Considering Membership/lots of questions/reluctant hubby

[LisaT]

Hello all! I am so interested in joining DVC. I love WDW, the resorts, etc. My husband and I also live in Northern California and enjoy Disneyland trips. We go to WDW about every 3 years and stay at least a week. Since my husband is military, we usually use the Military only "Shades of Green" resort, but since he will retire soon, our preference status will change for making reservations. Im thinking that it would be nice to stay on site, at some nice facilities when we visit. (Shades is low-key, but it is onsite and very cost effective) I also dont mind cooking in kitchenettes, so I can save the family a lot of $ when it comes to meals.

I want to know if it is really worth buying into this club! If we chose to stay at Disneyland once a year, and WDW every 2-3 years would that be worth it to us? Do you have to wait very long to get ressies at a NON-contract facilty?
How long does it take to pay for itself and how exactly does that happen? I think this program offers a lot of flexibilty.

My Mother in law bought into a lousy timeshare, she NEVER uses it, and we used it ONCE in a run-down establishment in Hawaii. It cost her $7,000 for a 12 year contract and about 600 in dues a year. It's lousy and it takes forever to get a Non-contract facility ressie! My MIL offers us to use the actual contract site (Lake Tahoe) but the week right before Christmas and we are not skiers. We feel practically forced to enjoy it. I would rather have a timeshare that we can really enjoy with our children and really look forward to going! I dont want to feel like Im wasting $ or time! My husband is reluctant to give up any hard-earned money to something that does not feel valuble..or if he can get a better deal thru military discounts.
I love staying ONSITE when I am at WDW, it is so convienient. You dont even need to rent a car!
We are going on the DCL in June, and I heard there is a DVC rep there, so I hope to have lots of questions answered! If I join this club, I want to be able to cruise, go to WDW, DL, etc. I would like the flexibilty to travel with just hubby and with my kids. So, maybe I would like to the Grand Floridian one year?
Thanks for letting me vent?
Lisa

 

[Firefighter Mickey]

DVC isn't a club so much as it's a timeshare. However, it's (in my opinion) one of the better timeshare purchases available - if you plan on staying at a DVC resort at least every other year.

You get the best value for your points when staying at a DVC resort, but DVC does offer some good options for you, such as the ability to stay at the Disneyland resorts. Making reservations for the World of Resorts program is pretty painless, the only requirement is that you cannot be within 60 days of the end of your use year. Beyond that, the only requirement is availability at the other Disney resort.

DVC also allows trades to a limited number of Intervals International properties (other timeshares) - flexability is the key to getting a trade this way.

And then there's also the Conceirge Collection, which works much like the World of Resorts program, but is with select other properties.

As to how long it will take to "pay off" DVC, that really depends on what use you make of it.

 

[TnRobin]

Firefighter Mickey has said is perfectly.

I just wanted to add about staying at Disneyland. We are going to stay at the new Disney Grand Californian on point in one week (Can you tell I am excited). For the points we are spending to stay there, I could have a 2BR condo at WDW.

So yes you get more bang for your buck at the DVC resorts, but using them at other Disney resorts is easy. I booked my trip in Sept. The DVC Cast Member that help me, put me on hold and confirmed my reservation at DL. I had my confirmation number immediately

Disney Vacation Club Board Co-Moderator
DVC and Cruise Chat Hostess
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<font size=4 color=blue font face="Comic Sans MS">Robin

 

[dianeschlicht]

If you are traveling to WDW every 2-3 years and to DL every year, I would think it would be a good choice for you. We were going every two years and spending TONS of money on on-site accommodations. Since joining DVC, we have gone as often as 3 times in one year! Our pattern is that we buy annual passes and go several times in a calendar year. Then we skip a year and start the process over again. Using your points at one of the DisneyLand hotels is as easy as making a reservation.

As far as how long before it pays off, we found it took about 4-5 trips for our initial purchase. All trips since then seem like gravy! We especially feel that way since we usually stay in a 2 BR unit at OKW for 7-10 nights at a time. Our dues seem minimal when we take into account how much we would be spending for that kind of facility without DVC!

I would reccomend you learn as much about the point system as possible and research where you will want to stay most. If location is not an issue at WDW, buy from Disney at VWL. If you prefer the quieter townhouse atmosphere of OKW, buy a resale there. If you prefer the Epcot/MGM area, buy a resale at BWV or wait for BCV next year.

