This is what’s called “funny” math which is what
DVC counts on from prospective buyers (be careful). Unless you were actually planning on spending that $250k on rooms at Disney which is not what most people would reasonably consider , you didn’t “save” that money. You simply got more for the money that you did spend. By that math, those same people spending rack rate for 50 years would be probably spend well over $1million on total vacation costs to Disney including airfare , tickets, food, etc.
Disney knows what they are doing and what they are selling. Go into this with eyes wide open - appreciate what you bought and enjoy it but don’t buy into the funny math
My example was comparing what I get vs what I would pay otherwise. And sure almost no one would pay that every year. But the math is real if you follow the premise and is easily adjusted and still true even for lesser deluxe rooms. I am not speaking about Value rooms or off property hotels.
There are hundreds of ways to analyze DVC value. Everyone must do the math for themselves and their situation. I am not trying to talk anyone into it. Just giving my experience 14 years into a 50 year contract. For my "needs" the math works in ever scenario if I were otherwise staying at on property Deluxe resorts. I would likely do it every other year if I were not DVC. Right now we go every year.
A "more reasonable (cough)" one room traditional Savanah view at Animal Kingdom is $700+ a night booked 6 months in advance. Ridiculously expensive but people are paying that (its sells out months in advance). Using that room instead of the 1 bedroom villa the math still works. 6 nights at $700 = $4200. 6 night Savanah View 1 bedroom Villa using 150 DVC Points (based on my cost basis) is $1285. Savings of $2915 over non DVC cost for a vastly inferior and smaller room. All this is averaging... not trying to say this is exact.
Going every year can still get expensive for airline, food, tickets, etc. We go almost every year but sometimes we sell our points (or give them to family). Lets throttle back the trips to every other year and sell the rest. Avg of $15 a point sold (guesstimated average over 50 years) minus the $9 paid per point (rounded up) = $6 a point net x 150 points $900 made every year I don't go. $900 x 25 years = $22,500.
1 trip every other year for 50 years room only cost comparison:
DVC Costs avg $1285/yr x 25 year = $32,125. vs cost of lesser studio room but at deluxe resort $105,000 ($4200 x 25 trips).
Net cash avg from 150 DVC points sold for 25 years = $22,500
Net cash out of pocket DVC cost for room minus points sold for 50 years = $10,650 (room only)
Cost of Dole Whips, refillable mugs, Yak and Yeti Orange chicken, Caseys Corner Loaded Slaw Dog, Yorkshire County Fish and Chips, Grilled 3 Cheese Sandwhich at Woody's Lunch Box, etc... for 5 people over 6 days over 25 trips = approx $37,500... so no, you don't really save money on trips to Disney. But I am grateful God has blessed us to allow me to do it.
