West Coasters: Are you members of DVC?

[forevercruising]

Hello, all!

We live on the West Coast and are considering buying into the DVC; however, we are somewhat hesitant because most of our vacations are to DL, not WDW.

So, if you live on the West Coast and have purchased DVC, we'd appreciate some information:

1. When and where did you purchase?

2. Have you used many of your points at DL?

3. If so, have you found it to be worthwhile?

4. Do you wish you would have waited until a DVC opens at DL? (If that ever happens...)

5. Would you recommend that we wait until a DVC opens at DL? We do plan on visiting WDW every three or four years, but, we'll visit DL probably every year.

6. Any regrets buying as a West Coaster?

Thanks, in advance, for your help! It is much appreciated!

 

[mello]

Let me see if I can answer some of your questions...

Hello, all!

We live on the West Coast and are considering buying into the DVC; however, we are somewhat hesitant because most of our vacations are to DL, not WDW.

So, if you live on the West Coast and have purchased DVC, we'd appreciate some information:

1. When and where did you purchase?

2. Have you used many of your points at DL?

3. If so, have you found it to be worthwhile?

4. Do you wish you would have waited until a DVC opens at DL? (If that ever happens...)

5. Would you recommend that we wait until a DVC opens at DL? We do plan on visiting WDW every three or four years, but, we'll visit DL probably every year.

6. Any regrets buying as a West Coaster?

Thanks, in advance, for your help! It is much appreciated!

1. We purchased at SSR in 2005.

2. Not yet

4. No. Who knows when/if it will happen? In the meantime we've enjoyed one trip home to SSR and will be enjoying another next year. We like both places, but there's just so much to do at WDW that we can see ourselves going there every couple years for extended vacations of say 2 weeks vs. every 3 or 4 years to DL for shorter trips of 4-5 days.

5. Well, it sounds like your scenario is different than ours, so it would be hard to say...

6. None so far.

I would like to have points at DL if they ever build one. I think DH is just as happy having all our points at WDW though.

 

[FLYNZ4]

We live in Portland OR and we almost never go to DL. We usually make one big trip to WDW each year.

/Jim

 

[La2kw]

1. When and where did you purchase?

OKW in '95

2. Have you used many of your points at DL?

We have used them at the Grand Californian twice, when we had to change a WDW trip and we had points in a holding account. We usually use them at WDW since we go every year. When the GCV open, we will use points there for special occasions.

3. If so, have you found it to be worthwhile?

Yes, the Grand Californian is a great resort.

4. Do you wish you would have waited until a DVC opens at DL? (If that ever happens...)

No. We go to WDW every year and use our points there. That's why we bought DVC. I can get very good hotel deals at the various hotels surrounding Disneyland, most within walking distance to Disneyland. We save our points for WDW.

5. Would you recommend that we wait until a DVC opens at DL? We do plan on visiting WDW every three or four years, but, we'll visit DL probably every year.

I wouldn't wait if you plan on visiting WDW every three years. You can bank and borrow points for those trips.

6. Any regrets buying as a West Coaster?

I wish I had bought more points when they were $72/point. I wish I had bought sooner when they were even cheaper than that.

 

[bwvBound]

We live on the West Coast and are considering buying into the DVC; however, we are somewhat hesitant because most of our vacations are to DL, not WDW.

1. When and where did you purchase?
We purchased in May 2004 at SSR. Our first evaluation of DVC was in 1998 when we declined to offer as we couldn't commit to personal "vacation" travel to Orlando every year. (Glad we waited.)

2. Have you used many of your points at DL?
None. All of our points have been used at DVC resorts at Disney World and Vero Beach.

3. If so, have you found it to be worthwhile?
N/A - haven't spent any points at DL.

4. Do you wish you would have waited until a DVC opens at DL?
Nope! We have Worldmark and other local timeshare for our West Coast travels. Our DVC points are used for a specific annual trip where we need BWV for a work related conference.

5. Would you recommend that we wait until a DVC opens at DL? We do plan on visiting WDW every three or four years, but, we'll visit DL probably every year.
I'd suggest you hold off ... and consider local options. Worldmark has one resort w/in walking distance of DL and another, larger resort in construction nearby. You aren't limited to only one timeshare ownership -- consider small holdings in several companies for maximum flexibility??

