A Pause on DVC

[WDWOswald]

OK not sure what you are looking for. You want Disney to build off site, because we are not savvy enough to resist DVC Marketing. You say they keep building them because it is extremely lucrative for Disney. Seems to me, that people that are buying them must as a whole must like the arrangement since existing owners continue to buy 2nd or 3rd contracts, plus Disney keeps building and NEW owners are not savvy enough to say no. (If it was not profitable for Disney they wouldn't build OR if it was more profitable to build off site they would)

I get it you want offsite locations, that's great. Just because you want, or even many others, based on your research will want timeshares elsewhere in the country doesn't mean Disney should or will build them. I am far from an expert but, I would think that Disney would have a hard time maintaining the selling price that they are able to get on site. It is hard for Disney to compete against itself and be offsite. I can buy a week at Vistana for $4000 resale based on 1 quick google search. With a 27,000 acre resort that DVC owners have access to, most people who have interest in DVC do so with the thought of vacationing at WDW. The marketing that consumers can't resist has also helped maintain the value of the timeshares. I could sell my BWV points for more than I paid for it and that is after 15 years of vacations, try doing that with a number of other timeshare companies. If I want a ski resort or Island resort I can use RCI or if that is my primary vacation spot I would choose a Timeshare that is located there, probably at a lower cost. If you want to vacation in Orlando but want other options buy Hilton or Marriott. Will Disney truly go heavy offsite, I have no idea.

I have gone to different timeshare presentations from other companies, when I want to be done with it I just let them know I use my DVC membership every year on site. We don't go offsite, I take DME from airport to the resort and have my bags show up in my room. When they can offer me the same with certainty of room availability on site I will be happy to review their options.

If the way DVC markets their product and decides where to build doesn't suit your needs, then a DVC purchase would not make sense for you. Everyone purchases or doesn't purchase for different reasons. Some based on analytic's, others on emotion, as well as reasons that are just important to them.

hotels are more lucrative overall.

income from timeshares is probably more stable.

the house is always going to "win" if you go to wdw and stay onsite. DVC is simply a better deal for those who already want to go on a regular basis.

I hate DVC because in order for you to feel like your'e getting a good "deal" as a DVC owner, Disney has to charge non-owners significantly more money for the same resort. It's the same thing with the dining plan- food prices keep going up because "wow I can't believe I can get a $40 steak for 'free' because I'm on the dining plan!" Not enough people would to pay $650 a night to stay at the grand floridian villas, but they charge that price as rack rate so DVC owners are like "wow look how much I save every year by buying into DVC!" Through different methods I can stay at DVC resorts for little more than the cost of maintenance fees DVC owners pay every year. And almost nobody is selling their DVC timeshares for more than they paid right now. The reason the resale market has sprung up full time businesses around it is people can't afford it. I find timeshares to be in the same category as casinos, multi-level marketing schemes, and other shady real estate investments.

The average cost of a timeshare in the U.S. is $14,500. If you put that money in a mutual fund averaging 12% over 10 years, you would have almost $48,000. Pretty good.

In 20 years, you would have over $178,000. Even better.

In 40 years, you would have over $1.7 million! That's a lot of free money! Hope you like the vacation house!

 

[tjkraz]

I hate DVC because in order for you to feel like your'e getting a good "deal" as a DVC owner, Disney has to charge non-owners significantly more money for the same resort. It's the same thing with the dining plan- food prices keep going up because "wow I can't believe I can get a $40 steak for 'free' because I'm on the dining plan!" Not enough people would to pay $650 a night to stay at the grand floridian villas, but they charge that price as rack rate so DVC owners are like "wow look how much I save every year by buying into DVC!"

But...you see...people actually DO pay $650 per night to stay at the Grand Floridian. Disney has--and always will--charge what the market will tolerate. They aren't over-inflating the prices of 25,000 hotel rooms, 365 days per year just to give themselves a little more ammo to sell DVC points.

(And before you bring discounts and PIN codes into the argument, any well-informed individual will advise using 25-30% off rack as a basis for cost comparison.)

