Advantages of DVC? I don't get it

[ClarabelleCow]

Dean - sorry it was 65 points for the nights we stayed at Vero, I am pretty much sold on the concept, hubby isn't, he wants to just book what we want and go, my concern was when I rented the points, I could have stayed at the VWL with cash, but the person I rented the points from said they were sold out and could only get OKW. I would think if a property is "sold out" then anything that is available should go to a DVC owner, we were only 3 months out so it has nothing to do with the 11-7 month thing, I guess I don't understand the entire thing, and when we go down we are hooking up with the girl I have been speaking with to fully "get it"!!!

 

[Laurabearz]

We bought into DVC for the simple fact that we love the option of a 2 bedroom unit onsite...... period.

Our children are young.... 3 and 1 1/2 so our Disney trips are just starting (well 5 in this year alone LOL) Once my husband and I stayed at OKW in a 2 bedroom(cash ressie... Rack 469 per night, DC rate of 289 per night)..... well, 870 points later.... we are happy campers.

Will we break even..... prolly not.... well, maybe in 15-20 years, because we choose to use our points outside the 5 main resorts..... Our may trip was Poly Concierge and BC concierge a WHOOPING 604 points for 9 days (can you say YOUCH, but heck these were all the banked points from our resale purchases that we got a great deal on.... so in my mind we justified the high points lol) BUT it was worth it for us to try out those two Deluxes. It is something we would never do again though.... we missed our 2 bedroom something terrible. ANd now i must admit I have become a point HOG! LOL So futrue trips to Deluxes on points will be limited to 2 or 3 days at the begining of our DVC stays.

DH and I also blew points on a three night stay at the Plaza in NYC. That WAS worth it. There is no way my darling hubby would ever pay that much for a hotel room.... NEVER NEVER NEVER!!!

DVC offers a lot of things to a lot of different people. Only you can figure out if it is worth it to you......

Have fun doing the research...........

 

[anniet]

Originally posted by Dean
This is one of the points I've tried hard to make in several threads but I think it always gets lost in the overall post. That one must really compared to what they would have spent otherwise.

I partially agree with you and respect your viewpoint Dean, but I look at my DVC from another angle. If I had not purchased DVC I would pay a lot less for my Disney Vacations, but I probably would just continue to stay at Tropical Palms for $59-$69 per night. I like Tropical Palms, except for the fact that they hung the mirrors so high in the bathroom I can't see my face (I'm five feet tall) and there isn't a hot tub, or a decent restaurant on the property, but it was a studio and I learned to adjust because the price was so great and that was what I could afford AND still continue to go down every year.

I could never have afforded to stay 10 nights at Wilderness Lodge every year- and I'm just talking the Lodge, not the Villas. DVC allows me to spread the payments out over time, and by the time I get to just paying my dues, I'll be spending less for VWL than I was for Tropical Palms.

So while I appreciate your comparison Dean, I have to say that DVC gave me an opportunity to upgrade my vacations. If money had not been an object I would have stayed at Wilderness Lodge every time. Money is still an object, and I'll have to make some sacrifices in my budget for a couple of years, but I'll get 40 years of staying in a much nicer place than I would have had the opportunity to otherwise.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by anniet
I partially agree with you and respect your viewpoint Dean, but I look at my DVC from another angle. If I had not purchased DVC I would pay a lot less for my Disney Vacations, but I probably would just continue to stay at Tropical Palms for $59-$69 per night.

I agree and have said many times that I feel DVC has not saved me any money, it's only given me more quality and luxury for around the same amount. Still when one is asking about whether they should join DVC, the financial analysis comes first for most.

 

[jimmytammy]

We have stayed twice at all-stars and IMO are a cut above motel 6. In fact we recently stayed at a very nice by Ramada Inn standards in Fredericksburg VA and were dissapointed in its quality after staying at all-stars. All-stars were far and above cleaner, better food, better staffed, nicer staff, etc. etc.

With that said, we joined DVC sight unseen simply to guarantee we would have to go to WDW every yr or every other yr at least. We could not afford WLV, BWV, or any other DVC resorts without being members. Sure thats money up front now BUT its not money in one big chunk, typically $500-$1000 depending upon length of stay all at one time, not including food$$, park passes, etc.

