I don't get it

[krispykreme97]

Can somebody explain this whole process in a nutshell. I am committed to taking my children to disney world or disney cruise every year. How will this save me any money?

 

[vicki_c]

As a starting point, I usually point people to DVCnews.com - they have a nice primer and FAQ about DVC.

 

[wbl2745]

Can somebody explain this whole process in a nutshell. I am committed to taking my children to disney world or disney cruise every year. How will this save me any money?

I think that the only context in which you save money is if you stay at the deluxe resorts when you visit WDW. We didn't buy to save money, we bought to have access to the DVC resorts and facilities.

 

[PurpleTurtle]

I think that the only context in which you save money is if you stay at the deluxe resorts when you visit WDW. We didn't buy to save money, we bought to have access to the DVC resorts and facilities.

I agree with this. DVC will save you money if you normally stay deluxe; you'll come out about even if you normally stay moderate; and you'll spend more if you usually stay value.

Also, DVC will not save you money with regard to DCL.

 

[DVC SSR Owner]

Dvc is not for bargain shoppers! It will not save you money unless you only stay at deluxe Dvc resorts!

 

[Ericandjenng]

This is such a complicated question. It has more to do with what you like to do for vacation. And I am not sure I fully agree about the value of it compared to the different level of resorts. I looked at it differently. My BFF tried to get me to buy early in my marriage.

DH and I honeymooned at WDW and even though I love Disney, I didn't think we would go that often. So I kept putting if off. That was in 2001. We finally bought in 2008 on our Dec. splurge and stay at the Contemporary trip. By that time had been to WDW 7 times already in 7 years. I guessimated the amount of $$$ I had spend staying at the resorts (4 value stays, 3 moderate stays-we love POFQ) and I could have had DVC half paid off with that amount (the price we could've bought in at) and been staying in Deluxe resorts. Also, the financing would nearly be done now.

The other thing is people who tell you the room is just for sleeping, they're not going to be spending much time there. Guess what, there's a HUGE difference just in the room space! Especially if you take small kids and all that that entails--stroller, etc.

You really have to look at how/ when you travel and what are you really going to do. If you love Disney and plan to visit alot then buy in. If you feel like you are going to be "stuck" doing Disney, then renting points may be the better option for you.

Good Luck!

 

[Brian Noble]

DVC will save you money if you normally stay deluxe; you'll come out about even if you normally stay moderate; and you'll spend more if you usually stay value.

I think this is about right. However, *purchased resale*, DVC might save you a small bit in the end over a moderate, *and* you'll be staying in nicer rooms/resorts.

The other way to think about DVC---you can upgrade to a suite (1BR) for about the cost of renting a Deluxe room.

 

[CarolAnnC]

I agree with the others above. We never bought into DVC with thoughts of "saving money". In fact, we spend more than ever! LOL! But, we used to stay at moderates at best, we wanted a nicer accommodation. "Home Away From Home" is what they used to pitch.

 

[stefanospops]

I disagree about it not saving you money since it depends on your travel style. It saves us lots of money because we eat few meals at restaurants and in the parks. Having done the DDP before we bought we just felt that the food was too much. Now we do maybe two sit downs and all the other meals we do in the room. Having the full kitchen is awesome for that reason. There are those who just don't want to cook while on vacation, and the truth is we don't do it to save money but because we get tired of the food available to us. The saving money is just an added benefit.

 

[mch04049]

Can somebody explain this whole process in a nutshell. I am committed to taking my children to disney world or disney cruise every year. How will this save me any money?

If you are thinking seriously about DVC you should pay cash for it. The extra interest will be a lot in the long run. This is a luxury not as necessary item that you are purchasing.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

If you are thinking seriously about DVC you should pay cash for it. The extra interest will be a lot in the long run. This is a luxury not as necessary item that you are purchasing.

Although I agree to some extent on the luxury component, the interest is a drop in the bucket compared to the dues you will be paying over the life of the contract.

 

[Mtnman44]

Just think of it this way: Disney did not create the Dvc program so that customers would spend less money at Disney...

 

[Jason@dvcstore]

Can somebody explain this whole process in a nutshell. I am committed to taking my children to disney world or disney cruise every year. How will this save me any money?

How It Works

The Vacation Point System
As a DVC member, you purchase a deeded real estate interest in a Disney Vacation Club resort that is represented by "vacation points". As a one time purchase, you will receive an allotment of vacation points each year through the end of your membership. The price of a point varies from resort to resort. As with any timeshare, members are charged annual dues (maintenance fees) based on the number of vacation points they own. Vacation Club members can then use these points to make reservations at one of the Vacation Club resorts or any of the other options available to members. The number of points needed depends on the room type, resort, and time of year selected. Points can be saved, or "banked", for use the following year. Points can also be borrowed from the upcoming year, for use in the current year.

