Intrigued by DVC ... but ...

[Corwin12]

I am intrigued by DVC, but the maint. fees seem high, and may increase each year. If you a couple without kids who are only interested in a basic room when traveling to Disney, doesn't it make more sense to just stay at a value resort? I booked one in December for only 71.00 a night.

 

[DiznEeyore]

If all you're interested in is a "basic room" and you like the value resorts just fine, then DVC is most likely not for you.

DVC works best for people who like a deluxe resort experience at a moderate price. Especially if you like to spend a little more time relaxing at the resort or in your villa.

 

[abner1776]

Previous post is right on point....DVC will never make sense if you are only looking for value or moderate resorts.

DVC resorts are "deluxe" resorts, but you get to enjoy them at moderate prices.

What usually happens is people begin at a value resort and then move up and like the deluxe resorts so much they begin looking for a way to enjoy the deluxe resorts without paying the deluxe price and that is when DVC becomes an option.

 

[Doctor P]

Previous post is right on point....DVC will never make sense if you are only looking for value or moderate resorts.

DVC resorts are "deluxe" resorts, but you get to enjoy them at moderate prices.

What usually happens is people begin at a value resort and then move up and like the deluxe resorts so much they begin looking for a way to enjoy the deluxe resorts without paying the deluxe price and that is when DVC becomes an option.

It depends on the time of the year you go to WDW. For us, we generally are there between Xmas and New Year's. At that time of year, cash rooms are rarely discounted and are pretty much at peak rates. With DVC, we are able to enjoy our deluxe accomodations generally for less than the price of a room at a value resort. However, YMMV.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Our DVC villas are more than just a place to sleep. We actually enjoy staying there and spend time at the resort and in the room.

So if you look at your lodging as the place in between your thrill rides and other attractions, DVC probably isn't what you are looking for.

 

[Boas]

we did the value resorts and that was aa different experience... go to the parks in the morning, eat at the parks, come back to hotel and go to bed.

... with DVC something changed.
we went to parks in the morning, came back and went to the pool, relaxed, went back for a nice dinner, and then a few more rides in the evening.

a friend told me that once you DVC, your perspective changes since you know you will be back... and well they were right. we were not in as much of a rush to go-go-go on all the rides since we knew we would return.

honestly, it was much nicer this last time.

good luck w/ your decision.

 

[goofydiz]

We just joined and haven't yet closed - so I can't comment on anything as relates to using DVC as of yet. But for the past 16 years we have visited WDW once a year and stayed at Value or Moderates. The thing is more recently we started visiting more than once a year. When you factor in the price of staying 2 or more trips a year with what you gain - we figured we can't lose. We will be paying less in maintenance fees on our 190 point contract than what it cost to stay for 1 week. And we get to stay at these wonderful villas. And hey - we always know how many points it will take for a weeks stay - that will never change.

I'm thinking that "Boas" post may be right on the money when it comes to our family. I am the type of person thats go-go-go nonstop and try to rush everything into every minute of every day. My family is constantly telling me to slow down......so, maybe now I can do that and take it all in a little more. Knowing that I will be going back till I'm old and gray is such a good feeling. I don't have to treat each trip like it may be my last. I know it won't be long till I'll be home again!

 

[Darkside]

Our first trip to Disney World my family and I stayed at a Days Inn for $35 a night and the room was not too bad, but that was thirteen years ago. From there we stayed at time shares, nicer hotels, and on property at moderate and value resorts. Personally out of all the places we have stayed I hated the value resorts the most, the only real amenity being the transportation system. Over the years we have made more money and the DVC just made better sense to us. We also visit Disney about twice a year, so I guess a lot depends on how often you would use the DVC? If money is the real issue I would stay at the value resorts or other non-Disney properties, because a DVC really is a luxury. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Buckalew11]

We just joined and haven't yet closed - so I can't comment on anything as relates to using DVC as of yet. But for the past 16 years we have visited WDW once a year and stayed at Value or Moderates. The thing is more recently we started visiting more than once a year. When you factor in the price of staying 2 or more trips a year with what you gain - we figured we can't lose. We will be paying less in maintenance fees on our 190 point contract than what it cost to stay for 1 week. And we get to stay at these wonderful villas. And hey - we always know how many points it will take for a weeks stay - that will never change.

