DVC for Florida Residents? Good Value?

[PBXBear]

Hey All-

My partner and I recently moved to Fort Lauderdale, FL and we had been thinking about DVC for a few years. Now we question whether it's a good value since we're Florida Residents now.

We tend to like to visit when the "kid volume" tends to be lower. Sept/Oct and recently we found the last week has been EXTREMELY empty and wonderful (March 4 - March 10 - except Today - seems like Spring Breakers w/ Spring Training = LOTS OF PEOPLE. )

I'm curious to get people's thoughts (especially other Floridians - in the FLL/Miami area...) do people think it's still a good idea or a good value?

This past week I got Port Orleans Riverside (first time here - LOVE IT) for $69-$79/night as a Florida Resident. That seems hard to beat... Especially when the price per point is $89 and it take a few points for 1 night.

Maybe I'm missing the math a bit... But these are the discussions my partner and I are having... If it's $79/night vs. $89/point (and 1 night = multiple points) how can that be a better value? We would tend to stay at value or moderate resort normally.

I like a lot of what the DVC offers - but maybe the value is best for out of state residents? I'm only a 3 1/2 hr car drive away... Albeit - a long, tiring drive (that I'm not looking forward to tomorrow AM...) Bleck.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts on the subject.

Kind Regards,

Chris

P.S. Can you use your points/transfer use of your points to value resorts? I see references to Moderate and Deluxe Resorts...but I was wondering if anyone ever does this? What's the point range like? Generally speaking, my partner and I when we visit - don't spend a lot of time in the room... But we hate staying outside of the world - for a variety of issues (transportation, lack of magic... unclean hotels...etc )

 

[teacher1]

The math is simple: after a few years you will stop paying for the points but you will never stop paying hotel rates (which will go up in the coming years). We also live close by (Miami) and thought about it a good deal, but here's what we found: (1) since we bought DVC we have stayed on WDW property twice already on points, but we would have NEVER paid the rack rates (for Saratoga & Wilderness Lodge) that equal the points; (2) the interest we paid is tax deductible; (3) because we bought directly from Disney we were given a 2004 contract (in 2005) so we received the full 150 points from 2004 w/o paying maintenance until 2005, and then received the 150 point allotment in Dec. (our use year), so we got 300 pts. in a 6-month period! (4) if you buy from a reseller it's still a good deal b/c some sellers from Vero Beach are asking only $65-67 per point & you can use the points wherever you want! You CAN use the points at hotels (Grand Floridian, Poly, etc.) but not at Values, and it's not worth it. Besides, if you'd rather not be around kids, why choose a Value? Florida rates are great AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR, but points are the same year-round, depending on season of course, but still less than room rates at Fla. or any other rates. Oh, one more thing: you can use DVC points in Canada, London, Paris Disney hotels, Australia, Ireland, etc. Some are weekly, but others are by the day, and London prices alone are worth it! Hope this helps!!

 

[JimC]

Generally DVC is best if you go to WDW at least every other year, stay on property, stay in a mix of moderate and deluxe resorts, can consistently schedule vacations well in advance, rarely need to change within 31 days of arrival and can afford the upfront cost in cash. It really improves if you avoid the weekend (Friday and Saturday nights) stays.

Buying DVC primarily to exchange outside of Disney, and for some even outside of the DVC resorts, is a poor use of points. There are less expensive ways to assemble the same vacation experience.

I think the decision is not so much Florida, but if the parks are close enough to be a day trip driving. For us that would need to be within two hours drive, each way. If you day trip as often as you like and no longer wish to stay over, then DVC offers you very little value.

 

[loveswdw]

Plus don't forget about the higher Friday and Saturday night points. If you live close would you try to travel more on weekends or during the week?

 

[Dean]

We live in North FL, about 4 hours away. I think DVC is less of a value unless you only stay Sunday to Friday. We have tended to go long weekends lately and don't use our points for that. For Sept, Oct for a 1 BR or less; you may want to look at buying another timeshare for trading then trading in. You can easily do so for that time at OKW & SSR.

 

[vascubaguy]

Maybe I'm missing the math a bit... But these are the discussions my partner and I are having... If it's $79/night vs. $89/point (and 1 night = multiple points) how can that be a better value? We would tend to stay at value or moderate resort normally.

