Husband can't get past cost.

[Brian Noble]

His point is it is only the accommodations, period, that is it nothing else. We still have to buy air fare, park tickets, food etc.

He is 100% correct.

You are committing yourself, long term, to frequent vacations with Disney. You need to be sure that that is something you want to do. And, if Dues are anywhere *near* your total trip costs, there is little to no chance that DVC will save you any money.

 

[dd08]

With a DVC purchase you can save money on your room costs, but you are locking yourself into a WDW vacation and all of the associated costs for many years.

You will probably sell your contract at a loss so you need to add that to the costs also.
Bill

That's redundant. You wouldn't have to "add" in the selling the contract at a loss as they would have already initially paid for the contract and it's a sunk cost.

Everything else is true though.

 

[dd08]

I believe there are 2 components to your question. One is that of that finances of going to WDW, the other, that of using DVC for the stay. Disney is a lot of money no matter what. DVC tends to be a good value for studios and 2 BR units, less so for 1 BR units. You can save by doing some meals in the room and you get a lot of "value" for the costs with space, kitchen, etc. There are still units that will allow 5 in a moderate or even a value and if you're going during free dining, that may still be the best for you.

You are a great poster and I love your realistic take on DVC (and timeshares in general), so don't take this as me "arguing" with you.

But it depends on how you use the term "value" in regards to the bolded part.

For our family, the 1 BR is a great value as we don't need the 2nd bedroom, but having the kitchen with dishwasher, as well as washer/dryer in the room, and the living room for our two little ones to play around in is a tremendous value depending on your situation.

True it's not as good of a value if you look strictly at the points required comparing 1BR vs. Studio and the cash rates of each.

But having a 1BR (for us) is well worth the "wasted" points after having stayed in both studios and 1BR's with our points. It's not something you can quantify. We go for the 1BR everytime we can.

 

[crisi]

You are a great poster and I love your realistic take on DVC (and timeshares in general), so don't take this as me "arguing" with you.

But it depends on how you use the term "value" in regards to the bolded part.

For our family, the 1 BR is a great value as we don't need the 2nd bedroom, but having the kitchen with dishwasher, as well as washer/dryer in the room, and the living room for our two little ones to play around in is a tremendous value depending on your situation.

True it's not as good of a value if you look strictly at the points required comparing 1BR vs. Studio and the cash rates of each.

But having a 1BR (for us) is well worth the "wasted" points after having stayed in both studios and 1BR's with our points. It's not something you can quantify. We go for the 1BR everytime we can.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again ... it might be expensive nookie, but its a good value for us.

 

[moepanz]

I can not thank you all enough for your input. We are still talking about it crunching #'s and started reading the Passporter Guide to DVC today.

All of your honest and informative responses were more than ever expected. I am truly grateful!

As of right now we make take a trip down in Sept. with the Disney Visa FD promo and do some first hand DVC "window shopping".

Thanks!

Maureen

 

[JKMJ441724]

We buy passes every other year and with scheduling our trips we are able to go every year... for example in year one we will go in month one and twelve, so we are 11 months in between trips and then not buy an annual again for 12 months after the second trip. We also have a disney visa card and use the points for our passes (which usually garners 1 1/2 passes).

Good luck!

Exactly - That's what we do. So I can go 3 times for the price of 2.

 

[Dean]

You are a great poster and I love your realistic take on DVC (and timeshares in general), so don't take this as me "arguing" with you.

But it depends on how you use the term "value" in regards to the bolded part.

For our family, the 1 BR is a great value as we don't need the 2nd bedroom, but having the kitchen with dishwasher, as well as washer/dryer in the room, and the living room for our two little ones to play around in is a tremendous value depending on your situation.

True it's not as good of a value if you look strictly at the points required comparing 1BR vs. Studio and the cash rates of each.

But having a 1BR (for us) is well worth the "wasted" points after having stayed in both studios and 1BR's with our points. It's not something you can quantify. We go for the 1BR everytime we can.

Thanks for the kind words and you are correct, it's all relative. To me there really are 2 issues when talking about the "cost" of DVC. One is dollars and the other is the additional value returned. A studio at DVC as a break even to moderate stays is not a $$$ savings but clearly a value. The problem with 1 BR is that other than those in the niche of a 1 BR with DVC but 2 hotel rooms, the dollars don't work out that well. MOST timeshares don't value a studio at half a 1 BR, more like 70%, though DVC studios tend to provide less than many industry studios.

