Originally posted by loribell
I am one of those that are spending more than we ever would have on Disney vacations. But only because we now go every year if not twice a year. If we only go once a year it is for at least 16 days. We would have never done that before.
I am hoping that in the future we will cut back on eating out, especially at those character meals!!! That is where so much of our cost is.
Now I have a confession to make too. This summer we used our points to stay at Coronado Springs. 
Before everyone thinks I am completely nuts, this was our first onsite resort and we loved it. In fact we loved that trip so much we bought DVC so we thought we would pay tribute to our beloved first resort.
Lori, anyone can use their points for what they wish, that is not the issue. The point you touch on is one I've made a number of times. That is that DVC does not save the members any money. Many actually go more and spend more money on their trips. That is another issue and whether it's a good thing or bad thing depends on how you look at it.
MG, I did a quick run through of the numbers. I assumed 300 SSR points bought now and financed. I assumed 9 years in a 2 BR for 7 days, two DC stays, two
DCL trips and 2 CC stays, one exchange and 4 missed years to make up the extra points. I used real life numbers and points as much as I could and a 30% discount (added taxes) essentially everywhere else including DVC cash prices. I added in the actual purchase price averaged over a 50 year period and assume all price, point, fee, etc inflation would average out over time. I did count the interest on financing 80%. Doing this I got a cash investment of $49500 over 20 years buying DVC and $47900 using just cash. I can send you more specifics if you like but I didn't want to be to convoluted here. IMO, this is the best case scenario for using DVC as some report they plan to do. I'd estimate one could cut the above cash price by 40-50% by looking at alternate choices or times of the year and still do the same trips. If one went with timeshare for the areas they'd work then just paid cash for the cruises, The price cold be 25% or less of the above cash price plus you'd get more years of vacation.
OTOH, it's very possible to use DVC and get a great value. The cheapest option to do the same thing I've described above would be to buy just enough points to do Sunday to Friday and pay cash for the weekends and non DVC stays. I'd estimate that cut the costs by 50% or more as well. So when I say one is paying a LOT more, I'm referring to using DVC heavily for weekends and/or for non DVC options.
I also realize there's a convenience factor but it only goes so far when dollars are concerned. And remember that using cash gives you a LOT more options and a LOT more protection as well as more choices. So if the dollars were simply break even over time, buying DVC would be an extremely poor choice, IMO of course.
