Buying but still running the numbers

[DizzyStitch]

OK we just got back from Universal. I liked the hotels and the price and the space but I hated the parks. That said I started booking a trip to Disney in 2013 and I finally decided I wanted better rooms, more space and maybe DVC is the answer. I looked at renting points, but with family issues I need to be able to cancel if sometihing comes up (elderly sick parent). So now I am exploring. I am sure I will do resale. I am an accountant after all and numbers speak volumes! So what I was wondering is how do you get the most value of DVC if you are not a Florida resident? We live up in Cleveland Ohio. We drive down (straight thru, I am an animal on caffeine LOL!). I am very limited on when I can go but I want to go OK now I am rambling. Can or is anyone able to tell me the discount on an annual pass that I read somewhere you get when you buy DVC? I'm just running the balance of the numbers so I can figure out what I want.

Hope to join soon!

 

[Ilyo]

Annual pass for DVC members is $452.63 with the renewal each year coming in at $410.03...regular rate is $611 so is a significant savings.

DVC resale can pay itself off very fast if you are an annual Disney visitor who like the comforts of deluxe.

If you are someone who typically enjoys the value resorts will take much longer to see any financial benefit.

 

[chalee94]

So what I was wondering is how do you get the most value of DVC if you are not a Florida resident?

as a NC resident, i'm not clear on what being a FL resident has to do with it.

IMO, to maximize your value:

1) stay at DVC resorts
2) book 10-11 months in advance at your home resort
3) travel to orlando at least every other year

Can or is anyone able to tell me the discount on an annual pass that I read somewhere you get when you buy DVC?

the discount is currently $149. it improved last year. it could go away next year.

don't buy into DVC assuming that certain perks will always be there. you are prepaying for accommodations...the rest comes and goes.

 

[vicki_c]

We actually didn't buy DVC until we moved away from FL, so I'm not sure how that would be relevant. Even if you only go once a year, you can still save money over Disney's rates much of the time. Some people only buy enough points to go every other year, so closeness to the parks is not really a factor. When we lived in FL, we were more likely to use a FL resident room discount or stay off-site for cheaper since we went more often.

 

[DizBub]

Have you factored in the yearly Members Fees for the individual resorts? In the long run those can really add up. Do you have a preference for any particular resort yet?

 

[DVCMikey]

I say go for it. When you run the numbers you can see what a good deal it really is.

 

[dizfan]

Based on your signature it looks like you usually go once a year in September.
September has been an easier time to book non-home resorts.

Unless your heart is set on a specific resort or a limited category each trip, I suggest looking at the lowest priced resort (include MFs).

As an example, BCV is normally a difficult resort to book. DW and I had no problem booking it for this September at the 7 month mark.


Another cost saving tip if you typically have an annual trip (say a week long) and go to the parks. Plan the trips so they are just under 12 months apart. Buy an AP on the first trip and make sure your second trip ends just before the expiration date of the AP. (Run the numbers based on your typical vacation duration).

 

[DougEMG]

If someone needs to take advantage of perks to make the numbers work, then they probably shouldn't be looking at buying.

Run the numbers comparing your buy in costs and annual MF against what you would normally spend and see how long that takes you to break even. If that time is reasonable, then maybe DVC might be a good fit for you.

 

[Kidanifan08]

I looked at renting points, but with family issues I need to be able to cancel if sometihing comes up (elderly sick parent). . . So what I was wondering is how do you get the most value of DVC if you are not a Florida resident? . . . I am very limited on when I can go but I want to go

We are from Indiana, and we love being DVC members. We go to Disney at least once a year, although we usually fly. Having the larger rooms, full kitchen (in the 1 and 2 BR), and Washer/Dryer (again 1/2BR) is great.

Choosing a home resort is not easy if you have never stayed in a DVC villa before. Depending on your family size, know that OKW, AKV and BLT all sleep 5 in the 1BR units, while the others only accommodate 4. The AKV and BLT 1BR units have two full baths and the 2BR units have 3!

Even as an owner, short notice cancellations can affect your use of the points, so if there is a chance of a late cancellation, you may want to consider purchasing the travel insurance. Cancellation at less than 31 days puts your points in a holding status, which limits the use of those points.

