OK, who here owns DVC?

[Tagrel]

OK, DVCer's its check in time! Where does everyone call home and, when did you join? How about sharing your opinion of your DVC membership? :D

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I'll start:

We own at VWL and BCV since 2001.

We talked about joining for many years before we finally did it, and could not be happier! The rooms spoil you for everything else, and it makes visiting WDW so much more enjoyable as a family vacation! The pressure to 'do it all' is off, and we finally get to really enjoy all that the Disney resorts have to offer! We only have that age old regret... That we didn't join SOONER! :mrgreen:

[Esmerelda]

My home is Boardwalk Villa's. I joined in 2001. I do like the activities that they have for the kids, but it has not been the best decision for me.

I get no paid vacation, so we usually take long weekend trips, and DVC charges so much for weekend nights, we haven't used ours much. Also, with a chaotic life, it is very hard for me to make reservations way in advance. Typically at least 1/2 of our vacations are spur of the moment with less than two months notice.

I think the units are spacious, I love the full kitchens and washer/dryer's that they have in the one and two bedroom units, and hope to make it to Vero Beach one day. While financially, it was not a good choice for our family, I do think it is probably a great idea for other people.

[Goofygirl]

We joined DVC in 1993, after my husband had taken a tour the year before (he went alone b/c we had a small child with us, who did not understand any English). He talked about it all year, dreaming about buying points to convince me that we "must" go to WDW frequently. I wasn´t a big Disney fan that time and refused to buy a timeshare, that made me go to the same place every year. (or at least every other year,........ I know there are other places to trade, but that was never an option for us-besides DCL) )
Then, on our next trip we both took the tour, and I fell in love with OKW. We bought our first points and from that point on my WDW love grew and grew. We added on several times since then and now own at OKW, Vero Beach, Boardwalk Villas and Beach Club Villas. (but my heart belongs to OKW)
I think DVC is one of our best choices concerning travelling, it´s expensive, but for us it´s worth it!!!!!
And the flexibility is great, we´ve done long family vacations, short trips without kids, two cruises, and if we won´t be able to use our points for a trip to the US for any reason, we still can use them at a lot of places here in Europe.

[Connears]

I'm a very happy member since 1994, home resort OKW(it was DVC back then) and just recently added on points at HHI. I'll be trying BCV this June for the first time. Can't wait for SAB, loved to pool hop there, way back when we could! Love reading Tagrel's reports in the past. I'll fill you in on my trip when I return.
Connears :D

[DVCByResale]

Hi Everyone!

I'm so excited this is my first official post (aside from my hello on the welcome board) and how appropriate....

I bought a 150 point HH resale back in 1998 and just added points at OKW and BW.
I have been handling DVC resales since 1997 - so,you could say I LOVE DVC. I've visited all the properties except HH, have used the Concierge Collection and used my points for the Disney Cruise (including the S.S. Member Cruise)! I think it is one of the best things I could have ever done for myself - even though I live in Orlando, I can spend the weekend at DVC and feel like I'm in a whole different world....and what better world?

One of the best perks about DVC has been the extended family...I've met SO many great people thanks to the DVC get togethers.

All the best,
Shontell

[BethK]

:D We started out early on with OKW,then BWV and finally VWL.
I do admit I love OKW,altho VWL felt great,too.
BWVs are nice and close to EPCOT.
We have reservations at Vero Beach this summer for a short stay.
We love DVC and get a lot of trips that we otherwise wouldn't make without it!
DVC has been gret for us and we stay in studios when there is just the two of us.

[Brer]

I bought in Jan 2000 at BWV, I have stayed at BWV,BCV and Vero so far and have a short stay at OKW for June. I agree with Sus, the spur of the moment trips that I enjoy are a little more difficult with DVC and BCV showers ARE AWFUL....;)

[roodad]

We initially bought at BWV in December 1998 and I added points there in 2002. We have stayed at BWV, VWL, and OKW using our points. Each of these locations has its advantages, but BWV is my favorite due to location. I haven't stayed at BCV yet, and that could nudge BWV out of first place for me - same location and a better pool.
For us, membership has meant staying in somewhat better accomodations than we might otherwise use and the ability to whip up a little smackeral when the urge hits.
:mickey:

[JeanC]

