Every other year stay with 50 pts/year

[Kcags]

I keep seeing that you seem to get your moneys worth out of DVC if you go to Disney every year. I am looking for a 50 point contract to go every other yeAr. My husband and I would like to go to WDW every 2-3 years ideally. A 50 point contract seems good for now as we are expecting our first child and a deluxe studio would be enough room for us. We are Disney lovers and could afford the annual fees with a small contract. The upfront fee to buy the timeshare wont be as easy, but we can afford the $5000 one time fee. I would really like to get started soon. I expect our next trip to be in 2016, once the baby is about 2 and a half and would like to go every other year after that for about 6 nights. Does anyone have a similar contract? Can anyone tell me from experience if we will get our moneys worth. We have stayed at WL and Coronado Springs before. After our moderate stay, we both agreed that the deluxes are way better and we prefer to stay there. Although we usually use the free dining promotion, it still seems like we will be saving money in the long run. The cost of food (we are not huge eaters, only like a sit down meal every other day or so) is much less than what we will pay to stay at the resort. Crunching the numbers, i figured out the a DVC trip will cost us around $2800 (inc. annual fees)while the same trip without Dvc will cost around $3700 which we cAnnot afford every 2 years. Any opinions? Thank you so much.

 

[disneynutz]

Most look at DVC as a way to save money, the problem is Disney actually gets you to spend more money.

Owning a DVC contract might save you money depending if you go to Disney regularly anyway and you shift from more expensive room to a DVC room.

DVC locks you into repeat vacations or renting out your points. Repeat vacations can be very expensive by the time you add travel, food, admission, dues, and other Disney stuff.

Some want the larger rooms so owning might be the way to go, others find the flexibility of not buying but renting from an owner a better fit.

Everyone is different and the only way to find out which is better is to consider your wants and to work out the numbers.

Bill

 

[Deb & Bill]

I keep seeing that you seem to get your moneys worth out of DVC if you go to Disney every year. I am looking for a 50 point contract to go every other yeAr. My husband and I would like to go to WDW every 2-3 years ideally. A 50 point contract seems good for now as we are expecting our first child and a deluxe studio would be enough room for us. We are Disney lovers and could afford the annual fees with a small contract. The upfront fee to buy the timeshare wont be as easy, but we can afford the $5000 one time fee. I would really like to get started soon. I expect our next trip to be in 2016, once the baby is about 2 and a half and would like to go every other year after that for about 6 nights. Does anyone have a similar contract? Can anyone tell me from experience if we will get our moneys worth. We have stayed at WL and Coronado Springs before. After our moderate stay, we both agreed that the deluxes are way better and we prefer to stay there. Although we usually use the free dining promotion, it still seems like we will be saving money in the long run. The cost of food (we are not huge eaters, only like a sit down meal every other day or so) is much less than what we will pay to stay at the resort. Crunching the numbers, i figured out the a DVC trip will cost us around $2800 (inc. annual fees)while the same trip without Dvc will cost around $3700 which we cAnnot afford every 2 years. Any opinions? Thank you so much.

Most of the studios may be a bit less than deluxe because they only have one queen sized bed and one double sized sleeper sofa (except for OKW with two queen beds and GFV with one queen bed, one queen sleeper sofa and one murphy bed - larger than crib, smaller than twin). You get a refrigerator, just like you get in all the resorts, but you also get a microwave oven. GFV will require a lot of points for a week (minimum of 125 max of 277 depending on time and view). OKW is 76 up to 152. So 50 points won't get you much.

 

[Kcags]

Yes, i am hoping if we visit every other year, we cAn use 100 points for the trip which should get us 6-7 days in most places.

 

[paults]

what DVC resort are you looking to buy into? $5000 to spend
If you look at resales you could maybe get a few more pts over 50 for the $5000 you want to spend depending on the resort you want.

 

[Mickbee]

In my humble opinion, you could achieve your goal by staying at DVC every other year. If you target the value seasons your points would go further and open your resort choices.

By targeting a WDW DVC within your budget, you would have the highest success with OKW or SSR. You would maintain a lower annual dues cost at SSR than most. AKL would be a great choice too!!

Try to purchase a contract with bankable current year's points. If there are banked points, even better!!

Here would be my strategy: Bank the current years points and plan a trip for next year. This would allow you to book a 100 pt trip in 2014 without borrowing. I'm one of those folks that rather not borrow to avoid being "in the hole". That's just me...

If you find down the road your vacation needs increase, you can add another small contract to compliment your current points.

