How does DVC work?

[tlenzendorf]

confused! can someone explain how dvc works, approx. costs, etc? I've been reading this board tons and can only find bits and pieces

 

[DVC Mike]

The Disney Vacation Club is an extremely flexible point-based timeshare program. Members purchase an allotment of points for a one-time purchase price, and then receive the same amount of points to use each year until their contract end date arrives.

Point-based timeshare programs should not be confused with fixed-week timeshare programs. Under a fixed-week program, owners typically purchase the right to use a single accommodation for the same week every year. Under DVC’s point-based system, the member purchases points which may be redeemed for stays at any time of year, in a variety of different-sized units at many different resorts.

There are virtually no limitations placed on when, where or how one uses his or her points. For instance, a DVC member could spend 10 nights in a Studio villa at the BoardWalk one year, and 5 nights in a Three Bedroom Grand Villa at Old Key West the next year. Program guidelines even allow members to "bank" their points one year into the future and "borrow" from the next year, adding another layer of flexibility.

DVC has the following resorts located at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida:

• Old Key West
• Boardwalk Villas
• Villas at the Wilderness Lodge
• Beach Club Villas
• Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
• Animal Kingdom Villas
• Bay Lay Tower at the Contemporary Resort

There are also DVC resorts in Vero Beach (FL), Hilton Head Island (SC), and at Disneyland Resort in California (opening in the fall of 2009). A DVC resort is planned for Hawaii as well.

As for room types, there are studios, which are similar to a standard deluxe hotel room, but they are slightly larger and include a kitchenette with microwave, mini-refrigerator, wet bar and coffee maker. You get a queen bed and a double-size sleeper sofa, so you can sleep 4.

The 1-bedroom villas are very luxurious and include a full kitchen (with all the basic cooking utensils, pots, pans and dishes supplied), and living room in addition to the bedroom(s), plus a large marble bathroom with whirlpool tub and a washer/dryer in a closet. The Master suite has a king-size bed, plus you get a Queen-size sleeper sofa in the living room, so you can sleep 4-5.

The 2-bedroom villas have an additional bedroom and sleeps up to 8-9. Some of the DVC properties also have 3-bedroom Grand Villas, for the ultimate in luxury and space -- these can sleep up to 12.

There are two cost components to DVC ownership: the initial purchase price and Annual Dues.

DVC has a minimum purchase threshold of 160 points. However, contracts can be found on the resale market in smaller increments.

A contract of 160 points will cost upward of $15,000. DVC offers financing, and the interest you pay will most likely be tax-deductable. That contract entitles the owner to receive 160 points for the next 35-50 years (depending on the resort). Those 160 points could be used to stay as many as 18 nights per year in a Studio-size villa (which is comparable in size and amenities to a standard guestroom at any Walt Disney World Deluxe resort).

You should consider carefully the appropriate number of points you wish to buy, incorporating the season of your stay as well as your family's growth or decline over the years into your decision-making process.

The beauty of DVC is that the number of your points required to secure a reservation are pretty much set in stone for future years. If one week of the year goes up by ten points, then another week of the year may be reduced by ten points, so during the course of a year, the overall number of points will always remain the same. DVC may reallocate those points based upon demand/usage.

Aside from the initial buy-in cost, DVC members must pay annual dues (more commonly called "maintenance fees") on their membership interest. Maintenance fees cover operating costs and upkeep of the resort, and are expressed on a per-point basis. Typically, maintenance fees, which typically increase by 3-4% from year-to-year, are $4 - $6 per point (depending on which resorts the points are associated with). Thus, maintenance fees on a 160 point contract will cost between $640 and $960 per year.

Compared to booking a deluxe or even moderate resort room every year, DVC can save you money. The break-even point will probably take around 5-7 vacations.

No other fees are charged for reservations at DVC resorts. In addition, DVC members do not pay resort taxes or any other fees at check-in.

Being a timeshare program, members of the Disney Vacation Club purchase a deeded ownership interest in a specific resort that is part of the club. This is called your “home resort”. The primary relevance of one’s home resort is twofold:

1) Annual Dues are based upon the operating budget for one’s home resort.

2) Members can book a stay at their home resort 11 months in advance of the check-in date (This is called the "home resort booking advantage.").

Stays at non-home resorts cannot be booked until 7 months prior to the check-in date. In periods where demand is particularly high or certain room classes are in short supply, having that four month booking advantage is critical.

Most agree that the key aspect of picking a Home resort is #2 above – the home resort booking advantage. Those who have a strong preference for a single DVC property would be well-advised to buy into their favorite resort. On the other hand, home resort would not be of great importance to those who do not have a strong resort preference or who plan to take full advantage of the program's ability to visit multiple properties.

 

[Ed T]

Check out this website www.dvcnews.com

I also sent you a PM with the link.

Good luck

 

[Mouseskis]

Thanks for all of the great info!