DVC Opinions Please from Parents

[bdtracey]

Hello from Calgary! Our family is looking at jumping on the DVC band wagon and need a little bit of insight from the pro's (YOU!!! ).

DS will be 2 this summer and DD just arrived 10 days ago. As you can see from my signature we've been to WDW once per year for the past 4 years. We're not going in 2010 as we want DD to be a bit older so we're going in May 2011 but that's still 5 times in the past 5 years. We can't see any end in sight but we're used to going at typically slower times of the year (May, Sept, Dec).

Obviously, we can still keep going during the slow(er) parts of the year but once DS start school it will be a little more difficult to go during the school year.

That brings me to my question...as parents w/ kids going to school is DVC the right choice for us? I guess the other alternative is to put the money that we'd use to purchase DVC into an investment account and pull the money for vacations out of there over the next few years as we go.

Any and all thoughts/opinions are appreciated!

 

[tink1969]

We first took the family in 2004 and were hooked. We bought in to DVC and we do not regret it. We now go every year. We have taken advantage of the free dining promo a couple of times but that is also because we had to bank/borrow for the Disney cruise.
Our girls are now in grades 7 and 3. We will be taking them out of school come the end of November but we are not worried about them missing school.
I will talk to the teacher's beforehand to see if there are some reading or worksheets we can bring along.
Once my oldest hits high school, we will have to travel to WDW on Christmas/March break or summertime. I don't want to pull her out of highschool because that is when they will be getting really serious with their studies. Sure Disney has slower times, but really, it's busy all the time. So I'm not goint to worry about being there on March break for example.
I would like to try different vacations as well, Vero Beach, Hilton Head etc.,
You don't have to limit yourself to using DVC just for WDW.

 

[iwrbnd]

It sounds perfect for you! I wish we had done it earlier when all our kids were younger! Go for it! They say it will pay for itself within 5-7 vacations and by the looks of it you'll hit that easy!

 

[dvc deernut]

The younger you are the better, we bought 98 and wish we bought in 92. We are 54 now our kids will inherit our dvc. If you can aforrd it go for it you only live once. If you miss a year you can bank for a year.

 

[bdtracey]

Thanks for the quick replies! dvc_deernut - the one thing I wonder about is purchasing at my age (28 in Sept). What happens when these contracts run out? I'll (hopefully...) be retired and likely want to spend time at WDW but if my DVC contract expires what do I do? Disney will definitely want me to buy more but it'd be nice to have a timeshare essentially paid for itself when I'm retired.

 

[tigger2on]

We also go every year at least once and we also remove the kids from school. Our travel times are usually (May, Sept., Oct., Nov).

 

[iwrbnd]

Thanks for the quick replies! dvc_deernut - the one thing I wonder about is purchasing at my age (28 in Sept). What happens when these contracts run out? I'll (hopefully...) be retired and likely want to spend time at WDW but if my DVC contract expires what do I do? Disney will definitely want me to buy more but it'd be nice to have a timeshare essentially paid for itself when I'm retired.

That's a good question! I've been so bummed I didn't buy until I was 40 and won't be able to use the whole thing I never thought about it the other way around! They usually let you buy a lengthened contract when it's about to end (at least they did with OKW) but when you're retired you don't want to be buying more! Hmmm...it will be interesting to hear what the younger crownd tells you!

 

[tink1969]

Thanks for the quick replies! dvc_deernut - the one thing I wonder about is purchasing at my age (28 in Sept). What happens when these contracts run out? I'll (hopefully...) be retired and likely want to spend time at WDW but if my DVC contract expires what do I do? Disney will definitely want me to buy more but it'd be nice to have a timeshare essentially paid for itself when I'm retired.

You would be 78 years old when it expires.....isn't that enough? LOL

 

[canabrits2]

. . . but it'd be nice to have a timeshare essentially paid for itself when I'm retired.

This is exactly MY hope and why I want to buy in!
I'm 32 right now and I can't do it this year because we are paying for our Disney cruise leaving next May but next year I'm going to be looking VERY closely at joining DVC via resale. I LOVE all things Disney (and because I'm Canadian, I want some warm weather vacations!) and want a way to take my daughter (6 now) somewhere nice throughout her childhood and for me to enjoy it in my retirement without having to worry about the costs (other than flights and food and maybe park tickets, of course).