Another thought is that when the kids become teens you WILL need more room, or they wont go with you. This is a trip you can about gaurantee that if you continue going the kids growing into teens will want to go with you. Family, do all you can do to keep it together, it doesnt last forever.

 

[mkubecka]

Other pluses for us along with those listed.

1. I don't feel like I am staying in a hotel room. (We have 2 boys and will always choose a 1 bedroom) I feel as if I am in an apartment or condo.

2. Even though WDW has some awesome restaurants, we get tired of eating out. I enjoy having the option of being able to cook a home-cooked meal (even if it is only spaghetti, or hot dogs, or grilled cheese) its still not restaurant fare.

3. The option that I have places to go, (dare I say this ) other than WDW. (Please don't stone me ) The option still exists.

4. The fact that if for some tragic, unforseen reason, I can't make a vacation to WDW I definitely know my points won't go to waste. I have plenty of family and friends who would love to go or I can rent my points)

5. The feeling that I "own" a piece of the magic. Yes, it is a slim piece, but its mine all mine!!!!

Michelle

 

[Granny]

I agree that DVC is not strictly a financial decision. While the numbers can be mixed and shown to be favorable, I don't think the financials are what made this a good choice for us.

It's difficult to add anything new to this because there have been a lot of great comments, but since your post asks for the "Advantages of DVC", here's what it means to my family.

1. We now stay at WDW in what I can only describe as luxurious accommodations. The rooms are no longer a place just to sleep, shower and change. We actually enjoy spending some time relaxing in our accommodations without feeling cramped.

2. We now go to WDW at least once a year for a longer period of time than we would otherwise go. The longer vacation means we enjoy a much more relaxed vacation in those luxurious rooms.

3. Because we know we will be there many times in the coming years, we dumped our "commando" mentality on touring the parks. We spend a fair amount of time there, but with no hurriedness or sense that we have to do something....most likely it'll be there the next time we go.

4. Did I mention relaxing? This is a huge benefit to me. No longer is WDW a place to be attacked with a relentless touring plan. No longer is WDW a stressful, hectic place because we don't know when we'll ever get back. No longer are we telling the kids to stop whining because they're tired but we want to get "full value" out of our vacation.

Bottom line: More frequent, better, more relaxed and longer vacations that truly allow for quality family time and a sense of refreshment that vacations are supposed to provide.

Good luck in your decision.

 

[luckytso]

Laura,

Wow, 604 points for 2 weeks at the concierge. I have only slightly less points than you do, plus all the banked points from the resale purchases just like you. However, I am having a hard time justifying using the points for the concierge or outside of DVC. We will be spending 7 nights at a BCV in a 1-bedroom next Feb. and I am already quite happy with it. I cannot imagine using even more points for 1 trip. I guess it will come with time when I get more used to having all that extras.

 

[crisi]

I'll go farther on the financial piece:

DVC is not saving us anything. It is costing us money.

Without DVC we wouldn't go to Disney bi-annually (we are every two year people) - we'd go on our traditional schedule (about every five years). We wouldn't have airfare every two years, park tickets to buy, eating out, etc.

However, we had children and took them down for their first trip at 2 and 3. And realized that the park would be a different experience for them every time they went for a very long time. And it was a vacation that we would all enjoy for a long time.

We still don't want to go every year (I want my kids to travel to other places - and neither my husband or I work jobs that have a lot of vacation time with them), but I do want to go again when they are preschoolers. And when they are young kids. And older kids, and young teens, and older teens.

Which is when DVC started to make sense.

When I first joined this board and make this point someone said "Yep, that's what I like - enforced vacations."

Here is another thing I like: We have a minimum contract of 150 points. That means we need to average (with banking and borrowing) 300 points a trip every other year. We only have a week of vacation to spend. And I hate crowds - which pretty much limits us to low point times of year. We are a family of four. Stick this in Caskbill's wonderful planner (very nice, btw), and I discover that a 2 bedroom preferred room at BWV works nicely over that 7 days - and sleeps enough people that we can invite relatives or friends if we desire. Or we can ramble around in the two bedroom just the four of us. Or get a one bedroom and take a second long weekend to play golf in Hilton Head - or turn our week into ten days. Or book four OKW studios (provided they are available at the seven month window) for five nights and host a family reunion. Or decide we can't pull our kids from school and go in a higher point time in a one bedroom). It was recognizing this flexibility that really sold us.

