How did you come to the decision to purchase DVC and after thoughts

[DannyDisneyFreak]

DVC members, I'm curious as to what factors made you come to the decision to purchase into DVC? What were the pros and cons? After going through the process and having experience as a member would you do anything differently? What would you tell a person making a decision to join? What are you happy with about being a member? What are you less than happy about?

 

[Silver19]

After we stayed at BWV for four years on cash reservations using coupon codes, we realized the place had appeal to us that would exist with or without our kids (who are 6 and 9 today). We love walking to the World Showcase, we love the free Boardwalk shows, and we love Kouzzina, Kimonos, and a few of the other walkable restaurants. So we went to the BWV model unit, talked to a guide there, and decided to buy 50 points direct to ensure we'd qualify for all perks going forward.

We later added more points through resale.

Really, the big pro for us is having a consistent "base of operations" in Disney where we feel at home. We vacation in Orlando in January when it's freezing in Pittsburgh and we hope to do that indefinitely. I also believe that the cost per point I've paid on average (around $84) gets me far more than we would get over the long haul paying cash and using Disney "special" room rates.

The cons? Lack of daily Mousekeeping. That's my #1 complaint. My room is always a mess.

Buying direct was a total breeze, and I have no complaints about the process -- just the $115 per point cost. But it was nice to start with just 50 points. Buying resale is far more reasonable from a cost/benefit perspective, but the process certainly is more time consuming (it took us about 60 days from initial offer to loaded points). And the uncertainty of ROFR isn't fun. We have a contract going to ROFR this week and I'm already stressed.

I have no regrets at all. Indeed, I want more points, not less. I have spent 58 days at the BWV with my children over the past 6 years, and have thoroughly enjoyed all 58 of them. There is always something fun for me and my family within an easy walk. It's great knowing I have sufficient points to visit annually through 2042.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

I wanted to splurge on deluxe and after pricing it out....

$3000 to stay at Contemporary for 5 nights vs $12,000 to buy 150 pts at the BW, for 5 nights in a 1 bedroom for 37 years....

Hummmm...... So for an extra $9000 we get deluxe for the rest of our lives... King size bed, kitchen and w/d.

No more value!! Sign me up!

 

[MouseMomx2]

We knew that we would be traveling to WDW often so it made financial sense for us. That said, I would have a hard time justifying a direct purchase today. We paid $60ish for all of our points (3 contracts through DVC, 4 via resale). I would have a hard time spending $130-140+ for a similar product.

My advice would be to look into the resale market. Go with one of the resorts that has a later expiration date (avoid Boardwalk, Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge, Hilton Head, Vero Beach and non-extended Old Key West). You should be able to get a contract for $70-100 per point, depending on the resort.

There are a few restrictions on resale points. You cannot use them for non-DVC WDW resorts, the cruise, resorts at other Disney properties (Paris, Tokyo, etc.) except for Disneyland in CA, or for the Concierge Collection. All of those are, IMO, a poor value for your points anyway so I don't think the restrictions are all that restricting. You can still trade out via RCI.

As for what we love...we love knowing that we will have wonderful Disney vacations for years to come. We love that our frequent trips have become so much more relaxed, without the need to see/do everything. We love that we can bring family/friends with us and share our favorite place with them. We love that, now that they are older, our kids can use some of our points for a Spring Break trip with friends (neither are the party-Spring Break type). I could go on all day.

As for what we don't like...well, there honestly isn't anything. I did my homework before we bought. I understand that, as much as Disney is about Magic, DVC is a timeshare. They run a bit differently than hotels and I am fine with that. And I can honestly say that in 16 years of ownership I have never had one moment of regret or buyer's remorse. We bought our original points in '97 and just doubled them about 18 months ago.

Hope that helped.

 

[bom_noite]

I wanted to splurge on deluxe and after pricing it out....

$3000 to stay at Contemporary for 5 nights vs $12,000 to buy 150 pts at the BW, for 5 nights in a 1 bedroom for 37 years....

Hummmm...... So for an extra $9000 we get deluxe for the rest of our lives... King size bed, kitchen and w/d.

No more value!! Sign me up!