I'm hoping to buy into SSR....it's a good compromise for me. I like its being further from the parks but close to DD. Some years I know that I won't go into the parks but would like to hang at the resort and just enjoy DD. I think it has a longer end date than BC BWV etc but not as long as AKV or BLT (neither of which I care for). BLT, I don't want to pay premium for proximity/convenience to MK. Basically, I'll be 80 when SSR contract ends. I think that is okay. If they offer an extension closer to contract end, then I'll look at it then, if I have the funds, so I can leave it to my daughter when I pass on...

Of course, I'm staying at AKV for 2 days before my cruise in May 2011 and may change my mind totally and buy into that one!

I noticed that you have stayed at value and moderate resorts in the past and I've stayed off site and moderate. Most people say that if you're staying in Deluxe accomodations anyway every year (which I cannot afford to do), it's a massive savings. Just FYI, I've done a few calcs and I think that even though people like us don't spend on deluxes now, it'll still be a big savings (and guaranteed Disney quality) over the long term....

 

[drag n' fly]

Op congrats on the new babe. I remember when you and dw were taking your last trip before you started your family! I think you are good candidates for DVC. Here are somethings to take into consideration. Flights, tickets and dues. Dues come right after Christmas. Well flights are flights and until the kids are past 2 you only have 2 seats to pay for. Seat sales out of Calgary require the same commando attention a trip to Disney does. We are past DVC owners and even though it was not our cup of tea does not mean it cannot work for you. I can pm you with some of the issues we had if you need more info. If I was ever to buy DVC again it would only be at VGC.

 

[bdtracey]

canabrits2 - we're on the same page! I'm almost positive that I'll be going resale. Talking about the deluxes vs. moderates...I was tinkering with a spreadsheet that I found online and it looked like it would take us 10+ years to break even on the DVC when comparing it to a moderate. Next May we'll likely be renting a pool home in Windsor Hills (hopefully through Romancing the Mouse).

It's going to take some serious number crunching for me but being able to bank and borrow points should make things a little bit easier. I really haven't heard of too many people regretting joining DVC.

ETA: Hey drag n' fly!!! Thanks for the congrats! Definitely PM me with the issues you had. I was actually thinking about you guys because I remember reading somewhere lately that you are past DVC owners and I wondered what the issues were. Knowing that you're from Calgary and in a similar family situation would be good to hear your point of view.

 

[Hockey Mom KQ]

We are DVC members and we love it!! We bought at AKV because our kids voted for that one, and because it is where we want to stay when at DisneyWorld, although we have stayed at some of the others too and loved them as well. We really feel like we are getting the most for our money with DVC. And, we just purchased more points on our March cruise. They have GREAT incentives right now!!! My boys are 9 and 10, so we vacation on the March Break. But, it has never been a problem for us - except the temperature this year Good luck with your decision

 

[mtmbyck]

I have always looked at jumping on the DVC wagon too....but so far the numbers just don't make sense. It's better now that DVC members can take advantage of the MYW and DDP. But with the deals you can get either booking a villa directly or through DVC members, it's tough to justify the initial investment.

Resale is by far a better deal but also a hefty price compared to other villas in the area - and as I understand the dues go up each year?? Plus there's those crazy priced flights out of Canada........

Lastly, I have 2 children - ages 10 and 13. We've been going down every March Break for 10 years - usually a 10 day stay minimum. Sometimes on property (value or moderate) and sometimes in a retal villa or house. A friend who is a DVC member said that DVC is for families who can plan their vacations 8 months to a year in advance. This is the only way to guarantee the more popular resorts (AKV, BCV) during peak season.

Saying that......If I had won that 40 million on the weekend.....I'd be signed up for 500 points already....

 

[canabrits2]

Saying that......If I had won that 40 million on the weekend.....I'd be signed up for 500 points already....

That's too funny 'cause that's what I was hopin' for this weekend as well.

 

[dvcdisney]

This is definitely a personal choice. My husband and I bought into the DVC membership 8 years ago and my son was only 2. Before that year, we stayed offsite. That year, we stayed at the AKL and fell in love with it and being immersed in Disney throughout the whole vacation. Before the end of that vacation, we became DVC members.

