DVC worth it for Orlando residents?

[HuggaBaloo]

Hello everyone,
I am very new to the idea of the DVC. I've done some research but have not yet sat through the Open House presentation. We will be moving to Orlando most likely by May of this year. Since we'll be living there, it won't make much financial sense to stay at the DVC resorts at WDW (unless we feel generous and use points for a visiting relative or two...but that probably ain't gonna happen! ).

Would it still be worth it to look into becoming DVC members? I realize we can still visit California, Hilton Head, Vero Beach, Paris and Tokyo. And I also know that there are hundreds of other "non-Disney" vacations available through DVC. And, finally, there are the Disney cruises, which was one of the main things that interested us.

So what do you guys think? Would it still be worth it financially speaking? Would you still become a member if you were living close enough to Disney that a hotel wasn't necessary? Are there any members here who do live close to Disney but who are still members?

One more line of questioning: How would you choose your home resort? My guess is we would focus more on resale value, so I tend to think we would still pick one of the WDW resorts (rather than VB or HH) even though we probably would never stay there. Plus, who knows, we may move out of the Orlando area in the future (though my goal is to get a job with Disney, I could conceivably transfer to another location at some point). What do you think?

I'd love to hear anyone's thoughts on this. Thanks!

 

[Dancind]

We plan to move to Orlando in about five years, and we have quite a few points, so I've thought about this. I figure there are times we will still want to stay on-site. For instance, the Food & Wine festival, pin events, or just enjoying and overnighter or two for slow times of year. I also think that may be when we will finally visit HH and VB occasionally. And it would be nice to stay on-site when family comes to visit. Oh, and we love the cruise. Heck, we may still be borrowing points every year, even though we live there! Diana

 

[tjkraz]

The best use of DVC points is always the DVC resorts. It can be very expensive (point-wise) to trade into other locations--even those on Disney property.

You would make out just fine a Hilton Head and Vero Beach, but trading into Disneyland, Paris or Tokyo resorts is not very economical.

You are welcome to research it, but it will likely take you many, many years to recoup your original investment.

 

[jctwizzer]

To answer your question...based on our opinion....is it worth it economically?? No. There are other, cheaper ways of providing alternatives, including less expensive time shares...Think I'd wait till I moved then talk to a timeshare re-seller.

 

[sap1227]

I live less than 20 mins from Disney and we are owners at Vero Beach. I love the idea of staying at Vero Beach for vacation, but I also love Disney and enjoy staying there. I figure that since we are so close, we never have to stay long so we can stay in studios. We can spend many nights at Disney (or Vero) every year. So far we have no regrets and love it!

Christy

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Hmmm. I agree with those who say move first then see if you still want it.

Once in a blue moon I'd like to stay in Manhattan...but I'm not going to join a club or buy a timeshare there to make that happen. If, on the other hand, I discovered I loved it enough that I was doing late nights there regularly and wishing I didn't have to drive home late...I'd buy one.

If I were in your shoes I could see buying a WDW DVC for the purpose of going up to Hilton Head or over to Vero. But I'd buy re-sale and less than 150 points.

 

[HuggaBaloo]

Thanks to everyone who's responded so far. I really appreciate your honest feedback and I can see how it may not be the best option depending on how we intend to use it. Obviously we're still in the very early "discussion" and "what if" stages at this point.

Anyone else care to weigh in with their opinions?

 

[joeys]

HuggaBaloo

We purchased our DVC AFTER we moved here one year ago. We live in Longwood about 30 minutes from WDW and actually go to the parks quite a bit. But, how we spend time there and look at our vacations is a little different now. As another poster mentioned we do spend time there during the slow times of year and for the special events but it is also really cool to just go down to have dinner, ride some stuff and see the fireworks then spend the night and not have to drive home. We will use points to spend time at the DVC resorts there for sure. There will be times we don't even go IN the parks.

Then there are the visitors that you thought you would never have. Trust me...they WILL show up even though they do not visit you now. Good to have some points to go down and spend a couple of nights. Use them for a DVC resort or for a Disney property. Decide for yourself if it is a "good value". At times it will be worth it and other times it will not.

We are booked to go to Hilton Head this summer for five nights with friends from up north. It is only 5-6 hours from here. We will probably spend a lot of time at Vero also since we like the beach.

Then...there is the cruise. We went in October for the first time and are going again next October. Florida resident rates are very good here for the cruise but you don't always get them in every category depending on when you cruise. I would not hesitate to use points for the cruise if paying cash meant not going. Again, it is up to you to determine value of your points.

Oh...and no more airfare to worry about! Good luck with your decision.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

We also will be moving to Florida in 3-4 years and plan on keeping all of our pts (600). We will either be in 1 of the following places.....Orlando,Melbourne,West Plam Beach, or Vero-Sebastian areas.

We will like having the luxury of a place to go on short notice WDW,VB,HH,cruise,etc. Plus the added conveniece of never having to worry about airfare,rental cars etc. We only have the dues to worry about so it is an easy decision for us to keep our DVC.

It will also be a nice gathering place if needed(GV's and Beach Cottages) when family comes down.