DVC "Truths"

[TheDailyMoo]

Planning the trip is more fun than going on the trip...

Well ok no the trips ae also super fun obviously but the planning of it, especially the website is a special kind of high.

 

[gmi3804]

What’s the difference between a “confession” and a “truth?” This thread is rather unnecessary. OP must love having their name on things.

 

[cheryl.UK]

We could make a ton of money on our DVC points but only because we bought at the right time, we are British and it's all down to the exchange rates. We bought 300 points at BLT when it first opened. The points were $110 but we got the typical $10 discount so $100. The exchange rate was £1 = $1.95 at that time. We bought outright, no finance. so they cost us $30,000 or £15,384. If we sold now the resale prices are between $145 and $170 but let's say $150. That would mean I get back $45,000. The exchange rate is now £1 = $1.27 so I'd get back £35,433. Minus my initial price would give me a profit of £20,049. Yes I've paid dues but hey, I've spent so much time at WDW since then which would have cost me far more than the dues

 

[BeachClub2014]

What’s the difference between a “confession” and a “truth?” This thread is rather unnecessary. OP must love having their name on things.

The difference is nuanced, George, a concept many have difficulty understanding, so I am happy to explain.

When one makes a "confession," the confessor is sharing something that they have, to that point, generally kept hidden or secret and are now acknowledging or admitting. Simply stated, "confessing" may have an air of negativity. Perhaps looking up the definition of "confession" would prove helpful in this regard. Whereas speaking one's truth is a positive affirmation of what one thinks, believes, or has experienced. So, as the OP, I have proudly shared some of my DVC "truths," which for others may not be true at all, or dare I say it, even a "confession. "

I appreciate your feedback. I won't debate whether this thread was "unnecessary," as you have suggested. "Necessary is a high threshold for determining whether a thread should be started in an open forum discussion board environment such as the DVC Forums on the Disboards.

To your last point, I would be remiss if I didn't highlight that only one of us uses a name in oversized and bolded font to sign each of their posts, and yet you suggest that I am the one who loves having their name on things. Interesting.

 

[Transferteck]

Before our DVC purchase we didn’t go on vacation very often. Now that we have “prepaid” for vacation we go 4-6 times per year. I never realized how wonderful the bubble was before.

 

[🍀TwinsMom]

Love and agree with all of these and enjoy discussing all the crazy aspects of DVC here in my safe space. LOL, where people don’t think I’m a crazy WDW spendthrift who needs to grow up.

Also, I am too lazy to investigate water resource filings and environmental impact reports and deeds filed, but MAN, you guys rock as super sleuths! I get so excited when you find out the dirt.

 

[BeachClub2014]

Love and agree with all of these and enjoy discussing all the crazy aspects of DVC here in my safe space. LOL, where people don’t think I’m a crazy WDW spendthrift who needs to grow up.

Also, I am too lazy to investigate water resource filings and environmental impact reports and deeds filed, but MAN, you guys rock as super sleuths! I get so excited when you find out the dirt.

Right!?! We've been DVC members for over twenty years, and I still learn new things here all the time.

I also find it fascinating how people "do" DVC and WDW so differently—no judgment from me. Do what works best for you and your family! I chuckle sometimes about how strident folks can be in trying to convince others that they aren't/haven't made the best DVC decisions for themselves.

IMHO, the natural attraction of DVC is that there is something and options for everyone.

 

[tidefan]

My DVC truth is this:

If you tend to drive to WDW vs. fly, you could have a very different perspective on what works the best.

Also, I'll throw in that since the renovations in 2019-2020, the rooms at SSR are about as nice as any on property.

 

[smileyanna]

My truths and confessions:
- DVC is a toy (and Disboards are my hobby board). I love both!
- By definition, DVC is about time and value. You don't have to care about the time value of money (see prior bullet), but you bought a product that required an upfront fee that will provide fixed benefits over time.
- 1 bedrooms are better than studios, direct member benefits are better than resale member benefits, more points are better than less... and I survive ok with the inferior options.
- Swolphin is awesome. (we are a studio family, after all!)

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

DVC has created family ties that supported us during done dark family times. There’s always WDW.
DVC changes your perception of every other accommodation.
DVC has been a no regrets purchase since 2005.

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

My truth is that we were able to buy in to DVC because of a windfall when our kids were very young. Most people I know could not then (or now) do that. We feel very fortunate and while everyone knows me as a Disney person, we don't talk a lot about our trips. So I come here for my discussion fix.

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

DVC has created family ties that supported us during done dark family times. There’s always WDW.
DVC changes your perception of every other accommodation.
DVC has been a no regrets purchase since 2005.

