How does DVC save me money???

[JayCT]

Okay, we have been down to WDW four times in the last five years. Stayed concierge at deluxes all five times and really loved it. I have a feeling we will be going back again in a year or so. I have considered buying into DVC but see that the points cost so much and then there is a maintenance fee. How is this going to be worth it. I know we have spent a lot on hotels but we like the service. Clean rooms everyday. Concierge food when we want it. I know I ampaying a lot ot be spoiled but then again why do I work so hard for 51 weeks a year if not to enjoy one week at a WDW Deluxe? Opinions please. In a few months I need to decide if I want to do DVC or not. Thanks, Jay

 

[browniemtb]

Just by the looking at where you stayed, the last three would have probably paid for a DVC ownership. DVC does save you money. Mathmatically if you figure out what it cost to buy in (which can be high) plus the dues for the duration of the contract you get a dollar value you can apply to a true point cost. For example most in the forum will say there true point cost would be anywhere from $5 to $7 per point. Now an example of a stay during April vacation in a 2 bedroom at the BWV at 310 points...@$5 thats $1550 for the week....Rack rate for that same room could be upwards to $5000 to $6000. Certain times of year will return less savings. The DVC would work for you since you stay in the deluxe resorts......the down side is that during a week stay there is only 1 room cleaning, but you do have a kitchen and laundry facilities. Also if you are not traveling one year you can transfer or rent your points and get up to $12 per point.
Brownie

 

[vascubaguy]

For us it will probably be a few years before we "break even" financially, BUT I decided to buy to increase the "quality" of our stay (I normally would have booked a value - maybe a mod, but price was always factored in).

For you, since you are used to the pampering, I'm not sure DVC would work well for you if that is what you want during your stays. It could certainly save you money, but you wouldn't have the extra service. I would guess though that it would only be a few years before you would break even and start saving money from what you would have spent.

 

[Greg K.]

We vacationed like you for several years and then realized that, for all the thousands we had spent on Disney vacations, we could have bought points in the DVC that would have given us 40 years of happy vacationing.

Put another way: our vacation costs have been slashed dramatically. We used to spend close to $10,000 a year on 10-14 days at Disney -- deluxe rooms, airfare, car rental, food, the whole nine yards.

Now, we spend half that much -- no room charge -- and stay longer.

 

[MrShiny]

It also fixes your costs. While yes, dues will drift up, they traditionally don't go up as much as room rates.

It will become more and more attractive. I would bet by the end of the DVC contracts, the cheapest room on property will be well over $200.

 

[CarolMN]

Okay, we have been down to WDW four times in the last five years. Stayed concierge at deluxes all five times and really loved it. I have a feeling we will be going back again in a year or so. I have considered buying into DVC but see that the points cost so much and then there is a maintenance fee. How is this going to be worth it. I know we have spent a lot on hotels but we like the service. Clean rooms everyday. Concierge food when we want it. I know I ampaying a lot ot be spoiled but then again why do I work so hard for 51 weeks a year if not to enjoy one week at a WDW Deluxe? Opinions please. In a few months I need to decide if I want to do DVC or not. Thanks, Jay

Saving money may not be the real issue for you. Given that you really love the conceirge service and daily housekeeping services, DVC may not be for you - even if it does save you money.

(Many members, me included, find that they actually prefer the limited housekeeping service that DVC resorts offer. No worries about others in your room or figuring out when to be gone so that the housekeepers can do their thing. I also appreciate the jacuzzi wirlpool tub, the laundry room and the fully equipped kitchen - even though I seldom cook anything while we are there).

My advice is to rent points for your next trip. See if you enjoy the larger accomodations more than the service of the deluxes. If you do, it'll be time to do the math. As the others have already posted, based on yuor travel habits, DVC would be probably be a good value for you.

IMHO, there is no need to rush the decision - DVC will be around for many years to come. Better to make sure it's really right for you than make a decision you will come to regret.

Best wishes -

 

[DeeCee735]

There's always the option of paying the fee for housekeeping services, if you like to have a complete cleaning everyday/other day. I like the pampering on vacation too, which was one "pro" of why we bought in. Deluxe accommodations at their finest. The jacquzzi tub, and the balconies go along way in that department for me. The washer/dryer is very very handy and allows us to pack lighter, and bring home very little dirty laundry - no hassling with that when I get home.

