For Deluxe Fans ... Why Do You Opt NOT to Buy DVC?

[zagafi]

BTW, did you know you can pay a small fee for daily mousekeeping even while staying in a DVC villa?

Um...yes. Hence my statement in my OP "Sure I could pay extra for it, but no thanks."

 

[Aimeedyan]

We have looked at it and decided against it for right now due to a # of reasons:

- we don't have the $ to put down on it right now. we'd have to finance, and I won't do that. If we inherited a large sum of $ that would be different.

- the maintenance fees each year are high!

- we get a CM discount on deluxe rooms and never pay near rack, so we'd be losing money hand over fist if we switched to DVC costs!

If the CM discount goes away, or we inherit a large sum of $ somehow, we'd rethink it.

 

[DiznEeyore]

Um...yes. Hence my statement in my OP "Sure I could pay extra for it, but no thanks."

Sorry, I obviously missed that.

 

[princessesrule4]

Yes, I meant that there are limited dining options at Disney's HHI resort, not all of Hilton Head Island! Sometimes we just don't want to get in the car and drive!

 

[lizanne]

We joined DVC when it was first offered in 91.

We had a trip planned anyway and with 8 of us we were booked at the Fairway Villas which were like condos and not part of DVC. Our cost per night, even back then, was quite high and then we had to buy tickets for everyone. I was our third trip in 5 years.

A friend told us about DVC, we checked into the cost, and it actually didn't cost much more than our original plans. At that time one of the perks was free park tickets for 1/2 of # of people the room would hold. That perk ended 12/31/99.

For us it was a no brainer, we bought site unseen. We brought our point total up to 400 within a short time and the most we paid was $56.00 per point.

We have had some great vacations since joining DVC. Our dues this year were about $1300. We have gone on 2 cruises, been to Williamsburg, VA, and are planning to go to Maine. These are vacations we would not have taken if we didn't belong to DVC. Belonging to DVC assures me a vacation every year.
My children are adults now but they know when we go to WDW they are always welcome because it doesn't cost us any extra. Yes, we use more points for a larger room but that's why we have them.

Having said that, at today's prices we would have to think long and hard.

 

[kelscross]

I went on the tour this July and really liked the idea of traveling anywhere in the world. Correct me if I'm wrong...but you can take cruises and go to hundreds of properties around the world. There is the adventure option like the safari trip etc. I'm looking to get 200 points. I will probably wait until my home is finished and use the equity to buy. The interest rate on the equity would be much lower than Disney's. You also get the second home mortgage tax deduction on your taxes.

 

[Lisa P.]

Time shares in general are simply a bad investment... if you ask any halfway decent certified financial planner, they will agree, and will show you the numbers to prove it.

This comment may need qualifying. We bought DVC (with a CM discount) and sold it at a net "loss" of $11 (total). We got a few years use out of it for the cost of maintenance fees - very cheap. We've also purchased 4 other, non-DVC timeshares as resales and resold them (each at a small profit), using them along the way too. One more timeshare (Fairfield points) that we bought at resale has provided us with great vacations for much less cost and with more amenities than we'd have had otherwise. So we're keeping it and may but more of it.

Given the circumstances (CM discount or inexpensive resale purchases), our timeshares have all worked out to be excellent financial decisions for us.

People who buy timeshare from developers are making a "new car" -type purchase. Is a brand new car really worth that much more than a 1 yr old car? Is a $35K car really worth more than a $20K car? Are cars/timeshares investments? Different people will argue effectively for different sides and reasons.

With leisure purchases or upgrades, the worth of the purchase is largely determined by the buyer, their financial condition and their preferences. JMHO.

 

[VSL]

Ooh, I'm enjoying this thread *subscribing*

 

[Kay7979]

I like the DVC concept, and the flexibility of the way points can be utilized, but it is very expensive compared to other timeshares, so to me it is not "worth it." We own three other timeshares that cost us a total of $11,200 (resale) with maintenance fees of about $1550. For that expenditure we get three weeks in any season in a one or two bedroom condo. From what I can see of the DVC point structure, we wouldn't be able to stay anywhere near three weeks for this kind of money, and it would probably have to be in a studio. Last January we got a "bonus week" with one of our timeshares and stayed at OKW in a one bedroom for only $350 for the entire week. I really like the DVC resorts, especially WL villas, but the numbers just aren't that attractive.