As to exchanges, anything in the Concierge Collection is done by making a reservation, very fast and easy. If you do an exchange for Interval International, it can take a little longer, but if you are flexible about when you travel, it will also be quite easy.

Our only regret is that we didn't do it when we first heard of DVC!


Disneydiane

 

[normr]

Bad timeshare experiences was the BIGGEST reason we didn't look into DVC sooner, we had been to some horriffic presentations and felt like we were lucky to get out with our lives. And then one day on our final day at WDW we walked by the DVC kiosk in Downtown Disney and were offered lunch if we took the tour.

Well we had a great lunch at Olivia's and then we took the tour, we watched the video presentation and then our guide took us to the model units, when we walked into the one-bedroom, our jaws dropped to the floor, we could not beleive how luxurious and beautiful they were, we were sold on DVC immediately, we finished the tour and decided to buy, and we were originally just taking the tour to kill time before we left.

I think DVC would fit your vacation plans perfectly, in fact if you were a member you could be going on the Disney cruise on points.

You'll be able to use the flexibility that DVC gives you by being able to bank and borrow points. And use those points in California and also for stays all around the world, we have used our points to go to London and Disneyland Paris.

 

[mikesmom]

I am a DVC owner and LOVE it, but to be honest, I don't think you'd be saving money over Shades of Green. I was under the impression you get some really deep discounts there. Is it not true that retired military get to use SOG also? You might check. While all the above posters were certainly correct about how good DVC is and what a really great value it is for vacations,I don't think you'd be saving money over the cost of SOG if that is important to your husband.

 

[kem330]

It might be too late, but you might want to check into DVC before the cruise. For what the cruise costs, you can have close to half of your DVC purchase.And points can be used on the cruise, plus the 41 years of use. Call DVC and get some info from a guide. Currently VWL are available for sale onsite. The guides are very low key and will not pester you so don't be afraid to contact them.

 

[KyBill]

My brother is a retired General Officer and he stays at SOG and I assume gets a discount.

 

[DisneyCrazy123]

Another way to save money on your purchase is to buy through a resale. I did this a year ago and it worked great. I also added on some points last month at Wilderness Villas as we would like to stay there about every 3 years.

 

[LisaT]

Yes, retired folks do get their discount at SOG. I am just not that keen on the facility, OTHER than it is onsite. It's sort of like a Holiday Inn.
Active duty members of the military always get first priority. Next would be retirees (Our status in the Fall) and next, foreign militarys and reservists, etc. Also, a spouse could'nt use SOG without the sponsoring member (hubby).
I like the idea that I could rent my points, go without my hubby, "lend" my time to a family member, bank until next year, have the flexibility, etc.
SOG just does'nt hold the interest and charm that the Disresorts hold for me!
A regular room (two queens) and a sofa bed will run our rank about $90. I like the idea of having something more "homey".
I think a resale would probably work best for us. I thank you for all your responses and I look forward to doing a tour and talk to the rep! (Hey, I can get hubby to go on a tour and get a free lunch?-Hey would like that!)

Lisa

 

[normr]

We once stayed at SOG, the place looked so run down, We walked into our room and immediately walked out, and high tailed it over to the Contemporary so I would start comparing SOG to DVC accomodations, Why do you think they give military people deals there. Military people are used to living in sub standard government housing to start with.

 

[PKK/MJK]

I am so sorry to hear that Shades of Green is not in good condition!! Before the military took over, we stayed there several times when it was called the Golf Resort and the Disney Inn--and we loved it (although it was not as highly themed as most of the other resorts). They had a wonderful restaurant that we thoroughly enjoyed. Frankly, we were very unhappy when we were told we were no longer welcome there.(We bought into the Vacation Club though--and believe me, that was the smartest thing we ever did.)My son-in-law, who fought and was wounded in the Persian Gulf War,tried to make ressies at Shades of Green once. He had been given a war-related disability (85%) discharge. He was told he could NOT stay there--only active and retired military, DofD etc. Or if he was 100% disabled, they might allow it!! Does anyone know why disabled veterans are not welcome at Shades of Green? This seems terrible to me!! If a person is disabled serving his country, it seems as if the military could give him a few perks like allowing him to get a cheaper room at WDW. I'd love to hear the rationale behind this--if anyone knows.

Phil and Mary Jo

WDW--82,83,85,87,89,93,95,96, 97,98,99,00,01
DVC/OKW

 

[Olaf]

We just got back from Shades of Green and it's in great condition--at least our room was. No, we don't get the Mickey soap there, but at $95 a night I didn't miss it. I believe they have been doing renovations. That hotel is always full, so it has to take some wear and tear. And the restaurant looked great.

