Anyone include the "specials" in your calculations?

[Will316]

Hi guys: We're kicking around the idea of DVC. THe thing is, we almost always go when there is some kind of "special": Free Dining, 4/3, something like that. Has anyone done the calculations including the specials to see if/how much you still come out ahead?

 

[cvjw]

We used to always go during the times when specials were offered also. The turning point for us was the reality of trying to stay in a regular hotel room with our two boys, ages 13 and 10. It just made the trip not so magical. For us, it was either buy into DVC so we could get 1 and 2 bedroom villas, or find another place to vacation. I will admit, when I see an offer for free dining, it does make me wish I could book it. But then I think of trying to stay in a small hotel room, and I am OK with paying for dining!

 

[YourEveryDayAdam]

Yep. I did throw around the numbers with the "specials"

see this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2137102

You can look at the "40% off" column for the price of a Disney stay that is pretty equal to the best of the specials out there (free dining, buy 4 get 3, flat 40% off, etc.)

Ultimately, the "worst" dvc calculation (paying full price, no discounts, fully financed at Disney's worst rate, including all the annual dues) still comes out WAY ahead when compared to some of the best of the cash rates.

Read the whole thread, because I make many more comparisons.

 

[disneynutz]

A couple of years ago there wasn't many specials. As soon as the economy picks up, Disney will reduce the specials so include that in your figures.

Bill

 

[rentayenta]

I did too and a room at the POR with "free" dining does not compare to a one bedroom DVC Villa. Both our trips to WDW have been 10 days and I cannot explain the vast difference and enjoyment between staying DVC and a hotel room.

 

[nu2dvc]

Agreed that the discounts can not be assumed, but that being said, free dining has been offered for many years now, even before the economy tanked. Question is: do you want to do Disney during Hurricane season with 100 degree temps and 100% humidity? I did it twice for FD and swore "never again!"

The fact is that the price of accommodations will continue to rise, so that is a factor to consider as well as whether or not something as good as a 40% discount will continue to be available.

I will tell you that I bought in to DVC despite the fact that I get 50% off all rooms at all resorts whenever I want. (due to my line of work)

It will take over twice as long for me to break even, but I will still come out on top after about 11-15 years and then still have many many years to enjoy my DVC.

I will tell you we waited several years to buy, just to make sure that we were certain that we would like to continue vacationing at WDW for the next 50 years. At this point I'm sure of that and just hope that my health allows me to do so. (and that my kids don't get sick of it )

 

[MrShiny]

Definitely, the increased cost of accomodations is a big factor. Sure, dues will rise, but they historically have risen less than the cost of accodomations.

I think when WDW opened, resorts like the Poly and Contemporary were about $35 or so. Even in more recent times, the All Stars all opened at under $100 at even the busiest times of year.

I have 2 kids - 15 and 11. I figure we have at least a few more years of family vacations, and before I know it the kids might want to use DVC for their kids! And of course my wife and I have no qualms using it for ourselves now and then!

 

[Dizny Dad]

You can calculate this, run the numbers for that, balance out the differences, check the alternatives, etc, etc. I know I did, and I do run a running spreadsheet to see where the numbers fall, when I hit break even and go into a "savings position".

But please don't miss the magic! Being involved in the magic is not a quantifiable situation.

There is no place on my spreadsheet for the hours of discussion it has generated, or the rating of the excitement it has created in the family. There are no columns to total our imagination or dreams of the next visit to The World; no break even point in happiness to identify.

Become a DVC'r if it feels right, doesn't "take" from the family, and makes your dreams soar!

And don't look back.

 

[DebbieB]

When I joined, I based my decision on staying in a 1 bedroom for 5 or 6 nights in May and early December. Those run over $400 a night. They didn't have big specials back in 1999, maybe 10-20% off. Even a 4 for 3 would be expensive. Free dining would still be very expensive - paying full rate for 6 nights.

 

[Brian Noble]

The MouseSavers analysis has several different scenarios---rack rate, "typical" discount, etc. You can easily tweak it to your own needs:

http://www.mousesavers.com/dvc.html#comparison

 

[rlovew]

I not only compared it to specials but also to staying as an E5 at Shades of Green and except for weekends DVC won out. As soon as our vacationing plans changed so that weekends are less likely to be used we bought in- until then Shades of Green was cheaper.

 

[edk35]

Yep. I did throw around the numbers with the "specials"

see this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2137102

You can look at the "40% off" column for the price of a Disney stay that is pretty equal to the best of the specials out there (free dining, buy 4 get 3, flat 40% off, etc.)

Ultimately, the "worst" dvc calculation (paying full price, no discounts, fully financed at Disney's worst rate, including all the annual dues) still comes out WAY ahead when compared to some of the best of the cash rates.

Read the whole thread, because I make many more comparisons.

Just makes you smile to be a DVC member. It just makes sense.

 

[shonnons]

The MouseSavers analysis has several different scenarios---rack rate, "typical" discount, etc. You can easily tweak it to your own needs:

http://www.mousesavers.com/dvc.html#comparison

I think this is the best spreadsheet by far that I have seen. It was what I used in deciding DVC was the right chose for me. Now I just need to make it threw ROFR.