Why did you join?

[dvcreg]

With a family of five, DVC was the perfect fit.

Previously, our only onsite choices were the deluxe resorts or the Villas (Now Disney Institute, soon to be Saratoga.)

We joined 11 years ago, and it's been great. One unexpected bonus, with everyone having their own bed I no longer have to hear "Mommmm.....she's taking all the blankets!!" :D :D

What motivated you?

[Tagrel]

With a family of five, DVC was the perfect fit.

Now, you always get a Studio, right Regina? :twisted:

JUST Kidding!!! (DVC insider joke!)

After three trips in four years it was obvious we were hooked. I started working on DW on the first trip after seeing OKW as we were returning to the Disney Institute on the bus. It is such a beautiful resort.

Started looking into it, but it was a couple more years before we could afford it. I always loved the looks of the WL, but we also loved the YC/BC. So we ended up buying points at both. We stay two weeks, and split up our time between the two. I just wanted to own a piece of the magic, but DW was sold on those one bedroom units. The luxury is wonderful and makes the vacation even more enjoyable.

Not a single regret (well, other than the standard - "Why didn't we do this sooner!"

[dvcreg]

Now, you always get a Studio, right Regina?

:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

And I thought that you wanted to keep this a friendly site. Do I have to put on my kevlar vest? :wink:

[TwirlerGirl]

We joined in '97 during our stay at an off site hotel. We couldn't get on site accommodations within our budget, loved WDW but never wanted to stay off site again. Our hotel was nice but nothing special in the DD area. Busses to the parks were slow and not often enough. They serviced several hotels and were always full. I had been reading about DVC in the guidebook by Rita while preparing for that trip. I started checking various web sites for more info before we left. It was a spreadsheet analysis that convinced me money wise that it would be a good purchase.

DH would be the hard sell. I started slowly mentioning the information I had read in Rita's book and on the net. I fussed a little about the hotel room and mentioned we needed to book our vacations sooner to get better accommodations; that 2 months out was never enough time to plan a vacation. DH liked last minute, were should we go adventures. LOL Some worked but many were just so, so. I waited until the magic of WDW had touched his heart and he became a kid again. That took about 3 hrs in MK. I started dropping hints about wanting to see OKW and the BWV's. When he responded that he would like to see them, I closed in for the selling job of my life. I hit hard with the fact our youngest son was at college and family vacations would be a thing of the past. I pulled the ""it wouldn't be long until our oldest decides to get married and it be wonderful to be able to share WDW with our future DGK (grandkids)". By day 2 we had made an appointment to see the villas. No incentives were given at that time. None! No tickets, No Magical Beginnings, no merchandise. Our guide was a very young man, barely out of college and all business. Our appointment was at 11 AM but was closer to 11:30 Am before we started. We were filling out paper work at 1:30 PM. My husband mentioned we was starving and needed lunch. Our guide came up with vouchers to Olivia's while we finished the transactions. So we got a free lunch out of it and many years of great vacations. Now you would think it was his idea to look into DVC. He's still tell anyone who mentions WDW vacations about it and what a great purchase we made. 10 DVC vacations later we know we made the right choice.

TwirlerGirl

[JeanC]

We took our first trip to WDW in 1972 -- stayed offsite and were totally impressed when we rode the "outsiders" monorail thru the Contemp and past the Poly. Next time we went back, we stayed at the Poly (had to stay onsite after catching the Magic our first trip!). We lived in Illinois and flew to Disney about every other year -- usually at crowded Easter time! When we moved to NC 16 years ago, one of the best things was that we could now drive to WDW in a day and we went more frequently. Ignored the DVC advertising -- didn't want a timeshare -- but took the OKW tour in 1994 and we were hooked. Thought we were too old to join (since the kids were grown by then). Ended up joining by mail after we considered the fact that when we got old enuf to retire, we would have lots of time, but less money to spend -- and that the hotel rates would keep going up -- and that our children and grandchildren would benefit. Joined in 1994 and have been delighted ever since. It's fun to try out every new resort as it opens. And it has been great to see our grandchild experience the wonder of Disney! Owners at OKW, VB & HH.

[DisneyPam]

For me, it was wanting something more than an All Star. Not that there is anything wrong with the All Stars - I love 'em, but I was going 3-4 times/year, staying on property about 1/2 of those times and the All Stars were starting to wear on me. At the time, the cheapest price was about $85 (including taxes) for the values and about $105 (inc. tax) for the moderates. As someone who primarily visits the World solo, a studio gives me a larger, more nicely appointed room in a resort with more amenities than a comparably priced room at one of the moderate resorts. Of course, 2 months later, I found myself living in Orlando. Who knew. But now that I live here, its great for a local escape weekend or a place for my sisters' families when they come to visit. In fact, I need to call MS to see about getting a studio for my birthday. :D 8)

[Brer]

Actually it was pretty simple, I knew that Disney would be a part of my life for as long as I lived. I knew that I would want to visit at least ever other year and in the off year I would be very happy seeing the beach at vero or going to Hilton Head. That was 3 years ago and I haven't missed Disney yet and have managed to work Vero in once also. I will be so broke from trips that when i retire that this will be the only way I get to go on vacation .... :wink: