DVC is better than stay/play/dine

[ldo]

often disboards gets asked the "value" of DVC vs. deals that WDW offers. Well, here is an example of how DVC is better than the current stay/play/dine deal:
5 nights for 2 @ AKV in a standard room with a weekend is 59 DVC points, adding standard 1 table service DDP adds about $130 a day.
So, 59X$10 (anuual fee and approx. amortized capital cost), plus $130/day = approx. $1250.
Same time for s/p/d is $1350 if I subtract out $400 for 2 sets of 2 day base tickets--but that was for a moderate. For a standard room @ AKL, it's $1950 for hotel/DDP. Guess I'll keep my DVC reservation!

 

[Msmithmd]

Agreed.

If DVC didn't save money, there would be no reason to own it.

 

[Dean]

Agreed.

If DVC didn't save money, there would be no reason to own it.

Exactly but there are many people who have bought into DVC who knew or should have known up front it wouldn't save them money and they bought anyway.

 

[Msmithmd]

Certainly true. The timeshare paradox. If only more people purchased and used them with their brains first, and their hearts second, probably a whole lot less timeshares would be sold-and their owners would be a lot more happy.

But TWDC didn't get to be the largest entertainment company in the world without figuring out pretty darn well how to sell "magic, dreams, and pixie dust."

I suspect they could start the Poly at $200 a point and make a week in a studio cost 200 points in adventure season, and people will still buy in droves anyway. Guess we will see...

 

[Dean]

Certainly true. The timeshare paradox. If only more people purchased and used them with their brains first, and their hearts second, probably a whole lot less timeshares would be sold-and their owners would be a lot more happy.

But TWDC didn't get to be the largest entertainment company in the world without figuring out pretty darn well how to sell "magic, dreams, and pixie dust."

I suspect they could start the Poly at $200 a point and make a week in a studio cost 200 points in adventure season, and people will still buy in droves anyway. Guess we will see...

Even those timeshares that are not even able to be sold for a $1 resale are still able to keep selling. Most timeshares are sold, not bought. DVC is different in that regard in several ways, at least currently, but the same principles apply.

 

[disneynutz]

Agreed.

If DVC didn't save money, there would be no reason to own it.

DVC may save you some money on your room but it increases your Disney spending with longer/more Disney vacations.

Bill

 

[crisi]

DVC may save you some money on your room but it increases your Disney spending with longer/more Disney vacations.

Bill

Likely too. Not a given. There are people with discipline.

And it is reasonable to make a trade - i.e. "I'm willing to pay more for a two bedroom - it adds value to my vacations - even though I could stay in a hotel room for much less money" - which is the other place DVC doesn't save money.

FREQUENTLY people don't "save" money because they upgrade. Either more time and more frequent trips, bigger rooms, going from a value or moderate to DVC units, bringing friends, or changing their experience - the money they save on DVC moves into better dining or La Nouba. And as long as you realize that - its awesome.

Often the packages work better with more people - two may not work, a family of four might come out better with the package. But a huge benefit to DVC is not having to worry about it. You have a room at a relatively fixed cost - you add components ala cart.