Through different methods I can stay at DVC resorts for little more than the cost of maintenance fees DVC owners pay every year.

Intersting. So you don't like DVC, but you take advantage of point rentals to save money....

Please enlighten us...where can the general public rent points for "little more than the cost of maintenance fees"? The prevailing rental rate is $13-16 per point these days with most resort dues between $5-6.

And almost nobody is selling their DVC timeshares for more than they paid right now. The reason the resale market has sprung up full time businesses around it is people can't afford it.

Two comments:

1) DVC sells 1500 - 2000 contracts per month and they've been in business for nearly 25 years. The couple hundred contracts listed for sale at any given time is a proverbial drop in the bucket. The overwhelming majority of owners CAN afford it.

2) I paid $79 per point for my Saratoga Springs contract 12 years ago. Today the resale rate is in the range of $75-80. While I may not get ALL of my principle back, I could come pretty darn close. Meanwhile I've spent 12 years staying at Disney Deluxe resorts for the cost of Annual Dues alone.

The average cost of a timeshare in the U.S. is $14,500. If you put that money in a mutual fund averaging 12% over 10 years, you would have almost $48,000. Pretty good.

In 20 years, you would have over $178,000. Even better.

In 40 years, you would have over $1.7 million! That's a lot of free money! Hope you like the vacation house!

Tell you what. I'll give you $14k and all you need to do is guarantee me a return of 11.5% over the next 40 years. You can keep the other .5% for your trouble. Deal????

 

[supersnoop]

The average cost of a timeshare in the U.S. is $14,500. If you put that money in a mutual fund averaging 12% over 10 years, you would have almost $48,000. Pretty good.

In 20 years, you would have over $178,000. Even better.

In 40 years, you would have over $1.7 million! That's a lot of free money! Hope you like the vacation house!

Where did you pull 12% from? The average is more like 6% for mutual funds. That 40 year return comes out closer to $150,000, rather than $1.7MM.

 

[gdrj]

I think DVC should build another resort somewhere else in the United States. Give its members more options.

I'm not interested in what is easy for WDW, i'm interested in what is best for DVC owners. If DVC came to new york city, trust me there would be plenty of demand.

And there is your answer. Any timeshare DVC, Marriott etc are in business to make money. If DVC knows that they can continue to sell units on property (where Disney owns the property) and has roadways, no planning boards or local politics holding up or delaying construction, why would you build elsewhere? It is the path of least resistance. Disney had planned a resort (I believe DVC may have been part of the plan) to build at National Harbor in the DC area, they pulled out. I don't disagree that there is a market for off site but I think Disney's DVC attraction is on-site. You have RCI options for off-site plus there a more affordable timeshare options throughout the country. Right now Disney has no competition. If you want a timeshare on Property it is the only game in town. You buy off site times shares for a nickel (an exaggeration).

You also mention "I'm interested in what is best for DVC owners" If you are a current owner at a Resort that is where DVC's interest in what is best for you stops. I own at BWV, I now can take advantage of Poly and AK, GF as well as other DVC locations that were not part of purchase, they did NOT build those for my enjoyment. Any timeshare company is interested in growth with new "owners", I doubt (nor would I expect) that when planning a new location existing "owners" in other DVC Resorts interests are part of the calculation.

I'm not an owner... but I think having Aulani, Hilton Head Island, the Grand Californian, and Vero Beach is very appealing to owners and prospective buyers. I think people resist buying DVC because they tire of going to WDW and want more options. They also know that they'd rather get more value for their money than staying at saratoga springs when they would be just as happy at a moderate resort sometimes.

I wish consumers were more savvy and resistant to DVC marketing. They keep building them because it is extremely lucrative for Disney. Like Vegas and casinos. The house always wins big.

