DVC: Is it worth it??

[ShannonN]

DH and I are really thinking of becoming a DVC member. I was wondering if anyone could share their experiences like; was it easy to schedule your vacation for the times you wanted to go, how much of an advantage is it to be a DVC member, what are some of the pros and cons? Any input is greatly appreciated . Thanks so much for your help.

 

[allshookup]

This seems to be a popular question today, & I just love giving my opinion. I already mentioned this once but if you add the initial cost plus fees & divide by the years of ownership & factor in the rising cost of hotel rooms & that you can save money by at least having breakfast in your kitchen or kitchenette, it ends up being quite a savings I think. You also receive a discount on APs & I just find it makes us go even more & our vacations are extremely relaxing since we don't feel we have to spend a full day at the parks with an AP. You can easily schedule a vacation at your home resort since you can do so at the 11 month window, but you have to wait till the 7 month window for the other DVC resorts. So far we've had no problems except for the beginning of December this year, but we just decided & I guess it's a popular time. Only con I can think of is that there is no maid service, but then again I kind of like that somebody isn't coming into my room every day. Anything else I would be glad to answer!

 

[Greg K.]

DH and I are really thinking of becoming a DVC member. I was wondering if anyone could share their experiences like; was it easy to schedule your vacation for the times you wanted to go, how much of an advantage is it to be a DVC member, what are some of the pros and cons? Any input is greatly appreciated . Thanks so much for your help.

Yes, yes, a thousand times, yes!

We joined in 2002, with our "starter kit" of 150 pts...and then bought another 150 (resale, through the Timeshare Store) in 2005.

The best way to think of DVC is as a pre-paid vacation. Not as a great real estate investment. We typically used to spend $8-10K on each big Disney vacation (two weeks in a deluxe resort, meals out, car rental, air fair, park tix, the whole thing.) Now, thanks to DVC, we're spending HALF that much, and we still get deluxe accomodations and a great Disney vacation. (FWIW: I paid for our DVC by selling some stock I had inherited that was losing a lot of value...I have no idea if the financing Disney offers is good or not.)

The "point" system is a terrific advantage, and so is the flexibility. We have banked and borrowed points, to have longer vacations (this year, we spent 19 days in a 1 BR at the Board Walk!) and we are not locked in to staying in the same place at the same time every year. We usually book six months out, and have never had a problem staying where we wanted, when we wanted. I wouldn't worry much about having a "home" resort, either ... a friend of mine who is also in DVC has Vero has his "home" resort, and has never stayed there. He told me if you are a little flexible, by a day or two, you can usually get whatever you want just a few months out. That, at least, has been the case with him.

If you love Disney, and Disney vacations, and feel you will get a lot of years out of it, it's a great way to go. (And, if you want to take a break from Disney one year, you can always use your points at one of the other resorts around the world, or rent your points, or give them to someone as a wedding or anniversary gift!)

I'll echo what many people said to me when we were looking into it: my only regret is I wish we'd done it sooner!

 

[pepe of ohio]

We've checked this out a few times and still haven't made a decision or move. Our case being we're in our late 50's, usually visit WDW 2-3 times a year and our stays are around 8-12 nights. Looking at the package and points, starter package would only give us one week a year for the money and its double points for week ends, hence most people move out and stay elsewhere and pay rack rate till the weekend is over and move back, not an option for us. Maintenance fees, I feel are too high. Our vacations are usually done on AP's rates, value season during late fall, winter or early spring and run us about 2000.00 for the 2 of us, total, usually less, depending on which resort, we always stay deluxe, and mostly we share the room with others bringing the cost way down. Right now I feel there is no advantage of us buying into DVC and being nailed down tpo one visit a year or buying extra points for more stays, seems cheaper to just pay as we go, seek the discounts to AP's when available and stay during value seasons.

Just our thoughts, we keep researching and reading about it, maybe some day but not right now.

 

[sorul82?]

I can't wait to read more responses!

 

[Dopey420]

I would say no. Why commit to a dvc contract when you can rent points from a DVC member for $8 - $10 per point?!!?? We are staying at the BWV for $120 per night!!!!

