DVC for Fort Wilderness campers?

[Luv2Camp]

DH and I are every-other-year campers at Fort Wilderness Campground. Just out of curiosity, would there be any benefit for us to look into the DVC? Thanks!

 

[DenLo]

The DVC is for people who are currently paying for moderate or deluxe rooms at WDW or Disneyland. The concept is that by buying into the DVC you will in the end (after a recovery period to recoup your buy-ing cost) reduce the cost of a room and get a larger villa than the normal hotel rooms.

People who normally stay at value resorts take even longer to recoup the cost of buying into the DVC as their regular resort rooms cost less. It would be the same for you.

Check out this article on the DVCNews.com: http://www.dvcnews.com/index.php/dvc-program/dvc-for-beginners

 

[kent285]

Not really an answer to your question, but we are DVC members and go to the Fort about every other year. In fact, that was the deal I made with my husband-he said we could only buy into DVC if we could still go to the Fort. No argument from me since I love FW. We do not use DVC points towards our FW stays, though. Some people do, though. Also, I believe you do not pay the $95 fee to use your DVC points at the Fort, like you have to at other non-DVC resorts.

 

[Lynne M]

I'll take it a step further and say that DVC is for people who want to stay at DVC resorts. If you want to continue to stay at FW, and don't have any desire to stay in the villas, there's no reason for you to buy into DVC.

While it's possible for you to use points to stay at FW, you'd likely find it more expensive than paying cash, there's a $95 exchange fee for trading out of the DVC system, and the point cost for staying at the non-DVC resorts like FW is not fixed in any way. It could double or triple, or Disney could decide to take away the ability to use points at FW altogether.

 

[Sandisw]

Well, if you look in to resale, it may or may not be worth it. For example, you can start out with a 50 point contract at SSR for around $4000. With EOY plan, that would give you 100 points to use with banking or borrowing. Using the 2010 points chart, that would get you 8 nights in the peak season (mid Feb - mid April) in a preferred site (premiums are more). If you travel at other times, it would be less points so possibly more nights.

I don't know what a campsite costs (have never done it), but this would give you an idea if it is worth it or not. Those 50 points, would cost about $250 in MF's a year.

Good luck!

 

[Granny]

I agree with Lynne. If your goal is to continue to stay at Ft. Wilderness, then DVC isn't a good value for you.

If you think you want to stay in DVC resorts and also think that you will be going to WDW pretty regularly for the next few decades, then DVC could work for you.

DVC doesn't fit everyone, which is fine. If you're not sure, you might want to book a trip renting a DVC reservation from an owner through the rent/trade boards. It's a relatively inexpensive way to stay at a DVC villa without the commitment of buying in.

 

[DebbieB]

The $95 fee does not apply to campsites.

 

[Luv2Camp]

Thanks for the info! We're pretty set on continuing to stay at the Fort at this stage in our lives, so maybe we should wait and check it out when we get the urge to stay at the resorts (they look so beautiful!). Thanks again for all of your help!

 

[NMK62303]

We like to stay at the Fort too but also would like the flexibility of being able to make other trips during the year where we do not pull the camper -- how would we figure out if DVC would be a good fit for us? In other words we would use points at the Fort if able but also would use at a DVC resort (and we LOVE to go to Disney, have been 4 times already this year and going in October).
Any advice appreciated!

 

[Sandisw]

We like to stay at the Fort too but also would like the flexibility of being able to make other trips during the year where we do not pull the camper -- how would we figure out if DVC would be a good fit for us? In other words we would use points at the Fort if able but also would use at a DVC resort (and we LOVE to go to Disney, have been 4 times already this year and going in October).
Any advice appreciated!

If you are planning to go to WDW to use DVC resorts and then sometimes use your points at FW campsite, it could be worth it for you.

What I would do is first look at the points charts to see what you would need at whichever resort you think you would like to stay.

Right now, if you have no real preference, SSR is a great buy via the resale market. It has some of the lowest MF's, its contract is one of the longer one (2054) and its is running around $65/ppt.

As long as you see yourself going and staying at the DVC resorts in the future, along with your campground stays, then DVC might work out in your favor as you can mix and match.

Its just not the best way to go if your ONLY reason for buying is the campground and it sounds like you are moving toward vacations of both kinds.

Good luck!!

 

[5forDiz]

Thanks for the info! We're pretty set on continuing to stay at the Fort at this stage in our lives, so maybe we should wait and check it out when we get the urge to stay at the resorts (they look so beautiful!). Thanks again for all of your help!

Beginning in 2011 the number of points per night needed for a preferred site will range from 7 through 18 or 8 through 20 for a premium site depending upon day of week (Friday & Saturday nights will be highest points) and time of year (season) with week before Christmas through New Year being highest point usage season and mid-Feb through mid-April being next highest season.

Does a preferred and premium campsite mean a full-hook up site, I'm guessing yes it does but I'm not 100% sure so if you aren't certain on that you may want to check on whether or not because it does note that $95 fee is waived specifically for campsites with full hook-up.

Check out the resale market for DVC contracts and maybe start off with a small, attractively priced resale before committing to a larger point purchase so you can find out if you feel if it is worthwhile using DVC points at Ft. Wilderness and this will also give you the opportunity to try out some DVC resorts too so you can see which you may like for your Home Resort and where you might prefer to own the majority of your points before you commit to owning more points.

Good luck, it sounds like a fun plan