Can someone help me with the numbers?? I don't get it,DVC purchase vs. something else

[Disney1fan2002]

Ok, here is what i don't understand.

I know a family that is "jealous" of me and my family because we are able afford DVC, and go to Disney all the time. I always say it is about priority. We love Disney so much more than anything else.

They are campers. When they go to Disney, they drive down with their camper, and stay at Fort Wilderess. They own one of those big mini-house trailers. I would say it cost them MINIMUM $40,000. Then, every time they go camping, the campground fees are a MINIMUM $40/night. Most times, more for water/electric hook-up.

Maybe they enjoy camping more than going to Disney, but I don't really see how people can invest so much into camping, then complain about how they can't afford Disney. To me it is one or the other. I don't have a love of camping, so of course I can never understand how someone can spend $40,000+ on a trailer.

If you really broke down the numbers, camping is NOT a poor man's vacation.

 

[spiceycat]

depends upon how you camp.

I have friends that still use a tent and sleeping bags....

they made a big mistake last month and went to Florida the Keys in May....

they have family in Fl so no excuses - they should have known how darn hot it can get at this time of the year.

 

[mamaprincess]

Give them the link to "an interpretive dance for the jealous" here on the DVC community board hopefully it will help, then proceed to ignore them.

You're very right about a particular style of camping being expensive but hey if it makes them feel good We own DVC because it's right for us and feels good to us. We are just DVC types. Some people don't know who in the Hanname they are so everything else but what they're doing makes them feel as though they are doing something inferior.

As far as I'm concerned you could be renting Donald trump's penthouse at Trump Towers and I would still rather be at my DVC but that's me.

 

[new_yawka]

My brother just purchased a rather large "5th Wheel" trailer. It cost about $40,000. He then purchased a truck to tow it ($15,000.00). He is paying to keep it on a camp site year round ($2,000.00) and he will pay per night whenever he goes somewhere else....

....as we discussed it, all I could think is "How many DVC points could I get for that?"

Camping is by no means cheap when done in that way...it is a lifestyle choice.

I choose the DVC way

 

[married@wdw]

We bought our 150 points for about $7300 with a CM discount, put down $3000 and financed the rest over 5 years. At the same time, one of my fellow CMs bought a small trailer home for $20K, put down $5K and financed the rest over 15 years.

She has complained ever since that she misses WDW but can't afford to go! I don't want to hear it!!! If she'd gotten the points instead, she wouldn't be camping every weekend and she'd be complaining about that instead. Everybody makes their own decisions and should be happy for what they do have!

 

[goldilocks_63]

I agree... it's priorities a lot of times...

I have a town house, not a monster (4,000 sq foot house).
We drive used cars (never owned a new one).
I take my lunch to work (don't eat out).
Don't have other "extra's".... list goes on, you get the idea.

But to me the memories are priceless.

and I take friends and family.

Enjoy, and don't let it get to you. Life is way too short.

Goldi

 

[pjpoohbear]

We sold the trailer to buy DVC, lol. We love Disney, it makes us happy. Camping in a park was a yearly expense and it was like work, lawn, flowers etc. We live in a Condo because we do not to do all that yard work. We would rather spend that money on airfare and park passes, and DVC will be cheaper in the long run. 50 years of camp fee would be close to 100K and DVC dues are more in the 35K range for use, even with airfare etc, much cheaper and more joy.

Penny

 

[durango kid]

I guess I must be a real Disney Geek then. We have enough points for two trips during the cheap months and we just bought a 21' travel trailer so that we can stay at Ft. Wilderness once a year too. They are completely different types of trips. I was able to justify it because in Colorado there is so much to see and do camping wise. But everyone knows it's just another Disneymobile for us.You spend alot more time under the earth than on it. Best make the most of it.

 

[Rozzie]

You spend alot more time under the earth than on it. Best make the most of it.

I just love this quote! If you don't mind, I am going to write it and hang it in my kitchen.

 

[kathleena]

Well, all I can say is, the camper and truck to haul it can be used any day, any week and DVC is limited to how many points you have.

But then again, DVC is until 2042 or whenever and the camper/truck have a more limited life.

I think it's a wash myself and as some have said, just a lifestyle choice.

I'll take the DVC.

 

[mbw12]

You spend alot more time under the earth than on it. Best make the most of it.

I LOVE this quote! I am going to use that one alot!
Bobbi

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

We are proud owners of both DVC points and a travel trailer. Guess which one has appreciated more?

 

[FreeTime]

Well my Dh has been wanting to get a travel trailer. I keep telling him that we should just get a cheap pop up in case we tire of camping. So when he pushes me I give him the alernative solution, "Sell DVC then we can get any camper that you want!" Guess what? He loves his DVC so it isn't going to happen!


I, too, know people who complain that they don't get to go anywhere and comment, "Oh, you are going to Disney again? And you went to AC a few weeks ago, and didn't you go on a cruise too?" These are the same people who work with me and make what I make. Their spouses appear to make the same too. I eat pack my lunch and watch them stoll out to lunch each day. They smoke a pack or so a day. On weekends, they go to multiple movies, their kids can only where Nikes and Limited. We wait until they are out on DVD and buy them for less than it would have cost us to go and see it. I buy the kids clothes at JCP Outlet or Kohl's clearance. It is all about their choice of lifestyle. Enjoy your DVC, while they enjoy what they like in their camper.