 

[taaren]

OK so I am probably driving people here crazy but he is another issue:
I am so close to pulling the trigger to purchasing the DVC, DH (with good reason because it is a lot of $$$) can't justify it. (even thought it is my father going who is going to buying it for our kids) His point is it is only the accommodations, period, that is it nothing else. We still have to buy air fare, park tickets, food etc. Yes, I guess I turned him into a free dining brat and Southwest $59 flights. (LOL) We are a family of 5 (got spoiled early before the twins turned 3) our WDW trips were cheap, like so cheap, we would pay less for a trip then what it would cost us in maintenance for DVC for a year. (not the case anymore)
So anyway, now I turn to you, the experts for pointers, valid points for my argument and would like to know if anyone had the same experience with their spouse. Please keep in mind it is a good natured "argument" you will not be picking sides in a bitter dispute between a husband and wife

Okay, let me make sure I have this right: your dad is buying you points and you have to ask your DH's permission? Not comprehending unless the financial burden of the dues is going to be DH's and not yours.
Apologies but this requires me to get up on my soap box. My mom wanted to buy my brother a house in 2000, my dad said no its too expensive (my brother pays to maintain it since he lives in it). She had assets that were solely from her side of the family so she went ahead and bought it anyway. At its peak in 2008 it was worth nearly triple the purchase price, and dad started talking about the things they could buy with the cash when they sold it ... and my mom said "No, I'm not selling" since it was in her name and solely hers- he hadn't wanted to sign the mortgage or deed (Its now worth probably 2.5x as much as when they bought since the crash and my brother still lives in it). Similarly my aunt who worked didn't listen to her DH who said "don't buy land in that neighborhood" back in the 70's, and lo and behold when they built their house there in the late 80's they would have had to have paid of 10x as much. (Btw, all the women in my family are happily married, my parents for coming up on 40 years, my aunt and uncle were married over 60 years when they passed away.)

The point of this being, if you have your own income to maintain the maintenance fees, while its nice to have DH's cooperation, if your dad is putting up the financial commitment, just lay it out for DH that this is something you're going to acquire for yourself and your children, and if he wants to join you on your vacations he's more than welcome to. Its not about 'sides', its that its your dad's money, its something he wishes your kids to have and your DH is your partner, not your patron. He doesn't need to justify it, the purchaser does, and whoever is going to assume ownership for the maintenance - leave DH off the title if he's not comfortable with the purchase.

While he has a point about airfare and ticket costs, if you can't use the points in a given year you should be able to either bank the points or rent them out. Above may not be the best way to win a good natured argument, but while consulting him is great, its your decision and not his.

Sorry about the rant, just don't like the idea of women 'asking' their spouses permission for things when the assets are not their husband's. Most times this scenario in reverse would not happen because a male spouse wouldn't feel the need to get 'approval' from his spouse to let his side of the family buy an asset.

Okay, getting off my soap box now. Don't flame me too much!

 

[jonesmatNY]

He is 100% correct.

You are committing yourself, long term, to frequent vacations with Disney. You need to be sure that that is something you want to do. And, if Dues are anywhere *near* your total trip costs, there is little to no chance that DVC will save you any money.

You are not just locked into Disney Vacations, you also have 500+ other resorts available worldwide that you can vacation at thru an exchange with RCI, the Disney Cruise Line, as well as some top notch hotels in the Concierge Collection.

We bought in 2002, have added on 4 times, I just regret not joining DVC sooner. The family vacation memories are just endless and priceless.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...Sorry about the rant, just don't like the idea of women 'asking' their spouses permission for things when the assets are not their husband's. Most times this scenario in reverse would not happen because a male spouse wouldn't feel the need to get 'approval' from his spouse to let his side of the family buy an asset.

Okay, getting off my soap box now. Don't flame me too much!

I think most women these days consider their marriage a partnership and are not asking permission, but getting concurrence. DVC isn't cheap, even if someone else buys the points as a gift initially. You will wind up paying a lot more for just for the annual dues after a period of time.

I know my husband and I discuss larger purchases before we get them to make sure we're not going to have a problem down the line. DVC shouldn't be an impulse purchase.

You are not just locked into Disney Vacations, you also have 500+ other resorts available worldwide that you can vacation at thru an exchange with RCI, the Disney Cruise Line, as well as some top notch hotels in the Concierge Collection.

We bought in 2002, have added on 4 times, I just regret not joining DVC sooner. The family vacation memories are just endless and priceless.

Oh, my goodness, you really have drunk the Kool-ade haven't you. DVC isn't cost effective for non-DVC stays. It's a pretty expensive time share. And there is no guarantee that these options will always be available. Just ask resale purchasers who started their purchase after 3/20/11.

 

[Dean]

You are not just locked into Disney Vacations, you also have 500+ other resorts available worldwide that you can vacation at thru an exchange with RCI, the Disney Cruise Line, as well as some top notch hotels in the Concierge Collection.

We bought in 2002, have added on 4 times, I just regret not joining DVC sooner. The family vacation memories are just endless and priceless.

