Does DVC make sense for 40-something couple with no kids?

[barbeml]

DH and I have been going to WDW regularly since we met 10 years ago (both were already WDW vets at that time). We looked into DVC a few years ago, but the maintenance fees were a huge turn off and we were happy with moderates. Plus, our accountant (DH's cousin) said it was not a good deal (he loves WDW as much as we do).

Well, I learned last night that the Mr. Cousin/Accountant just bought DVC at AKV. They are coming over tomorrow night and we want to hear all about what changed their minds. I know part of it is recent room rate increases, and we might be ripe for a pitch since we just decided that a return to the Poly next year is way too much $$.

Like us, they are in their mid-40s, difference being they have two kids to leave balance of DVC to, we do not have kids.

We are in a position to pay cash for 160 points or so...would love to hear from other childless folks who have taken the DVC plunge.

Thanks in advance!

Barbe

 

[DISDREAMIN2]

My husband and I bought Disney last year. We are in our early fifties and our children are grown. We still go on family vacations with them but we also have gone down for several weeks alone. As you know adults can enjoy Disney just as much without kids. If your concern is leaving it to someone you can always sell it when you no longer feel like going to Disney. Maybe when you are around ninety or so. I wouldn't worry that you have no children to leave it to. If you buy you can enjoy the luxury of being at home on vacation.

 

[ScottakaMickey]

I am 42 and DW is 39. We don't have kids and love Disney. We have been looking at DVC since it came out 15 years ago. We just bought at AKV, 160 Pts. We are Floridians, so we don't do the 'typical' Disney week vacation, we are over there throughout the year. We typically would stay a BC or DL depending on budget and why were there. Now that we have DVC, we can stay all over the place. We have 5 reservations made for the next 6 months and each of those are different DVC resorts, kind of worked out that way, so we get the flexbility to stay at different resorts at the level we are used to paying cash for. We believe it will ultimately be cheaper for us then the cash method we had been paying and that we will be able to stay more when we would normally choose to just drive back home, so our trips will be more relaxing.

Finally, to us, the flexibility it offers is worth the investment.

 

[VrBchJ]

Early sixties and no kids. I purchased soley to be able to stay at BWV for Food and Wine. But I've found I also love going the beginning of Dec. and in the Spring for Flower and Garden. My husband is not the least bit interested in Disney so it's my time to invite my friends and family along. It makes no financial sense in my particular situation but I have really enjoyed these last few years and have added on 4 times, all at BWV.

 

[BankBunny]

DH and I are in the process of buying resale. He is 37 and I am 31 (almost 32). We have no children and most likely never will. We love going to Disney and it just made sense the way rates keep increasing. We've always stayed at moderates also, but I look forward to staying in the DVC resorts. I feel like I have a lot more choices. And since we'll have enought points Dsis-in law and I are planning a family trip for my mother and father in laws 45 anniverisary. Go for it. Even though your DH's cousin is an account and loves Disney I guessing he didn't realize the vaule of DVC at the time he told you not to do it.

 

[barbeml]

Thanks for the replies!

I checked out the FAQ sticky, but wondering if there is someplace I can see floorplans of the different DVC units.

I like the idea of banking some points in order to book something more spacious and bring some family or friends.

 

[mprewitt]

I am 50 and DW is 32. We don't have any kids. We just enjoy going to WDW.

 

[chalee94]

floor plans can be found at the main DVC site, for one.

if you go to disney at least every other year - can plan vacations well in advance - and like staying at moderates/deluxes, then you should certainly inquire further into DVC.

 

[jenelope]

I'm 36, single and have no kids. I don't know if owning DVC actually "makes sense" on a financial level, but it certainly makes sense to me as a mentally and emotionally rewarding purchase. Before I bought in, I was strictly a Value resort (on an AP rate), one trip per year kind of girl. If I compare the cost of that pattern with the cost of DVC ownership, I will never come out on the plus side. However, since joining, my vacation patterns have changed drastically. Now, I'm a "two trips in a studio, or one trip in a two bedroom per year" girl. That two bedroom option comes in really handy when I want family to come with me. I'm planning a big trip next year with my parents, for instance. After all those years of them treating me, it feels nice to treat them!

