DVC worth it?

[schoenfelders5]

I am also in the process of 1) talking to DVC about buying at AK 2) Looking into resales at BWV, BC, OKW, etc. 3) Looking at renting points because we are going in March and it's pretty much too late for me to get either #1 or #2 done in time. For other newbies though, it's worth noting that if you buy at AK right now you get "matching points" to be used before October that you can reserve right now even though my first allocation wouldn't be until 5/1/09.

My problem is my husband isn't on board. Our last two trips we've rented private homes off property and he loves it. I miss being on property. I thought I had him until I mentioned the annual dues. We can rent a house for the cost of the annual dues. I guess as long as he places no value on a 2 bedroom on property over a house off of 192 I am stuck. Any ideas??? At least resale would be cheaper so that's going to be part of my new approach but that wouldn't get me there in March so I'll have to rent points from you nice people!!

 

[schoenfelders5]

I didn't read the entire thread, but wanted to add we bought our contract Resale, that's the only way we could have afforded it. There are very reputable resellers out there, we worked with Jaki & **** and like so many others, couldn't be happier! We bought a 100 pt contract for just around $7000, so we'll be vacationing at Disney with our grandkids! (We're young, I'm 30 and my husband 32) We're very pleased and excited about our first trip home in 1 week!!

So about the resale thing...do you feel bad that you only have 30 some years left when if you bought at AK you would have closer to 50? I guess it helps a lot to get it cheaper in the first place and we are pushing 40 so I think the 37 years is about right. How about which properties are best to purchase for resale?? My first choice would probably be BWV. Any advice on which ones are best to own?

 

[Brian Noble]

Our last two trips we've rented private homes off property and he loves it. I miss being on property. I thought I had him until I mentioned the annual dues. We can rent a house for the cost of the annual dues. I guess as long as he places no value on a 2 bedroom on property over a house off of 192 I am stuck.

For those who find off-property stays acceptable, it is very very hard to justify a DVC purchase.

 

[schoenfelders5]

I'm not giving up Brian! I'm thinking of renting points to stay at a DVC property in March and see if he changes his mind. We haven't stayed on property for a few years now and he may be forgetting it has a lot of advantages.

 

[hockeyprincess]

schoenfelders5: I don't feel bad about owning at OKW and we do plan to extend till 2057. I know AKL is great for some people, but it's not for me. I'm not saying I wouldn't stay there, but to own there, no thanks. They probably couldn't give me enough developer points/incentives to purchase at AKL! (Sorry AKL lovers--nothing but hugs to you but yanno, it's just not for me!) I LOVE the laid back feel of OKW, love the beachy colors, etc.

For me there is no "best" property, it's all in your personal taste. Would have liked to own at the Beach Club but that was not in the cards this time around! I have stayed at the Boardwalk also and love that, but don't care for the "hotel" feel of it, like OKW better, and if we ever would drive we could park practically directly at our door.

The thing about staying on property for us is this: Vacationing is very EASY and carefree when on property--meaning free use of Magical Express, free use of the busses, (no directions to follow, no GPS needed, no fighting traffic) the dining plan, extra magic hours, I could go on. None of that is possible with off-site stays.

Also might add that you can easily find and close on a contract and still stay in March on your own points if you find the right contract. It didn't take us long at all to find the contract, pass ROFR, close, and we're in the system! Easy breezy.

Not trying to hijack OP's thread either, so my apologies there! However if you want to email me with questions feel free: hockeyprincess19 @ hotmail dot com. I would PM you but I think your post count is still too low?

 

[crisi]

So about the resale thing...do you feel bad that you only have 30 some years left when if you bought at AK you would have closer to 50? I guess it helps a lot to get it cheaper in the first place and we are pushing 40 so I think the 37 years is about right. How about which properties are best to purchase for resale?? My first choice would probably be BWV. Any advice on which ones are best to own?

We bought a BWV resale back when all the resorts had the same expiration. And we are old enough to not care about the expiration date (some older folks like the longer expiration date because you can will DVC to your kids - for us, that isn't a factor).

Best ones to own - completely depends on what you want. Buy the resort you won't mind staying at most often. If BWV attracts you because of Standard View or Boardwalk View rooms, it significantly increases your opportunity to book those rooms if you own there. We love BWV for the standard view/boardwalk view rooms and its proximity to Epcot and its pool - but it is a busy and loud resort. (I love VWL possibly best of the resorts - because of the themeing, and its more quiet atmosphere - so the busyness at BWV is not my favorite part). For some people, something like dues is a critical factor. For someone else, they want decor. Other people find location to be king - and of those folks there isn't agreement on what is the "best" location - Epcot area is certainly popular, but some people love the location of SSR.

