Paul Krieger
Amy and I are new Orlando, Florida residents where we live with our dogs Odie the greyhound and Hermès the Spanish galgo. We are DVC owners at Animal Kingdom Lodge, BoardWalk Villas, Grand Californian, Grand Floridian, and Polynesian, Disney World Annual Passholders, and love educating Disney Vacation Club members on how to both use and maximize the value of their DVC points!
We had the opportunity to book Boardwalk villas for cash.
It was our first on property hotel stay. Absolutely loved the proximity to Epcot for food and wine.
Of course we got the in room advertising I to buy DVC but when we inquired about a Boardwalk contract there were none available through Disney. So remembering the DIS recommending “the timeshare store” we contacted them to find a Boardwalk contract.
We started visiting WDW regularly (every year, every other year) in 2006 and staying at the Polynesian. I remember seeing the DVC posters but my wife always resisted — wanting more flexibility in where she vacationed (not just WDW but where on property). As the years passed, Disney became the preferred vacation including DCL.
In 2014 two things happened: I went to a DVC presentation while on a DCL cruise (mainly for the free drinks and swag) and VGF was being sold. Finally I had both the DVC location and economic reason to convince the boss the buy in. Our first stay was in a 2 bedroom standard view villa at VGF. That first stay convinced us that we had made the right choice.
We have since added a second VGF contract (once you have stayed in a 2 bedroom villa you cannot go back) and contracts at BLT and BCV. We now visit WDW twice a year and invite our extended family.
Let’s see. I bought my initial contract in April of 1992. DVC was just getting started and I stuck my toe into the water, and have not looked back. I now have 400 points, all at Key West, and do not regret it one bit. I’ve seen lots of changes over the years, both good and bad. Mostly for the good. I often talk to people about DVC when I’m staying o property, but always let them know that the deals in 1992 in no way are comparable to what is offered today..And while it’s a little tough getting into the better resorts, we have stayed at Key West, Saratoga, Boardwalk, Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom, and the Polynesian.I did book a room with Theme park view at Bay Lake, bur had to cancel because of conflicts.So that leaves the Grand Floridian, Riviera, and the Yacht Club.My wife love Saratoga because it’s so close to the village.(Disney Springs to the rookies) Me I like Key West, and the much bigger rooms, and parking close and very near your room. Also, it’s just a 5 minute drive to get off property and the local Winn Dixie, Dunkin Doughuts, and countless places to eat, when you tire of Disney food.