DVC For us?

[BigDogger]

We just don't know if DVC is right for us. We go to Disney World every other year. We usually get 3 rooms for a party of 10-12 people. We always get the Dinning plan and air-fair included in the vacation package. Would DVC really save us anything if we needed to get Dinning and air-fair anyways ?

 

[Akliebert]

We bought into DVC in 2009 and have never had a regret about buying. Having said that I know some people who bought and then backed out before a week of signing the papers. She realized that she wasn't able to get the Free Dining with DVC. We don't buy the dining plan and we have to buy our flights. Also if you like to stay at Value Resorts it may not be for you. If you like to stay at Deluxe Resorts and you don't care if you can't get the free dining then it is for you. If you are thinking about buying I would recommend talking with a DVC CM. They are very informative and aren't pushy.

 

[chalee94]

do you stay in values or deluxes?

how far ahead do/can you plan?

more to think about in this thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2740145

 

[disneynutz]

Only you can decide if it will save you any money or allow you to change to more desirable accommodations.

You need to spend some time reading here on the DIS about the DVC, then you need to do the math.

The biggest down side in my opinion is that you are committing to vacationing with Disney for the next 30-50 years or until you sell your ownership.

Bill

 

[Deb & Bill]

We just don't know if DVC is right for us. We go to Disney World every other year. We usually get 3 rooms for a party of 10-12 people. We always get the Dinning plan and air-fair included in the vacation package. Would DVC really save us anything if we needed to get Dinning and air-fair anyways ?

10-12 people would mean you would always get a Grand Villa or multiple villas (say a two bedroom and a studio or one bedroom, or three studios). You can pay for the dining plan, but airfare would be separate.

 

[luckyman_apd]

Read....Read......and then read some more. It took me almost a year of reading and thinking and calculating to decide. We just received our closing papers today on a contract. There are so many variables whether it would be right for you or not, and your intro is pretty vague for any kind of opinion.

When you get 3 rooms, do you go cheap at the values? get moderates? or go deluxe like polynesian, contemporary, or GF?

DVC can get you deluxe accommodations for moderate to value pricing......depending on your travel habits and other factors. Do you like to travel together with rooms next to each other? are you even 1 family? So many things to research for yourself. Lay out your typical vacation for us, and then you will get more input.

 

[ToddyLu]

I read for about the same amount of time as the PP before DH and I purchased our points. Give us a bit more info.

Be sure you understand the basics of UY, Banking, Borrowing and cancellations. There is a lot to cancelling a DVC reservation--so if you are planning a big group and someone pulls out it can really effect your points for that year if you have sponsored their villa with your points.

I think in the big sceam of things I would get enough for my family unit and let everyone else book their own room and allow you to still help with planning. Family and friends can change their minds and then you are maybe left with a grand villa and 8 people--when you could have gotten a 2 Bedroom and saved points. KWIM.

 

[ToddyLu]

DVC is its own beast so to speak. We were going for the yearly 9 night trip too and staying values. THen we bought DVC. Staying deluxe with DVC really changes your vacation. Now you have a villa with a great view, a fridge for drinks, family size table on which you play cards, etc...DH and I still love the parks but the "home" feel of the villa causes a horrible disease...

The Twice a Year Trip Disease. It is sneaky...it starts out with lets stay in a studio...next year with a savanna view...next year we need annual passes because we are going to make 2 trips within a year of each other ( the Dec then Oct trip)....once you have an AP you decide it is a good idea to get a TIW card (now you do not need the AP for TIW, but a couple of months ago you did)....well now to really make the most use out of the DVC, APs and TIW card you really need to get that extra trip in there....the second trip can be just us/no family/romantic...well crap now I need more points because DH wants a savanna view each time...next year, now DH only talks about staying in a one bedroom...the luxury...the space...the POINTS...Augggghhh!!

and the worst part is for me there is no cure...and I infected DH...then he infected his Mom, brother and my parents. For the love of humanity please read and know what you are buying.

 

[dbs1228]

DVC is its own beast so to speak. We were going for the yearly 9 night trip too and staying values. THen we bought DVC. Staying deluxe with DVC really changes your vacation. Now you have a villa with a great view, a fridge for drinks, family size table on which you play cards, etc...DH and I still love the parks but the "home" feel of the villa causes a horrible disease...

The Twice a Year Trip Disease. It is sneaky...it starts out with lets stay in a studio...next year with a savanna view...next year we need annual passes because we are going to make 2 trips within a year of each other ( the Dec then Oct trip)....once you have an AP you decide it is a good idea to get a TIW card (now you do not need the AP for TIW, but a couple of months ago you did)....well now to really make the most use out of the DVC, APs and TIW card you really need to get that extra trip in there....the second trip can be just us/no family/romantic...well crap now I need more points because DH wants a savanna view each time...next year, now DH only talks about staying in a one bedroom...the luxury...the space...the POINTS...Augggghhh!!

and the worst part is for me there is no cure...and I infected DH...then he infected his Mom, brother and my parents. For the love of humanity please read and know what you are buying.

