How do you justify non-Disney vacations when you've spent so much on DVC?

[Tiger926]

As I've mentioned on these boards before, our 360 points have cost us $40,000 due to high CDN exchange on our first contract. Who knew a few short years later it would be at par, and then actually be worth more than the US dollar?

Yesterday, hubby asked about doing a possible cruise next year, so we started to talk about it: using DVC points is ridiculously high, and paying cash is too. So, we looked at other cruise lines, but still, parting with thousands of dollars when we have DVC just doesn't seem like a good idea for several reasons:

- more cash out of the bank (we have the money, and cruise would be paid in full by cash)

- if we didn't use all of our points because we cruised and banked them, that means that we would have to take an extra vacation at some point to use those points, or, get larger accommodations (which we don't need) to use the points

- dues need to be paid each year, regardless of whether those points are used or not

So, how do you justify the expense for other vacations, when you've spent so much on DVC?

Tiger

 

[jodifla]

For us, we only bought in at 150 points, so we wouldn't feel like every vacation had to be at WDW. We also bought in 15 years ago, so the cost under $10,000.

We financed (yes, the horror!) and we did spend most of our vacations during the four or so years we paid it off at WDW. But we lived in Florida, got seasonal passes, so it was easy to do. And we were ALREADY spending lots of lodging cost at Disney, so this just offset them.

We now have 206 points, go a couple of times a year, then a year off, then two or three times a year, etc.

 

[DVCconvert]

So, how do you justify the expense for other vacations, when you've spent so much on DVC?

Tiger

Because life is short, and you can't take it with you.

 

[crisi]

We also have a small number of points so we do Disney every other year (generally, there have been exceptions). In the alternate years, we take some sort of other vacation (this year it was Hawaii, no Disney in 2011. Disney again in 2012.)

We did this on purpose because we didn't want to (and still don't want to) be tied to Disney.

 

[com_op_2000]

When we bought in it cost us a total of $13,000, we paid in cash.
We keep track of how much it would cost to stay in cash for each night of every vacations. We considered our out of pocket money to be paid off within 3 years. Since then we have gone on free vacations except maintenance fees. We do what we want on vacations and use our points for any stays. We have gone on DCL, exchanges, Concierge Collections, and other stays where ever and when ever we wanted to go.

 

[deedeetoo]

We also have only 150 pts. When we bought, our intention was to go every other year. We like to travel to a lot of different places so we purposefully bought less so we wouldn't feel tied into Disney every year. Its the same reason we haven't bought a vacation home on Cape Cod or in ME like many people who live near us. We don't want to have to go to the same place all the time.

 

[disneydenisel]

So, how do you justify the expense for other vacations, when you've spent so much on DVC?

Tiger

We currently have enough BCV point to visit WDW every other year, so we get enough Disney while still enjoying other vacations spots as well.

I feel your pain about spending a lot of money...we spent a lot of money on our Maui timeshare and it is worth a small fraction of what we paid...maybe less than 25%? I think Disney has held up a lot better than that purchase. On the plus side, we go to Disney every other year and Maui every year. The kids like Disney, we all like Maui, and DH likes camping, so we throw that into the schedule every year.

We also plan some more local vacations at the local timeshares in California, so this gives us a pretty well-rounded vacation schedule.

And yes, life is short, so we go places now before it is too late .

 

[JimC]

We bought DVC for DVC. We cruise on DCL with cash and use Marriott (mostly MVCI) for non-Disney travel. It takes some discipline to forgo opportunities on other contracts (DVC & MVCI) and a willingness to adjust when priorities change.

 

[kikiq]

We have SSR 200 points and VGC 150 points. While I was the one initially all for DVC, it's my DH that LOVES it. It is the ONLY way I can get him to take anytime off from work. We have access to my Dad's condo in Honolulu, have been invited to join his BFF and wife on several cruises/trips(great deals) and join my BFF's sister tours to Europe(also great deals). Given the choice, he has chosen WDW or a long weekend at VGC (we live 30 min from DLR). When I go on a non Disney vacation, I go without him. Frankly, at my age, life is too short to start justifying my choices.

 

[DizMagic]

what - there are non-disney vacations? who takes those?

 

[AnnaS]

We have used our points for four DCL cruises. We wanted to cruise, we had the points and limited vacation at the time. We have needed two cabins in the past (5 of us - three kids) so we used a combination of points and cash each time. As you can see from my signature, we have done the Eastern, Western, West Coast and the 11 N. Med. Cruise. Never wanted the hassle of renting our points. These have been "other than Disney" vacations as well as Vero and HH. Of course we have take some other vacations like Myrtle Beach, Cancun (The Royal Sands), VA, Toronto just to name a few.

We will definitely take more non-Disney vacations (wether we use points or not) in the near future. We might try an exchange again also.

 

[disneynutz]

As I've mentioned on these boards before, our 360 points have cost us $40,000 due to high CDN exchange on our first contract. Who knew a few short years later it would be at par, and then actually be worth more than the US dollar?

Yesterday, hubby asked about doing a possible cruise next year, so we started to talk about it: using DVC points is ridiculously high, and paying cash is too. So, we looked at other cruise lines, but still, parting with thousands of dollars when we have DVC just doesn't seem like a good idea for several reasons:

- more cash out of the bank (we have the money, and cruise would be paid in full by cash)

- if we didn't use all of our points because we cruised and banked them, that means that we would have to take an extra vacation at some point to use those points, or, get larger accommodations (which we don't need) to use the points

- dues need to be paid each year, regardless of whether those points are used or not

So, how do you justify the expense for other vacations, when you've spent so much on DVC?