That's the fallacy of many, expecting those other options are a good value and even that they will remain as options. RCI is usually not a good value but even when it could be, the chances of success are fairly slim. All the cash equivalent exchange options are poor values at best and could go away tomorrow. The BVTC is likely the best option of the group and it's shaky at best. Buying in putting any value or expectations on options other than the DVC resorts is simply a poor choice. DVC makes sense for one group and one group only. Those that put a value staying on Disney property and expect to visit Disney enough to use up most of the points routinely AT DVC locations and can afford it, IMO, without financing it. In years past I added also not going heavy on weekends and while that currently is not the case, that too could change in the future and likely will somewhat.

 

[Brian Noble]

You are not just locked into Disney Vacations, you also have 500+ other resorts available worldwide that you can vacation at thru an exchange with RCI, the Disney Cruise Line, as well as some top notch hotels in the Concierge Collection.

I'm well (well) aware of this. However, these are all poor uses of points, on a value-delivered basis. You are better off paying cash for these things and using points only for DVC lodging. Once in a blue moon? Sure, why not. On a regular basis? You bought too many points.

I'm glad people do it, especially through RCI---that's how I acquire my DVC stays. But, I wouldn't want any of my friends here to do it regularly.

 

[crisi]

I'm well (well) aware of this. However, these are all poor uses of points, on a value-delivered basis. You are better off paying cash for these things and using points only for DVC lodging. Once in a blue moon? Sure, why not. On a regular basis? You bought too many points.

I'm glad people do it, especially through RCI---that's how I acquire my DVC stays. But, I wouldn't want any of my friends here to do it regularly.

My sister owns - I think Marriott points but I'm not sure. She uses them to trade into DVC. And has pretty good success - VAKL and BCVs for the only two trips she's used her timeshare for.

Unlike me, she has direct access to RCI. That gives her a LOT of flexibility over buying DVC. And its cheaper.

Now, the problem is that if DVC leaves RCI, she won't get DVC (she'll stay offsite somewhere else in Orlando when she goes to Disney), so its a risk, but given that they didn't buy to go to Disney - that's the vacation they are taking now because their kids are young - I think they'll like what they bought fine.

If someone has cash to spare, buying DVC points for reasons other than just DVC - sure, why not. But people like that aren't having a hard time getting past the cost of their trips.

 

[Bribrittmom]

You can also vacation at Hilton Head and Vero Beach for a change of pace from WDW.

 

[jodifla]

OK so I am probably driving people here crazy but he is another issue:
I am so close to pulling the trigger to purchasing the DVC, DH (with good reason because it is a lot of $$$) can't justify it. (even thought it is my father going who is going to buying it for our kids) His point is it is only the accommodations, period, that is it nothing else. We still have to buy air fare, park tickets, food etc. Yes, I guess I turned him into a free dining brat and Southwest $59 flights. (LOL) We are a family of 5 (got spoiled early before the twins turned 3) our WDW trips were cheap, like so cheap, we would pay less for a trip then what it would cost us in maintenance for DVC for a year. (not the case anymore)

So anyway, now I turn to you, the experts for pointers, valid points for my argument and would like to know if anyone had the same experience with their spouse. Please keep in mind it is a good natured "argument" you will not be picking sides in a bitter dispute between a husband and wife

Thank you very much in advance!!!

You can do Disney cheaper than with DVC. But you can't really do it as well as cheaply with DVC.

I've been going to WDW since 1971, as I grew up 90 minutes from the MK. So I've done it all, day trips, sleeping on friends' couches and in their guest rooms, staying in cheap Days' Inns and their ilk on 192, the Fort Wilderness campground (in tents) and of course specials at WDW Deluxe hotels for $99 (this was 20 years ago).

But we bought DVC because we wanted 1) larger accommodations 2) Disney hotels 3) to shift the costs we were spending "renting" hotel rooms to "owning" DVC.

We bought in 15 years ago, when points were half of what they were now. Owning DVC changed our vacationing. We spend a lot more time at the resorts now...and we bring our friends.

It's much more relaxing and upscale. ANd we save a ton on food because we eat a lot in the room.

 

[staceymay00]

Sorry about the rant, just don't like the idea of women 'asking' their spouses permission for things when the assets are not their husband's. Most times this scenario in reverse would not happen because a male spouse wouldn't feel the need to get 'approval' from his spouse to let his side of the family buy an asset.

But this is a gift that will cost the OP's family a lot of money to use. Personally I would never accept such a gift and tell my DH if you don't like it you don't have to vacation with us when we use it; not to mention that even if the OP does have her own income, the money spent on MFs, tickets and airfare will likely impact the family budget. I think the OP is doing the right thing by considering her husband's point of view.

 

[Dean]

My sister owns - I think Marriott points but I'm not sure. She uses them to trade into DVC. And has pretty good success - VAKL and BCVs for the only two trips she's used her timeshare for.