We started off vacationing once a year for 7-10 days. Usually, it was during September, October or May. Then we purchased more points and extended our once a year vacations. Then a few years later, we added more and began going twice a year for 2 weeks each. But by this time, my son was already in school (and daughter is only a year old), so in Kindergarten, he missed 3.5 weeks of school. We decided that we have to start going during the breaks. So since then we have been going two weeks in March (with March break, he only misses one week of school) and 2 weeks in August. August is not my favourite time...it gets verrrryyyy hot (however, a couple of years ago during Tropical Storm Faye, it was rather nice - not the storm, but the fact that the heat did let up a bit for several days).

Anyways, I guess my point with all this is that if things change, and you really want DVC to work for you, you can change your plan to suit your family's needs. But I will warn you....addonitis does tend to creep up on you the first few years and then again every time a new resort is offered. We own at 3 resorts. When we first signed up, we thought we would be fine with one resort and 150pts. Well, that only lasted 2 years and then we had to buy. It's an addiction really.

By the way, good luck. And remember that the guides are there to help so ask as many questions as you can and want before you decide.

 

[monkey30]

We are thinking of buying DVC as well.

bdtracy- I love the tat in the picture, where did u get it done.

 

[ABCanada]

While DVC works well for us dvcdisney's comments on addonitis are very valid.

We started with 160 pnts and now have 560 between four different resorts.

I did my cost justification based on studios but the last two trips have been two bedroom units. Love the washer and dryer and the large shower which means at least a one bedroom. Want two beds rather than a bed and a sofa beds so we ended up with a two bedroom.

So at $10 / pnt 'value' we are 'spending' close to what we would have for a deluxe but the room is much nicer and the trip more comfortable. We also have had friends join us which is fun.

As far as school age children your biggest issue will be getting reasonable airfare. The parks will be busy if you are in the true peak but different school districts have different breaks so you may not be in the true peak. The norm now does seem to be to take children out of school for vacations. If it is a day or two before or after the break there are generally quite a few students off.

Remember that all the studios other than OKW are a sofa bed and a queen so you need to be comfortable with that.

Resales are not always the best value. You need to consider the all in costs and value of incentives in the equation. We have a December use year so if your purchasing one of the current offerings it is often a better deal to buy direct near the end of the year. If we buy before the end of November we get the previous years points which can be banked, you only pay maintenance fees for the remainder of the year, so just over 1/12th and get another set of points Dec 1. Disney covers all the closing costs on an addon and a good portion on a new purchase.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

I didn't read everyone's responses, but I though I would chime in. I am a teacher so I can only do longer vacations during school breaks. However, my husband is typically unable to schedule vacation during school breaks other than summer. So we are pretty limited on when we can travel. We bought DVC resale and will make our first DVC trip this summer. I don't think it matters so much when you want to travel. What is more important is that you can schedule well in advance if you are particular where you want to stay.

 

[DbleTheFun]

Hello Fellow Calgarian!!! We joined DVC when the boys were 1 year old (Twins), we stayed off site once with them when they were 11 months old.... were intrigued by the thought of DVC but didnt take time to do the tour etc. on that trip. Instead we did a TON of research here on the DIS, worked the numbers, talked it out EXTENSIVELY... and took the leap with two resale contracts (Since we were already home, and cant buy direct from Disney unless on property). On our next trip "Home" to Disney and our first official stay as owners, we ended up adding on direct with Disney due to an incentive they had. 2 years later, we have 600 points (3 contracts) and have truly LOVED it. We go twice a year (next year it will be a DCL cruise out of LA to Vancouver and our annual December trip)... and think it's so amazing seeing Disney through our kids eyes-different every time we go! They are just turned 3 and have been to "Disney" 5 times (and have another 2 trips planned this year)... without DVC there is no way we could say that!

 

[MikeyNS]

The other thing to remember is Disney doesn't always offer the deals they are giving now.. they're trying to fill rooms with the economy the way it is. Driving around outside the Disney "area" 2 weeks ago you can really see how the area is hurting. Once the US economy gets back on track those "30-45% off" rooms will disappear and rack rates and no free dining will be the norm.

We don't plan on keeping our contract to the end.. we'll probably sell it in about 10-15 years before the value starts to drop and maybe pick up whatever might be on sale at that time.