Anyone change thee tune on DVC long term?

[magicmama]

I can see why some families can have second thoughts about DVC after the kids are grown but then others like to keep it. I didn't buy until the kids were grown. Couldn't afford it till then. It's a stretch sometimes but then again, it's well worth it when we go and really enjoy WDW. Of course we can enjoy other places (and we do) but there's something about the magic that keeps us (or me) going back at least once a year. I will go with or without the kids. I feel safe At WDW if I travel solo.
So I won't be selling my points. I'll keep them and use them myself or with my kids or grandkids.

 

[PinkTink63]

I have to say yes, we did change our tune on DVC long term, and so we decided not to buy at this time.

We still think DVC is a great timeshare, and if we lived on the east side of the country, or if there was a DVC resort or two over here on the west side, we'd buy in for sure, but that fact is, Orlando and WDW is a LONG WAY for us to travel every year. And the distance for us to travel to Orlando isn't the worst either - the worst is the HIGH AIRFARE right now! (no DINGS from Spokane to Orlando )

So for us, DVC is AWESOME, but location and airfare is NOT. We haven't totally shut the door on making a DVC purchase, but we're going to be patient for now and see what happens with future DVC development.

Don't be surprised if you see us on the rent/trade board looking to rent a few points now and then though, because we're determined to make our next Disney trip a WDW DISNEY TRIP! (which will be a first for us!) I promise, we'll be kind and thoughtful tennants!

We just bought recently and love WDW. I am a little concerned about airfare, but we usally find pretty good ones from Portland. Matter of fact, I think it's less for us to fly to Orlando right now then to Southern CA. We do have a mileage card that is going to help us a lot!
After our son is grown, we plan on going more at the off times. We hope to try F&W Festival and some of the other fun events that we can't go to now.
The one thing about Florida is that there is so much to do and see there.
My DH lately keeps coming home from work wanting to move there!
I think we will always love to go to WDW, but maybe not stay as long in one trip.
Last summer we stayed 10 days at WDW and then went to the Gulf Coast. It was sooooo beautiful! That white sugar sand beach and crystal clear water is unbelievable! You just can't see that on the West Coast!
We plan to hit the Keys on our next trip to WDW. Also, has anyone went spring hopping? That was awesome! We think FL has so much to offer! We plan on going back for many years to come!
We also want to be the grandparents that take their GK's to WDW for the first time! (And many more times after that!)
Stephanie

 

[DisneyMim]

I always laugh when I hear people talking about "outgrowing" Disney. We bought when DVC started, in 1991 and my kids who are now 17 and 21 still love it. I can't imagine ever selling. It just gets better and better. Our WDW trips have changed over the years, but that's the great thing about Disney, there's so much to do. When they were little it was the characters and things like that. Now it's late nights, wonderful long enjoyable dinners in our favorite restaurants and tons of other things. I do have to say though that we are very lucky to be able to travel to other places during the year. I hope someday, to be able to take our grandbabies!!

 

[Daitcher]

Hey Dave, were you going to buy a VB contract? I think that was you, please forgive me if I'm wrong. I remember because we are considering one. Anyway, have you decided against that option so you would have more flexibility? It sounds like if you want to go to new places and have a great deal of flexiblity you shouldn't own a timeshare. Rent!

That was me. I may buy enough points at VB to get those Beach Cottages at the 11 month window and sell off my SSR points after SSR sells out. I love the VB Cottages and you really need the 11 month mark to get them. I got lucky once but was denied twice since then. Renting points may be an option down the road or if I decide to not purchase VB points. Still in the brainstorming mode.


DAVE


DAVE

 

[Daitcher]

Very similar thoughts, which is why we really only bought enough points to enjoy an every other year week. Now our kids are six and seven, and getting old enough for something other than Disney and Disney cruises. The idea of the rockwall on RCCL lit my son's eyes up. My husband and I went to Mexico last year and would like to take the kids sometime.

I like Disney, I don't know that I like Disney as much as a lot of people here. A few times a year and I think I'd overdose. I want my kids to see England, not just the UK pavillion at Epcot. I want them to see Washington DC, not just the Hall of Presidents and the American Adventure. And I don't find trading out points to visit Washington DC or London nearly as flexible as doing my own research. Having a lot tied up in DVC leaves us with fewer options.

Crisi,

I agree totally with what you are saying. That is also part of my thought process. WDW trips have been great for us to date. It really has been wonderful with our young son. Now that he has turned 4 the world of possibilities are opening. We feel like we are getting to the point where we can take different types of trips. We also want our son to see the world through something other than WDW colored glasses. Thanks for the post.


