Advice Needed on Joining DVC

[DenLo]

Unlike the other posts above, we stay mainly in studios. For us it's about the length of stay. Staying in a moderate resort, we could not justify staying at WDW more than 5 nights. Now as a DVC member we are going to WDW twice a year for a week at a time.

However, we do have additional expenses because we now buy an annual pass versus buying a 6 day park hopper. So before taxes we're spending around $156 per adult more for tickets each, and more for dining (remember we stay in a studio so don't have a full kitchen). But having longer more relaxing vacations is worth it to us.

And we are able to bring extended family with us from time to time and stay in a larger villa. We could never have afford to pay for the hotel rooms for our families in addition to our own when we stayed in a moderate.

But if you are only interested in doing a 5 day vacation at a moderate and doing the parks commando style, then maybe the DVC is not for you. Only you and your spouse can decide that. Enjoy the discounts and free dining while you can!

 

[Treft Family]

We also took into consideration, the fact that once a year, for the next 48 years now, we'll be paying the maintenance fees but we also don't have to pay the crazy nightly room fees at Disney. Keep in mind that you are able to choose vacations all over the world, not just DW. We love to travel and now we just do it in style.

Oh, and we can also vacation WAY more!

LOVE DVC!

 

[com_op_2000]

1. Bought in '93.
2. For us, it is more about the more vacations than about the size of the room. Normally stay in a studio at different resorts.
3. Multiple 2 to 5 day stays per year.
4. Have gone on 8 DCLs using points in place of some of my trips to OKW.
5. You can stay at DL now and Alunia in the future, in place of flying east, if you choose to.
6. Do whatever makes you and your family happy (From Haunted Mansion DVD).

 

[SabresFan]

Well, we're not members yet either, although we are planning to join. Here are some of my thoughts from my research.

1. You are right that the studios are not much bigger than a hotel room - and in some cases smaller. The largest studio in DVC is 376 sq. ft at Old Key West, and the smallest (not counting the value studios at AKV) are 339 sq. ft. The rooms at the monorail resorts (Grand Floridian, Polynesian and Contemporary) are all over 400 sq ft, while the typical Moderate room is 314 to 340 sq. ft.

2. The 1 BR are much bigger, however. The smallest 1 BR (the value at AKV) is 629 sq ft, while the next smallest is 710, and the biggest is 942 at OKW.

3. If you are always happy staying at a Moderate resort, I don't think it is possible for DVC to end up being cheaper than the Moderate room, no matter how many years you run the numbers, even if you only stay in Studios.

4. But compared to staying at a Deluxe resort, you should come out ahead at DVC. If you look at an average room discount of 25% off the average rack rate at a Deluxe resort like the Polynesian, Yacht Club, or AKL, you should be able to get a 1 BR for the same number of nights and break even in 10 years or so, assuming you buy resale. And that assumes the inflation rate on maintenance fees and hotel rates is the same. And if you are always in a 1 BR, then you are getting more square footage, in room laundry, in room kitchen as advantages over the Deluxe resort (although losing daily housekeeping and having fewer Cast Members at your beck and call compared to a Deluxe resort).

Hope this helps.

 

[ret2961]

Thanks, all, for the input. Very unbaised and practical advice, which is why I asked here.

We are going to get the DVC resale.

Thanks all....

 

[speicher46]

The advantage of Disney Vacation Club is the ability to say in Villas which would be very expensive if you were not a member. I was just looking at a 2 bedroom at Bay Lake Tower for four nights in February and the cost was around $4600.00. These same four nights would take 192 DVC points. Huge difference. If you prefer to stay in hotel rooms then the advantages are diminished.

 

[marie1981]

I didn't even think about the different feel of our vacations when we purchased....It changes everything owning DVC. DH didn't mind returning to the room with me. We had a fridge to keep drinks cold and a much larger bathroom in our studio. Not to mention the animals off the balcony and just to have an actual balcony. Like SandiW we plan to always vist Disney yearly. It is just "our" place to visit, like the beach or mountains. We have a comfort zone there now and no longer run around wondering what we have missed. The fact that we didn't have to walk to gate 12 was a big plus to me. I loved the covered bus area with a bench.

So DH and I are great DVCers...we plan a disney trip every year for at least 7 days or longer, enjoy going with family and appreciate the ammenities. For us it isn't really about the "cost" savings and more about "relaxing" once there.....finally a trip to Disney that didn't require a vacation from the vacation.

This is exactly how I feel about DVC !!!!

 

[rlcerabone]

Need more info

What resort

season going spring summer fall winter diff point chart for each

How many points you are looking to purchase, this determines the monthly cost.

The extra points you have can be sold to someone else and that can be used to cover monthly expenses.

There are probably other factors which iam missing.

 

[tinker&belle]

This is a great thread, subscribing since this is similar to what we are deciding.

 

[a742246]

There is other things that aren't measured in dollars and cents.

The feel of owning something or sense of belonging.
The ease of booking a nice place, the magical express.
The calmer feel when you get there. Its a much more relaxing atmosphere.
The feel of being in control more.

These are just a short list from the top of my head.

