Disney Vacation Club

[PiazzaM]

Have you checked out any other Timeshares? I own in Las Vegas, 5 star resort... I am going to be staying at OKW, in a 2 bedroom villa! So, why pay Disney prices and maintance fees, when you can buy elsewhere and trade into Disney? I think after 50 years you no longer own Disney. With other Timeshare you own forever and you can give it to your kids and their kids, Forever! Well, just adding my $.02.

 

[webmomom]

Originally posted by PiazzaM
I think after 50 years you no longer own Disney. With other Timeshare you own forever and you can give it to your kids and their kids, Forever!

Yes you do own after when we bought it was 42 years and it is also deedable to whom ever you want.

 

[RobDoc]

So, why pay Disney prices and maintance fees, when you can buy elsewhere and trade into Disney?

While that may be true, most of DVC owners enjoy travelling to WDW annually (or even more frequently). Trading into DVC resorts is not something you are likely to be able to do thru II dependably. Many have reported having to request DVC resorts 2 years in advance and often are still unable to find a trade.

If you are buying DVC to trade for other places, there are certainly less costly timeshares to be found. If you are buying another timeshare primarily to go to a DVC resort, you will find it an expensive purchase.

 

[OKW91]

Hi Donna, We live in Marlton (just a ways up the road) have been DVC members since 91, we love being members, and spending time at WDW, we visit about 3 times a year. We think it was one of the best investments that we ever made, we have since added on several times, we just love it, we are taking our annual Xmas visit in about 3 weeks. If you would have any questions, please feel free to email us, we love to tell people about the DVC!

 

[Lisa P.]

Cruella, I agree that DVC can be more cost effective than most onsite options but it isn't for every situation. That's what I meant - sorry if that wasn't clearer. It's important for a prospective buyer to consider their own specific situation.

Obviously, DVC is a wise choice for many, many others, like yourself! Frankly, I had let the enthusiastic choruses of "it's the best thing we've ever done" on this forum and in the DVC video, coupled with Disney's appeal and my starry hopes influence our decision to buy when we shouldn't have. We still do own another points timeshare which we greatly enjoy (so I'm still up on the concept) and we do still visit Orlando every other year or so for terrific family vacations. But I've also read experiences of other timeshare owners who've had to go through the disappointment, trouble and expense of discovering that they'd bought something that didn't work as they had hoped. So I'm careful not to encourage people to buy without carefully considering their personal situation and how well the purchase considered would serve their needs and desires.

Btw, when we bought, we used a 15% CM discount. When we sold, we did so without a broker (commission). So yes, we broke even ("lost" $11, plus some overnight delivery charges, but got vacations for the price of maint fees). However, at today's $80 per point and the $1,500+ commission most sellers pay, it's not always possible to expect that a person inquiring today would be able to recoup their purchase costs. The lack of nightly hotel taxes and absence of extra person fees for timeshare owners is universal in the industry... very nice, isn't it?!??

Webmomom, did you think that you would own anything with DVC after January, 2042? The DVC membership is deeded to a leasehold which ends then. So, as of February 1, 2042, there will not be any of the current DVC to pass on to an heir. By contrast, some points-based and interval timeshares are deeded to real estate - actual land, not a leasehold on the land usage - so they are more like a shared ownership of vacation property. There are advantages and disadvantages to each... just wanted to be sure you realized that DVC is not deeded to real estate "forever."

 

[jimmytammy]

If you go or wish you could go a lot to WDW DVC is the way to go. I wish we would have joined sooner. The prices will continue rising so accomodations will never get cheaper. We havent used our membership yet but got together with some new DVC friends, vets mostly and it was so neat to see the excitement on their faces after so many DVC trips and they cant wait to go back. That backs up what I feel about DVC, the many yrs ahead!!!

 

[erikthewise]

Lisa P,

I agree. Anyone who can find and enjoy "2-3BR luxury villas or upscale hotels" for a little over $100/night (average of "$450-$1,100 for a week") during school breaks, doesn't need DVC!