DVC vs "offsite" timeshare

[Sammy]

Ok...don't crucify me here, I'm really looking for some honest feedback. DH and I are seriously considering DVC because we've just returned from out 2nd family WDW trip and I'm already planning our next one! However, my dear father who owns three different timeshares (none are DVC), can’t believe we’d consider spending so much money on points at DVC. According to him, he bought “smart” by purchasing inexpensive timeshares here in NH (approx. $3,000 each....all through RCI), then trades them all the time for more expensive resorts all over the country (and in the WDW area too).

Other than the obvious advantages such as flexibility of being able to spend DVC points any time of the year (not being locked into a certain week per year), and actually being IN the Disney Resort area, can anyone please elaborate why they decided on DVC over any of the timeshare resorts that may even be right outside the WDW gate?

I would really appreciate any opinions you can give me. Convince me that DVC is the way to go…….

Sammy

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Hi, Sammy. I think you have a very fair question.
I can only speak for my viewpoint, but for my wife and me it is all about staying on Disney property, and in the middle of the Disney magic. Yes, there are cheaper ways to stay in the Disney 'area', but to me that is just not good enough. I do realize many folks are satisfied with an off property stay.

Good luck...

 

[Beth]

DH and I first heard about DVC when innocently stopping by one of the information booths at EPCOT.

Until that point, the thought of purchasing a timeshare had sincerely never even crossed our minds!

But the flexibility of DVC was what won us over.

I now realize that there are other timeshares on "point sytems" that allow similar options - but DVC is great for us in that we normally go over to 1-3 night stays, many times a year. The traditional timeshare would never work for us.

We also had great confidence buying the "Disney name," as well - we "knew" it would always be "first-class."

Yeah, and as Maistre Gracey said - you just can't beat being in the middle of all the Magic!

 

[Lew]

Hi Sammy,

I'm a native Vermonter who lived in Nashua for six years a number of years ago...

We've been DVC members since 1995. We've stayed at off-site hotels and timeshares and on-site resorts over the years. I can tell you that no matter how nice the off-site timeshare may be, and there are a lot of very nice ones, it's just not the same as staying at a DVC resort on property.

If you are considering the purchase of a timeshare elsewhere hoping to trade in to a WDW DVC resort, your chances are slim to none. There have been some trades into WDW, but not many.

You asked to eliminate the obvious advantages of DVC, but they are so overwhelming they can't be overlooked. The flexibility of the program are what really make it a great buy.

Good luck with your decision...

 

[spiceycat]

I thought the same - so I brought Westgate - bad mistake - their maintence fees are pretty high - compared to my non-Orlando timeshares - and they service is bad. they resales value is horrible.

DVC has the best service (best people), does on going maintence (so these high assements fees shouldn't happen that other resorts have), you are on WDW property - so in the Magic 24 hours a day.

say someone in your party is older or fairly younger - afternoon naps are needed - no problem in a WDW resort (which all DVC resorts are) - someone can take the older or younger family member back to the resort while everyone can stay at the WDW theme park. Makes group trips easier. Also the teenagers (if you trust them) can go off by themselves. WDW is fairly safe and you don't have to heard that I don't want to do that.....

Otherwise everyone must get in the car - then you need to get off WDW property - then you drive back to your off-site timeshare. can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour - each time.

I like to come and go alot - so this does not work for us.

all DVC resorts are lovely - each has a different feeling - just depends upon what you want.

 

[Sammy]

Thanks for taking the time to reply so thoughtfully. For me personally, the main reasons I want Disney DVC <b>IS</b> because of the convenience of onsite and the flexibility of staying anytime I want to during the year. DH absolutely LOVES staying at a Disney resort because he never has to drive anywhere if he doesn't feel like it. And, with our family of 5 just getting older and bigger, we're going to start to need larger accommodations.

Thanks for all your replies....I appreciate it!

Sammy

 

[MinnieGi]

We too looked around to see what our options were and to make the best decision for us. For us DVC was the best option and we are very happy about it!

Those "obvious" reasons you mentioned are some of the biggest reasons why we did pick DVC. I love the flexibility the points give you especially as 3yo DD gets older and school schedule becomes more of a factor. Also it lets us enjoy the many different special events that occur in WDW. For instance this year we are trying Halloween week for the first time and doing MNSSHP. I look forward to trying other events like the May flower and garden show and have been able to see the Christmas decorations all because of that "flexibility." Flexibility is huge with me.