For us - the major factors:

1) My wife just does not like to fly! We live in Atlanta - 7.5 hour drive.
2) I really detest the ocean! I grew up swimming in the Atlantic. After a dozen Jelly Fish bites - I prefer pools and resorts! I do play golf, but, am not an angler at all.
3) The kids love theme parks - and swimming. And were 9 and 12 when we bought in.
4) I had stayed at a DVC for a Fantasy Baseball week with friends. Was blown away how nice the rooms where.

In the end, for us, it was the perfect vacation spot. If fit our budget both then and now.

Even though the kids have moved along to College, we have always been able to find 1 or 2 weeks a year to enjoy it.

 

[rowlands57]

I really enjoy DVC. I have points at BCV and AKL and like each resort for different reasons. The DVC has been a great way to spend quality family time. My biggest issues is not with DVC but with the prices for tickets these days. I really think members should be able to buy the same tickets as FL residents. I suspect more of us are there on any given day than the "locals". It would be nice to get a little something back to acknowledge our commitment to the cause.

 

[bom_noite]

I really enjoy DVC. I have points at BCV and AKL and like each resort for different reasons. The DVC has been a great way to spend quality family time. My biggest issues is not with DVC but with the prices for tickets these days. I really think members should be able to buy the same tickets as FL residents. I suspect more of us are there on any given day than the "locals". It would be nice to get a little something back to acknowledge our commitment to the cause.

Wow, I am 100% behind this comment and when I last bought our 10-Day PH's it came as a real shock!

It is really not only the price, but, the price combined with the: What have you done for me lately?

• I think the FantasyLand changes were nice, but, lots of shops, restaurants and a minor coaster which has taken way long to build!
• Avatar Land? I thought the movie was average, I do not think it fit's seamlessly into AK and I have to wait 4 years for what I don't want.
• The condition of Epcot, imho, is terrible. Half the pavillions have closed or are shutting down. Carpets all over are a mess as is the state of much of the landscaping! I would hand out Paint Brushes to many of the idle CM's!
• DHS is another problem.

On the other hand, Universal and Sea World have an unlimited budget for new rides and attractions.

I think all of this will catch up with them eventually - then - hopefully things will change.

 

[Harlemgirl720]

I go to WDW every year. Finally in 2009 we stayed at AKL. Mom loved it so I suggested we do a tour of AKV. We both fell in love. We got 160 pts there and then I decided to get another 100 pts at BLT for the convenience to MK. Best decision I ever made.

I go at least 2-3 times a year. Its a no brainer.

 

[momto3pirates]

We visited every year for 4 years before we purchased. My DH would tell me every trip that we should buy in. My reasoning was it would not save us any money as we could just keep staying in 2 value rooms. As the boys got bigger, we just needed more space. Now we spend the same amount of money for rooms per year but get much nicer rooms. It has also been nice to be able to invite family members to vacation with us and treat them to DVC resorts. My only complaint is the boys are so spoiled by the DVC rooms that staying in a "regular" hotel is roughing-it.

 

[JustTinking]

Well, living in the Northeast, one has to vacation in Florida you know, it's the law!! So after numerous trips, it just made sense to save money by buying DVC. We were always staying at GF or WL when we went, so for the past 12 years we have stayed in bigger rooms with the luxury of full kitchens, room for the kids, and laundry facilities. We haven't regretted a moment of it, or a dollar of it. Just wish we'd done it sooner!

Cons? There's that awful burden of getting new points every year and deciding how to spend them....never seems to be a problem for us though, as we have plenty of family willing to spend them for us.

 

[JimMIA]

Well, living in the Northeast, one has to vacation in Florida you know, it's the law!!

Yep...FLORIDA law! We love you guys -- come South, bring money!

(We return the favor, BTW. Half of our last three years' vacations have been to the NE.)

 

[JimMIA]

What were the pros and cons?

If I can be serious for a minute (doubtful!)...I'd say we found two significant "cons."

One is that DVC is a very expensive timeshare to buy and use, IMHO:

• The initial acquisition cost is high
• the MF's (which DVC sweetly calls "annual dues") are high
• and the points costs for individual units range from moderate to VERY high.

In addition, the other costs associated with a DVC vacation (especially cost of visiting Disney theme parks) have sky-rocketed in recent years. The cost of visiting Disney theme parks is simply not worth it, except as an occasional thing -- certainly not for an every-year vacation. I don't mind spending the money, but there are SO many other ways to spend that kind of money.

The biggest drawback as a timeshare, though, is that DVC is a VERY LIMITED timeshare system.

It is great if you are staying at Walt Disney World.