6. Any regrets buying as a West Coaster?
No regrets -- but our DVC purchase came almost 6 years after our first evaluation of the product. We own a mix of timeshare products -- each with a specific purpose. Our overall goal is to secure the best possible stay at the lowest rate (including purchase, dues, exchange fees, etc.).

In our mix, DVC sits towards the "high-end" of cost. We maximize our investment by owning fewer points than we typically use. Tricks to make this work:

• Bank the first year's points and chip away at the balance over several years.
• Trade in using a less expensive timeshare periodically. Again, bank the DVC points and keep going.
• Switch to a smaller unit one year.

DVC is a nice compliment to our other travel and leisure tools when used for DVC-resort stays.

 

[dwelty]

My biggest question is: Have you ever been to WDW? If the answer is no, I would visit before I would decide to only visit every 3 or 4 years. We are DL fans big time (I worked there in college, and we have annual passes). However, after our first trip to WDW and our stay at SSR, we have planned 3 trips a year. (I know this is more trips than most people take, but we are big Disney fans) We will probably use all of our current points at WDW. We will buy points at DLR when they become avaliable.

 

[mamatojon]

Here are my answers, I hope this helps you!

1. When and where did you purchase?
We purchased at SSR in 2005 while on our second trip to WDW.

2. Have you used many of your points at DL?
Not yet, but I will be for the first time next week.

3. If so, have you found it to be worthwhile?
I'll let you know next week!

4. Do you wish you would have waited until a DVC opens at DL? (If that ever happens...)
Nope. I love WDW, dare I say it even more than DL. I will definitely always make trips to DL, but they will more than likely be every 3 to 4 years whereas WDW is an every year thing.

5. Would you recommend that we wait until a DVC opens at DL? We do plan on visiting WDW every three or four years, but, we'll visit DL probably every year.
This is something you can only answer for yourself. I will say though that I initially thought the exact same thing as you before I visited WDW. Have you ever been to WDW? If not, I would maybe recommend renting points and trying it out in WDW, seeing what you think of the place (make it a long stay) before you make firm commitments to your traveling future.

6. Any regrets buying as a West Coaster?
None. At. All.

 

[ACDSNY]

1. When and where did you purchase?
Nov 2005 at SSR, 100 points through resale. After our trip to WDW we added another 120 points in Dec 2005.

2. Have you used many of your points at DL?
Yes, I've used some of our points at GC and DLH.

3. If so, have you found it to be worthwhile?
Yes, I don't like staying off site and it's been getting harder and harder to find good deals at GC or DLH.

4. Do you wish you would have waited until a DVC opens at DL? (If that ever happens...)
No, but if it happens I might sell 100 SSR points in order to purchase points at DL.

5. Would you recommend that we wait until a DVC opens at DL? We do plan on visiting WDW every three or four years, but, we'll visit DL probably every year.
No, maybe just purchase a smaller amount of points, so you can add on at DL.

6. Any regrets buying as a West Coaster?
We stayed on the fence as to whethter we could afford it for too many years all the while paying for rooms to Disney every year.

 

[homeboycartel]

1. When and where did you purchase?

DD at WDW in Feb 2007

2. Have you used many of your points at DL?

Yes

3. If so, have you found it to be worthwhile?

Absolutely, we are in the SCV and go 3-4 times per year. We have never been able to afford GC, but got it w/ a comp upgrade to Park View Concierge that would have been $600/night when we went.

4. Do you wish you would have waited until a DVC opens at DL? (If that ever happens...)

Heck/Hell No! By then, our 200 pts will be paid for and our children will be old enough for all the attractions to be able to go longer and more frequently to both places.

5. Would you recommend that we wait until a DVC opens at DL? We do plan on visiting WDW every three or four years, but, we'll visit DL probably every year.

IMHO, no the longer the wait, the more $$$. You can always rent your points in the interim or bank/borrow for a cruise (on the West Coast next year?) or adventure.

6. Any regrets buying as a West Coaster?

NO!

 

[pmcanelly]

WE are in Sacramento CA

Purchased DVC in 2005

we have ever used points at DL. There are SOOO many inexpensive hotels around DL that I never found the DL properties a good deal.

I would say no, but I don't mind hte Holiday Inn, if you will only stay in a resort this may be different for you.

