Have the info, now it's decision time, anyone else put off by the maintainence fee

[Camping Griswalds]

We just got all the info from Disney and the co that supports these boards. Honestly I do think it's a good deal. Here is my thing. We would have to finance, but I understand the interrest is tax deductible (we had a camper for 2 years that we financed, and it basically paid for it's self once taxes were done) What puts me off, is the annual fees. Am I just grumpy? We have gone to Disney at least once a year for the last eight years on average. Usually stay anywhere from 7-10 nights. A couple of years with the camper we went 2-3 times in one year. (and stayed for 2 weeks one August...HEAVEN) My kids always have a week off school the last week in January. That is usually when we visit. There are five of us (kids are 14, 10,2) Last couple of times we stayed in 2 rooms at a value. Got deal for 140 a night total. So is it really worth it once you add in the extra annual fees? could I just use that for the room? I figured for us we'd need at least 200 points. That's what the sellers told us anyway. We could fit into a studio until DD is 3, a one bedroom after that, but then oldest will be off to college in 4 years too. Probably would love a 2 bedroom the most. Although the layout for the new Animal Kingdom looks like it might sleep 5. I keep telling my husband that we have gone every year, at least for one week, and with DD now just 2, we will be going for a long time. I just don't know, how much we would really be saving ourselves. We stayed off site for the first time this past Jan and really enjoyed the private hot tub and pool, not to mention the SPACE and the kitchen was be a huge savings. So I don't know if that's the way to go now that our family is bigger. I miss the magic of staying onsite. Can someone just make up my mind for me???

I guess I'm new, and know these issues have been brought up tons of times, but sometimes the lingo and multi post reading gets soooooo confusing.

Any comments, replys and help more than welcome. thanks for your patience and time!

 

[CarolMN]

FWIW, many of the 1 bedroom units at AKV will officially sleep 5. That's a plus for your family.

DVC will be more expensive for you than 2 rooms at the values, staying at the campgrounds or staying off site in a condo or similar.

DVC returns the most economic value for those who:
1. Visit at least once a year
2. Stay on site in a deluxe resort
3. Can minimize their use of Friday and Saturday nights
4. Can plan at least 7 months in advance
5. Have the discretionary income to take regular vacations

From what you've posted, I don't think DVC will save you money. It will provide you with upgraded on site accomodations for a reasonable price. Only you can decide if you are willing to pay more than you currently do for your Disney trip lodging.

FWIW, my advice is to hold off on buying - rent points for a stay and see if you think the DVC 1/2 bedroom units will be worth it for you.

Good luck with the decision.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Carol has given you the best advice in a nutshell. As for the maintennce. ALL timeshares have maintenance fees. It is much like your house. You pay maintenance on your house too, because if you didn't, it would no longer be worth what you paid for it. Same goes for your ownership in a timeshare. It's true that DVC has a higher maintenance fee than many, but it is maintaned in Disney style as well. In other words....you get what you pay for. HOWEVER, if you don't think moving from value to deluxe accommodations is worth that price, then it isn't for you. Most of use consider our buy in price at DVC to be prepaying vacations for the future at a static price that reflects the market today. Of for those of us who bought in 10+ years ago, it reflects staying at todays deluxes at yesterdays prices!

 

[littlestar]

We own DVC points and (2) other every other year timeshares that are not in Orlando. Our two other timeshares were bought for around $1,600 each (with closing costs). The dues on our 2 other timeshares run $275 and $303 per year and they trade into two bedrooms in Orlando. Orlando is pretty easy to trade into through Interval International (Interval is an exchange company you can be a member of once you own a traditional timeshare) - you can trade into the Marriotts, Sheraton Vistana Villages, and many other great resorts. If you want great value and larger units and don't mind staying off site, I'd investigate more than just DVC. Try reading the tug boards (timeshare users group) - tugbbs.com

Good luck. We use our DVC points for mostly Sunday through Thursday stays (cheaper points). And that way the dues don't seem as painful. We like to stretch those points.

 

[mikesmom]

I'm not sure you'll save money, but with the way you vacation it looks like you'll at least stay even with better accomodations. The example you gave of $140 a night for 2 value rooms is great. I will make a rash assumption that you didn't include tax in that figure, so it actually was at least 10% higher. Mantenance fees on 200 points divided out comes pretty close to the same cost per night in a much more comfortable room.

