DVC - I Just Don't Get It

[goofeyshell]

The bottom line for us was that our reservations would cost us $3500 and DVC total bill was $15000 plus fees for 40 years. At the very least we could sell and make our money back....but now we're planning our next trip!

 

[JonHM]

We LOVE our DVC!! Several points: you really HAVE to see the rooms. My recommendation is this: the next time you're at WDW, staying at Ft. Wilderness, take the DVC tour. You can go up to any DVC booth in any park or at Downtown Disney, and they'll have a van come pick you up, and then after you're done, they'll take you anywhere on property that you want. The presentation is *absolutely* ZERO pressure, extremely informative, extremely pleasant, AND you'll get to tour some of the DVC villas, to see them first hand.

What I think you didn't get initially is that DVC is a 'big picture' kind of thing. It's not about right now, it's about 10 years from now, 20 years from now, 30 and on and on. This is the way that I looked at it. For the amount that it cost us to buy in at 250 points, for that same money I could have bought a decent car. But in 10 years, when that car would be either dead or dying, I would *still* have another *30 YEARS* of wonderful vacations for the price of maintenance fees if I spent the money on DVC. In addition, unlike a car loan, you can finance a DVC purchase out over 10 years, which *really* brings your monthly payments down to a manageable level. AND there is absolutely NO penalty for pre-payment, so if you come into a lot of money 5 years from now, you could always pay it off 5 years early. Oh, and *another* plus, as far as the maintenance costs go, you do *not* have to pay them up front at the beginning of the year - Disney will split them into 12 even monthly payments for you, at *NO* interest whatsoever.

As far as your question about getting bored with the DVC resorts, I have only one thing to say: you haven't actually SEEN the DVC resorts, have you? Just kidding, but they are SO much more gorgeous than *ANY* hotel room I have ever stayed in or seen. And there is such great variety, even just considering the existing DVC resorts. Old Key West is quiet and relaxing, far from the hustle and bustle of WDW, and convenient to Downtown Disney. Boardwalk is right in the middle of the action, with both Epcot and MGM either a walk or a short boat ride away. Beach Club is a bit more removed from the 'action' on the Boardwalk, and includes access to Stormalong Bay, a mini-water park. The Villas at the Wilderness Lodge are incredibly quiet and serene, with immediate access to the WL, and very quick access by boat to MK, the Contemporary and FW.

Seriously, the next time you are in the World, think about going on the DVC tour. You won't be sorry.

 

[David&Danielle]

I'm terrible with detailed numbers but after reading all the posts here we decided due to the ages of our kids that it would be a good buy for us. Even if we do have to turn it in in 40 years we will have used it so much that we will have gotten our money's worth.
I especially agree with the statements about the costs continuing to rise to stay there.

 

[David&Danielle]

I'm terrible with detailed numbers but after reading all the posts here we decided due to the ages of our kids that it would be a good buy for us. Even if we do have to turn it in in 40 years we will have used it so much that we will have gotten our money's worth.
I especially agree with the statements about the costs continuing to rise to stay there.

 

[crisi]

Just some points on it being a good buy:

1) Its a good buy IF you are going to take more than 6 (or so, everybody's break even point is a little different) Disney trips over the next ten or twelve years. That's a lot of trips to Disney for anyone who isn't a little obsessed.

2) If you can afford the contract - and the vacations you will now feel obligated to take (like a health club membership - it doesn't do you any good if you don't use it - and remember that vacations for most of us are expensive - even if your hotel is covered). It isn't a good buy if you need to cut things you need out of your budget to make your payments. Although $200 a month doesn't sound like a lot to many of us, its a whole lot of money to many people.

3) If you don't do your vacation on a bare bones budget. You will probably always be able to do better than your contract and maintenance fees if you are willing to stay in a motel off site - or always stay at the campgrounds at Ft. Wilderness.

4) If you use your points. Paying fees on points you never spend isn't a good deal.

5) Its a better deal if you don't have to finance. Financing will add to the amount of time it takes to "break even"

6) If you use your points "wisely." If your goal is to sample every hotel at Disney - you may be able to do better off discount deals rather than spending points to stay at GF.

Everyone's situation is different. I think FortWilderness is wise to be saying "I'm 25, I'm getting married, this might be a good decision in a few years." Then again - if he is about to drop $10k on a Honeymoon at Disney, he might just be better off taking the plunge now.

 

[goaler]

We bought our membership because we wanted a cost effective way to be able to go to WDW once every year. Prior to that we were going once every other year. We bought in January 01 and went to WDW with our kids three times last year on 220 points. Already we have gone once this year and have resv for June.

DVC not only "forces" us to take a nice vacation each year, we also can take a few long weekends as well.

 

[Eglantine Price]

I just had to add that no where but through the DVC can you get accomodations like these for the money!! My families first trip to WDW cost around 9000.00 dollars for 2 rooms at the wildreness lodge the week before christmas! If at that time had we put that into A DVC contract we could have had more then one trip that year with ample space for all of us in a two bedroom. I love my DVC

 

[Lesley]

Yes, you're young...but keep DVC in mind for as soon as you are able to swing it financially. My dh and I were your age when we first heard of DVC....wasn't the time for us as I had just finished school and we were expecting our first baby.....but a few years down the road it became possible and we are thrilled we joined.

Oh, and nothing compares to getting back to your room, tossing your clothes in the washer and taking a bath in the whirlpool tub after a day in the parks! Nevermind you can have a bottle of wine chilling in the fridge...life at DVC is good!