DVC...worth it?

[disneynutz]

Cost bases is only valid if you keep your contract for the term used in your study.

DVC owners tend to vacation more than the general public, you need to include all of your costs for the full term of your contract.

DVC has changed the rules and policies and will probably continue to do so. You have to accept their changes or sell.

Bill

 

[SuperRob]

Cost bases is only valid if you keep your contract for the term used in your study.

It's absolutely valid for calculating your costs while you're a member. If you sell early, you eat into your savings, absolutely, but the costs for your previous trips didn't change. You still paid what you did. To some degree, though, your payback when you sell your points negates the savings lost by the contract ending early. I'll leave it to you to figure that out, though.

I could make the math a LOT more complicated to factor in closing costs amortized over the life of the contract, fractional dues (and dues refunds) etc, etc, ad nausem. But sometimes, good enough is good enough.

DVC owners tend to vacation more than the general public, you need to include all of your costs for the full term of your contract.

You need to be comparing apples to apples as much as possible. In my examples, something like the costs of food, park tickets, etc. would have occurred irrespective of the hotel, so they cancel out. If there are costs specific to a location you're comparing against, those are certainly fair game.

The reason why I like using the cost basis for my calculations is that, for the most part, it's simple enough that anyone can do it and reasonably accurate. But you should see my DVC spreadsheet. I've got a full amortization schedule, cost comparisons that factor in the total of what we've paid in each year ... it's pretty exhaustive. Most people don't want to bother. I'm just ridiculous about my planning. Heck, I have vacations planned out to 2018, including some we're not taking on points.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

I feel it is definitely worth it. however............

It's a commitment financially to come up with the MF and then to actually travel to Disney every year as that cost money too. (Especially when you have to travel at peak times due to school vacation)

It's also a commitment to vacation at Disney year after year...we bought in 2005 and have taken many many trips and the kids are sick of it at this point.

But...... Life changes and the kids will outgrow their teen years...and hopefully give us grandchildren who will love Disney In the meantime, we can use our Dvc and visit other Orlando parks, trade into Rci or use points to go on a cruise, to VB, HH or Aulani or even rent them out if we need the money to pay the MF. We have even just used the resort for some very much needed relaxing vacations without going to the parks. And after you are through you can sell it if you want or need to at a pretty good price.

So all and all, I am very happy with it because of all the options we have. Because life and taste change. But it's so nice being able to stay within walking distances to the parks, have a kitchen and king size bed, be able to change how and when we use it. I would do it all over again and have no desire to sell it.

 

[JimMIA]

My point is that it's absolutely possible to calculate your savings vs. a value resort at WDW.

Right...I know how to do the math. I may be one of many authors of that formula you were using, although I prefer to use a shorter useful life to calculate acquisition costs.

But I take it you haven't done that particular math problem either?

 

[SuperRob]

Right...I know how to do the math. I may be one of many authors of that formula you were using, although I prefer to use a shorter useful life to calculate acquisition costs.

But I take it you haven't done that particular math problem either?

Yeah, you probably are, Jim. But no, I haven't seen a need to do that math problem for myself yet, other than what I just did above as a response to you. I've kept things pretty simple (albeit, detailed) for the one, tiny contract I have. If I get an add-on or two, things are going to get more complicated fast, though. Right now, I'm just satisfying myself with knowing that I've stayed at two of Disney's best resorts very cheaply in our first couple years as members.

 

[bakerworld]

If you remember that you are buying the right to sleep in a bed located in a better venue and that is all you are buying so are ok with that bed purchase then you'll be happy.

If you feel you are buying an experience or that experience should be greatly discounted just because you spent some $$$$ than stay with the value venue where you are already ok vacationing.

Worth it?
For us - a resounding 'yea'. We love the cleanliness/sanitized vacation location. Been on the 'unclaimed' beaches in their natural state and I'll take the raked version. Been to the lovely real places of Europe and the plane ride to FL is much shorter and the venue cleaner. Been to theme parks where it's almost impossible to wear contacts and I'll take the one where the dust/trash isn't blowing in my eyes.

 

[mmdisneylover]

We are seriously considering buying a DVC membership to most likely BLT. Part of me is excited, but part of me isn't sure if it really is the best decision. We do go to WDW every year and Disneyland every 5ish years. I really don't see this changing. We've rented points and stayed at BLT twice and really did enjoy the 2 bedroom villas and the location, however it's a very expensive commitment and we'd like to get some opinions from those who have bought. Would you do it again?

We like staying at the Deluxe resorts, but honestly we've stayed and are staying this year at a value, and honestly we really aren't that disappointed about it...we're still at Disney.

Opinions/Thoughts?

I would definitely buy DVCresort since you go every year. It's a tax right off at least I believe the taxes are. You don't have to buy directly from Disney you can buy off the resale market which still have BLT contracts if that's what you want. Just a thought if its the money that is stopping you. Enjoy whatever you do but I would buy in.

 

[wordwitt]

I would definitely buy DVCresort since you go every year. It's a tax right off at least I believe the taxes are. You don't have to buy directly from Disney you can buy off the resale market which still have BLT contracts if that's what you want. Just a thought if its the money that is stopping you. Enjoy whatever you do but I would buy in.

 

[crisi]

But, it is the best thing we have ever done! Seriously, you do not lose any flexibility because renting is always an option. Granted, I would not buy with the intention of renting every year, but it is great to know that that option is there. In the 4 years since we bought DVC, we have rented points twice to take cruises. This was a much better deal than cruising on points. We have also take 7 or 8 vacations in those 4 years, which we would have never taken had it not been for DVC.

In 2009 there was a glut of rental points on the market and some people got stuck with points that they couldn't rent. As Disney puts up more DVC rooms, there will be more supply - unless demand keeps up, there may come a day when you can't depend on being able to rent even in a good economy.

 

[ssawka]

In 2009 there was a glut of rental points on the market and some people got stuck with points that they couldn't rent. As Disney puts up more DVC rooms, there will be more supply - unless demand keeps up, there may come a day when you can't depend on being able to rent even in a good economy.

This is another area where the choice of home resort matters. If you buy into a popular resort that has limited availability at 7 months, your probability of being able to rent your points is greater. For example, having points available for rent at BLT, VBC, or VWL will probably get you more offers than having points available at SSR (except for the Tree Houses), OKW, or AKV.