Buying DVC without the D

[Floridian From Afar]

My wife and I have been recently considering buying into DVC. We love the idea of it but haven’t yet taken the plunge. We just got back today from a weeklong trip with our 2 boys ages 6 and 3. We stayed at the beach club and were able to ride the skyliner a few times over to Riviera. Let me just say….. wow. Disney really did a great job with this one. Over the week we kept finding excuses to hop over and enjoy the resort. Who wouldn’t want to be an owner there?

Unfortunately, after a week at Disney, I came to the realization that maybe buying into DVC just isn’t for us. I booked this trip for the week of Feb 5-12. I did this thinking that it’s off season and shouldn’t be too busy. Boy was I wrong. Apparently people don’t care about kids missing school anymore and the idea of off-season is a relic of the pre COVID days. The crowd sizes were frustrating but definitely not the only disappointment. I could get into the other specific details that made our days at the park anything but enjoyable, but that’s for another blog maybe.

While planning for the trip I came across tons of articles written by people who were angry at Disney for one reason or another. I can confirm that “Paying more for less” is definitely a thing. It’s almost comical to think how much I just spent for this past week.

At the end of the day we came to the realization that the theme parks aren’t nearly as enjoyable as we once found them. Maybe that’s us getting older. Maybe it’s COVID restrictions and protocols still in place. Maybe it’s the cost and the crowds. We still loved our time in the bubble with our kids, but found our more enjoyable moments were outside of the parks.

So now that the trip is over, I find myself asking the question “Do people buy into DVC without any intention to go to the parks?” If all we want is a nice resort, then there are plenty of resorts out there that don’t carry the Disney price tag. They won’t have that Disney aura or feel, but that may not be reason enough to buy in for 30+ thousand dollars. Obviously things can change over time. The perks may return. Crowds come and go. It’s just tough to make a commitment to Disney when it seems like more of an emotional purchase versus one based on value.

Curious as to what people think.

 

[808blessing]

Buy it & sell it when you are ready. Then you are just paying dues and maybe closing/commission. I think it is a great deal if you like staying on site and the fun of the parks doesn't wear off!

 

[CarolynFH]

My wife and I have been recently considering buying into DVC. We love the idea of it but haven’t yet taken the plunge. We just got back today from a weeklong trip with our 2 boys ages 6 and 3. We stayed at the beach club and were able to ride the skyliner a few times over to Riviera. Let me just say….. wow. Disney really did a great job with this one. Over the week we kept finding excuses to hop over and enjoy the resort. Who wouldn’t want to be an owner there?

Unfortunately, after a week at Disney, I came to the realization that maybe buying into DVC just isn’t for us. I booked this trip for the week of Feb 5-12. I did this thinking that it’s off season and shouldn’t be too busy. Boy was I wrong. Apparently people don’t care about kids missing school anymore and the idea of off-season is a relic of the pre COVID days. The crowd sizes were frustrating but definitely not the only disappointment. I could get into the other specific details that made our days at the park anything but enjoyable, but that’s for another blog maybe.

While planning for the trip I came across tons of articles written by people who were angry at Disney for one reason or another. I can confirm that “Paying more for less” is definitely a thing. It’s almost comical to think how much I just spent for this past week.

At the end of the day we came to the realization that the theme parks aren’t nearly as enjoyable as we once found them. Maybe that’s us getting older. Maybe it’s COVID restrictions and protocols still in place. Maybe it’s the cost and the crowds. We still loved our time in the bubble with our kids, but found our more enjoyable moments were outside of the parks.

So now that the trip is over, I find myself asking the question “Do people buy into DVC without any intention to go to the parks?” If all we want is a nice resort, then there are plenty of resorts out there that don’t carry the Disney price tag. They won’t have that Disney aura or feel, but that may not be reason enough to buy in for 30+ thousand dollars. Obviously things can change over time. The perks may return. Crowds come and go. It’s just tough to make a commitment to Disney when it seems like more of an emotional purchase versus one based on value.

Curious as to what people think.