As far as saving - I think for us it is/was a big savings. We bought in 2000 paying upfront (no financing/interest), and received points from the prior year (don't remember if that was a promotion at the time), banked them, borrowed from a year ahead, and made our first trip "home" 1/2 land 1/2 sea vacation for all four of us using points only - that would have cost 1/2 the purchase price right there in cash. Been staying in a one bedroom at the BWV for the last 5 visits, at would be a rack rate of what - about $400 a night if we had to pay each trip? We definitely covered our purchase price already, probably a trip or two ago. As for the maintenance - it's less than a deluxe hotel room would be each year, even with a discount code. We only have 210 points, but that gets us a one bedroom standard view at BWV 6 nights each President's week, and a three week-nighter in the fall! I figure per point over the life of our contracts it's less than $7 a point! We're very very happy with our decision to buy in, probably one of the best decisions we've ever made!

Good luck with your decision - and enjoy your vacations!

 

[crisi]

The jacuzzi's are only in the one bedroom and larger units - which I doubt saves you any money if your family has been staying in regular hotel rooms, even staying concierege.

Moreover, while you can use your points at other hotels, it only saves you money at DVC rooms.

What I would do is come up with a basic cost per point and a basic vacation cost based on that. Then, if you want to add daily maid service, add it in. Compare that to what you are paying now - remember that hotels tend to go up faster than DVC dues, however.

 

[Dean]

Okay, we have been down to WDW four times in the last five years. Stayed concierge at deluxes all five times and really loved it. I have a feeling we will be going back again in a year or so. I have considered buying into DVC but see that the points cost so much and then there is a maintenance fee. How is this going to be worth it. I know we have spent a lot on hotels but we like the service. Clean rooms everyday. Concierge food when we want it. I know I ampaying a lot ot be spoiled but then again why do I work so hard for 51 weeks a year if not to enjoy one week at a WDW Deluxe? Opinions please. In a few months I need to decide if I want to do DVC or not. Thanks, Jay

I think it's funny that you titled the thread on the subject of saving money yet your last 4 trips have been some of the most expensive options available. If you use it right DVC would save you a lot of money and give you most everything you get now plus a lot more. You can't routinely do it for long weekends though and make it work out. Many before you have gone in with the idea they'll miss this or that, usually being specific deluxe resorts, concierge or housekeeping, and most came out preferring DVC and it's setup. I think most of us prefer not to have housekeeping routinely, I know I do. Why not rent points for a stay and see how you like it. Or just go and pay cash. Good luck.

 

[DizWacko]

In your case Im not so sure you should just dive in to DVC. Why not just keep renting points yearly rather than making the large initial investment? THis way you keep your options open to stay at places like the Poly and AKL if the heavy theming and concierge offerings really "make it" for you. Renting is still considerably cheaper than rack rate, and you arent committed to staying at just the DVC resorts.

 

[Daitcher]

JayCT,


I would say from what you've said you would prefer the full service, hotel like DVC properties like BCV, BWV or VWL. SSR does offer the spa as well. I agree with others, pay cash or rent points to stay in a larger DVC unit like a 1,2 and 3 bedroom unit and see how you like it. Honestly I miss the concierge level services and food at GF but we couldn't go back to staying in hotel rooms. Sometimes we spend a weekend at a deluxe concierge level and do the other days at DVC if we miss it. Space is the ultimate luxury and DVC provides that for our family of 3. Saving money wasn't a goal of ours when we bought in. We just loved the program, rooms, pools and being on site. All you can do is give it a try.


DAVE

 

[4formickey]

Moreover, while you can use your points at other hotels, it only saves you money at DVC rooms.

What I would do is come up with a basic cost per point and a basic vacation cost based on that. Then, if you want to add daily maid service, add it in. Compare that to what you are paying now - remember that hotels tend to go up faster than DVC dues, however.

My wife and I just came back from a stay at a non-disney hotel. The room would have cost us $550 for the weekend, we also was given a $100 food credit, and free breakfeast.We only used 82 points. The room was wonderful with a down bed cover pillows and comforter. We saved over a $1000 for this weekend.

 

[greenban]

It certainly hasn't saved me any money!

First I purchased.....

Then I got add-on-itis really bad......


Then I purchased APs for the family......


Then we went 4 or 5 times in a 365 day period, and will be going at least 3 times a year for the forseable future.....


All those character meals.......


All those souveners.........


All those drives/flights down........


All that time away from work...........

Absolutely priceless. We went from no vacations in a 3 to 5 year stretch, to an insane # of vacations in just a year. Each one was different, each one was exciting, a journey of discovery about DVC and WDW. Each one was fun!
And each one was a vacation we would have never taken without having joined the DVC, which 'forced' us to vacation. Next is a Disney cruise (Yeah, I'll rent the points and buy the cabin, a better value, I know thnks to the DIS!)