There are floor plans on the DVC official site. Just go to each resort's page, pick "Accomodations" on the left side of the page, then pick the type of room.

 

[barbeml]

I have to admit, those floor plans are impressive. Thanks again!

 

[jekjones1558]

We bought when I was past 50 and DH past 60. I am now 60 and DH is 74. We started with 220 points and have added on 6 times. When we die we really don't care what happens to the points. We are living for today and enjoying bringing guests when we go.

 

[abner1776]

We are both in our late 50's and bought DVC in early 2006. Our DD's are in their early 20's, so we do not anticipate any big family trips to WDW, even though we did those trips years ago.

I just bought it cause we like WDW and expect to use it in future years with the grandkids and friends. One DD has already used our points to stay at BCV and she has no complaints.

We actually had our best trip to WDW in early 2006 without DD's....

 

[Disney MAINEiac]

IMHO if you visit regularly, like to stay in Mods or higher and can afford to pay cash it is a great deal...you stand to upgrade you room from mod to essentially deluxe and you lock into vacationing for todays rates for the next 50 years a nice hedge against the increase in vacation cost for rooms that have a fairly constant record as far as price increase. and the fact that you do not have children just means that your points can go even further as you won't need a 1-bdrm unless u really want one.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We are in our 60's with grown children who will probably not be interested in paying the maintenance fees when we are through with DVC. We have owned for 10 years, and recently added on at AKV (our main home is OKW). We have decided that we will keep DVC as long as WE are interested in visiting and can pay the maintenance, but we will likely sell one OKW contract in a couple of years and add on again at AKV so that we will have contracts that hold their resale value longer.

 

[ransom]

It works for us. It may not for you.

All I can say is, run the numbers. It doesn't matter if you have ten kids or none - you still have to run the numbers.

Figure out what your actual costs for your actual room if you pay cash at whatever level of resort you normally stay at, then compare that to the cost of DVC at whatever level of points will be necessary for the actual type of rooms in the actual seasons you expect to go.

For DW and I, we ended up comparing annual trips staying at a Courtyard room at Wilderness Lodge vs. a studio at VWL - in any season but July 4th and Christmas/New Years. In the end, DVC should save us quite a bit of money. We should break even after 7 years, and then enjoy substantial savings from there on.

But that's just us -- you'll have to figure it out for you!

 

[barbeml]

I have a feeling we're gonna do this.

I appreciate all the helpful replies and links...this is a very friendly forum!

 

[CPTJAK]

Like us, they are in their mid-40s, difference being they have two kids to leave balance of DVC to, we do not have kids.

Barbe[/QUOTE]


If you buy resale like BCV or BWV or OKW etc.. they have 35 years...you will definitely live that long especially with a stress relief of knowing you can go to DVC resorts...and as for the accountant, he/she will be impressed by the $ you saved buying resale...

 

[flyerron]

If you go to WDW regularly, it probaby makes sense. When the time comes you can will the contract to anyone you like or you can sell it.

 

[TEK224]

Single, 45 and no kids. Bought into DVC in 2005.

I used to alternate between value and deluxe resorts. After booking 2 deluxex (Poly & WL Concierge), the bill almost $6000. I decided I'd rather put that kind of money towards vacations for the next 45 years.

SSR is my home. Started with 150 and I just recently added on 100 more points.

I plan on making use of all 47 years (I'll be 90-something when it ends). If I don't make it til then, I'm leaving it to my niece and her family (already asked them if they would want it).

 

[1000th happy haunt]

DH and I are in our 50s. His two girls are adults now, one is married the other isn't (ages 33 and 30). We bought into DVC two years ago.