::danielle::
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2011
I have been researching and reading about DVC purchases for a long time. I've payed particular attention to the threads where people rationalize their decision to purchase DVC. I'm always impressed at the insightful answers given by DVC owners. I would love to get some insight about if we would be good candidates and if there are other things that we are not taking into consideration.
Here's some background;
Family: Myself, DH, DS8, DD4
Vacation history:
We travel every year, taking approx. (2) 1-week long trips at different times of the year. We usually rent a condo with a kitchen and 2 bedrooms. We only stay in hotel rooms when absolutely necessary (DH is a night owl, I'm an early bird. It's better for our marriage if one of us can sleep in peace while the other one can enjoy their prime time).
Disney history:
2009 to DL (here's where we learned that a hotel room is too small for us!)
2012 to WDW split stay - POP (1 night - torture!), WBC (2 bedroom condo, 6 nights - heavenly), POR (1 night - doable but not enjoyable)
DVC thoughts/plan:
Although we take 2 trips a year, it is unlikely that DH will make WDW an annual vacation. In order to see/experience the parks at different times of the year, I would like to go every 18-24 months. I estimate that we would need about 150 or so points (used biyearly to equal 300). Some years we would need more, others we would need less (depending on the season/unit size). I haven't decided an ideal UY but I'm leaning towards February-June. I am also heavily leaning towards BLT (for the location) Right now, our kids are little so we focus on MK. Our second favorite park is Epcot. We hated the 20 minutes it took to ride the buses to and from the parks (we came home mid-day to all take naps). Not sure how this will change in the future.
Money:
We would pay in full for a DVC resale contract. I did a calculation to see how purchasing DVC would compare to renting points ($13/point). My simplistic calculation is that the cost of purchasing BLT (including annual MFs) would reach the break even point in 10-12 years (or 5-6 vacations). This puts my kids at college age.
Longevity:
I can sort of predict our lives for the next 10-12 years while the kids are still in school. I don't know how part-time jobs and waning interest will affect their ability/desire to vacation at Disney. I imagine that after college, with new careers and limited vacation time they may not want to go at all.
My Internal Struggle:
As a general commitment-phobe, it seems that I should just rent DVC points for the next 10-12 years. My struggle with this is one of control. I hate that I have to relinquish control of my reservation to a complete stranger. I can tip the bowl in the favor of a purchase by justifying that I may be able to sell the points at the end of it's useful life for our family (I realize that it's not a guarantee). Of course, I may just be trying to find a logical reason to justify my emotions.
I would love to hear insightful advice about my situation (no flaming, please). In particular if you're 10 years into your contract and now have college age kids, I would love to hear how you feel about DVC now.
TIA!
**Note: purchasing a non-Disney timeshare is not an option. While we loved staying at WBC, we missed the Disney feel. It's DVC or nothing!
Here's some background;
Family: Myself, DH, DS8, DD4
Vacation history:
We travel every year, taking approx. (2) 1-week long trips at different times of the year. We usually rent a condo with a kitchen and 2 bedrooms. We only stay in hotel rooms when absolutely necessary (DH is a night owl, I'm an early bird. It's better for our marriage if one of us can sleep in peace while the other one can enjoy their prime time).
Disney history:
2009 to DL (here's where we learned that a hotel room is too small for us!)
2012 to WDW split stay - POP (1 night - torture!), WBC (2 bedroom condo, 6 nights - heavenly), POR (1 night - doable but not enjoyable)
DVC thoughts/plan:
Although we take 2 trips a year, it is unlikely that DH will make WDW an annual vacation. In order to see/experience the parks at different times of the year, I would like to go every 18-24 months. I estimate that we would need about 150 or so points (used biyearly to equal 300). Some years we would need more, others we would need less (depending on the season/unit size). I haven't decided an ideal UY but I'm leaning towards February-June. I am also heavily leaning towards BLT (for the location) Right now, our kids are little so we focus on MK. Our second favorite park is Epcot. We hated the 20 minutes it took to ride the buses to and from the parks (we came home mid-day to all take naps). Not sure how this will change in the future.
Money:
We would pay in full for a DVC resale contract. I did a calculation to see how purchasing DVC would compare to renting points ($13/point). My simplistic calculation is that the cost of purchasing BLT (including annual MFs) would reach the break even point in 10-12 years (or 5-6 vacations). This puts my kids at college age.
Longevity:
I can sort of predict our lives for the next 10-12 years while the kids are still in school. I don't know how part-time jobs and waning interest will affect their ability/desire to vacation at Disney. I imagine that after college, with new careers and limited vacation time they may not want to go at all.
My Internal Struggle:
As a general commitment-phobe, it seems that I should just rent DVC points for the next 10-12 years. My struggle with this is one of control. I hate that I have to relinquish control of my reservation to a complete stranger. I can tip the bowl in the favor of a purchase by justifying that I may be able to sell the points at the end of it's useful life for our family (I realize that it's not a guarantee). Of course, I may just be trying to find a logical reason to justify my emotions.
I would love to hear insightful advice about my situation (no flaming, please). In particular if you're 10 years into your contract and now have college age kids, I would love to hear how you feel about DVC now.
TIA!
**Note: purchasing a non-Disney timeshare is not an option. While we loved staying at WBC, we missed the Disney feel. It's DVC or nothing!