 

[DemoBri1]

Dean,

You said that DVC isn't really saving you money, just giving you more luxury and quality. In reality though you are saving money, because if you tried to get into one of the DVC rooms as a cash guest, I would find it hard to believe that you could get the room for the same amount as the money you paid out for DVC on a yearly basis.

You may not see yourself saving money, but "behind the scenes" you probably are.

 

[DaveH]

We joined last year. When we looked at the the break even point. Ours is longer. We were/are All Star resort folks. Using thier rates only the break even is aound 10 - 13 years. Yes using tax and maintenance fees. The trick is we are in better rooms at the studio rooms for us and we have only 150 points. We are empty nesters so we can use only studios or 1BR for us. Our home is VWL and it is wonderful. We have also stayed at OKW and it is great too. Each has a different wonderful feel to them. We are trying BCV this year. You have to figurre what is right for you and only you can do that. The washer ad dryer available to all of us be it the community free one for the studios or the ones in the villas for the other sizes mean less clothes to bring with you. That means less luggage to carry So good lluck on what ever you decide.

 

[daltonsdodisney]

Thanks for all the great replies! I have a better sense of what it's all about. It does seem that once you plunk down that money, you can stay in luxury guilt-free, where it would be hard to even have a good time, if you know you've just spent $5000 or more for a 5 nt. stay at WDW.
At this time, it would take a windfall of money for me to make that kind of commitment, but I'll still browse through all your fabulous photo web pages and dream vicariously!

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

How about another view.

In and of it self DVC isn't that good a deal. You can get equivalent luxury off property for far less money.

I'm pretty sure I'm not saving money...instead of going to Orlando every two years I will go seven times in 2 years...with an airfare attached to every trip.

The resort industry tanked just as I bought last year so I think I could have done better using an AP or Disney Club card paying cash reservations for a DVC room...my brother got Vero Beach dirt cheap in the offseason last Christmas... I was going to give him two days there and have him pay cash for 2 days...but then we discovered he could pay the same amount for 4 nights using cash & a Disney Club card (in other words the owner discount was worthless). If you are flexible you probably could invest the 12 grand and withdraw money overtime to pay for wherever you want to stay without buying DVC...especially now that the market has crashed.

That said I'm glad I have DVC...as a single person it gives me the option to take a 5 day beach trip or a 5 day trip to Disney...or a quick luxury hotel stay when I don't have cash to spare. It means I don't have to use my time to hunt around for a discount & I can do without a rental car for Disney trips.

I'm also glad I have my Westgate timeshare because it gives me tons of exchange options at a lesser price than using DVC.

 

[jimmytammy]

I replied before but didnt tell you how we got into DVC. We joined with a reduced downpayment by passing up on current pts available which was no problem since we couldnt go back to WDW for a yr anyway. Why? No vacation $$ and would have to take kids out of school.

I am a carpenter and I found my services seemed in need for small to medium size jobs on weekends while not working on Sunday. I convinced my DW I could make enough to get the lesser downpayment plus have 3 mos. payments in hand to be a little ahead. I also do some housecleaning on newly built homes that brings in extra$$ as well. I wouldnt suggest this business unless you really know what your doing, you can be liable for some really expensive material if you mess something up.

My point to this, find a niche, something you enjoy, that can bring extra $$. Something that can be done without huge investment, get spouse and kids involved if possible, you will be surprised how quickly if you set this money aside, dont use at all to pay normal bills, treat it like you dont even have it, that you can accumulate. Get set up with DVC, let them draft your acct to save a few $$, and within all this we are able to still have enough to pay fore air tickets way ahead, have enough to pay for food and park tickets with understanding not to buy a lot of souvenirs.

I know this might seem a little far fetched but it works for us. My hope is to get DVC paid off early, maybe in 5 yrs and look forward to all those 40 yrs ahead.

I hope this approach can help you. Believe me, I aint no accountant so I didnt run all those #s like others did but it is interesting to see. At any rate good luck and hope to be welcoming you home in the near future!