DVC Purchase?

[Chili327]

Same. For me there was too much risk involved. I was willing to pay a premium to Disney for the lenient cancellation policy.

Yea, I really don’t like that insecurity/risk either.

For studios, rack is considerably higher, and usually so is the prevailing discount. However, renting from an owner is not apples-to-apples the same as owning, because renting from an owner is almost always non-refundable with no changes.

My thinking is if you do the D.V.C Math, for instance my BWV are about $16 this year, and my AKV & BLT are in the $12 range, so if I compare that to what I would pay to rent… $18-$20 privately, or $23-25+ through a rental company, I feel much better about being an owner.

 

[Cfabar1]

We tend to be 1 BR people, which tends to be the worst way to use DVC from a points standpoint, we don't care. We don't want a studio, and right now don't want a 2 BR.

Anyways, using a potential visit in late May/early June at VGF:

236 Points for 6 nights at VGF

Owning we bought during the "fire sale" and have some resale points as well, estimating our all in cost (initial buy in and dues) around $12/pp the cost for that trip is $2832. If I consider my initial buy in as a lost cost, the cost gets even more attractive, probably closer to $1800 or so....

Renting for that trip would probably be closer to $20/pp which would come out to $4720

Picking a week with cash availability on WDW website (not always easy to find cash inventory for DVC villas) would probably run about $5400 after a discount rate including tax, etc. We qualify for AP and DVC discounts, among others, so we are always likely to get a good deal.

So, I personally would choose to buy as an owner or pay cash through Disney. I would consider renting/transferring points if it made sense to "top off" my membership, add 1 night, etc. and keep in mind it may be easier to rent sometimes than pay for cash inventory - especially for the larger villa units.

We do several trips to Orlando each year.... We tend to do at least one at the Grand Floridian, a few at the Swan and Dolphin, and 1-2 at the Hyatt Regency. Some are longer trips and some are just one night. My personal view is the best way to use DVC is short nights in studios or longer term trips in large units - usually 2 BRs. We tend not to use our membership in that way, but I can't argue with the math of it...

 

[Girlstar30]

Ive seen places say you can save 30-50% off rack rates but I don't know if they are factoring in discounted rack rates. If I was going to compare Id say DVC rents are between 20-25 per point. But then you also have to factor in how you typically pay for a your Disney stay. Like do you pay with a Disney Gift Card where you saved 15% or with a credit card thats earns you 5% back. When renting points neither of those savings apply. For me, being able to pay dues with discounted Disney gift cards was a huge plus and weighed heavily on my choice to buy DVC.

Same. For me there was too much risk involved. I was willing to pay a premium to Disney for the lenient cancellation policy.

The non canceling does suck. I rented points for Riv for September thru DVC rental store. They do offer a higher price for the ability to cancel but we didn't go with it. Now we may own direct Riviera by September and want a one bedroom but we're stuck with this studio we rented. I asked if it could be converted to a one bedroom and that was a no. Sooo yeah we wish we could cancel and cant.

 

[VGCgroupie]

The non canceling does suck. I rented points for Riv for September thru DVC rental store. They do offer a higher price for the ability to cancel but we didn't go with it. Now we may own direct Riviera by September and want a one bedroom but we're stuck with this studio we rented. I asked if it could be converted to a one bedroom and that was a no. Sooo yeah we wish we could cancel and cant.

The higher price to be able cancel is a new feature that didn't exist a year ago, its nice they are a bit more flexible, but even with that feature I would not have rented since its a credit for future use I believe. Luckily you can bank your new RIV points or do MB and at least pay for the studio you rented

 

[Girlstar30]

The higher price to be able cancel is a new feature that didn't exist a year ago, its nice they are a bit more flexible, but even with that feature I would not have rented since its a credit for future use I believe. Luckily you can bank your new RIV points or do MB and at least pay for the studio you rented

It's actually to get your money back but ofc it's more expensive and I'm trying to save their standard policy offers the credit I can't believe they didn't offer anything before geez stuff happens. That's true I can justify it more with MB!

 

[VGCgroupie]

It's actually to get your money back but ofc it's more expensive and I'm trying to save their standard policy offers the credit I can't believe they didn't offer anything before geez stuff happens. That's true I can justify it more with MB!

Oh that is good to know.

 

[Chili327]

The non canceling does suck. I rented points for Riv for September thru DVC rental store. They do offer a higher price for the ability to cancel but we didn't go with it. Now we may own direct Riviera by September and want a one bedroom but we're stuck with this studio we rented. I asked if it could be converted to a one bedroom and that was a no. Sooo yeah we wish we could cancel and cant.

Thats why I don’t think there is any reason to rent until about 5 months out or less… probably even better to wait until 3 months out, because the prices could drop. (and your plans could be more solidified)

 

[Girlstar30]

Thats why I don’t think there is any reason to rent until about 5 months out or less… probably even better to wait until 3 months out, because the prices could drop. (and your plans could be more solidified)

The problem is that there will be nothing available that you might want at 5 months... well this is if you go with one of the major brokers dvc rental store or davids, once 11 to 7 months hits you have to book.

Even at 10 months we didn't get all the rooms we wanted for the last trip and had to book a night thru disney and do a split stay kidani/jambo

 

[Brian Noble]

As with any timeshare, DVC works best for two sorts of folks:

1. People who can plan ahead, at least 11 months in advance.
2. People who are very flexible about when they can visit and where they will stay.