The $140/night for 2 roms deal is going to get fewer and farther between as time goes on. Those deals get rarer and the rack rate on all rooms at WDW gets higher each year. The maintenance fees go up also, of course, but historically they go up at a much lower rate than hotel rooms. Basically you are locking down a reasonable room rate.

Could you get a better rate for Timeshares offsite? Of course, but then you get to travel back and forth. DH and I tried the offsite house routine. We found (particularly as DS got older) that it was a MUCH better vacation for all of us if we didn't have to fight Orlando traffic and that we could give DS a lot more freedom to come and go using Disney transport.

While many say they don't save money because they travel more often, we found DVC to be a money saver because we didn't much change our travel patterns. The savings came in food! With a 1 bedroom or larger we could cook breakfast, keep fruit, chips, ice cream and sandwiches around, make popcorn or pizza for evening snacks, etc. Our (expensive) consumption of meals, counter service and snacks went way down.

 

[crisi]

Talk to a tax advisor on the interest being tax deductible - it isn't for everyone and it isn't good to assume it is. You may not qualify if you've already claimed the camper as a second home.

(I am not a tax professional, consult your own tax professional, disclaimer, disclaimer.....)

 

[starwood]

A portion of the maintenance fees is also tax deductible because it goes towards property taxes. I also use my Disney Visa reward dollars to pay a portion of the maintenance. We only have 135 points and our maintenance is around $600. I had $328 DVRD. So I only paid around $270 last year on the maintenance.

 

[vandy]

To me, it is not about saving money. Instead, it is about what we pay for the accommodations we like to stay in. You can't compare two rooms at a value resort to a DVC. We are spending more money (only about $500-$600 more this year on a 2BR DVC vs. two value rooms), but getting a lot larger space to stay in so we see it as a better "value". This is figuring the annual dues in as well. As far as the annual dues are concerned, yes they will continue to increase, but probably not as fast as the room rates at the resorts.

Like CAROLMN stated, if you plan on going at least every other year and want better accommodations then maybe you should investigate further. If staying at the value resorts is fine, then DVC may not be right for you. It really is about the lifestyle and not about saving money (although in some cases it might save some or at least break even).

 

[Camping Griswalds]

WOW!!

Everyones responses are so helpful. We are definately going to look into it more. I am seriously thinking of renting out points for our next January vacation. That should give us a good idea. That was the advice we will use the most I am sure!

We actually paid 140 total for both nights including tax for the two rooms at POP. It was a deal, and we enjoyed ourselves, but love the idea of our own kitchen. We have always used the in room refrigerators to their max (unless of curse if we flew and did not rent a vehicle) Eat a lot of meals in like cereal and lunchmeat.

We don't own the camper anymore. So I will talk to the accountant about deducting, but from what I have read and researched, we should be okay interrest wise. bEsides it's always me who figures out how to pay for a Disney vacation ( I am a nurse and work extra shifts each month, and put in a special account) so I could probably manage the monthly payment fine. I am glad that part of the maintainence fees are deductable. I like the idea of using the credit rewards to help out with that.

I just love the idea of owning a piece of "THE WORLD" Every year we say we will vacation somewhere else, and every year, it's back to Disney. I really find it an excellant value vacation! By that I mean dollar for dollar enjoyment.

We have stayed at moderate resorts, but no "big ticket" hotels. However, I did plan on staying last time at AKL, but when the 2 rooms came up at POP so cheap, I had to try them. Actually not that bad of a place to stay at all. Food Court just got old.

In my plus, We do go every year in January, a traditional and DVC cheap season. So that is to our benefit. It seems like from the reasearch I've gathered so far, that it might behove us to purchase points based upon the new Animal Kingdom one bedroom units. If we drive down, Arrive on Sunday, and check out on Fri, may be the cheapest way to start, but I'd rather plan on what we usually do , which is arrive on Sat and depart the following Sat. It's really only 2 weekend nights.

Again, I appreciate everyones input, and insight. It is well worth continuing reading about, and haunting thee boards about. Thanks to all!!!

 

[HockeyKat]

Another thought is to stay the first night offsite or at a value/moderate, then check in Sunday morning. I think one of the Port Orleans sleeps 5 w/ a trundle.

