Dvc general question

[disneytraveler]

What the advantages of Dvc ? I usually travel to Disney on a yearly basis in September or summer months. I booked the packages like the premium or for 2006 i am going Platinum plan. How is DVC compared to going by packages.
I have the dvd on Dvc and so far know that EHM is a still available. How is dining handled and the tours? Trying to decide if i want dvc at some time.

 

[tjkraz]

DVC is a timeshare. You pay a lot of money up front and reap the savings further down the road. It will probably take us 6-8 years to break even on our purchase, but after that, our stays will be a fraction of the cash cost.

For example, with the 150 points that we own, we could stay in a Studio room (which is comparable to a standard guest room at any Deluxe Disney resort like the Poly or Grand Floridian) for 10 consecutive nights in September. Our annual dues (which members must continue paying throughout the length of the contract) run about $600 per year. So, spread over those 10 nights, we're averaging $60 per night for a Deluxe guest room with NONE of those 11.5% resort taxes. The rack rate on that room is $294 per night, or $327 with the tax included. So, with DVC, I'm saving $267 per night or $2670 over a 10-night stay.

And that's just one year out of the next 50 I can use my points.

Even if you assume some level of room discounting, the savings are still considerable.

Aside from the room, DVC has no packages. You have to book all of the components yourself.

The one area where DVC currently can't compete with packages is with regard to dining. DVC does not have a dining plan like the Magic Your Way plan. However, DVC claims an option for members is in the works.

If your sole priority is convenience, keep booking those packages and pay thousands and thousands of dollars for them. But if you are interested in saving tens-of-thousands of dollars over the next several decades, it would be wise to investigate DVC a bit further.

 

[crisi]

I'd say the other place DVC hasn't been able to compare for the last four years is September travel. If all you need is a studio, and you can go in September, Disney has been running GREAT deals. There is no way DVC has been cost effective over the past few years for that. However, there is no guarentee there will be another great deal next September, much less in 2020.

Also, DVC saves money when you compare a DVC studio to a Deluxe studio. It saves less money when you move up the DVC "added value" chain - into one and two bedroom units. And it is arguable if it saves money if you are happy at the CBR - if you are happy at POP it doesn't. However, its a much nicer room than the one at Pop.

 

[lovinthemouse]

The way I saw it was it is an investment in future vacations. It has deluxe accomodations. We have stayed at the Value resorts and CBR in the past. Where CBR is a very nice resort. The value are very crowded only food courts and very noisey. We just bought in October "05 and have not experienced the effects yet. We are very much looking forward to Vero over spring break and going to our home of SSR in July 06. I just knew I wanted to do Disney frequently and also have other options with II (be it easy or hard to use). This way I lock in prices today. We have been to WDW 5 times in last 4 years and don't plan on stopping anytime soon. That is what made it a no brainer for us. The only regret I have is not buying 4 years ago. Good Luck!!!

 

[disneytraveler]

Thanks for all the responses .I will definately look into it at some time. True
that it is a substantial investment which is what i have to weigh. Plus the pros and cons of package vs Dvc also. Dont know if i can an investment into dvc now with paying for a condo i own and other things.