Unlike me, she has direct access to RCI. That gives her a LOT of flexibility over buying DVC. And its cheaper.

Now, the problem is that if DVC leaves RCI, she won't get DVC (she'll stay offsite somewhere else in Orlando when she goes to Disney), so its a risk, but given that they didn't buy to go to Disney - that's the vacation they are taking now because their kids are young - I think they'll like what they bought fine.

If someone has cash to spare, buying DVC points for reasons other than just DVC - sure, why not. But people like that aren't having a hard time getting past the cost of their trips.

It sounds like she owns at an RCI points resort, not Marriott. Without getting fancy, one can get around 100K RCI points yearly with Maint fees of as low as about $700 a year (could be higher depending on home resort) plus the yearly RCI points membership fee and say one exchange fee for around another $250 per year. Up front around $500-5000 depending on specifics. That'll get you a 2 BR at DVC most times of the year which would be roughly equal to 300 DVC points, say $15K resale with yearly dues of $1600.

There is a major economy of scale with most timeshares and RCI (and II) are no exception. I just traded for a 2 BR AKV Savannah view unit for the fall for a week I was going anyway, with the extra $95 fee, $139 exchange fee and underlying timeshare fees, my total cost will be around $400. However, that cost is not realistic for a single week with no other factors, but $1000 is very realistic.

As Cris notes, it also gives you more and different choices which are much better than exchanging DVC. I do think the built in more of a guarantee makes DVC a great choice for many that can afford it. However, here are FAR more negatives to buying DVC to exchange than just the cost, actually that's likely the least of it. It's like paying full price for the chance to attempt to reserve a FF mile airline ticket.

 

[taaren]

But this is a gift that will cost the OP's family a lot of money to use. Personally I would never accept such a gift and tell my DH if you don't like it you don't have to vacation with us when we use it; not to mention that even if the OP does have her own income, the money spent on MFs, tickets and airfare will likely impact the family budget. I think the OP is doing the right thing by considering her husband's point of view.

I never said she shouldn't consider it, but rather that its ultimately her decision and if it were me, using my dad's resources to buy it, I'd leave my DH off the deed because it is real estate, and even though nobody should consider it an asset from the 'able to get your money back' point of view there is a deed and could be listed on your assets if you were trying to get a loan from a bank, there are estate issues involved and if somebody's spouse doesn't want to be on it there's no good reason for them to be.

Consider the scenario in reverse. Say somebody's DH inherits some cash, wants to buy a fancy car (with all the maintenance and cost that implies). I'm not on any car forums but I'm pretty certain you'd never see a husband going on a car forum to say "Help me justify something I want that entails future expense with money from my side of the family ...." if his spouse disapproved; you might see a post that said "I bought a car I love; yahoo! Now help me figure out how to make my wife let me come back from sleeping on the couch!"

The gender politics in this situation is kinda skewed and my point was for the OP to really take into consideration the fact that if its a gift from her family, having DH on board is wonderful, but it truly is her choice and not his or theirs. If its a joint decision things will be smoother, but having DH feeling unsure does not mean that she shouldn't get it if she is sure.
And to be fair, it sounds like plane tickets and park tickets are something they are buying anyways. If they end up not going to Disney later, any resale value that they get from it will be great since it was no cash out of their pocket, but rather her dad's gift and hers and her dad's abilities to make memories with her kids.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...Consider the scenario in reverse. Say somebody's DH inherits some cash, wants to buy a fancy car (with all the maintenance and cost that implies). I'm not on any car forums but I'm pretty certain you'd never see a husband going on a car forum to say "Help me justify something I want that entails future expense with money from my side of the family ...." if his spouse disapproved; you might see a post that said "I bought a car I love; yahoo! Now help me figure out how to make my wife let me come back from sleeping on the couch!" ....

I don't think you'd have this situation in most marriages. If you did, well, I must be living in Walnut Grove, MN with the Ingalls family because we both consider everything as ours, not mine and his.

I see a strong marriage as discussing these types of issues instead of just going on the Mine, mine, mine attitude.

Have you been burned before in a situation like this?

 

[crisi]

I don't think you'd have this situation in most marriages. If you did, well, I must be living in Walnut Grove, MN with the Ingalls family because we both consider everything as ours, not mine and his.

I see a strong marriage as discussing these types of issues instead of just going on the Mine, mine, mine attitude.

Have you been burned before in a situation like this?

Mine as well. And we've been there - many times. My husband got an inheritance. We've both gotten large work bonuses. And we always decide TOGETHER where the money should go.

If he were to buy an expensive car with a bonus without telling me - when we still have college money to set aside and want to finish the basement and are a long way yet from meeting our retirement goals, I don't think we'd stay married. If I were to commit to a big vacation without talking to him, I don't think we'd stay married.