You have to consider the "long-term" cost of DVC, not the upfront cost at $90 per point. That $90 per point is buying you 48 years of points. So you break down the math and it's more like $2 per point PLUS the annual maintenance fees. If you add $4.5 for MN fees, then it's $6.50 per point vs 79 per night. Off the top of my head I know that OKW has studios for 8 points per night in certain seasons.... that's $52 per night.

As others mentioned if you primarly stay on the weekends it might not be worth it for you. However, if you tend to stay for 7 days or more, you could stay at DVC for 5 nights and then book the weekends using the FL rate.

 

[Maribel]

We live in south florida and the only thing I could add to what has been said is to think about it if you like to plan last minute trips. Living so close is easy to think that you may be able to book a weekend trip on a short notice, only to find out that the dates you want are already booked. With the florida resident, you have better chances to get what you want when you want it.
The other thing you may want to consider is the size of the accommodations you usually stay in. For us, having small kids, having the full kitchen in the 1 bd was the selling point. I don't think we would have purchased DVC if we were thinking of staying on studios all the time.

 

[mickeysgal]

We live in North FL, about 4 hours away. I think DVC is less of a value unless you only stay Sunday to Friday. We have tended to go long weekends lately and don't use our points for that. For Sept, Oct for a 1 BR or less; you may want to look at buying another timeshare for trading then trading in. You can easily do so for that time at OKW & SSR.

We are in a similar situation being relatively close to Disney. We tend to do long weekends fairly frequently. Long weekend stays are brutal on points and definitely not the most optimal use because you burn through them very, very quickly. In making your decision, you need to look at not only what season you most likely will travel, but what time of week (Sun-Thurs or Fri-Sun).

 

[mikesmom]

You are somewhat comparing apples to oranges in your questions.
No, you can't use DVC points at the Value resorts. If you are fully satisfied staying at Value, DVC would probably be a waste for you.
You are comparing the cash cost (albeit at a discount) of a moderate to the cost of renting points to stay at the moderate. It woul be a rare occasion when a DVC member would use their points to stay at a mod. First of all, it's not a good use of points. Mods are not DVC properties and the point costs tend to be very high. Second a Studio at a DVC property would not only be less points, it would be a much nicer room - More space, a mini kitchen, a patio or balcony.
You would pay the $89 for the points ONCE. After that you would be paying annual maintenance fees (around $4) per point. While the maintenance fees do go up, they have averaged less than %5 increases, while the cost of hotel rooms has increased much, much more.
Whether it's the right decision for someone who can get a Florida rate is another question that only you can answer using your vacation patterns.

 

[jodifla]

We used every last point every year when we were in Florida year-round. We normally went Sunday-Thursday in two bedrooms, or studios on the weekends.

But if you're happy in values or moderates...that's not what DVC is about. DVC is about DELUXE vacations, being able to have a one-, two- or even three-bedroom whenever it suits your vacation needs. It's about being able to host friends and family and feeling lilke a superhero when they walk in and see the accommodations. It's about lounging around in your room or the pool some days, because you don't feel like you have to pound the parks. You know YOU will be coming to WDW on a regular basis, so all the pressure is off.

And take advantage of the Florida Resident Seasonal Pass. It's an awesome deal for the times you want to travel.

 

[PBXBear]

Thanks everyone for the very useful comments. I realized the "error" in my math after I thought a little more about it...

I think some of the conversations that need to occur in my household are:

A) We like staying on WDW properities. We don't like how "busy" value resorts are - but obviously enjoy the cost value.

B) Now that we are residents, have our Florida Prem. Annuals, we noticed this last trip that we REALLY enjoyed taking a break from the parks - and didn't fall to the "Disney or Die!" attitude of the past. We actually ENJOYED the resort, enjoyed the parks and were very relaxed.

C) Historically, we haven't "pre-planned" vacations - due to costs, budget...etc. One of the areas I like regarding DVC - it would force me to plan a bit to ensure I have "down time." - Which I really need with how hard I work. Knowing that I have my point allotment, I think would encourage me to use them and take needed vacation time.

D) When I look at the charts, the value seems to be able to consistent - as oppose to the hope of recieving Florida resident rates.

E) Plus, we like the idea of being able to "gift" points/stays to family members - who have that "Disney or Die!" mindset. Might allow the inlaws, sibling and nephew to come down and relax about Disney and enjoy like - just like we started to.

Please keep the comments coming - I think we're sold... But want to ensure we have realistic expectations and understanding.

Thanks again,

Chris