Hey, it's getting hot in here... I feel...... FLAMES COMING!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[spiceycat]

I have been a member since 1993.

Now in 1993, 94 & 95 - it was heaven....

I had never stayed in a 5 star place - but believe it in those days being a DVC member was great.

the front desk greeted you. the gardeners gave you flower. the bus drivers their schedules. the villa have all the little things that the DVC suites have.
books with instruction to do everything, table cloth, table mats and napkins, little pillows on all the seats (now some still have this other don't), a basket for the fruit, flowers arrangements, well just about everything you could possible need. If you need anything housekeeping would bring it to you in around 5 to 10 minutes tops...

around 97 this was just too expensive and they started to find other ways of doing things. If you need instructions now you call housekeeping....

It is still great. but at times I miss those little touches....

now with over 100,000 members during all those things would really be expensive....

the only times I have found that is hard to schedule is Thankgiving week, Dec 1- 14.

so don't wait until a couple of months before for those times. Otherwise I don't have any problems. I can get spring break a few months before - same for summer. spring break and Summer are just about the most expensive times to be at WDW - so most members like the inexpensive times a lot better. the only time more expensive is Palm and Easter week and Christmas to Ny.

that said the most members that DVC gets - the harder summer might be to get.

oh forgot the food/wine festavial for BCV and BWV - is just about impossible to get unless you own there. very, very popular time for DVC members. standard view BWV is probably the hardest to get during that time.

only DVC member can get BW view at BWV - so that is an advantage.

I also love the point system.... It is wonderful - if you want a studio fine, but next time need a 2-bedroom - not a problem. and for nights there is not another timeshare around that lets you stay only one night if you want too and I do at times... with no extra charges!!!

if you are going every year or every other year and staying in the moderates - then DVC can save you money. I didn't say it would - I said can.

most people once they are members go more often - costs rise - and because they are going more of then they need more points - add on - cost rise again.

but if you can stick with a budget you can save money with DVC.

that say the 1-bedroom are so much better than the studios. but until I get some more bills pay off it is the studio for me and rent the rest of my points...

 

[kellyf2626]

DH and I have LOVED being a part of DVC. We bought before we even got engaged (at the age of 22!)...and have never regreted it! We have 150 pts, which allows us to visit at least 1x each year.

We bought at Vero Beach, since they were doing a special for buying points at that resort. So....whenever we book at Disney, we must do so at the 7month window. We have NEVER had a problem getting a room....and have actually got exactly what we wanted each time!! This may be due to the fact that we go in the summer (with me being a teacher, this is the easiest time to go!). But...regardless....we have no complaints so far!! Once we have kids, we know we will end up buying more points (and hopefully go more often!).

Like someone said previously...you can't look at your purchase as a real estate investment. We think of it as pre-paying for years of enjoyment at Disney! I think you will truly enjoy being a part of DVC. Go for it!!!

 

[ShannonN]

Thank you all so much for your help!! One other question, how is the transportation to the parks? Can I still use ME (we will be flying more often than driving)? WE took our DS on his first trip to WDW this past May to celebrate his 7 birthday. It was absolutly wonderful . After that trip DH and I decided that we wanted to go to WDW at least once or twice a year so the DVC seems like a great idea!! Again thanks for your help.

 

[spiceycat]

DME is definitely for DVC member. Anyone staying on WDW property can have DME and of course WDW transportation back and forth to the parks.

some of us use

www.wegoshop.com
or
www.gardengrocer.com

for groceries since we don't have a car.

 

[ShannonN]

Thanks for those web addresses! We will definitely need groceries for that wonderful kitchen!!

 

[DKH01701]

DVC, always a great topic of discussion.

We purchased a few years ago, based on the knowledge that we loved Disney, made several trips in the past, and would continue to visit forever. With that in mind it is a valuable offer. I reiterate what was stated before, you should not plan on it as a real estate investment, but buying future vacations at todays cost.