It's great to see fellow DVC members -- especially to hear from Connears again. We share a love for HH (as well as the other DVC resorts). We joined OKW in 1994 by mail. After doing the tour we were really impressed but thought that with grown children, we were too old to buy in. Then the more we thought about it, we decided it would be great to own when we retired (not yet!) -- we would have lots of time and not that much money to spend on vacations. We bought points at VB before it even opened (about 5 years ago??) and then we bought in at HH which is such a different resort and one that we love. We have stayed at OKW, VB, HH, BWV, WLV and will be staying at BCV for the first time in about 16 days -- really looking forward to that stay with SAB & Beaches & Cream! We have also done 4-day & 7-day cruises on DCL. Best of all, we now have a grandson who has been to HH (age 1)and WDW (age 3) and it is just great to bring up another Disney fan. When he was 2, my daughter asked him if he knew what grandma's first name was, and he replied "Disney". I love the fact that my children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy DVC even when grandma and grandpa are gone -- it will be our legacy. Better stop now -- this is too long!

[dvcreg]

We joined on 12/1/91, before anything was open. :D We took the Disney Vacation Club tour and absolutely fell in love with the resort which is now OKW.

In 2001 we added on at VWL, and we tacked on a few more points to that resort during the Member Cruise.

It's been great, especially now that our three kids are in the "tuition" stage. There's no way that we could afford to pay cash for the same accommodations. The monthly maintenance fee is minimal compared to the type of vacation it provides.

We only recently started to branch out a bit. We used our points to stay at the Plaza in NY and for the Member Cruise. Otherwise, we love staying "home." :D

[Brer]

It's great to be reminded ofall the other reasons I bought in....Even if I can't afford a vacation when I retire...but Ii can go to Disney...thanks friends

[DisneyPam]

I've been a member since 2001 and my home resort is VWL. I love the coziness of VWL, the size and value of OKW and the location of BCV/BWV. I bought before I moved but even living in Orlando, DVC is great. I get awesome escapes just minutes from home. Its also great when family visits. My sisters love having deluxe accommodations on property for so much less than normal prices.

I'm spending my b-day at OKW next weekend as a treat to myself. (Who wants to join me at Jellyrolls?) Also hoping to try VB one of these days but I have to wait for a replenishment of points since my sister's visit in Jan. ate up this use year.

[tigsmom]

Well we should have bought in 1995 but didn't until Dec 2000. We call VWL home. We have used our points to stay there and AKL concierge last Easter. We are going in Aug and staying at BWV.
We just love it! Good friends of ours purchased right after we did because of us and they are traveling as well this Aug so it should be fun for our kids. Even though we don't spend a lot of time in the room, the extra space with 2 growing boys makes the difference.
tigsmom

[Nightbird]

Hi Guys:

Well we bought 150 pts at WLV in October, 2002. Our first trip home is not until June 5. I went down in March with my girlfriend to watch her DD in a cheerleading competition and stayed at ASSp. That was different, but fun.

I have become obsessed with the point system (banking, borrowing, studio vs. 1-bdrm etc). I feel like I have learned a new language. I love the feeling of owning a piece of the mouse.

We paid cash and put the whole shmeeolly on our Am Ex card (in 2 halves). We racked up enough membership miles points that I popped into my Delta Skymiles and now we have air tickets! If there is an angle I will find it.

Hope to find out lots of tips here from all of you experts!

Later,
Nightbird

[PaulF]

As the signature shows, we bought in to the Boardwalk in Dec of 98, while on our honeymoon. It was a complete impulse buy, we weren't really ready to handle it financially, but haven't regretted it for a second. We will definitely add on someday, after our initial points are paid off, and when we can buy the add on with cash. :wink:

[NICU rn]

Hi! I see this thread was started a long time ago but I just recently found this site. Anyway, I am a DVC member since 1995. I own at OKW and bought when they gave free park tickets till the year 2000 as an incentive to buy!! Wish I still had them! My husband and I have absolutely no regrets about buying into DCV. We just came back from the Disney cruise (May 10-17) that we booked using points. (I know....there is always a big debate on that issue). We could not have afforded it if we didn't use points. It worked great for us and there are no regrets. We love OKW! Glad to see some fellow DVC'rs around! :D

[JeanC]

Hi NICUrn -- I recognize you from RC and I'm glad that you found this site. We bought into OKW in 1994 and got to use those free tickets for a year longer than you did. That was sure a great deal -- we were hoping that we would get some kind of discount on tickets after 2000, but no such luck. We have also used points for the Disney cruise. First time, we did a 4 day cruise with one of us on points and one paid cash. The next time we cruised with DCL, there was a great special on the 7 day Eastern Carribean cruise, and we both went on points. I think it only cost us about 129 points each for a verandah cabin. We were hoping for another great deal when the Western Carribean cruise started up, but no luck with that, either. Good to see you here!