 

[5forDiz]

So about the resale thing...do you feel bad that you only have 30 some years left when if you bought at AK you would have closer to 50? I guess it helps a lot to get it cheaper in the first place and we are pushing 40 so I think the 37 years is about right. How about which properties are best to purchase for resale?? My first choice would probably be BWV. Any advice on which ones are best to own?

You can purchase an EXTENDED OKW contract with 2057 expiration on direct purchase through Disney or via resale market. 2042 expiration contracts for OKW may be available via resale market too.

Many SSR contracts are presently available on resale market some at really excellent prices and that has 2054 expiration and SSR presently has lowest MFs aside from BLTs.

AKV 2057 expiration, BLT 2060 expiration. All other DVC resorts 2042 in additon to unextended OKW.

 

[hakepb]

I am not a member yet, but you can stay all over the world if you choose to, there all 100's of place you can stay. You can also use your points to go on a Disney Cruise as well. I haven't seen the DVC dvd, but I did get the tour and have all the info from our DVC Guide.

Like PP's have stated if you are staying in a Mod or Value it is not going to save you money, but I am a family of 5 and can no longer fit into a Value or Mod so we are going to have to bump up to a Deluxe and for us when we join it will be a no brainer, plus we will be able to go to HH or VB and eventually Hawaii!!! We are hoping to purchase in 2009, we are just trying to pay down some debt.

Definately reading on this board will educate you and ask all the questions you want, everyone here is very helpful.

FYI, DVC is an excellent value when staying at a DVC resort on points.
For trading out (100's of locations around the world) there are other,non-Disney, timeshares that are much cheaper and have better trading power than DVC.

...and from your comments and signature, the only DVC units that officially sleep 5 are the 1BR+ units at AKV and BLT or 2BR+ units at every other resort. You cannot sleep 5 in a studio, so you need to be aware of possibly increased points needed for your family (if you were thinking you would be able to use studios)

Also DVC points stays are not eligible for "free dining" as buying DVC much cheaper than rack rates is your discount..

 

[huey duey & luey]

We just came back last week and my husband and I saw thank goodness for DVC, there is no way we could have managed in a regular hotel room with our 3 six year olds. We were in a 1 bdroom and we even said we think from now on we would prefe a 2bd. I love how people say that it isnt a vacation if they have to cook/clean or do laundry. I dont cook while on vacation either unless you count putting a frozen waffle in the toaster, I dont mind doing laundry, make sit a lot easier when I get home. As far as cleaning I wouldnt leave my room a mess if housekeeping was coming or not. What is not a vacation for me is being squished in a hotel room and going to sleep at 9 because the kids are sleeping and we can't make any noise.

 

[Brancaneve]

Perhaps you thought $17,000 per year??
This Feb. we used our points(420 total for 2 years) to go on a 7 day Dis cruise and 6 nights at AKL. If we had paid out of pocket, it would have cost us around $6,000.

In Feb. of 09 we are staying at SSR for 5 nights, 3 night cruise and 2 nights at VB. Out of pocket costs would be about $5,000.

We figure we have one more WDW trip and we break even! In 2010 we are planning at staying at one of the Royals in Mexico using II and our points.

When we first purchased DVC I was hesitant about the monthly fees. I just didn't want to have 50 years of paying them but I soon changed my mind after our first trip. There is no way we could have affored our vacation if I had saved $60 a month in the bank. The $600 would have barely covered our hotel!

 

[christa112]

I am well aware that I cannot sleep 5 in a studio. Nor, did I say anything about Free Dining. Yes, in previous yrs we have taken advantage of Free Dining and were able to stay in a Value or Mod because my children were younger and under the age of 3.

Not exactly sure where these comments came from considering I am not the OP and I did not say anything regarding these besides the fact that I stated the my family of 5 and cannot stay in a Value or Mod anymore and said that it is my best interest to take advantage of DVC!

FYI, DVC is an excellent value when staying at a DVC resort on points.
For trading out (100's of locations around the world) there are other,non-Disney, timeshares that are much cheaper and have better trading power than DVC.

...and from your comments and signature, the only DVC units that officially sleep 5 are the 1BR+ units at AKV and BLT or 2BR+ units at every other resort. You cannot sleep 5 in a studio, so you need to be aware of possibly increased points needed for your family (if you were thinking you would be able to use studios)

Also DVC points stays are not eligible for "free dining" as buying DVC much cheaper than rack rates is your discount..

