DVC doesn't make economical sense if you're staying at moderate hotels when you go, however, it does make sense if you're staying at deluxe or above.
this is not necessarily always true. it really depends when you are travelling. using DVC at christmas time when hotel rates are high gives DVC a distinct advantage. for $119 per night i'm staying at the Boardwalk from dec 28-jan 9 where as the average nightly price at the FQ for those dates ( with an AP discount on the nights that the discount is available) is $183.
Yup, not true at all. As long as you are including your buy-in plus dues for your total accommodation cost, then you can compare to the nightly cash rate.
Our price per night for accommodations, is close to the price of a moderate or a bit more, for a 1 bedroom villa. Studio is pretty much the same price, or could even be cheaper. We bought SSR 7 years ago, when exchange was 32%, so our buy-in was higher.
Now with resale prices so low, once you add up your buy-in and dues for your total accommodation cost, you would be at a very similar rate to a moderate room. Which don't forget if you are in a studio, you get a kitchenette and balcony too, and in our 1 bedroom villas, we get a full kitchen, laundry, hot tub and balcony. We are at about $180-$200/night CDN for a 1 bedroom villa. Can't beat that!
Buying direct from Disney is very high right now, so you won't get these same numbers, but if you bought resale, you would be in great shape.
Tiger