Hidden Gotcha's

[missymouse]

Ok we have read and researched everything we can find about the operations, rules, etc. We have asked questions here and called MS, talked to resalers and run all the numbers to see if it would ultimately pay for itself and save us money in the long run. It appears to be a good deal for our family and we are thinking it would give us an incentive to actually plan to vacation every other year or so.


So the question is once you bought in were there any surprises in the rules and regulations or hidden gotchas?

 

[debbiepump]

Not really, except you never have enough points.......
I must say, I was the one who purchased DVC, my dh could of cared less for WDW.
After the first trip in the Villa and not having to stay in the parks all day long, being able to sit back and relax and watch the world go by on the balcony, sold him. He loves being able to walk over to Epcot/Worldshowcase, catch some music and get a good meal.

 

[Deb & Bill]

My surprises were that Disney does not always abide by their own rules. Like room occupancy. Smoking in non-smoking rooms.

We have really liked being DVCmembers. And, I think, we have enough points at 500. But we started out at 175.

 

[Dean]

It really depends. Unlike some timeshares, they do not add a lot of $$$ extras to what you're paying already. It's not cheap, but at least you know where you stand. OTOH, there are many assumptions that people make that end up not working out. For example, there's a lady on the DVC talk list who got an ECV and requested one of the elevator buildings. She got exactly what she asked for but didn't know how spread out things were, how far it'd be to the laundry (studio) or that there wouldn't be soda machines, etc at the HH after hours. In general, I'd say about 80% of the posts on this board complaining relating to a stay were about personal perceptions, their wrong assumptions or similar. But DVC members, Disney regulars in general, are very demanding people overall. We analyze everything and are always looking at ways to benefit our families within the rules structure. A lot of the complaints lately seem to center around misinformation on reservation options, especially at the 7 month window.

We might be more helpful if you're tell us your circumstances, plans, usual travel, family size and what's important to you. Esp include anything you've questioned but maybe been reassured about elsewhere.

 

[Granny]

So the question is once you bought in were there any surprises in the rules and regulations or hidden gotchas?

I wouldn't say that there were any surprises or hidden clauses in the rules and regulations. I would say that DVC is a fairly complicated system to utilize properly, and I am still learning things here after a few years of ownership.

DVC has a lot of fairly complex rules, mostly driven by the desire to make it a very flexible program. So 11/7 booking timing, banking, borrowing, renting, linking reservations, etc are all geared to make our ownerships more valuable, but also require a lot of diligence to use properly.

As Dean indicated, most "surprises" come from perceptions that people have about what to expect. Some are upset when they find that, in fact, they can't book anywhere they want at any time like some Guides suggest. Others don't seem to understand the meaning of the word "request", and get upset when the requests are not met in a room assignment.

But no, what Disney promises is pretty much laid out there to see with no hidden traps. Good luck in your decision.

 

[JPC]

I did not know about Rinkwide prior to purchasing DVC.

 

[dianeschlicht]

The only "surprise" for us was how complicated it seemed the first time we booked, but how easy it actually was. The point system can be very confusing at first glance, but it really is very simple once you understand it, and it works very well.

 

[Mrs Potato Head]

I didn't think we'd add on only TWO months after purchasing 175 points! GOTCHA!


Didn't think we'd get AP's the first year we owned DVC! - GOTCHA!

Didn't think I'd go to WDW 6 times in one year on points - and still have some 06 left! yes, I'm very careful...but getting those extra year's points when we purchased has really spoiled me for multiple trips to WDW! Now, I don't know how I could go back to "only" one trip a year. GOTCHA!

So now DH knows I'm a complete fanatic for the World. He even suggests trips we could take... and knows I "need" to see the World at different times of the year.

It really is great to be relaxed when you go - knowing you can come back any time. For us, we will probably never use all our points on ONE trip. I have 305 now, and for this year, and next, we're ok with that. We'll see how bad I get going forward....

 

[paults]

My surprises were that Disney does not always abide by their own rules. Like room occupancy. Smoking in non-smoking rooms

I agree with this, Disney needs to abide by there own rules before they start letting 6 in a 1 bedroom.

 

[DVCLiz]

I did not know about Rinkwide prior to purchasing DVC.

Could someone kindly tell me what this means? Thanks!

 

[Tomskatt]

I did not know about Rinkwide prior to purchasing DVC.

? I've owned for 6 years and still don't know what this is!

 

[Good Ol Gal]

? I've owned for 6 years and still don't know what this is!

pretty sure this is in reference to a member here on the DIS

but hey, I could be wrong as my brain is stuffed with ways to utilize our points.

 

[crisi]

I think the common gotchas:

Points at DVC don't change - points for other options - like cruising or staying at the Disney hotels or staying at the Broadmoor - can change from year to year and usually go UP. You need to understand where the value in your purchase is....

