First post (long)

[DVCSean]

Ok so we were at disney this past week (4 days three nights at All Star) and we saw the presentation.

We had been going to Disney once a year since I can remember.


We are the family that has several credit cards with the words "grocery" or "gas" written on them in magic marker so we know which ones give the best rewards. (no balances carried due to evil things like "finance charges"..

Before we left, we got a Disney Visa for the $40.00 instant credit and the character meet and greet pics (got one every day of our four day trips).

We packed our minivan for the 2.5 hour drive to disney. We brought our mini hot plate, toaster oven, 12v cooler and a power supply. We ate all our meals (at the park and the hotel) from the stuff we brought (toast,pasta,sandwiches,bottled water).

I tell you all this so you can get a sense of my interest in the DVC program.

We are a one income family that does ok, but are by no means wealthy.. just comfortably happy. This recent vacation (as all of them are) is a big ticket item for our family...

We had our meeting early in the morning and it ran for much longer than expected. They did provide us with fast passes(12@3 riders each) and 3 $15.00 gift certificates(Ice cream in the morning too- yum!). There was NO pressure and our associate was very friendly.

I did buy into the program (left a deposit) knowing of the 10 day cancellation policy.
Here is my thinking and I am looking for opinions on if this program works for a family like ours.

I did not want to finance and we only committed to the 100 point program at this time.

However, I was turned off by the higher yearly fees of the 160 point program, this was too much of a commitment to be comfortable with for the next 49 years. I was also keeping in mind the increases (of up to 15%) per year.

I did get the $96 per point price ($800 rebate applied directly off the purchase price).

Now I was told I would get the $500.00 rewards points for using my Visa card, but after reading the program, this may not be true I see.

They did take my rewards number info for the transfer, so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

We will be the family using the sun-thurs, low points value room to try and optimize our trips at 3 per year hopefully (4 day 3 night stays).

So it seems to me that for the initial 9k investment, I can now have 100 points per year to use at my discretion, hopefully getting me 3 (3 night) stays. Which really would be closer to two because of the (currently) $417.00maintenenace fees on my 100 points every year.

I do see and understand that even the lowest point rooms are much nicer than the budget disney hotels and we now will only have to bring the hot plate.

I did call and check room availability as a member for next year (just as a test). Every day I asked for was currently available. If we can't get the rooms, this program is worth nothing to us.


It really boils down to maximizing our trips to dis on a budget, having something to pass down to my daughter and her children in the future, and locking in (to some extent) on price increases for these trips.

With the current market and savings interest rates, it seems like this might be a good way to invest this money these days.

So with 7 days left to cancel, I am looking for opinions! What am I missing? Is this possible to do and who is doing it successfully?

If you haven't fallen asleep yet, thanks for your input!!

Sean

 

[TenThousandVolts]

I think you should buy now. You go every year anyway- the opportunity to buy only 100 points from DVC with all the incentives may go away. It is quite a unique offering. If you use your points really conservatively for several years you will break even and eventually you will save $ over the values and all the while enjoying MUCH nicer accomodations.

good luck!

 

[culli]

It is tough to tell others what to do with their $$$. But we found for our family of 5 and if my Mom goes 6 that DVC was the best answer for our situation. We want to stay on grounds and go every year if not twice. Do some searching on these forums and you will find similar posts and help you get some info for your situation. There are detailed posts about what situations benefit from DVC and ones that are best off looking at alternatives.

The 100pt buy in option is way to get incentives while going through Disney. There are also threads about buying resale that might interest you or at least be worth adding to your knowledge base. However DVC is not cheap as far as timeshares go but about the only option if you want to stay on site and control availability. We find it a great value for our family situation, but I went in knowing I planned on using only at WDW and going at least once a year.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Sean:

Congratulations!

I've ran numbers like these before, and you will be saving a bundle on your vacations. Do you currently get Florida passes? You may want to run the numbers on getting Annual Passes, and double dipping the 1st trip from the next year to go on 4 trips on 1 annual pass. DVC members currently get $100 off annual passes. I think you and your family would get a lot of enjoyment from owning DVC.

We bought 100 points for the some of same reasons that you did. We plan to primarily visit weekdays in the off season, and find the maintenance fees to be much more tolerable at the 100 point level, even with the possibility of rate increases. I just don't like to cook while on vacation.

The only real downside that I see is that in times like these...Disney will really discount the hotel rooms. There is a special going on right now for All Stars for $69/night. With tax, that comes out to $704 for 9 nights. It basically takes 30 years to pay back the $9k at that rate. If your vacation habits ever change away from Disney, then you will not meet your "DVC as a bargain" break even with a $69 base. Also, if you say that you could invest the money with a 5% return, your break-even would be even later, if at all. Also, in times like these...you can stay at the Comfort Inn LBV for $49 nt. However, there are some real problems with that thinking...

1) Giving your alternative cash price as $69+ tax for All Stars in unrealistic for the future. I think $99 or even $129 as average is much more realistic. If you haven't been staying off property, you are likely not to start.
2.) Your family will likely start wishing for slightly better accommodations than All Stars eventually. When that day comes, you have DVC.
3.) Maintenance fees have never gone up 15% in one year. Plus hotel room rates have always gone up more than DVC maintenance rates.

