Dvc ?

[NJRA]

If we normally stay Value, BUT have always wanted to stay at MUCH nicer places is DVC a good choice for us?

 

[hakepb]

DVC will not be really cheaper/same than a value. (Although DVC uses "Mickey Math" and will try to show you that DVC costs less than a value)
If you really take into account the time value of money in regards to the upfront DVC costs is where DVC costs more than a value, perhaps same/better as a moderate (depending on deals), but certainly better than a deluxe...

Personally, I only stayed at values pre-DVC, and bought DVC as it seemed to be the best way to get upgraded accomodations (I could never imagine paying a deluxe rack-rate) and am very happy I bought DVC.
I miss a couple of things from Values (such as the daily stuffed animal arrangements that came with daily room cleaning, and the food courts - No DVC has the counter service variety of a value) But DVC makes up for those items with advantages like private balconies, in-room hot and cold beverages, and the overall themeing...

 

[chalee94]

Depends a lot on your specific circumstances and what “much better” means to you.

1) DVC mousekeeping is on an every 4th day schedule (and that includes some “trash&towel” services which would not include full cleaning or bed-making).

2) DVC studios (the only option which is at all comparable to a typical hotel room) typically have 1 queen bed and 1 pullout sofabed (OKW is the only resort with 2 queens). This may not be a “better” arrangement for those sleeping on the sofabed. Larger villas might qualify as much, much better but will still be much more expensive than the value suites.

3) theming – some like the giant statues at the values, some like the more subtle theming at the other resorts

Also, DVC rooms are currently much less expensive for Sun-Thurs stays. This may change to even out over time, but at the moment, Fri-Sat nights have very deluxe prices.

Definitely take your time and investigate and see if DVC would work out well for you or not.

 

[fers31]

While a lot more info is needed than what you gave, I can say that we used to only stay at the values and I have been VERY happy with my DVC purchase so far. I wasn't the type of person who would spend $450/nt to stay in a Savannah room at AKV. Now, I have that opportunity several times a year and love it.

 

[toniosmom]

I had a really bad experience in a value room with 3 adults, 1 child, plus 1 ECV. It was a crowded nightmare, with no sofa to sit on to just hang out and relax. Certainly no balcony.

DVC is a whole different animal. Without my membership, I would certainly be limited to value resorts and be traveling less frequently. Each experience, while nice, wouldn't be as great as it is as a DVC member. Our vacation is so different now that we stay in a villa. I find it much less stressful, at the very least. I love having the extra space and the full kitchen (not to mention the laundry facilities as well!) We have so much more time to enjoy ourselves. I have never regretted my decision.

Good luck making your decision. You will get a wealth of information from fellow DIS-ers, as well as varying opinions. However, it should be enough to lead you to making an informed decision.

Enjoy!

 

[NJRA]

Thanks to everyone for your replys. Our family has always stayed at Values. We have only dreamed of staying in Deluxe accomodations, BUT could not afford it The DVC just seems to be the way to go to accomplish this. My DH and I keep going back and forth on our decision........ We REALLY want to go for it BUT on the other hand it is a very big decision....And the current discount at the AKV along with the double points for the first year that is being offered through the end of October is really making me feel the preasure to just go ahead a do it I don't want to regret passing this deal up. I just don't know what to do

 

[whitfamily]

Take your time unless your 100% sure. When we finally bought the price with all the discounts was actually lower than when we looked in 2006 and resale is always an option.

We too were always Value and Moderate stayers. We got lucky one time and bumped up to Yacht Club, which made us appreciate the Deluxe concept and the much better pools.

Then we stayed at Pop this past January. The trip was the first time both boys were the age of walking around and being active. That sucker was cramped! We knew for certain we'd be going to WDW on a regular basis and could only imagine how cramped the value would be as the boys got older and we ponder adding a third child.

We finally bought in May and we were very nervous. Over Memorial Day we stayed at BWV in a 1 BDRM and IMMEDIATELY knew we made the right decision! While we aren't saving any money compared to the Value resorts today and we are pinching pennies here and there to pay off DVC and save for trips, it was one of the best choices we made! I know from now on, no matter how big our family gets (both number and size) we can get the accommodations we need to be comfortable and truly enjoy our time together.

