/dryer & separate bedroom. To us, it was just the way we wanted to vacation... we also knew that we wouldn't always get that rate, or any other discounted rate for that matter... We bought in & for certain it was the best thing we did!

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

Welcome home!!!!!

Allison
Offically DVC 7/23/03
Home Resort: BCV

 

[dianeschlicht]

We purchased for the same reasons in 1997. Our only regret was not doing it when we first heard about it back in 1991!

Oh, and WELCOME HOME!

 

[ncligs]

WELCOME HOME!!!

 

[mrsdon]

....and the choir sings AMEN

 

[JimC]

WELCOME HOME!!

Very well stated

 

[ralphd]

Congratulations and welcome home!!!!!!!!

ralphd

 

[dolphinea]

This is the only argument I've EVER seen that made me think I should buy and buy right now!

My family thinks I will change my mind someday and want to stop going to WDW, too, and I'm afraid if I buy DVC they'll try and commit me.

~Amanda

 

[JohnNJ]

Thanks for all the good thoughts. Now let's hope I get past the dreaded ROFR.

 

[crisi]

I suspect that people who have other reasons than purely financial are happier long term with their purchace. Which isn't to say that people who make purely financial decisions aren't happy - just that there are a variety of pluses to DVC beyond financial and the more of them you see, the more opportunities you have to be pleased.

 

[dizneeluvr]

Welcome Home from a former Bergen County(er)! I was born, and spent the first 9 years of my life in Northvale!

DVC is awesome!


Laura

 

[JohnNJ]

Originally posted by dizneeluvr
Welcome Home from a former Bergen County(er)! I was born, and spent the first 9 years of my life in Northvale!

Thanks for the welcome! I could welcome you back home to Northvale if you have a million plus dollars to buy a house.

I'm still hoping for a quick Disney ROFR approval. It's only been a week and I'm going nuts thinking about it.

Thanks again.
John

 

[SamSam]

dolphinea, The wonderful thing about DVC is if you do change your mind you will probably be able to sell for at least what you paid!