Put me in the category of one who has never bought (I don't own) but is perpetually thinking about it. I hope that makes me unbiased.
Fundamentally, it's a timeshare. And timeshares are not right for everyone.
I think the analysis you have to do is figure out whether you will go enough times to justify the initial outlay of cash, plus any interest you'd pay if you have to finance the purchse, plus the yearly maintenance fees. Then compare the present value of those cost against the present value of the cost of renting points from DVC members or the cost of making cash reservations each year. Then subtract out the present value of what you expect to recover from selling your membership at some point in the future, if any.
I'd have to finance some of a purchase. Doing the math the best I can, I'd either need to use my points for visits for about 15 years, and rent out my points a couple of years to recover some value, in order to break even. That's too much for me. I would purchase about 230 points. So the way I look at it, I have to imagine that instead of purchasing, I could plunk $20,000 to $22,000 into a money market, add about $940 every year, and also add the interest I'd I'd pay on the loan. That's a pretty healthy bank account. One from which I'd easily have enough cash to make cash reservations or rent points for many many years until the money ran out.
Also, add in that when you rent points, you don't need a "home" resort -- they can all be your "home" so long as you find a willing renter and can plan more than 7 months ahead. And add in that I like the flexibility of making cash reservations at monorail resorts from time to time with my vacation dollars, and it just hasn't seemed right to me. Yet.
That's the core financial analysis. But there are lots of nonfinancial considerations too. Some derive great pleasure from feeling an ownership interest in a piece of disney. How to value this? For some, priceless. For me, not so much. For you? Only you know the answer. Some want no part of renting, at any price. Some know they they cannot go without a kitchen -- I'm partial to that, once you timeshare, it's hard to go back.
I think the best thing to do is rent points for a short stay and check it out. Then figure out for how many years you would be using it on a regular or semi-regular basis. Then figure out how much in initial cash plus MFs you will pay over those years. Then figure out what other vacationing you could do with that money. If the former seems like a better deal than the latter, there's your answer.
). We need to figure out if this is a good deal for us. We have been there 4 times since 2001 and plan to continue going. What are some pros and cons of DVC? Based on the minimum buy in of 150 points what will we be paying? Including monthly or yearly dues and any maintence fees. What is the significance of having a "home resort"? Can't you stay wherever you want? Thanks in advance. 