We spent 2 nights at PO this time and I was able to compare the two. I know that isn't a fair comparison, as SOG was originally a deluxe disney hotel. Cons - the room at PO was a lot smaller, the carpet was terrible, and there were water stains on the walls. Pros - maid service was very good and quick (I tip), the pool was wonderful, and of course we got the little mickey soap. Big Con - $45 more a night. I also really liked the location of SOG. I hadn't realized what an advantage that was until we went to PO.

Active duty do not have priority at the SOG. It's first come first serve. As far as staying by yourself, as long as you have a dependent ID card, you can stay there without your sponsor. I believe the reservations have to be made under your sponsor's social, but that's it. I'm told this actually happens quite a bit at SOG--hubby can't get away.

Wounded/disabled vets should absolutely receive some sort of status. I would contact your congressman.

As I said, we just got back. We went to the Open House at the Boardwalk and are now considering buying in. Comparing SOG and DVC is apples and oranges. One is a hotel room, one is a condo. Our biggest hangup is scheduling. My hubby has 18 years in and is committed to the 26 year point. Scheduling six months out is tough.

Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Steph
DL - 1966
DL - 1970
WDW - 1973 - Contemporary
WDW - 1975 - Day trip
DL - 1988 - Day trip
WDW - 1993 - CBR
WDW - 1995 - SOG
WDW - 1997 - SOG
WDW - 1999 - SOG
WDW - 2001 - SOG & PO

 

[J.P.]

We look at other timeshares and had some doubts about DVC. We talked it over and decide to join. We have not regret it one minute. I have two kids and they love going down to vero beach and OKW. We look forward to vactioning every year. This year we are using some of our points to go on the disney cruise. We love the flexability the points system and dvc allows us to use. JP

 

[Mojomanny]

My wife and I want to make a disney vacation every other year. We want to alternate between WDW and the 7 day cruise. I found we need 185 point to accomplish this between banking points and borrowing points. Here is how it works for us.

Point cost is basically $5.50 per year (cost of points divided by 41 years plus annual maintenance fee)

Year 1 - sold 92 points back to DVD (one time only opportunity). Banked remaining 93 points.

Year 2- Will use 185 points plus banked 93 points for a 7 week stay - One bedroom in Late February - At Villas at Wilderness Lodge. Points cost=270 ($1485 estimated value) Cash customer price same room is estimated at $3255.

Year 3 - Bank 185 points

Year 4 - Use 185 points plus banked 185 plus 90 borrowed year 5 points for a total of 460 for a 7 day cruise - Category 7, late February - Point cost $2530. Cash price over $3300 exluding port fees.

Cycle begins again.

My point is to show two things:

1. How points save us money, as illustrated. Also Vacation is protected from annual rate increases as hotels have.

2. You need to figure how you will use your points to ensure you buy enough and not too many.

I am very pleased, in fact, thrilled with my decision to buy into DVC.

Hope this helps.

 

[mickeyc]

I am sorry to hear that some of our disabled vets are not able to book at SOG. I agree there should be categories for bookings. I may not always agree with our government policies; however, we should support our troops. These small percs are one way to show our appreciation. If SOG is unavailable at $ 95 per night I guess next best option would be the value resorts at $99 per night. Good Luck! Enjoy WDW notwithstanding where you stay!

 

[LisaT]

Well, I will have to check the guidelines for SOG again, but I was sure spouses could'nt go alone unless they have some sort of documentation that hubby is deployed, etc.
Last time I stayed at SOG was 96 and I thought our room was nice and very clean. It's just plain.
Like someone said here, comparing a Disresort and SOG is apples and oranges.

I think it is an embarrasment to SOG to not permit a disabled vet!!! That is hideous.

Oh, and the comment, that military are used to living in substandard housing..Im sorry but that comment is just plain wrong. Unfortunately many enlisted families are living below the poverty level and simply can not live anywhere but in military housing. Many bases are updating and building new housing, but it is a long tedious process. Yes, the older housing is substandard, and I have lived in it, but I NEVER got used to it! I was grateful to finally buy a real home at the right time! I feel sad for families that can not afford anything off base and have to live in infested, broken down homes.
The SOG is special for many people, and I am not putting it down. I just LOVE the DVC idea of having a truly magical vacation.

Lisa