CA DVC Members - how does it work for you?

[DBinMV]

I'm seriously interested in DVC membership, but have noticed that the "value" of the membership really is with the WDW DVC resorts, vs. other Disney hotels in terms of what a certain # of points gets you.

So, for you folks in CA, how does membership work for you? Do you travel to WDW often? If yes, how often? If no, do the other DVC benefits (Disneyland hotels, II exchanges, Disney cruises, etc.) offer enough value for you?

Just looking for some people in a similar locale who have BTDT. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

DBinMV

 

[glewis1123]

Hi

We're up in San Jose and have DVC member since 2002. We started going to WDW in 99 and immediately fell in love it. We figured the cost would be taken care of with in 4 or 5 trips and we'd have it for many years to come.

WDW is more of a resort vacation destination whereas DL (which I love too) you can do in a weekend trip.

We travel back to WDW once per year for anywhere between 10-12 days in the spring or summer.

We take a redeye out of SFO to Miami non stop then to MCO or we fly from San Jose to LAX and non stop to MCO. (you would think SFO would have a nonstop to MCO)

It is very difficult to exchange into DVC but the value to trade out is not as great because unless you really check out the resort you are trading into, it's almost like trading down a step or two. DVC has high standards and is very select on what they offer for trades

Hope this helps somewhat

 

[LeftCoaster]

I'm in Yorba Linda and originally from San Jose. So both of you are my neighbors.
Anyway, I travel out to WDW twice a year. Once in the spring and once in the fall. I generally fly in on a Thursday and then fly out on the following Friday. Also, I usually stay at a cash resort the first part of the trip and then do DVC on Sun - Thur. night to maximize points.

you definately need more time at WDW just in the transportation factor alone.

If you want to use it mostly for WDW, it's a good option. If you plan on using it mostly for DL or exchanges, the value isn't so good. One option, would be to buy a small contract via resale and then do an add on if and when we finally get a DVC resort in California.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Sorry...we live in WA, not CA, but still wanted to reply. We debated DVC for seven long years because we felt that not being located on the east coast would hamper our abilitity to go to WDW due to travel time, flight costs, etc.

We finally bought last year and got just enough points to allow us a visit every other year (more often if we went during value season or stayed less nights). We felt this was the perfect solution as it would provide excellent accomodations at a reasonable price but we wouldn't have a bunch of points that we had to use or lose. We plan on using our points at WDW exclusively as the value just isn't there using them at non-DVC resorts (at least for us, anyway).

In our case, the airfare is such a huge chunk that I was afraid we'd go broke trying to use our DVC points. (LOL) Also, as much as my family loves everything Disney, we also like Hawaii, cruises, etc., so I didn't want to feel like the only vacation we could ever take would be to WDW.

You're the only that truly knows what's best for your situation...weigh the pros and cons and make a decision. It you do decide to buy, you can always rent out your points or sell the contract later if you feel it isn't a good fit. And, you will probably come out money ahead if you choose to do so (there's not many timeshares where this would be the case!)

Good Luck!!!

 

[goosedwn]

We live in the Bay area and we just join. We're exciting about it. We have been in disney world 11 times in the last 10 years. We stayed in all different resorts from value to delux. We looked into it 7 years ago and went against it because we didn't have kid back then. 2 years ago, we made the appointment for the tour but ended up cancel it because we think it's really not for saving money but for luxury vacation. Now that we have a kid. We really want to have room for her to play and feel like home. We normally stayed at WDW from 8-10 days every year. We bought 300 points to get the one bedroom every year.


Wendy

 

[winjos]

We went on a trip to WDW in 2000 and stayed at an off-site hotel (one of the grossest rooms we've ever stayed in). We walked through the model at DVC (Boardwalk) and fell in love! We went home and decided to buy in. Fast forward 5 years... we've taken 1 two week vacation, 1 spring break week, and 1 week during january with the whole family (both sets of in-laws - parents, siblings, & spouses). The first year we traded to Lake Tahoe because we had a 6 mo. old and didn't want to travel to FL. We've banked points every year and have still been able to go when we wanted. We've even used points to stay at the Grand Californian because we had another baby and didn't want to travel to FL.
To make a short post long...
Although we live across the state from FL, we've managed to get there without any hassles. Here's how I look at it... nothing is cheap in CA travelwise. By the time you calculate driving time (don't forget the traffic!!), gas, hotel, entertainment, etc. You're just about there with a WDW vacation moneywise.
We have 200 BWV points and added on 120 SSR points a couple of months ago. We love WDW and can't wait to spend more time with our kids there. We are heading to OKW in Sept. for 10 days. Right now, we just plan to hang out at the pool, ride bikes, take the boat to DTD, and relax!!


