Your thoughts on DVC

[jarrdisney]

Am I the only weird one that prefers the feel and look of the Value Resorts to the DVC Resorts?

In a word...."yes." But that's just me. Seems others agree with you. I can't imagine staying at Pop over BW.

 

[pilferk]

Our vacation style has changed over time we used to be fine in 1 room long ago now, and then two connecting rooms or a family suite a few trips back but I fear those days are behind us. Based on what I have read the flexibility provided by the DVC point system will ease the pain of these changes (but I think aging kids may be a major factor in add-on-itis) .

Yup, sounds familiar.

We were at the Contemp in Jan of '06...before my youngest was born. It was already starting to feel "crowded" with the 4 of us.

I have no illusions our 200 points is going to be "enough" for the full 50 years. As kids age, we'll need more space (I'm not sure about more points...maybe...though I think CRV will probably be the impetus for buying more first). As they leave the house, we'll need less (and likely rent the remaining points if that's still an option). Then, as the kids get families of their own, we'll be back up to needing more....hopefully much more.

 

[pilferk]

Not all the master bedrooms have a balcony attached. Some only have one off the living room.

Sorry, I should have been clearer.

I was referring to AKV (since that's what we were using for comparison and it's my home resort).

I'm also one of those sticklers for the occupancy rule (though I don't begrudge those that aren't), whether MS allows members to wiggle around it or not. If we're in a one BR in 2 years, it'll be at AKV.

 

[LilGMom]

Would it be cheaper to stay at values each year? Yep. But I know I wouldn't do that. Would it be cheaper to skip WDW or not go as much? Yep. But I know I wouldn't do that, either. DVC was the right fit for my needs. I only wish I'd have figured it out years ago!

That sounds exactly like me! We've stayed at all of the moderates and half of the deluxes and I prefer the deluxes and just can't imagine that I'd enjoy the values (not a slam on the values). And I know that we will continue to make our yearly 2-3 trips to WDW. I am still kicking myself in the tush for not having dh sit down years ago so that we could discuss the DVC.

 

[boomhauer]

No, I also prefer the values by far.

2. I love the theming at the value resorts.
I feel surrounded by Disney when I stay there.

4. I enjoy staying in a hotel room over a timeshare type room.

5. I love daily housekeeping.

6. I would need to pay for daily mousekeeping or at least several towel pacs
since I do not do laundry when I travel. I either pack enough to last or I send it out.

This is my reasoning as well, among others.

I would love for Disney to come out with a version of the Vacation Club aimed at Value patrons.

 

[girt25]

That's why there are options, from cruddy offsite motels to values to deluxes to off site deluxes, and a dozen different themes in every category.

I do wonder how well a pop or AS movies themed resort would do with deluxe amenities and price tag.

 

[extremesoccermom]

OK its taken me 3 days to finally read through all this thread and I have to say I agree with them all. Here is our story:
Our first visit 1994 I had to drag my DH there when our DS was 4 yo. He really did not want to go but I bought the whole package which included 3 meals a day, free sports, our tickets a WL which was new then. Well he fell in love with it.
Our next visit wasn't until 4 years later in 1998 right after we adopted our DD4 and DS was then 8yo. Because of some mental issues we choose one of the cabins at FW so we could allow DD her own "cool" off room and DS wouldn't have to be forced to take a nap or be quite in a dark room while his sister slept and I was also able to cook some easy meals. We really liked this set up. One day while we were resting DH took the DVC tour at OKW. He was ready to sign on the spot but I was not ready to think about that kind of money. At that time we were talking about maybe returning in another 4 years so I didn't really think DVC was a very good deal.
But since then we started going every 2 years then a couple of times a year and my mother started to join me and the kids when DH lost his job and started a new one that cut the amount of vaction time he got. DH was still trying to convince me that we should buy DVC but I refuse to finance and we could not afford (at that time) 150 points OOP. Even better when my mother went she paid for the room so all I had was transportation and food. I also had trouble with the fact that even in a 1br suite there were still only 2 beds. We were getting to the point that we were bringing an air mattress for DD, POR and hoping for a trundle bed or getting 2 rooms at the values. So I just couldn't see putting all that money into DVC and still having to bring my air mattress. Although I did think about it when they started ME because then I wouldn't have to be the one toting that thing through the airport. We also stayed off site a couple of times (MOM paid but I have to admit I really didn't like it) Plus now that they offer the late entry for onsite guests we LOVE that!!