 

[crisi]

Thanks to everyone for your replys. Our family has always stayed at Values. We have only dreamed of staying in Deluxe accomodations, BUT could not afford it The DVC just seems to be the way to go to accomplish this. My DH and I keep going back and forth on our decision........ We REALLY want to go for it BUT on the other hand it is a very big decision....And the current discount at the AKV along with the double points for the first year that is being offered through the end of October is really making me feel the preasure to just go ahead a do it I don't want to regret passing this deal up. I just don't know what to do

Keep in mind that its $1000 a year in dues (about). And its dues if the year has been good and its dues if the year has been bad and you needed to put new struts on the car and fix the furnace and pay the plumber. And all it covers is accommodations - you still - in that bad year - are probably buying park tickets and transportation and food.

In this economy, we've seen a lot of DVC owners have to sell, and given the current resale values and the signature lines, I'm sure some of them ended up selling at a loss of a few thousand dollars.

 

[NJRA]

Keep in mind that its $1000 a year in dues (about). And its dues if the year has been good and its dues if the year has been bad and you needed to put new struts on the car and fix the furnace and pay the plumber. And all it covers is accommodations - you still - in that bad year - are probably buying park tickets and transportation and food.

In this economy, we've seen a lot of DVC owners have to sell, and given the current resale values and the signature lines, I'm sure some of them ended up selling at a loss of a few thousand dollars.

Ok you totally just freaked me out!!!!!!!!!!!! I know I have to think about all of these things but wow that was like a punch in the stomach........

 

[adminjedi]

Ok you totally just freaked me out!!!!!!!!!!!! I know I have to think about all of these things but wow that was like a punch in the stomach........

Don't let crisi freak you out.

Look at your personal financial situation. It is no different than buying a house or a car or any other long term investment.
Just make sure you can afford it. If you plan on vacation every year or every other year, you plan on spending money on vacationing. Just re-allocate that money you plan on spending into DVC and it is no different. If you can't afford to go one year, try to rent your points.

Don't buy more than you need now, you can add later.

 

[Monte Cristo]

We love DVC and at first we thought we were going to save money. Totally not the case as we go much more often now thus we are buying more plane tickets, more park tickets (eventually annual pass), more rental cars, more meals, more beer, etc.

I think crisi posted a reality and I agree that you need to keep reality in mind when making such a big decision.

 

[deva]

If we normally stay Value, BUT have always wanted to stay at MUCH nicer places is DVC a good choice for us?

You can stay at the nicer places without joining DVC. Consider how you want to vacation and whether or not you see yourself doing this long term. For us DVC made sense because

1. We love Disney and will go again and again
2. Prior to DVC we always booked two hotel rooms so our kids would have their own space
3. We were moving "upscale" and wanting to stay at the nicer resorts

DVC gets us the nice accomodations and a home away from home that you just can't get with two hotel rooms which makes it the right choice (but clearly not the cheapest option) for us.

I love the comment about the "Mickey Math" - so true! Don't let them fool you. It will probably be 12-14 trips for you to "break even"

 

[crisi]

Ok you totally just freaked me out!!!!!!!!!!!! I know I have to think about all of these things but wow that was like a punch in the stomach........

I didn't mean to freak you out. But here is something else to think about.

If you've been taking advantage of deals - those deals won't be available to you on points. DVC members staying on points don't get "free dining" or any of the other offers that a lot of CRO folks use to make their trips more affordable.

I have no idea what your financial situation is - and certainly for many people this is an affordable way and a good value. But it isn't the cheapest way to go to WDW nor is it affordable for everyone. And I don't think you'll break even over a value unless you do some serious "Mickey Math." But if you can commit to spending more, most members think its a good value.

 

[princessfionasmom]

Have you considered buying a small contract resale? That's what we did and it was the best vacation minded decision we have ever made. We bought 50pts resale at OKW but we have since added 100pts at BLT. I too could not bring myself to plop down the money to buy in direct from DVC and as crisi mentioned, the dues, wow! I would suggest checking out the resale market, The Timesshare Store who sponsors Dis is a great place to start. Good Luck!!!