Also staying on Disney property is huge with me. Of course for the magic but also the transportation with a big party. We have family coming this trip and being on the transportation routes makes it easy for everyone to do their own thing as well as be together. Again in the future I see DD bringing friends and in her teen years it will be nice that she and her friend can hop on a bus or boat etc. and do their own thing.

Another big concern with me is the upkeep of the resort. I have seen how well Disney has kept up all their resorts through the years. I feel confident that the DVC resorts through our dues will aslo be kept to this high standard. I would not be so sure with another company even well known brands such as Marriott and Fairfield do not have the same quailty upkeep as Disney. I've also read where resorts by them and others have changed management companies and then how can you be assured quality upkeep. I placed my trust in Disney and bought DVC. I personally love the total feel of a Disney resort the theme, the resort music, cordial cm's, restaurants and pool areas combined together make for an awesome vacation.

That's why we choose DVC!

 

[BillPA]

I have to agree with the others. But if you have been to WDW and stayed off site at a Days Inn or the like,and had a great trip, and have never enjoyed the Magic that staying at The BC or Poly or any on site resort provides. Then you won't really know why we all love DCV so much. To go to WDW and not stay on site, is like going to Paris and only eating at McDonalds. IMHO

 

[cherylp3]

Hi Sammy,

My father is the same way.

I would say upkeep is better also you can use your points to cruise ( I don't think RCI has cruises)

Cheryl

 

[spiceycat]

RCI does - but you pay more money for the extras than you would if you paid cash for the cruise.

If you aren't going to buy at DVC don't buy in Orlando - there are several much, much cheaper timeshares with lower fees (the every year charge) than in Orlando. You can easily trade to most of the Orlando timeshare - you just don't get DVC easily - and if you manage a DVC trade then it is generally a studio.

there is no way a studio can compare to a 2-bedroom.

Orlando timeshares generally have higher fees.

if you are really interested in other timeshares besides DVC then go visit

www.tug2.net

I am spiceycat there too....

but if you really enjoy staying onsite then DVC is the only way. and it certain sounds like your family enjoys staying onsite.

do a price comparision - what you are now paying for a WDW resorts - you need to compare it to a DVC studio -(like for like) - not the 2-bedroom. You are comparing the points (generally $10 a point) to the cash price. there is point chart on this site - see the link on the top of this board.

MinnieGi - you can click on edit at the bottom of the ones you want to get rid of - then click on delete buttom. believe me I understand - someone told me this trick - so I am passing it along.

 

[joepoe]

Originally posted by MinnieGi
I am so sorry for all the repeat posts!!! My 3yo DD jumped on the computer and started pressing keys and I didn't realize the post had not gone through yet which is why it posted so much.

So sorry!

I thought you had the hiccups!

 

[timC]

For us, there were three main reasons to go with DVC:
- WDW is the were we want to vacation every year (now twice per year)
- We're on-site people. Being on-site is a big part of the magic. Trading into DVC is very difficult.
- The quality, and investment security of the Disney name.

If those things are important to you as well, I don't see how you can choose anything else.

 

[CarolA]

Since I bought DVC in 1997 I have NEVER stayed a full week (I have given points to friends who have.) For me that works really well.

I do like being on site and it would NOT be possible to trade for the few days at a time the way I use my points.

 

[Sammy]

You know....I had never thought about the upkeep part of the timeshare property. I would imagine Disney keeps the DVC properties very clean and "up to snuff". Good point!

 

[minster22]

My DH sells timeshare for a company here on Cape Cod that owns several properties in New England. We also own 2 weeks that we can either use or trade. Of course we can trade quite easily into the Orlando area since there is so much timeshare available there. It has always been a sore spot with my DH that I will not stay in any of these resorts "just outside WDW", and I spend serious cash to stay onsite. He has always felt that to own DVC would interfere with his sales presentation of the whole concept of timeshare. Well....he finally has caved and we just bought into DVC this past couple of months. Only you can decide if it is worth the extra money for DVC and staying on property. For some, it may not matter but for me the whole resort experience is a major part of my enjoyment of WDW and staying "just outside" does not compare. DH is very impressed with the flexibilty of DVC and though he will probably never love it the way I do, he is very happy with our purchase.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Otherwise everyone must get in the car - then you need to get off WDW property - then you drive back to your off-site timeshare. can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour - each time.