DAVE

 

[Daitcher]

Owning a lot of weeks with Marriott does not make one educated. If they're losing weeks consistently and/or renting for less than the fees, they are doing something wrong. The are many weeks they should be able to rent out for double or more of the yearly fees there. And if one is reserving a good week and trading appropriately, should be able to get great weeks and resorts in exchange through II. And many who bought top Marriott resorts will do as well or better than DVC in the long run in terms of resale options.

Completely agree, Dean. Owning a number of weeks does not mean someone knows the ins and outs of the program. Losing weeks should never happen.


DAVE

 

[Daitcher]

This is off topic a little but I've seen a number of people here concerned with the cost of airfare. I've taken heat about similiar things on other posts but I feel if airfare is a big issue then maybe DVC isn't for you. Timeshare ownership isn't a right of passage. Cost of vacationing there isn't cheap with food, airfare, spending money, park tickets, etc. Timeshares should be for people with plenty of disposable income, not those pinching pennies for airfare.

DAVE

 

[Dean]

This is off topic a little but I've seen a number of people here concerned with the cost of airfare. I've taken heat about similiar things on other posts but I feel if airfare is a big issue then maybe DVC isn't for you. Timeshare ownership isn't a right of passage. Cost of vacationing there isn't cheap with food, airfare, spending money, park tickets, etc. Timeshares should be for people with plenty of disposable income, not those pinching pennies for airfare.

DAVE

LOL, that goes double for Aruba, at least if you plan on actually going there.

 

[Lisa F]

This is off topic a little but I've seen a number of people here concerned with the cost of airfare. I've taken heat about similiar things on other posts but I feel if airfare is a big issue then maybe DVC isn't for you. Timeshare ownership isn't a right of passage. Cost of vacationing there isn't cheap with food, airfare, spending money, park tickets, etc. Timeshares should be for people with plenty of disposable income, not those pinching pennies for airfare.

DAVE

Timeshare ownership is for anyone who can afford it without being a financial burden on the rest of the taxpayers in the country. In other words, anyone who can afford to pay all of their bills has earned the right to spend their money whatever way they want to. If that means pinching pennies to make a vacation a possibility, so be it. It's their money, their right. I'm not sure what you think of as "plenty" of disposable income but it's really none of your business and not your right to define what enough disposable income is. The fact that people have ANY disposable income means they are already better off than most of the world and they can do with it as they please, that's why it's called "disposable income."

Back to the topic at hand, we bought into DVC back in 1999 so I guess approaching 7 years ago. The last few years our disposable income has been quite a bit less than it was before (we moved to a much higher cost of living area and I was in grad school so not yet working) and we rented our points for a couple of years and used that to pay for one really nice vacation in the last 3 years. It was the panama canal DCL repo cruise, but a few years worth of points rented out paid for everything... the all inclusive cruise, a few days at disneyland, airfare, and yes... with financial discipline we managed to spend a grand total of $650 on board for a 2 week cruise (over $300 of that was tips).

We haven't been back to WDW in a few times and have our first trip planned for early december 2006. I can't wait. The few year's absence has made it all fresh again and there are new and wonderful things to see as well as old favorites. I'm even more glad now that we bought into DVC than 7 years ago because it allowed us to take a vacation when we might not have ordinarily been able to. The flexibility of renting out my points so easily is really the key for us. Someday when we have kids we will be able to afford ultra luxurious onsite accommocations that we could not have afforded before. DVC seems like more of a value every year (we paid $55/point with magical beginnings back in 1999). It will be so nice to go home again this year!

 

[dvc-NE]

Dave: It's probably hard to tell how your 4 yr old will react to Disney in the future, but my son is 10 and I don't see him tiring of Disney anytime soon. Some kids are creatures of habit, and like doing the same things again and again. Then they get a little bit more bold on what rides they will go on. Just something to consider. Matt

 

[Daitcher]

Dave: It's probably hard to tell how your 4 yr old will react to Disney in the future, but my son is 10 and I don't see him tiring of Disney anytime soon. Some kids are creatures of habit, and like doing the same things again and again. Then they get a little bit more bold on what rides they will go on. Just something to consider. Matt

Matt,

Very true. Only time will tell how it all plays out.

DAVE

 

[Daitcher]

Timeshare ownership is for anyone who can afford it without being a financial burden on the rest of the taxpayers in the country. In other words, anyone who can afford to pay all of their bills has earned the right to spend their money whatever way they want to. If that means pinching pennies to make a vacation a possibility, so be it. It's their money, their right. I'm not sure what you think of as "plenty" of disposable income but it's really none of your business and not your right to define what enough disposable income is. The fact that people have ANY disposable income means they are already better off than most of the world and they can do with it as they please, that's why it's called "disposable income."