There are too many other nice timeshares in Orlando that you could buy into for a lot less $$ to make it worth buying DVC, if you’re not interested in the parks. Do some reading on the Timeshares User Group forums, https://tugbbs.com/forums/. A TS may or may not be right for your family. PS if you buy Marriott or another TS that trades in Interval International, you could exchange into DVC for a lot less than buying in!

 

[RoseGold]

You can rent DVC points a few times while your kids are little. Maybe that’s enough?

I agree a lot with your feeling about the direction of Disney in general and in the customer experience. I’m not sure this is when I would want to be buying. I’m seriousy considering selling points and just staying at the swolphin. It works out cheaper, there’s coin laundry, and I’m not locked in.

I’d never buy DVC or go anywhere near Disney if I weren’t going to the parks. Riviera is not a $800/night hotel outside the Disney bubble. You can do way better than that if you avoid Orlando altogether. Hell, I stayed at the Ritz in Sarasota for half that. And they had robes and didn’t bang on my door at 9am check out day for me to leave.

 

[BeachClub2014]

“Do people buy into DVC without any intention to go to the parks?”

Great question. I think you'll find a wide array of opinions on why people choose to purchase DVC for their families. You'll also find just as wide an array of opinions on how people "do" WDW. The trick is finding what is right for your family.

We've never been all-day park people. We enjoy going into a park for a few hours in the morning, returning to the resort for pool and relaxation time, and then perhaps returning to a park for the evening. For our family, it's the whole immersive experience and not one piece that keeps us staying with WDW and DVC. Good luck in making your decision.

 

[DVCsloth]

I think for our family, owning DVC has made going to the parks much more enjoyable. The crowds can get overwhelming very quickly. We always adapt our park strategy to avoid the really busy times at the parks. I like to go early but the family likes to sleep in, so I get up and tell them to call me when they are ready, and I will meet them. They usually end up going early with me though, probably FOMO! I think the Riviera resort is an awesome resort, the Skyliner is a huge perk! BC and Boardwalk have an awesome location. Resale on those IMO will probably start dropping since there is only 20 years left on the contract. We usually stick to our resort on the weekends or only go to the parks for a few hours. When the parks are super busy that's when we enjoy our pool time, usually no one there but a few people. We also make sure we have a dining reservation if we want to go to one of the parks for a few hours, have a nice meal and check out the park for a little while and head home. I truly think all of the DVC resorts are really good, some have great access, and some are more laid back. Big thing to me is to pick one that everyone likes. I would probably buy my first contract direct for the non-restricted points. It's more expensive but should pay for itself as soon as the passes come back (hopefully) and the ability to stay at any DVC and member events that should be coming back soon (at least DVC said they plan on doing.

 

[Princess Merida]

If you have no intention of buying annual passes, you should check out the resale market. It will likely save you a ton of money. We have done multiple resort only trips. Of course we like to go to the parks, but after the trip we just had in January no thanks. We will be skipping spring break this year. We are only going for Epcot's 40th still because we had already planned to go with my cousin (her 1st trip) and I don't want to abandon her. Back on subject... the resorts are vacation spots within themselves. Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club, Boardwalk, Riviera, and Grand Floridian are some of our favorites to stay at with no parks. I would not purchase Riviera resale (or at all really because of restrictions), but if you do just be aware of the restrictions.

 

[Brian Noble]

I find myself asking the question “Do people buy into DVC without any intention to go to the parks?”

DVC is a great choice for someone who sees themselves visiting the theme parks at least every other year for the foreseeable future, would never consider staying in a non-Disney resort, and typically chooses to stay in Disney Deluxe or Moderate rooms. It's a way to either save money on the rooms you already like, or improve your lodging at a reasonable cost. In conjunction with the rest of the WDW ecosystem, the resorts deliver a great overall vacation experience.

For anyone else, I think it's a hard sell.

