Why I Love My DVC Ownership?!

[The Sunrise Student]

<<<< I am looking to possibly buy DVC for the first time (leaning towards BLT, but still keeping my mind open to others).

I have been looking through the threads and found a Downside of DVC thread that frankly made me want to drop the idea all together... but as you can tell I seem to be still interested.

A few people spoke up and said I need to ask about the good stuff because that thread was really focused on the negative (and I appreciate the frank answers in that thread).

I am still very skidish about buying into DVC and making it a long vacation spot, but with two vacations planned for 2015 at Disney Properties, and then two more planned at the world in 2016 I can no longer deny that Disney is my favorite place to travel...

So pretty please spill the beans.....

....what make DVC in your opinion worth it?

....what makes DVC better than staying on the resort side?! (and not just cost, because I think that is up in the air.)

Any info/stories you would like to tell about your experience good or bad...

I wanna hear them all!

Thanks bunches!

 

[com_op_2000]

The biggest thing for DW and I are the memories!
We can not beat our trips with DVC points - all of them including DVC (over 120 trips on points over the course of 20 years, Concierge Collection, RCI exchanges, and DCLs.
Taking our DGSs multiple times by themselves, taking multi-family trips, and just the two of us for anything from a single night to multi-week.
Unexpected
Room upgrades:
1. Once cause of over booking at VWL:
Booked a studio at VWL, when we tried to check-in, we had been upgraded to a WL 2 bedroom lake view suite. Called some family members to come and join us for an unexpected vacation.
2. Once cause of problem with check-in at AKL:
Booked a standard view studio at AKL-Jambo, checked-in, given a room key as the room was supposed to be ready, went to the room, and found suitcases and purse in the room along with the room not being made up. Went back to the front desk, they gave us an on-the-spot upgrade to a savanna view room in another part of the resort plus four free breakfasts.
3. DCL
We reserved an inside stateroom but were upgraded to an ocean view room. We did not find out about the upgrade until we got to the room, what a surprise that was. When our luggage arrived it still had the old room number's tags on them.
4. AKL-Jambo
Booked standard view room at 5 days out, due to a last minute change in home plans. Given a Savanna View room.
Holidays at DVC:
DW and I have been every year the 2nd week of Dec since '93.
Several years ago in an OKW 1-Bdrm for Thanksgiving, we had four people for the night and 8 people over for dinner. DW cooked the turkey and dressing in the resort and the visitors brought the sides and dessert.
Last minute trips:
DW and I several times have been at DTD for the day and decided we wanted to stay the night. Called the resorts directly (back before MS was open on Sundays) or MS and checked in within 15 minutes.
At MK for the day in Feb ’14 for our anniversary, called MS @09:00, and booked a room at BLT for that night. Checked-in @11:00 and the room was ready. We did not plan on this day going like this until @05:00 while still in bed.
DCLs
Went on the Magic the very first year of service back in '98. Everyone was checking in but no one was getting in-line, this was back before the boarding numbers. I told DW that at a certain time if no one was going to start the line I would. At that time I went to the head of the line, DW had the video running, and you should see the line form, people running from all over the terminal to get in-line. DW and I were the first people introed on that cruise.
Anytime we want a good laugh, we bring up that video.

At CC-SB, DW is on a raft about 20 yards out, I take the camera and start walking out to take her picture. I see all the little fishes scatter, look around and see a 2-3 foot Black Tip Shark swimming around. DW is using her hands to move the raft creating small splashes. The shark turns toward her, I tell DW to stop cause I see a shark. What does DW do? She jumps off the raft causing a bigger splash! I have to run to get between her and the shark.

For our 25th anniversary someone put up decorations on our door announcing our celebration to everyone else onboard. We do not have any idea who did this. We came back from breakfast the second day of a seven day cruise and there they were.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Thank You com_op_2000! Sounds like you've had some great trips. Your lucky upgrades and fun times.

I have never been lucky, so I plan my rear off to make sure all my bases are covered

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Alright- so technically Im not officially a DVC member- yet (waiting on contract to close) but what I can tell you is that the decision for us to become members was one we made after four years consideration. Why we choose to buy in?

1) Many of the greatest memories my family has created have been at Disney. The atmosphere is magical and is an amazing vacation. Owning DVC will allow us to take time out of busy lives with work, school, sports, and just focus on being together in a place we all love- yearly, or every other year at least.

2) Yes its pricey. Not just the buy in, but yearly trips- with park tickets, plane fare, food etc. While we plan on going three times a year, then skipping a year and repeating, we also know that if money gets tight and our lifestyles change we can always just use our points at HHI and drive down- We still get our time as a family away from the real world.