I hate DVC because in order for you to feel like your'e getting a good "deal" as a DVC owner, Disney has to charge non-owners significantly more money for the same resort. It's the same thing with the dining plan- food prices keep going up because "wow I can't believe I can get a $40 steak for 'free' because I'm on the dining plan!" Not enough people would to pay $650 a night to stay at the grand floridian villas, but they charge that price as rack rate so DVC owners are like "wow look how much I save every year by buying into DVC!" Through different methods I can stay at DVC resorts for little more than the cost of maintenance fees DVC owners pay every year. And almost nobody is selling their DVC timeshares for more than they paid right now. The reason the resale market has sprung up full time businesses around it is people can't afford it. I find timeshares to be in the same category as casinos, multi-level marketing schemes, and other shady real estate investments.

The average cost of a timeshare in the U.S. is $14,500. If you put that money in a mutual fund averaging 12% over 10 years, you would have almost $48,000. Pretty good.

In 20 years, you would have over $178,000. Even better.

In 40 years, you would have over $1.7 million! That's a lot of free money! Hope you like the vacation house!

I find it somewhat bizarre that you start off your posts with DVC should build..somewhere else in the US, and trust me if DVC came to NYC there would be plenty of demand. Besides ignoring the cost of Real Estate in NYC and the many other factors impacting doing business in NYC, then your last post basically accuses DVC of being a scam. If you hate DVC and timeshares whats it matter where they build or who they sell to.

You are entitled to your opinion, and I had deleted part of my last post because I thought it was rude but I will say here. Have your opinion but please don't lecture me on being unable or not savvy enough to resist DVC marketing. People buy for many reasons. People purchase lots of things in life that you can not show an end value for or doesn't make financial sense. You can choose to do as you wish in regards to DVC I really don't give a #$@ what you do. If staying at Motel 6 for $29 bucks works for you so be it. My first trip to Disney World with my wife and 14 month child was at an offsite cheap hotel.

Your last post rambles on about dining plan that has nothing to do with DVC (DVC is a separate entity). If you can stay at DVC for the cost of maintenance fees good for you. I like the ability to go online on a whim select days that I want pick a resort and be done with it in 15 minutes if I choose to, or change it 10 times in the following months. As far as the inflated prices for hotels that is another conversation. Your original point was more choices for DVC, then DVC is bad and finally you can stay at Disney for peanuts with renting points.

I am staying at Poly and Bay lake this summer. If I were to stay at the respective hotels with similar views (not using those inflated DVC prices that you despise) but the promotional hotel prices, I would be spending $3816 for my rooms this year. My maintenance fees of less than $900 has afforded my the opportunity for this vacation. For me this works savvy or not.

So from your bizarre pretense of wanting more DVC locations to how I wasted 1.7 million potential dollars I guess thats on me. Having 15 years (thus far) of priceless memories with my kids and my wife works for me . Having my now adult children still wanting to vacation with us works for me. Being able to have trips with extended family members and friends works for me.

Being able to escape from the real world, walk with my wife in the morning hand in hand on the boardwalk and celebrate special moments in our life works for me, savvy or not.

 

[WDWOswald]

I find it somewhat bizarre that you start off your posts with DVC should build..somewhere else in the US, and trust me if DVC came to NYC there would be plenty of demand. Besides ignoring the cost of Real Estate in NYC and the many other factors impacting doing business in NYC, then your last post basically accuses DVC of being a scam. If you hate DVC and timeshares whats it matter where they build or who they sell to.

You are entitled to your opinion, and I had deleted part of my last post because I thought it was rude but I will say here. Have your opinion but please don't lecture me on being unable or not savvy enough to resist DVC marketing. People buy for many reasons. People purchase lots of things in life that you can not show an end value for or doesn't make financial sense. You can choose to do as you wish in regards to DVC I really don't give a #$@ what you do. If staying at Motel 6 for $29 bucks works for you so be it. My first trip to Disney World with my wife and 14 month child was at an offsite cheap hotel.

Your last post rambles on about dining plan that has nothing to do with DVC (DVC is a separate entity). If you can stay at DVC for the cost of maintenance fees good for you. I like the ability to go online on a whim select days that I want pick a resort and be done with it in 15 minutes if I choose to, or change it 10 times in the following months. As far as the inflated prices for hotels that is another conversation. Your original point was more choices for DVC, then DVC is bad and finally you can stay at Disney for peanuts with renting points.