Disney as a hotelier is distinctly average. As a timeshare developer/manager, they are better than average, but still not in the upper echelon. If the theme parks didn't exist, the resorts would have very little to argue for them. The units are on the small side compared to other timeshares in and beyond Orlando, and often not as well-equipped. Two of my pet peeves: Several of the resorts do not have ice makers in the units, and none of the 2BRs have a dining table that comfortably seats more than about four adults. DVC resorts do tend to have good infrastructure (store, restaurant, etc.) but that's counterbalanced by the fact that getting anywhere else other than another Disney destination takes effort. Non-Disney timeshares have much easier access to the world around them. (Of course, one might consider that a negative.)

Just in Orlando, there are several timeshare resorts that are at least as nice or nicer than the typical DVC resort, with significantly lower secondary-market prices and comparable or lower ongoing costs. Most of the Marriotts, Vistana Resort and Villages, and most of the Hiltons fall into this category. I'd also put Wyndham's Bonnet Creek and Reunion in this set, and there are probably many others.

Where things get interesting is that most of those systems have very well-developed resort networks outside Orlando. Disney's non-Orlando/Anaheim resorts are expensive, usually in second-tier locations vs. the competition, and there are only three of them.

Could you make a DVC purchase work if you weren't Disney-park-centric? Sure. The resorts are nice, there are a few other in-system locations, and there is always external exchange. But there are much better ways to commit to recurring vacations if the Disney parks are not your primary motivation for doing it.

 

[Brian Noble]

PS if you buy Marriott or another TS that trades in Interval International, you could exchange into DVC for a lot less than buying in!

Just as an aside: I'd consider this a nice bonus if it happens, but I always advise folks not to buy a timeshare with the specific intention of trading into DVC as the primary purpose for buying. In the 15 or so years I've owned timeshares, there have been maybe a half-dozen different changes in the exchange landscape that upended how (and whether) I can exchange into DVC. The trade power required is always in flux, and the unit that can exchange in today might not tomorrow. Worse, DVC has switched exchanges between RCI and II three times now, and I will not be surprised if they do it again in the next dozen years.

 

[bumbershoot]

I booked this trip for the week of Feb 5-12. I did this thinking that it’s off season and shouldn’t be too busy. Boy was I wrong. Apparently people don’t care about kids missing school anymore and the idea of off-season is a relic...

I always find it intriguing when people take their own kids to Disney during what they think is an off-season time and are surprised to find that other parents take their kids, too.

And now, many more kids are homeschooling, which means you can do that anywhere (disneyschooling is awesome), or even doing remote schooling if their servers allow them to log in from elsewhere. Different districts in different states have different vacation times and always have.

 

[DougEMG]

I bought DVC with the intention of spending most of my time in the parks. I would never own DVC if I wasn't planning to spend most of my time in the parks.

Because of COVID and travel restrictions we haven't been to WDW since 2019 and watching all the reports and seeing all the changes; most of which are negative in my view; I am very worried that we will not enjoy our next trip at all.

 

[bwvBound]

I find myself asking the question “Do people buy into DVC without any intention to go to the parks?”

Yep, right here ... but it took 6 years from "1st tour" to "1st purchase."

Our Use Case: an annual tech conference that consumed the Dolphin, Swan, Yacht Club Conference Centers along with those at the Boardwalk in peak years (~20k attendees).
We attended from 1996 - 2015 and preferred staying "timeshare" for the kitchen, laundry and jetted tub. We toured in '96 but didn't purchase as our employer paid our travel and we didn't see ourselves traveling to WDW for vacation. The employer quit paying in 2003 ... so we purchased DVC in 2004 to secure our annual BWV stay.

By the time we purchased DVC, we already owned other timeshare (each purchased after our 1996 tour of DVC) ... and loved the concept. We were hooked on timeshare in general, both successful and satisfied with using our timeshares ... so talking ourselves into that 2004 purchase was pretty easy.

Once the conference as petered out ... we began using the DVC ownership for "fun" and found it as satisfying as our other timeshares. We enjoy "sleeping around" the system including Vero and Aulani. Since Covid, our DVC use has focused on the Grand Cal (for proximity) sometimes with passes but often without to enjoy the resort or participate in a free member event. We find ourselves visiting the parks less and less. The resorts, WDW boats, restaurants, spa, outdoor activities (Sunrise Yoga, etc) make for a good vacation!