But, if you are staying anywhere else in a DVC resort (VB, HHI, Aulani, or Anaheim), IMHO there are other better, less-expensive options. And using DVC for anything other than DVC resort lodgings is sheer madness...IMHO.

If one were considering a timeshare purchase (as opposed to "owning a piece of the MAGIC!!!") -- the cost comparison would be $1 on eBay vs. $10,000+ for DVC.

The available in-system options comparison might be 50-100 resorts vs. 12 for DVC. The available out-of-system options are roughly <600 with DVC/RCI vs. >3,200 for real RCI members.

VERY limited.

 

[Dean]

DVC members, I'm curious as to what factors made you come to the decision to purchase into DVC? What were the pros and cons? After going through the process and having experience as a member would you do anything differently? What would you tell a person making a decision to join? What are you happy with about being a member? What are you less than happy about?

DVC is a great choice for those that would come to WDW routinely (best every 2 yrs or more), value staying on property at a moderate or above and can truly afford it (my def no consumer debt, pay cash, no worries monthly). That means the potential buyer needs enough experience to anticipate their long term usage. A single great fun trip isn't enough to know. It's also best if they have a good comparable off property stay in a top timeshare to compare. Plus one should never buy DVC for non DVC uses (cruises, exchanging, ABD etc). There are some VERY specific and limited situations that MAY be an exception like buying a very small add on that is somewhat needed/wanted anyway to get access to member cruises.

 

[NoleFan]

We love our DVC purchase. We go to Disney several times a year- school breaks & summer. We enjoy staying on property in the deluxe resort. Even with FL resident discounts, those rates can be high and availability limited during high peak times. DVC gives us numerous options: staying on site, we enjoy the park & resort time, buy in was reasonable (resale prior to prices sky rocketing), plan our trips ahead not worrying about spending endless time looking for a good rate, and the list goes on.

 

[DebbieB]

I bought in 1999 after staying with friends in an OKW 2 bedroom. Loved it. I wanted to be able to get a 1 bedroom for trips with my mom. Back then it was $65 a point. We had stayed at the Beach Club the year before and knew I would like the BWV location better and it was harder to get at 7 months than OKW. She thought I was nuts. Took her the next May and we stayed at OKW, 1 bedroom (planned BWV for early Dec). The shocked look on her face when she walked in the room was priceless! She never said I was crazy again, she called people when we got home and talked about "our apartment". Never regretted it! The original cost is long paid off and I'm paying $120 a month dues for 250 points. Have awesome vacations with those points, stayed at BLT in March, VGC in August and will be at BWV in a couple weeks.

 

[Greatfalls]

We bought in 2005, SSR then some AKL add-ons. Reasons for buying:

1. 4YO twins at the time we first bought, so 10-15 years with the kids.
2. Accommodations -- we travel a lot in hotels, but nothing beats a 2Br villa.
3. Variety of resorts with nice pools.
4. The ability to treat extended family members who otherwise would never let us pay for their accommodations.
5. Other things to do in the area (golf, spring training, water parks, non-Disney parks) for when we're not in the mood to do the parks.
6. Relative ease to get there from the Washington DC area -- 2 hour flights with affordable fares if I plan early.

The main concern was committing to annual dues for decades, including retirement, but I managed that by buying in chunks, which I can sell off. Also, there's the possibility that we'll just get bored, but that hasn't happened yet. No regrets.

 

[LSchrow]

i had gone to WDW since it opened, but we started going as a family every year around 1989.
our first WDW family vaca was off-site: not for us (all of having to leave if one person needed/wanted, dealing with traffic & parking lots, nowhere near as relaxing, kinda like 7 "day trips" instead of a week-long vacation).
so we started staying at the mods, then deluxes, and DVCs (i was a DS CM at the time, so usually got 50% off rack).
we fell in love with the BWVs my DB/family & parents also found their favorite in the BWVs, but were paying rack for a 2-bdrm (over $500 plus tax a night) every other year.
i calculated our real cost per point (PP purchase price, maint fees over the course of the contract), and found that purchasing DVC would save us a least 60% - usually more - over rack. (PP price and maint have risen, but so have room rates).
we bought in 1/1999
aside from the above, deciding factors were:
- DVC prices had risen since they first opened OKW. other timeshares i researched lost significant value as soon as purchased (we could sell our points today for more than what we paid PP, and have taken almost 25 years of vacations for less than our main fees).
- as our kids grew, our vacation habits changed. as a family of 4, we would stay 1 week in late august/sept (1 bdrm). we now go 10-12 days in may (DD & i), and another 10-12 days in oct (DH & i) - both in studios. a fixed week/unit size wouldn't have worked for us.
- we were still able to vacation after DH's company (wall street) downsized. we rented out some of our points to pay for passes & airfare.