3) We love the DVC rooms- the extra space, the kitchen (and kitchenette), the washer/dryer- and we love the DVC amenities- awesome pools, restaurants, play areas, community hall, and as silly as it sounds- my son LOVES knowing that there are basketball courts

4) Some think that booking at 11 months is a pain and a downfall- not me. I LOVE knowing when my next trip will be. I love having it all set in advance and not having to worry. I like having a year to buy my plane tickets, get off of work, etc.

 

[disneynutz]

DVC is a room, not WDW, not the resort, not Mickey Mouse.

Buying DVC is a pre-paid room, nothing more. Others can rent a DVC room and not pay for a contract or dues.

People who don't own a DVC interest can and do have just as many wonderful memories as DVC owners.

You need to find out if you love DVC accommodations, are willing to deal with the DVC process, want to vacation at Disney every year or two and how much money a DVC ownership will save you over your length of ownership.

Bill

 

[Sur]

DVC is a room, not WDW, not the resort, not Mickey Mouse.

it does give easier, and more comfortable access to those things, though.

 

[disneynutz]

it does give easier, and more comfortable access to those things, though.

It may or it may not, and you are paying for privilege just like non-owners. The key is do you want DVC accommodations and does owning save you money? Are you willing to put up with MS, DVC rules, policies, and management, rooms that are only cleaned every few days and rooms that can go 10 to 15 years before having a major refurbishment?

Bill

 

[Minniesgal]

For us DVC is a million times better than staying on the resort side in fact w wouldn't stay on the resort side. DVC allows us to book 2 bed roomed apartments for our family of five. We have space to chill kitchen facilities and laundry facilities. Maybe the kitchen is less important now as the kids are older and enjoy eating out but when they were littler eating in was a big hit and laundry was essential. Without 2 bedrooms we would be offsite and they are in fact why we bought. Even once it is the two of us. Don't see us booking hotels rooms or studios we are 1 bed minimum people

For us owning DVC forces us to plan and take the time to go. Getting time off work for vacation for me is hard. I have the days but getting then approved is panful and sometimes I would have walked away from the pain and taken payment in lieu but having DVC points to use. Forces me to push it which is better for me

Also it means we slow down when we are there and really relax knowing we will be back we don't stress over how many times we see Mickey or ride Space Mountain. In fact we are now much more about the resorts

And lastly whenever we leave we now always know we will be back

 

[crisi]

1. It allowed us to put the kids in a different room, stay on site, and do it in a more or less affordable fashion (compared to suites) - while controlling our own reservation.

2. It created "enforced vacations" for us that were kid friendly - we had to plan a trip - and it created a habit of vacations that in a two career family would have been easy to skip. On the other hand, now we have teens who are busy year round - and rent the points.

3. It made it possible for us to share. Having points enough to share didn't make DVC cheaper, but we were able to spend time at Disney with friends and family that we wouldn't have otherwise.

 

[DizBub]

We have been visiting once a year since 1975. Started out in a converted van at Fort Wilderness and for many years stayed there and off-site. Then when the moderates opened we stayed there. Ended up at the values more often because the prices got so high. Never stayed deluxe but found that DVC could get us there. We are not deluxe people but love the DVC locations and the theming of the resorts. We were going anyway so why not?

Love to take family in 2 bedrooms and go alone a few times a year. We had 9 of us in a 2 bedroom at OKW this summer and were not cramped at all.

The best part is that if we should need or want to sell our DVC we CAN, unlike most other timeshares.

Remember, even the most negative posters here are still members. They may be jaded or disillusioned or prefer other timeshare options but they keep their memberships.

 

[JimMIA]

To us, the biggest benefit was larger, more comfortable accommodations. When we go on vacation, we want to spread out a little and relax, not feel like we're living out of a suitcase. DVC has spoiled us in terms of space, and whenever we do a road trip in hotels (last weekend, and weekend after this one) we feel really cramped.

I would NOT buy DVC for studios, although many do and are happy with them.

We have also benefited from the "enforced vacation" aspect of DVC. And in addition to that, the fact that we know we'll be back in a few months or a year makes us relax and take our time to enjoy that vacation. We no longer do "commando" park touring, and that's a real plus.

So we're more relaxed and comfortable -- in the parks, or in the villa.

However, DVC locks you into a vacation that is rapidly increasing in cost to the point of being REALLY expensive. DVC allows you to lock in your lodging costs (subject to dues increases), but all of the other costs (airfare, park tickets, food, etc) have been increasing at a very rapid rate.