 

[lovethesun12]

While I can't say the parks had nothing to do with our decision, it was definitely more of a bonus than the specific reason we bought (which is why I'm happy planning on a resort only trip this time). We love the resorts, the restaurants, and the pools. We rarely have swimming weather for more than 1-2 months of the year (and even then WDW pools would probably shut down at our temperatures during those times) so it's a nice vacation for us.

Just back from skiing today and really wish I was warming up by the pool right now much more than wishing I was at a theme park lol.

 

[CSLucas]

We bought DVC about a year ago, and I am a certified Disney Parks-hater (the hotels I enjoy a great deal). I think it still makes sense - it's an easy vacation with young kids because there is plenty to do, see, and eat. On our last trip down we went to Merriest AH but didn't go into the parks at all otherwise and the kids still had a blast and got their Disney fix (between character dining outside the park and seeing characters in the lobby, although the lobby thing might be a temporary thing). We are actually planning on buying more points once VGF starts selling again even though we don't see ourselves changing our stance on the parks. I fully realize that I could find a more cost-efficient option out there for what we are using our points for, but Disney makes it easy, it encourages us to get away with the kids, and who knows- maybe when they are older we won't feel so overwhelmed with crowds in the park. I also like the idea that when the kids are older it's a place we could send them with their friends at a low cost that I would still feel comfortable with.

 

[Travel60]

We bought HHI near the beginning of DVC when our kids were young. Although we have added on a few times, our average point cost is low. We used to go to either HHI or WDW every year, occasional other exchanges on points. While kids enjoyed WDW, as they got older, we went to HHI more and then DCL came along. DH just updated a spreadsheet and figured out we've spent more points cruising than anything else. But, again, our points are cheaper....might not do that with pricier points and certainly wouldn't buy now for that.

We just spent a month at VB, WDW, & HHI to escape winter. And, just got off the phone with DD about family vaca with grands at HHI. Have not been to a park in years. Never bought an AP. Grandkids (4&7) like Disney but, due to pandemic, haven't got caught up in the park experience. It does seem to have become more complicated and I don't call that vacation.

Once the pandemic winds down and once the little one can be vaxed (2023?), maybe we'll try parks again. I've really sort of had it with "people" in general and bad actors in the parks, along with the new logistical complications, would cause me to go elsewhere. That might be my age talking but DD ...33 years younger...expressed the same.

 

[Nappy1380]

I think for our family, owning DVC has made going to the parks much more enjoyable. The crowds can get overwhelming very quickly. We always adapt our park strategy to avoid the really busy times at the parks. I like to go early but the family likes to sleep in, so I get up and tell them to call me when they are ready, and I will meet them. They usually end up going early with me though, probably FOMO! I think the Riviera resort is an awesome resort, the Skyliner is a huge perk! BC and Boardwalk have an awesome location. Resale on those IMO will probably start dropping since there is only 20 years left on the contract. We usually stick to our resort on the weekends or only go to the parks for a few hours. When the parks are super busy that's when we enjoy our pool time, usually no one there but a few people. We also make sure we have a dining reservation if we want to go to one of the parks for a few hours, have a nice meal and check out the park for a little while and head home. I truly think all of the DVC resorts are really good, some have great access, and some are more laid back. Big thing to me is to pick one that everyone likes. I would probably buy my first contract direct for the non-restricted points. It's more expensive but should pay for itself as soon as the passes come back (hopefully) and the ability to stay at any DVC and member events that should be coming back soon (at least DVC said they plan on doing.

This really hit the mark for us. Our first few trips were absolute rushed chaos trying to get everything in as non DVC owners with full on FOMO. It was constant go go go for us and really never was relaxing looking back at those trips. Now, our mindset is completely different and we find ourselves foregoing quick service meals and enjoying more of the restaurants. We also seemed to have slowed down considerably with the planning and anxiety that comes with it. Knowing that we are coming back year after year has translated into more pool time when it's jam packed at the parks, or actually walking around and enjoying the details in the parks themselves.