What we are planning to do for most of our trips is drive down Saturday, stay in a moderate on an AP rate, then check into DVC Sunday. We will likely either drive back Friday, pay for the weekend night in points, or stay Friday offsite/moderate and drive back Saturday.

However, with kids and such, the hassle of changing rooms may not be worth it for you.

Good luck with your decision!

-Kat

 

[POLLY ANN]

don't bother us at all.

We have been members for 12 years at OKW. We have stayed at the Boardwalk, the Beach Club, and of course, OKW. We have only stayed in 2BR's and Grand Villas (we have 3 kids and have brought friends and family with us on some trips). We go every other year for 10 -12 nights. If I total up how much it would have cost us to stay in these beautiful accomodations over the years, it would far outweigh the cost of the dues the past 12 years.

I love having the laundry room in my unit, this way we pack light and I just throw a load of laundry in in the middle of our stay. I love putting the kids to sleep in their own room and sitting out on the balcony with my husband and having a cocktail, not worrying if I wake them up because they are in the same room as me. The full kitchen is great for breakfast every AM, and being able to cook full meals if I want. Eating out just gets too much after awhile for us. There's only so much hot dogs, pizza, chicken fingers, and mac n cheese my kids will eat, believe it or not!

No one can tell you what is right for you. You have to determine if DVC is a good fit for you and your family. Definitely rent points for your next trip, but watch out! You may become a DVCer immediately after!

 

[Dean]

I can't disagree with much above other than it is about saving money or at least getting more for your money. If savings are not an issue, one would just pay rack rates cash for DVC units or suites at Disney resorts. From you posts I you will likely need a 2 BR coming up in the next few years at least of all 5 people go. Just because you can get 5 in a unit doesn't make it reasonable to do so and I'd repeat that 10 times if your kids are not all the same gender.

Just to pick up on a couple of issues. DVC can be a great deal if you use it well but it is not a good deal for many including some on this board that think it is. You mentioned 7-10 days trips, assuming those trips of more than a week including two weekends, DVC would not be a good choice for that situation though there are ways to make it so if you want to do cash some nights and/or change resorts for at least one weekend. The best deals are the studios and 2 BR for 5 or 12 nights avoiding weekends as much as possible.

I'd also recommend against financing. I doubt most can legally count DVC as a second home for tax purposes and even if you could, paying 9-11% interest is a lot even if one could deduct it and were in a higher tax bracket. Other considerations might be to buy less points than you think you need or rent and try it out as noted above. You don't have to own to take advantage of most of the DVC options.

 

[starbox]

DVC returns the most economic value for those who:
1. Visit at least once a year
2. Stay on site in a deluxe resort
3. Can minimize their use of Friday and Saturday nights
4. Can plan at least 7 months in advance
5. Have the discretionary income to take regular vacations

I totally agree. The member fees don't bother me at all, and it still seems like a good deal to me.

Here's how we look with the list:

1) Prior to DVC, we stayed on-property 7 consecutive nights in June and 3 consecutive weekday nights in August each year.

2) We did not stay in deluxe resorts prior to DVC, but we did stay in moderates and always had multi-day passes and dining.

3) We live a comfortable drive away, so we now travel Sunday-Thursday night and take three trips a year (15 nights total versus the previous ten)

4) As a teacher, our vacation window is set in stone - but is also flexible. I can travel anytime in June or July. It's very easy to plan 7 months in advance, and it's also easy to move dates up or back a week if needed to get what I want.

5) Because we take multiple trips, the DVC AP discount saves money over what we paid for tickets prior to DVC. Other than that, I do spend more because we vacation more. If I was the type that would be willing to eat in my villa, that might not necessarily be the case - but I just can't cook on vacation.

One thing that factors in to how good of a deal DVC is will be the amount of time you intend to hold onto your contract. If you divide the cost and membership fees over 5, it's not cheaper than anything. If you divide it over 10 years, you'll start to break even according to the list above. If you keep your contract and vacation for 20 years - you'll be saving money. Many people buy DVC and intend to use it only during their children's childhoods, and that's probably not a great way to save or invest money. You've said that your kids are already older. Is an annual Disney vacation part of your picture for the next 10 years? Will you want to visit Disney when your kids are grown?

The happiest DVC owners on these boards seem to be poeple who do or plan to travel to Disney in every stage of their life.

