Help with my DVC Spreadsheet

[Beth]

I've maintained a spreadsheet since we bought into the club in 1997 that details each reservation we've had.

It specifies the day I made the reservation, the date of the reservation, the resort, room type, point cost, etc. etc...

I also include a column that identifies Disney's rack rate for that particular reservation. Now, don't flame me - I completely realize that there may have been discounts available - but I'm not going to search them out just for the benefit of my spreadsheet!

But I have a question. When reviewing the rates on the DVC website - you see this disclaimer underneath the rates:

*Prices per night. An 11% tax rate per night not included. Subject to availability. Rates and other terms subject to change without notice. No additional adult prices are applicable. Minimum length of stay restrictions may apply.

Does the 11% tax rate they're referring to include Florida Sales Tax, or is the sales tax <i>in addition to</i> the 11%?

Thanks....

 

[RobDoc]

The 11% is the room tax added to the room rate. There isn't a sales tax additionally.

Sounds like a good way to keep those records!

 

[MikeScott8]

I am pretty sure it is just the 11% tax rate for hotels. I know here there is a sales tax rate and a hotel/motel tax rate which is higher than the sales tax.

I do add 11% in my spreadsheet for the rack costs as well.

I have one main page that shows totals and then a page for money paid on the points, a seperate page for money for dues, a page on the rack costs (including figuring out rack cost per point pre and post tax), and finally one last page that is used to track other discounts we get from DVC membership.

this last page lists discounts from Disney Store, meals out at WDW where we used DVC discount (ex 15% on lunch at HOB at DD)

Mike

 

[Beth]

Thanks very much to both of you - I just wasn't sure...

Yeah - I think a lot of people neglect to consider the 11% when trying to determine the value of DVC - but it makes a big difference!

 

[disneyberry]

Beth, just thought you might like to know that starting at the beginning of 2003, Orange County hotel tax was raised from 11% to 11.5%.
hope this helps.

(and btw, sales tax was raised from 6% to 6.5% but that doesn't have anything to do w/ the hotel tax)

 

[JimC]

There is a resort tax and it varies by County. WDW is in two counties. The tax was raised on 1/1/03 by .5%. All resorts, except All Stars, are now 11.5%. AS is now 12%. Those are the only taxes that are added to room rates.

DVC, as a deeded timeshare, does not fall under that section of the tax code. So no tax is applied to purchase or when points are used. That could change some day, but for now it is a built in gain for DVC members.

 

[Cruelladeville]

Another column for your spreadsheet in addition to cash cost of the room: the cost for additional adults in the room. When you stay on points there is no cost for additional adults in your room, but it's $25 per adult with a cash ressie. For those of us with adult children who vacation with us, that's a significant room charge, and it's charged nightly.

 

[StormTigger]

Originally posted by Cruelladeville
Another column for your spreadsheet in addition to cash cost of the room: the cost for additional adults in the room. When you stay on points there is no cost for additional adults in your room, but it's $25 per adult with a cash ressie. For those of us with adult children who vacation with us, that's a significant room charge, and it's charged nightly.

DOH! I hadn't even thought of that!! I need to go update my spreadsheet now.

Beth, I keep almost the exact same spreadsheet and I don't search for the discounts either. Since I'm new to DVC I'm keeping mine so I can tell the exact moment my membership pays for itself, and thanks to Cruelladeville, it'll be that much sooner. I also have to admit that I pull up my spreadsheet every now and then just to asure myself I made a good purchase, and work the numbers again, and again. And of all the "major" purchases in my life, this is the only one I haven't regretted 20 minutes later

 

[valeriekc]

Those spreadsheet ideas sound so well thought out and planned!! I'll I've ever done is saved a page with the room rates at BWV where we own for a few years...in fact I think I'm missing a few. Would either of you be willing to share your hard work and diligent recordkeeping??

 

[Beth]

Thanks disneyberry & JimC. I wasn't aware of the increase - I'll be modifying my formula when I get to work!

valeriekc - I'd be glad to share with you the rates that I have for BWV for the specific times we've stayed, in our related accomodation-size - hope that it helps.

Our first year in DVC - I collected a rate sheet for each resort we'd stay at. Then I realized how much easier it was just to get the info online - so I stopped...