I am staying at Poly and Bay lake this summer. If I were to stay at the respective hotels with similar views (not using those inflated DVC prices that you despise) but the promotional hotel prices, I would be spending $3816 for my rooms this year. My maintenance fees of less than $900 has afforded my the opportunity for this vacation. For me this works savvy or not.

So from your bizarre pretense of wanting more DVC locations to how I wasted 1.7 million potential dollars I guess thats on me. Having 15 years (thus far) of priceless memories with my kids and my wife works for me . Having my now adult children still wanting to vacation with us works for me. Being able to have trips with extended family members and friends works for me.

Being able to escape from the real world, walk with my wife in the morning hand in hand on the boardwalk and celebrate special moments in our life works for me, savvy or not.

The financial pitfalls of timeshares are well known and well documented. My opinions about where I would like to see DVC build are my desires as a consumer, not what is most profitable for Disney. What is best for me as a consumer is for DVC and other pre-paid vacation deals (dining) to not exist. That would keep costs lower for people who don't think it is wise to pre-pay for 38 years of vacations. Those products are profitable for the business but not a good value for the consumer. I'd rather Disney be laser focused on creating new state of the art attractions for the parks.

 

[dmunsil]

The financial pitfalls of timeshares are well known and well documented. My opinions about where I would like to see DVC build are my desires as a consumer, not what is most profitable for Disney. What is best for me as a consumer is for DVC and other pre-paid vacation deals (dining) to not exist. That would keep costs lower for people who don't think it is wise to pre-pay for 38 years of vacations. Those products are profitable for the business but not a good value for the consumer. I'd rather Disney be laser focused on creating new state of the art attractions for the parks.

I'm not sure that timeshares are an inherently bad deal for buyers, and I'm definitely sure that DVC has not been a bad deal for us and lots of other owners. Timeshares are in essence a kind of arbitrage. If you know you're going to visit a place a lot, buying a piece of property there is by far the cheapest way to do it on a per-day basis, but most people don't want and can't use a whole condo in a vacation spot. On the other hand, the gross margin on a hotel room is huge, largely because hotels sit empty a lot, but also because a hotel room is a luxury good for most people and they're willing to pay it.

A timeshare sale is essentially a deal where one party (the developer) sells the other party something hotel-like for way more than the developer could sell that property as an apartment. The buyer gets something kind of hotel-like for way less than they'd pay for an equivalent hotel room. This works because the differential per-night cost between an apartment and a hotel room is massive, so there's plenty of room to meet in the middle and still realize massive profits for the developer. With the better timeshare systems (Marriott, Hilton, and Disney), the implied deal has in fact panned out. The buyer is saving on accommodation, but they have to commit to coming on a regular basis to actually realize a benefit. To the extent that they go more often than they'd really prefer, perhaps they're losing out. But for people who already go to Disney on a regular basis and want to stay in a nice hotel on property, DVC absolutely saves them money. No question. It even can save money over staying in a nice hotel off property, which is saying a lot. It even can save you money if you don't go, via renting out points.

The good timeshare systems I mentioned have actually maintained some level of resale value. Disney is way ahead in that regard, but it's pretty rare to see people selling a Hilton ownership for $1, the way you see people doing with Wyndham and less appealing systems that are kind of overbuilt.

As for the dining plan, I really don't think that's directly a massive money-maker for Disney. I could be wrong. I think they use it as a way to get people to buy their vacation packages, which are a way of filling their hotel rooms, and their hotel business is a massive money maker. I absolutely don't think that Disney is marking up the food in the parks to make the dining plan seem reasonable; they're marking up food in the parks because they can get those prices. Food in theme parks is always more expensive than food outside the theme parks. More to the point, I would guess that most of the people eating in the restaurants are paying out of pocket, not on the dining plan. That may not be true when they're running a "free dining" promotion, but I would think it is the rest of the year. About 2/3-3/4 of the guests are staying off-property and can't get the dining plan. A significant portion of the people staying on-property are booking room-only instead of a package, which makes it impossible to get the dining plan.

