Anyone know the DVC ownership breakdown by age group?

[juxtapose]

We’re 39 and just bought our first contract. I came into some money that probably should have gone to help pay for a nicer house, or put towards our current one, but we decided to buy DVC instead lol.

 

[DisneyFanSea]

I'm 37, wife is 35, and we just bought into VDH and PVB. We've been eyeing DVC since we were dating in college a long long time ago. However, with a 3 year old, 1 year old, and now being in a financial position to pay cash without thinking twice about it, we finally pulled the trigger this year.

 

[Cfabar1]

We’re 39 and just bought our first contract. I came into some money that probably should have gone to help pay for a nicer house, or put towards our current one, but we decided to buy DVC instead lol.

Mortgage interest rates make that decision a little easier right now!

 

[zackiedawg]

I am currently 56, but I bought into DVC when I was 27 - and I bought all my points at once - 440, with no add-ons since. When Boardwalk opened for DVC in 1996, I was hooked on the idea of a DVC resort connected to Epcot and that sealed it for me. My family has been going to Disney World since 1971 when it opened and I've been to Disney parks every year of my life since I was 3 years old (I lived in California for 4 1/2 years from 1990-1994, so for those years, I visited Disneyland). We still were doing family trips with my parents, brother's family, and friends every summer, usually at the Fort Wilderness cabins or Contemporary garden rooms - so buying into Boardwalk just seemed to make sense. My parents also decided to buy in, so between us, we could cover some great family stays. My parents passed in 2023, so now it's mostly me solo, with friends, or occasionally my brother's family...we used to blow a big wad of points on 2-bed or grand villas for everyone, then I'd squeeze in a few studio solo vacations here and there, but since I rarely have large groups come with me anymore, I've got enough points to just always get a 1-bedroom 4 or 5 times a year, even if I'm just going solo.

I don't know if I'd have done it if I were 27 years old today...with the cost of points what they are. When I bought in, it was around $27K for 440 points...today I'd have to part with more than $100K to get the same points...significantly more than the inflation-adjusted amount I paid!

 

[zavandor]

I am currently 56, but I bought into DVC when I was 27 - and I bought all my points at once - 440, with no add-ons since. When Boardwalk opened for DVC in 1996, I was hooked on the idea of a DVC resort connected to Epcot and that sealed it for me. My family has been going to Disney World since 1971 when it opened and I've been to Disney parks every year of my life since I was 3 years old (I lived in California for 4 1/2 years from 1990-1994, so for those years, I visited Disneyland). We still were doing family trips with my parents, brother's family, and friends every summer, usually at the Fort Wilderness cabins or Contemporary garden rooms - so buying into Boardwalk just seemed to make sense. My parents also decided to buy in, so between us, we could cover some great family stays. My parents passed in 2023, so now it's mostly me solo, with friends, or occasionally my brother's family...we used to blow a big wad of points on 2-bed or grand villas for everyone, then I'd squeeze in a few studio solo vacations here and there, but since I rarely have large groups come with me anymore, I've got enough points to just always get a 1-bedroom 4 or 5 times a year, even if I'm just going solo.

I don't know if I'd have done it if I were 27 years old today...with the cost of points what they are. When I bought in, it was around $27K for 440 points...today I'd have to part with more than $100K to get the same points...significantly more than the inflation-adjusted amount I paid!

To underscore what you say, 27K in 1996 are equivalent to 56k now. It's crazy how much more expensive DVC has become. Sure, hotel rates have probably increased by a similar (or possible higher) rate, but still the barrier to entry is so much higher. No wonder studios are popular.

 

[mikeuno]

We were fortunate enough to my Mom's contracts transferred to us.
Original deeds dated December 1995!

 

[Murron]

I am in the 65+ group! I bought in when OKW was the only DVC and points were….wait for it….$58.50 per point!! And guess what? We got free park passes until the end of 1999! I bought in 1994, but I believe the first points were sold in 1991. The minimum buy in was 230 points.

Ditto. 65+ here and first contract was OKW when it opened.

 

[Cfabar1]

DVC is no longer something middle class in terms of initial buy in....

Not saying whether that is good or bad, but the initial buy in to OKW (and BWV) was surprisingly affordable... those initial owners were very shrewd to see the value that was there for them!

 

[Becx N Gav]

I was 27 (and a few days) ex hubby was 30, we purchased direct at SSR, no kids at the time. I'm now (almost) 45 with a 10 yo. Haven't been able to use my membership since 2010 due to various reasons. We rented to stay at GCV two years ago but we're planning to go around Easter 2027 so will use points to stay before / between / after two cruises. I just came in to some money so added on 50 points at the Polynesian direct too because I really want to stay at the new tower villas!
When we purchased the exchange rate between UK and USA was over $2 to £1! So an absolute bargain! Plus two full time wages, small house, no kids made it affordable and a no brainer!

 

[J-Dog]

DVC is no longer something middle class in terms of initial buy in....

Not saying whether that is good or bad, but the initial buy in to OKW (and BWV) was surprisingly affordable... those initial owners were very shrewd to see the value that was there for them!

Anecdotally for myself, I completely agree with this. We are firmly middle class, maybe even borderline-upper-middle class, but the only reason we could make our initial buy-in - and still be financially responsible - was because we got a windfall insurance settlement.

I know this is an older thread, but to be relevant to the thread, I was mid-40's and my wife was late-30's when we initially bought-in.

 

[PrincessNelly]

We bought in 3 years ago, at 31 & 33 - 1 angel baby but no living children.

We started via resale using my yearly bonus to buy a small 60 point OKW contract. We were just trying to see if DVC was for us. (Spoiler alert, we loved having it LOL)

We just added on direct at Poly last month on a whim. We honestly were saving up for a house but prices in our area are just so insane that we've decided to keep renting for now. Used some of our housing fund for the add on.

Definitely middle class. We work regular jobs, I'm a sales department supervisor/part time travel agent and my fiancé works in pro sales at Home depot. But most importantly, I think we manage our money well, our cars are paid off & we don't buy a lot which allows us to enjoy our Disney vacations.

But DVC is most definitely a luxury purchase that most people cannot afford. I'm grateful that life has allowed us to enjoy many Disney trips and many more to come.

 

[PrincessNelly]

I am currently 56, but I bought into DVC when I was 27 - and I bought all my points at once - 440, with no add-ons since. When Boardwalk opened for DVC in 1996, I was hooked on the idea of a DVC resort connected to Epcot and that sealed it for me. My family has been going to Disney World since 1971 when it opened and I've been to Disney parks every year of my life since I was 3 years old (I lived in California for 4 1/2 years from 1990-1994, so for those years, I visited Disneyland). We still were doing family trips with my parents, brother's family, and friends every summer, usually at the Fort Wilderness cabins or Contemporary garden rooms - so buying into Boardwalk just seemed to make sense. My parents also decided to buy in, so between us, we could cover some great family stays. My parents passed in 2023, so now it's mostly me solo, with friends, or occasionally my brother's family...we used to blow a big wad of points on 2-bed or grand villas for everyone, then I'd squeeze in a few studio solo vacations here and there, but since I rarely have large groups come with me anymore, I've got enough points to just always get a 1-bedroom 4 or 5 times a year, even if I'm just going solo.

I don't know if I'd have done it if I were 27 years old today...with the cost of points what they are. When I bought in, it was around $27K for 440 points...today I'd have to part with more than $100K to get the same points...significantly more than the inflation-adjusted amount I paid!

440 points for $27k.
wow, that's such a steal at todays rates! Very jealous LOL