Finally, I was very grateful to grow up in a household similar to yours. My Mom didn't work outside the home. We had a garden, canned, and tended to eat out of a cooler a lot during our vacations. I'm really grateful that we had everything we needed growing up. As we got older, Mom and Dad got a little more affluent, and our days of eating out of the cooler became a thing of the past. My sisters and I are still extremely close, and I treated them to a DVC trip in April '07. I admit that trip had some rough spots, but it was so wonderful to spend time with them. Now, that we are older and Mom is no longer with us, we often reminisce with Dad about the great times we spent on vacation and doing stuff together. I need to tell Dad how grateful I am that when it came time to buy class rings and such, that there was no doubt that we had the money.

So, in the end, your kids will get so much out of DVC, and will be telling you how happy they are that you decided to make such a great investment in the family.

 

[moredisneyplease]

I FINALLY bought in to DVC in early 2006 and was kicking myself for not buying back in 2000 when I first heard of it. I go every year (actually about once every 9 months) and should have made the committment way back when but I didnt Had I done it then I would have been long done paying it off and enjoying it sooner.

I feel that if you go so often (and you plan to keep that trend) then go for it. The good thing is that the resale market is out there so if you decide down the road its not for you then you can sell it.

Good luck!

 

[CarolMN]

If you are counting on reserving the value rooms (lower points), can/will you reserve 11 months in advance? If not, there is a real possbiility that you will not be able to get the value cateogory.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

If you are counting on reserving the value rooms (lower points), can/will you reserve 11 months in advance? If not, there is a real possbiility that you will not be able to get the value cateogory.

True, but OP would still do better than break-even if he needed to reserve a standard or savannah view room. He may also be able to reserve OKW at 7 months. I have reserved 4 nights standard BWV at the 5 month mark before as well for January.

Also, OP -- I thought the 3 3 night trips seemed a little odd. I think I would personally go for 2 5 night trips, with 5 points left over that would build into another vacation - but for each his on. (I also don't live 2.5 hours away.)

 

[DVCSean]

Thanks for the input everybody.

We just completed a 4 day, 3 night trip to disney (cash) and by the end of the 4th day we were READY to come home!!

With my job schedule, 4 days works perfectly for us, especially during the summer months when our daughter is on summer vacation.

As far as booking 11 months ahead of time, while this is not our typical style, it is something we are able to do if necessary.

As you can see form my original post, it is DIFFICULT for me to dip into savings for this large (to us) buy in...yet, it still seems to be a way to;

Get to WDW more often for LESS,

Make our trips MORE enjoyable with nicer accomodations than we would EVER stay in.

Keep our rooming costs rather steady for the forseeable future.

Have something to pass on to our daughter (and her children should she have any) when she gets older.

If I am missing anything here, please chime in soon, the clock is ticking!!!

Sean

 

[alldiz]

If you will ONLY be happy with "value" AKV accomodations....I would not chance being dissapointed.

However if you "prefer" value....but will be satisfied with another room type I think you will be happy with your purchase.

In these times....I love my DVC more. It gives a REALLY good reason to take a vacation in this economy
Kerri

 

[starbox]

The only thing I'll add is that you can likely do a 4-night MYW package including tickets and the DDP for the annual cost of DVC. It takes quite some time to "break even" in terms of the investment cost vs. what rack rate would have been. (I think for moderates - DVC will start being cheaper in 10 years if you spent 7 nights in a moderate - for those used to staying in deluxes the break even point is much earlier - and it's much later if you are used to values).

Be sure to factor in the price of tickets for all those short trips. They can be a big expense - and the discounted APs (which still cost 1,500 a year for us) only start to save $$ if you spend more than 10 days a year in the parks.

 

[tjcj]

I still feel to this day that DVC is one of the best vacation values out there. If you want to visit WDW each year (or multiple times a year) and stay on site it is the best thing going.A studio during value season at any of the DVC resorts just can't be beat cost wise...however....
Once you get a look at a 1 bedroom/2bedroom/GV things get a bit sticky...
For us it equaled a second contract so we could share with our family/have more room.. and we are talking about another add on right now

If you stick with a studio during value season you will have one of the best value rooms in WDW property for the rest of your life, but consider yourself warned...don't look at a GV or 2 bedroom ever!!! you will never stop adding on!!!

 

[DeeCee735]

Since you already go every year, it makes great sense. Your rooms are now prepaid (as you stated you are not financing). You'll see the difference when you are booking that next trip and there's no down payment for the room, and no balance to pay when you get there , AND your room will be so nice. The little kitchenette goes along way - for us with just breakfasts it saves a nice amount of money over the course of the trip, so if you plan to use it for all your meals you will see the convenience of not having to lug everything with you (except your hot plate).

