Disney Vacation Club

[Hincher]

We are thinking of joining the Disney Vacation Club.

We just returned from our second trip in a row and we're thinking of when we're going again. We like to travel.

Can anyone talk me out of it or talk me into it? I'm looking for the pros and cons. Any information is appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[buzzmom3]

I'm thinkin about it too. Is it worth it?

 

[cseca]

Hi ,
I wish I could talk you out of it cuz that means I can talk myself out of it too... hehe.

There's a board talking specifically about this topic.

Whether DVC is for you or not depends on your preference and vacation habit.
If you only go there once every 3 years and couldn't care less about staying at any hotel (meaning, all stars is more than enough), and like the everyday turn down service, then DVC is not for you.

If you like to go every year or every other year and would like to stay in a nicer hotel with more amenities (kitchen(ette), hot tub, 2 bedroom, etc) then DVC is the way to go.

I've been a member since may 2000 and enjoyed every minute of it. The only regret is for not buying sooner and not having enough $ to buy more...

That's my 2 cents. Hop over to the DVC board, the people there have discussed this issue in such depth that I doubt there's a question they won't be able to answer...

Good luck!!!

 

[CherCrazy]

Actually, I think us DVC'ers have discussed this issue to death!

Most of us love being a member of DVC...and yes, like one of the posters, I sincerely regret not purchasing my membership years ago.

I consider it a way to SAVE money on my travel. My hotel costs are paid in advance for 48 years (50 when I bought). I am staying in deluxe accomodations at deluxe resorts. My family of six has plenty of room to spread out and if they all don't go, then we can book smaller rooms.

For the roughly $15k that we paid, I compared it to 3 years at the Jersey shore in a deluxe home or 3 years of taking a cruise. With the 15K paid off, I am only spending about 700 per year for dues. This year I will be using my 200 points and getting 13 nights of accomodations. 6 nights in a 2br at Hilton Head and 7 nts at a studio in Saratoga Springs. So for my $700, I essentially got 13 nts at $54 per night. Can't beat that.

Also you get discounts on dining, admission tkts, annual passes, etc. You have to LOVE Disney though...

 

[ceejay13]

We consider it the best thing we have ever done. I agree that it makes all the sense in the world if you will visit WDW a minimum of every other year. You will be spending moderate prices to stay in deluxe and better rooms. There is nothing better than coming back to your 1 bdr and sitting in the jacuzzi, only packing half of what you need in the way of clothes because you have a washer and dryer, and having breakfast in your room because you have a full kitchen. You also have the option of using your points around the world, including the other Disney parks and the DCL. It is addictive, however, as we have added on 3 times since our initial purchase in 2000.

 

[JimC]

We like DVC because we enjoy frequent trips to Disney and it affords us fabulous one bedroom villas at the price of moderate resort rooms.

Our belief is that the program makes sense if:

1. You stay on property and in a mix of moderate and deluxe resorts now.
2. Your primary use is for DVC resorts.
3. You will travel at least every other year.
4. You will stay Sunday to Thursday nights or longer (not long weekend getaways).
5. You can reliably plan vacation over 7 months in advance.
6. You can afford the upfront purchase price.

Here is a link that helps you with a good analysis of the program:

http://www.mousesavers.com/dvc.html#dvc

Edited to clear up some confusion in how #1 was worded.

 

[nestlejean]

We joined in 1999 and wish we had sooner. I looked at the numbers (accounting background) and decided it was worth it for what we got. We can stay in much nicer accomodations for the money. I am spoiled by the full kitchen and LOVE having a washer and dryer (a 1 BR and up). I hate going home and having piles of wash to do for days. We can bring less clothes because we wash them. I love to eat a simple breakfast in the room and then head out for some fun. I love the flexibilty of the point system. I love that we can exchange out if we want. I love that we can get a studio, 1BR or 2 Br if we want as long as we have points. It allows us to change with our changing families over the years. Sure you can probably stay in a All Star for less or off grounds for less but look at what you are getting and where you are staying. We toured and decided this is what we wanted to stay in. Also, the hotel prices will go up and tax is charged. We don't pay sales tax and the only thing going up is our maintenance dues. The buy in price is already paid and won't change once you buy in (it will go up for those that wait...). We can also not worry about getting 2 different hotel rooms for a family of 5 which we were having to do before. We book the size room/rooms we can use. We could book a Grand Villa someday and bring the whole family. We could take several trips, just me and the hubby, in a year. Whatever we decide and depending on how we use our points (bank/borrow). Also, if we decide we don't want to own a timeshare anymore for whatever reason, we can resell it easily. DVC sells well on the resale market. Good Luck in your decision. The people on this board are great for giving all kinds of useful information.

 

[DrTomorrow]

[...]
1. You want to stay on property and in a mix of moderate and deluxe resorts.
[...]

You're not advocating using points for moderates, are you? Because aren't all on-site DVC resorts deluxe?

