Do you regret your purchase?

[What the Heck]

I just have a question for those who have purchased DVC. Is it worth it? Also, what is the cost above the charge for the points, such as for maintenance? Thanks for your thoughts.

Also, would it be worth it to purchase at a sight you don't really want, such as at Hilton Head or Vero Beach? The times that I like to go are usually at the slower times, such as when shool is in session, so would it be easier to use my points (should I purchase them) with only a 7 month window instead of the 11?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Absolutely worth it!
Yes, compared to the deluxes it's a money saver on a "per night basis", but many here will tell you they now spend more money on Disney vacations.
Since becoming a member we now spend between 27 and 32 nights per year at Disney and/or Vero Beach. That's about double what we did before becoming DVC Members.

Maintenance fees can get expensive, but you will never hear me complain. I want Disney to do as much maintenance and refurbishing as needed in order to keep DVC in great shape.
As far as the cost of fees, it depends upon which resort you own points at. I can't remember the exact figures, but I pay an average of $4.50/point/year between VWL and VB.

Good luck...

MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Also, would it be worth it to purchase at a sight you don't really want, such as at Hilton Head or Vero Beach? The times that I like to go are usually at the slower times, such as when shool is in session, so would it be easier to use my points (should I purchase them) with only a 7 month window instead of the 11?

If you are not picky as to which resort you stay at, you will PROBABLY be okay booking at WDW using the 7 month window during slow times.
That being said, I wouldn't purchase at Vero unless you want the 11 month window there. The maintenance fees at Vero Beach are the highest of any DVC resort, and will quickly eat up any saved money from your initial purchase.

Good luck...

MG

 

[What the Heck]

Thanks for your response - hoping for more. Also, what about Wilderness Lodge or Old Key West? They seem to be less priced for resales. Also, what about buying from Disney for Saratoga Springs? Is there a reason why we should do that or would buying resale (for the 12 extra years) be worth it?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Although I don't agree, many believe VWL and OKW have a less desirable location. That may be why resales are a tad less expensive. Personally I love everything about VWL, including the location.

Buying SSR through Disney is easy and convenient, but generally a bit more expensive. There could be a good case made for purchasing either resale or through DVC.

MG

 

[edenlee]

Speaking as a Brit, we love our DVC. We investigated buying a mobile holiday home in the UK but because of annual site fees and the fact that the whole unit had to be replaced every five years 'cos the site didn't allow them over fives years old!!! - DVC was cheaper to buy, better value overall and much more fun!!! Even taking into account the annual dues and flight costs from the UK it is better for us than a holiday home in the UK. Go figure!!!

 

[goofyforlife]

My Dh and I love our purchase....

Growing up my DM took us to disney every year from the time I was four through age 16. Most of them were bargain stay in campground trips and I mean with tents. Only once did we ever get to stay at the Poly.

My first adult trip to Disney was in 1999. (It took my 5 years to talk my DH into going. He had never gone as a kid and his older brother had brainwashed him into thinking Disney was a waste of money.) DVC was around but we didn't have the extra money to even think about it then.

Well after 5 more trips to Disney..the timeshare bug got us and we looked at a couple of places but being tied down to one week never appealed to us. DVC was the answer...flexibility is great...accomadations are more than what we could "afford' if we were not members.

And costwise...right now, I really don't miss the money coming out for dues and loan payment and it's nice to have the extra taxes and interest to deduct on our taxes. (Every little bit helps.)

After our loan is paid...I know that we can have a nice vacation every year. I may not live to see the end of our contract (age 82) but I may see my daughter and possibly her children use it. I see that as a great investment.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Because WDW is where we want to vacation on a regular basis, and we like nice accommodations, DVC is perfect for us. BTW, we LOVE OKW because the accommodations are very much to our liking (size), and the point value is greater (takes fewer per stay) as well as one of the lowest maintenance fees in the DVC system.

With SSR the extra 12 years is the draw and they have the lowest maintenance fees (right now). If you are over 40 though, I'm not convinced the extra 12 years is such a big draw.

 

[WithDisneySpirit]

We bought OKW because we liked it the best Will your times of travel ever change so that you might need the 11 window? IMO, buy somewhere you will like to be just in case

 

[MiaSRN62]

We actually feel we've gotten more value from our OKW purchase because we tend to travel with 5 or 6 and really appreciate the extra size of the units. IF we were to ever sell, we feel confident we'd most likely recoup what we paid for it. Can't say that for my offsite timeshare. My only regret with DVC is not buy sooner and not buying more points

 

[WDWLVR]

No regrets at all! We love our Boardwalk home the most but have also stayed at OKW - loved it!, BCV - loved it!, VWL - didn't care for it. That's the wonderful thing about DVC - so many choices there is bound to be one right for everyone!

We bought both our initial purchase and add on at the $65 per point rate and feel we have really gotten our money's worth.

 

[EeyoreJMH]

We love our DVC! DH and I joined on our honeymoon and were able to get our sentimental favorite of Boardwalk. We purchased as many points as we could afford at the time; I'm grateful we did this as point cost has increased quite a bit from when we first joined. We like that we can book spacious accomodations and treat friends and family to trips. In just under five years we've been able to:

-- treat my mom, his parents, his brother (and us) to an 8-day Christmas stay in an OKW Grand Villa (wonderful memories!)
-- treat my mom, his parents, his brother (and us) to three rooms at BWV (2 studios and a 1-bedroom) for Food & Wine Festival (and MNSSHP)
-- treat my mom and my brother (and us) to a week stay in a 2-bedroom BWV
-- have a girls-only week at a 2-bedroom BCV
-- a 10-day vacation for me and DH at BCV and BWV
-- 4-day Disney Cruise
-- and coming up in October a week at the Grand Californian!

 

[murcor]

I bet there are not too many members that regret their purchase that hang out on these boards

 

[Luigi's Girl]

The only regret we have is that we didn't join DVC sooner!!!

 

[TCARON]

Financially? We'll we decided not to revisit this issue after the purchase. I tell others, we just convinced my brother in-law to get into DVC, that if you love Disney, want to feel a part of it and want to stay in preminum accomodations, DVC is where to be!

 

[Forever a Princess]

No regrets about the purchase.

I regret, not buying in sooner and not buying more points at our initial purchase.

Renee

 

[VMKingdom]

The best vacation decision I have ever made. We purchased 270 points at Old Key West a couple of years ago from the Timeshare Store. It allows us to stay in a 2 bedroom villa, when there is no way I could afford that any other way. Plus, I paid about $14,000 for my points, and they are selling for about $19,000 now. How many times can you say you bought a timeshare and sold it for more than you paid for it?

 

[ILPHIL]

NO WAY!!
Like so many other posters, our only regret is that we couldn't afford to buy sooner. I think we see an add-on on the horizon for next year...

 

[kristielee]

My only regret is that we didn't buy a larger contract up front!!! We are in at 225 pts and I wish we'd bought at least 250 or more!

 

[athenna]

My only regret is (as other's have said) is that I didn't get more point sooner. Bought 150, realized I needed about 50 more and added on but they were $95 pp when they would've been $87 if I bought 200 points to begin with. But at least I beat out the point increase