We too, were in the fortunate position to have been able to pay outright, not finance the property. The charges involved in financing are a drawback, and should be calculated into your financial planning. The association dues, must also be figured in. We pay about $80/month and those will continue to increase over time. We also live in a relatively cheap air corridor to Orlando, you should consider your travel costs as well.

We have 230 points and have found that allows us at least a 7 to 8 day vacation along with what is turning out to be our annual Memorial Day long weekend, that being another 5 or 6 days. By making at least two trips, the AP becomes a must investment. Don't let the discounts allowed to DVC members be a determining factor. Although there are some, they are certainly not deal makers/breakers.

It has been extremely easy to book our preferred times and the Disney folks are ALWAYS willing to do their best to get you what you want. The 11/7 month booking system is generally more than sufficient notice to get what you desire.

Renting from members is an option, but although discounted to a good rate, those charges will increase on an annual basis, too. And if you do some quick math, while $120/night is a good deal today, my base rate over the course of my contract is roughly $35 per night. That's $35/night this year, and that's $35/night 47 years from now. Think about what a hotel room cost in 1959 compared to today.

My wholehearted suggestion is that you carefully consider all the costs associated and put a pencil to the paper. Do what's right for your own personal situation. It is a long range commitment, but in my opinion, worth every penny.

 

[sorul82?]

I would say no. Why commit to a dvc contract when you can rent points from a DVC member for $8 - $10 per point?!!?? We are staying at the BWV for $120 per night!!!!

Hey, it's getting hot in here... I feel...... FLAMES COMING!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't speak for the OP, but this is the exact opinion that I want to hear! I want to know reasons why folks have opted not to purchase as well. We are seriously considering the big leap!

 

[travelbug]

I would say no. Why commit to a dvc contract when you can rent points from a DVC member for $8 - $10 per point?!!?? We are staying at the BWV for $120 per night!!!!

Hey, it's getting hot in here... I feel...... FLAMES COMING!!!!!!!!!!!

No flames from my direction! I respect your opinion and admire that you've found a great way to enjoy outstanding accommodations on your trip.

As for me, I bought my first contract in 2000 and did a few add-ons during the next 2 years. As you see from my siggie below, I've taken a number of trips to DVC resorts and I've loved them all. I've never regretted my DVC purchase for a minute.

 

[hollyberry16]

OMG! there's more fees!?
Say you do pay the 15K outright...then you have annual maintenance fees ~ 1000$
+ Association fees....?
Is this correct?
How many more fees are there?
Because that already equals = ~ 2000/yr.

 

[dizhoni]

No, Hollyberry, the maintenance fees are the only ones!

 

[byoung]

I rented 4 times before I bought. I figured that I still wanted to go to Disney a lot, and decided buying was the best option for me. Glad I did I got 19 nights in a studio with points left over this year..( 200 BWV points)

 

[Disney Doll]

I would say no. Why commit to a dvc contract when you can rent points from a DVC member for $8 - $10 per point?!!?? We are staying at the BWV for $120 per night!!!!

Hey, it's getting hot in here... I feel...... FLAMES COMING!!!!!!!!!!!

Why would anyone flame you? That's a perfectly logical response.

But if you ask why buy? Because I don't want to have someone else have control over my vacaiton. What if the "landlord" of my rental points screws something up, doesn't call MS in time to book what I want, doesn't communicate with me and so on. We have all read the renting horror stories, and it's just not something I choose to deal with.

That's why I'd buy points.

To the OP:

As far as DVC, we have owned since 1997 and have had a very positive experience. With the exception of 2 instances in our 9 years of ownership, we have always been able to book what we want, when we want. One of the instances when I wasn't able to book was me calling 3 weeks before I wanted to book a studio for my nephew during Spring Break week, so I didn't really expect to get anything either, but figured why not give it a shot?

If you are able to pretty much always plan your vacations somewhat in advance, it's a great program. That's not to say that you can't do a spur-of-the-moment thing once in a while too...we have booked a room as little as 3 weeks before. We have waitlisted for rooms and have had the waitlist come through the day before we left. There will be times when you will not be able to get into a resort if it is not your home resort (ie-the BWV or BCV during the F&W Festival), but you will still probably be able to get OKW or SSR. One piece of advice I will repeat is buy where you want to stay. If it will break your heart not to be in the Boardwalk area all the time, then buy the BWVs or BCVs. That gives you the 11 month booking window, which is important if where you stay is important to you.