 

[5forDiz]

Need more info

What resort

season going spring summer fall winter diff point chart for each

How many points you are looking to purchase, this determines the monthly cost.

The extra points you have can be sold to someone else and that can be used to cover monthly expenses.

There are probably other factors which iam missing.

Some answers to what you've posted :

Resort : most here will advise ( & wisely so ) ' buy where you love to stay '
OR ' buy where you absolutely will not mind staying in the event that's the only resort available to book '

Seasons : click link upper right for points charts for DVC resorts; also keep in mind that there were 2 recent point reallocations that have happened ( for 2010 and 2011; last time that happened prior to these two years was in 1996 iirc ) so you may want to purchase additional 10-20% over what you anticipate needing in case another reallocation is on the near horizon.

Monthly cost : you can pay MFs monthly with direct debit from bank account otherwise MFs are paid in one lump sum annually (payable usually no later than mid-February).

Extra Points : you wouldn't be selling your extra points to someone else, but you could either transfer them to another member for their use OR you can rent your points to a member or non-member but you would be responsible for calling MS to make & alter the reservation made with those rented points and as the owner of the points you can also be held responsible should your renter cause any damages to the villa or for charges made to villa if renter does not have a sufficient credit card line to cover.

When booking at 7 months or less you will be in competition with all DVC members for reservation so ideally, if you can, advance plan & book your trip during your Home Resort Priority Booking Window ( 11 months through 7 months+1day before check-in date you'd like ) Booking at 7 months or less there could be high probability, particularly at popular travel times, that you may not be able to get the reservation you are hoping for ( size villa, number of nights, even resort ). But you can have Member Services put you on waitlist; many have good success having waitlisted reservation request come through.

Best wishes on your planning

 

[dbs1228]

Good luck in your decision. For the past 15 years we have stayed at FT Wilderness cabins because we needed our space and we learned long ago that we saved a TON of money by doing a big grocery shop at the beginning of our vacation. I know a lot of people do not like cooking on vacation but my family prefers eating at the room, on our own time. Something to be said for heading back to your "home away from home" for a cold beverage and just relax. Cabins were costing us 330.00 a night the past few years (with discounts) and we just decided it was time. King size bed here we come!

 

[Sammie]

DVC is a good value if you need a two bedroom villa, as they are ridiculously high if paying cash. Pretty good value for a one bedroom, not as much for a studio.

If you are happy staying with Disney in a value or moderate resort, even a deluxe with a discount, and don't need more than one room, right now at the prices DVC is asking for points, and all the discounts Disney is offering, I personally don't think it is a bargain at all especially after you factor in the maintenance fees.

We bought when points and fees were much lower and discounts were pretty much unheard of.

Now that points are high and discounts offered more often, I would not buy. There are many reasons to buy DVC, not sure saving money is the main one.

 

[rugman1969]

Don't do it.

Hey all,

I've been lurking for a while and love the energy of the site, so I thought I would ask for some advice...

We are very close to buying a DVC resale, which I understand makes us DVC members...Here's the question.

We normally go once a year (most years) and we buy a room/ticket package in the non-peak season. So I am trying to work out the benefits of that compared with getting the DVC for a wad of cash up front and the maintenance fees being pretty close to what we pay for a package.

As I work it out in my admittedly simple mind, I get the DVC, pay the up front, pay the maintenance, and still have to buy tickets. What elements am I missing in pulling the trigger? We flip flop on it, being certain we want it one month to wondering if we are better off using deals and specials the next.

Thanks!

 

[hitman007]

To make it simple, forget the tickets and figure out how much you are paying for a room alone. Then figure with DVC if you buy in BLT you will be paying around $5.90 per point. (This includes yearly dues). If you are going to BLT for example on July 4th, 2011 you will use 22 points for a studio room each weekend night and 19 pts. for each weekday. That means simply you are paying $129.80 per night weekend and $112.10 per night weekday. If you can book a room in the Contemporary Resort or Bay Lake Tower for less, you should not join DVC. But you have to realize that the good deals Disney is giving now will be gone when the economy recovers.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Sorry...We normally book at a moderate resort, stay for at least 5 days (coming from CA the trip isn't worth the hassle for any less) and usually off peak (November or February).

We have rented points before, but only stayed in a studio, which isn't (or doesn't seem) much bigger than a regular room. Our last stay at CBR was great and our goal isn't to spend too much time in the room. Looking at point charts there is a big jump from the DVC studio to a 1-bedroom, another consideration (we are looking at 200 points from OKW or SSR).

Again, not looking to flame, just input on which may be the way to go.

Thanks!

Our vacations have changed, since buying DVC. Our only regret is not buying sooner. Our guide didn't do a great job explaining the Vacation Club. If only we'd found the DIS earlier.

We spend a lot of our time in EPCOT, so BWV is perfect for us. We enjoy relaxing on the balcony and having a few cocktails, before heading back to the park. No longer going commando, we definitely have more chill time. My kitchen/kitchnette are now a must. I also love going home with clean laundry. Granted, we became quite fond of the 1 & 2 bedrooms and added points the first year. Our children are grown, so it's nice to avoid the charge for the extra adults.