DVC also locks you into vacations which may not be what you want as kids grow up. Our DD12's interests now are MUCH different than her interests 8-10 years ago, and that affects the types of vacations we want to take.

Our response has been to go much less often, even though we live only 4 hours away. Instead of going 2-3 times a year, we now go maybe one. We went in December 2013, but our prior trip was May 2012, and we will probably not go again until December 2015. Instead, we're taking other non-Disney trips (figure skating competitions/camps, family visits, sightseeing in other parts of the country, etc.) -- not because of cost, but because of our interests.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Alright- so technically Im not officially a DVC member- yet (waiting on contract to close) but what I can tell you is that the decision for us to become members was one we made after four years consideration. Why we choose to buy in?

1) Many of the greatest memories my family has created have been at Disney. The atmosphere is magical and is an amazing vacation. Owning DVC will allow us to take time out of busy lives with work, school, sports, and just focus on being together in a place we all love- yearly, or every other year at least.

2) Yes its pricey. Not just the buy in, but yearly trips- with park tickets, plane fare, food etc. While we plan on going three times a year, then skipping a year and repeating, we also know that if money gets tight and our lifestyles change we can always just use our points at HHI and drive down- We still get our time as a family away from the real world.

3) We love the DVC rooms- the extra space, the kitchen (and kitchenette), the washer/dryer- and we love the DVC amenities- awesome pools, restaurants, play areas, community hall, and as silly as it sounds- my son LOVES knowing that there are basketball courts

4) Some think that booking at 11 months is a pain and a downfall- not me. I LOVE knowing when my next trip will be. I love having it all set in advance and not having to worry. I like having a year to buy my plane tickets, get off of work, etc.

Hello Disney First Timer,

I have been tossing around the idea of owning for 6 years. I became a member of the 501st this year which added another reason. Marching for the Mouse as the members of the 501st call it is a real treat during Star Wars weekends!

Planning ahead, not a problem for me. The AKL reservation (shown in my signature) was booked before they even had packages available! I made room ressies first and then the moment they were booking packages I flipped it. So 11 months ahead is nothing.

I love the idea of pre-paid... the other reason I like making reservations via Disney travel is I pay on my vacation along the way, and then all I have to do is pay for food and goodies while there.

Extra room... LOVE THAT, with all the gear we bring, and we brings alot for Marching the room to store and get ready for that matter is a HUGE PLUS!

So if you hear what I already do, DVC and paying for it in advance is very very idea for me.

Since 99% of our trips it is just the two of us it would be very easy to buy enough points and then have a little wiggle room for those times when we need to use more.

Everything you listed is a perk to me! It's just taking the initial cost plunge in the first place. But if you look at the cost of an 11 night stay a AKL CL room you already know a pretty penny is being spent on our vacations. (Hoping for discounts to come out in January, but still would do this trip regardless of discounts.)

Thank you so much for your input, love to hear from you, good luck with your new purchase!

 

[The Sunrise Student]

DVC is a room, not WDW, not the resort, not Mickey Mouse.

Buying DVC is a pre-paid room, nothing more. Others can rent a DVC room and not pay for a contract or dues.

People who don't own a DVC interest can and do have just as many wonderful memories as DVC owners.

You need to find out if you love DVC accommodations, are willing to deal with the DVC process, want to vacation at Disney every year or two and how much money a DVC ownership will save you over your length of ownership.

Bill

Very Very good point Bill, and it is why I haven't signed on the dotted line yet. 6 years plus of mulling this over. I am in my mid 40s, I have two grandkids, but will not have anymore kids living at home.

Is it worth it?! See that is where I do not know. I love the deluxe resorts at WDW and their accommodations. I love the Disney CMs. I would even say from experience that Disney CMs are better than 5 star hotels I have stayed at. And if they weren't very good they were at least friendly enough to deal with and not feel like you were sub par when trying to work things out with you (happened to me at the Bellagio in fact, bad story there, and paid alot for one of their nice accommodations (but I digress).)

I will be at Disney at least every two years if not every year... BUT will that change, possibly, will I get sick of marching for the mouse and want to travel else where, don't know... but with two grand children and more on the way in the future I am sure I will be taking them in the later years too!

It really is a juggling act.... But I do know with current schedule I am spending even more time at Disney properties not less.

Thank you I need candor and reality questions... I appreciate everything you have said.

 

[DeeCee735]

It may or it may not, and you are paying for privilege just like non-owners. The key is do you want DVC accommodations and does owning save you money? Are you willing to put up with MS, DVC rules, policies, and management, rooms that are only cleaned every few days and rooms that can go 10 to 15 years before having a major refurbishment?

