Did you guys catch the new DVC announcement?

[ConcKahuna]

I know we've got lots of DVC members here in 'mo land (including some new members who just bought last week ), so I figured some of you might not have heard about Bay Lake Tower and the Treehouse Villas.

http://dvc.disney.go.com/dvc/guest/about/pressRelease?id=BayLakePressReleaseDetailPage&bhcp=1

Future accommodations are rooted in Walt Disney World history.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Sept. 16, 2008) – Two highly anticipated resort developments announced today will expand the Walt Disney World experience and continue the rapid growth of Disney Vacation Club, Disney's innovative vacation-ownership program:

• the 15-story Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort is scheduled to join the Disney Vacation Club family of properties in fall 2009, while

• the Treehouse Villas at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, scheduled to open in summer 2009, will become the next room category offered at that resort.

Disney Vacation Club also announced that Bay Lake Tower sales are scheduled to begin on Sept. 21 for Disney Vacation Club Members, while sales to the general public and sales for the newest phase of Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will begin at a later date.

"Our founder, Walt Disney, was well known for having one foot in the past and one in the future," said Disney Vacation Club President Jim Lewis. "These new resort developments share that dynamic sensibility, blending modern luxury and design with the nostalgic spirit of two of the most storied resorts in Walt Disney World history."

The announcement comes during an unprecedented era of growth for Disney Vacation Club, established in 1991 to give families decades of affordable vacations at Disney destinations and beyond. Disney Vacation Club membership has more than doubled since 2004, expanding to include more than 350,000 individuals from approximately 100 countries and every U.S. state.

That membership growth has also driven Disney Vacation Club expansion, inspiring Walt Disney Imagineers to dream up new vacation home opportunities. In addition to Bay Lake Tower and the Treehouse Villas, development continues on Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa at the Disneyland Resort in California and the recently announced resort at Ko Olina on the island of Oahu.

"What excites me most about this tremendous growth is that we're not only creating new accommodations, but new experiences," Lewis said. "Each of the projects we've undertaken at Disney Vacation Club is unlike anything previously available in our resort portfolio, and both Bay Lake Tower and the Treehouse Villas proudly build on that tradition."

Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort

The new, curvilinear Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort is designed to complement the fabled styling of the original building, which opened with the Magic Kingdom Park on Oct. 1, 1971, and featured comedian Bob Hope as master of ceremonies. Mimicking the color palette and strong horizontal lines of its iconic predecessor, the new structure even sports a rooftop lounge inspired by the original resort's A-frame architecture.

The tower's crescent shape, hugging lush landscaping, planned recreation options and a lakeside pool, promises to deliver some of the most dramatic views available anywhere at the Walt Disney World Resort. Some villas face scenic, undeveloped stretches of Bay Lake, while others offer spectacular views of the Magic Kingdom Park, located a short walk away.

The views promise to be equally appealing inside the tower's 295 two-bedroom-equivalent villas, where visionary design meets Disney chic to define the vacation experience. As the closest resort to the Magic Kingdom Park, Bay Lake Tower guests can easily return to their rooms for quick breaks from their busy day in the Park, where they can relax in an inspiring setting offering many of the conveniences of home.

Most of the rooms in this iconic resort will feature innovative touches, such as modern artwork designed specifically for Bay Lake Tower, flat-screen TVs, full kitchens complete with granite countertops and modern appliances, separate bedrooms, washers and dryers, and other home-like amenities. Plus, to accommodate larger families or families traveling together, many Bay Lake Tower vacation villas are designed to sleep up to nine, though some units can also be divided into one-bedroom villas that sleep five and studios that accommodate four, creating flexible options for smaller groups.

"These vacation homes will be furnished with some amazing custom pieces that are works of art unto themselves," said Imagineer Brian McFarland. "It's all about maintaining that feel of clean lines and open spaces, with plenty of Disney touches."

Add to the plans a spacious lobby filled with woven woods and glass-wrapped columns, sweeping views from a rooftop lounge and fireworks viewing deck, and the convenience of a sky bridge linking families to shops, restaurants and the monorail station, and you have a Disney Vacation Club destination that is both practical and fashionable.

Treehouse Villas at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

Meanwhile, nestled in natural forest glens just around the river bend from the bustling Downtown Disney area, the Treehouse Villas at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will mark the newest phase of what has become the largest Disney Vacation Club resort. Phase one of the idyllic lakeside community debuted in 2004, and phase three sold out earlier this year.

This new phase will revive Walt Disney World "treehouse living," a cherished tradition from 1975-2002. While crews are replacing villas of the '70s with brand-new vacation homes, Imagineers took special care to honor the original octagonal design.

The construction process itself is unique as each stand-alone Treehouse Villa will come together like a giant 3-D puzzle to ensure both superior quality and environmental sensitivity.

