Do you think it is worth it for us?

[Flyerfan]

We're considering DVC. We are back and forth about whether it would be worthwhile for us. We are in our late 30's, no plans for children and basically it's just the two of us travelling. Although we may get family and/or friends to come with us if we buy in. We usually stay at POR and lately it's been once per year. If we become owners, we would probably visit every year to every other year. Do you think it is worth it for us? Thanks.

 

[mprewitt]

We're considering DVC. We are back and forth about whether it would be worthwhile for us. We are in our late 30's, no plans for children and basically it's just the two of us travelling. Although we may get family and/or friends to come with us if we buy in. We usually stay at POR and lately it's been once per year. If we become owners, we would probably visit every year to every other year. Do you think it is worth it for us? Thanks.

Sounds like it. As long as you see youself visiting WDW at least every other year for the next several years, and you would normally be staying at a deluxe (or even moderate) resort, it should make financial sense.

 

[tacomaranch]

DVC is not a good financial investment but the rewards of having a "home" and being able to stay at better than deluxe accommodations is worth it for our family.

If you go only one every other year you won't have to buy so many points.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I do think it is worth it for you as long as you see yourself wanting to do a Disney trip at least every other year. Think of it as a PREPAID Disney vacation annually while locked in at today's rates. With the way Disney accommodations increase in price each year, it will save over booking Deluxes for sure, and probably moderates as well.

The other point to consider is that you will definitely be staying in a more deluxe accommodations than what you are used to (even if you only use studios), and you wont have to plan room costs as closely each trip. We found it was much more fun to vacation the DVC way than it was before we owned DVC. We have been members for more than 10 years, and don't regret it for a minute. Oh, and we were empty nesters when we bought in.

 

[Mickbee]

We're considering DVC. We are back and forth about whether it would be worthwhile for us. We are in our late 30's, no plans for children and basically it's just the two of us travelling. Although we may get family and/or friends to come with us if we buy in. We usually stay at POR and lately it's been once per year. If we become owners, we would probably visit every year to every other year. Do you think it is worth it for us? Thanks.

If you do not see yourself staying at WDW every other year, there are other options. You could take a Disney Cruise once every three years if you want too, plus many other options.

Using the Disney cruise for an example:

- Purchase in 2007
- Bank your 2007 points to 2008
- Decide to cruise on DCL in 2008
- Borrow any (or all) 2009 points needed
- If you decide not to visit WDW in 2009, bank the remaining 2009 points
- Plan your nex vacation for 2010
- If you choose not to vacation in 2010, you could bank those again and have a bigger vacation in 2011

Just a very loose example... the objective is to show there are uses for the points and you can have great vacations. We have cruised on points several times (2 7-days, 1 14-day) and it was well worth it to us.

A few years ago we had friends on "the fence" for buying with the same concerns as you have expressed. After providing the examples to them they asked themselves additional qestions (would we want to crusie on occasion? if so, what type of room?) and planned form there. They have been extremely happy and are enjoying a good mix of trips. Many family members have become DVC members as well and they have a completely differnt view of vacationing now and love it. I often hear "If we only listened to you in 2001!!!"...

Enjoy and great question!

 

[vwlvette]

Go for it! sounds like DVC is for you, As others posted up there, there are many options, also, if you are up against points expiring, you could always rent them. Besides, you are a Flyers fan, we need as many as we can get in DVC! so come on board!

 

[flechette]

Hubby and I are 37 to be 38 later this year - we're buying in once he's back stateside from Kuwait - about 7 weeks or so
(that's for him coming home btw.... )

So it can absolutely work for 2 adults/no kids. Tim took one look at the hottub in the room was was pretty much sold - he was more resigned than eager about the purchase before that. No studios in our forecast - 1bdroom or better per his decree (like I fought that...)

Plus we both like more space than the average hotel room - and we like the idea of more relaxed WDW vacations - after what's the rush when you know you'll be back?


Wander the boards; soak up the amazing, vast knowledge here; and know DVC will be around a for a while as you make your decision.

 

[Flyerfan]

Thank you very much for your replies. I am soaking up as much information and opinions as I can and it all helps.