Bill

We've been members since 2000 and own at BWV & AKV

Putting up with MS? DVC rules, policies and management? Sorry, but I don't get "putting up with". How much do we really have to deal with? The rules are the rules, as in any timeshare, any hotel, any resort property. MS is customer service, and yes I agree sometimes they are harder to reach than other times, but I also find the same sometimes across the board with any customer service we deal with in life in general.

The policies and management, , how often do we, as owners on vacation have issues with policies and management over how many great stays, gorgeous locations, easy of access to the World, and what's offered in the DVC resorts?

I see this as a very negative spin on things that just don't effect owners on a day to day, vacation to vacation basis. JMHO anyway.

How many times has customer service at the DVC resort or management stepped up to the plate and exceeded expectations? In our experiences, more often than not. I can really only remember complaining about something once or twice in 15 years.

Nothing is perfect, anywhere. DVC, in our experience, comes closer than just about any place we've ever stayed, be it another timeshare resort, hotel or resort property in any of our travels.

For the OP, our answer about why we love DVC is many reasons:

#1 reason - because it's a forced vacation for a very busy, changing and growing family in our very favorite place to be.

#2 DVC accommodations have allowed us to bring friends, cousins and other family members numerous times in comfortable and roomy style, with great locations (like BWV) We will continue this pattern (God willing) until we are well into our 80's and

#3 It will be here for our children and their children!

#4 It's come to feel like home, and can be as relaxing as the DVC resorts have to offer, and as active and busy as the rest of WDW can be.

#5 Convenience of travel from airport to resort and resort to parks, within the world. We never rent a car being on property

#6 Of the other timeshares out there, we think this is by far, the best fit for our family. It's something we always use, a place we haven't tired of with no sign of that in the future

There's a ton more reasons, but I think this conveys the jist of it for our family. If it's something you think will fit your vacation needs time and time and time again, and if it's a favorite place to be for you, then it's definitely worth looking into an ownership.....

Good luck with your decision and happy planning

 

[skier_pete]

We bought really because of the long-term savings for accommodations. We are in our 40s, and my wife and I are 100% convinced we will want to keep going to Disney World for as long as we are alived, whether we have grandkids or not.

Bill is right to say these trips aren't getting cheaper, but buying DVC gives you a long-term severe reduction in your room costs. If you are only looking to the near-term (<10 years) then it's not that great an idea, but if you think you (a) want to go every year and (b) will still want to go every year 10 years from now, and (c) normally stay at on-property at a moderate or above...then I think buying DVC resale is a no-brainer.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

For us DVC is a million times better than staying on the resort side in fact w wouldn't stay on the resort side. DVC allows us to book 2 bed roomed apartments for our family of five. We have space to chill kitchen facilities and laundry facilities. Maybe the kitchen is less important now as the kids are older and enjoy eating out but when they were littler eating in was a big hit and laundry was essential. Without 2 bedrooms we would be offsite and they are in fact why we bought. Even once it is the two of us. Don't see us booking hotels rooms or studios we are 1 bed minimum people

For us owning DVC forces us to plan and take the time to go. Getting time off work for vacation for me is hard. I have the days but getting then approved is panful and sometimes I would have walked away from the pain and taken payment in lieu but having DVC points to use. Forces me to push it which is better for me

Also it means we slow down when we are there and really relax knowing we will be back we don't stress over how many times we see Mickey or ride Space Mountain. In fact we are now much more about the resorts

And lastly whenever we leave we now always know we will be back

Hello Minniesgal,

Not having kids at home makes the kitchen less a big deal, but the room to breath would be a huge plus. Would love the idea of the laundry for long stays but for the short stays we wouldn't need it.

BUT I can totally see all these things being huge with kids....

And that's why I wonder for US and our situation would it be worth it or not.

I understand the work situation.. We too have to force ourselves to plan and remind out bosses of our scheduled time off, we get the vacation time on the books but are always involved and key people in crucial projects so we plan our vacation way in advance and advertise to our bosses regularly that we will not be around during those times... It's the only way we get that time off!

Thank you very much for your input

 

[crisi]

Is it worth it?! See that is where I do not know. I love the deluxe resorts at WDW and their accommodations. I love the Disney CMs. I would even say from experience that Disney CMs are better than 5 star hotels I have stayed at. And if they weren't very good they were at least friendly enough to deal with and not feel like you were sub par when trying to work things out with you (happened to me at the Bellagio in fact, bad story there, and paid alot for one of their nice accommodations (but I digress).)

