DVC scam or real?

[RobDoc]

1 week at a DVC in a 2 bedroom unit would have cost us $25,920.

We declined Disney's offer.

Would you care to share the math you're using to make that claim?

While buying enough points to stay in a 2BR for a week every year might cost $25,920 for the initial purchase, I know for a fact that staying for one seven night period does not cost anywhere near that much.

 

[RCM]

I have last minuted 2 of my trips and got into a two bedroom and studio. It was fun stayed out of home resort. I imagine there would be a problem for Easter/Christmas but if it is last minute there isn't much to loose in trying. Just be flexable.

 

[Jeremy&Susan]

To a point yes - but posting on a DVC planning message board, where you can assume most people on the board are either interested or planning for dvc vacation that the word "scam" just comes off kind of confrontational. Again though, and as my husband likes to remind me, I am probably wrong.

He told me that about you.

 

[mydogdrew]

I'm a DVC member who traded into a two bedroom in a preferred location at the Marriott Ford's Colony Manor in Williamsburg during high season last year.

That trade cost me 270 DVC points.

The same type of villa (a 2BR Preferred/BW view) at my home DVC resort (the Boardwalk) during the exact same time period as my stay in Williamsburg would have cost me 314 DVC points.

Translation: my DVC "buying power" (the higher value of the DVC accomodation as opposed to the Marriott one) got me a bargain at Williamsburg. Or put another way, the demand from Marriott members to get into our properties is greater than the demand from us to get into theirs, with DVC management leveraging that dynamic to our benefit.

It's great that you enjoy the flexibility but I would challenge your conclusion. Those 270 point yielded a summer rack rate of $270 per night in Williamsburg for a 2 BR vs. $1000 per night at BCV (both in July). That's $22.29 (rack rate per point) at BCV and $7.00 with the trade. You are getting three times the value at DVC (and that's not taking into account the fee to trade out).

If you value points at $10 then you are paying $385 for a $270 room. Of course, if the alternative is to lose the points then this is great but I would not consider it an option otherwise.

Of course the biggest advantage to DVC is the inflation protection at DVC resorts. You get none of that with the trades.

 

[WALTSAGOD]

I totally understand you feelings.

I tried very hard and, IN VAIN, to pull up any negatives on the web.

I typed in many searches related to the following:


Disney sucks
Vacation club sucks
DVC sucks

etc
etc

I didn't find any words of a scam or negative feeling along the lines of, "Damn, I wish that we had NEVER bought this reip off timeshare!".

 

[Amy5000]

I totally understand you feelings.

I tried very hard and, IN VAIN, to pull up any negatives on the web.

I typed in many searches related to the following:


Disney sucks
Vacation club sucks
DVC sucks

etc
etc

I didn't find any words of a scam or negative feeling along the lines of, "Damn, I wish that we had NEVER bought this reip off timeshare!".

You know. I think most people who post here don't feel that way, but every so often there are people who post here who are just fed up with Disney or DVC and just want out. Some just didn't understand the product when they bought in. Others I think had customer service snafu's that soured them on the experience.

There are also DVC members who are critical of certain aspects of DVC but not enough to not be DVC members. Many have noted that mousekeeping and maintenance is not as good as it is at Disney's delux resorts. Others have been peeved when there was no availability at a resort they wanted to go to. Many have been upset when there room was not available at 4pm (check-in time).

I'm sure other's could extend this list quite a bit...if anyone feels its necessary.

 

[dizney4us]

It's real, and it's spectacular

 

[jbthi]

I'm a DVC member who traded into a two bedroom in a preferred location at the Marriott Ford's Colony Manor in Williamsburg during high season last year.

That trade cost me 270 DVC points.

The same type of villa (a 2BR Preferred/BW view) at my home DVC resort (the Boardwalk) during the exact same time period as my stay in Williamsburg would have cost me 314 DVC points.

Translation: my DVC "buying power" (the higher value of the DVC accomodation as opposed to the Marriott one) got me a bargain at Williamsburg. Or put another way, the demand from Marriott members to get into our properties is greater than the demand from us to get into theirs, with DVC management leveraging that dynamic to our benefit.

I have owned DVC for almost 9 years and I am very happy with it. I think it was a good buy.

However I do not think most trades thru II are a very good use of points. I too stayed at Marriott Manor in prime time. The only difference is I used a timeshare that I paid $1000 for and only $550 maintenance fee. Plus they gave me an accomodation certificate that I could use for another week. I traded into DVC's BWV in a 1BR for $199 (I think that's correct) with that A/C.

My point is if you are going to use it for trading very often, buy a cheaper TS to trade with.

 

[DVCconvert]

It's real, and it's spectacular

It's all a vast right wing consiracy!

 

[tomcat]

Would you care to share the math you're using to make that claim?

While buying enough points to stay in a 2BR for a week every year might cost $25,920 for the initial purchase, I know for a fact that staying for one seven night period does not cost anywhere near that much.

Certainly.

I was responding to a comment made about buying a week timeshare for $28,000 on HHI. He/She seemed surprised at the cost. I assumed he was talking about the initial cost.
So, I simply stated a DVC (270 pts I believe) would have cost me about $25,920. I would get one week in a 2-bedroom. Not a great difference pricewise between the two.

 

[Jeremy&Susan]

You know. I think most people who post here don't feel that way, but every so often there are people who post here who are just fed up with Disney or DVC and just want out. Some just didn't understand the product when they bought in. Others I think had customer service snafu's that soured them on the experience.

