DVC Bashing

[wulfekamp]

I was out surfing the web a few nights back and came accross a web site about Disney stuff and started looking around. Then I found their forum and could not believe the DVC bashing going on. They had charts and were crunching the numbers saying how stupid it is to buy DVC. It just amazes me how many people just don't get it. It's like if they can't be DVC they don't want anyone else to.

 

[Dean]

I was out surfing the web a few nights back and came accross a web site about Disney stuff and started looking around. Then I found their forum and could not believe the DVC bashing going on. They had charts and were crunching the numbers saying how stupid it is to buy DVC. It just amazes me how many people just don't get it. It's like if they can't be DVC they don't want anyone else to.

I suspect you were looking at one of the regular timeshare sites, maybe TUG or Timeshare forums. The reality is that they are often correct, DVC doesn't make sense for many people. Actually DVC only makes sense if you are willing to pay the much higher prices to stay on property anyway, can plan ahead, and can afford it. I do know that on TUG there are a couple of people that are so anti DVC that they can't think straight, it's often the jilted lover situation.

 

[crisi]

And yet three topics below this is a post pitying people who don't own DVC.

What amazes me is when people don't understand that there are millions of ways to live your life in ways that bring contentment and happiness.

 

[WDWLVR]

DVC isn't for everyone and some have to justify not having it by putting down those that do. Don't let them get to you. If it is right for you and your family like it is for us just enjoy it.

 

[disneynutz]

To be honest, DVC isn't for most folks IMO but they make it work. Many buy without really knowing what they are getting into but the sales presentation is very powerful and after all, it is Disney so you know that they wouldn't take advantage.

Human nature makes it hard to admit that we made a mistake so some owners refuse to sell. We have met many owners over the years who only use their points once in a while. Some didn't even know about banking or the rules.

You can't use the internet to judge DVC satisfaction levels. A very small percentage of owners post on forums or message boards.

Bottom line is the DVC might save you some money but it also requires that you vacation with Disney every couple of years and that can cost a few thousand dollars in addition to your initial buy in.

Bill

 

[bobbiwoz]

It works for us, and has given us lots of pleasure!

Even if we only had 1 DS, our Disney hater, we would own DVC for our own enjoyment. We all have just one life to live, and let each enjoy what they can in peace.

Bobbi

 

[jarestel]

They had charts and were crunching the numbers saying how stupid it is to buy DVC. It just amazes me how many people just don't get it. It's like if they can't be DVC they don't want anyone else to.

Of course on this very site there are many number crunchers making the other side of that point. I'm sure that infuriates the anti-DVC folks just as much.

 

[cvjw]

You even see DVC bashing in threads on the DIS occasionally. It is usually someone starting a thread about whether or not they should buy DVC. It seems that most of the people who bash DVC would really love to be able to afford DVC, but since they can't, they talk negatively about the whole program. I have rarely seen an actual owner talking so negatively about DVC.

 

[ccgirl]

DVC is not for everyone. There are alternatives to DVC that may make more financial sense and it has nothing to do with a person being able to "afford" it or not.

For example, I purchased a timeshare in Hawaii. It was $8,000 at 0% interest. It is deeded, not leased for x number of years. The maintenance/taxes are a "whopping" $560 a year. I have used that timeshare to trade in to DVC (a 2BR) twice. I use it mainly to trade outside of WDW. I can use that same timeshare and get 4 weeks of vacation outside of WDW.

So, if you are not going to go to WDW every year or if you are quite content staying in the value resorts with free dining (and it costing less money - yes I know the size of the accommodations are less) then DVC is probably not for you.

It has nothing to do with bashing DVC. It is removing the personal side of things and just strictly looking at the numbers. The reason a lot of DVC owners (or owners of other timeshares) don't talk negatively is they are personally invested.

 

[hakepb]

I can see how it would be a lot like a "buy a Prius to save on gas" argument vs "you can save more total $ by buying a cheaper car when you factor car payment + gas". Vs "it may be cheaper yet keeping the car you have"...

And really, DVC is not doing itself many favors by continually raising its prices it's pretty much doubled since I bought 6 years back.

 

[crisi]

I can see how it would be a lot like a "buy a Prius to save on gas" argument vs "you can save more total $ by buying a cheaper car when you factor car payment + gas". Vs "it may be cheaper yet keeping the car you have"...

And really, DVC is not doing itself many favors by continually raising its prices it's pretty much doubled since I bought 6 years back.