 

[wildernessDad]

If you are going three times a year and staying in moderate to deluxe resorts at WDW, then you should definitely consider DVC.

 

[PocahontasLookALike]

My DH and I are a young couple (in our 20's) and bought into DVC in 2004. We are both in the same boat in that we like nice hotels and when it comes to Disney, we only like to stay on property. We toured the Beach Club Villas on our honeymoon in 2001 and I immediately fell in love with the whole concept of DVC.

We also like knowing that if we choose to start a family, we have basically prepaid for 50 years worth of vacations. I priced out what the rack rate for our upcoming trip would be and it would be close to $3,500 in just hotel costs. And we are even staying for a few less nights then we normally do. So the costs would easily be close to $5K for just one trips worth of lodging. It's refreshing to know that when we want to visit the World, we don't have to worry about money for hotels.

We figure that after this next trip in 2009, our DVC has just about paid for itself. Our only regret is that we didn't buy in 2001 when we first toured.

 

[Chellymouse]

DH and I bought in last year, finally, and we are halfway to a return on our initial investment of $20K. We bought in for a multitude of reasons, the biggest being that we got to WDW more than any place else and we were getting tired of being cramped up in a hotel room for 9-11 days. We aren't messy people, but it's hard to be neat for that many days in a small space. All joking aside, if you do your homework, you travel at least every other year to WDW and prefer a mod or deluxe, DVC is worth it! I'm not a fan of cooking and laundry on vacation either, however, the washer/dryer came in VERY handy and will continue to do so. Don't know if I'll cook anything more than something that can go in the toaster or microwave, but I love the DVC difference. I felt like I was "home" this summer. The space, the resort everything is different than being in a "regular" resort if you will. We're also looking forward to sharing the magic with our friends and family who otherwise aren't really able to afford a Disney vacation with all of the trimmings. I took my BFF in Aug. and DH and I invited our friends and their son to join us next Aug. The $$ they are saving by going with us is HUGE and they are ridiculously excited and grateful. They would have not have otherwise been able to afford to take their DS8. We are also planning a big family trip in 2010 with DH's family and it's the same case. We love being able to share the Disney Magic! Do your homework, but I think you will find that while DVC is a little $$ up front, over the course of the years, you will wonder why you ever questioned not doing it!

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

And, it doesn't have to be that much money, a little flexibility goes a long way.

I plan to purchase enough points on resale, to stay Sun-Fri (less points per night, esp at OKW), and make use of borrowing and banking, and go twice per year most years, till I am too old to go (if that ever happens!). I am hoping to do a studio stay and 1 or 2 bedroom stay every year. That can be done for (between) $7,000 and $10,000 easily, (plus maintenance fees).

If I want to stay on the weekend, I (personally) have no problem staying at a value for a night or two before switching to "my" DVC!!

If you haven't done so, try the DVC tour, it's a lot of fun, and you will have all your concerns and questions addressed, without pressure to buy, and you can of course, purchase resale or from disney if and when you decide to buy.
-mary

 

[vicki_c]

Am I wrong in thinking the OP never returned to have their questions answered? Interesting.

 

[Anal Annie]

Am I wrong in thinking the OP never returned to have their questions answered? Interesting.

I was thinking the same thing. They just posted to the pot!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Am I wrong in thinking the OP never returned to have their questions answered? Interesting.

I think I'm thinking what you're thinking. I seem to get made out to be a bully whenever I apply the word though. So, I'm just thinking that your thinking of the word troll.

 

[snow.white]

I think I'm thinking what you're thinking. I seem to get made out to be a bully whenever I apply the word though. So, I'm just thinking that your thinking of the word troll.

Well actually I have been back, a few times and have read eveybody's posts and i do mean everybody's even yours! I have found your information helpful and I greatly appreciate everyone who took the time to explain this to me unfortunateley I don't think that the DVC is going to work for me although I would really love to be able to stay at a deluxe resort everytime I visit Disney, but the corporate rates that my DH gets at the buena vista palace (DTD Resort) can't be beat . Although it is not a WDW Deluxe resort it's still a beautiful luxury hotel and at $50 dollars a night don't think you can beat that, but like i said thank you all for the info and hope you all enjoy your stays at the beautiful deluxe resorts!

 

[vicki_c]

Sorry I questioned your motives, but if you hang around here at all, you'll know that pot-stirring thing does happen!