DVC-worth it?

[Marijil]

We are considering DVC, but we like to go to all different resorts when we go to WDW is something that defeats the purpose? Any members have feedback....

By the way, when my wife an I honeymooned in WDW I think we took the DVC tour at OKW...I could swear that at that time (1992) the DVC offered admission as part of the deal...is this true...if so did the first members get this benefit grandfathered in? Just curious

 

[epcotisbest]

There is a lot of discussion both pro and con on these boards about DVC. If you would like some insight, let me know how to contact you via email and we can discuss it in depth. I don't care to get into the costs vs. value debate in a public forum.
Ricky

 

[Marijil]

Ricky-


Thanks, I will try to IM or email you, im anxious to get some input

 

[epcotisbest]

My email was hidden on my profile for some reason. It is now available if you wish to try emailing me again.
Ricky

 

[Marijil]

i just tried, you get it?

 

[Yellow Shoes]

As I recall, in the very early days of DVC, when OKW was your only choice, admission was included to "sweeten the deal". (I don't know if it was an AP, or length of stay passes for each trip)

As DVC became "easier" to sell, that benefit was dropped.

If you are a DVC owner, you still need to purchase park admission.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I belive the free tickets ended in 2000, and I think you had to stay in at least a one bedroom, maybe a two bedroom to get them.

We like getting annual passes and then getting a few trips in those 12 months, then take some time off. (since we have borrowed all our points from the next year anyway.)

We think DVC is a great deal. We get to stay in any WDW resort we want, but after staying in a DVC resort, you don't want a normal room. Even the stuidos are so much better then a normal room. You can use your points for other resorts, but is isn't as good of a deal for you points. However 3 of the DVC resorts are parts of Deluxe resorts at WDW. Also you do have flexablity for off prop DVC resorts (HH and VB) and to use your points for many other destinations and Disney Cruise Line,(but limits, exepctions and a 75$ fee applys.)

I am really happy we joined. Heres to the next 40 years of vacations. :sohappy:

 

[howie d]

DVC Worth It

The pass feature did end in 2000. It was proportional to the number of people in your party (i.e party of 4 = 2 passes). As far as staying at other Disney resort, I agree it uses up a lot of points and may not be worth it for a long trip. If you are planning a long stay, the DVC resorts are the way to go. You can cook your meals in your room if you want, which reduces the overall cost of the trip, so you can go more often (yeah!). We tend to have breakfast in the room, lunch is a mix depending on whether we go to the parks and dinner is the same way, a mix. It is also nice for the convenience of snacks and beverages (daiquiris). The rooms are quite spacious, which gives everyone a chance to relax. We have had between 5 & 8 people staying with us at various times, which we could not have done otherwise.
For a short stay, you could use the points to stay at other resorts, which provides a nice variety. In other words, it is worth it, in my opinion.

 

[dznyfan64]

Do you still have to do your own laundry (towels and sheets)? I'm the mom and the maid coming in to do those things is quite a treat for me. And thanks to WDWMagic for helping me to understand the tipping of the maids - I had never thought of it before.

 

[DisneyPhD]

DVC does not have normal daily maid service. You do get Trash and Towel (new towels and take out the trash) halfway through the trip. If you are there more then 7 days you get one full maid service (change bed, vacum, new towels, trash, restock ect...) half way through the trip and trash and towel also. If you want more towels you can grab more near the pool. I have noticed that if you need anything just ask Mouse Keeping and they are happy to help you. You can pay for daily maid service if you want. I belive it is 25$ a day. Not worth it for me. This is one way DVC saves $ and passes it on to members.

Personally I like not having maid service every day. With a young child we are often in the room in the afternoon and it is nice not to be interuprted. Also at home I don't get new sheets daily, unless something happens you we don't need new sheets and towels during the week. I am not 100% postive, but I would think if an accident ocurs that you need new sheets, mouse keeping would be happy to help you out. Only the 1 bedrooms and up have washer and dryers in the room, Studios have acess to washer and dryers (for free) near the pool or elsewere at the resort.

If you wash the towels and sheets daily, then you do really need a pampered vacation. Stay at GF every time, you deserve it! :lol:

 

[mikedvcmember]

hey i can help you with this it just happend to us last week. in our "fun" after watching the redsox win the alds at the espn club i spilled my drink on the bed and i just picked up the phone and hit mousekeeping button and within 15 mins someone was there to put new sheets on the bed at no cost to us. i agree dvc is well worth it if you like to go to disney offen and stay for days at a time it works great for me because my wife and i both love disney and would be there every day if we could afford it.