Anyone Against Disney Vacation Club?

[Melrosgirl]

Is anyone against joining Disney Vacation Club for any reason(s) besides the start up cost?

I'm curious to see both sides of the coin here. I'm considering joining and would like to know all opinions.

Thanks!

 

[JasonLyons]

Im against it, dont even really know what it is, but I dont like it

 

[ripleysmom]

Don't join if.....

You don't plan on going every year or every other year.

You are doing it to stay at non-DVC resorts. While you do have the option, the point costs are high and are not guaranteed like the DVC resorts.

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by Melrosgirl
Is anyone against joining Disney Vacation Club for any reason(s) besides the start up cost?

I'm curious to see both sides of the coin here. I'm considering joining and would like to know all opinions.

Thanks!

We decided against it because we like staying at the YC and the AKL.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I am definately FOR DVC! We have been members for nearly 6 years and absolutely LOVE it! We like to go at least once a year and for extended periods and stay on-site. If you aren't like that, it isn't a good idea. We started out with 230 points at OKW and originally planned to stay in ALL WDW locations. We have loved OKW so much, we never use our points for anything else except for the week exchange we did to Hawaii this year. We figure we broke even after about 4 years. That was until we bought the additional 150 point add on! We have only stayed at AKL once on cash since buying DVC. Because we travel for longer periods of time, we find visiting the other resorts for dinner ressies satisfies our desire to do the other resorts. WE no longer do the parks commando style, but enjoy taking family and friends along. It is so much fun to do the parks with newbies!

 

[jx3smom]

I know you asked if anyone is against DVC but I have to tell you that we LOVE it. We've been members for 3 years and truly enjoy the resorts. We started with 200 pts at BWV and added 25 on there and bought 225 pts at BCV when they began selling. We stayed there in Nov. and I want to buy more points. It is addictive.

 

[Mark P.]

I wouldn't say I'm against it as a whole, but personally, it's not for me, especially as long as the Swan/Dolphin offer a Govt. rate

One thing that always puzzled me is that I don't understand why DVC members don't get special lower rates for park passes(or free for that matter!). I would think it's the least Disney could do for those writing a check every month for a room at a resort.

I used to work with a lady who said she was a DVC member from the first year it was started. She said that for the first few years, she would get things in the mail out of the blue, like a DVC carry on bag, DVC pens, etc. And over the years, that's all but ended. I'm not sure, but I think she said that they recieved complimentary park passes, too.

 

[Galahad]

I think she said that they recieved complimentary park passes, too.

Ooooo. Don't get people started on that. The passes ended in 2000.

 

[Kermit]

I like the idea of DVC, but we're not at a point where it really makes sense yet. DH isn't sure that he's going to want to keep going to WDW forever. Plus, we've entertained the thought of relocating to the Orlando area, preferably to live in Celebration. I don't think I'd want to stay onsite if my house was just 20 minutes away.

 

[Margie J]

I've been a DVC Member since 1994 (and yes we used to get free passes).

That said, I will say that DVC is not for everyone. I also believe that some people may join without considering all the financial and point management issues first. Joining at the height of a vacation high is a mistake. It's also a mistake to put joining DVC before paying your primary rent/mortgage, your daily cost of living, education of your family, etc. IMO. Not to say you will do this but people have been known to get themselves into all sorts of financial (and other) binds beyond their means.

As others have also said, if you don't see yourself going to WDW or any other DVC Resort every year or every other year DVC may not be for you. Do you like to travel on the spur of the moment? Then DVC may not be for you since advanced planning is often necessary. Can you manage the upfront DVC cost PLUS the yearly maintainance fee associated with your point total PLUS the cost of park passes and transit costs if you visit WDW? Can you manage your point bank? DVC will not remind you of your point balance or banking dates (although you can call and ask but must remember this yourself).

It's a lot to think about. Many of us are indeed happy with our final decision though, in either way.

 

[zurgswife]

We have been DVC members for 4 yrs....it was a great thing for our family to do....we go to WDW on a regular basis and have a family of 6 (difficult to find just one room for a family our size). I'd like more points but Dh won't let me add more yet as I really want an addition to our house....So, that will come first...

And you can't make it just about the numbers...we did the numbers 1 yr earlier to purchasing and DH said it was a push...we then got to stay at BWV and realized it was more value for us for our money to join...do what works for your family...

 

[Rhonda]

I could be wrong here.....please correct me if I am....

when DVC first started, members were buying memberships for I think 50 years?? But, those years have gone down each year, so now when you buy your membership you're only getting something like 40 years.....but the prices go up all the time!