 

[Rmgdisney]

We are new DVC members, we purchased a 50pt SSR resale. We normally vacation at Disney World on average every two years. We figured with a 50pt contract we could stay 6-7 days with banking or borrowing 2 of the 3 years. We are planning in using the points for a studio. We have an eleven year old. For example this year we are doing a split stay at SSR for 3 nights and then moving OKW for 4 nights in Dec. Next year we will be going back for 6 nights. 2015 we will take the year off. And then start again in 2016. We started with a 50pt contract because we had the cash to purchase and the dues would be manageable. I think down the rode we will probably try to pick up an additional 50points. But for now I think this is a good starting point.

 

[crisi]

If I were only going to stay in studios, I wouldn't buy DVC at all.

DVC studios have a queen bed and a full pullout - I'd rather have two queen beds for our current travel configuration.

DVC rooms do not get daily housekeeping - a lot of people don't miss it - I do.

DVC rooms are really not any cheaper than booking a moderate. They will save you money over booking a deluxe - but don't go into it expecting a deluxe hotel room. The locations are good (although often the DVC rooms are the poor stepsisters to the location of the resort rooms), but the rooms aren't as refreshed as often and the furnishing isn't as nice.

DVC - as was said above - requires a commitment of cash upfront and then a commitment of cash every year to pay for dues.

DVC has pretty severe use and cancellation policies - you have to bank your points by the deadline or lose them, you have to use them before they expire or lose them. And if you cancel less than 30 days out, your points become very difficult to use.

Of course, other people have other opinions - but I suggest that you rent points and stay in a DVC studio before making the investment to make sure you understand the difference between the hotel side of the business and the timeshare side. Make sure you understand what your obligations are on banking, borrowing and cancellation - especially with an every other year plan.

 

[Kidanifan08]

I remember thinking about Disney trips when we were waiting for our son. We are huge Disney fans, as well. We took him for his first trip when he was 2.5 years old. It was fantastic! We stayed at POR for that trip and had free dining. We bought our first DVC contract on that visit and have had several wonderful DVC trips since then. We even did an ASM trip after buying to get free dining for 10 days.

Since you don't see yourself planning your next WDW trip until 2016, you have plenty of time to hunt for a contract. Those <60 point contracts fly off the shelf, and usually for a premium. They currently rarely last more than a day or two, no matter what resort. You have to be ready to pull the trigger as soon as you see the listing, or you are liable to lose out to someone else.

With that said, you should also know that resale prices are at a 3-4 year high currently, which means that the small contracts are at record highs. Many on these boards feel like these resale prices are going to go down in the next several months to year, particularly as supply catches up with demand. You also need to keep in mind that the closing costs with a small contract are around $300-400, so you should make sure you consider that in the purchase price. You may also have $250-300 in current UY maintenance fees. If you purchase from Fidelity, there is also a $195 administrative fee.

Since you are not planning to travel until 2016, you may want to lay low for another year and see what happens. It seems unlikely that resale prices are going to go any higher than they are now, and there is a reasonable likelihood they will go down. The entire resale process only takes 2-3 months, so waiting another year is not going to get you too far behind.

My one concern about your thread is that you mentioned that the upfront fee wouldn't be easy. When looking at DVC ownership, keep in mind that the upfront costs are only a small amount of the overall costs of ownership over the life of the contract. You should probably consider waiting until after your baby is born, so you an chance to see if you really want to part with that kind of money. DVC and WDW aren't going anywhere. The resale market is likely to be strong for years to come.

Congratulations!!

 

[crisi]

My one concern about your thread is that you mentioned that the upfront fee wouldn't be easy. When looking at DVC ownership, keep in mind that the upfront costs are only a small amount of the overall costs of ownership over the life of the contract. Y

Especially once you start paying tickets for three, and airfare for three (if that is applicable. Babies are cheap traveling companions - ten year olds who need adult tickets - not so much.

