I'm thinking about a DVC membership.

[AllieV]

If I buy at $60/pt in 2012, I have 30 years left on a 2042 contract. That's $2 per point per year that is costs me. If the dues are $5.50 per point, that's $7.50 per point per year that my ownership will cost me (for now). I can't rent cheaper than $10 per point if I'm lucky. Easy renting costs $12 or $13 per point per year.

So for me, it's math. I'm saving for a contract and hope to get it far less than $60 per point because then it will really beat renting. I will def go resale and will probably go with Fidelity despite the knocks on here of them. They are disney-approved and am hoping that adds a little pixie dust to my ROFR.

 

[crisi]

I'm thinking about purchasing a DVC membership. What made YOU purchase and why? Did you go straight through Disney or did you do resale? What are your thoughts about The Time Share Store? Would you do anything differently if you had to do it all over again? Can an adult get a good night's sleep on the sofa bed in one of the DVC studios? What is your favorite DVC resort?

Thanks for the input!

Brett from Baton Rouge, La.

We purchased because our kids were young and we knew that we'd be going every other year for at least the next ten years.

We bought resale in 2002. Did not work with The Timeshare Store, but they are a good bunch.

If I had to do it again....Its OK, its been a good value - but buying resale long ago it wasn't very expensive. And it has met expectations. But our expectations were pretty realistic. We've taken guests we'd have never taken, which has been a blessing - but also an expense we didn't really think through. I'm disappointed in the direction Disney has been going since our purchase. I think they've overbuilt. I think the quality of food has really gone down. We are now at the "end" of our ten years, and the kids enjoy Disney - but they like taking other vacations as well - and I'm REALLY glad we don't have points for multiple trips a year. We could keep our points for another ten years - which would get them through college - or we could sell in the next few years.

I'm REALLY glad we didn't buy sooner - we had our share of challenges that would have made DVC and Disney more of a burden than a thrill (infertility and adoption expenses, building a house). And given the economy, I'm rather relieved that we got lucky and it hasn't been a burden while we've owned - owning a timeshare when you are stretching unemployment is not my idea of a good time.

I haven't slept on the sofa bed, so I'm not going to comment. I've laid down on it, and its comfy enough for that.

We own BWV and are happy there. I like VWL a lot as well.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

We purchased because our kids were young and we knew that we'd be going every other year for at least the next ten years.

We bought resale in 2002. Did not work with The Timeshare Store, but they are a good bunch.

If I had to do it again....Its OK, its been a good value - but buying resale long ago it wasn't very expensive. And it has met expectations. But our expectations were pretty realistic. We've taken guests we'd have never taken, which has been a blessing - but also an expense we didn't really think through. I'm disappointed in the direction Disney has been going since our purchase. I think they've overbuilt. I think the quality of food has really gone down. We are now at the "end" of our ten years, and the kids enjoy Disney - but they like taking other vacations as well - and I'm REALLY glad we don't have points for multiple trips a year. We could keep our points for another ten years - which would get them through college - or we could sell in the next few years.

I'm REALLY glad we didn't buy sooner - we had our share of challenges that would have made DVC and Disney more of a burden than a thrill (infertility and adoption expenses, building a house). And given the economy, I'm rather relieved that we got lucky and it hasn't been a burden while we've owned - owning a timeshare when you are stretching unemployment is not my idea of a good time.

I haven't slept on the sofa bed, so I'm not going to comment. I've laid down on it, and its comfy enough for that.

We own BWV and are happy there. I like VWL a lot as well.

We bought DVC because every major vacation we have ever taken has been to WDW. (Sad, I know.) We knew we would be back again and again. We fell in love with BWV and had to stay there -- again and again.

As for unemployment, we have dealt with unemployment while owning DVC and it has been a Godsend. I have actually been very under-employed while completing my dissertation, but DH's job is as steady as they come.

The result: We get to go to WDW for the price of gas and food!!! Brilliant!!
(and an AP for one of the tripsl )

(I know that would not be the case for everyone. We have been very fortunate.)

DO be aware of all of the extra expenses that go along with a DVC membership. You've got dues, transportation, tickets, food, souvenirs, etc.

It does add up!!