Disney Vacation Club

[simonkodousek]

Hi All,

Recently I have been hearing a lot about DVC on these forums and was wondering to myself, is it worth doing? We hardly get down to Disney, but we'd go much more if we knew we were part of DVC.

First of all, what is it? Yes, I read their website, but I'd still like some more information.

Second, are the points only able to book the resort room, or are you able to book flights/rental cars/ticket packages with them?

Third, how many points do you get each year? Can you save them up year-to-year or do you have to use them up?

Last, if you are a member, what do you think? Was it worth the money?

Thanks,
Simon

PS: I heard that AKL was one of them, and that's probably where I'd purchase DVC from depending on what I think of it this summer. What would be the price on that or the Wilderness Lodge?

Thanks Again,
Simon

 

[I'mNoPrince]

Simon you might get a few more answers over on the DVC forums

1>It's a points system timeshare.

2>Points are for rooms only . Every thing else you book separtly.

3>You decide on how much you buy . We have 170 good enough for 1 full 7 dayweek in the summer and a 3 day wekend or 5 day weekday stay during the off season. Your points can be banked into the next year or borrowed from the following year.

4> best money I have ever spent. This will be our Second year and we are just having a blast.


PS yes AKV is now open to members for sale and will be open to general public soon price will be $104 perpoint (but they have discounts from time to time) VWL is also avail through Resale or DVD directly I think the price for that is $98 perpoint but not sure.

 

[SnowWitch]

We have been members for 8 years and love it!!! Some of the best money we ever spent. On the rare occassion when we stay at another deluxe resort for a weekend (to save points) we yearn for our 1 or 2 bedroom unit at the BW or BC. We have 4 kids ages 17, 14, 1, and 2 months. Space is important now more than when we bought in. The washer dryer unit is a dream and I love that tub after a day in the parks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[eliza61]

Simon,
If you only get to Disney a few times, the DVC is not for you. You must use your points at least every other year or you lose them! This is really important so think about it carefully.
Ok on to your other questions.
You can save your points for 1 year. So this year I got 180 points I can "bank" them for next year. Next year (2008) I must use them or I lose them. So if I bank them next year I will have a total of 360 points. You can also borrow points from the next year.
When we purchased we sat down and looked at how we like to travel. We always stay for at least 6 nights, we generally go in August because we don't take our kids out of school and we like the 1 bedroom villas. So when we decided to purchase, we calculate how many points we would need for a 1 bedroom villa for 7 nights during the summer and thats what we brought.

Our only regret is that we did not buy more points! We think is so worth the money.
Some things to consider:
1. This is not an investment vehicle, please do not purchase thinking you will make tons of money on a resale down the road.
2. We do have annual dues to pay. They do go up, probably not as fast as room rates but they do rise.
3. Ask yourself, will you still want to do Disney 10 years down the road. We do trade our points to go other places but many dvc's will tell you this is not the most economical use of points. I'm more of the "they are my points I use them to get the most enjoyment" type of gal.

PM me if you have any specifics questions.

 

[daisyduck123]

Hi! I don't know much about the financial part of DVC (I let DH take care of all that)!

We just joined last fall.

We purchased 200 points & that is allowing us to spend 7 nights at SSR this May & then 5 nights at BCV this August.
We even had some left over, so we banked them.

December is when our new use year begins, so we're going Dec. 20-26.
Can't wait to spend Christmas in WDW!!

 

[MrShiny]

I think that DVC can be good even if you go every third year. You can bank one year's points, use one and borrow another and have a nice room. If you have a small family, you might doi best buying a small points contract via resale. Look at the points charts and see what you think you'd need.

If you go to Disney less than that, then other timeshares would probably be better investments.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Now that your post is on the correct board. Take a look around and learn what you can. Then you can come back here and ask some specific questions that all of us can help you with.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Simon,
If you only get to Disney a few times, then DVC is not for you.

Unless, of course, you WANT or plan to go more.