Likewise, you need to understand how you travel and if this will change the way you travel. Often people PLAN to save money using DVC - and you can. But, many DVCers discover that this changes how they travel. They might intend on studios, but stay in one or two bedrooms. They may think "one trip a year" and take two. They may think "our family of four" and invite their brother and family. They may intend to use the kitchen, and discover they don't want to take the time.

The seven month window thing - usually, if you are flexible and call right at seven months, you can - more or less - get what you want. But DVC books fairly completely year round - eventually - and sometime room types book right at eleven months. Don't believe that a standard view BWV room will be available at seven months the first two weeks in December every time you try (you might get lucky - you might even get lucky a few tiimes), or a OKW Grand Villa over Thanksgiving.

Dues - pay attention. "Around $4 a point" doesn't sound like much, but when you are getting a $1200 bill every January, the $.16 point increase may be a big deal. Dues will be where you spend the majority of your money with DVC - don't discount them up front.

Perks - current perks are pretty good. But don't buy DVC thinking they will last forever or that Disney "owes" you discounts in reward for your loyalty. Perks have been good and bad, and will likely be good and bad in the future. Plan on getting only what you are contracted for and you will probably be very happy.

Room Condition - we've always found our rooms and the DVC areas acceptable, but I think there is a noticable difference between upkeep at DVC resorts and upkeep at the Deluxe hotels. If you are expecting a Deluxe hotel experience, you need to remember you are staying in a timeshare.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Something that is mentioned over and over on this Board is that DVC works best for those who either can plan more than 7 months in advance or who are very flexible.

When we bought, we probably over-estimated how well we could plan in advance. Even though our general time frame for our next trip in Oct has not changed from the opening of the 11 month window, we have changed the size of the accomodations, added a couple of days to accomodate our flights and may change our dates further to accomodate a conference for work. As a result, even though we starting planning at 11 months, we are still on the waitlist for some days!

Best of luck in your decision. -- Suzanne

 

[rinkwide]

...hidden gotchas?

In my opinion, the biggest potential disappointment for prospective members results from the way that DVC marketed. The ads and guides are quick to boast about "great savings on accommodations" and that you can "use your points all over the world" but they never mention the unfortunate fact that the two are mutually exclusive.

Oh, and the rinkwide thing too.

 

[bigsmooth]

The biggest gotcha? The whole 'going to work' thing that must occupy time between vacations.

I've heard from this board that 'addonitis' helps to alleviate that gotcha, but then I imagine that would add another gotcha called 'downward spiral bank account'. Which would probably even further extend the whole 'going to work' gotcha to a much longer time horizon, which surely would make 'addonitis' much more severe. Come to think of it, it sounds like a pretty vicious cycle when you put it all together, what did I get myself into?

Oh, and the Rinkwide thing? That is a benefit. At least I learned much from Rinkwide about polite people in bathing suits eating chips while drinking from Epcot cups while dodging busses next to the SSR themed pool.

 

[mello]

Could someone kindly tell me what this means? Thanks!

I'm . I did not know about rinkwide either, more's the pity! He's a member here who writes some of the most interesting and amusing posts I've ever seen.

 

[debloco]

I think the common gotchas:

Points at DVC don't change - points for other options - like cruising or staying at the Disney hotels or staying at the Broadmoor - can change from year to year and usually go UP. You need to understand where the value in your purchase is....

Likewise, you need to understand how you travel and if this will change the way you travel. Often people PLAN to save money using DVC - and you can. But, many DVCers discover that this changes how they travel. They might intend on studios, but stay in one or two bedrooms. They may think "one trip a year" and take two. They may think "our family of four" and invite their brother and family. They may intend to use the kitchen, and discover they don't want to take the time.

I agree with crisi on DVC changing how you travel because this happened to us.

We intended on 1 bedrooms and that's what we generally stay in, but what changed for us is the time of year (season) and how long we like to stay. We never imagined we would start going over the Christmas holiday given how crowded the parks are and the amount of points needed for that season. But that's exactly what happened!

So now we are experiencing gotcha #2 which~bigsmooth refered to in his very post~addonitis

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Tomskatt]

Rinkwide! Happy to meet ya! I've heard so muchabout you! You almost have your own thread going here! Congratulations! And what? No tag fairy for a guy who gets his own thread?!

 

[vascubaguy]

I don't consider it a gotcha, but I agree with rinkwide on the issue of wanting to use your points at places other than WDW DVC resorts. Fortunately though, I can rent the points and book other accommodations for $$$ and actually "make" a little money..

but yeah, I remember looking at staying at a resort somewhere and thinking... hrmm... 32 points per night... $10 per point... so that could be about $320 per night... or I could book a cash ressie directly with the resort for about $200 per night... *GOTCHA*