Home Resort
A member's "home resort" is the DVC resort in which they have a real estate interest. The main advantage to owning a real estate interest in one resort over another is that members are allowed to make reservations at their home resort up to eleven months in advance. For the other DVC resorts, reservations can be made seven months in advance.

Annual Dues and Expiration Dates
A member's home resort determines the amount of a member's annual dues. In 2011, the dues range from $3.90 to $6.68 per vacation point. Annual dues are paid annually based on the calendar year. The annual dues cover the maintenance and upkeep of the property, insurance and property taxes of the real estate interest you own in a DVC resort. Each DVC resort has an expiration date of the ownership. Membership expires on January 31 of that year. At that time, members will no longer receive their vacation points and all deeds will revert back to Disney.

In my opinion the Disney Vacation Club is a membership and if you use it year and year out (especially at simply the DVC resorts) than it will save you money vs. if you were paying to stay in the same accommodations.

If you would a brochure from The Timeshare Store, Inc.® please email us at sales@dvcstore.com.

Thanks and enjoy the Holidays!!!

Jason

 

[FindTheMickeys]

I didn't buy DVC to save money, but to force myself to take a vacation away from home once a year and what better place than Disney?? But, now that I travel to the World twice a year, I save money in other ways. I have one Owner's Locker so I save money on not having to pay $30 each way to check a bag on the cheapest airline I can get. I do not have to pack said bag with all the goodies I need, I do not have to lug said bag to the car, from the car to the airport and then reverse it all to go home. Because of on-site laundry (usually in the room as we do mostly 2 BRs) I can get by with one carry on bag. Makes my trips to Disney almost as easy as a trip to the grocery (but A LOT more fun).

 

[Deb & Bill]

Can somebody explain this whole process in a nutshell. I am committed to taking my children to disney world or disney cruise every year. How will this save me any money?

It won't save you any money. You'll still pay for tickets, food and your transportation to WDW. Plus souveniers.

It definitely won't save you any money on cruises. It's just a prepaid lodging (but you still have to pay the annual member fees).

 

[Mississippian]

DVC can save you a lot of money if you don't trade up. But most people trade up!

Many people buy in with the thought that they will stay in studios, where the point rental runs 8-13 points per night. Given the current cost of renting points, that's cheaper than a moderate, and maybe even cheaper than the All-Stars.

Of course, it won't be long until you decide to try a 1 BR, and if you are like most you will love the extra room. Then you will decide on a 2 BR so the kids won't be sleeping on the sofa and so the living room will remain neat and usable. You don't have to do this, but the temptation is there!

The key is to buy resale, and buy one of the cheaper resorts (but if your heart is set on one resort, then buy there). Be prepared to get stuck where you buy during busy times, but usually you should be able to have a choice of more than one resort.

DVC points are of no value when it comes to paying for a Disney cruise -- it's like burning money. Same for getting rooms at the hotels.

DVC also offers some valuable discounts, the best being the $100 discount on annual passes. As others have pointed out, if you have a 1BR or larger you can do quite a bit of cooking in the condo and really save some money.

There's something to be said for buying a very small contract; these sell at a premium. This gets you the discounts, plus discounts on cash reservations. You can then have points transferred to you once a year, although technically you are not supposed to "buy" point transfers.

 

[wbl2745]

DVC can save you a lot of money if you don't trade up. But most people trade up!

This is very true. The reason we bought into DVC was to have access to the one and two-bedroom units at VGC. I suppose you could look at the cash prices for these rooms and compare that to the cost of the points, but ultimately I just wanted to have a "home" to "come home to". I think that the purchase into DVC is ultimately a subjective decision.

 

[vicki_c]

DVC also offers some valuable discounts, the best being the $100 discount on annual passes.

This is true, but it's CURRENTLY true. It's a perk, not part of your membership agreement and may not last forever. Other perks have been given and taken away.

 

[krispykreme97]

I agree with this. DVC will save you money if you normally stay deluxe; you'll come out about even if you normally stay moderate; and you'll spend more if you usually stay value.

Also, DVC will not save you money with regard to DCL.

So are certain resorts only for DVC members!

 

[vicki_c]

So are certain resorts only for DVC members!

No - all of the DVC resorts also have cash bookings taken through Disney's regular reservations, subject to availability.