[Joe]

Hey there NICU RN, great to see you here too! :lol: I had forgotten you were also a DVCer. Look forward to hearing from you often.

[SusanL]

Hi
I own DVC, my home resort is BWV. I bought in 2000.
SusanL

[Timon]

We just bought 160 points last month. Our home is BCV and December starts our use year.

[Tagrel]

We just bought 160 points last month. Our home is BCV and December starts our use year.

:mickey: Welcome Home!! :mickey:

I'll bet you are really excited about becoming new members! Do you have your first trip home planned yet? :D

[John]

My Story: Get out those Hankies folks :cry:

I made a trip to WDW in September of 1994.

Well, low and behold I see this ad about owning a piece of the magic. I stopped by the info room at MK, and signed up for a tour. I came home with 270 points at OKW....

Fast Forward: 4 years later or so...I am tired of Disneyworld. :shock: I find Shontells place at the time and sell my DVC. Christmas the same year I buy a package for a trip. YIKES!! Realizing the expense of packages vs the expense of DVC, I hurry over to BW and buy 230 points, quicky at 50, then soon after add 50. I now have 330 points at BWV. Maybe someday I will stay there.

Next Trip is coming up...I have exchanged to Paris twice, Vienna, and Branson.

John

[AliciaG]

Welcome, John! It's great to see you here. :D I'm excited for you to share your DVC knowledge. I'm particularly interested in how the exchanges work for you. I don't think I can talk my John into WDW every year. I think I made a lot of progress with letting him read more about HH and Vero though. :wink:

[mikmin]

:minnie: We bought into the Boardwalk Villas in 1998 and we just love it.
After visiting the world since it opened :tink: in the spring and the week after Thanksgiving :mickeyXmas: our favorate time to go home. Looking forward to our next Dec. trip home. :mickeyXmas: :mickeyXmas:

[Tagrel]

A big wave to John and Mikmin! :theWave:

Its great to see more and more DVC members drop in! :D

Welcome!

[Mayor]

WOW...owning DVC is great. We just bought in and I feel like a kid on Christmas morning. Then I find this great site with a forum topic on DVC. Well, I may not post a lot, but I'll sure be reading everyone else's post. As stated elsewhere, the only regret is not doing it sooner.

Bob Riley

[AliciaG]

Welcome to Sharing Disney Magic, rriley25! :D There are a great bunch of DVC owners here, and I'm hoping to become one of them real soon. I'm headed down mid-July to tour BWV and decide if there or BCV is where we should buy.

Have you made your first trip home yet? If not, I bet you are awaiting it with great expectation. :D

I hope you enjoy yourself here, and feel free to post often.

[Mayor]

Hi Alicia. No, we haven't made our first trip yet, but I can't wait to experience the one-bedroom. I can stay up late while the little one nods off early. I can wake up early, catch the news and a cup of coffee without worrying about waking the queen of the house. Maybe we can even share this experience with other friends and family as well. I see your next trip is just days away and I know the excitement you're feeling.

Bob Riley

[sandar]

the queen of the house

rriley25,

I know you're kind of new here but reading this line made me certain that you're going to fit in just fine! Can you please have a talk with my dh about the proper title for referring to a loving and patient wife? :shock:

As for the 1-bedroom villas, we stayed in one at the Wilderness Lodge Villas last summer (just a straight reservation, we don't own dvc). We enjoyed the extra space, for sure. One of our favorite things -- and I know how pathetic this is -- was the washer/dryer combo right in the room. Very convenient! Having a full kitchen was a bonus, especially for brewing my own java. And the jacuzzi was wonderful.

I think you're going to be very happy. :D

Sandi

[Mayor]

Hi Sandi. Thanks. As they say, I know which side my bread is buttered on. :wink:

Bob Riley

[John]

Sandi,
I am ROFL. Why you may ask...Well, the clincher for me with the one and two bedroom units is, well, The Washer and Dryer. I love it. Able to pack lighter, and take home clothes ready to put away. Just something about that :lol:

John

[Pockets]

Hi all,
We bought at OKW in 1995. Since then we have added on points also at OKW (once through Disney and once through resale). Like several others DH and I thought that this would be a good way to ensure we would be able to take vacations when we retire in a few years. Our account(who does not recommend timeshares for his clients) agreed with us that DVC was a good value because of the Disney connection. We love OKW and think it is the best deal for our family.

Pockets