our only regret is not having all our (400) points at the BWVs. after staying at most of the others, we prefer the BW's quiet elegance, decor, views, CMs, entertainment, food and drink options, Community Hall, easy walk to 2 parks & mini-golf.....lots of activities at our fingertips, as well as a myriad of more sedate, relaxing options. the BWVs have gotten much more difficult to book at 7 months out.
we would rather have less years at a resort we love, than buying a longer contract, & spending those extra years longing to stay elsewhere - that's just us tho

aside from "buy where you want to stay", i would recommend resale for he savings (it wasn't an option when we purchased).
do your research, feel comfortable with your decision (financially, time-wise) before putting a penny down.
then sip the kool-aid & enjoy

 

[Dean]

i had gone to WDW since it opened, but we started going as a family every year around 1989.
our first WDW family vaca was off-site: not for us (all of having to leave if one person needed/wanted, dealing with traffic & parking lots, nowhere near as relaxing, kinda like 7 "day trips" instead of a week-long vacation).
so we started staying at the mods, then deluxes, and DVCs (i was a DS CM at the time, so usually got 50% off rack).
we fell in love with the BWVs my DB/family & parents also found their favorite in the BWVs, but were paying rack for a 2-bdrm (over $500 plus tax a night) every other year.
i calculated our real cost per point (PP purchase price, maint fees over the course of the contract), and found that purchasing DVC would save us a least 60% - usually more - over rack. (PP price and maint have risen, but so have room rates).
we bought in 1/1999
aside from the above, deciding factors were:
- DVC prices had risen since they first opened OKW. other timeshares i researched lost significant value as soon as purchased (we could sell our points today for more than what we paid PP, and have taken almost 25 years of vacations for less than our main fees).
- as our kids grew, our vacation habits changed. as a family of 4, we would stay 1 week in late august/sept (1 bdrm). we now go 10-12 days in may (DD & i), and another 10-12 days in oct (DH & i) - both in studios. a fixed week/unit size wouldn't have worked for us.
- we were still able to vacation after DH's company (wall street) downsized. we rented out some of our points to pay for passes & airfare.

our only regret is not having all our (400) points at the BWVs. after staying at most of the others, we prefer the BW's quiet elegance, decor, views, CMs, entertainment, food and drink options, Community Hall, easy walk to 2 parks & mini-golf.....lots of activities at our fingertips, as well as a myriad of more sedate, relaxing options. the BWVs have gotten much more difficult to book at 7 months out.
we would rather have less years at a resort we love, than buying a longer contract, & spending those extra years longing to stay elsewhere - that's just us tho

aside from "buy where you want to stay", i would recommend resale for he savings (it wasn't an option when we purchased).
do your research, feel comfortable with your decision (financially, time-wise) before putting a penny down.
then sip the kool-aid & enjoy

I have several thoughts which your post is a good place to make. Buying DVC now is dramatically different than buying even 4-5 yrs ago. Also, owning at a given resort and preferring a different resort can truly add stress, aggravation and even cost if one decides to sell then buy back in and is one of the reasons I feel one needs information AND experience to make an informed decision. I'd also suggest that for other timeshares, there are some that hold their value as well as DVC though most don't. Then comes the question of why, I'd suggest that it's often poor choices and overpaying, not lack of value bought & used appropriately. I'd also suggest that done correctly, buying a non DVC timeshare is far less long term risk and cost than buying DVC.

 

[bom_noite]

I'd also suggest that done correctly, buying a non DVC timeshare is far less long term risk and cost than buying DVC.

Can you elaborate on this Dean?

 

[jpkenyon]

For what it's worth, I have a vacation club with a non-DVC entity. Part of their gimmick is to tie I with Interval International, which will allow you to use your points towards Disney resorts. I'm not particularly fond of my current club, as I feel they're a bit underhanded. My sister's family is big into DVC and they love it. Am seriously thinking of selling what I have and buying into Disney