 

[Disneynut4ever]

Sounds like it. As long as you see youself visiting WDW at least every other year for the next several years, and you would normally be staying at a deluxe (or even moderate) resort, it should make financial sense.

I noticed you are a

DVC Member - My home resorts: AKV, VWL, BWV and BCV!

Can you tell me the advantages of being the owner of multiple "homes" besides the 11-mth reservation benefit? Do you have enough points at each resort to use each time, or are you able to combine points from each resort in order to stay at one resort?

 

[Disneynut4ever]

If you do not see yourself staying at WDW every other year, there are other options. You could take a Disney Cruise once every three years if you want too, plus many other options.

Using the Disney cruise for an example:

- Purchase in 2007
- Bank your 2007 points to 2008
- Decide to cruise on DCL in 2008
- Borrow any (or all) 2009 points needed
- If you decide not to visit WDW in 2009, bank the remaining 2009 points
- Plan your nex vacation for 2010
- If you choose not to vacation in 2010, you could bank those again and have a bigger vacation in 2011

I thought you could only bank your points for one year. So how do you use your points from 2007, 2008, and 2009? And did that pay for all of your cruise or did you have to pay cash as well?

 

[rbl291]

DVC fits quite well for empty or never nesters! We were empty nesters when when finally bought in. The advantages for us are more frequent trips for fewer days(gotta love southwest ding flights!). Also, we plan on doing a cruise and going to Europe on DVC points in the future. I like the idea of prepaying for vacations and staying a deluxe accomodations. Plus, IF we ever decide its not for us, our children and grandkids will benefit by vacationing on the "ol folks"! What a gift to be able to give them.
Purely on a financial standpoint, NO DVC is not the cheapest way to go to Disney or to vacation. But for over 100,000 members, it surely is the "ONLY WAY" to do Disney!

 

[flechette]

You can borrow points as well~

bank 2007 points into 2008
In 2008 borrow 2009 point

you'd have 3 years worth of points then.

as to the cruise - it depends on which cruise and and many points you have as to whether or not you'd need to pay cash for 1 person...

 

[Cyndibear]

Go for it! My DH (35) and I (40) do not have any kids either and are not planning to. We enjoy taking our friends and family and treating them to the wonderful side of DVC. I'm sure you will enjoy it just as much as we do.

We live very close to each other too so you have to be a DVC member, we need more PA members!!!

 

[Dean]

We're considering DVC. We are back and forth about whether it would be worthwhile for us. We are in our late 30's, no plans for children and basically it's just the two of us travelling. Although we may get family and/or friends to come with us if we buy in. We usually stay at POR and lately it's been once per year. If we become owners, we would probably visit every year to every other year. Do you think it is worth it for us? Thanks.

If you by the number of plans you would likely use their the year, but if you would be worth it. However, if you plan these points for alternate reservations in just Disney cruise line, it will be very difficult to make the numbers work for you.

 

[Flyerfan]

We live very close to each other too so you have to be a DVC member, we need more PA members!!!

HI Neighbor! I think we are close to buying.

 

[Mickbee]

I thought you could only bank your points for one year. So how do you use your points from 2007, 2008, and 2009? And did that pay for all of your cruise or did you have to pay cash as well?

You are correct; you can only bank one year forward (2007 to 2008) and borrow from one year back (2008 to 2007).

We were able to book cruises entirely on points. If you do not have enough points to pay for all members of your travel party, you could pay for some on cash. the rule is: The first person must be entirely on points


Example:
Passenger #1: points
Passenger #2: points
Passenger #3: cash


You can not combine a single passenger on points and cash.
Example:
Passenger # 1: 1/2 points & 1/2 cash

Hope it helps!

 

[Cyndibear]

HI Neighbor! I think we are close to buying.

Cool

Cyndi

 

[Tsi2quick]

Ever thought of just renting the points you need each year and let the person who owns it handle the dues/maintenance fees? We've rented a couple of times and its worked out well, obviously much cheaper than getting a similar room at any other resort.

Of course owning a place at the Mouse is a great feeling I'm sure. Either way you go you'll be at WDW so it's all good!