You have some valid points there. I do,however, see people running up the debt to then go on to file bankruptcy a "burden to the taxpayers in the country".( I'm not suggesting you have done this) Timeshare Store and others live off others people's mistakes so they don't mind. There is no shortage of resales and there never will be. People make knee jerk purchases without thinking them through. People in this country also feel it is a right to live beyond there means. Sorry folks but an annual WDW trip is a luxury and not an entitlement. Reminds me of a neighbor of mine..... they were driving 2 brand new Mercedes around. My wife's take was that they "weren't hurting for money". My take was that they were probably living beyond there means. Sure enough I find out from the wife that they hadn't paid there mortgage in 15 months and were losing the house. If airfare is a worry then you need to reevaluate your priorities. Maybe that DVC isn't as much of a "need" as you thought. Thanks for your thoughts.

DAVE

 

[Daitcher]

LOL, that goes double for Aruba, at least if you plan on actually going there.

Very true. Our airfare for our family of three this January went for around $2100. That is just air, not food, entertainment or anything else. It is so easy to sign on the dotted line for that timeshare after touring one of these beautiful properties. People just need to realize how expensive it can be. I'm not trying to down anyone with my post. I just hope maybe somebody sitting on the fence about joining will run the true numbers of ownership, not just buy in and dues. Airfares aren't going to get cheaper either with fewer and fewer seats available. Sorry for the off the topic stuff, back to the topic.


DAVE


DAVE

 

[granmanh603]

Yikes where do you live? We are flying down in early March for 280 for 2 and my son flew out of Akron Oh in OCT with 5 for under 1000.

 

[disney-super-mom]

Very true. Our airfare for our family of three this January went for around $2100. That is just air, not food, entertainment or anything else. It is so easy to sign on the dotted line for that timeshare after touring one of these beautiful properties. People just need to realize how expensive it can be. I'm not trying to down anyone with my post. I just hope maybe somebody sitting on the fence about joining will run the true numbers of ownership, not just buy in and dues. Airfares aren't going to get cheaper either with fewer and fewer seats available. Sorry for the off the topic stuff, back to the topic.


DAVE


DAVE

WOW - $2100 for a family of three! That's $700 round trip per person! Where in the heck are you flying from?

 

[eliza61]

We're in for the duration. Personally, I still think it is one of the best vacation values out there. So far I haven't run into any problem using my points outside on Disney. My family & I do Disney every other year and the off years we hit the concierge collection or the adventures collection. So Far, we've done NYC, Washington DC, London England, and the Biltmore in Arizona. No problems getting the ressies we wanted. (Did NYC during 4th of July Holiday). Next stop, the Carribean. I think it will be a looong time before, we think of selling

 

[drtpaper]

I am always amazed at the level of responses to the DVC timeshare. I have stayed there several times and love the pay once and use for decades concept. I also love the sell the points for a profit. No other timeshare can touch this cash out option. My 150 point contract provides $900 a year cash after maintenance fees - it pays for itself in 12 years. No other timeshare can compare. I only go every other year for 5 days in a 2 bedroom and we always take friends and get them a studio. The off year selling of points covers the cost of tickets for the 5 days. We also stay at other timeshares in the area and go to Seaworld and other Orlando attractions. None of them are up to Disney standards and none have the Disney magic. Each of the other resorts can be rented for well under the annual cost of maintenance fees. I can also sell my DVC timeshare today for $2000 more than I paid for it due to appreciation. I am not a big Disney person, but seeing my kids enjoy being in their special world is worth every penny. In the end, it is a personal experience. We plan this vacation two years before we go and every friend we have taken has loved the vacation - especially the 11 month plan ahead attitude and the build up the kids go through planning what they want to do.

 

[mamatojon]

I don't think being concerned about the cost of airfare = I can't afford the airfare. Plenty of people of substantial means shop around for the best buys and don't just throw their money around because they can. Being frugal doesn't neccesarily mean you are poor.

 

[Dean]

Very true. Our airfare for our family of three this January went for around $2100. That is just air, not food, entertainment or anything else. It is so easy to sign on the dotted line for that timeshare after touring one of these beautiful properties. People just need to realize how expensive it can be. I'm not trying to down anyone with my post. I just hope maybe somebody sitting on the fence about joining will run the true numbers of ownership, not just buy in and dues. Airfares aren't going to get cheaper either with fewer and fewer seats available. Sorry for the off the topic stuff, back to the topic.


DAVE


DAVE

And it can be more than that for 3 sometimes. Taking all factors into consideration prior to buying is a VERY wise suggestion and Air is certainly a major portion of the costs for many vacation options.

 

[Daitcher]

WOW - $2100 for a family of three! That's $700 round trip per person! Where in the heck are you flying from?

We live in Saratoga Springs, Ny and fly out of Albany, NY. Our airfares are typically high. Southwest has helped out a lot with the domestic routes, especially Orlando. We may be getting Airtran (likely) or Jet Blue (somewhat likely) in the near future. We will be moving to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area in the fall so our airfares should be better.


DAVE