 

[dumbo71]

We own DVC points and (2) other every other year timeshares that are not in Orlando. Our two other timeshares were bought for around $1,600 each (with closing costs). The dues on our 2 other timeshares run $275 and $303 per year and they trade into two bedrooms in Orlando. Orlando is pretty easy to trade into through Interval International (Interval is an exchange company you can be a member of once you own a traditional timeshare) - you can trade into the Marriotts, Sheraton Vistana Villages, and many other great resorts. If you want great value and larger units and don't mind staying off site, I'd investigate more than just DVC. Try reading the tug boards (timeshare users group) - tugbbs.com

Good luck. We use our DVC points for mostly Sunday through Thursday stays (cheaper points). And that way the dues don't seem as painful. We like to stretch those points.

I agree, you can get a Marriott Grand Vista 2 bedroom lock off in gold season right now through our sponsor for $8,000. I've heard of those going for as low as $4000. That would give you your Orlando stays, GV is right outside Seaworld and 5-10 minutes from Disney and a good trader when you want to go elsewhere.

DVC has high dues and trades aren't a good value. If the dues bother you and you don't mind roughing it at all stars and a camper then I'd say look elsewhere. Dues will go up almost every year also.

Good luck.

 

[dumbo71]

WOW!!

Everyones responses are so helpful. We are definately going to look into it more. I am seriously thinking of renting out points for our next January vacation. That should give us a good idea. That was the advice we will use the most I am sure!

We actually paid 140 total for both nights including tax for the two rooms at POP. It was a deal, and we enjoyed ourselves, but love the idea of our own kitchen. We have always used the in room refrigerators to their max (unless of curse if we flew and did not rent a vehicle) Eat a lot of meals in like cereal and lunchmeat.

We don't own the camper anymore. So I will talk to the accountant about deducting, but from what I have read and researched, we should be okay interrest wise. bEsides it's always me who figures out how to pay for a Disney vacation ( I am a nurse and work extra shifts each month, and put in a special account) so I could probably manage the monthly payment fine. I am glad that part of the maintainence fees are deductable. I like the idea of using the credit rewards to help out with that.

I just love the idea of owning a piece of "THE WORLD" Every year we say we will vacation somewhere else, and every year, it's back to Disney. I really find it an excellant value vacation! By that I mean dollar for dollar enjoyment.

We have stayed at moderate resorts, but no "big ticket" hotels. However, I did plan on staying last time at AKL, but when the 2 rooms came up at POP so cheap, I had to try them. Actually not that bad of a place to stay at all. Food Court just got old.

In my plus, We do go every year in January, a traditional and DVC cheap season. So that is to our benefit. It seems like from the reasearch I've gathered so far, that it might behove us to purchase points based upon the new Animal Kingdom one bedroom units. If we drive down, Arrive on Sunday, and check out on Fri, may be the cheapest way to start, but I'd rather plan on what we usually do , which is arrive on Sat and depart the following Sat. It's really only 2 weekend nights.

Again, I appreciate everyones input, and insight. It is well worth continuing reading about, and haunting thee boards about. Thanks to all!!!

After reading this post I'd really say no. You are financing for one so in my book that is a no. Then you are talking about "owning" a piece of the magic. That is some ridiculous marketing ploy used by DVC . You "own" nothing except the right to use the points for 50 years or if you buy SSR 47 at this point. At the end of the term you own nothing and receive nothing back. If you truly want to own a piece of the magic, buy Disney stock. Maintainance fees go up almost every year and I don't see that changing. Last but not least you talk about using overtime money for this. What if the overtime dries up? Things change and I wouldn't want my financial well being being tied up into my over time pay. Have you factored in airfare, rental car, park tickets, food, souvenirs, etc?

I hope you don't take this the wrong way. I'm playing devils advocate here. Normally you get a blanket response of," yes, DVC is great", here. I'm actually impressed that a couple of people suggested no in your case. If you know these boards at all, that in itself speaks volumes.

Bottom line is the decision is yours and I wish you the best of luck no matter what you decide.

