DVC Calculators

[vettechick99]

Not the point ones, but the cost calculator. Like what you can expect to spend long-term. I know they exist, just don't remember where I saw them!

TIA!

 

[IndianaMouseLover]

I am interested also.

 

[browniemtb]

I would be curious as well. When we starting the buying process I created an excel spreadsheet for the long term costs and where the breakeven would lie. The only problem is that you could sit down with 5 different owners and get 5 different views on how to calculate costs. I used a simple format......cost to buy in plus interest if any, dues over the length of the contract increasing roughly a few percent a year.......take this a divide by the amount of years you will own and get a yearly number.......at this point you could divide the number of points you own into this number and get an idea of your true cost per point.......Now some, which I think is a great way to look at it, take the initial cost of DVC and figure out what kind of interest lost if you invested the money...To me that goes a little far because we, meaning my family, are going to Disney at least once a year anyway so the money is technically spent. Back to the figures.......what I've also done when I found out my true cost per point I would figure what my stays are truly costing us and compare that to rack rate at the time. I do know this is a flimsy way but it gives you an idea of your savings for that stay. Example...say when you figure your true cost per point is $6.00 and it takes 100 points for you week stay....$600. Now rack rate for that same room could be as high as $1500 for the week. So you save $900...this helps figure your breakeven.

I know this is simple math and you could get very technical about it but this is truly a investment into your family and your return are smiles from your kids or grandkids. As mastercard would say, "Priceless".

Good Luck.....Brownie

 

[vettechick99]

Brownie, would you be willing to send me that spreadsheet? It's a start at least...

PM for my addy.

 

[javamom]

Hey there Vettechick... I love your chicklette! Hey I made a spreadsheet too, but I can't send it to you because I lost the dern thing when I had to reformat my computer's hard drive.

Hugs,

Rockin'javamom!!

 

[Caskbill]

I don't know of any 'calculators' available. Over the years, several members have done spreadsheets and reported their results here.

There are so many factors involved it's tough to give a general answer. But my recollection is that on average most users find the bread-even point is around 6 to 10 years. After that you're getting the DVC accommodations for just the amount of the dues.

Some people try to figure in resale value, which of course changes the formulas. If you purchase today, use the program for 5 years, and then sell, you will get some money back which obviously changed the break even point.

There are instances of some who buy and get incentive points, use the incentive and current year points, then sell the contracts within the year. Even doing this, they save considerably over paying CRO prices for regular hotel rooms.

The biggest factor most find is that they tend to 'upgrade' their accommodations over time. The initial analysis to compare to staying at regular WDW hotel rooms is to compare using DVC Studios. But many will stay in a 1-B/R unit or larger. If one compares a hotel room to a 1-B/R the 'break even' point changes, but on the other hand, the member is staying in a much higher 'upgraded' accommodation during that time.

 

[IndianaMouseLover]

I created a breakeven spreadsheet. It adds up my initial expenses for the points then I enter my MF each year and it automatically adds it up in a running total (DVC running total). Then when I make a ressie and take the trip I go the CRO website to see how much that trip would have cost me with the exact accomodations as our trip at SSR. I enter that. It subrtacts that from my DVC running total. I get a breakeven number. Since we loved to stay at POR before DVC I also have a column for that. I book the exact same trip in CRO with one room and enter that into my spreadsheet. It subtracts it from my DVC running total and I get a break even point if we would have never joined DVC and kept staying there every trip.

So I have a break even for trips if we book for SSR on the CRO. Then a break even for trips if we never joined DVC and always stayed at POR. It is quite interesting. We have been members less than a year and it shows it will pay itself off in no time at all.

 

[vettechick99]

Care to share your spreadsheet, Indiana?

ETA, hey javamom!!!

 

[IndianaMouseLover]

Care to share your spreadsheet, Indiana?

ETA, hey javamom!!!

Sure, I would be happy to.

How should I send it to you? I looked in sending you a PM but there is no where I can attach the file. I have never done this before. It is totally new to me.

I'll keep trying to find a way and send it if I figure it out. Or if you know a way.

 

[IndianaMouseLover]

Care to share your spreadsheet, Indiana?

ETA, hey javamom!!!

I emailed you my spreadsheet. I hope you received it. If not let me know and I'll send it again.

Enjoy!

 

[TSNCS]

I am researching the dvc, would you mind sending me the spreadsheet as well? You can email it to me at TSNCS@msn.com or pm me.

Thanks!!!!

 

[zalansky]

Hey Vettechick! Glad to see you're contemplating DVC.

You didn't ask for it, but here's my advice. Don't worry about when you'll break even! Consider this pre-paying for Disney vacations in deluxe (disney) accomodations. I found it much easier to take that way instead of worrying if and when I would break even. As much as you love Disney, go for it! You will provide priceless memories for youselves and your vettechicklet for a lifetime! There is nothing like having a villa on site once kidlets enter the picture.

We were on the fence for a long time and finally bought last year and on our first trip to Boardwalk we knew we made the right decision for our family. Beach Club is even better!

Sorry to butt in on your info seeking thread. I couldn't resist.

 

[snowbell]

I emailed you my spreadsheet. I hope you received it. If not let me know and I'll send it again.

Enjoy!

Hey Indiana -- Can you send me the spreadsheet as well? i just purchased a DVC at SSR... I close in December. Do you like it??

 

[vettechick99]

hey zalansky!! How's it going?

I know that DVC is definitely a great option - especially when you compare its cost to deluxe accommodations (which I really prefer over moderate/value). But the last two trips we've rented points and I wonder if it isn't just better to keep doing that. In the past, I could only get DH down there once a year. I don't know if that will change for the better when the vettechicklet gets brainwashed by me. I hope she loves it as much as me and begs to go down a lot. I know he won't be able to resist that. She's got him wrapped.

Any comments on renting for a while vs. going ahead and buying?

Oh, and for DH, the biggest selling point of DVC is not WDW but HHI (he loves HH!).

 

[zalansky]

Snowbell - welcome home! We own at SSR and we love it there but I admit my total adoration is for Beach Club. You're going to love DVC. Congrats and beware of add-onitis.

Vettechick - First I forgot to say how adorable the vettechicklet is! I never rented, so I can't speak to that question. And I will admit that the dues were the biggest problem I had with DVC. It took me a while to get over that and its not easy to fork that over every year still. But I will say another selling point for the future is the DVC they're building in Hawaii. If you are interested in a trip there years from now, that is. That spreadsheet should help you decide whether renting VS. buying is better for you. I never thought I would love DVC like I do! We already added on at AKV if that tells you anything. Have fun working the numbers and draming, its half the fun.

 

[IndianaMouseLover]

Hey Indiana -- Can you send me the spreadsheet as well? i just purchased a DVC at SSR... I close in December. Do you like it??

Sure I can send it to you. Send me PM of your email and I'll send it ASAP.

We absolutely love DVC and SSR. We have made one trip home already with one coming in 60 days. We haven't and will not regret jumping in.