Am I wasting my time?

[tawasdave]

I am just starting to look into the DVC. I am single with two teenage kids..45 y/o...we are just happy to stay at any Disney hotel and actually loved just staying at Pop Century (read not into a fancy room as we just sleep there anyhow). We usually hit DW everyother year. Am I wasting my time looking into DVC? Seems to me I can do Value rooms for less money now and in the long run. Yes I watched the video..it is useless. Thanks for your opinions.

 

[jmminarik]

Originally posted by tawasdave
Am I wasting my time looking into DVC?

Whether you're wasting your time is your decision...investigating anything disney isn't a waste for many of us around here.

From a financial standpoint, if you are happy with the All Stars, there's no way a DVC membership will save you money. If you were staying at the moderates then a DVC membership *may* make sense.

Of course, you can always rent points and check out a DVC room to see if the upscale in room is worth the upscale in price. Many DVCer's actually do spend time in the rooms...you go often enough you don't need to rush around the entire vacation, so the rooms are important to many of us.

Hope this helps,
Joe

 

[Chuck S]

I agree with what jmminarik says. If you are perfectly happy at a value class resort, DVC is probably not wise for you. But I also agree that since purchasing, with extended visits, we tour the parks more leisurely and spend much more time in our room than during our stays at the Contemporary.

If however, you can foresee the desire/need to vacation at WDW every year, or think you'd enjoy a moderate or delux room more than a value resort in the future, then I'd look into DVC with a minimum contract...or possibly even small resale contract.

 

[lillasmom]

I tend to agree with jmminarik. If you plan to go every other year and are happy in one of the value resorts (which I think are great by the way), DVC may not be for you. I bought into DVC as an investment of vacations for years to come. I take extended family and friends for vacations and do spend time in the room, so the size matters. When it all boils down, you have to do what's best for you and your family. Renting points is a good idea for your next trip to try it out without the financial obligation. Remember, after your initial outlay, there are yearly dues to pay, so you really have to think it through.

Good luck!

 

[spiceycat]

find a resale OKW for 50 points - then bank and borrow - stay in a studio for 7 to 6 nights or how many you stay now.

I use the microwave and under-the-counter refrigerator alot - so I would say yes DVC can save you money in the long run.....

but everyone else is also correct.

remember if you go more often then you will need more tickets, etc.....

if you need a list of resalers just ask

 

[mikesmom]

It's impossible to say if it would be good for you until you look into more. I have taken 2 teenage boys on a regular basis and (like yours they NEVER whined for a better room) once we bought DVC the quality of vacations improved immensely. The extra room is fabulous. I save money (which I did NOT expect) in having snacks, drinks, etc in the fridge for the boys.

Would you waste your time checking? I would say no. Is it for you. Checking is the only thing that will tell the tale.

 

[Mic]

I was going to suggest what Spiceycat said: Purchase a small resale contract for cash(50-75 point), then bank and/or borrow every other year to spend a week in a studio. For an initial investment of @$3500, then yearly maintenance fees of @$200, you will spend a week in a room with a much bigger bathroom than the value resorts, not to mention the queen size bed. Depending on the time of year you stay at the value resorts, and the availability of codes, you will probably be spending about the same amount of money on DVC as you would staying at the value resort for a week every other year for the next 12-14 years. I am basing this on paying @$120-125 a night at the value resorts for 7 nights every other year(for a toal of @$6000 in 14 years or 7 trips). DVC would cost the initial $3500($70 per point for 50 points), plus $200 per year for 14 years(for a total of @$6300). The only thing I forgot to add was the closing costs of a resale($400), so if you factor that in, it might take 8 trips to break even with DVC. However, after 16 years(or 8 trips), you'll have another 22 years (or 11 trips) to enjoy DVC for the mere cost of a year's maintenance fees($200). Was that clear as mud?

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Gee maybe I should have bought a small resale.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by tawasdave
Yes I watched the video..it is useless.

I have to admit I'm a bit puzzled by this comment. Frankly, the DVC promotional video was probably the single element that most contributed to our decision to purchase.

In those 20 minutes, we got a look at every DVC resort, all of room layouts, an overview of the point system, found out about Vero and Hilton Head for the first time, not to mention the other options available via the "Collections."

No, it didn't give us a personalized financial comparison, but short of that, I always thought it was a wonderful sales tool which more than met our expectations.

Oh well...

 

[bom_noite]

Check out this thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=553662

You make the call!