Tiger

Many people can't justify vacationing else where, that's another issue that many don't consider when becoming DVC members and another reason why selling timeshares is so profitable for Disney.

Bill

 

[crisi]

what - there are non-disney vacations? who takes those?

There are! And they are wonderful. We just got back from Hawaii - surfing, volcanoes - and real surfing and volcanoes - not Typhoon Lagoon and the pool at the Poly. A few summers ago it was Germany - medieval towns and castles - and real German towns and castles - not Cinderellas castle and Germany in Epcot. We went to Mexico and - well, we mostly hung by the pool and drank margaritas - but zip lining was awesome, as were Mayan ruins.

I am SO grateful we bought a small number of points and our case of addonitis was never serious. We enjoy our time at Disney - but we find its too much a Small World.

 

[TDC Nala]

I just do both. I'm doing 3 cruises this year (all Disney though) and trips to Las Vegas and New York. I'm not into having just one vacation per year. In addition to regular visits to WDW, and I have been to Disneyland in January.

 

[ILuvMulan]

We have not taken non-disney vacations yet!!! This year we are using our points at HHI for our anniversary (no kids) so we are taking the kids to the beach and staying at a friends beach house. We go to Disney, usually for Spring or Fall Break, then we visit family or go to the beach during the summer. If we are not going to WDW we will do less expensive trips but we will do SOMETHING. Life IS too short. I look at my parents, my Dad worked his whole life so he could travel when he retired and now my Mom has Alzheimer's and he can not go anywhere. While we are healthy enough and my kids still want to "hang out" with us we will go.

 

[quirty30]

LOL - we haven't taken a non-Disney vacation since I bought DVC. We're doing a DCL cruise next year, but I am paying cash, and renting out points to defray some of the cost. Fortunately, I discovered that I have several Disney loving friends willing to rent my points. The cruise will be a nice reprieve from the parks, and I'm betting the following year, we'll be eager to hit WDW again.

I think I'm far more inclined to rent my points than I am to exchange them within DVC...seems like I get more bang for my buck that way.

 

[JimMIA]

We bought initially, decided we hadn't bought enough points and added on once. After 7 years of DVC, we decided we wanted other options so we sold the add-on and bought Wyndham for other options. Plus, we've always done additional cash trips.

 

[murcor]

We are starting to run into this issue. We have enough points for 2 weeks/year. Tried a Disney cruise in 2010, loved it and cruised again already in 2011. ( 1 week cruise/1week in Disney )

We want to cruise again 2012 but we are overloaded in points. Either way you look at it, points cost money. I think I will go the route of tranferring or renting and see how that works out.

 

[Sandisw]

As I've mentioned on these boards before, our 360 points have cost us $40,000 due to high CDN exchange on our first contract. Who knew a few short years later it would be at par, and then actually be worth more than the US dollar?

Yesterday, hubby asked about doing a possible cruise next year, so we started to talk about it: using DVC points is ridiculously high, and paying cash is too. So, we looked at other cruise lines, but still, parting with thousands of dollars when we have DVC just doesn't seem like a good idea for several reasons:

- more cash out of the bank (we have the money, and cruise would be paid in full by cash)

- if we didn't use all of our points because we cruised and banked them, that means that we would have to take an extra vacation at some point to use those points, or, get larger accommodations (which we don't need) to use the points

- dues need to be paid each year, regardless of whether those points are used or not

So, how do you justify the expense for other vacations, when you've spent so much on DVC?

Tiger

See, for me, I would not be spending extra money if my points could "pay" for the other trip. I bought my points to use them and if we decide one year to cruise, or trade to go to the beach, we will consider using them for even though it is not the "best" value.

For us, if we decided to skip 5 or 6 nights at Disney in exchange for a 4 night cruise or a week at the beach, then that is what our yearly vacation would be and I would be okay with that.

I know that from a $ and cents standpoint, it doesn't necessarily pay to do it this way, but on the othe hand, I spent what I did so I had pre-paid vacations and that is what I intend to do with the points each year--pay for my vacation.

 

[Tiger926]

Thanks for all of the responses.

We have gone elsewhere: Caribbean cruises, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Bahamas and other small weekend trips.

Was considering Disneyland or Hawaii or combination of both, but way too expensive. Also, looked at RCI exchanges, but not much caught our eye. Our kids are young, and there are certain places we just won't take them at this point.

I guess we are in the minority, as the amount we've spend on DVC trips has been a ton in the past 7 years, and so it's really hard to justify any other vacations. Even though we make very good salaries and are doing well, we just can't justify $10,000 or $15,000 a year in vacations.

With 360 points, it's pretty much Disney trips, as you need way too many points to cruise with Disney. Even for a 4 night cruise, we wouldn't have enough, so for 7 nights forget it. We'd have to skip Disney for a few years, and bank points, as 360 points doesn't go that far for Disney crusing. I'm not paying cash for Disney cruises either, as the prices are ridiculous. The same Disney cruise we took 6 years ago, has more than doubled in price! Priced out other cruises, and they are much cheaper, but again, don't want to spend thousands more dollars out of my pocket for that. Plus, we have no interest in renting out our points at all, so it would be cash.

Thanks for the discussion. It seems we are in the minority in terms of how we vacation, and how much money we spend on vacations each year.

Tiger