Explain DVC in 10 words or less?

[g3pak]

Ok, that's a joke. But can someone give me just the very basic info for DVC? For example, "150 points for AKL cost this much plus annual dues of this much, and those 150 points can get you this many days in Sept (or whatever day you want to put in)."

I looked at the DVC website, but I couldn't find any costs or a calendar that shows the number of points needed for a particular room for a particular night.

 

[kerri0616]

You may want to post on the DVC page on this website. There are tons of knowledgeable DVC'ers who would be happy to share their knowledge with you!!

KJ

 

[Home@WL]

I looked at the DVC website, but I couldn't find any costs or a calendar that shows the number of points needed for a particular room for a particular night.

That's where Point Charts and the Point Calculator are very useful.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

1. Paying
2. upfront
3. for
4. many
5. years
6. of
7. lower
8. priced
9. deluxe
10. accomodations.

Describing it in 10 words is actually a lot easier than trying to answer your other questions because there are so many variables involved. The point requirements depend on what time of year you travel, what days of the week you stay, and which size villa you need. Your upfront investment (if buying through Disney) will be approx. $15,000 (160 pts) with $700 or so in annual maintenance fees. So look at the point chart and see how many days those 160 pts can get you based on your specific vacation needs...good luck with your decision.

 

[ConcKahuna]

1. The
2. Most
3. Flexible
4. Timeshare
5. I've
6. Ever
7. Seen!

I used to work part-time at a local timeshare resort (Orange Lake) and while it was a beautiful resort, I didnt like the traditional way they sold the timeshares (you buy 1 specific week a year).

 

[daisyduck123]

DVC is

1) THE
2) best
3) birthday
4) present
5) my
6) husband
7) ever
8) got
9) for
10) me!

 

[Mr Vincent]

1.A
2.Timeshare
3.With
4.Annual
5.Fees
6.That
7.Is
8.Not
9.For
10.Everyone

 

[raven69david]

1.A
2.Timeshare
3.With
4.Annual
5.Fees
6.That
7.Is
8.Not
9.For
10.Everyone

This one is my favorite so far. I wish I could fork over $15k just to have a $700.00 annual dues payment on top of my existing mortgage.

 

[DebbieB]

"One of the best decisions I ever made". OK, 8 words!

I bought in 1999 and haven't had to deal with putting out large amounts of money for hotel rooms. My annual dues are $103 a month (250 points), taken from my checking account, I never miss it. I have used points at WDW and DL.

 

[moepanz]

This one is my favorite so far. I wish I could fork over $15k just to have a $700.00 annual dues payment on top of my existing mortgage.

Yeah me too! I know how you feel. We have gone over it a few times and I swear I just don't see the savings. I could to WDW every year with what some people pay for their maintaince (sp?)

 

[CarolMN]

Yeah me too! I know how you feel. We have gone over it a few times and I swear I just don't see the savings. I could to WDW every year with what some people pay for their maintaince (sp?)

DVC is a prepaid vacation plan. It works best for those who go to WDW at least once a year and stay in deluxe resorts when they do. If you are happy in a value (and nothing wrong with that), then DVC isn't going to be a good value for you.

You need to do the math for yourself, but most "break even" within 5-7 years. We bought in 1999, so we are well past our break even point. We now stay in a 1 bedroom unit for the cost of the annual dues. That's between $80 - $120 per night, depending on what time of the year we go.

In a few years we will sell our contract and I expect to net more than we originally paid for it. So we will have taken many trips and stayed in deluxe accommodations for less than the cost of a moderate.

FWIW, I don't think some (maybe many) people save money buying DVC. After they buy, they take more trips, stay in larger accommodations and invite friends and relatives to vacation with them Not a recipe for saving money, LOL.

 

[Esmerelda]

The most economical way to have a great Disney vacation and it does end up saving money in the long run (or at least it has for us). I did a large post regarding DVC about 6 months go regarding the math.

In two years we will have our DVC paid off. Yet we will have a great vacation every year (if we wish) for around $600+ per year. (our current dues). If we don't use them...we bank them...or we rent them so we never lose!! Its a deeded property and a tax deduction. It is a definite win-win situation all the way around.

Take a minute to read my thread...just search on my name.

I hope this helps you make the decision that is best for your family. Its been one of our investments ever to date.

 

[DebbieB]

Yeah me too! I know how you feel. We have gone over it a few times and I swear I just don't see the savings. I could to WDW every year with what some people pay for their maintaince (sp?)

If you are staying in a value or moderate, that is probably true. I usually stayed in a deluxe. I love the 1 bedrooms at DVC, the rack rate is over $400 per night. I have enough points to get 11 nights in a 1 bedroom per year (250 points). So my $1200 annual maintenance plus the initial cost spread over 42 years is a big savings.

 

[cindy_k]

Its longer than 10 words but this is how I explain DVC to other people.

Its a Time Share at Disney. Where you are not locked in to a certain Week but can go anytime that you want using the points that you bought. You get your points reissued to you every year.
Rooms have different points depending on size and time of year. However the total amount of points for a year for any room can not be increased. So your timeshare points do not lose value.

For people who normally stay at Deluxe hotels DVC is a great value.

 

[princess angel]

For Disney fanatics - it's amazing! best thing you can do!

that was 10 words

 

[KELLY]

We love are DVC. It's not for everyone. I just added more points instead of buying a new car. So of topic I have a 2006 mini van but miss my car but love my DVC more. I also have 260 points that is enought in a 1 bedroom for 10 to 12 nights.

 

[El&Asmom]

It's also great for those with bigger families. We would either have to do deluxe, or POR. Although I love those resorts, deluxes are expensive, and a week in a room at POR, (or any regular hotel room) with three young kids is not my idea of fun. We did CSR for a week when our kids were 9m and 3, and they were going stir crazy. The extra space is great for us, because even at Disney we enjoy spending time in the room.

It's a great way for us to have some savings, and be able to vacation at Disney or HH, Vero yearly.

 

[eliza61]

FWIW, I don't think some (maybe many) people save money buying DVC. After they buy, they take more trips, stay in larger accommodations and invite friends and relatives to vacation with them Not a recipe for saving money, LOL.

Boy did you say a mouth full. Every year we say, that's it next year we're going some place else and every year where partying with the mouse.

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

Best financial decision we ever made. (six words)

Purchased in 2000, broke-even in three years. (eight words)

 

[raven69david]

For people who normally stay at Deluxe hotels DVC is a great value.

We always stay Deluxe and we still can't afford $15k to purchase a time share with 20 years left on our mortgage. We go once a year to Disney and have for about 10 years. DD was born almost 4 years ago and we've stayed Deluxe ever since (AKL). I don't find complicating my life with a time share and all the extra work that comes with it worth the time and effort when i can plan my trip a year in advance, get a discount off my room and not have to deal with any other problems with the time share issue. To me and my family, it doesn't make sense (although i'm sure someone has numbers to the contrary) since we don't have the large amount of up-front money to put on this deal.

We generally pay $130 or so a night for a Standard View room at AKL and get a free upgrade to Savanna view room (with the tips & tricks learned on the DIS) so why buy a time share? Do your homework and you can stay for about the same price, in a Deluxe resort for what DVC members stay for.