difference between DVC and other timeshares???

[elmonshea]

Newbie learning all I can before I take the leap...

I am getting my brother and his family interested in DVC as well and He asked me a question and I had no answer for him....
Turning to you all to help out...


What is the difference in DVC and other timeshares (besides the obvious of staying at Disney)????

 

[bwvBound]

The biggest difference is just what you've already identified, staying onsite at Disney properties with the benefits directly linked to staying onsite: extra hours at the parks, parking pass, use of Disney transportation, etc.

Beyond that, things get squirrelly as there is no single definition of "other timeshares." Timeshares have various usage plans, locations, amenities and benefits. Here are a few areas of discussion:

• Exchange Company Affiliation. DVC holds a Corporate affiliation with the Exchange Company of their choice. The DVC member benefits in reduced exchange fees and elimination of exchange company membership fee ... but suffers in other features offered to direct exchange company members. Some other timeshare products offer the corporate membership model -- but many allow their owners to have direct membership accounts with the exchange companies instead. The benefits of direct membership may include: ability to search online for exchange, less costly exchanges made in "last minute" windows, access to rental weeks, etc.
• Online Booking. Some other timeshare companies allow online access to resort availability and reservations. DVC, at this time, does not.
• Any season, any size, any check-in day. DVC allows great flexibility with "any time (season), any size (unit), any check-in day (Su-Sa), any duration (length of stay)." This is a great feature -- which many other timeshares do not currently offer. Many, possibly most, other timeshare are set to 7-night stays, most require check-in on either Friday, Saturday or Sunday and may be restricted to a particular unit size or season defined in the purchase contract.
• Housekeeping Charges. DVC does not charge housekeeping for basic stays on points. This is fairly unique across timeshares allowing short-stays (<7 nights).

I'll think of more later ...

 

[bwvBound]

• Multi-property. DVC allows its owners to use their points at any DVC property w/out paying exchange fees. Many, if not most, other timeshares are based on a single property ownership -- with additional fees paid to stay at any other property. That said, there are a growing number of points-based clubs allowing owners/members access a wide network of locations w/out additional fees.

 

[chalee94]

What is the difference in DVC and other timeshares (besides the obvious of staying at Disney)????

IMO, this is it.

if you aren't interested in primarily staying onsite at disney, other timeshares are much less expensive... if you are buying to trade on a regular basis, DVC is just not a good deal financially.

because demand for DVC is connected with demand for travel to wdw, resale prices for DVC haven't taken nearly the beating that other timeshares have...but there is always the risk that that will change.

DVC has cut some perks over the last couple of years (and added others) and changed several rules...but is still head and shoulders above other timeshare companies management (also part of the reason why DVC resales still hold the value they do, IMO.)

 

[bwvBound]

• Purchase Price. Many other timeshares are currently selling via resale for pennies on the dollar. Compared to these, DVC carries an expensive buy-in both through retail and resale.

 

[bwvBound]

• Expiration Date. Many other timeshares are perpetual ownership. Each DVC resort has a set expiration date.

 

[bwvBound]

• Guaranteed usage. The flip side of "flexibility" (see any season, any size, etc. above) is that DVC owners do not have guaranteed usage. Every reservation is based on availability. Some other timeshares are based on owning a specific week, specific unit size, specific view and perhaps even a specific unit. Owning a fixed week product means never having to phone reservations -- simply show up!

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

resale prices for DVC haven't taken nearly the beating that other timeshares have...

this is a HUGE part of why we bought DVC.

 

[Dean]

Not as much as some would like to think. Mostly staying on Disney property. There is no such thing as a standard timeshare anymore, the fixed week/fixed unit model is almost gone except a few high end high cost options. There are other things just as flexible and essentially all are cheaper and better for non DVC stays.