 

[skiwee1]

What we spend at deluxes could buy a couple of DVCs! We prefer to be in a hotel without the hassle of points and not staying on weekends and this and that. When I travel I like being in a hotel room. I don't want to see a kitchen even if it is just for coffee! That is what room service is for. I do not do timeshares period, even if it is WDW. Give me a deluxe over a condo any day.

 

[skiwee1]

Honestly? I *loathe* the lack of daily mousekeeping service! Sure, I could pay extra for it, but no thanks. If I'm on vacation I don't want to feel like I'm at home in any way, shape or form. Wet towels and trash piling up are not my idea of a good time.

We've rented points twice so we can make an informed decision and it's just not for us.

I agree. Just another reason to stick with the deluxes. I do think DVC is good for those that really can't afford or do not want to pay deluxe prices. Buying DVC is a bargain when you see that you get deluxe type accomodations at a cheaper rate. I just prefer to stay in an actual hotel room rather then what I see as condos. Nice condos but still condos. I stay at a townhouse at the ocean for a couple of weeks and then at a hotel for a week and I prefer the hotel. I don't want to feel as though I'm home. I want the hotel room.

 

[mycropht]

I went on the tour this July and really liked the idea of traveling anywhere in the world. Correct me if I'm wrong...but you can take cruises and go to hundreds of properties around the world. There is the adventure option like the safari trip etc. I'm looking to get 200 points. I will probably wait until my home is finished and use the equity to buy. The interest rate on the equity would be much lower than Disney's. You also get the second home mortgage tax deduction on your taxes.

You can still take those trips with cash or even a home equity loan (not advisable). I'm a former travel agent, and we looked very closely at DVC before ultimately deciding against it. The additional trips offered to other (non-Disney) destinations are generally marked up 30-45% through DVC. In other words, you could have your travel agent make the same trip arrangements, pay cash and pay 1/3rd less than if you cashed in Disney points.

As for us, we decided to not use the DVC option for many reasons, chief of which was the escalating dues. In most cases, the dues were coming up equal to what we would pay for our annual visit. Dues alone,not counting the initial point buy-in.

 

[Kay7979]

I just wanted to add that I find it inconceivable that anyone would prefer to stay in a bedroom all week, rather than in a suite of rooms. I can understand people not wanting to buy into DVC or a timeshare and commit to a sales price and maintenance fees, but its hard to believe anyone could seriously prefer to be couped up in one room, especially if traveling with a family. Its so much more pleasant to have a living room with a couch and chairs to sit and watch TV or just relax and talk. Lounging around on a bed is not my idea of comfort. For those of you who want "just a room," if your resort offered to upgrade you to a suite, would you really say "No thanks, I don't want any part of a kitchen or a livingroom!!??"

 

[DVCPAT]

Time shares in general are simply a bad investment. To tie up all that money upfront does not make sense when it can be invested for a better return on your money. Then you can spend it as you would like, and the remainder continues to work for you. The annual dues are also a ripoff, again, your money is much better off invested independently and then spent on vacations as you wish.

I'm sure many on the boards will argue with me, but if you ask any halfway decent certified financial planner, they will agree, and will show you the numbers to prove it. We attended a informational session about it and walked away laughing...and felt kind of sorry for those who were suckered in!

My family loves WDW and really enjoys vacation. We enjoy planning and spending time together. If I never spent any money on vacationing and invested every dime, I might be further ahead…..but all work and no play makes Johnnie a dull boy.

DVC has actually been a very good investment for us. We broke even after about 5 years and now vacation at WDW for the cost of DVC dues. If the novelty ever wears off, I can sell my DVC contracts at a decent profit.

I’m going to spend money on vacations. I would never siphon off proceeds from my conventional investments to spend on anything that doesn’t have a chance of appreciating.

 

[MNSusan]

We've rented points and are staying at BWV and BCV for the first time in November. Having never stayed DVC, we *assume* its pretty much like a condo anywhere, and we enjoy the theming and concierge services of the AKL, GF, Poly, etc. We may change our minds after actually staying DVC though.

We did a timeshare presentation at the Hilton Grand Vacation Club and decided that definitely was not a good financial decision for us.

 

[rlduvall]

I have looked at DVC long and hard for quite a while. I must admit, I also like the "feel" of a hotel room while I'm on vacation. I really don't want an apartment feel. I always thought I was odd that way; I now feel better seeing I'm not the only one. BUT, the biggest negative for me is that I am always trying to find the best deal. I love to do that. I thrive on finding a discount; I don't find it drudgery. I actually prefer the Moderate resorts and don't find the Deluxes necessarily worth the money. The cost I would pay in dues would eat up any investment potential. Also, sometimes Disney offers great deals that aren't available to DVC'ers, i.e. the Dining Plan. Most DVC'ers will tell you it's a lifestyle choice, not an investment choice. I can't always get my DH to go there every other year and I like the thought of staying at every single resort, eventually, at WDW. That being said, I do like to rent points occasionally from DVC'ers. I get the best of both worlds. After saying all that, if I ever come into a big chunk of money, I'm going for it.