This is true whether you own or rent. Renters have the added variable of how much they will pay. It is possible to rent hard-to-get rooms relatively close to check-in, but pretty much only if they were spec reservations. And, the price-per-point of those is relatively high unless the underlying points are distressed and it is last second.

 

[Whadyanuts]

We own Poly resale and Rivera direct.
Havent stayed at Riveria yet, don't have enough points for whole family for long enough.
Just bought for the time 50 or so years.
Havent had trouble booking Poly or OKW after 7 month or 8 month what ever it is.
If its not that important to you to stay at a specific resort buy resale... you save so much. Im sorry I didn't buy all resale. We get % discounts from annual passes so don't need those discounts from being direct owner and I never have my heart set on a specific resort so it would work better for me.
Also we try to time one annual pass two trips almost a year apart.

 

[Chili327]

The problem is that there will be nothing available that you might want at 5 months... well this is if you go with one of the major brokers dvc rental store or davids, once 11 to 7 months hits you have to book.

Even at 10 months we didn't get all the rooms we wanted for the last trip and had to book a night thru disney and do a split stay kidani/jambo

Yea, you definitely have to be flexible if you wait that long.
My last trip was 3 nights at OKW that I got about 6 weeks before the trip, but it was exactly what I was looking for.

 

[VGCgroupie]

The problem is that there will be nothing available that you might want at 5 months... well this is if you go with one of the major brokers dvc rental store or davids, once 11 to 7 months hits you have to book.

Even at 10 months we didn't get all the rooms we wanted for the last trip and had to book a night thru disney and do a split stay kidani/jambo

I have found that the closer to the date the more options open up as people cancel/modify. So always keep checking.

 

[Girlstar30]

I have found that the closer to the date the more options open up as people cancel/modify. So always keep checking.

I wish these rental places would have a waiting list. I inquired about vdh for April and it was a no ofc but I think they'd maybe make more money if they had people on a wait list and notify them if it opens

 

[VGCgroupie]

I wish these rental places would have a waiting list. I inquired about vdh for April and it was a no ofc but I think they'd maybe make more money if they had people on a wait list and notify them if it opens

They do have it set up for owners to see what people are looking for, for rentals and then potential renter gets notified.

I listed a confirmed rental with them a couple days ago. I thought it would fly off the shelf and rent right away. It hasn't

 

[Girlstar30]

They do have it set up for owners to see what people are looking for, for rentals and then potential renter gets notified.

I listed a confirmed rental with them a couple days ago. I thought it would fly off the shelf and rent right away. It hasn't

I guess I've just never been notified i believe i did put to be notified for davids now that you said this, but I don't think rental store had the option

 

[Sandisw]

I guess I've just never been notified i believe i did put to be notified for davids now that you said this, but I don't think rental store had the option

The problem is that by the time a reservation opens, and a renter notified to confirm they still want, the room is gone.

Just today, I saw a room at VGF for a list minute trip in June open and by the time I went to the room I have booked to modify and grab, one night was gone.

So, I can see why it’s not easy with a rental.

 

[VGCgroupie]

The problem is that by the time a reservation opens, and a renter notified to confirm they still want, the room is gone.

Just today, I saw a room at VGF for a list minute trip in June open and by the time I went to the room I have booked to modify and grab, one night was gone.

So, I can see why it’s not easy with a rental.

Same happened to me in the middle of the night last night. Room gone within 2 minutes or less.

 

[Girlstar30]

The problem is that by the time a reservation opens, and a renter notified to confirm they still want, the room is gone.

Just today, I saw a room at VGF for a list minute trip in June open and by the time I went to the room I have booked to modify and grab, one night was gone.

So, I can see why it’s not easy with a rental.

This makes total sense, I forgot to take into account that owners have full access to book for themselves immediately

 

[Micken]

We have rented through DVC Rental Store annually and I am at the point where I wonder if it would be more affordable for us to get a DVC contract but I am totally new to all this. I know timeshares can be a scam and money down the drain, but with Disney it might be more of an investment? We only travel once a year to Disney, so I am curious about any perspectives. Thank you!

We bought direct from Disney about 10 years ago and love being members. I might have bought second hand points if I had known about them but I think it would be unfortunate to miss out on some of the member benefits we love. My kids love the DVC lounge and it was so nice to get a rest when in Epcot. They have moved the lounge and I dont know where it is now. I was told it pays for itself in about 10 years. We are looking at doing less Disney vacations these days as our kids are older so that’s a factor to consider.

 

[MartyParty]

We bought direct from Disney about 10 years ago and love being members. I might have bought second hand points if I had known about them but I think it would be unfortunate to miss out on some of the member benefits we love. My kids love the DVC lounge and it was so nice to get a rest when in Epcot. They have moved the lounge and I dont know where it is now. I was told it pays for itself in about 10 years. We are looking at doing less Disney vacations these days as our kids are older so that’s a factor to consider.

Oddly enough, my DW and I have been doing more DVC vacations without the kids now that they are older (20+ in university). We tend to go off peak in the Fall or Spring. For the length of these DVC contracts, it really gets down to a) continue to use them later in life or b) Disney DVC fun has been had but time to sell and let another family enjoy.

Choice between a or b likely not known until you reach that point in life.