 

[Dean]

I keep seeing that you seem to get your moneys worth out of DVC if you go to Disney every year. I am looking for a 50 point contract to go every other yeAr. My husband and I would like to go to WDW every 2-3 years ideally. A 50 point contract seems good for now as we are expecting our first child and a deluxe studio would be enough room for us. We are Disney lovers and could afford the annual fees with a small contract. The upfront fee to buy the timeshare wont be as easy, but we can afford the $5000 one time fee. I would really like to get started soon. I expect our next trip to be in 2016, once the baby is about 2 and a half and would like to go every other year after that for about 6 nights. Does anyone have a similar contract? Can anyone tell me from experience if we will get our moneys worth. We have stayed at WL and Coronado Springs before. After our moderate stay, we both agreed that the deluxes are way better and we prefer to stay there. Although we usually use the free dining promotion, it still seems like we will be saving money in the long run. The cost of food (we are not huge eaters, only like a sit down meal every other day or so) is much less than what we will pay to stay at the resort. Crunching the numbers, i figured out the a DVC trip will cost us around $2800 (inc. annual fees)while the same trip without Dvc will cost around $3700 which we cAnnot afford every 2 years. Any opinions? Thank you so much.

I know this is not what you want to hear but it seems that if you cannot afford a deluxe for each trip, it's unlikely one would be able to afford the equivalent with DVC. I don't know your finances (nor care to) but your post makes me nervous this would not be a good choice for you. I'd suggest you consider renting then see how it goes.

As for the general question of EOY, I think it's the same question as for EY. If it makes sense for one, it does for the other. Once you get to every third year, the risks of losing points goes up and the impact of the closing costs is greater.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

We own 100 points and go about 3 times in 2 years. We tend to stay Sunday-Thursday in the off season. We love it!!!!

Fifty points would have worked for us before we became Disney obsessed!

Here are a few tips.

1. Stay early in your use year!!!!

Losing half of a year's points because you changed jobs and can't go is one thing...Losing 2 years worth of points because of it is quite another thing.

2. Buy somewhere with a value or standard view. It will give you more flexibility.

We own at Boardwalk and it is a very good fit for us.

 

[goofy kc]

I would have to agree with most of what is said here. Before we bought DVC we visited every 2-3 years and stayed in a variety of resorts and homes. Now we visit yearly (or twice a year if you can imagine) and though we consider the accommodations paid for the expense of regular visits can be substantial. Sure, we use strategies to save on food, tickets and plane fare but Disney is not an inexpensive destination.

It sounds like you may want to wait a bit and consider the purchase more carefully??

Here's where I change my position: I waited over a year to buy and I am still kicking myself - I missed out on a whole trip! BUT (another change of position) if I had waited longer I could have bought a much larger contract.

 

[Minniesgal]

Every other year is a perfectly valid stratgy in my opinion it is what we based our purchase on although we go for a 2 bedroom for 15 nights so we had to buy a few more points.

your deluxe studio strategy might work now but i think you need to think into the future. you have a child so you won't always be able to travle in the value season you will be stuck with school holidays at some point. Also as the children get bigger studios don't always fit the needs so well. I would try and think well beyond todays needs before putting money down.

 

[Kcags]

I do appreciate the insight. My first child willl be born in Feb. I am thinking I have a while before I have to worry about school schedules. By that time, I should be able to afford to buy more points.

 

[RumpleMom]

Congratulations on waiting for a little one to arrive.

I would urge caution about doing a DVC purchase until after the little one arrives.

There are an incredible number of expenses along with the joy of a new baby.

The unexpected expenses can be difficult at times.

For example: a family member stocked up on Huggies diapers before baby was born, they don't work- baby had a reaction and can only wear Pampers. The unopened diapers were returned, but the huge opened box that was purchased on sale and with coupons was a loss. Pampers had to be bought not on sale.

Nursing worked for a little while, then it didn't. Bottles had to be purchased- baby didn't like the first brand, another brand had to be purchased. More $$.

The first brand of formula didn't agree with baby, that's more $$ wasted at $35 for the box.

First brand of diaper wipes didn't work, only sensitive skin kind was tolerated. More wasted money.

These are just a few examples that I remember being told.

I would advise not to buy the large "economy" size of anything for the new baby until you are sure this is the brand baby will tolerate.

As for DVC, it will be there when you have your beautiful baby and can better determine what your family can easily afford.

 

[bakerworld]

Frankly when my kids were small the longest vacation I was comfortable taking was 4N. After 4N of wrestling with a different sleeping environment which led to tired cranky baby(ies) and partner, I was ready to go home to sleep in my own bed. So 50 pts is very doable.

With a small child I'd purchase Wilderness Lodge or Bay Lake - close to MK which will be it's park of choice at 2y. It's a higher buy-in price but, so far, the annual dues are below most of the other DVC properties.

