DVC - Is it worth it?

[lllovell]

They will be full of people like you and me whose $$$ has also increased along with inflation (hopefully as fast or faster).

This is pretty standard tracking for hotel room rate increases (some years being 5% or more). There are adjustments (like what happened after 9/11) that happen from time to time, but rates climb, typically at the 3-5% range across the hotel industry.

 

[athenna]

Well, what I meant was, people would just join DVC as opposed to staying at the resorts. So, unless Disney turned every resort into a DVC resort, they'd have some problems.

Oh, I see what you mean but I don't think that will happen, either.
I have observed on the resorts boards a lot, and have seen that every single resort on WDW is someone's favorite. People want choices.

 

[lllovell]

Well, what I meant was, people would just join DVC as opposed to staying at the resorts. So, unless Disney turned every resort into a DVC resort, they'd have some problems.

Actually - you should do a search for the thread about "how much I paid for my DVC". Many people paid LOTS less than me ($20 a point or more less) to join.

 

[wtpclc]

But people couldn't just join DVC. There are a limited number of points (yes, they could build more). They would not build so many DVCs that no one would stay in their hotels. It would just be bad business. It's just like those that bought at OKW in its infancy. They are staying for peanuts now compared to what people pay for a mod or deluxe. They started at $51 per point!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Also, think about the times of the year you are going now. We used to go much more in off season as well, but as the kids got older (now we will even have one in college this fall), looks like we're stuck with summer trips. I just looked into the POP resort last month or so for my in-laws who are coming with us this August (they can't afford for their kids to be taken out of school either) and one night at POP during the summer months with tax is $110.40/night (perhaps an AP discount will show up ). Can't count on it though. We have no choice and can't take advantage of those terrific $55/night code rates in Feb and other slower seasons. Just want you to consider whether you will always be able to travel these time periods. Not sure if you have kids or not because that can really impact vacation planning---particular as they start to get older. If this be the case, you will eventually need to factor in these higher rates per night for the future.
Just another mention. In Dec '98 we stayed at POR for $124 (includes tax) per night. I just plugged those same dates in for this year and with tax it's $149.42. I can def see the hotel rates steadily climbing over the life of my DVC Membership.

 

[lllovell]

Now, if someone told me I'd only be paying $6,000 for 300 points a year - I'd use the same towel for the remainder of the contract, never mind 4 nights!

LOL!!! good point!

Here is the thread on point history

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=319583 (see if that works)

 

[SoCalKDG]

Yes, 300 points would be roughly $28,500 depending on current incentives.

300 points x 50 years = 15,000 points

15,000 points / $28,500 is $0.53 per point.

You are backwards with your math.

$28,500/15,000pts is $1.90 per point.


Example:
$100 for 10 points

$100/10 is $10 per point.

Your way had it 10pts/$100 is .10 per point.

 

[SoCalKDG]

I know I'll need 300 points. I like to going at the same time now every year - February and September (and I have another trip in May this year.) 150 points wouldn't cut it for me.

At $28,000 (and I assume that doesn't include dues), it would take me approxamiately 40 trips of 9 nights at a time, at $80 per night. I know the rates can get higher than this as time goes on, but I have faith in the AP discounts and such.

Yeah - My figures included tax. I stayed at Pop in february for $55 a night w/tax.

Staying in May for $82.50 w/tax.

You can do 9 nights in September at a standard at BWV for 103 points. This is 11.44 points per night. If you value this at $6.00 per point as your cost, then it would be $68.64 per night.

You could easily pick up a 100 point contract for BWV around $80 per point, thus $8,000 investment. You could make this up in 10-15 years of trips. Plus you get a Deluxe studio compared to a Value hotel room.

 

[DVCconvert]

I don't see this happening.
With all due respect - Think about it - What would Disney do with all those resorts then? Noone would stay there.

With all due respect, your youth is showing here!
Here's a reality check for you;
in 1973 (2 years after WDW openned) and there were only 3 "Disney" hotels, the Contemporary was charging $ 55 per night for a tower room. Although I wanted to stay there in the worst way (I was 11) my father refused to pay such a 'high' amount.

32 years later, people are 'thrilled' to get that same room at $ 245 - $ 390 per night, and that's with an AP discount!!!

I don't see (barring a terriorist attack/dirty bomb AT wdw) that type of inflation being any different over the next 30 odd years, do you?