As far as paying for it...We bought our first contract from Disney. Took the 10 year loan because it had the lowest monthly payment. We figured that we would pay more every month than the required payment, but if we had a month where $$ was tight, all we had to pay was the low payment. We did that, and it worked out fine. We had it paid off in about 3.5-4 years. Really, once you pay off the original purchase price is when you begin to really reap the financial benefit of the program. We bought our 2nd contract resale, paid cash for it. I have heard folks buy resale and put it on their Disney VISA to get the rewards points and then pay it off the next month with either cash or a home equity loan. I have heard of folks who paid straight cash for it. I have heard of folks who paid for it with a home equity loan to get the tax benefit of that. I have heard folks who refinancned their primary residence and pulled some equity out of their home that way to pay for it, although that is not a method I would recommend personally.

As far as the program itself, I have always had what I consider to be good or great experiences with it. I have never had bad service from MS. I have had some MS CM's who were more knowledgeable than others, but I have always found all of them to be polite, pleasant, and trying to help. I have always found the rooms to be in good to excellent condition, and the few minor housekeeping/maintenance issues we have encountered over the years have always been taken care of promptly and courteously, with much apology for the inconvenience.

I like the themeing and locations of all the properties. I like that you can relax at OKW, be in the middle of the hustle/bustle at BCV, BWV or SSR, be in the middle of all the serenity at VWL. Each resort has something special to it, and I try to choose my resort to complement the type of vacation I want.

I like that I am staying at a deluxe-level resort. I like having the kitchenette or kitchen (depending on unit size). I like having the laundry (in a 1BR or larger) right in the room.

I think if you go into it with realistic expectations, you won't be disappointed. I think the folks who are disappointed are the ones whose expectations of the product far exceed anyone's ability to meet.

 

[Haeg]

I am also kicking the idea around for DVC membership.
My biggest question is the maintenance fee, I would like it to be a little more of a stable payment. Does DVC claim a ceiling of some point, like if you pay $1,000 a year do they say it will never go up more then 5%. I look at the maintenance fee as sort of an adjustable rate motgage and have the thought that at some point if Disney wants/needs to, could raise the rates to an unacceptable level, and then your stuck. I guess you could resale, but if the fees went to high your beat who would want in. The initial payment is the easy part in my view. What was the maintenance fee back in 1993? How much per point, per year?? Just curious if there is a sort of average on an increase in fee's through the years.

Thanks Haeg!!

 

[Metsoskil]

We briefly looked into DVC and decided at the time that it's probably not for us. Our kids are 18mo. and 4 and we figured we'll go back to disney about once every 2 years for the foreseeable future. We're not really interested in staying in a value resort, nor are we willing to shell out the money for a Deluxe, so we'd probably be staying in POFQ or one of the moderates in the future. If we took a 6 night trip every 2 years we'd need appx. 75 points for a studio (bank every other year). 6 nights at POFQ (with AAA discount) this year during August would have cost us $780. To buy 75 points resale at BWV at $85 point would run $6375. Maintenance on those 75 points would be appx. $335 a year.

So all those #s add up to this... Every 2 years I'd be able to stay in a BWV studio for about $670 (Maintenance not including my purchase price). It'd cost me $780 at POFQ. A savings of $110. Now people will say, "The cost of a hotel room is going to go up over time." This is very true. I read on a site that Disney hotel rooms average somewhere between a 4.5-5.5 percent increase every year. But my original $6375 is going to go up also (I hope). Money invested in a safe index fund has always averaged at least 7 percent over a long time period (like the time period you'd have to lock it up in DVC).

The savings just weren't there for us. Maybe if we were paying for a DVC room out of pocket on our trips or staying at deluxe rooms it would be. Or if we were planning to visit Disney more often.