So here we are a couple of months ago when we found out the airfare to CA was cheaper than Orlando so we decided to try DL. It was fun, we had a good time but it wasn't WDW and I was sad that there really wasn't a WDW trip in my future that I could see. Then talk about Free DDP started popping up. I talked to DH, DS now 17 yo, and DD 12 about maybe trying to budget this trip. The school calendars finally came out DD would only miss 1 day of school and DS (senior year of high school with alot of easy elective classes) would miss 2 days. DH decided no he would rather take his week of vacation and ref soccer and DS said he really didn't want to go even if it meant missing school. I still went ahead and saved my own blow money and finally made a reservation at POP for DD and I.
Since my last visit in Oct 06 when I went on my first DVC tour to SSR I have really been thinking that we should really think about this again, but I still refuse to go into debt to do it. That's when I started looking into resales and thought hey we could do this. I would like to eventually own at least 200points but I will have to do it a little at a time if I want to start NOW!
When I was sprinkled with fairy dust and my POP reservation w/ Free DDP turned into a 1br suite at SSR the ball really started rolling.
As I said this is DS senior year of high school (he goes to private school so that will be an extra 8,000 a year we can spend/save) I have been working at a University for 17 years so that he could go to college for free and if he wants to go some where else he is on his own. I started looking at all the DVC resales, reading the Disboards and learning everything I could. When I saw that the AKV would have the fold out chair I knew it was a sign. Our family would fit perfect if I can just find a 50 point contract at SSR.
On June 20th I found one, made an offer, it was accepted and we are currently waiting for ROFR. I fully expect to add on a AKV within the year. It really is a personal decision and for us it really is the perfect time. It fits for us right now. I really can not see my self not wanting to go to Disney and we really enjoy the resorts. We always spend at least one or two days not going to the parks and just enjoying where we are staying or DH playing golf.
If I haven't lost you yet this is the way DVC has played out for us. We really wanted to buy in but we needed to wait until it fit US both financially and emotionally.

 

[boomhauer]

That's why there are options, from cruddy offsite motels to values to deluxes to off site deluxes, and a dozen different themes in every category.

I do wonder how well a pop or AS movies themed resort would do with deluxe amenities and price tag.

I don't think they need to change anything. I think they should leave the Values as is.

I think alot of people (myself included) don't care much about amenities because we don't use them. To me, a perfect Disney vacation is spending most of my time at the parks, a few nights at DTD, some time swimming, and that's it. I think alot of people that own DVC wouldn't be happy like that, and that makes perfect sense. It's the overall theme of this thread - Different strokes for different folks.

 

[pilferk]

I don't think they need to change anything. I think they should leave the Values as is.

I think alot of people (myself included) don't care much about amenities because we don't use them. To me, a perfect Disney vacation is spending most of my time at the parks, a few nights at DTD, some time swimming, and that's it. I think alot of people that own DVC wouldn't be happy like that, and that makes perfect sense. It's the overall theme of this thread - Different strokes for different folks.

I think what girt meant was an ADDITIONAL resort, with pop century or AS type theming, but with deluxe amenities. NOT converting the existing values to have deluxe amenities (and price tags).

I have to admit, I'd love to see something like that. I LOVE the theming at POP and ALL the AS's...I'm just not a fan of the amenities or the size of the rooms.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

I think what girt meant was an ADDITIONAL resort, with pop century or AS type theming, but with deluxe amenities. NOT converting the existing values to have deluxe amenities (and price tags).

I have to admit, I'd love to see something like that. I LOVE the theming at POP and ALL the AS's...I'm just not a fan of the amenities or the size of the rooms.

Dh would love a deluxe version of All Star Sports...He'd probably never want to leave the resort then, though

 

[girt25]

I think what girt meant was an ADDITIONAL resort, with pop century or AS type theming, but with deluxe amenities. NOT converting the existing values to have deluxe amenities (and price tags).

I have to admit, I'd love to see something like that. I LOVE the theming at POP and ALL the AS's...I'm just not a fan of the amenities or the size of the rooms.

That's what i meant, not removing any of the current value but building a new one. combining the amenities and the locations of the deluxe resort, but with more of the theming and energy of the value.

 

[minnie61650]

I think what girt meant was an ADDITIONAL resort, with pop century or AS type theming, but with deluxe amenities. NOT converting the existing values to have deluxe amenities (and price tags).

I have to admit, I'd love to see something like that. I LOVE the theming at POP and ALL the AS's...I'm just not a fan of the amenities or the size of the rooms.

I too would love to see a deluxe resort with the fab 5 character theming.
Not the giant 40 foot icons but the smaller stautes ( like the ones I will post below )scattered around.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Linda, they have Donald Duck at SSR at the pool. Ariel greets you at the entrance to the BCV. Mickey (topiary) greets you at the entrance to VWL.

 

[minnie61650]

Linda, they have Donald Duck at SSR at the pool. Ariel greets you at the entrance to the BCV. Mickey (topiary) greets you at the entrance to VWL.

I love the Donal Duck at the pop up fountain area at SSR.

I think Disney should have few more like that at each of their resorts at least in the childrens play areas.

Just my 2 cents.