All 60 three-bedroom homes, elevated 10 feet off the ground on pedestals and beams designed to blend into the forest environment, will sleep nine and are planned to offer modern luxuries such as cathedral ceilings, granite countertops and flat-screen TVs, all presented in a style dubbed "cabin casual."

"I was lucky enough to have a treehouse as a kid, but it was certainly nothing like this," said Imagineer Todd Thomasson. "In developing this resort, we've all learned a new word, 'glamping,' which apparently means glamorous camping. The Treehouse Villas will be glamping at its absolute best."

Disney Vacation Club is owned by Disney Vacation Development Inc., part of the magic of The Walt Disney Company. To learn more, visit www.disneyvacationclub.com.

 

[BarleyJack]

Wow, would love a treehouse!

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

I so cannot wait to stay in either place! I've seen a model of the interior of Bay Lake Towers (on television) and it was incredible! Very modern. Very sophisticated.

I've liked the Treehouses since forever! Looking forward to both (along with ALKV). :yes:

 

[PghLybrt]

Can I hijack the thread, because that’s what we do here?!!!


Could someone please explain to me the benefits of DVC? If I had bought into it 10 years ago I could see it, but now financially I can't see how it makes sense. It still looks cheaper to me to find codes and go in the winter (the only time I can go). So is it just me?

 

[Saxton]

Can I hijack the thread, because that’s what we do here?!!!


Could someone please explain to me the benefits of DVC? If I had bought into it 10 years ago I could see it, but now financially I can't see how it makes sense. It still looks cheaper to me to find codes and go in the winter (the only time I can go). So is it just me?

Come on, you've been around here long enough to know that it's always acceptable to hijack!!

If you only go once a year and stay in values then DVC probably doesn't make sense for you. I love it for the flexibility and that fact that I can stay in much nicer accomodations than I would ever pay cash for. The last time I went down some friends came along (1 male and 1 female) and I figured it would be nice to have some extra room so I booked a 2 bedroom at Saratoga. There's no way I would have ever done that if I was paying cash. One of my upcoming trips is for concierge level at Animal Kingdom Lodge - again, I would probably never pay for that but DVC makes it an option.

 

[TinkerChelle]

Can I hijack the thread, because that’s what we do here?!!!


Could someone please explain to me the benefits of DVC? If I had bought into it 10 years ago I could see it, but now financially I can't see how it makes sense. It still looks cheaper to me to find codes and go in the winter (the only time I can go). So is it just me?

Well, this is the way I look at it. I know that we will be going at least once a year to Disney for years and years and years-maybe forever-God willing. So, why not just pay $20,000.00 for 200 points (approximately). Yes, we will be paying for the points for 5 years~a monthly payment, but after it is paid off in 5 years, we will be able to use our points for another 45 years. So, we have paid for our future vacations. If you add up the amount of money we have spent on our resort reservations since 2000 (12 trips) we have spent more than $20,000.00. So, it's a good idea for us.

 

[StormTigger]

My Fav quote on if DVC is for you...

"If you enjoy the Value resorts and look at the rooms as just a place to sleep - DVC isn't for you.

If you go to Disney less then 1 every other year - DVC isn't for you.

If you enjoy the hunt for codes and the excitement from knowing immediately you saved "x" amount of dollars over rack rates - DVC isn't for you.

If you go to Disney at least 1 every other year (I say every year), enjoy staying at Moderate or Deluxe (esp Deluxe), & have enough disposible income to justify the expense - then you owe it to yourself to really look into DVC."

The big thing for you to do would be to look at how much you have spent over say the past 7yrs using codes etc to stay at Disney. Depending on where you have stayed (esp if it's a Deluxe resort) at how close you would be to have already paid for a DVC membership and only have dues to pay for the next 34 - 50 years. I bought DVC as a CM 6 yrs ago, and as a CM I got 50% off room rates. I figured at the 50% off rack rates at the time it would have taken 10yrs for DVC to pay for itself. I've been keeping track of my trips since I bought and since I'm no longer a CM, DVC will actually pay for itself w/ my next trip in Nov.

DVC isn't for everyone! Also note that DVC doesn't really save you money. It does on rooms, but then you find yourself going more often then you normally would. (I've gone 13x's in the past 8 yrs) - and then there is addonitist...

On here I would definitely suggest checking out the DVC board lots of great information there and very friendly people too!

 

[PghLybrt]

Thanks to everyone!

I guess maybe I do not really understand then. Can i still stay at yacht? I would say we go at least once a year, sometimes twice. I do like to find the codes but ........

Maybe I have a problem because when I was 1st presented with it years ago it was only around $7000 and now its $20000!!


