DVC: Would you do this?

[tmonferdini]

Not sure where to post this, but I'm considering the DVC. I would like opinions of people who have or haven't and why. I'm trying to decide if it's worth it and need some input from others. Thank you.

 

[safetymom]

Moving to DVC-planning.

 

[DVC Mike]

Not sure where to post this, but I'm considering the DVC. I would like opinions of people who have or haven't and why. I'm trying to decide if it's worth it and need some input from others. Thank you.

DVC membership might make sense if you meet most or all of these criteria:

• The cost of membership and dues does not appear to present a financial hardship.
• You vacation at Walt Disney World frequently: ideally at least once every two years.
• You plan to continue vacationing at Disney World far enough into the future to make the membership at least break even.
• You prefer to stay in Deluxe or DVC accommodations and/or you stay a long time (10 days or more per year). If you always stay at a Value resort, or always stay off-site, or you really spend the entire day at the parks away from your hotel, and you don't spend time at the resort itself (other than crashing at the end of the day), then DVC may not be for you.
• You are able to plan your vacations well in advance -- ideally 7 to 11 months out. If you aren't a planner, don't even look at becoming a DVC member. If you can't plan and book your vacations 11 months in advance, and staying at a particular DVC resort is important, then don't join DVC. If you really don't care which DVC resort you end up with, then it's not an issue.
• You stay more on weekdays and can limit Friday and Saturday night stays.
• You can do without daily mousekeeping and room service (of course, you can pay extra and get mousekeeping as a DVC member).
• You desire more space than a typical resort room (such as a 2 bedroom villa, with full kitchen, living room, 2 bathrooms and jacuzzi suite, and even a washer/dryer).
• You’re not looking at DVC as an investment or a way to make money (it’s not). It is a decision to prepay, at today's rates, the next several decades of Disney trips.

 

[chalee94]

read through threads here on the DVC boards as much as possible and you can learn a lot.

generally, DVC works best if:

1) you go to wdw at least every 2-3 years
2) you prefer to stay onsite at deluxe resorts
3) you can make reservations well in advance (ideally, 10-11 months out)

if you buy DVC for cruises or trades to other resorts, it is less of a value.

 

[AKLFan3]

We're brand new members, and were apprehensive about buying because we have never planned a vacation more than 6 months in advance. Since our family is also in transition at the moment, we don't know what we will be doing several months from now. But we are also very flexible and don't get upset if the villas are all booked at a particular time we want to go. We booked a short trip for the Flower and Garden Festival 2 and a half months in advance of when we want to go. And since it was short notice, we knew that DVC may be completely booked or we would be unable to get the resort of our choice. But we're fine with that. So if you are unable to book at the 7-11 month window, you can still find availability if you are flexible with your dates. You just have to be very flexible, patient and realize that you may only have 1 or 2 resorts to choose from.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have owned DVC for more than 11 years, and the only regret we have is that we didn't purchase it the first time we heard about it! We often refer to it as the best decision we ever made! It helps us KNOW we will take at least on trip a year, and we also know it will be in a wonderful place (the happiest place on earth), andthat it will be a Disney quality location.

 

[DeeCee735]

"You prefer to stay in Deluxe or DVC accommodations and/or you stay a long time (10 days or more per year). If you always stay at a Value resort, or always stay off-site, or you really spend the entire day at the parks away from your hotel, and you don't spend time at the resort itself (other than crashing at the end of the day), then DVC may not be for you.
You are able to plan your vacations well in advance -- ideally 7 to 11 months out. If you aren't a planner, don't even look at becoming a DVC member."


We NEVER stay more than 6 nights, I do not agree with the 10 days or more per year - at most I get 9 nights out of a year INCLUDING a weekend, and DVC is still well worth it for us.

As far as "don't even look at becoming a DVC member if you can't plan well in advance" - in my personal experience and IMHO that's a bit harsh. I just booked a one bedroom during Food & Wine Festival over a long weekend at the BWV, it is my home resort and I did book many months out (it's still during F&W which is a busy time for BW & BC) - but I've also gotten what I wanted within 4 months. It seems OKW and SSR almost always have something available, and people do cancel, like anywhere else. I think your chances of getting a vacation booked inside 7 months is better than the above statement suggests.

As far as it being a "comfortable" fit for your budget - that I definitely agree with. It can become a burden if it is financial stressing. We bought our first alotment of points outright, and did the land/sea vacation in the first trip, which basically covered 1/2 the cost of the buy in had we paid that trip in cash, so I have to say for us it paid for itself in probably about the first 4 years. One thing my DH and I say is that it was the best thing we ever did with our money! Knowing my kids will have it into their 50's and my future grandchildren - on average - will have it into their 20's is a great "plus" in owning!

Good luck with your decision!

 

[disney dumbo]

DVC: Would you do this?

Yes!!! Did it!!!

I'm trying to decide if it's worth it

Read the boards for great info! IMHO... WORTH IT!!!

Wish we would have done it sooner!!!
Good Luck!

 

[Chellymouse]

Our regret is that we didn't do it 4 years ago because it'd have been paid off by now. However, we do go to WDW ALOT (see signature) and we are planning to use our points on other things in the future because it's still going to more cost effective than doing it on our own, but if you aren't a Disney buff, you're only planning to use it on non-WDW trips or if you don't go to Disney at least every other year, this may not be the best choice for you.

 

[flyerron]

This whole idea of needing to plan far in advance is very dependant on time of year.
we have been able to make great ressies 2 months out. High season does require early planning but other seasons are not as quickly booked up.
If you can afford it & want to travel to WDW every other year & prefer a studio or suite accomodations then this is for you!