 

[bababear_50]

I'm new but here's my two cents worth--if you have the money up front great-if not wait. I do however view DVC as owning alittle of the magic

 

[Camping Griswalds]

Hello again! I would consider it owning some of the magic. i usually consider it that way when we just vacation for a week..."This is MY room "

I am a nurse. I only work about 25 hours a week. So if anyone knows about the nursing industry, extra time is a NO brainer, and according to statistics, will only become a greater nursing shortage. So I am covered there But so nice of people to be concerned. I agree that too many people budget on getting extras and not having the financial stability to provide it. When i mean I'll work extra, it means it is covered in our budget, but I may not want to use it that way. I could go in one extra shift a month to cover going to Disney, and not worry about it affecting anything we currently spend or save on right now.

As far as future vacationing plans, I think the reason to have DVC is because i will plan on using it for the next 50 years (obviously depending on where we purchase) My boys are older, but the daughter is 2. So I figure if we are still going with boys, we would definately still be going with daughter. besides all of that I DREAM of going without any kids. Which may never be a possibility, because by time DD is 18, oldest son will be 30, so may have grandkids, and an excuse to go with little ones!!

I just love everyones advice! I've seen people work numbers on whether to buy or not, and I agree, it does come down to personal reasons. I think if we do purchase, it will be planning on staying a week. I don't want to worry about weekend points, or anything like that. That is just me. We already go every year, so the rule of using it frequently is all right for us. The big question is the financing. I could save and purchase outright, and I agree that is the nicer, easier way to approach this. So that is probably the biggie right now.

The cool thing about the responses here, is that some say "GO" and some say "STAY" which is so helpful! I hate when posters get all worked up about not receiving the answers they want to hear! HEY I'm glad I got responses!

All that being said, I'm taking the info to work tonight. No need to rush into any decision making, that is for sure! I'm wondering on buying next year after taxes anyway, might make more sense, then we could have a huge chunk to put down! It also seems like there have been buyers incentives when a new DVC is started, and if that is the case, maybe could wait for some cool incentives for the new Animal Kingdom properties!

Thanks again to all, it has been so helpful!

 

[dumbo71]

Hello again! I would consider it owning some of the magic. i usually consider it that way when we just vacation for a week..."This is MY room "

I am a nurse. I only work about 25 hours a week. So if anyone knows about the nursing industry, extra time is a NO brainer, and according to statistics, will only become a greater nursing shortage. So I am covered there But so nice of people to be concerned. I agree that too many people budget on getting extras and not having the financial stability to provide it. When i mean I'll work extra, it means it is covered in our budget, but I may not want to use it that way. I could go in one extra shift a month to cover going to Disney, and not worry about it affecting anything we currently spend or save on right now.

As far as future vacationing plans, I think the reason to have DVC is because i will plan on using it for the next 50 years (obviously depending on where we purchase) My boys are older, but the daughter is 2. So I figure if we are still going with boys, we would definately still be going with daughter. besides all of that I DREAM of going without any kids. Which may never be a possibility, because by time DD is 18, oldest son will be 30, so may have grandkids, and an excuse to go with little ones!!

I just love everyones advice! I've seen people work numbers on whether to buy or not, and I agree, it does come down to personal reasons. I think if we do purchase, it will be planning on staying a week. I don't want to worry about weekend points, or anything like that. That is just me. We already go every year, so the rule of using it frequently is all right for us. The big question is the financing. I could save and purchase outright, and I agree that is the nicer, easier way to approach this. So that is probably the biggie right now.

The cool thing about the responses here, is that some say "GO" and some say "STAY" which is so helpful! I hate when posters get all worked up about not receiving the answers they want to hear! HEY I'm glad I got responses!

All that being said, I'm taking the info to work tonight. No need to rush into any decision making, that is for sure! I'm wondering on buying next year after taxes anyway, might make more sense, then we could have a huge chunk to put down! It also seems like there have been buyers incentives when a new DVC is started, and if that is the case, maybe could wait for some cool incentives for the new Animal Kingdom properties!

Thanks again to all, it has been so helpful!

I have top tell you, you are cut out for message boards. Rather than get defensive and worked up you simply listened to what was posted. Congratualtions for being a level headed mature poster.

You have the advice and are doing the research. I'm sure you'll make the best decsion for your family.

Enjoy all of your future trips.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I have top tell you, you are cut out for message boards. Rather than get defensive and worked up you simply listened to what was posted. Congratualtions for being a level headed mature poster.

You have the advice and are doing the research. I'm sure you'll make the best decsion for your family.

Enjoy all of your future trips.

What he said!

 

[Camping Griswalds]

What he said!

Thanks to both of you!