I don't know if I can ask this here but.....

[mickeymouse1017]

We are ready to buy into the DVC but have one thing that is holding us back. I am hoping that someone here can help. We are mostly interested in using our points for our stays at the Fort Wilderness campground in our personal motor home. How difficult is it to get into the campground with DVC points?? We don't want to buy into this and end up having to pay out of pocket for the campgroud. Thanks so much!!!

 

[mikeandkarla]

That will not be a very wise use of points. the best value for your points will always be at a DVC resort. There is also a $95 booking fee for all reservations made outside of DVC resorts.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

There would be a $95 fee for any reservation that you make using your points at the campground -- that would not make this a very economical unless you were going to be staying long enough to average the fee out over several days. Also a full hook-up site runs from 6 to 19 pts depending on day/season, I think you'd do better than that just booking thru CRO.

 

[DisneyDVCFamily]

As someone who's both stayed at Ft. Wilderness in a 5th wheel (drove down from Maine) , and is now a DVC member, I can say without a doubt that you would save a TON of money by just paying the Ft. Wilderness site fees when you go on vacation rather buying into DVC.

If you were to stay at DVC resorts, well then, by all means, look into DVC. But it's really not worth it if you're going to use the points for an RV site.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[moredisneyplease]

Much agreed. You'd be paying Maintanance fees, booking fees, not to mention the initial purchase......interest too if you finance. Honestly those campsites w/ full hook-ups aren't very expensive compared to DVC.

Oh, plus even though the point useage for campsites is low right now (plus $95 booking fee) dont forget that in 30 years it could be 50 points a night! Non DVC locations will be affected by inflation!

I would not purchase if the intent was to camp.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

So, yes you can definitely ask the question here...however, I'm sorry that it probably wasn't the answer you wanted to hear.

 

[Lynne M]

DVC only makes financial sense if you use your points to stay at the DVC resorts. In using the campsites, you would be trading out of the DVC system.

You've probably heard that the point cost per night is fixed....that's only true for the DVC resorts. Once you get outside the DVC system, point costs are renegotiated every year and generally go up. You would find that it takes more points to reserve a campsite every year, and soon you'd end up needing to buy more points just to have the same number of nights at FW.

DVC can be an excellent value for those who stay at the DVC resorts. Using it for trading purposes isn't going to be cost-effective, you'll end up paying much more over time than if you simply paid cash to reserve your campsites.

 

[Caskbill]

We've owned DVC since '93 and also have had MH's since 1980, and have stayed at the Ft. Wilderness campground several times, but always for cash.

You do not want to buy DVC to use at the campground.

1. Points outside of the DVC resorts are not fixed and can rise every year.

2. There is no guarantee that DVC points will be able to be used at the campground in the future. DVC has to negotiate the points every year with the non-DVC facilities. They have the option to not continue allowing points for campground sites.

3. As mentioned, the $95 processing fee.

 

[mickeymouse1017]

Thanks for all the information. It really think that we would like to join DVC for the simple fact that grandpa will not always be able to drive the motorhome and we will still have the opportunity to come to Disney. It would also be nice to be able to take long weekends and drive the car. Since we usually stay 2 weeks during the summer at Fort Wilderness, it does seem that it would be better to pay out of pocket. I have gotten a yes and a no today from DVC workers about the $95 fee for staying at FW. You all have been a big help. Thank you!!!!

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I have gotten a yes and a no today from DVC workers about the $95 fee for staying at FW. You all have been a big help. Thank you!!!!

Information about the $95 fee is clearly printed on the point chart -- I can't believe the people you've spoken with @ DVC aren't on the same page about it.

 

[mickeymouse1017]

I can't believe the people you've spoken with @ DVC aren't on the same page about it.

Yes, me either. That is another reason that we are taking so long to make our decision. We want to have all the information before we decide something. But, it does look like we could get good use out of DVC and still enjoy using our motor home also. Thanks to everyone for their help.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Ahhh...the best of both worlds!

Good luck with your decision.