stayed DVC for the first time

xjuax

Earning My Ears
Joined
Apr 20, 2018
I've been thinking about buying into DVC for awhile now, I decided to test it out by renting points for a night (through Disboards of course) and it was worth it! Goodness it was such a nice room! We started with 4 nights at Pop Century and then went over to Animal Kingdom Lodge in a 1 BR, the difference was so drastic!

I've always been of the mindset a hotel room is just where I sleep; I think one night at AKL has changed my mind forever. It was so nice, and so much better than Pop! I mean, Pop is great, especially if you're going on a budget, but goodness, I can't speak highly enough.

The worst part is that I just want to buy in even more now.
 
Nice to hear that you liked the room and AKL. Note that there is a truism that applies to many DVC members, "Once you have stayed in a 1BR, you will never go back to a studio or single hotel room." When DVC started in the early 1990s at what is now known as Old Key West, the original intent and belief was that most purchasers would be those who wanted 1BRs and larger even though they may be traveling only as 4 and could stay in a studio. In fact, there was a minimum point purchase requirement of 210 points which was enough for a week or more in a 1BR much of the year and even for 6 nights in a 2BR five months of the year.

Much has changed since, and for many years in this century Disney's sale strategy has focused on selling to as many purchasers as possible only enough points needed to get studios. It even began allowing five in many studios and providing an extra sleeping space (a murphy bed) to accomodate those who could purchase only enough points for a studio but needed a room for five. Though that has led to some significant availability problems, particularly for studios, those who want the larger 1BR have, to a significant extent, benefitted from the strategy, in that 1BRs are often open at 7 months out when studios are not. Thus, if you like the 1BRs and intend to purchase enough points to be able to get one for your normal length of trip, you will generally find the reservation process quite a bit less stressful than many who are always competing for studios.
 
Back in the day, my husband's uncle gifted us the use of his points for a trip to WDW where he booked us a studio at BLT for 2 nights, then 3 nights at AKL Jambo in a 1bedroom. We were smitten immediately and in short order bought in at BLT. If we were to buy another contract we would likely go with AKLV.
 
yes, that first stay at DVC is an eye-opener - isn't it?

The same thing happened to us last year. I had been contemplating buying points for years and stayed at CCV last year in a 2 bedroom as a party of 7. It was really awesome and we loved being able to spread out, yet still be together and have dining spaces and a large balcony. So last year we bought enough for a studio stay for a week. After our first stay as members this year (2br again with a party of 6 this time), we were convinced we needed to be able to stay in a 2br once a year - or at minimum a 1br (if the kids aren't with us). Happy to say we bought an add-on to supplement the points we needed.

Good luck with your upcoming contract purchase! Sounds like it's in your future. ;-)
 



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