DVC Question

[UTgirl]

I'm curious for those who use DVC. What do you think about it vs. the resorts? Do you really go often enough to warrant the cost? What are the perks for being a DVC?

Is it worth the time out of your vacation to visit one of these and take a tour?

What are all the DVC resorts?

 

[Daggett]

I live in Georgia, so I go down to WDW about every other month. So yes, DVC is great for myself and my wife. We payed outrageous rates at the hotels for years before we bought into DVC. The only mistake we made was not opting in sooner. We know have two resale contracts that we bought from The Timeshare Store. By buying resales, you can save an enourmous amount of money, and our agent at TTS, Jerry was able to make the transactions a walk in the park.

There are a few perks for DVC members, discounts and such.

Annual passes are discounted.
DDE memberships is discounted.
We have used our DVC points twice at DL.

But the main perk is that you get to stay is what is considered a deluxe resort, and all you pay is the initial fee, but a reasonable yearly maint. fee.

So....if you plan on going to WDW ever year, or more I would buy in. If not, maybe not!!

Hope this helps. I could go on and on about how much I love DVC, but I'm sure others will add to this tread.

 

[momto2girls]

I've been considering the DVC as well. This might sound silly, but the reason I haven't signed up is that I just can't get over the fact that my kids will have to sleep on a pull out couch. I guess for the price I would be paying, I would like everyone to sleep in a bed. I realize that I have the option of the two bedroom, but that seems crazy to spend that money when I have too young children. So, unless I can "get over" this issue, I guess we'll just continue to stay at the resorts.

 

[AJKMOM]

If you scroll down the list of forums here at the DIS, you will find 4 sections devoted to Disney Vacation Club. There are answers to frequently asked questions, lists of resorts and point charts, pictures, etc. Some of the resorts have beds in the studios instead of pull out sofas. I believe, they are upgrading the sleep sofas to make them more comfortable. Going to SSR next month, so I'll find out for sure. After 8 trips to Disney, first off site and then 3 on, we bought into DVC, and are glad we did. With a family of 5, plus a guest occasionally, the DVC 2 bedroom villa is perfect.

 

[Desnik]

As for the pull out couches, I believe that all of the DVC resorts have replaced them with the new, very comfy ones that are at SSR. I'm not 100% sure about OKW. As for the poster who has an issue with their kids sleeping on one, I can understand, but they are really comfy and not like the old kind with the bar that goes across your back!LOL Also, in a studio in OKW you get 2 queen beds, no pull out. There is a ton of info on the DVC boards you should check them out. We love being DVC members and the only regret is not doing it sooner. But, it is not for eveyone. For us it works out because we like to go 1-2 times per year, and we like to stay at deluxe resorts. Also we like the options available should we choose to go to Vero Beach or Hilton Head to use the DVC resorts there. The DVC resorts on Disney property are SSR(saratoga springs resort), WLV(wilderness lodge villas, attatched to the wildrness lodge), BWV(boardwalk villas, attatched to the boardwalk resort), BCV(beach club villas attatched to the beach club resort), OKW(old key west villas). Coming soon are the villas at animal kingdom lodge. Some of the perks are discounts on dining, AP's, DDE, also we can add the DDP(dining plan) to our ressie without having to buy park passes. We didn't join because of any "perks", we did because it will save us money in the long run. Also we like having a washer/dryer in the room, kitchen, jacuzzi, balcony, and so many choices as to have we want to vacation on each trip. For example, depending on how many points you get, you choose the time of travel, how many days and what type of room! We love that. We have 150 points, the minimum amount you have to buy to join into directly through Disney, and we get 2 trips out of those points!! To us we have to be on WDW property and for we will only stay at deluxe resorts, DH is a resort snob!!!LOL
The tour is definately worth it and it is so opposite normal timeshare tours! There is no pressure and it is alot of fun and informative. They even have childcare for free when you do the tour at SSR. Each DVC resort is unique in it's own way and there is something/resort type for everyone's likes. Personally we love SSr and the BW. Let me know if you have any other questions!

 

[Grendel]

another option..which i use...is to rent the points...
we get the best of both worlds...were not members but we can often get a deluxe resort for half the rack rate price...just by renting the points.

 

[all4fun]

Yes, check out the DVC boards!

I agree with much of what has been said here. Back in '99 we had some horrible experiences with a few timeshare presentations in Florida (long story but we kind of stupidly got roped into a couple) and then on the tail end of our trip to WDW we decided to go to the DVC presentation (how could it be worse than what we had already been thru, lol). It was extremely no pressure. Our guide was terrific. It took us no time at all to make up our minds that DVC was the right thing for us and we have really never regretted it.

