Convincing DH

[laevson4712]

I am so close to convincing my DH to purchase some resale DVC but he's still a tiny bit apprehensive. What he really wants to know is are there any additional benefits to being a DVC member? I heard that there are special meet and greets but I could be thinking of the Visa card benefits. Thank you for the information.

 

[Dean]

I am so close to convincing my DH to purchase some resale DVC but he's still a tiny bit apprehensive. What he really wants to know is are there any additional benefits to being a DVC member? I heard that there are special meet and greets but I could be thinking of the Visa card benefits. Thank you for the information.

There are a few benefits but non worthy of a purchase. If DVC makes sense financially for you (pay cash, no debt, willing to pay to stay on property, understand the risk and the compromises of a timeshare) and all you're trying to do is get him to jump when it makes perfect sense then The other items might be convincing. If one needs the other items to justify the purchase and just buying in isn't enough to do so, buying likely isn't a good choice. There are some minor discounts for dining, annual passes and a few other items like access to the lounge at BLT but these could be removed tomorrow. There are occasional member cruises but they are not accessible for resale buyers and there are special events at times.

 

[disneynutz]

If you currently like to stay in deluxe resorts and you vacation at Disney every couple of years you might save some money. It's all about the numbers, not the emotional fluff that you may read about.

Bill

 

[DizBub]

We are enthusiastic owners. We love our DVC. That said I would not buy just to get the "benefits" they offer since they are minimal (for us) and could go away any time.

They do have things for members but you actually have to be there to participate. Often the special events are announced and since members must plan their visits so far in advance they cannot attend. For instance, this year they are celebrating 25 years of DVC with lots of parties and events. We have 3 trips booked for 2016 and the only special event that coincides with one of our trips is a night time party at Animal Kingdom. I just hope I can get a reservation before it's fully booked up.

There are no real discounts on tickets for members. Ticket prices have gone through the roof and are due to go up again soon. We do take advantage of the nice discount on Annual Passes since we go multiple times a year but since we bought the last ones they have gone to a complicated tiered AP system AND raised prices yet again.

Do your research and know exactly what you are getting into. Best of luck with whatever you decide.

 

[CarolMN]

Here are some links to All Ears Net that list the perks and discounts currently available:

WALT DISNEY WORLD DISCOUNTS SUMMARY

WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT 2015 COMPARISON OF NON-DINING DISCOUNTS - including AP, DVC Disney Visa & others

2015 COMPARISON OF DINING DISCOUNTS

As the others have posted, these perks and discounts are subject to change and are not guaranteed. The two perks/discounts that I use most often are the ability to buy the Tables in Wonderland discount card and the specially priced DVC Annual passes. Here's a DIS link with the current annual pass prices so you can see for yourself:

DISNEY ANNUAL PASS PRICES

Also, there are some special events this year in honor of the 25th Anniversary of DVC. If you poke around the DVC forums a bit, you'll find out more about those. Among others, those include a complimentary after hours event at the MK

 

[Jessiemendez1]

We bought because we like (have) to stay in a 2 bedroom villa (due to family size). And we go annually. The benefits are not worth purchasing but offer a nice perk when they coincide with a trip.

 

[JWigs]

I got my husband to buy in due to the fact that we have almost 3 yr old as well as he wants another this year. We figured we'd be taking many more disney trips (DD has been to both DL and WDW 2 times each and a cruise before her 3rd bday).

He likes to stay on site in deluxe and so for us made sense to lock in now and know that when we want to come, we probably have a place to stay.

Also, we like the idea of being able to take family on some trips and being able to get them rooms at a better hotel than where they'd stay if they paid.

Lastly, there are some perks like the Dining Plan without needing to buy a pkg or access to the BLT Deck to watch fireworks or the small discount at some restaurants and shops and a cheaper annual pass (similar to FL resident) but nothing that should sway you.

Will wrap up though by saying my DH views it as better to lock in rates now and get more use than to wait and have prices go up, less use time on the contract and still go to Disney every year and wish we had pulled trigger sooner.

Good luck

 

[ldo]

the only benefit that mattered to us was that only resales prior to a certain time (2009?) and direct purchases can book the DCL members cruise. We did one and really enjoyed it--extra entertainment and lectures, etc. Very interesting for my teens. If that ever becomes important to you, you can do a 25 point direct add on to qualify. I bet those 25 points will still cost less than the difference bying resale. We have been DVC for almost 10 years--sold our original contract and just bought resale @ AKV b/c that's where we always stay. No qualms whatsoever buying resale--and saved over $50 per point.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Perks can go away with the flick of a DVC pen. For example, DVC members used to get free valet parking at resorts. They eliminated that perk overnight. So members who valet parked at night when it was free, were presented with a bill the next morning when it wasn't anymore. Buy DVC because you want to go to WDW, not because you want to go different places because most of the trades are not as nice or they need tons of points to do it. Buy DVC to get the larger villas with nice space. If you are someone who only uses the space to sleep and shower, you might as well just book a value resort. We spend a lot of time in our DVC villa. We were in WDW recently for the marathon. Our son is a CM and he got us a discounted rate at the GF for five nights. It was really nice and we really enjoyed our stay, but not as comfortable as a DVC villa with a separate living room, two televisions, full kitchen, big bathroom with free standing shower, free washer and dryer.

 

[disneynutz]

There are plenty of resale contracts for sale which tells you that if you buy and you don't like being a DVC owner, just sell.

Bill