ETA: We also used to always stay at values, then we rented points from a friend to stay at SSR and were sold on DVC. I loved the values when we used them but don't ever want to go back now.

 

[backyardponder]

As you are considering this, make sure you can really afford it. Don't forget about annual fees, travel expenses, meals, tickets, etc. etc. Sounds like you go to WDW often enough that you are aware of these expenses.

 

[NJRA]

As you are considering this, make sure you can really afford it. Don't forget about annual fees, travel expenses, meals, tickets, etc. etc. Sounds like you go to WDW often enough that you are aware of these expenses.

Yes, We do WDW at least every other year. And are getting to the point were Values just aren't going to cut it much longer, as our kids are getting older DS9 & DD3. We have looked into mods but felt our options are very limited there considering we are from New Orleans, & wouldn't be very interested in either of the New Orleans themed resorts. That would then only leave us with two choices every trip, and we aren't very fond of CS...And I definitly don't want to shell out $300+ a night for deluxe. Even thought they are beautiful resorts. So thats why we have been seriously considering DVC. Does that make sense. I know it is a BIG comitment and thats what makes me nervous. I am a dweller, and all I can think about is the what if's. What if Dh or I lose our jobs, What if we have a medical issue ect. Then the other part of me thinks that the offers being offered to us at the moment are to good to pass up. What if we wait 6 months or even a year to really think it over and we end up spending much more for the same thing...... I know I have issues lol!!!! Am I the only person that goes through this when deceieding to go DVC

 

[crisi]

You can rent points. No committment. No whatif. And affordable. Make sure you understand renting points, but renting for a few years might give you the confidence one way or another.

Another "what if" - as someone whose kids are ten and eleven and has owned eight years - my kids are outgrowing it. They still like Disney, but they really want to do other things now as well.

 

[NJRA]

You can rent points. No committment. No whatif. And affordable. Make sure you understand renting points, but renting for a few years might give you the confidence one way or another.

Another "what if" - as someone whose kids are ten and eleven and has owned eight years - my kids are outgrowing it. They still like Disney, but they really want to do other things now as well.

Very good points! Thank you so much for your opinions. Maybe we will try to rent some points first and try out the experence....still so about what to do... I guess I should just give it time. It's not like the DVC is going any where right lol!

 

[ToddyLu]

Hello neighbor, DH and I live on the Gulf Coast of MS, not far from New Orleans and I used to work in Slidell...we have always stayed Value except for 2006 when my terrific MIL took us to POFQ for DH helping her rebuild her house. THis year we decided to purchase DVC. We could afford it so we jumped in. I am 40 and just wanted to go to Disney and get the true resort feel. I think DH finally gets that, too. He walked in and said, " I think if it rains I will just look around the resort"....he has not looked at all the pics like I have. If you are interested in DVC buy a small resale. Get 30-50 points where you like and get your foot in the door then you can add on later with add on incentives. I believe in instant gratification so we did not go this route---but it is a terrific plan.


Just interested....where would you buy?? Did you say AKV?

 

[NJRA]

Hello neighbor, DH and I live on the Gulf Coast of MS, not far from New Orleans and I used to work in Slidell...we have always stayed Value except for 2006 when my terrific MIL took us to POFQ for DH helping her rebuild her house. THis year we decided to purchase DVC. We could afford it so we jumped in. I am 40 and just wanted to go to Disney and get the true resort feel. I think DH finally gets that, too. He walked in and said, " I think if it rains I will just look around the resort"....he has not looked at all the pics like I have. If you are interested in DVC buy a small resale. Get 30-50 points where you like and get your foot in the door then you can add on later with add on incentives. I believe in instant gratification so we did not go this route---but it is a terrific plan.


Just interested....where would you buy?? Did you say AKV?

Yes AKV it's right up our alley! I think it would be nice to go back there after a long day at the parks. Seems as it would be a peaceful place to recover lol!