Congratulations, Welcome Home and enjoy all your trips!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Sean, I know the slight panic that is experienced by signing on the dotted line. I too, scrutinized my decision and like you opted not to finance but only to purchase when I had the cash. I purchased 210 points, through resales in 2000 at $60 a point, and I would gladly add on more points. The only thing that prevents me from purchasing more are the maintenance fees, I pay them monthly and cannot find room in the budget for any more expense.

I also live 2.5 hours away and visit WDW 3 times a year, and for me and my family only, the one regret is that I didn't have the money to purchase DVC when it was $43 a point. My family and I have had many many wonderful stays, and DVC works for us. I no longer opt out of the resorts due to the $95 fee but I still feel that my DVC purchase was a wise emotional ,not financial, investment in my family's future vacation needs.

I wish you well no matter what you decide!

 

[alldiz]

I still feel to this day that DVC is one of the best vacation values out there. If you want to visit WDW each year (or multiple times a year) and stay on site it is the best thing going.A studio during value season at any of the DVC resorts just can't be beat cost wise...however....
Once you get a look at a 1 bedroom/2bedroom/GV things get a bit sticky...
For us it equaled a second contract so we could share with our family/have more room.. and we are talking about another add on right now

If you stick with a studio during value season you will have one of the best value rooms in WDW property for the rest of your life, but consider yourself warned...don't look at a GV or 2 bedroom ever!!! you will never stop adding on!!!

Exactly....don't go right to the 1BR's So funny....haven't used my points for a studio yet....The 1BR's spoiled me. So If I go 2x a yr....which I want...I use my points Sun-Fri...and then I pay the DVC rate for a studio for 2-3 nights before that.

I should go to a value or mod those nights....but now I don't want to live without my "kitchenette"

This "membership" isn't saving me any money....I can assure you .....but I'm having SOOOOOOOO much fun Can you say...I want to add on
Kerri

 

[jade1]

1) You may end up selling in 7 to 10 years and get your money back (or make money), then all your stays were on dues. Your cash stays now are gone forever.

2) At 7 months you may find some times you can switch to OKW or Std View BWV (or maybe you have enough for BCV/VWL etc)-that would be a nice option as well.

I say do it.

 

[Disneypirate85]

Buyers remorse is a POWERFULL thing. An evil emotion and I seem to suffer from it more then others with one EXCEPTION...my DVC! My family is by far the most important thing to me and as such my time with my children is as well. So when we get to Disney and have those memories I could no longer even see a dollar fgure on them no more. You and only you can decide what your needs are and what is comfortable for you. Enjoy your family and let your DVC be an extension of that. If you live that close and want to travel to WDW more then do consider the AP besides you will receive the $100.00 discount on the purchase and discounts at stores and ressie's.

By the way CONGRATS AND WELCOME HOME.

 

[JulieWent]

Not meaning to throw another variable into the conversation here, but I've been thinking about this since I first read this thread. It sounds like you've done a lot of thinking about the value of a nice vacation. (That's why we bought in to DVC years ago.) If AKV is where you're determined to stay, then I think you've been given lots of good advice here.

If you just like the idea of staying at a villa-type resort on-site, though, have you looked into the DVC resale market? I was just looking at the resale boards and saw OKW 150 point contracts at $75 per point. It would seem that you could get more points for almost the same amount of money if you looked at a resale. (I'm not sure, but I think some of the resale companies even do financing.)

That said, we originally bought direct from Disney (at BWV) because we were new to the product and felt comfortable doing that. If we ever add points, it will definitely be on the resale market, though.

Welcome home! Hope you and your family enjoy your DVC points as much as our family has where ever you end up using them!

Julie

 

[photobob]

I think it has been worth it for my family. The more we go the less time we spend park touring and we spend more time at resort in the pool or in the room. We find that the extra room especially in the 1 or 2 bedroom villas makes for much better relaxing time in the room. You have a kitchen and a couch and chair to relax in instead of just a room with two beds in it.

We couldn't afford to pay cash for DVC so we had to finance it, but we will still come out way ahead. Do remember the prices for points will continue to increase but they will always have the same amount of value towards booking a room. All things being equal, if it costs 12 points for a studio now, it'll cost 12 points for a studio 20 years from now.

 

[jodifla]

You sound like you are in an ideal position to get the most out of DVC.....

Since you can drive, you never have to worry about plane tickets. Since you are Fla. residents, you can get the seasonal resident passes.

We bought in at 150 points in 96....We are SO glad we did. We've had COUNTLESS great WDW mini vacations like you are planning....


And because the room was paid for, and we could bring food, and we had our FLA passes, it was a pretty cheap trip.

One note that one bedrooms are ADDICTIVE!

 

[backyardponder]

Sean,

I'm glad you are thinking through this. Your #1 priority is making sure you don't get in over your head. This includes making sure you have $$$ for any kid's college expenses.

If you are cooking in the car, it sure sounds like you might be a camper. Have you ever stayed in Ft. Wilderness, the WDW camp ground a short boat ride from the MK? It is, in my opinion, the most economical way to visit WDW. We have brought tents and camped there 3 different times. It is great. Just be sure to be prepared for rain!

Good luck with your decision.