General questions about DVC

[Mickeyhugger]

DH, DD and I are big-time vacationers. We've done WDW once-per-year since 1998, DCL 7-day since 2002, and every other year vacation in Hawaii. My husband avoids all time-share pitches as he thinks they're a 'rip-off' since one doesn't techincally 'own' more than a block of time at whichever destination. When I looked into a Marriott timeshare in Hawaii last summer, it seemed as if it was a good deal as it would save money over the years. DH is worried about 'unloading' a timeshare if, heaven forbid, we ever fall on hard times and can't vacation as often.

I understand about DVC and other timeshares having destinations worldwide, etc. But realistically, what are the drawbacks? DH said he'd rather pay the difference and have freedom to go whenever, and not be committed to having to use something for fear of losing points or money if we had to miss a vacation here and there.

Also, he doesn't want to be limited to certain hotels. Please, my DH is not difficult. Actually, he's great (look at how much he likes to take his family on trips. LOL!) A few DVC members have suggested we buy into it, but DH thinks there are too many strings and restrictions and has said 'it's not worth the hassle if we ever decide we don't want it anymore. Also, after 40 years, you don't own a tangible asset.

I've been a DISboard member for a little over a year, and have read thousands of posts. While I agree that cruises are great, they're not for everybody. Would anyone here say the same about timeshares? It does sound like a good idea to me at times, but DH is great at convincing me that it's not for us.

Any thought on this? (I still might look into it.)

 

[TammyAlphabet]

DVC is not for everybody either. I think that if you have the cash to stay whereever you want and don't mind spending the extra dollars needed to maintain that level of flexibility, then why would you want DVC? I really think that DVC is for mostly middle class people with limited (somewhat) budgets for vacations. Although DVC is one of the most flexible timeshares around, it does have some restrictions, like banking and borrowing rules, booking priorities and so forth. So, the question is, which is more important, spending less on the disney vacations that you are going to take or keeping the flexibility that your DH desires? Sounds like DH has made up his mind. But, if you do join, we would love to welcome you to our DVC family!

 

[jarestel]

There's the possibility of renting points to stay at one of the DVC resorts so your DH can see firsthand what it's all about. That might be the first step. At the end or 40 years, it's true there is nothing tangible left with DVC, but the same can be said of vacationing on a cash basis for those 40 years, and it's entirely possible with DVC you will have saved a good chunk of cash over your current way of vacationing.

Right now, I don't think people are losing money who are "unloading" their DVC interests, but as with anything, this could change in the future.

Good luck!

 

[Granny]

DH is worried about 'unloading' a timeshare if, heaven forbid, we ever fall on hard times and can't vacation as often.

That's a legitimate concern, though anyone who has purchased DVC and had to sell has at least broken even in the first 13 years here. Mostly that's because Disney exercises its right-of-first-refusal and artificially props up the resale prices so they don't undermine new resort sales.

I understand about DVC and other timeshares having destinations worldwide, etc. But realistically, what are the drawbacks?

IMHO, DVC is only worth it if used primarily for DVC resort trips. It is a somewhat expensive timeshare....you pay for the privilege of staying on-site at WDW. No different than paying more at an on-site resort at WDW rather then staying off-site.

DH said he'd rather pay the difference and have freedom to go whenever, and not be committed to having to use something for fear of losing points or money if we had to miss a vacation here and there.

With banking and borrowing, you could go as infrequently as every three years without wasting points. Certainly, you wouldn't lose points if you missed a year, unless you cancelled a trip just before going and didn't have time to reschedule within your use year.

Also, after 40 years, you don't own a tangible asset.

You'll have the same tangible asset that you will have after 40 years of paying to stay in WDW resort rooms.

It does sound like a good idea to me at times, but DH is great at convincing me that it's not for us.

If you don't agree on it, then I wouldn't "force it". After all, you're still going to WDW as often as you'd like.

jarestel had the best idea. Rent points and stay in a DVC villa. Make it at least a 1BR so you really understand the "home away from home" difference between that and any resort room at WDW. If he isn't convinced then, I'd say you can throw in the towel and enjoy your many future trips anyway.

 

[DISJen]

I've been seriously contemplating this myself over recent years. I don't belong to DVC, but I have a very good friend who does. I was recently trying to help her plan a vacation this summer since she has some points that are about to expire. We tried for several different options and were told that they were all booked up and/or she was put on a waiting list to see if something opened up. This has left her up in the air and she can't even book airfare without knowing what's going to happen.
It helped me make up my mind that I much prefer to keep all my options open and plan my trips when I want and where I want to go. I usually shop around and find good bargins anywhere I go, so I don't feel that I'm wasting money and I like having complete control over my vacations. Sometimes I even like to take last minute trips.
I think if someone were set on buying a timeshare, this is probably the best one out there, but you do have to decide if the benefits outweight the drawbacks.
I sure hope I don't get blasted here, I'm probably treading in dangerous territory! I love Disney!

