Considering dvc

[DAISYDUCKRN]

i would like to purchase a DVC but need to convince my DH. if anyone has recently purchased will you please share regarding the initial cost, yearly fees,etc. DH is concerned that we can only use DVC to stay at Disney. he wants to go to Mexico and Caribbean as vacation destinations. i told him that you can do this with DVC. has anyone used their DVC to go to an island and if so how were the accomodations. i really want to convenience him that we need to have a DVC, as we go to WDW yearly and sometimes even to DL when in Ca. thanks for any advice

 

[christa112]

Daisy--There is a DVC section on the Dis. There are tons of DVC veterans on there. We purchased our DVC last year. We just came back from our 1st trip last month. We are already planning on using our points for a Disney Cruise!!!

 

[katied]

I second posting in the DVC section. There are some true experts there about using DVC.

I am a DVC owner, but not a "budget" DVC owner. I bought BWV about 5 years ago, and then added on at BLT. The cost of buying from Disney is around $100 - $120 per point (less for resale at most resorts), plus annual maintenance (my annual maintenance is around $900 I think). The number of points you need to buy depends on the resort you want to stay at, the type of room, and time of year.

Overall thought, DVC is only a good option to use on Disney property. The trade in value is just not there to use it for other non-Disney destinations. You can, but the reality is that in terms of timeshares, Disney is by far the most expensive. Also, DVC is not what I would consider a "budget" decision, unless you stay at Deluxe level every year.

I've spent over $20K for what amounts to about 1 week in a 2 bedroom level DVC stay (and part of that was based on the cost 5 yrs ago). A girlfriend who owns at Marriott spent about the same amount for a 3 bedroom level - which she can break into 1 week in a 2 bedroom and 1 week in a 1 bedroom, and travel all over the world with Marriott (and you can do far better buying Marriott and other type timeshares resale too).

So - you can trade with your DVC into other locations, but you will also "lose" money on the deal because it costs so much to buy Disney vs. Marriott or some of the others.

 

[Pakey]

I have 3 DVC contracts and pay approx $2500 annually in dues on these (paid cash for the contracts).

DVC is really meant to be used at Disney; you will not get the value if you trade it out, even for other Disney things such as Disney cruises or Adventures by Disney. Not only is it expensive to trade outside of Disney, it can be a real pain, often planning must start 2 years in advance in an attempt to find availability at places such as island destinations. Plus, you have to pay a reservation fee to use the points outside of Disney.

I can honestly say that I regret owning these 3 contracts. I still enjoy vacationing at WDW but regret being so tied to DVC resorts. As an accountant, I can't justify using the points for vacations I could do cheaper by paying cash (everything outside of DVC).

 

[pyrxtc]

Don't buy it unless you want to go to Disney a lot. We bought in a few years ago and although we have enjoyed our DVC vacations very much, we are ready to try new places and that means either selling DVC (which I am seriously considering) or renting it out for a few years since I am not planning on using it at Disney which means more work for me and worries. I don't regret buying in but Wow! the things it costs you in the end.

 

[TnTWalter]

Personally, I'd go to the DVC rent/trade board. Cheap and easy and you aren't locked into Disney. Just my humble opinion.

I think if you got into WDW in the early 90s might have been a good deal as far as vacation value but still locked into where you vacation. And fees only go up and points value go down. But now, not so much.

Good luck.

 

[nunzia]

I have DVC and am very happy with it. I bought in initially with a 25 point resale cash and have certainly recouped that already. I did this to buy in at VGC without paying the Disney minimum, so added on when they opened with 2 contracts. 1 is 60 points, the other is 65. I put down 5K and will have the rest paid of within the year. As of now, my yearly dues are 500..I put away 50 a month in a special account..it's sure cheaper than phone or tv. I truly love VGC, and with my family size (8 grandkids) would like 75 more points, but that will wait. I will probably sell my OKW points. I think the key is buying only the points you will use at Disney..I have no desire to use them through one of the exchanges. This way I have money for trips to other places and do not resent my DVC points (if needed you can always rent out your points). This year we are also doing Sea World/Legoland and all inclusive in Mexico, using good old fashioned cash. To the OP that has 3 contracts, maybe the time has come to sell all but what you will use at Disney, then you have the cash for non Disney trips.

 

[chalee94]

if anyone has recently purchased will you please share regarding the initial cost, yearly fees,etc.

for pricing/buying information:

here is a thread for understanding the general differences between buying resale and direct.

here is (usually accurate) current pricing for contracts purchased directly.

here is a link for resale listings.

here is a link to historical annual dues per point for the different DVC resorts.

DH is concerned that we can only use DVC to stay at Disney. he wants to go to Mexico and Caribbean as vacation destinations. i told him that you can do this with DVC.

you can do this but it is a very poor deal financially.

get DVC for your annual trips to disney and pay cash for trips elsewhere (or look into other timeshares - a caribbean marriott might be worth a look - but check out the TUG website for more info on other timeshares.)

 

[Brancaneve]

I have 3 DVC contracts and pay approx $2500 annually in dues on these (paid cash for the contracts).

DVC is really meant to be used at Disney; you will not get the value if you trade it out, even for other Disney things such as Disney cruises or Adventures by Disney. Not only is it expensive to trade outside of Disney, it can be a real pain, often planning must start 2 years in advance in an attempt to find availability at places such as island destinations. Plus, you have to pay a reservation fee to use the points outside of Disney.

I can honestly say that I regret owning these 3 contracts. I still enjoy vacationing at WDW but regret being so tied to DVC resorts. As an accountant, I can't justify using the points for vacations I could do cheaper by paying cash (everything outside of DVC).

I want to second this poster's comments. We love DVC and don't regret it for a second as our vacations have been priceless and memorable. To use your points at a resort in Mexico is a bad idea. Most of the resorts require you to pay the all inclusive fee which can run you about $1000 or more a week for 4 people. You would be better off getting a package deal with air/hotel and food than to use your points.

But .....if you want a tropical getaway, we have happily used our points towards the Disney Cruise. We just paid cash for the kids.

Good luck!

 

[HeatherC]

You could also consider buying Wyndham points resale. They are selling for literally pennies on the dollar and they have resorts all over the world...including Disney. (Bonnet Creek). MUCH cheaper than Disney and just as nice. (Check out the Bonnet Creek thread to read about someone who just did this for about $500!)

If you are considering a timeshare, you should check out the TUG board. It is the timeshare users group. tug2.net.

Hope this helps!