Good Luck!!

P.S. We are leaving CA and moving to NC next month!! It's only a 10 hour drive to WDW from there!! For us Southern Californians, that about the same time it takes to get from LAX to San Diego

 

[stings]

We are from Claremont, just Northeast of you.

We joined in '98. The first time we went to WDW we stayed at the Poly at 340.00 per night. But even though the price of the room at WDW was a little high we fell in love with the place. And this comes from people who have visited DL hundreds of times.

We visit every 18 months or so for a couple of weeks each time. The rooms, regardless of the resort, have always been great. Staying on property is the way to go, and if you go regularly, DVC is the best way to stay on property. There is nothing quite like a "welcome home" on arrival that first day.

The only caveat is that DVC is really only a good "investment" if you enjoy WDW enough to go there every other year or so. While it is true that you can trade out to other timeshares, other Disney resort Hotels, Disney Cruise line etc., it really is not a "good" use of the DVC points value-wise in my opinion.

So, if you really enjoy WDW and like to go there often then DVC is the way to go. Even with the travel issues we have in going coast to coast.

 

[DBinMV]

Thanks to everyone so much for your replies and stories. Winjos - I'm very envious of you going to NC...proximity to WDW is really the crux of my problem.

I would like to go to WDW every other year, on average. DW wants to go maybe 2 times in the next 15 years. To be fair, she really hates air travel - no getting around that.

So, it makes financial sense for me, but not for her.

I'm interested in hearing any other stories you all want to offer - many thanks. Gotta love DIS.

DBinMV

 

[Beca]

We're not quite as far as you...we're in Phoenix. But still, we are a great distance.

We try to get to WDW twice a year since the birth of my dd. But, as things work out, we have been down there 3 times in the last 6 six months!! Whatever!! I am certainly not complaining!!!

Southwest Airlines is a Godsend!! We catch the non-stop out of PHX and we are in WDW in about 5 hours. And, with the fares being so cheap...we really haven't been bothered. SWA may have a LAX-MCO non-stop, but if not depending on the time of the year (daylight savings for the "normal" world), you might be able to catch the first flight out of LAX (especially in the fall/spring when Phx is an hour later than you) and make the connection on the non-stop. Probably not your easiest option...but, definitely cheap!!

For us, the time it takes to fly to WDW or drive to DL is about equal. We keep saying we are going to take part of our points and stay at the Grand Californian...I LOVE that hotel!!! But, when we see how many nights we could stay at WDW for the same price...we always seem to just buy the airfare and go to WDW!!!

Maybe one day we will use it on DL!!



Beca

 

[PVA]

Hi Guys,

We are in north LA County so aren't too far from you. We bought 350 points at BWV in 2002. We have travelled back three times and leave next Saturday for our fourth trip as DVC members. My wife's family lives in Sarasota (about 2 hours south of Orlando) so we wrap a family trip in also, usually three days down by the beach and seven days at the Boardwalk (still haven't tried any others yet!).

We have used points at the Grand Californian too and since they are "just points" go for the Conciege level. It makes a weekend or midweek trip awesome. I think my daughter believes vacations are only to Disney properties though!

With my five year old DD, travelling across the country is a big issue for us too. BUT, I found a great deal that makes the travel as close to enjoyable as possible. If you book out at your eleven month window, start checking with American Airlines out of LAX. The first flight out on Saturday and Sunday mornings (between 7 and 8 am generally) is a direct to Orlando which is a big bonus, BUT if you book out far enough the first class ticket on this flight is only about $100 more (per person) than the coach rate. The enjoyability factor, bigger seats, more pleasant service, better food, make the flight fly by. My wife is not a big fan of flying but the first class really makes a difference.

Good luck!

 

[bwvBound]

DB -

We own a small number of DVC points which we use carefully for one week each year at BoardWalk Villas for a business related conference. Our justification is that ownership allows us to stay "on campus" (w/in easy walk of conference activities at the Dolphin, Swan, and Yacht Club) paying something less than the recent ~$200/night event rates.