Our trip in a few weeks has almost as many pool days as park days. We added and extra MK day simply for the extra magic hours. We will most likely wander in after everyone gets up (with no alarm clock), see some cavalcades and do a few rides. If it's packed, we can just leave and come back to see the fireworks and most likely get as many rides in from 9-11P, with low to no stress, as if we stayed in the parks all day while it's busy.

 

[RoseGold]

I totally agree about the pace. My DVC + APs finally created the Disney experience I wanted. Kiddos are done, we leave. We ride a ride instead of watch the fireworks. We go to the pool and don't show up until 2PM. That style of travel was not possible with park ticket costs.

And maybe it isn't possible at all anymore if Disney doesn't bring back APs.

I think the other way to achieve this style, as I have planned for many people, is to just go for the party at night. Ride the rides with no lines, see the parade, very different than the standard park day.

But if crowds and theme parks aren't a good fit for you, then I don't see why you would buy into a 5 figure timeshare tied to those things. Just stay at the Swan and book one night at the Halloween/whatever money grab party.

 

[Minniesgal]

Just a comment Feb 5-12 is not at all off season.

 

[Minniesgal]

My wife and I have been recently considering buying into DVC. We love the idea of it but haven’t yet taken the plunge. We just got back today from a weeklong trip with our 2 boys ages 6 and 3. We stayed at the beach club and were able to ride the skyliner a few times over to Riviera. Let me just say….. wow. Disney really did a great job with this one. Over the week we kept finding excuses to hop over and enjoy the resort. Who wouldn’t want to be an owner there?

Unfortunately, after a week at Disney, I came to the realization that maybe buying into DVC just isn’t for us. I booked this trip for the week of Feb 5-12. I did this thinking that it’s off season and shouldn’t be too busy. Boy was I wrong. Apparently people don’t care about kids missing school anymore and the idea of off-season is a relic of the pre COVID days. The crowd sizes were frustrating but definitely not the only disappointment. I could get into the other specific details that made our days at the park anything but enjoyable, but that’s for another blog maybe.

While planning for the trip I came across tons of articles written by people who were angry at Disney for one reason or another. I can confirm that “Paying more for less” is definitely a thing. It’s almost comical to think how much I just spent for this past week.

At the end of the day we came to the realization that the theme parks aren’t nearly as enjoyable as we once found them. Maybe that’s us getting older. Maybe it’s COVID restrictions and protocols still in place. Maybe it’s the cost and the crowds. We still loved our time in the bubble with our kids, but found our more enjoyable moments were outside of the parks.

So now that the trip is over, I find myself asking the question “Do people buy into DVC without any intention to go to the parks?” If all we want is a nice resort, then there are plenty of resorts out there that don’t carry the Disney price tag. They won’t have that Disney aura or feel, but that may not be reason enough to buy in for 30+ thousand dollars. Obviously things can change over time. The perks may return. Crowds come and go. It’s just tough to make a commitment to Disney when it seems like more of an emotional purchase versus one based on value.

Curious as to what people think.

We bought when our kids were wee so we didn't buy for the resorts but now as empty nesters we are keeping it for the resorts. Next year we have a Carribean Cruise booked but want a hotel for 5 nights after to chill we will use our points and stay at AKV. In future years we will go and take our gold clubs and stay at OKW, SSr or even Aulani.

 

[limace]

I would never buy DVC if I wasn’t a parks fan. I love the parks, especially Disneyland, and we go to DL about every other year usually with 6 people, so owning at VGC works for us.

There are absolutely nicer resorts you can buy into if you’re not into the parks, for a fraction of the cost of DVC. I would echo the suggestion to spend some time on TUG to research. If you think you’ll hit Disney occasionally, I’d just rent points or stay at one of the other lovely offsite resorts.

Riviera is gorgeous, but if it’s the resort you love and not the parks aspect, it is very like many other modern resorts in other locations (for instance, it has a very similar vibe to the cosmopolitan resort in Las Vegas which is much cheaper).