IMO! SSR, OKW and AKL = spending your vacations on transportation so save $$ and go every other year on a discount pkg at a moderate resort because it's the same amount of transpo. We didn't buy DVC in the 90's because of its LOCATION - my kids only tolorated the transportation so I wasn't committing to a ownership until it made sense LOCATION-wise as well as $$. When Boardwalk and Beachclub were being built we were in College "ELL By the time we were back on the otherside we bought AKL. I IOVE AKL but we don't visit the parks when we're there (we haven't stayed there often) - ditto SSR and OKW.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Frankly when my kids were small the longest vacation I was comfortable taking was 4N. After 4N of wrestling with a different sleeping environment which led to tired cranky baby(ies) and partner, I was ready to go home to sleep in my own bed. So 50 pts is very doable.

With a small child I'd purchase Wilderness Lodge or Bay Lake - close to MK which will be it's park of choice at 2y. It's a higher buy-in price but, so far, the annual dues are below most of the other DVC properties.

IMO! SSR, OKW and AKL = spending your vacations on transportation so save $$ and go every other year on a discount pkg at a moderate resort because it's the same amount of transpo. We didn't buy DVC in the 90's because of its LOCATION - my kids only tolorated the transportation so I wasn't committing to a ownership until it made sense LOCATION-wise as well as $$. When Boardwalk and Beachclub were being built we were in College "ELL By the time we were back on the otherside we bought AKL. I IOVE AKL but we don't visit the parks when we're there (we haven't stayed there often) - ditto SSR and OKW.

SSR & OKW are fairly easy to get at the 7 month window. The studios at BLT are SMALL!!

I obviously like BWV.

 

[crisi]

I do appreciate the insight. My first child willl be born in Feb. I am thinking I have a while before I have to worry about school schedules. By that time, I should be able to afford to buy more points.

You don't have to answer this, but why do you think you'll be able to afford more points?

Kids are expensive. And you always think its about to become cheaper. But diapers turns into four pairs of sneakers a year for a kid who grows like a weed. Daycare becomes after school care, summer camps, and piano lessons. That baby who flew free now costs $400 to take along in airfare, plus a $500 ticket, and eats like a linebacker. There is that great opportunity for enrichment - but its $300. You need a clarinet. Now you need to have the clarinet fixed because it got dropped. Braces are $3000 after insurance. Then you lose the retainer and are out another $300. The eighth grade class is going to Washington DC, and the high school French class is going to Paris. The kid is failing math, although last year he was perfectly good at it, and Sylvan wants $1500 to tutor him.

Unless you have an above average income, you'll be making a lot of choices - they may come down to "Disney or band?" "Disney or summer camp?" (Even with an above average income, you make a lot of choices).

And I know right now, with a baby on the way, band and braces seem an eternity away. But you'll blink and it will be here. Blink again and you'll be looking at a FAFSA saying "we can't afford the family contribution, do they think we are made of money?"

 

[DisneyMommaToTwo]

You don't have to answer this, but why do you think you'll be able to afford more points?

Kids are expensive. And you always think its about to become cheaper. But diapers turns into four pairs of sneakers a year for a kid who grows like a weed. Daycare becomes after school care, summer camps, and piano lessons. That baby who flew free now costs $400 to take along in airfare, plus a $500 ticket, and eats like a linebacker. There is that great opportunity for enrichment - but its $300. You need a clarinet. Now you need to have the clarinet fixed because it got dropped. Braces are $3000 after insurance. Then you lose the retainer and are out another $300. The eighth grade class is going to Washington DC, and the high school French class is going to Paris. The kid is failing math, although last year he was perfectly good at it, and Sylvan wants $1500 to tutor him.

Unless you have an above average income, you'll be making a lot of choices - they may come down to "Disney or band?" "Disney or summer camp?" (Even with an above average income, you make a lot of choices).

And I know right now, with a baby on the way, band and braces seem an eternity away. But you'll blink and it will be here. Blink again and you'll be looking at a FAFSA saying "we can't afford the family contribution, do they think we are made of money?"

Lol. That is excellent advice. Kids just get more and more expensive. Daycare in my area for a 2 year old full-time is $800/ mo. The public school system is terrible so private school tuition for my 8 year old is $500/mo plus $400/mo for aftercare.
I used to think things would get less expensive as kids get older but it just gets more and more expensive.
I hope to buy into DVC when The Poly is added but I am worried the cost of raising children may inhibit that purchase. Who knows what new expenses the kids will have.
(Loved the last line about the FASFA. So true. I remember my parents saying exactly that the first time we filled it out. Shortly after that, they added, "Looks like you'll be working your way through college.)