I wish I would have bought when it first started because now I feel like I wouldn't be getting as much for my money.

Does this make sense, or am I totally off-track?

 

[EROS]

Sent you a PM

Good Luck,

 

[4greatboys]

Your right Rhonda, you wont get as many years now then you would have gotten if you first joined, but your still getting 40 years of great vacations. We joined because we are a family of 6 and if you vacation at Disney every year or every other year you def get your monies worth. 2 of ours are under 3 right now so we could stay in a 1 room deluxe but that will soon be coming to an end so we would have to get 2 rooms or a 2 bedroom. Those rates can be killers even with a good code. Being members of DVC we can get premium rooms with spending a huge amount of money. And so DVC is not cheap but with a family our size we only have to stay in a 1 or 2 bedroom a few visits and we have broke even and then everything after that Im getting a very good deal.

 

[snoopy]

I wouldn't mind joining, but DH would never do it. He doesn't want to be committed to having to vacation at the same place every year. Even though it has been explained to him that the points can be traded to other places around the world, he just would never go for it.

Oh well.

 

[tc]

It is definately not the most cost-effective way to go, but I love it. I guarantees me a vacation at least once a year, and that will be usually to WDW. I can also use it elsewhere. I wish we had bought years ago. I love the idea that I can just pick up the phone, make ressies, and go. With my AP, and great airline rates, we go a lot more now. A vacation to WDW is magical for me, and gives Stephen and I a chance to just relax and let our hair down.

I did the numbers, and, including the monthly fees, it equals about $850 a year. I cannot stay at the Beach Club or Boardwalk for two weeks every year for $850. We bought 150 points. Someday I may add on when my girls get married (they're in college now), but at the moment, it's usually just the two of us, so 150 is plenty.

It works for us.

 

[Rajah]

At this point, it's not right for our lifestyle. In order to get the best rooms, you really need to plan a trip well in advance. Our trips are usually planned no more than 2 months in advance, 3 if we're stretching things, so it would be harder to find what we'd want.

Plus, we really like being able to pick which resort to stay at. I'd like to eventually stay at every resort on property, and that just wouldn't be practical with DVC. Doable, yes, but it isn't necessarily the best use of the money/points.

And, there are a few years coming up that we just may not be able to take a Disney trip. Next year and the year after are two of them. DH has a conference in Hawaii, so we're planning on going to Hawaii next year. Even with his way paid, that's an expensive trip. Then the year after, it's Switzerland! No way I'm missing out on Switzerland! Time for me to brush up on my German, since what I want to do for that trip is take a drive around Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. Again, that won't be cheap even with his way paid, so we may not make it to DisneyWorld then, either. We'll have to see how finances fall.

With all of that in consideration, DVC just isn't right for us. Yet.

 

[Rhonda]

I think it's worth it if you normally stay at Deluxe resorts. But, we don't usually do that. I would rather save some money and stay at a moderate or value resort (or camp at FW!!) and be able to stay for a longer time, or spend the money on other things.

 

[CamColt]

Im definitely not against it. Its great for other people, and if soemone were to give me a membership, then hey, Id be all for it, however, right now it doesnt make sense, money wise, to me.
The way I see it, our resort portion of our stay is the cheapest part of our trips. I just got a quote for 6 nights in August at ASMO for 414.00. The passes and airfare(if we fly as opposed to drive) is what makes it expensive. Personally, I dont really care for the Home Away From Home type of resorts. I want to feel like Im on vacation, when Im on vacation. I dont want a kitchen(I will NOT cook or clean), and I dont want to see laundry, etc... I want to be in a hotel. I know you can use points at other hotels too, but again, I dont need a deluxe on every trip. To me, thats a waste of money. And you cant use points at the All Stars, which we love! If passes were included, or even discounted, and if the Poly(my favorite) was a DVC resort, then I might seriously consider it, but for now, its not for me.

 

[Melrosgirl]

thanks for all the replies. I figured this would be a somewhat popular thread, lol.

Decisions, decisions. I kind of agree with Camcolt...cooking on vacation? LOL - heck, I don't cook at home. I can see the convenience of the kitchen facilities for breakfast though. I can do breakfast.

The extra room of the resorts seems great too. I think I would miss the Poly though (I would feel obligated to stay at the DVC resorts just point wise really). BUT I do see many advantages to DVC too. UGH!

I am a big planner, so planning out far in advance is my cup of tea really!