Do you consider DVC a "regular" timeshare like all the others?

[MELSMICE]

In the "Getaways" section of our local newspaper this morning there was an article about timeshares. They used the Disney Vacation Club as one of their examples, along with Hyatt, Marriott & a few others & described them as being able to buy "one week's worth of vacation time at resort/condominium style accommodations".

I looked at DH & said "that is just a lie where DVC is concerned. You don't just buy one week with DVC. It is so much more flexible."

Just wondering if anyone else feels that DVC is like all the other timeshares? I see it as something unique and completely different than all the others - & I'm glad to be a part of this unique group!

 

[Caskbill]

No, Disney is not like others but is quite unique. We also own Marriott and my brother owns Hilton. While they are flexible to the extent you can change your 'week', and split up a 2-B/R into a studio and 1-B/R (thus getting two weeks), they are still in increments of 'weeks'. They are also deeded with no expiration date.

My brother also owns a couple of the older type where he gets week number xx every year: Same time, same place.

We're all familiar with Disney and know it's totally different with the highest flexibility of any T/S out there.

Are you going to call your newspaper and set them straight ?

 

[Chuck S]

Disney "magic" aside, DVC is unique in that is operated by Disney, and the properties are upscale and much more well kept compared to the "normal" timeshare that people think of. It also has the advantage of ROFR that in a sense, supports our resale prices. Some other well-known timeshares also use a point based system, which of course, is a far cry from the traditional "week" timeshares of the past. Who ever wrote the article either 1)didn't do their homework 2)has no concept of points based vs. traditional timeshares or 3)purposefully left out important details from the article for any number of reasons, which may include column space, or the believe that casual readers couldn't "grasp the concept" of a points based system. Unfortunately, it sounds as if casual readers of that article will be lead to believe that you are "locked into" a particular week as you are in so many timeshares, with no clue that there is a difference.

 

[MELSMICE]

Originally posted by Caskbill
Are you going to call your newspaper and set them straight ?

I'm contemplating writing a letter or sending an e-mail to them about it.

It is misleading for someone who is not familiar with the way DVC works.

 

[DebbieB]

As far as I know, Disney does not use the word "timeshare" in it's marketing, except in the legal disclaimer print. I think they want to stay away from being grouped with other timeshares because they are so different.

I would not have bought DVC if I was locked into a certain week or certain resort.

 

[pumpkinboy]

Yeah, it's funny when ppl ask "what week do you have" at DVC. After I explain it to them they remark that this is a much better system. Oh yeah, and the resorts are better too.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

To be honest I would never buy a regular timeshare, as our dates for vacation are dependent on too many other factors. To have the same week very year just wouldn't work well for us as DH works for a large Corp. they pick vacations by seniorty.

 

[timC]

What's so unique?
- DVC is concentrated around WDW. Even HH and VB are heavily dependent on WDW as a primary attraction.
- Some of the trading options... such as Disney Collection.

What's not unique.
- The point system. There are other point systems out there, and it seems that points plans are starting to take over the industry.
- The quality. Marriott and Hilton offer resorts of comparable quality.
- Terms: Maintenance fees, trading, leasehold.

Overall... I'd say it's reasonable to include DVC in an article about timeshares...but they should get their facts straight.

 

[Patty3]

I would not have bought into DVC if I had to be limited to a certain week or time frame every year, DVC has gone up in value, but we did not buy it as an investment. FYI, friends of ours have two time shares in the Bahamas. One is at Harbourside, Atlantis, and the other is down the road from Atlantis. It used to be a Marriott, but not anymore. They paid about $10000 to $12000 for this frist timeshare about 12 years ago. They feel that since Marriott is no longer there, it really has gone done hill. So much so that they had this week reserved and they chose to come home instead of spending a second week there. They are trying to sell it, their dues are $900 a year. They were told their timeshare is only worth $1500, can you believe this?

 

[walt4evr]

Originally posted by timC
What's so unique?
- DVC is concentrated around WDW. Even HH and VB are heavily dependent on WDW as a primary attraction.
- Some of the trading options... such as Disney Collection.

What's not unique.
- The point system. There are other point systems out there, and it seems that points plans are starting to take over the industry.
- The quality. Marriott and Hilton offer resorts of comparable quality.
- Terms: Maintenance fees, trading, leasehold.

Overall... I'd say it's reasonable to include DVC in an article about timeshares...but they should get their facts straight.

You are right on target!

 

[Cruelladeville]

I agree that DVC isn't "just" a timeshare. I also own at Marriott, and while it has comparable quality, it isn't the same:

1--Marriott doesn't have ROFR to any degree. My unit was $18,000 new, and I bought it 5 years later for $5000.

2--your season is the time period that you can stay at your home resort. For example, if you bought "fall", and you wanted to go there in July, it costs you $79 and you go on a waitlist.

3--If you want to stay at Marriott Timeshare, but not your home resort, it's $79+ $79 membership to Interval.

4--if you bank your week, you can do that for two years, and it's $79+$79 thru Interval for your home resort, +$79 if you decide to stay somewhere else.

5--your resort has certain check-in days of the week, usually Th, Fri, Sat, Sun. You have to stay elsewhere, or pay cash, if you want to check in on Mon, Tues, or Wed. because everyone's week starts Th-Sun.

6--one week MEANS one week, not 5 days or 8 days.

7--dues are paid annually in one lump, no payment plan allowed.

DVC means flexibility, most timeshares don't "do" flexibility.

 

[Dean]

But DVC isn't that unique either. There are many flexible and points systems out there. Some are actually be better than DVC in some areas.