I have a Prius and I love my Prius. But it isn't a car for everyone. It was way more expensive than a Jetta diesel that would get similar gas mileage. It drives like its engine is hamsters and rubber bands. Since I don't enjoy a lot of power in cars, I don't mind how it drives. And since the difference in cost was not significant to me, and I liked the prius better than the Jetta, the first wasn't an issue. I'm happy with my purchase, but when people ask me if they should by a Prius, I don't recommend it without those caveats.

DVC is similar.

And in the end, it's my money. I can burn it in a bonfire if that gives me pleasure. Not every penny of it needs to be well spent. However, not everyone gets the same pleasure out of lighting money on fire, so that isn't a blanket solution to giving satisfaction. Nor do I need to justify or argue about how wonderful it is to set dollar bills on fire, or become upset if strangers on the Internet thing I'm being foolish.

Granted I'm the person arguing that burning your money is foolish until you are financially independent and know how the college bills are being paid and retirement is paid off. But in the end, that's my opinion, not a statement of fact.

 

[jrtoastyman]

Yep, any time anyone asks me if they'd recommend buying into DVC, I always say, "It depends." If you go to Disney regularly and stay at deluxe properties when you go, there's probably a level you could buy in at that would make financial sense. If you don't go that regularly or stay at values when you do go, probably not. In between, you'd want to really take a hard look at the numbers before taking the plunge because your break even point will be further out, if you can hit it at all.

It's definitely not for everyone, or even every Disney traveler. For the right type of traveler, though, it can really work out well in the long run.

 

[ccgirl]

Yep, any time anyone asks me if they'd recommend buying into DVC, I always say, "It depends." If you go to Disney regularly and stay at deluxe properties when you go, there's probably a level you could buy in at that would make financial sense. If you don't go that regularly or stay at values when you do go, probably not. In between, you'd want to really take a hard look at the numbers before taking the plunge because your break even point will be further out, if you can hit it at all.

It's definitely not for everyone, or even every Disney traveler. For the right type of traveler, though, it can really work out well in the long run.

Well said.

 

[Lynne M]

Well, to call it 'bashing', I'd have to see comments like 'anyone who buys DVC is stupid', or 'DVC is a scam'.

Simply showing how the math does or doesn't work out....that's not bashing. For many people, depending on how they vacation, or what they're looking to get out of DVC, the math doesn't work out.

 

[Sammie]

And yet three topics below this is a post pitying people who don't own DVC.

What amazes me is when people don't understand that there are millions of ways to live your life in ways that bring contentment and happiness.

Thank you. Life would be very boring if everyone was the same.

 

[DougEMG]

Simply showing how the math does or doesn't work out....that's not bashing. For many people, depending on how they vacation, or what they're looking to get out of DVC, the math doesn't work out.

When I first found out about DVC (direct only), the numbers did not work out for me. It was only a few years later that I came across this site and learned about buying resale that the numbers then worked out for me.

 

[bumbershoot]

It only works for us b/c we were already spending a lot on our Disney trips, and weren't planning on stopping that. To someone else who wasn't spending that, it wouldn't make sense.

And yet three topics below this is a post pitying people who don't own DVC.

What amazes me is when people don't understand that there are millions of ways to live your life in ways that bring contentment and happiness.

That poster said specifically that the words she was using weren't the best words for it....and ended it with being simply grateful for her DVC ownership... Not really pitying if you're taking the words back as you're saying them, LOL.

 

[Dean]

When I first found out about DVC (direct only), the numbers did not work out for me. It was only a few years later that I came across this site and learned about buying resale that the numbers then worked out for me.

From a numbers standpoint, on property will almost never work out compared to other timeshare options. Generally the ONLY way to make the numbers work is to compare to a skewed option, that of other on property choices. One has to say to be willing to spend more for less to stay on property. MANY actually prefer staying off property or don't care one way or another. DVC is by definition, an expensive luxury which is a specialty option.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

When I first found out about DVC (direct only), the numbers did not work out for me. It was only a few years later that I came across this site and learned about buying resale that the numbers then worked out for me.

Even with resale, the number may still not work. It really depends on what your options is if not staying DVC.

We had a nice weekend with extended family at GCV last weekend and my Mom wanted to buy into DVC so that we could make it a yearly thing. When I crunched the numbers for her assuming she bought resale points at SSR, the only way it made any possible sense was if the alternative was staying at DGC. Even a stay at PP would not make sense, but this may be because they are eligble for military discounts. -- Suzanne

 

[curan69]

People always ask me what kind of Mileage my Yukon XL gets. I look at them and say I have no idea, When it's empty I fill it up. I guess I look at DVC the same way. I enjoy staying at the DVC resorts so the Numbers don't matter.