So if I shell out that amount I can go once a year for the next 50? Is there no yearly fees like other time shares?

As for visiting the other board ...i will...but now i like the comfort and safety of this one! Weird, I have no problem jumping in on the community board but DVC scares me!!!!!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

You could potentially stay in a villa at Beach Club, not in a room at Yacht Club. If you want Beach Club as your "home resort" (where you can book 11 months ahead) you will probably have to buy through the resale market. You could maybe get on a waitlist to buy through Disney, not sure how successful that is.

We like to go to WDW at least once a year. We like to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge. We stay at least 9 nights on our "long" trips, and 3 or so nights on our "short" trips.

We bought in at AKV in May. If you figure we were already spending a MINIMUM of $1800 on a hotel room for our 9 night trips (and that would be for a parking lot view after the AP discount) it won't take us long to cover the $16,640 cost of our DVC points.

We went to WDW for 16 nights in August, and we had already paid a big chunk of what we owed on the hotel. We cancelled a bunch of our hotel nights and used the refund to put towards our DVC points. Then we booked nights in DVC villas instead of a hotel room.

Next summer we are staying 9 nights in a concierge studio at AKV. The concierge room (on the "hotel" side) is $345 per night + tax if you pay rack rate.

I know the 3 nights we did in a concierge room this year were a nightmare to find discounts for. I booked them last November and called dozens of times to check for discounts. In the end I got an AP rate for 2 of the nights and the third night was rack rate. If I was going to pay over $300 per night for my room then I would cover the cost of my DVC points even faster!

My mom is currently in treatment for breast cancer. I am hoping to be able to take her to WDW in 2010. There is no way we could pay cash for a villa for all of us, but we'll use our points to cover the lodging.

When we first started learning about DVC it only cost $14,000. But we weren't ready to make the commitment then. The nice thing is the number of points you use for rooms don't go up every year like the hotel prices go up, so if you work it out that you need 160 points to stay 9 nights or whatever, then that will be true for the duration of your ownership.

I will say I am already browsing the resale market for small AKV contracts that I might be able to snatch up for a good price.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Oh, and yes, you do pay annual dues. It is a certain price per point. I think most properties are around $5 per point per year. Still cheaper than paying cash for a week or more in a hotel room. I understand the fees go up about 3-5% each year.

 

[ConcKahuna]

Thanks to everyone!

I guess maybe I do not really understand then. Can i still stay at yacht? I would say we go at least once a year, sometimes twice. I do like to find the codes but ........

Maybe I have a problem because when I was 1st presented with it years ago it was only around $7000 and now its $20000!!


So if I shell out that amount I can go once a year for the next 50? Is there no yearly fees like other time shares?

As for visiting the other board ...i will...but now i like the comfort and safety of this one! Weird, I have no problem jumping in on the community board but DVC scares me!!!!!

You can use your points at non-DVC locations, it just costs you more (in points that is). If you like the Epcot area though, they have the BC Villas, and the BW Villas.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

You can use your points at non-DVC locations, it just costs you more (in points that is). If you like the Epcot area though, they have the BC Villas, and the BW Villas.

True. I just pulled out my book and looked up Yacht Club. To stay in the least expensive room at YC for a week it would cost 310 points + a $95 fee if you went in the "off" season. EEK!

We are staying in a concierge studio at AKV for 7 nights and it is only costing us 155 points. It is a much better use of points to stay in the villas, not in the regular hotel rooms.

 

[PghLybrt]

So I guess what it is boling down to is that I am really better paying out of pocket.

 

[StormTigger]

If staying at the Yatch Club is the resort that makes you happy and helps the magic for your Disney trips then yes you are better paying out of pocket. If Beach Club or Boardwalk or one of the other DVC resorts will still keep you happy, then it really would be worth your wild to at least look into it.

I have a former co-worker from when I worked at the Disney store who has been staying at the Yatch Club every year since it openned almost. When I told her I bought into DVC she laughed and said "You got suckered into that!?" - I look at what she has spent over the years on Yatch Club, she could have paid for DVC - dues and all for the life of her membership. Her son now works for DVC and she sees the comparison of what she could have saved, and I just smile innocently.

Also know that the DVC sales pitch is a non-pressure event. You go they tell ya what you are getting and then leave the rest to you.

Vacations are such a personal thing, part of it is where you stay so if YC is what works for you then you are doing the right thing!

I LOVE MY DVC!!

Okay, DVC sales pitch over!

 

[ConcKahuna]

Also know that the DVC sales pitch is a non-pressure event. You go they tell ya what you are getting and then leave the rest to you.

You'll get more pressure to buy from other DVC members than you will the CM's.....

 

[PghLybrt]

You'll get more pressure to buy from other DVC members than you will the CM's.....