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Thanks to all of you for your replies.

That 'tangible asset' is a crazy statement isn't it? LOL! That's right. What do we have at the end of 40 years of vacations? (Wonderful, great memories!)

Thanks again!

 

[JimMIA]

I've been seriously contemplating this myself over recent years. I don't belong to DVC, but I have a very good friend who does. I was recently trying to help her plan a vacation this summer since she has some points that are about to expire. We tried for several different options and were told that they were all booked up and/or she was put on a waiting list to see if something opened up. This has left her up in the air and she can't even book airfare without knowing what's going to happen.
It helped me make up my mind that I much prefer to keep all my options open and plan my trips when I want and where I want to go. I usually shop around and find good bargins anywhere I go, so I don't feel that I'm wasting money and I like having complete control over my vacations. Sometimes I even like to take last minute trips.
I think if someone were set on buying a timeshare, this is probably the best one out there, but you do have to decide if the benefits outweight the drawbacks.
I sure hope I don't get blasted here, I'm probably treading in dangerous territory! I love Disney!

You are not going to get "blasted," but DVC (and many other vacation options) are difficult if you wait until a month or two out to begin planning. That's not a deficiency in DVC; you would have the same problem if you tried to book Christmas in Aspen starting in November!

You are right - you can sometimes get great deals traveling at the last minute. DVC is much easier to book on short notice than any other timeshare I know of, but it definitely works better for those who are able to plan several months in advance.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

I sure hope I don't get blasted here, I'm probably treading in dangerous territory! I love Disney!

LOL! I LOVE Disney too! And just about any vacation associated with it. It's why I was so interested in inquiring about DVC. DH just has a fear of contracts, and the 'what ifs' if he ever lost his job, etc.

 

[lllovell]

Rent points...see what a DVC resort is all about....explain to hubby that you have checked and rechecked and that there is ABSOLUTELY NO PRESSURE when you speak to a DVC Guide (a salesperson)...NONE...they will never even call you beyond making sure you got your info (if you ordered it via the phone)....no forced sales here...no gimmicks...

The tour is a fantastic thing to do. I actually bough sight unseen, but the tour is great because they pick you up at your hotel or at the parks, take you to Saratoga Springs, give you the grand pooba look around, answer your questions and then give your entire group fast passes that you can use at any fast pass ride to make up for your time you spent at the resort. Again - NO PRESSURE.

One very positive thing to me is the flexibility. You are buying points. You choose how to spend them. You get the guarantee of booking at your home resort at 11 months out and then trying to get into other resorts at 7 months out (which might not always work during busy seasons like Christmas, but that is why most people book their home resort first and then attempt to chage if they would rather stay somewhere else...that way you KNOW you have a ressie). You can choose different resorts that have different feels. You also have the ability to decide which size accomidations you wish to use. As others have mentioned, you can bank your points one year, borrow from a future year so that you can combine points for a very nice vacation once every couple of years if you choose or you can invite your whole family to come with you and have enough room for everyone (the Grand Villas are amazing).

You want flexibility, DVC has it in spades. If you are a short term planner, then its probably not for your family. If you dont mind making your plans for the year early, then you will for sure almost ALWAYS get into your home resort right at 11 months. (I have never heard of people NOT getting in that called as soon as the 11 month window opened). You still have a great chance up til the 7 month window opens and every room is fair game to all owners - not simply those that own at that particular resort.

If you call DVC, they will send you a package chock full of information. They also will answer any and all questions (as will people here). Also, if you decide to purchase, make sure you check out the re-sale market and get a good understanding of how it works and if it might be better for you.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[donald...really]

I can answer the question "what if he ever lost his job". Actually, I can't answer for him, because every situation is different, but I can tell you what happened when I lost MY job and owned DVC. I still took great vacations because my accomodations were paid for. We found cheap airfare and watched the spending while we were there. And I didn't need to take any vacation time off from work.

Also, if he ever does loes his job or fall on hard times, and you don't want to sell (which is an option) you can rent the yearly allotment of points out to pay for your dues, mortgage, etc. We just rented a bunch of our points for a little over $5000.00 to two families who wanted to stay at WLV. We received the checks last week.

And as far as selling goes, things may change, but at this time I could sell my DVC and actually MAKE money on the deal, which means all of my DVC vacations I have taken wouldn't have cost me anything (at least for the accomodations).

Like others have said, DVC is not for everyone, but get the video, rent some points and stay in at least a 1 bedroom so you can see how FAR superior the accomodations are to a regular Disney resort, take the tour while you are down there, and see what happens!

 

[JodyTG]

If you call DVC, they will send you a package chock full of information. They also will answer any and all questions (as will people here). Also, if you decide to purchase, make sure you check out the re-sale market and get a good understanding of how it works and if it might be better for you.

Good luck with your decision!

Make sure that you ask for the FULL package of information, otherwise they send you the video without much details.