Need Some Positive DVC Feedback

[RosiePosie35]

Just bought into AKV. Have really been reading up on the DVC threads the past few nights. Unfortunatly I keep seeing a lot of negatives

Can some veteran DVC'ers post some of the things they like about DVC ownership.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Just bought into AKV. Have really been reading up on the DVC threads the past few nights. Unfortunatly I keep seeing a lot of negatives

Can some veteran DVC'ers post some of the things they like about DVC ownership.

I am really surprised this post has not gotten a response yet... DVC is one of the best decisions we ever made... we have had a zillion vacations (ok, 15)that are very memorable and desired to repeat. Had we not bought into DVC we probably would have taken half the number of vacations at places that are creepy to stay in. With DVC you know you will have a quality stay and since you are paying monthly (at least we are) it is like a christmas account that pays you when you are ready. Don't worry... be happy... you are in a great place........... Hope that helps.

 

[wildernessDad]

I've never regretted my decision and we have added on 3 times since our initial purchase.

I am glad that I have vacations at the ready for many years to come.

 

[RosiePosie35]

Thanks DisDaydreamer and wildernessDad, that is what I needed to hear. We will not make our first trip home until September of 2008 so the wait is going to make us crazy.

Keep the post coming......

 

[dianeschlicht]

Thanks DisDaydreamer and wildernessDad, that is what I needed to hear. We will not make our first trip home until September of 2008 so the wait is going to make us crazy.

Keep the post coming......

Don't worry about it. We have owned DVC for more than 10 years, and our only regret in that time is that we didn't purchase 4 years earlier when we first heard of DVC. We missed the free passes by a couple of months. In the 10+ years of ownership, we have had more than 30 trips in all sizes of DVC units and at several of the DVC resorts. We have also done a World passport exchange to Hawaii, and that too went very smoothly. I can honestly say the only negatives we have seen with DVC is the recent reluctance of the front desks to uphold the rules published in our POS. I EXPECT housekeeping to be done on time, and I EXPECT the previous occupants to be removed on time, and I EXPECT my room not to have been smoked in. If anything is wrong, I EXPECT it to be rectified ASAP. So far, all has been fine.

 

[MichelleB]

We love our purchase and don't regret it. We own 200 HH pts, 140 VB pts, and currently 150 OKW pts. We're waiting to see if we pass ROFR for a 290 VWL contract. So, as you can see....we love DVC. Yes, some of us are disappointed/upset/frustrated (I will admit I'm one of them) with the new changes because it somewhat changes the plan we all bought into and love. However, we'll still love using our pts and making those lasting memories. I don't like the changes at all, but I'll figure out how to adapt (banking before 4 months out and not adding an extra day to our trips (we tend to travel toward the end of our use year) anymore along with not spending $95 to use my pts at a non-DVC WDW resort because I can always stay elsewhere or pay cash and will bank the pts for another trip that I would normally have used for those hotels and not doing the dining plan because it's just not beneficial at the price for our family of 5 with the new changes). I don't like the changes, BUT it won't stop me from using my pts and loving every minute of being there. It truly is a magical place and I don't regret for a minute buying every single contract I have.

 

[disney54us]

You made a great choice! We have been member's since 97, it is one of the best things we have ever done. My children, have great memories of family trips they have made through the years. Now that my Dad has passed they will always, have those memories of sharing special family vacation times. I have seen some changes as DVC has grown and have become concern if they are for the best. For now, Welcome Home and enjoy!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

You made a great choice! We have been member's since 97, it is one of the best things we have ever done. My children, have great memories of family trips they have made through the years. Now that my Dad has passed they will always, have those memories of sharing special family vacation times. I have seen some changes as DVC has grown and have become concern if they are for the best. For now, Welcome Home and enjoy!

The boards are a great resource of information, with which will help you when making ressies, restaraunt picks, event decisions. We must take the bad with the good. That said, I am new to owning at DVC and am excited that I now have years of vacations at a quality, family resort. The boards just keep it real, so don't get down. Thank these posters, otherwise you might never know!

 

[RosiePosie35]

Thanks dianeschlicht, MichelleB, disney54us, and BWV Dreamin for the positive posts. I love the DIS boards, it is where we get all information Disney from.

 

[Luv2trav]

I too felt the same way and was actually going to start a thread about all the positive things about DVC.

Just a couple weeks prior there were a bunch of positive thread such as the SMUG thread. It seems to go in waves...

 

[Sammie]

I will say this about our DVC membership. I am very pleased with it, when I arrive at the resort. I am very pleased with the DVC resorts, what they offer and the management of the actual resorts.

What I am not pleased with, is other part of owning DVC. That part "before" you arrive.

The increase in dues, the banking changes, the wait list changes, the $95 surcharge, the lack of a good problem solving mechanism etc., etc.