Like many other have said we purchased knowing the DVC would become more expensive later on. so we are glad we didn't wait.

We also intend to be at WDW every 3-4 years, and are excited about the cruise coming west in 2008. AS a west oaster you will need to be VERY familiar with the DVC banking and borrowing system. We purchased the minimum points and bank/ borrow enough for our trip over the three years

my biggest regret is that Disney treats DL so poorly. I mean I get the space/land restrictions and cost, but that is little excuse for the shoddiness of the three resorts that they do have DL Hotel is nearly delapidated and as I said I've NEVER felt these resorts were anywhere near the value as the resorts at WDW. DL resorts don't offer the ammenities but charge the same prices as WDW...(stepping off my soap box now).

AS a few other have suggested I wold advise renting points out for your trip the WDW then decide.

 

[disneymom8589]

We're in Washington State and purchased DVC at SSR last August. We are taking our 1st trip using DVC points next month. We 1st looked into DVC in July 2005 while at DLR. Last summer we went on a land/sea cruise vacation and it was DH's 1st time at WDW. We were like you, many trips to DLR, but not WDW. He was impressed by the amount of things to do at WDW and a month after we got back from our trip, we became members.

I think we would use points at DLR and are definitely hoping they open a DVC there (see signature ).

We plan to go to WDW about twice a year. We bought annual passes since you get a $100 off as a DVC member.

The DIS boards are a great place to research this, as well as talking to a DVC guide and getting the DVC DVD. Prices are going up - soon!

 

[utahkennedys]

We aren't on the "coast" but I consider us West Coasters since I grew up in Boston! We live in Salt Lake City now. Anyhow, we LOVE DVC!

1. When and where did you purchase?
We purchased in June 2005. We bought resale through TTS at OKW.

2. Have you used many of your points at DL?
Yes, we just used that at the DLH a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it. It cost 19 points/night for a standard view room, and we were upgraded to a "view" room but since the waterfalls were drained, it wasn't a nice view at all, but oh well.

3. If so, have you found it to be worthwhile?
We were happy to use points at DL this year since it's a much quicker plane ride. The issue with the DL points as I understand it is that those can change at any time. They are lower now than when we joined, and they can go up, unlike at the DVC resorts. So, I wouldn't personally buy with a plan to use them at those hotels alone.

4. Do you wish you would have waited until a DVC opens at DL?
No, we love WDW and prefer it so much more over DL.

5. Would you recommend that we wait until a DVC opens at DL? We do plan on visiting WDW every three or four years, but, we'll visit DL probably every year.
If you aren't going to WDW every 2 years or so, I'd hold off.

6. Any regrets buying as a West Coaster?
No, since we go to WDW anyhow. DH hates flying with our youngest (dd 15 months) but as soon as she's a bit bigger, it won't be an issue. We are happy to have the option to use points at DLH too! We would go back even though it doesn't compare to an OKW 2BR!

 

[disneydenisel]

We love our DVC! Purchased BCV resale in Feb. 2006 after a fabulous trip (renting points) in November 2005. Our only regret is that we didn't buy sooner! We haven't used our points at DL, but we would like to because the prices are so high to pay cash for the GCH. I am trying to add on more points now!

Go for it!

 

[mikayla73]

I am not an official WCer (yet only a couple more weeks ) but we have only been to DL and were making all our trips there.

1. When and where did you purchase?
We purchased at DL in May 2006

2. Have you used many of your points at DL?
Yes, at the GCH

3. If so, have you found it to be worthwhile?
Yes. We may have stayed at the GCH at some point anyway, but I am not sure we ever would have stayed for 7 days there otherwise. It was very nice to get the bill at the end of our stay with a $0 balance due. (We don't charge things to our room although we could have.)

4. Do you wish you would have waited until a DVC opens at DL? (If that ever happens...)
No, We bought our points having never been to WDW, just knowing that we loved Disney. The display they have now wasn't even complete yet, so we essentially bought sight unseen. We bought the minimum points knowing that in a few years that we will want to add on, so hopefully by then a DL DVC will at least be in the works.

