DVCNews Debates: Visit First?

[DVCNews]

A Disney Vacation Club purchase costs thousands of dollars--perhaps tens-of-thousands of dollars. *With so much money at stake, some believe that DVC points should never be purchased sight-unseen. *While many Disney resorts are similar, each may have its own unique theme, design, layout, amenities, floor plan, etc.*

Topic: *Did you visit your Home resort(s) before buying? *In retrospect, did you make the right decision?

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[keepermom]

We bought without ever seeing any of the DVC resorts. We did the tour with our kids July 2010 and they picked AKV out of the model rooms. Husband wanted BLT but we could get more points for the money at AKV, having older kids we didn't want to have to cram into a studio every trip, so we got all the information and went home to make a decision. Then while on a buisness trip to Orlando in January 2011 we made a stop by SSR and did the deal. Everything was final March 2011 and we made our first trip to our home resort September 2011. We had never layed eyes on the resort untill then and were very pleased with our decision, no regrets. Now in 25days we will be back staying at BWV for the first time.

[KNWVIKING 2.0]

We bought in 1997 when the only resorts were OKW and BWV. 1995 was our first visit to WDW. 1997 was our second and we were hooked. During that trip we stopped in at the preview center at BWV and bought OKW based on the points chart. We didn't even know where the OKW resort was. Our Guide (James Thomas or Thomas James) offered to drive us over there before we signed any papers but we declined as we we had FP for Sounds Dangerous over at MGM.

So yes, we bought sight unseen. Didn't actually see the resort until 1998 when we stayed there.

[RichGBC]

Wel, I saw BLT from the monorail first. I had always been in love with the Contemporary, so I knew this was the spot. They showed me the demo rooms of course, then I drooled over the website for a week or so, then called in and finished the deal.

[athenna]

Bought SSR over the phone site unseen! I dont regret it, I love it there. I just wish I could've afforded some BWV points, too. I still haven't been able to get any

[theoldgrump]

We purchased our first points at Saratoga back in 2005 .. and we were shown the unit during the sales visit .. It is that "tour of the unit" that sold us .. and we have purchased more points over the years -- again all at Saratoga and those points were purchased by telephone when DVC came out with some incentive programs ..
W have now stopped buying additional points because of the very high price... but we have enough to enjoy at least five weeks a year on property ..

[simbasmom]

Well, I visited-that is, walked around and went into the Iron Spike Room. Guy neither visited nor went on the sales tour-it was a solo trip. But we didn't really get a feel for the resort until we stayed and then also stayed at OKW the last night because as new members, we wanted to try all the resorts. It was the stay, not my visit, that convinced both of us that we'd chosen our home resort incorrectly. So we did buy/sell to own at OKW. For our next two add-ons (BCV and HHI) we stayed there before we bought. We learned that for us, at least, a stay before buying was really important.

[Fmporter]

I did the sales tour in April (2012) when staying at Caribbean Beach Resort. It took until May to decide to purchase and we purchased resale at SSR. Then, when planning out trips, we decided we needed more points and got a contract direct from Disney at AKV. We are going on our first DVC trip next month (AKV and VWL). We have two more planned (Jan and Mar). Have not seen the resorts except at a distance. No regrets as we plan on primarily going during the off season and haven't had a problem getting a variety of resorts. We aren't set on any one in particular.

[DisneyGeek]

I'm in with Rich regarding monorail (first in 2007 during early construction!) & loving the Contemporary. DW loved the idea of walking to MK. We toured, saw the models, and purchased in Oct. 2008 shortly aftter sales opened to the general public. E was wanting to stop staying @ values & after crunching the #s I decided we could jump to DVC for about the some long term price as modestly discounted moderates. We never stayed in a DVC resort pre-purchase, but I had stayed @ several Deluxes (including Contemporary) as a kid w/ my parents so I knew most resorts well & that I needed an annual Disney fix. E also liked the idea of a couch & other ammenities since she spends more time in the room than me. It has been a great choice for us & we are happy owners with multiple add-ons under our belt.

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[DisneyGeek]

Our Guide (James Thomas or Thomas James) offered to drive us over there before we signed any papers but we declined as we we had FP for Sounds Dangerous over at MGM.

Wait- FPs for SD? You've got to be kidding! Makes me skeptical of this whole site unseen post...

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