 

[skiwee1]

I just wanted to add that I find it inconceivable that anyone would prefer to stay in a bedroom all week, rather than in a suite of rooms. I can understand people not wanting to buy into DVC or a timeshare and commit to a sales price and maintenance fees, but its hard to believe anyone could seriously prefer to be couped up in one room, especially if traveling with a family. Its so much more pleasant to have a living room with a couch and chairs to sit and watch TV or just relax and talk. Lounging around on a bed is not my idea of comfort. For those of you who want "just a room," if your resort offered to upgrade you to a suite, would you really say "No thanks, I don't want any part of a kitchen or a livingroom!!??"

I live all year in a "suite of rooms". It's called a house. LOL! I don't want anything that remotely resembles a house when I vacation. If I were offered a suite at WDW instead of the room I booked I would only accept it if it had a better view then what I had booked and was in the same area of the building I requested. I am very picky when making requests due to my mom's health problems. I have always had that silly habit of booking exactly what I want so it would distress me to no end to have someone offer me an upgrade! I'm serious. I guess I don't get the "thrill" of staying in a suite of rooms. I am very comfy laying on the bed. If I want to sit on a sofa then I would just stay home. We had suite hotel at the ocean this year. It had a one bedroom with a seperate living room and kitchen. The kitchen was just a reminder of what I had to look forward to upon returning home. We never sat in the living room the entire time we were there. I did toss stuff on the sofa as we passed through to get to the bedroom. I don't hang out on the bed at home so it is great to be a total slug on vacation! LOL!

 

[Tamar]

We love our DVC...we started with 150 points in 2001, and added 350 points this year. We are not rich, but we did this without borrowing so now our vacations are paid for until 2042. We'll have enough extra points that we can practically give them away to friends and family and still cover our dues (we've already done that for 2006 with the banked points that came with the contract we bought this year)..

Dues are probably going up less than hotel room prices. Add this to the fact that we know we'll be at Disney at least 3 times every two years, and it made perfect sense for us.

And, yes, it's a condo, but IT'S A CONDO ON DISNEY PROPERTY. That's what makes it special. Walking to Epcot and MGM is worth the up-front investment, in our case. I love having a fridge, a coffeemaker, and a microwave so we don't have to spend $20 each day on breakfast (or get up and travel somewhere to get breakfast during our vacation).

I'm not trying to convince anyone...hey, I said "no" in 1997 when my husband started pushing for it, but I finally saw the light (for us) in 2001. Haven't regretted it yet, as evidenced by our latest investment in more points. We'll be spending 9 days in a std view 1 bedroom at BWV come Oct/Nov for the F&W festival (yes--gasp---we stay on weekends, too). There's just two of us, so studios work, but we like occasionally splurging with the 1 bedrooms. I might feel differently with 2-3 kids, but we're in our 40s, so I don't expect that to be an issue.....

 

[Stitches]

I love the AKL so much. If they offered DVC, I'd be in!

 

[DVCPAT]

I live all year in a "suite of rooms". It's called a house. LOL! I don't want anything that remotely resembles a house when I vacation. If I were offered a suite at WDW instead of the room I booked I would only accept it if it had a better view then what I had booked and was in the same area of the building I requested. I am very picky when making requests due to my mom's health problems. I have always had that silly habit of booking exactly what I want so it would distress me to no end to have someone offer me an upgrade! I'm serious. I guess I don't get the "thrill" of staying in a suite of rooms. I am very comfy laying on the bed. If I want to sit on a sofa then I would just stay home. We had suite hotel at the ocean this year. It had a one bedroom with a seperate living room and kitchen. The kitchen was just a reminder of what I had to look forward to upon returning home. We never sat in the living room the entire time we were there. I did toss stuff on the sofa as we passed through to get to the bedroom. I don't hang out on the bed at home so it is great to be a total slug on vacation! LOL!

I don’t get it ???? Do you guys have kids? I have a hard time having the whole family sleep in one room. I really dislike staying in a hotel room and turning off the lights so the kids can sleep while I’m wide-awake. The extra space is great and it allows my kids to occasionally take a friend and show them WDW.