DVC compared to Offsite Like WH

[DisneyCowgirl]

So here I am on the fence about buying DVC. I had totally decided to buy with proceeds from vesting stock options in December, and you can all guess what happened there. So we didn't buy yet.

Now we have our trip for this year planned and are staying at a rental in Windsor Hills. Cost-wise, that's a better deal for our family than DVC. But cost isn't everything I know.

So, can someone tell me why they LOVE DVC more than renting a condo or house off-site? I'm sure some of you guys have done both.

Thanks!

 

[Chuck S]

Basically, we travel to Disney to enjoy the "Disney envelope" of services, the free theme park parking or Magical express, the resort delivery of theme park purchases, resort-wide room charge priviledges, convenient bus transport to the parks, etc. If you are perfectly happy staying offsite, then like DVC isn't best option.

There is also the fact that your DVC contract will have a definite end date. While many timeshares promote and end date as a negative, I like knowing that I won't be passing on to heirs in perpetuity...they may not have the available funds to vacation or maintain the membership, or may simply not be "Disney" fans...plus Disney Parks could change over the years to not be as attractive as a vacation destination as it is today.

 

[littlestar]

We actually like a combination of both. We own DVC points to be able to add some DVC onsite days to our off-site condo stays.

Example: Next March we're traveling with a large family group for spring break. I booked a week in a Marriott 3 bedroom condo and also booked some nights in a DVC SSR 3 bedroom treehouse villa using our DVC points. Since we're doing a 10 day trip, it worked out great.

We keep our DVC points because we like the treat of staying on property at the DVC resorts because of their fun theming and location to the Disney parks.

 

[twinklebug]

Have you stayed onsite? If not I recommend you do, and if possible, rent points to get an experience closer to owning DVC.

If you enjoy staying offsite you may not take to the WDW experience as well. The food is pricier for one thing

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

thanks for your responses! We have almost always stayed onsite and we do love it, but now we find we need more space for our growing family and for all the extra people who seem to come along (grandma and a niece or two). We do usually get a car because we're not big fans of the busses.

The combination suggested by littlestar sounds pretty great!

 

[littlestar]

thanks for your responses! We have almost always stayed onsite and we do love it, but now we find we need more space for our growing family and for all the extra people who seem to come along (grandma and a niece or two). We do usually get a car because we're not big fans of the busses.

The combination suggested by littlestar sounds pretty great!

We actually traded our Marriott 1 bedroom timeshare into a 3 bedroom at Marriott Grande Vista. Total cost including maintenance fees - a little over $400. Booking the SSR treehouses for some onsite DVC nights in a 3 bedroom was just icing on the cake - We own 155 SSR points. I'll bank the leftover SSR points and probably book a 6 night stay in an Animal Kingdom Villas value or standard two bedroom for next year. Since we travel off season, I think my plan will work. I'll be on the phone, though, at the 7 month window to up my chances.

 

[Dean]

It's a personal choice. Some prefer staying off site. In many ways many of the off property resorts are actually nicer than the DVC resorts in some ways.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

We leave Sat. to do a week off-site, then a week in DVC. This is our first time trying this, so I'll have to get back to you. But, if you have specific questions, ask away!

I see advantages to both, and cost is only one of several factors. It's just the 6 of us, but with 4 kids, a regular hotel room isn't an option.

 

[dairyqueenmom]

One of the deciding factors in pushing us over the edge was, with 6 of us it was a family suite at a value, two rooms any where else, or $400 per night in a DVC villa. We traveled every year and with DVC we don't have to rent a car, we can cook at least breakfast every day, any other meals will be icing on the cake. With the economy I see us cooking more often. We also like the the "Disney Envelope" I won't stay offsite, takes too much travel time and we would miss the "onsite magic".

 

[snowbunny]

It's a dilemma because the staff cuts and overall decline in service and cleanliness at WDW make DVC less of a value than in the past, IMO. Yet I am one of the few people who has stayed at WH and was not a big fan.

WH is nice for the space. Three bedrooms, three baths, and personal splash pool in a new townhouse for a week for $700...but the resort is huge, many hundreds of homes, feature pool too far to walk to from our unit and unbelievably crowded. No lifeguards. I could go on. Despite the many issues with WDW "deluxe" resorts I decided after that trip that staying on site was more important to me than I had realized.

I bought my DVC points after my stay at WH...suggest you stay there and see what you think before buying DVC, which isn't going anywhere; there are people who love WH.

 

[allshookup]

For us it's a matter of convenience. Both DH & I find driving very stressful, especially in areas we are unfamiliar with & we enjoy a cocktail or two with dinner so we really rely on WDW transportation. Even when we have to wait a while for a bus, we just sit & relax, take in our surroundings & consider it all part of the trip. It's nice to know our accomodations are just a short walk, boat or bus trip away.