Ha ha Ha I noticed!!!

 

[PghLybrt]

Ok so for 20,000 paid over 5 years I get 200 points? Then on top of that I pay $100 per year (+5%), for 50 years. For that I get part of my stay? And then I have to buy more points to cover it?




Thanks for all the info, I was always curious but never want to sit through those time share sales.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Ok so for 20,000 paid over 5 years I get 200 points? Then on top of that I pay $100 per year (+5%), for 50 years. For that I get part of my stay? And then I have to buy more points to cover it?




Thanks for all the info, I was always curious but never want to sit through those time share sales.

I think your numbers are off a bit.
Let's use AKV as an example because I am more familiar with those numbers.
AKV is $104 per point. They were offering a deal where you got it for $96 per point. You need 310 points for a week at YC. $96 x 310 + = $29,760. You have to pay a minimum of 10% down, and you may finance the rest for UP TO 10 years, pay it off sooner if you like. The interest rate is about 11%. You also pay closing costs of about $350.
Your annual dues are based on how many points you own. Right now AKV dues are $4.71 per point, so $4.71 x 310 = $1460.10. That amount will increase 3-5% each year.
You have to pay a $95 fee each time you use points at a non-DVC location, like a room at YC.

IF you are planning to always stay at YC then yes, I think you should stick to paying cash because 310 is a LOT of points.

If you buy on the resale market you might do better on the price per point. If you are only planning to stay at YC I don't think it matters which DVC resort you buy into.

Take a look at some of the resales here
http://www.dvc-resales.com/dvclisting.cfm

I get e-mails every day with the new resale listings. We decided to buy direct from Disney because the financing was MUCH simpler.

 

[padalyn]

Just another opinion here.

The DVC fees are monthly not yearly - I will use my numbers since those are the ones I know.

First - the upfront cost is just that, you can spread it out over years yes, their interest rate is horrible - I used a refi to get it down to about 6% and it is tax deductable if one uses the mortgage system (NJ is bizarre about time share's as tax deductions -but the fed allows them under certain conditions)

Second - I like to go for 3 weeks at a clip - NO WAY could I pay for OKW or SSR for 3 weeks (even a studio runs about 400 a night during some seasons) if I consider that my first two contracts have already paid for themselves - now I am on gravy!

I bought blind in 2001, I bought the minimum # of points (150) and paid about 85 a point - the next year I stayed at BWV for a week in June (the room rate was about 500 a night at the time) so that is 3500, then went on a 7 day cruise on points (for 2 people the stateroom we had would have been around 7000 for the two of us then - now over 10000). So, I spent 15000 for DVC and in ONE year used it to cover 10500 in costs. The next year I was at WDW 3 times, and have ever since.

I have been to Austria and Czech republic using DVC, Alaska cruise (410 points - for 2 people: $$ cost??? about 9,000), I have been to DLR on points and have lost count of the WDW trips (look at the signature - there is the actual list!)

TO me, since I like staying at the top end resorts, and I use the discount for my AP (oh yea - there are discounts at a lot of places with DVC - food, merchandise, AP, online shopping and others), I usually can stay at WDW for 3 weeks for less than 2,500 if I use the food plan. This includes a rental car (DVC discount there also!), food plan, airfare, room, AP for park entrance and about 1000 in spending. Can you do that, using discount coupons for rooms?

I am staying at BCV for 2 weeks then SSR for a week, I leave in 2 weeks (can't wait!) - now enough bragging....


my costs:
3 contracts total cost of points (not counting interest etc):
570 points = 12,750 + 19,000 + 19,000 = 50,750 (over 8 years please!)
monthly costs of contract maintance = 220.70 per month (this is point dependent) x 12 months = about 2650 per year.

So, my vacation of 2500 is a little more than it looks, but I get the top end resort, with all those perks - to me it is planned vacations that are avaiable to me until the year 2040....

yea the members sell this stuff pretty well!

 

[PghLybrt]

Ok sorry to bring this up again but....you all started it!!!

Ok I have more questions if you don't mind...please.

So I have figured out we would probably do Bay Lake (250 pts) for 112 -5 a point. So the total would be $26750.00. Now I also have my yearly fee of at least $1375 (I based it at 5.50 , I don't know what it really is).

Ok so for that I could stay for at least 2 weeks (standard view studio in Jan). That would leave me with 46 points that I could carry over until next year or use.

I think I get all of that.

Now the questions.
Why would I want to add on points? Why would I want them at a different resort?

If I buy Bay Lake can I still get the Grand Villa at Old Key west? And would it be difficult to do so?

Last question ... the world passport collection, is that seriously only 124 points a week? or is that per person? (My points may be off I have an old book)

I hate to say this, I think I am starting to se the light.....if only I had 12 years ago : (