 

[WDWOswald]

I'm not sure that timeshares are an inherently bad deal for buyers, and I'm definitely sure that DVC has not been a bad deal for us and lots of other owners. Timeshares are in essence a kind of arbitrage. If you know you're going to visit a place a lot, buying a piece of property there is by far the cheapest way to do it, but most people don't want and can't use a whole condo in a vacation spot. On the other hand, the gross margin on a hotel room is huge, largely because hotels sit empty a lot, but also because a hotel room is a luxury good for most people and they're willing to pay it.

A timeshare sale is essentially a deal where one party (the developer) sells the other party something hotel-like for way more than they could sell that property as an apartment. The buyer gets something kind of hotel-like for way less than they'd pay for an equivalent hotel room. This works because the differential per-night cost between an apartment and a hotel room is massive, so there's plenty of room to meet in the middle and still realize massive profits for the developer. With the better timeshare systems (Marriott, Hilton, and Disney), the implied deal has in fact panned out. The buyer is saving on accommodation, but they have to commit to coming on a regular basis to actually realize a benefit. To the extent that they go more often than they'd really prefer, perhaps they're losing out. But for people who already go to Disney on a regular basis and want to stay in a nice hotel on property, DVC absolutely saves them money. No question. It even can save money over staying in a nice hotel off property, which is saying a lot. It even can save you money if you don't go, via renting out points.

The good timeshare systems I mentioned have actually maintained some level of resale value. Disney is way ahead in that regard, but it's pretty rare to see people selling a Hilton ownership for $1, the way you see people doing with Wyndham and less appealing systems that are kind of overbuilt.

As for the dining plan, I really don't think that's directly a massive money-maker for Disney. I could be wrong. I think they use it as a way to get people to buy their vacation packages, which are a way of filling their hotel rooms, and their hotel business is a massive money maker. I absolutely don't think that Disney is marking up the food in the parks to make the dining plan seem reasonable; they're marking up food in the parks because they can get those prices. Food in theme parks is always more expensive than food outside the theme parks. More to the point, I would guess that most of the people eating in the restaurants are paying out of pocket, not on the dining plan. That may not be true when they're running a "free dining" promotion, but I would think it is the rest of the year. About 2/3-3/4 of the guests are staying off-property and can't get the dining plan. A significant portion of the people staying on-property are booking room-only instead of a package, which makes it impossible to get the dining plan.

I agree with your analysis, but ultimately there's no definitive way to know if prices increase because of the dining plan. I will say Disney is far and away the best deal in timeshare products- especially if you buy resale. I just think you need to be in a certain financial bracket to make that purchase, and even then you could still get sick or lose your job. I adore the disney parks and we go annually. I just can't with a clear conscience say that kind of financial layout is wise and I think that's true for most.

 

[corpcomp]

Just don't see YC DVC. Looking at the layout, There does not seen to be room for expansion and most would not like Studio conversion like at the Poly. Just don't see buying points for a studio with a larger family and very few can afford the Poly lagoon suites.

 

[dmunsil]

Just don't see YC DVC. Looking at the layout, There does not seen to be room for expansion and most would not like Studio conversion like at the Poly. Just don't see buying points for a studio with a larger family and very few can afford the Poly lagoon suites.

They could expand if they wanted. They could, for example, put a new building in the current parking lot, and put an expansion lot across the street or put in a parking garage. Or they could shrink or eliminate the conference center, and put in a larger conference center somewhere else where they have more room.

 

[GAN]

I agree with your analysis, but ultimately there's no definitive way to know if prices increase because of the dining plan. I will say Disney is far and away the best deal in timeshare products- especially if you buy resale. I just think you need to be in a certain financial bracket to make that purchase, and even then you could still get sick or lose your job. I adore the disney parks and we go annually. I just can't with a clear conscience say that kind of financial layout is wise and I think that's true for most.

