Hello from Seattle Suburb

Hello and welcome to the DVC Fan Forums! You have come to the right place to find crazy DVC people like myself to push you into buying a contract. We will be a terrible influence for you. Enjoy your research. Oh and hurry up and buy!

Welcome @DisneyMom, from a fellow suburban Seattle family! Like you, never saw this DVC turn of events coming but this group’s enthusiasm is infectious. Husband grew up doing Disneyland, I got to once in college years. Recent trip to WDW for 5 days was supposed to be our one and done. Now with two trips more under our belts, we’re addicted to DVC, and have an elaborate spread sheet of planning for points! Can’t wait to get back to Orlando and stay DVC for the first time ever next month. Take the leap and don’t look back! Nothing but good people and good times ahead!

Thank you @starsaber25 and please be a terrible influence =). @Paws4trts NW did you end up buying direct or resale for your first contract? Also, with living out in the PNW I know our travels look a little different compared to those who live close by. If I can pick you brain and feel free to answer all or none of the following questions. Were the Disneyland Villas and Grand CA a consideration in your DVC purchase? How many points did you feel you needed to start off with?

CA not a real consideration for us because we really benefit from the bubble effect in Orlando. Have some challenges moving around in Anaheim city vibe with our adult son on the spectrum. First ‘one and done’ trip to Orlando showed us some added resort relaxation was possible for all 3 of us (husband, son, and I) and we were hooked! First DVC contract Boardwalk resale for 210 to get us a start on that 2 wk stretch. Thought was it would have to be every other year. Then purchased 160 resale, again at Boardwalk to get to an annual trip.

You are absolutely right that travel looks different from out here. Priority for us was home resort booking window at 11 months. Had to get us in at where we want to be. Airfare early is cheaper than airfare late in this game! Same mind set led to adding resale at VGF and BLT once we learned we LOVED MVMCP. Addonitis is a real thing!

ok all good points. I would be leaning into Poly but we shall see when the time comes.

Hi @DisneyMom Another Fellow Suburban Seattleite here. We have been members since the kids were small, way back in 1996. Bought at Boardwalk and never looked back. We now own at 3 WDW resorts and the 2 in California. We are also an anomaly since we bought all our points direct when they were running different incentives. Resale can be very much cheaper, but direct worked for us.

As the old advice states. Stay where you love and buy where you stay.

For us it was Boardwalk. At that time it was Boardwalk or Old Key West. We were staying at boardwalk for a work conference and fell in love with the area. Walk to 2 parks, or take the boat. And the point chart was pretty great.

Since then we added on at:

Bay Lake Tower. Under themed, but a great oasis of calm. Easy walk to MK and great dining at Contemporary or other Monorail resorts. We watch the fireworks from the room. Did you know they broadcast the fireworks soundtrack on the TV?

Animal Kingdom Lodge. Gotta be my favorite. We prefer Jambo. Great Lobby, Easy point chart and very relaxing to just sit and watch the savanna animals. My grandkids did the bead activity and loved it. They even gave up a park day to just do the activities in the lobbies

Since we are West Coast, decided to add on in California.

Grand Californian. This is our favorite. Grand Lobby, Spacious Rooms, easy park access. Same architect designed the Grand Californian, Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House, and Wilderness Lodge. THe last of the grand Disney hotels in my opinion.

Villas at Disneyland Hotel. Nice Bright and new. But be warned, you do have to pay an Anaheim City Tax when you stay. The Dreaded TOT. Can be a long walk to the parks, especially at the end of the day.

So on a WDW trip My suggestion is do some resort hopping. Go and Look at the lobbies. Have a coffee or something at the Quick Serve eatery and scope out the vibe. You can take tours on YouTube, but nothing beats going there. Talk to Cast Members and get a sense of the place. Then look at the points chart. How many points to stay for 1 week, 2 weeks, in a Studio, 1 or 2 bedroom at the time you would normally go.

We have never regretted a DVC purchase. Just remember it is not an investment as in real estate. It is an investment in future vacations.

Good Luck! Let us know what you decide.