I own both DVC and an off-site timeshare. I agree with most everything everyone stated---being onsite and in the middle of the magic mostly. But as far as getting to and from my off-site timeshare, I can actually get there and back quicker than using Disney busses most times. We average 10-15 minutes one-way to get to Vistana. It's taken me upwards of 45 minutes one-way using Disney busses to the DVC resorts. Obviously if you're within walking distance, such as BWV is to Epcot or VWL is to the MK, then that wins hands-down.

Another big concern with me is the upkeep of the resort. I have seen how well Disney has kept up all their resorts through the years. I feel confident that the DVC resorts through our dues will aslo be kept to this high standard. I would not be so sure with another company even well known brands such as Marriott and Fairfield do not have the same quailty upkeep as Disney. I've also read where resorts by them and others have changed management companies and then how can you be assured quality upkeep.

Once again, I think most off-site timeshares are pretty good about upkeep #1) because there is stiff competition between all these resorts for sales and business. I know I've been an owner at Vistana for almost 10 years and the resort has only gotten better as far as the grounds and upkeep. A friend of mine is a Fairfield owner and very happy. #2) our maintenance dues make sure the grounds are kept up. I honestly can't complain and find the upkeep comparable with DVC. I know there are good and then there are bad off-site timeshares. You really must do your homework on this.
Where DVC wins out is the "Disney touch", being on property and being able to partake of all the perks, and the flexibility of using points. I agree that dues for off-site Orlando timeshares are overinflated, but we bought many years ago not just for WDW, but also as a way to get together with several family members who live nearby. Sometimes I think off-site timeshares get slammed a little too much on the boards. All in all, I enjoy both my timeshares, but DVC wins out overall if I had to choose. I also agree that TUG is a terrific place to start if considering a purchase---particularily of an offsite resort. Good luck.

 

[Disney Doll]

For me, the ability to KNOW that I can stay in the middle of the magic and the flexibility of the DVC are reason enough to justify the extra cost.

I know that other timeshare companies will tell you that you can trade into WDW, but it is difficult to do.

I am sure that other timeshare companies are very nice too...I have heard nothing but good things about the Marriott program, and if I was interested in travelling to a lot of the areas that Marriott offered and not too interested in going to WDW too often, I would probably look to them.

I like the fact that I can go to WDW frequenmtly, and also trade out to other high end timeshare systems if I want to.

 

[BeckyV]

We own at three of the DVC resorts at BWV, VWL, and HH. We also own six other weeks of timeshares in North Carolina and South Africa. July 4 I stayed offsite with friends at Vistana and Marriott's Cypress Harbour. Then our friends went home and we stayed at Beach Club Villas to enjoy the pool. I really missed being onsite, but we did Sea World and ate a wonderful restaurant near CH that also had great Sushi. The kids also enjoyed Race Track or whatever it's called restaurant. My friends did all of the parks and we only joined them for MK. I love staying onsite, but was able to get these weeks for 149 and 199 and would not have been able to go if we had used our points. We ate at Bomas for the first time and also at Beach Club. I am so glad that we own both ts and especially the ones at Disney. They hold their value so well and because I am trying to buy in a few additional years of retirement, I have been able to rent my points when I needed the extra money. My dds and ds already have a trip over Spring Break planned for Beach Club Villas so we still can enjoy that Disney magic. Buy Disney and also a cheap resale in another state if you enjoy more traveling. We already have an exchange next July to Gatlinburg in a two bedroom unit and a week at DVC Hilton Head over Memorial Day in a two bedroom. Both were traded for through RCI and II using my non-Disney timeshares. Both ts compliment each other. I agree to explore www.tug2.net It has a lot of great info about resale timeshares, but just remember that most of the members prefer off-site timeshares. They don't understand or feel the magic we do onsite.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I agree to explore www.tug2.net It has a lot of great info about resale timeshares, but just remember that most of the members prefer off-site timeshares. They don't understand or feel the magic we do onsite.

Good point. I bought into DVC because I love going to WDW (and I wish I had bought earlier than I did !). I think DVC is really specific to this target "Disney fan"audience, whereas, off-site timeshares are geared towards people who like to trade out to all sorts of different places on a frequent basis. So it's nice to know there is something for everyone.

 

[jcodespoti]

I like walking to EPCOT!!