DVC does offer a hedge against that type of price inflation.

Just something to think about!

 

[JimC]

If you can stick to your historical travel pattern, yes you can save money or at least pay the same for fabulous villas. We are staying in one bedrrom villas for the price of moderate resorts (even with AP codes factored in).

Also if you can stick with your historical spending patterns the other discounts can save you money.

The problem is that most of us have gone more often and "spent" the savings elsewhere. I guess this is just being a "good" Disney guest

We are very pleased with our DVC membership!

 

[Pa@okw95]

I bought in 95 not save money but to stay in a top notch resort with rooms that had some space. I never saved any money, when I purchased the pitch at the time was it was not a place to save money. They were more honest then, it cost plenty to go to WDW 2 or 3 times a year like we did, there is no savings. What DVC does do is force you to go to WDW when you would not. For a number of years I used to go 3 time a year, now we go once for a month but the cost run about the same. If you have to think too much about the costs then DVC should not be for you. It is not a place for people that live on the edge, but of course, either is WDW.

 

[wtpclc]

You are backwards with your math.

$28,500/15,000pts is $1.90 per point.


Example:
$100 for 10 points

$100/10 is $10 per point.

Your way had it 10pts/$100 is .10 per point.

I knew something didn't seem right. That's whay I could not my the numbers work.

 

[wtpclc]

I appreciate the youth compliment, but I'm 29.

 

[wtpclc]

Hey - 29 is the end of the first adult decade. I'm officially an old man.

You're cracking me up.

Here's a link to a poll on what age poeple bought DVC. You'll see you're on the young side of most of the people here. I know that hitting the big 3-0 seems like a big step, but looking at this poll will make you feel like you've found the fountain of youth!

How old were you when you purchased DVC?

 

[wtpclc]

I didn't get to WDW until I was 25. That's my excuse! Staying in a DVC villa has helped more than 1 spouse feel the Disney magic.

Good luck with your wedding!

 

[DrTomorrow]

I just keep asking myself, why is it my love of Disney is no different at 29, than it was at 14? Will it ever change? [...]

Hmmmm, maybe this guy is ready for DVC....

 

[lllovell]

I just keep asking myself, why is it my love of Disney is no different at 29, than it was at 14? Will it ever change?

Maybe after my wedding and after our debt is paid a bit, we'll be able to join DVC. I need some excuse to get my wife down there at least twice a year.

I am not prying, but if more children might be in the works for you and your future bride (which is certainly not unreasonable at your young age....I am 37 - if 29 is old, I am doomed lol), then your accomidation needs will change much as all of ours do. You already have her son and perhaps more of your own. A regular hotel room might not forever suit your needs or it might.

Another beauty of DVC, choosing the size of your rooms. Want to bring your parents, get a 2 bedroom. Want some privacy from the kids, a 1 bedroom fits the bill. Want to stretch your points? Gotta love a studio with a balcony and a kitchenette, a real bathroom, etc.

Sounds like you already have what most of us do - a love for WDW. Get yourself settled. For me, I just had to jump or else I would have kicked it around for YEARS and then regretted it. If you keep reading here, I think you will find the #1 issue is not enough points and #2 is why didn't I do this sooner?

We were park commandos. Get up - hit the parks and come home after the fireworks! But that has changed already knowing we have a lifetime of visits to make to WDW. There is so much more there and I can't wait to experience it all!

 

[lllovell]

Not prying at all - Kids are DEFINITELY in our future, and a lifetime of Disney vacations are as well. That's why I've been looking so much at DVC. Just a question of affordability right now.

Then congrats! Sounds like you have found a wonderful person to share your life with.

If I were you, I would nibble. Buy a resale (definately not at OKW since you didnt care for the style) and then as you pay it off, nibble and buy a little more. You will PROBABLY find your vacation habits changing as you have little ones (some will NOT take naps in the parks..some wont do well unless they are on a very set schedule like at home....some just get overstimulated and a dip in the pool or playing at the playground is the perfect way to burn off steam in a quieter environment....etc).

I bought 250 last fall. If I had done all the research you seem to be doing, I probably would have bought less points up front and then nibbled my way up to 250 as good offers came out from Disney. However, prices do rise. I got my points at $85 per point. Right now, the best incentive is $87 (plus some other good bonus stuff) for an add on of 120 points. But, hindsight is pretty much worthless huh?