To add to your financial analysis -here's my bad deal. Laid out $12,500 for my points from Disney, have paid give or take $600-700 per year in maint. Fees. In 10-years we've stayed a week in 2-BR 3 times, and Studios twice, with a 1-2 day stay in there somewhere. I've rented our points 4 times(3 times to the same family) for $1500-1800 each time ...which is close to $1000 more than my Fees each year. My wife and I usually take the money and travel to other places. I've given thought to selling, but can't convince myself for many reasons. But if I decided to never visit again and rent my points out for the next 30-years ...EASILY, I might add -I could walk away each year with a $1000 return each year on my $12,500 initial investment. That return is much more secure than your Mutual Fund, so I disagree that the financial layout is not wise for most ...maybe for some, but not most. But if you can point out a Fund that can guarantee me an 8-10% gain on average per year I'd be interested.

 

[corpcomp]

They could expand if they wanted. They could, for example, put a new building in the current parking lot, and put an expansion lot across the street or put in a parking garage. Or they could shrink or eliminate the conference center, and put in a larger conference center somewhere else where they have more room.

I've personally held two conventions there and the money flowing in is huge. They would never cut a cash cow like that and many conventioneers would not go to the larger Coronado Springs location simply because the rooms are not the level of the YC. The rest are too small to take up the slack. Maybe the parking lot.

 

[CMNJ]

Given all the recent work on WL, VWL small number of units, and being a lower priced deluxe (plus the rumors that have been swirling for a while about expansion there) it seems like it may be a strong contender in the future for conversion-I suspect they'd be able to sell at the $165 pp if they set the room per night point cost significantly less than the poly-new people buying in will see "their money would go further there" so DVC could get away with the higher pp cost even though it is not on the monorail

Honestly I wonder if there are plans to convert more rooms at BWV and BCV down the line as well-since they are refurbishing those resort studios to hold 5 as well after all these years-I figure it is either that or to sell more Poly rooms (ie look at all these other resorts you can trade into these other resorts that sleep 5 in a studio as well)

 

[majortom1981]

I can see them adding more to animal kingdom lodge once the park additions are there. They would be able to finally build a quick service at kidani.

 

[tjkraz]

I can see them adding more to animal kingdom lodge once the park additions are there. They would be able to finally build a quick service at kidani.

Doubtful. It took about 7 years to sell all of the points in AKV and they are now plentiful on the resale market. Ignorance plays a role in many direct purchases but it's pretty tough to convince people to buy direct for $165+ when they can get the exact same product for less than half the price resale.

Restaurants aren't part of the timeshare component--they're profit centers for Disney. Disney could add a counter service location to Kidani at any time, but only if they determine it will make money. Witness the Paddock Grill added to SSR about 8 years after the resort's opening.

My suspicion is that the beancounters have determined that enough guests will use Mara, Boma, Jiko, Sanaa and poolside dining to negate the need for an additional venue.

 

[WDWOswald]

To add to your financial analysis -here's my bad deal. Laid out $12,500 for my points from Disney, have paid give or take $600-700 per year in maint. Fees. In 10-years we've stayed a week in 2-BR 3 times, and Studios twice, with a 1-2 day stay in there somewhere. I've rented our points 4 times(3 times to the same family) for $1500-1800 each time ...which is close to $1000 more than my Fees each year. My wife and I usually take the money and travel to other places. I've given thought to selling, but can't convince myself for many reasons. But if I decided to never visit again and rent my points out for the next 30-years ...EASILY, I might add -I could walk away each year with a $1000 return each year on my $12,500 initial investment. That return is much more secure than your Mutual Fund, so I disagree that the financial layout is not wise for most ...maybe for some, but not most. But if you can point out a Fund that can guarantee me an 8-10% gain on average per year I'd be interested.

How many points did you get for $12,500?