It will take you a while as a new member to decide whether any of those changes affect or bother you. As a new member since you have nothing in the past to compare to, they truly might not bother or even affect you.

 

[disney54us]

You will have many years of 'Magical Vacations'. So funny that I've been a member since 97 and found out about the boards on the Vacation Member Cruise, last Oct. This is the first time I ever went on and posted on a board. I'm glad it was to make someone feel good about what they just invested in. I can tell you my 9 year old has more then double amount of trips his years (whch would not be possible without DVC). The girls in the family do enjoy ABC Super Soap Week-end. DVC, has given us the chance to share with family and have many more trips then financially possible. Enjoy planning your first of many trips!

 

[disney54us]

And I meant would be possible on a regular basis without being a DVC member.

 

[Teyedoubleguhrrrr]

Rosie,

I am sorry that some of the recent threads have made you feel down.

My husband and I do not regret our DVC purchase at all - it is something we have wanted to do for a long time and are finally in a financial position that allows us to purchase. We are new, with our first trip planned in April of 08, but we do look forward to the other upcoming vacations we have "planned" - it is so much fun!

That being said - some of the changes that are being discussed on the boards are changes that have significant impact for some members. The banking changes are affecting some members, and there isn't much they can do about it. Many DVC'ers use points to stay at non-DVC resorts for an extra night, special trip, whatever - and the new fee is a big change. Please don't interpret our grumblings as writing off the whole program - we simply are discussing the impacts of these changes and venting. It also allows us to find out how we can let DVC know how we feel. This week there just seems to be a lot of changes coming along and we are a vocal bunch!

I hope we all enjoy our memberships for a very long time to come.

 

[tiggerguy2000]

Dvc is the best thing for my family to have.We bought our first at the Wilderness Lodge and it has been our favorite since we spend alot more vacations there then other resorts.When buying we wanted the Beach Club but they just started digging so we bought without ever going over to the Wilderness lodge.The following summer we bought into the beach Club so at that point we had 2 home resorts.When Saratoga Springs added 10 years to the contract we made the call again and we now have 3 home resorts.I have 500 points but with the Contemporary coming up I think I will take my points up to 750 with 250 at the Contemporary.We love going to Disney 2 or 3 times a year and just having fun without the pressure of having to go park power trip.Most of the times we just hang around the resort and enjoy being together.I only know one person that has the freedom that having a dvc ownership gives us.At any time we can make the call and we are relaxing Disney style.negative no way, POSITIVE OH YES.

TIGGERGUY

 

[Safari Queen]

Buying DVC was the best decision we ever made. We love the resorts, love feeling like we're "home" at our three home resorts. Our WDW vacations are so relaxed now and we take several vacations every year since the points are there. I just wish we'd done it sooner!

 

[disney54us]

Even though you are new to DVC, I am new to DISboards, how did you and the rest get all those pictures of your DVC home base etc., under what you send. Not great with computers, maybe I should ask the kids!

 

[Deb & Bill]

We now take regular vacations as a family. Before DVC we didn't. We have invited family and friends to go with us on several trips and had a great time. Never had anyone back out at the last minute (you read about those all the time). We have invited four of our nieces, my husband's parents, my mom, my husband's brother and his wife and kids, my husband's running buddy and his family. We've had lots of time for just the three of us. We've done Easter, Thanksgiving (3 times), Christmas (four times), New Years (twice), Marathon week (three times), Halloween (twice).

This is the first year in nine years when we haven't gone twice in a year (last year we did WDW twice and DL twice). Our son is a new freshman in HS and we're working on his studies. But we have a trip planned for next May/June.

 

[kimberh]

Space We needed Space when we traveled as a family. I just cannot stand being cramped in a tiny hotel room. I was renting 3 rooms for us at Deluxe resorts. This finally got my attention. Now, we can stay in a 2 bedroom villa, have a full kitchen, living room, 2 bathrooms, and breathe!! It has been wonderful. When it is the two of us, we get a studio. Now, with AKV's opening, I have a concierge booked, have you checked the points for that? I am just thrilled!! I think with the new banking rule, we will have to be very careful with planning, even more so than before. This does bother me, but...you are going to love AKV's, have you seen the new Artist drawings of the new pool? In 2009 this is our big family trip!

 

[Slowbee]

We just bought into the AKV last month... and we haven't regretted. We've gotten to use points for our December trip and just made reservations for a spur of the moment trip in October.

Remember, like with anything, there will be times that you get frustrated with not getting a reservation, rude people, etc... DVC is all about the end result, the vacations down to WDW (or where ever you decide to go). The road there will always be filled with pot holes, etc... but getting there is always the battle.

Don't let other people, stories you read, opinions given or anything else ruin anything you believe in or want.