There's no harm in checking it out. You can also take a virtual tour at www.disneyvacationclub.com

Hth!

 

[arielslm]

I purchased ownership in the DVC for may reasons that you may want to consider. Beging a member doesn't restrict you to just Disney resorts around all the Disney parks. You can travel to many other places as well using your membership. I purchased 200 points for a family of 6 and it's worked out great so far. Last year we went to Panama City, and this year is our first trip to WDW using the membership. I also bought it to force me to take vacations with my boys even if my husband doesn't want or can't go. This way the money is already spent and I feel quilty if I don't use it. And thirdly it will cover a Disney cruise for the six of us as well. So with everything conseidered, in my opinion, it's well worth the money, because it will pay for itself in a few trips. The only catch is there is a yearly maintenance fee, but being a member is considered ownership in a second home so ask your accountant to help you use it as a tax deduction. Good luck on deciding!!

 

[BlakeNJ]

We just purchased DVC this month. Right now Disney is offering their best price! There is a Friends & Family discount of $15 off per point equalling $86/point. About what you would pay resale with only a minimal closing cost of $120--a fraction of the closing cost of resale. If anyone needs a referel, PM me--I'd love to help some else get a piece of the magic!

Blakely

 

[Esteri]

We've used our points at the properties onsite, went for a cruise, and exchanged for a week in Las Vegas. we like the flexibility. And we like the fact that we "have" to take a non-dog vacation (we show dogs too). Very happy with our purchase.

Recommend you bounce over to the DVC boards for more information.

 

[SueM in MN]

We have been DVC members since 1993 at OKW. We have stayed at all the DVC WDW resorts at one time or another.

My DDs have slept on the pull out sofa bed many times (even the old kind) and they find them to be very comfy. All the OKW rooms we have stayed in during the last 2 years (at least 2 years) have had the new style sofa beds.

As the others said, I'd suggest checking it out on the DVC Boards.

 

[missymagic]

I bought my points back in 2005 and I love it!! It ends up costing me per year the same as I would pay staying at a monorail resort (which is what I always did) We do every December so for me it was worth it. It breaks what I would normally pay up to a monthly paymenttechnically. You can use you points at other dectinations if you dont want to do Disney every year and you can carry points to the next year but then they need to be used before they expire.

For me going every year with my girls has been a special girls event we charish since there father and I divorced. After so many years the "time share purchase" will be paid off and we will still have the points and no more monthly payments so it will be like going for free. At this time I hope to have grandchildren to take.

Definitely check out the boards read alot and see if it is right for your family.

 

[momto2girls]

As for the pull out couches, I believe that all of the DVC resorts have replaced them with the new, very comfy ones that are at SSR. I'm not 100% sure about OKW. As for the poster who has an issue with their kids sleeping on one, I can understand, but they are really comfy and not like the old kind with the bar that goes across your back!LOL Also, in a studio in OKW you get 2 queen beds, no pull out. There is a ton of info on the DVC boards you should check them out.

Thanks for the info. I realize that this is a stupid hang-up of mine, but it is a hang-up nonetheless. I'm glad to hear that they are comfortable, but I just don't like the fact that they will be sleeping on a bed that I have to pull out every night rather than a regular one. I know... I have issues. Seriously, I was all ready to sign up until I realized that and thought about how much it bothered me. So, I guess for now I'll just keep staying in the regular resorts until my kids are older and I can justify getting a 2 bedroom villa.

 

[all4fun]

Thanks for the info. I realize that this is a stupid hang-up of mine, but it is a hang-up nonetheless. I'm glad to hear that they are comfortable, but I just don't like the fact that they will be sleeping on a bed that I have to pull out every night rather than a regular one. I know... I have issues. Seriously, I was all ready to sign up until I realized that and thought about how much it bothered me. So, I guess for now I'll just keep staying in the regular resorts until my kids are older and I can justify getting a 2 bedroom villa.

Who says you have to put it away every night? LOL

I know, I get it...just giving you bad time.

 

[Desnik]

After pulling it out the first 2 nights I just left it out after that.
I understand if you have an issue with it, but there still is OKW with the 2 beds.
Here's a link to a pic of the beds in a studio at OKW:
http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/okw26.jpg

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

We love our DVC. As for the notion that it "saves" money, I know that is NOT true for us.

We would never rent 3 hotel rooms, but that is essentially what the 2BR villa is! (But the extra space/kitchen/laundry is so nice)

We would never go to WDW twice a year without DVC. But now we do.

With the annual pass discount, now we are tempted to try for 3 trips in a year (since our park admission would be FREE----gotta love that Disney Math)

Once the Animal Kingdom villas are for sale, we are already planning on almost doubling our DVC points.