The limited times you can travel may also play into your choice of home resort, depending on which resort you prefer. Even though early December is a "slow" time for Disney, it is one of the most popular times for DVC and you need the 11 month home resort priority, particularly for BLT, VWL, BWV and BCV. F&W at Epcot also affects your ability to get BCV and BWV. If you don't care where you want to stay, then SSR or OKW may be your most cost effective choice.

Also, keep in mind that the resorts have different expiration dates, which does affect the value of your purchase. BWV, BCV, OKW and VWL all end 2042, SSR 2054, AKV (and a few extended OKW) 2057 and BLT 2060. Depending on your age, you may want one of the newer resorts as your home.

There are lots of good threads on these DVC boards about purchasing and the ins and outs of the different resorts. Enjoy doing the research. There is a sticky (DVC Resource Center) at the top of the purchase section that has a bunch of great data on the various resorts.

Have fun!!

 

[Sandisw]

As already mentioned, the perks that we get as DVC members are not part of owning DVC and can be changed or taken away at any times. So, when deciding if DVC is right for you, IMO, one should look at the initial buy in cost, the yearly MF's and what you are getting for those costs compared to what you would typically get for your trips as a cash guest and decide if it makes sense for the long term.

We bought in 2009 because we knew trips to Disney would continue for many, many years. We had been going almost yearly since 1994 when our children were little and even though they were now older--one was in college, one heading off to college in a year, and the other one in middle school when we bought--we knew that Disney trips would not end when they were grown.

We also knew we liked being at the CR and staying in deluxe resorts and wanted that to continue. Our hope was that we could buy in to BLT and end up getting a bigger room for the same, if not less, than what we had been paying for our yearly summer 5 night trip and when we ran all the numbers, we realized DVC made sense.

One thing we do to maximize ticket costs is to schedule our summer trip 51 weeks apart so we get two trips out of one AP--last year, we went the 10th to the 15th of August and this year, its the 5th to the 10th.

Of course, now that I own DVC, our once a year summer trip is not enough--at least for me, so I am going more often!!!

Good luck!

 

[disneynutz]

Owner perks come and go so don't include them in your numbers.

Buy where you love to stay.

Buy the correct UY.

Read all of the posts that you can find about the DVC.

Be prepared for some possible room issues and MS issues.

Bill

 

[ToddyLu]

My DH and I live on the Gulf Coast about 9-10 hours away from WDW. So it is a convienent destination. I happened to marry a homebody who doesn't like to travel. But he loves going to Dsiney once a year. We purchased in 2009. He has to pick his vacation out for the following year every December. We like to travel Oct-Dec so this is great. I get definite dates 11 months out and book that trip. This year I was able to get 2 value studios at Jambo, leaving me enough points for a second trip.

We like to go for a week at a time. I thought we would have enough points for a second trip so last year we renewed our APs. So this year I booked Oct26-Nov 2 exactly 11 months out at 08:59:50 to get those value rooms (online booking wasn't working yet). I then made a second reservation (same phone call) to book a May trip with left over points (DH second choice for vacation), we were a bit short so I purcashed 23-24 once a year points from Disney for $15 a point and they made the reservation. You can only purchase points for a 7 month reservation. So for Oct, we have our room, we have our APs, we have our flights and we have Disney reward dollars. The May trip has come and gone and we loved it--Flower & Garden, time in the pool.

You have to know what you are purchasing and how to wheel it and deal it our you can loose points. It is an expensive Timeshare and we use ours to the max. I do a lot of reading on here and still learn new things, and then keep the nuances and ins/outs of ownership fresh. It is a hobby of mine I guess. One of the Drs I work with gets tickled to hear about our trips because he has friends who own timeshares out of the ecountry and never use it. He always tells me "boy you know how to work those points". Well hell it is too expensive to waste.

 

[DizzyStitch]

I went over my numbers and came up with some interesting stuff. And I agree with those who said owning dvc will encourage more trips. What really surprised me is the difference in cost. I am now forced to go mainly in June and July due to my kids sports schedules. So this means the discount window is narrowing. So when I run the cost of the rooms I end up with great savings on the room alone. I agree the annual pass would be a perk and I will take it while it lasts. Another thing I am wondering about and have to research is how many names can be on the deed. I want to include my kids to make it easier to become theirs when I am either too old to do this or no longer around. I think that with my financial situation this is going to be a great deal and a way to guarantee great discounts. We are just growing to much to keep squishing into those value rooms. Now the hard part, which resort. That is going to take lots of thinking. And I will be back with lots more questions. Thanks for the help guys!