We went to a wedding once directly after a Disney trip and the (nice) hotel was so disappointing. Service, stains on carpet, etc. I lost track of how many times we said "I miss Disney." Lol

 

[R2Daddy]

• Beach Club pool is great for littles, but otherwise I’m just as happy at Riviera (if not more with the cabana chairs).
• It takes staying at Riviera before truly appreciating it. So much negativity from people who “took the skyliner over and walked around”. Nothing better than coming back to a calm relaxing resort like RIV after a long hot day at the parks waiting in lines.
• I hate walking what feels like 1/4 mile to get food at the resort. “Sprawling” is always touted as a benefit for some resorts. I’m thankful RIV is just an elevator ride away in most cases.
• For us, DVC will save us money in the long term. RIV resale at $110pp, which we love RIV and are perfectly fine staying there exclusively. We plan to sell the contract in 20 years. It will still have meat left on the bone for the next buyer so we don’t anticipate resale price to tank, especially since we bought in so low already. Factoring in reselling the contract, we’ll save thousands per trip compared to paying cash (even at the 30% off discounts).
• People walking around Yacht Club seemed super pretentious. Maybe it was just when we were there, maybe we were reading the room wrong, but that’s just how we felt. Instantly felt uncomfortable. YC felt like old money where RIV feels like quiet money, but honestly RIV doesn’t give us an uncomfortable feeling (and it’s a fancier resort).

 

[Leight19]

We could make a ton of money on our DVC points but only because we bought at the right time, we are British and it's all down to the exchange rates. We bought 300 points at BLT when it first opened. The points were $110 but we got the typical $10 discount so $100. The exchange rate was £1 = $1.95 at that time. We bought outright, no finance. so they cost us $30,000 or £15,384. If we sold now the resale prices are between $145 and $170 but let's say $150. That would mean I get back $45,000. The exchange rate is now £1 = $1.27 so I'd get back £35,433. Minus my initial price would give me a profit of £20,049. Yes I've paid dues but hey, I've spent so much time at WDW since then which would have cost me far more than the dues

The one thing I have to disagree with here is the resale price. Looking at resale price it looks like average sales price for blt is $135 in September and that is actually up from most of year where it was $130 to $133. 300 pts is decent size contract to so I’d guess no small contract premium so assuming you got that $133 you’re walking away with ~120 after commission. Add in fees you paid for closing when buying and the numbers come much closer with the main advantage you’ve had being the exchange rates favorably impacting your specific situation.

 

[MagicalDaze]

The truth is DVC isn't right for most people but it's the only right choice for others (like me!). I love that there's a place where my family can get away from the heaviness of the world and just spend time together inside a magical bubble. That really and truly never gets old for us. And sure, we could go to WDW without DVC but being members has made it even more special. I'm not one to say it out loud but it actually does feel like "home" because it's a place that holds so many treasured family memories and so many more that I know we'll make in the future.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

I love that there's a place where my family can get away from the heaviness of the world and just spend time together inside a magical bubble.

Honestly this is probably the main reason to go. There are nicer resorts in the world. Prettier destinations. Better rides and thrills. I mean how exhilarating is riding Small World or getting a mickey pretzel for the thousandth time. But that intangible feeling you get being in the bubble...yeah that's worth a ton of money.

 

[CraigInPA]

• People walking around Yacht Club seemed super pretentious. Maybe it was just when we were there, maybe we were reading the room wrong, but that’s just how we felt. Instantly felt uncomfortable. YC felt like old money where RIV feels like quiet money, but honestly RIV doesn’t give us an uncomfortable feeling (and it’s a fancier resort).

I always found the people at the Grand Floridian a bit snooty, but maybe that's because the average non-DVC guest age seems to be around 75.

Yacht Club tends to get a lot of convention goers, who are very self important poseurs.

 

[tom1944]

I always found the people at the Grand Floridian a bit snooty, but maybe that's because the average non-DVC guest age seems to be around 75.

Yacht Club tends to get a lot of convention goers, who are very self important poseurs.

If you ever see me at any of the resorts, you will probably think Disney started renting to the homeless.

 

[MonaMN]

If you tend to drive to WDW vs. fly, you could have a very different perspective on what works the best.

This. Other than staying in nicer rooms, we don't vacation all that much differently than pre-DVC simply because when you come from Minnesota, it's not easy... so we don't do APs or impromptu trips. Usually still just our annual or every other year trips. So compared to many, we're not spending a lot more than we might otherwise since we used to stay on property at moderate resorts - those rates have skyrocketed in the last few years.

 

[MICKIMINI]

This. Other than staying in nicer rooms, we don't vacation all that much differently than pre-DVC simply because when you come from Minnesota, it's not easy... so we don't do APs or impromptu trips. Usually still just our annual or every other year trips. So compared to many, we're not spending a lot more than we might otherwise since we used to stay on property at moderate resorts - those rates have skyrocketed in the last few years.

Moderates are crazy! A studio without a kitchenette for $400 vs 20 points @ $10 MF's = $200. DVC looks better all the time!