5. Would you recommend that we wait until a DVC opens at DL? We do plan on visiting WDW every three or four years, but, we'll visit DL probably every year.
While only you can make the final decision on what is best for you, knowing what I know now, and as long as you do plan to go to WDW, I would buy now before the price goes any higher. You can always buy the minimum and add on at DL later. You can use the points for stays at DL and WDW now. You could use the money you would be spending for those trips while waiting for tha announcement of a DVC at DL to help pay for the points. Our trip at the GCH in a standard room last week was 159 points from Sunday to Saturday. I am not sure if they still have it, but people buying at DL were getting AP vouchers too, even more saving for that first DVC trip.

6. Any regrets buying as a West Coaster?
I am not an official West Coaster yet, but I still say nope, no regrets.

Let us know what you decide and good luck with your decision.

 

[ScubaD]

My DW is Disneymom8589 (posted earlier) and I would like to add another reason for becoming DVC owners. That being the ability to use our points in over 500 resorts and hotels around the world. I forsee us using points when we visit Hawaii, as our airline we use (Alaska Air) now flys into Hawaii. It is more than just DL and WDW, it really is the world we have bought into.

 

[forevercruising]

I love all of the feedback -- Thank You!

You are all giving us food for thought and that's just what we need!

Keep 'em coming!!

 

[rsschneck]

1. When and where did you purchase?Initial purchase we went resale through the Timeshare store 11/02 and we have added on twice since then through DVC

2. Have you used many of your points at DL? We have used our points for DL 3 times. We love the Grand Californian and think the exchange is a good use of points.

3. If so, have you found it to be worthwhile? We love DL because it is small and we can go there for a few days. WDW we usually stay for a week or longer.

4. Do you wish you would have waited until a DVC opens at DL? (If that ever happens...)Nope. We love DL and WDW for different reasons.

5. Would you recommend that we wait until a DVC opens at DL? We do plan on visiting WDW every three or four years, but, we'll visit DL probably every year.Prices are just going to keep rising.

6. Any regrets buying as a West Coaster? Nope. We love our DVC. We use all our points for ourselves. We have used points for cruising, DL, the concierge collection and of course DVC.

Good luck with your decision

 

[ScubaD]

I also started a thread called "Why we joined DVC" in the DVC Misc. section. If you read through the responses there are many reasons people joined the DVC. Some are very touching. Hope this helps with your decision.

 

[MaeDisney]

1. When and where did you purchase?
- We purchased in 2005 while on our 1st trip to WDW. We fell in love with SSR the moment we saw it.

2. Have you used many of your points at DL?
- Yes. We used it at GCH in 2005, then at HK Disneyland in 2006. We're using it again at DLH next month. And then it would be our first time to use it at SSR in August before our cruise.

3. If so, have you found it to be worthwhile?
- Depends on how you look at it. They are your points to use, and you're the only one who can decide the best way to use them. BUT If you really want to compare the dollar-and-points ratio, I've read many posts here on the board where people disagree in doing this. However, for my family and I, we think of it as a "free" vacation because everytime we checked out, there was no cash outlay on our part for the hotel room, tax and other fees.

4. Do you wish you would have waited until a DVC opens at DL?
- not really.

6. Any regrets buying as a West Coaster?
- no regrets for us. Like I said, we've been enjoying our "free vacations" .

 

[juju]

Here is my input from Seattle

1. When and where did you purchase?
Purchased in 2000. We were told that because we lived in Washington and the laws at the time, we could only purchase while we were in Florida. I had been thinking about DVC, so made the decision to do so then and there after going on the tour. Our home resort is BWV

2. Have you used many of your points at DL?
Nope. We were at DL last weekend and stayed at Disneyland Hotel. I think my points are better used at WDW where the rooms include cooking amenities. However, I am considering using my points for a trip to Disneyland Paris which includes park passes and room

3. If so, have you found it to be worthwhile?
see above

4. Do you wish you would have waited until a DVC opens at DL? (If that ever happens...)
No way!

5. Would you recommend that we wait until a DVC opens at DL? We do plan on visiting WDW every three or four years, but, we'll visit DL probably every year.
Good question. We can often find an airfare to Orlando from Seattle for less than $250. Often it is cheaper to fly to Orlando than to LA from Seattle. We usually go to WDW 2 times a year and we always buy annual passes. To us, there is no comparison between WDW and DL, there is much more than just the parks at WDW. WDW feels like a resort, DL does not.

6. Any regrets buying as a West Coaster?
Yes, I wish I had purchased sooner! Seriously though, you can always trade for other resorts.