Of course this worked for my family in our situation, YMMV. But for us it was the greatest thing ever. I'm looking forward to 6 months retirement each year at WDW, with a seasonal CM position, hopefully!


-Tony

 

[crisi]

My wife and I just came back from a stay at a non-disney hotel. The room would have cost us $550 for the weekend, we also was given a $100 food credit, and free breakfeast.We only used 82 points. The room was wonderful with a down bed cover pillows and comforter. We saved over a $1000 for this weekend.

Sorry, I meant Disney hotels like the Poly.

There can be some Conceirge collection deals, although if you shop judiciously, you can get deals on some of those same resorts for cash - or similar quaility resorts in similar locations.

 

[JayCT]

Dean - You are right, it is odd that I tittled the thread what I did. I think I was thinking that we just got back from WDW and saw a lot of signs around for saving money by buying in to DVC. I am just trying to decide if I should persue it. We have gone to WDW four times in the past fvie years with our kids and loved it. Each trip has been a wonderful experience. We love the relaxing atmosphere of the Poly and the location.

Okay now for a silly questions: What are points running now at WDW and how much is the maintenance costs?

I do appreciate the replies. These Boards are great. Thanks everyone. Jay

 

[Dean]

Dean - You are right, it is odd that I tittled the thread what I did. I think I was thinking that we just got back from WDW and saw a lot of signs around for saving money by buying in to DVC. I am just trying to decide if I should persue it. We have gone to WDW four times in the past fvie years with our kids and loved it. Each trip has been a wonderful experience. We love the relaxing atmosphere of the Poly and the location.

Okay now for a silly questions: What are points running now at WDW and how much is the maintenance costs?

I do appreciate the replies. These Boards are great. Thanks everyone. Jay

I can't describe to you the difference in timeshare (or condo) vacations vs hotel choices. IMO, the luxury of space and home type amenities (kitchen, laundry, LR) is simply the best. I'd gladly give up maid service and some of the other hotel type options. I still think you should rent points or go on cash. I bet you'd find you're just as happy if not more so with the DVC options. And it would save you money in the long run as long as you actually stay at the DVC resorts and not for long weekends.

 

[DizWacko]

Dean - You are right, it is odd that I tittled the thread what I did. I think I was thinking that we just got back from WDW and saw a lot of signs around for saving money by buying in to DVC. I am just trying to decide if I should persue it. We have gone to WDW four times in the past fvie years with our kids and loved it. Each trip has been a wonderful experience. We love the relaxing atmosphere of the Poly and the location.

Okay now for a silly questions: What are points running now at WDW and how much is the maintenance costs?

I do appreciate the replies. These Boards are great. Thanks everyone. Jay

The rationale to buy DVC for most people SHOULD be money-savings. There is very little one can do as an owner that one cant do as a renter or per-night cash guest. If you find that you would enjoy staying at DVC accomodations year after year, then you should buy-in to get discounted rates at those DVC resorts.

An easy, safe start is to simply buy a small contract. This way you can mix it up between the DVC resorts and the full-service deluxe resorts like Poly, etc.

I personally dont want to be limited to DVC resorts, my wife and I will spend 5 days in a DVC accomodation, and then a long weekend at the Poly, AKL, or the like as "the cherry on the sundae"

 

[tmt martins]

I didn't read the entir thread but you still save a lot of money even if you add T&T everyday and full cleaning a couple of time for stays more then the 8 days.
So you can still get that sevrice if you want it and save over discount or rack rates.I like not getting the daily HK but will add some extra towles and an extra T&T day into our trip for the$16 it will cost is well worth it.

 

[shantay1008]

One thing that no one seems to have brought up is the idea of "owning a piece of the magic." I didn't look at this as a money-saving opportunity because we'll be paying for airfare, park tickets, etc., for a family of six to make it down to WDW. I mean, we're sort of tied in to more expensive vacations now.

But for me, buying into DVC was a way of saying that we are going to make vacationing a priority (which doesn't seem to be an issue for you and your family) and that we aren't always going to use our vacation time to visit far-off relatives (although they're very much welcome to join us at WDW). I love the home-away-from-home aspect (washing machine...yea!) and not feeling so much like a tourist.

 

[browniemtb]

JayCT...Points are running $98 at SSR with an $8 perpoint rebate. F&F promo, ending Feb 1 gives you 15% off...net point price would be $83.30. Dues for SSR are $3.49 per point annually. The only other Disney sold resort right now is BWV, even though its sold out, you can buy point a $92 per..no deals. Due are $4.69 per point annually. I think I may be off a few nickels on the dues?
I agree with other that have posted here. Try renting points from another member and try the DVC to see if you like it....Good Luck
Brownie