 

[Minniesgal]

I hate DVC because in order for you to feel like your'e getting a good "deal" as a DVC owner, Disney has to charge non-owners significantly more money for the same resort. It's the same thing with the dining plan- food prices keep going up because "wow I can't believe I can get a $40 steak for 'free' because I'm on the dining plan!" Not enough people would to pay $650 a night to stay at the grand floridian villas, but they charge that price as rack rate so DVC owners are like "wow look how much I save every year by buying into DVC!" Through different methods I can stay at DVC resorts for little more than the cost of maintenance fees DVC owners pay every year. And almost nobody is selling their DVC timeshares for more than they paid right now. The reason the resale market has sprung up full time businesses around it is people can't afford it. I find timeshares to be in the same category as casinos, multi-level marketing schemes, and other shady real estate investments.

The average cost of a timeshare in the U.S. is $14,500. If you put that money in a mutual fund averaging 12% over 10 years, you would have almost $48,000. Pretty good.

In 20 years, you would have over $178,000. Even better.

In 40 years, you would have over $1.7 million! That's a lot of free money! Hope you like the vacation house!

Fair enough, but rather than line my coffin with your 1.7 million I'd take my family DVC memories any day.

Oh and I'm selling an AKV contract to buy more VGF points for $5 a point more than I paid for it 3 years ago.

Money to keep us secure is one thing. Savings for the future is necessary but hey we only get one shot on this merry go round of life living while we do it is important. My DVC helps me do that and when I'm bored with it (if ever) it will still have residual value I can cash in.

 

[GAN]

How many points did you get for $12,500?

160 ...which I believe was the minimum. I think they were going for $82/point, but after a credit it worked out to around $78 or so ...which is pretty close to the going rate on DVC Resale.

 

[GAN]

Fair enough, but rather than line my coffin with your 1.7 million I'd take my family DVC memories any day.

But you know the saying -the man who dies with the most money ......dies with the most money!

 

[WDWOswald]

Fair enough, but rather than line my coffin with your 1.7 million I'd take my family DVC memories any day.

Oh and I'm selling an AKV contract to buy more VGF points for $5 a point more than I paid for it 3 years ago.

Money to keep us secure is one thing. Savings for the future is necessary but hey we only get one shot on this merry go round of life living while we do it is important. My DVC helps me do that and when I'm bored with it (if ever) it will still have residual value I can cash in.

For me it comes down to the fact that a DVC contract will allow you to stay for a week at a deluxe resort at about $1,000 a week when you factor in maintence fees and the upfront cost spread out over the life of the contract. It's a very rough number but accurate enough. It's a deal that starts to pay dividens about 10 years after your purchase. I can't afford DVC and I can't afford to stay at deluxe resorts without my 50% off travel agent discount and even then it's a huge stretch to stay at a deluxe. It's like saying if you buy a new Honda and take care of it after it is paid off you can drive it for 10 more years and it will be a great car still. Problem is you have to be able to afford the new car in the first place. All I know is we have had 6 incredible disney world vacations in the 5 years we have been married that cost less than $1,000 for 7 nights. And I've got $15,000-$20,000 in my pocket that disney would have right now if I had purchased DVC. I have no regrets about that.

 

[GAN]

For me it comes down to the fact that a DVC contract will allow you to stay for a week at a deluxe resort at about $1,000 a week when you factor in maintence fees and the upfront cost spread out over the life of the contract. It's a very rough number but accurate enough. It's a deal that starts to pay dividens about 10 years after your purchase. I can't afford DVC and I can't afford to stay at deluxe resorts without my 50% off travel agent discount and even then it's a huge stretch to stay at a deluxe. It's like saying if you buy a new Honda and take care of it after it is paid off you can drive it for 10 more years and it will be a great car still. Problem is you have to be able to afford the new car in the first place. All I know is we have had 6 incredible disney world vacations in the 5 years we have been married that cost less than $1,000 for 7 nights. And I've got $15,000-$20,000 in my pocket that disney would have right now if I had purchased DVC. I have no regrets about that.

I'm not sure if you're saying you can apply the 50% discount to Disney stays or not -but assuming you can, that obviously isn't available to most so SURE ...that is better than putting money up front for DVC in most cases. The fact that you can stay in a Deluxe on Disney property for $140/nt including taxes is tough to beat. I might have done the same thing -although the fact that we can rent our points at any time is the trump card for us.