I think your best bet is to rent points and try it out. I like Disney Deluxe resorts - I really prefer them to DVC - but I can't really afford to have the kids sleep in a separate room in a suite . I find that the quality of my interactions with CMs is better when I'm a CRO guest than as a DVC guest - but I've only been a CRO guest twice in the ten years since I've bought - not a huge sample. However, other people feel completely opposite to me - they haven't had any issues with CMs and prefer the DVC rooms.

Don't assume that DVC will be the same experience as a Disney Deluxe hotel - it may be something you prefer, or you might prefer the hotel.

(I will say that everything at our stay at HHI was amazing, especially the CMs. And I wouldn't hesitate to go there again. After that trip, I'm more a fan of using our points at HHI to escape from Minnesota Winters in retirement. HHI won't be hot in January, but I won't be dealing with eighteen inches of snow.)

 

[The Sunrise Student]

1. It allowed us to put the kids in a different room, stay on site, and do it in a more or less affordable fashion (compared to suites) - while controlling our own reservation.

2. It created "enforced vacations" for us that were kid friendly - we had to plan a trip - and it created a habit of vacations that in a two career family would have been easy to skip. On the other hand, now we have teens who are busy year round - and rent the points.

3. It made it possible for us to share. Having points enough to share didn't make DVC cheaper, but we were able to spend time at Disney with friends and family that we wouldn't have otherwise.

Hello Crisi

Your number two is a funny comment to me "Enforced Vacations" but I know that until lately I never did force myself to take that time... I was always busy and I can see why paying for something like this you would want to make sure you didn't waste it!

Sharing sounds fun, I can see us banking points and say going down with friends/parents and having two rooms would be great!

Thanks for taking the time to share!!!

 

[The Sunrise Student]

We have been visiting once a year since 1975. Started out in a converted van at Fort Wilderness and for many years stayed there and off-site. Then when the moderates opened we stayed there. Ended up at the values more often because the prices got so high. Never stayed deluxe but found that DVC could get us there. We are not deluxe people but love the DVC locations and the theming of the resorts. We were going anyway so why not?

Love to take family in 2 bedrooms and go alone a few times a year. We had 9 of us in a 2 bedroom at OKW this summer and were not cramped at all.

The best part is that if we should need or want to sell our DVC we CAN, unlike most other timeshares.

Remember, even the most negative posters here are still members. They may be jaded or disillusioned or prefer other timeshare options but they keep their memberships.

Hello DizBub,

The two big things that struck me out of what you said there is room when you need it down size when you don't. The flexibility of the points system in comparison to a time share normally, that's what makes me consider all this.

The other thing is selling/or renting the points DVC is easier than with renting out or selling a traditional time share. Another attractive quality!

Thank you for sharing... great stuff!

 

[The Sunrise Student]

To us, the biggest benefit was larger, more comfortable accommodations. When we go on vacation, we want to spread out a little and relax, not feel like we're living out of a suitcase. DVC has spoiled us in terms of space, and whenever we do a road trip in hotels (last weekend, and weekend after this one) we feel really cramped.

I would NOT buy DVC for studios, although many do and are happy with them.

We have also benefited from the "enforced vacation" aspect of DVC. And in addition to that, the fact that we know we'll be back in a few months or a year makes us relax and take our time to enjoy that vacation. We no longer do "commando" park touring, and that's a real plus.

So we're more relaxed and comfortable -- in the parks, or in the villa.

However, DVC locks you into a vacation that is rapidly increasing in cost to the point of being REALLY expensive. DVC allows you to lock in your lodging costs (subject to dues increases), but all of the other costs (airfare, park tickets, food, etc) have been increasing at a very rapid rate.

DVC also locks you into vacations which may not be what you want as kids grow up. Our DD12's interests now are MUCH different than her interests 8-10 years ago, and that affects the types of vacations we want to take.

Our response has been to go much less often, even though we live only 4 hours away. Instead of going 2-3 times a year, we now go maybe one. We went in December 2013, but our prior trip was May 2012, and we will probably not go again until December 2015. Instead, we're taking other non-Disney trips (figure skating competitions/camps, family visits, sightseeing in other parts of the country, etc.) -- not because of cost, but because of our interests.

Hello JimMIA,

See and I wonder about being just the two of us if it really is worth locking into a DVC, you said would wouldn't buy DVC for a studio... I assumed they would be bigger than a regular room, are they not?

In addition, no kids, so we only need the one room, would like it to be a LARGE room so we can spread out but it sounds like the one bedrooms are more what we are looking for to stow gear and have room.

I know we like to spread out and not live out a of a suitcase and that is very hard to do with all the gear we bring for Marching.

Thank you very much, giving me things to think about!