And eventually you do as I just did and book the GV at BLT for 6 nights over NYE okay used 3 years worth of points but 2013 has a lot of mile stones going on for my family!

 

[Dean]

We just don't know if DVC is right for us. We go to Disney World every other year. We usually get 3 rooms for a party of 10-12 people. We always get the Dinning plan and air-fair included in the vacation package. Would DVC really save us anything if we needed to get Dinning and air-fair anyways ?

It depends on where you normally stay and how good you are with discount codes. There is no discount on the DP with a package unless you're going during free dining times. Likewise, I don't think there's any discount on the air fare for packages through Disney. Compared to moderates or above, it's likely you'll break even or save money comparing a 2 BR plus a studio to 3 hotel rooms. You'll also have the W/D, full kitchen and more space. Currently DVC members do not pay the seasonable add on charges for the DP so there's a potential savings.

 

[amypetecar]

Without going into the math, the general rule of thumb is that if you go at least once per two years, DVC tends to be a good value.

Is it cheaper than booking 3 value rooms during off-season with a discount code? No. Is it cheaper than booking 3 deluxe rooms with a discount code? Almost always; Yes.

the other benefit is that you get the priviledge of getting a multi-room villa that includes a jacuzzi, kitchen, living room, etc.

If you think you may want grand villas, conisder buying at old key west. Points can be obtained in the mid- to high $40 range, and the point total is somewhere around half of what BLT is.

 

[Sandisw]

When we bought in in 2009, it wasn't so much about saving money but whether we could buy DVC for no more than we were already spending for our typical summer trip. Instead of being in a regular room at the CR, we would be in 1 bedroom villas.

After we looked at everything, we realized it was for us because we knew we would be visiting Disney for a long time and once we paid it off--originally thought we would finance but didn't-- we would be getting those villas for a lot less.

But, for me, its now about being able to book my trips without worrying about that expense. I can go for a few nights like I am next week in a studio or for my 5 nights this summer with a group of 14 in a 2 bedroom and additional studios. What I love is not having to watch and wait for deals.

DVC is only the room portion of your trip so yes, your airfare, food, and tickets are still going to be there. At this time, though, you can get some great deals at some of the WDW DVC properties via the resale market and you could find that it could be beneficial for your large party in the long run.

 

[BigDogger]

This is a family get together we do every other year. We usually get three regular rooms with either (2) queen beds or Queen and bunkbeds. Stay at deluxe or better resorts. Plan on going every other year for a long time to come.

 

[Dean]

This is a family get together we do every other year. We usually get three regular rooms with either (2) queen beds or Queen and bunkbeds. Stay at deluxe or better resorts. Plan on going every other year for a long time to come.

Then DVC is likely a good choice for you assuming you can plan ahead 7 months or more out and are comfortable with the restrictions and compromises that come with a timeshare like no housekeeping. For my family, we don't miss the lost items and very much enjoy the extra space, full kitchen, grills and process in general. If it's financially feasible and you plan ahead, I think you'll be very pleased with DVC. What I would not do is buy a joint contract with others or contingent on others paying routinely.

 

[DisDad07]

You really need to decide what type of rooms you would like to stay in before you buy. How many points you would normally need for the 3 rooms, if thats what you need. Some times you may going with more or less people, so you need to be flexible. Some resorts use less points for rooms, and some are closer to parks you want to visit then others. A lot to think about, so read the boards and check out the point charts for time of season you would be going. An Dean has made a good point. Buy for yourself, not others.

 

[crisi]

I don't think its a good choice. DVC is a LONG term commitment. You can resell, but if you have to resell in less than ten years it probably is going to hurt. And family get togethers have been known to change their nature drastically pretty quickly - which could leave you stuck with too many, or too few points. Bob and Sally get divorced and Sally doesn't let the kids go with Bob. Tom marries Jane who has four kids from a previous marriage. Your sister Brenda flakes out and decides she hates her mother and never wants to vacation with you all. Susan dies of cancer and for your BIL these trips are too difficult......

Too many people here have ended up holding the bag for single family events gone wrong. I have a pretty good family, but for one trip my FIL got subbed in with my husband's aunt because he really didn't want to go, for another trip we got to spread out in a two bedroom when my sister flaked - after two reschedules around the other sister's chemotherapy.

 

[luckyman_apd]

Just me, in this "family get-together" scenario, you should ONLY buy for yourself. It wouldn't be a bad idea for each family to buy their own ownership (if this is a planned thing for the future for years to come). If everyone bought at the same location, you could combine points and get a grand villa together. And in the future, if one member drops out, than you wouldn't be dependent on others (even if it's family) for money, or plans or any of that.

DVC in this scenario may not be the best idea, only you can decide that. It is a commitment for a long time, and a lot of money up front. So take your time, research all about it before you can tell if it's worth it.

 

[BigDogger]

well after thinking about it. We finally made a offer on a SSR contract and came to agreement with the sellers this week. Now off to disney for there OK.