 

[Pluto 2]

dvc is well worth it. i used to stay 8 or 9 nights in all stars or off property.
i wanted to stay in a better hotel but couldnt afford it until i got dvc. now i stay 12 nights, instead of 8 or 9 and in a lot better place. i been with dvc since 2000 wish i would of joined before like most people. so far i have only stayed at the dvc resorts, but there is so much more with dvc than just staying at the dvc resorts.

 

[joksten2000]

Took the family on a Xmas Cruise in 2000 (8 of us, 6 adults & 2 GK's 10 & 6 at the time) After the cruise the grandkids looked me in the eye and said this was the best vacation in the world. Needless to say I bought on the cruise, have twice purchased more we now have 1,000 points I love family vacations and we sailed for under $2,000 in 2001 & again in 2003. Now I've decided we need a family vacation every year. Will probably buy another 1,000 points in the next few years. Best money I ever spent and knowing my kids will enjoy after we're gone in a real bonus. We did go to WDW WLV in July and everyone had a fabulous time all points maybe we spent $3,000 total.

 

[BCVOwner2002]

The only regret we have is that we didn't purchase sooner! We love our membership. It's so much fun to share our ownership too. We purchased in 2002 and have taken DS and friends on several trips to WDW. In June, we took our god child and his family. There were 9 of us. We stayed in a 2-BR and a studio at BCV.

In the past, we used to stay in moderates (CBR and Coronado) but love the accommodations of DVC even in the studios. You have a kitchenette in a studio which you wouldn't have in a non-DVC resort. The 1-BR and bigger units have jacuzzis in the master bath, wash and dryers in the unit, full kitchens, living/dining area, etc.

Don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have. Everyone on the DISboards are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Annmarie

 

[DISNEYDEVOTEE]

We went 2 times during the 25th anniversary. Stayed at Beach Club on concierge level, regular room with 2 beds etc - cost $12,000.

We took the DVC tour the morning we wereleaving - I felt like a fool paying that much to stay in a "regular room" for 2 weeks

DVC $14,000 for 40 years, better accomodations etc - it is truely a home away from home - few people outside of DVC understand this feeling.

bob

 

[JimC]

You're not advocating using points for moderates, are you? Because aren't all on-site DVC resorts deluxe?

No. I am saying that if they stay in a mix of moderates or deluxe on site now, then DVC makes sense. If they stay on site in value resorts then DVC is going to most likely cost them more money.

 

[Cruelladeville]

I LOVE my DVC! I have been a member since 1997, and I should have joined in 1992, when we first toured. We always stayed on-property at Poly, and this is a cheaper way to stay in luxury accommodations. Does it make a difference to you whether your accommodations are delux or not? Is it important to stay on-property? Only you can answer those questions--certainly, there are much cheaper timeshares off-property. You could join Hilton, Marriott, or Sheraton timeshares for several thousand less than DVC--and it would be more difficult to get your investment back if you suddenly needed to sell. Nevertheless, for an investment of $4000-$8000 you could buy in off-property thru resale. It just all depends upon what you want.

 

[spiceycat]

as has been say - if you go to WDW every year or every other year.

if you HAVE to stay on-site (WDW property).

if you love WDW and are a Disney nut.

then you will love DVC and it will work for you.

some people will tell you that you can't get your money out of DVC.

well - I certainly did. Been a member since 93. OKW studio these days goes for $289 plus tax $322 (2005 rate). I can get the same room for $3.85 (including property tax) * 8 = $30.80 per night Sun thru Thurs.

next year it will be $299 plus tax $333 (2006 rate) - my price will increase to $33 per night (estimate)

 

[cseca]

I think the numbers won't work if you compare say current vacation habit with DVC.
If you calculate an AP rate on Value resort stay compared to say studio in a DVC resort on an off peak season, the number will still favor AP rate.
But if you compare a Home away from home resort with vs. without DVC the number will be much different.

So when you're comparing, determine if your current vacation habit is sufficient.
Then calculate that vs. dvc ownership.
Or if your current habit is not sufficient, calculate what your preference is vs. dvc ownership.

I think that the most logical way of doing it.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[lovinthemouse]

We just bought. It is AWESOME. We have been to Disney 5 times since 2001. Like other replys, I wish I had not waited. The resorts are great. The flexibilty of your points is great. Not a bad thing to say about the whole process. Good luck in your decision.

 

[spiceycat]

I think the numbers won't work if you compare say current vacation habit with DVC.
If you calculate an AP rate on Value resort stay compared to say studio in a DVC resort on an off peak season, the number will still favor AP rate.
But if you compare a Home away from home resort with vs. without DVC the number will be much different.

So when you're comparing, determine if your current vacation habit is sufficient.
Then calculate that vs. dvc ownership.
Or if your current habit is not sufficient, calculate what your preference is vs. dvc ownership.

I think that the most logical way of doing it.
Just my 2 cents.

I would go use the rates from the deluxe resorts.

comparing DVC to a value resort is not fair. DVC are so much more!!!!

of course I can also stay offsite in a 2-bedroom for $211 for a week.

 

[joksten2000]

We bought again at SSr last week and the thrill never wears off. Good luck and many many years of happiness