There are also DVC members who are critical of certain aspects of DVC but not enough to not be DVC members. Many have noted that mousekeeping and maintenance is not as good as it is at Disney's delux resorts. Others have been peeved when there was no availability at a resort they wanted to go to. Many have been upset when there room was not available at 4pm (check-in time).

I'm sure other's could extend this list quite a bit...if anyone feels its necessary.

We fall into your category of not always thrilled with everything DVC but still loving DVC and Disney as a whole.

Just like most things in life, there are ups and downs associated with Disney and DVC but on the whole it is by far the best vacation bargain we have found for the level of service and fun we experience while on vacation. Are there things we would like to see improved or changed, you bet. BUT we are still members and love going to Disney and enjoying our little piece of HOME every time we are at Disney.

The only other option we are considering is the possibility of buying a vacation home in the area. The downside is more upfront money, maintanence and effort on our part. DVC removes the headaches associated with owning a vacation home but it does come with the headaches of sharing your home and having your home managed by someone other than yourself.

Maybe if Disney maintenance continues to go downhill, dues keep going up and perks keep getting removed; we will drop out of DVC and get a house in the area. Right now we are still very happy and look forward to our many visits to the Disney and Orlando Area.

 

[RobDoc]

Certainly.

I was responding to a comment made about buying a week timeshare for $28,000 on HHI. He/She seemed surprised at the cost. I assumed he was talking about the initial cost.
So, I simply stated a DVC (270 pts I believe) would have cost me about $25,920. I would get one week in a 2-bedroom. Not a great difference pricewise between the two.

So you feel that the $28,000 in a 1BR at HH in off-season is a better deal than $25,920 for a 2BR at WDW ?

Why not compare the cost of a 1BR at WDW in Magic Season? You could have a week at BWV for 222 points - in late Feb., all of March and April (except Easter), late June, all of July, early August and even Thanksgiving. Also at BWV, you could have a week in early February, all of May, early June and Late August for only 210 points per week.

Or, comparing apples and apples, consider a 1BR at the Disney HH resort - at 160 points for a full week in the month of February, March, November and late December - or at 222 points for the months of April, May, September and October, plus early June and late August.

HH could be purchased from Disney directly for less than $14,000 and thru resale for around $11,000 for 160 points or between $15 - 20,000 for 222 points (resale/direct) ... and if you choose not to use the points at HH some year, you can reserve at one of the WDW DVC resorts 7 months ahead - based on availability.

With judicious use of the DVC points, you could easily get 10 days for the same number of points during these same timeframes.

 

[KelNottAt]

Buy multiple small contracts. Don't buy one large contract.

 

[tomcat]

So you feel that the $28,000 in a 1BR at HH in off-season is a better deal than $25,920 for a 2BR at WDW ?

I never said any such thing. I only stated my recent sticker shock at the price of the DVC. I thought only purchasing a week in off-season would have been more reasonable. But after learning about the point system we realized it wasnt for us.

Why not compare the cost of a 1BR at WDW in Magic Season? You could have a week at BWV for 222 points - in late Feb., all of March and April (except Easter), late June, all of July, early August and even Thanksgiving. Also at BWV, you could have a week in early February, all of May, early June and Late August for only 210 points per week.

Thank you for your comparisons. However, we require a 2-bedroom due to family size. And that requires minimum 270 for AKVSV. Yes, there are other options (resale, other resorts) but hearing $25k (plust $1200+ MF) was still a shock. In the end we decided we werent flexible enough for DVC and will instead rent condos/villas instead.

 

[TheWeasel]

We fall into your category of not always thrilled with everything DVC but still loving DVC and Disney as a whole.

Just like most things in life, there are ups and downs associated with Disney and DVC but on the whole it is by far the best vacation bargain we have found for the level of service and fun we experience while on vacation. Are there things we would like to see improved or changed, you bet. BUT we are still members and love going to Disney and enjoying our little piece of HOME every time we are at Disney.

The only other option we are considering is the possibility of buying a vacation home in the area. The downside is more upfront money, maintanence and effort on our part. DVC removes the headaches associated with owning a vacation home but it does come with the headaches of sharing your home and having your home managed by someone other than yourself.

Maybe if Disney maintenance continues to go downhill, dues keep going up and perks keep getting removed; we will drop out of DVC and get a house in the area. Right now we are still very happy and look forward to our many visits to the Disney and Orlando Area.

What are some of the perks that have been removed and what yearly % change has there been on maintenance fees? Thanks

 

[DVC Mike]

what yearly % change has there been on maintenance fees? Thanks

Historically, maintenance fees have increased anywhere from 2.3 - 4.4% annually.

DVC may not raise maintenance fees by more than 15% in a given year without owner approval

 

[chalee94]

What are some of the perks that have been removed and what yearly % change has there been on maintenance fees? Thanks

here's a link to the complete history of DVC maintenance fees and the % changes.

dining perks will constantly be changing. other than glasses in the studios being replaced with styrofoam cups, i'm not sure about the perks that have been removed. the prior poster will have to answer this one...

 

[Coach81]

DVC is not a scam it is for real.

 

[TheWeasel]

DVC is not a scam it is for real.

I don't think anyone is saying it's a scam, I think the discussion is more in line with is it the value it once was for current owners and is it worth the investment for new/possible owners.

 

[Donald's Fan in PHX!]

We are new members, and it was an easy choice once we crunched the numbers. We make a Disney trip every year, and we want it to be the best for the money. This will make that possible now. Each year I look forward to our Disney trip more than our other vacations, and now I'm looking forward to knowing they will be better than ever before.