However -- as flying is an obstacle for your DW -- I wouldn't recommend DVC to you.

DVC was the first timeshare/vacation club product we looked at (in '98) but we didn't buy at that time. Instead, after sufficient research, we chose a points-based club offering many "drive-to" locations along the west coast. Gladly, it was a good decision and we are very satisified with the 25+ resorts we've visited so far through that club. In fact, we have 3 nights this holiday weekend in Sonoma with fun activities planned!

Eventually we added other timeshare products, including DVC, to our lives. In all, I'd say that "vacation ownership" has worked very, very well for us. I'd encourage you to look at all types of different products paying careful attention to the strengths and benefits of each. Consider variables such as "day use," exchanging, bonus time, annual costs, ... etc.

Have a wonderful time in your search!
bwvBound

I'm seriously interested in DVC membership, but have noticed that the "value" of the membership really is with the WDW DVC resorts, vs. other Disney hotels in terms of what a certain # of points gets you.

So, for you folks in CA, how does membership work for you? Do you travel to WDW often? If yes, how often? If no, do the other DVC benefits (Disneyland hotels, II exchanges, Disney cruises, etc.) offer enough value for you?

Just looking for some people in a similar locale who have BTDT. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

DBinMV

 

[andriade]

We live is San Dimas, CA and we have gone to WDW two times. Both times within a year. We go with my whole family. My sis, BIL, Mom, Neices and nephews and my own DH and DKs. We figured it was soooo worth it for us. We probably would exchange since we love WDW so much. We figured we should do WDW while our kids are young. So, we make the hike to Florida.

Good luck!

 

[raidermatt]

I would like to go to WDW every other year, on average. DW wants to go maybe 2 times in the next 15 years.

That's really the key to the value, I think. Basically, if you are going to use the vast majority of your points at WDW, then the value is there. But if not, the value isn't really going to work out.

That doesn't mean you have to even go every other year, though. Since you can bank and borrow, you could theoretically go once every three years and still use all of your points for WDW. Maybe that's a compromise that you and DW could agree on?

We've used most of our points for DVC trips, but there have been a couple of times where we used points for the DL hotels because we couldn't make it to WDW for a few years.

While its not the best value, it is nice to be able to book a room at the DLR without having to shell out any cash at that time. We know its not the absolute best use of our initial investment from a monetary pov, but since we only do it occasionally, it doesn't bother us at all.

 

[amee]

Hi,

We live in Seattle and have been DVC members about several years now........we enjoyed visiting WDW a couple of times prior to going and decided to buy in when we saw how much it was costing us to stay on-site (usually POFQ)....anyway, one of the things that we have discovered is that Florida is a relatively inexpensive destination to travel to from the west coast. We have gotten fares of around $200 rt almost every time for the last few years. Since the NW tends to be cool and rainy a lot of the year, we like having the option of "nicer weather" that comes at a lower price than Hawaii(which we love too, but it's just getting too expensive to fly there!). Beyond that, we have found that the fun never ends at WDW....every time we go (and as our kids grow), its different and fun in a different way. We have had to "rent" our points 2 times, but were happy to have the cash to spend on other vacation destinations........all around it has been good for us, but we are int he market to go every year or perhaps everyother year at the least...............perhaps once yur wife visits, she will want to go a bit more often!

 

[LeftCoaster]

Southwest Airlines is a Godsend!! We catch the non-stop out of PHX and we are in WDW in about 5 hours. And, with the fares being so cheap...we really haven't been bothered. SWA may have a LAX-MCO non-stop, but if not depending on the time of the year (daylight savings for the "normal" world), you might be able to catch the first flight out of LAX (especially in the fall/spring when Phx is an hour later than you) and make the connection on the non-stop. Probably not your easiest option...but, definitely cheap!!





Beca

Beca, three in no non-stop on Southwest to MCO. =( The best I've been able to do is a one stop first thing in the AM that takes about an hour longer than a non stop. Not too bad.
On my last trip, I flew a non-stop red eye on Song and was quite please with that.... Actually, I was very impressed with Song.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Jet Blue just came to Portland and I am hoping they will be adding a non-stop to Orlando. Right now our only option is to drive to Seattle (which would add more time to the trip than stopping somewhere!). Red-eyes are a nice option if your body can handle it. We tried it last time and felt like zombies for the first couple of days (none of us could sleep on the plane).