I'm thinking that "Boas" post may be right on the money when it comes to our family. I am the type of person thats go-go-go nonstop and try to rush everything into every minute of every day. My family is constantly telling me to slow down......so, maybe now I can do that and take it all in a little more. Knowing that I will be going back till I'm old and gray is such a good feeling. I don't have to treat each trip like it may be my last. I know it won't be long till I'll be home again!

I could have written this.
I also agree with Boas...the more trips you take to WDW, the more how you do WDW changes. 2 years ago I went 5 times. I totally learned how different my trips were becoming. We stayed at the S/D a lot and were able to actually enjoy the resort. I don't have to be in the parks doing attractions when I am not sleeping. Vacations are now more restful and relaxed. We always do APs so that takes a lot of pressure of anyway.
I can;t wait to use my DVC purchase and see WDW in an all new way!

If your trips are doing the parks and sleeping in a bed, then yeah, I stick with a value resort. DVC either isn't for you or maybe just "not yet"!

 

[lisaviolet]

As far as the maintenance goes. It was a huge factor in my decision. Because I too used to stay in Value. Obviously, DVC is much more expensive and a large purchase. However, everything changed regarding maintenance for me the day I realized that my Mom and Dad and my sister pay $1600 a year in maintenance to the owner of their vacation trailer park. My sister pays more maintenance for her boat there.

Now you can say that they can go all summer long (May-Oct). However, if I counted the days that I got to WDW this year I'd say this is my "vacation trailer park"!!!!!!

Well they have it for life you say? Not if their annoying park owner doesn't drive them insane first with all his rules and being in everyone's face.

And fancy that .....the maintenance has increased every year.

My point to each their own for happiness and enjoyment in spending their money.

 

[MonkeyPants]

I am intrigued by DVC, but the maint. fees seem high, and may increase each year. If you a couple without kids who are only interested in a basic room when traveling to Disney, doesn't it make more sense to just stay at a value resort? I booked one in December for only 71.00 a night.

I am mostlty in it for the basic room as well, for the most part I will be doing just studios wherever I stay, but I love the DVC resorts and having the DVC makes it so I am more likely to take more frequent (and longer) trips to Disney so for me its great. Also, not to sound like too much of a snob its just that from what I have seen I havent like them, I wouldnt do the value resorts. But if you sont go all that often and you like the value resorts just fine then the DVC might not the an investment that holds a lot of 'value' for you.

 

[lisaviolet]

I am intrigued by DVC, but the maint. fees seem high, and may increase each year. If you a couple without kids who are only interested in a basic room when traveling to Disney, doesn't it make more sense to just stay at a value resort?

It does. I think you are right on the money for your needs. But don't ever try out a DVC studio. It might be painful to go back.

I've done ASMu and POR since DVC. I love both. But I was looking for my space, looking for my couch and looking for my kitchenette. Looked everywhere but never found them.

And don't get me started on what happens when a DVCer tries out a one bedroom. We did it. My partner won't even hear the word studio when I'm planning the next trip. It's so frustrating.

Humans. Give them more. Want more. Scary!!!

 

[1000th happy haunt]

We're heading to Disneyland Resort tomorrow. As much as I love it there, I dread not having my kitchen/kitchenette. I'm so hoping for a Disneyland DVC.

 

[MonkeyPants]

And don't get me started on what happens when a DVCer tries out a one bedroom. We did it. My partner won't even hear the word studio when I'm planning the next trip. It's so frustrating.

even though I have only been a DVC member since..well this year, members of my family have been in it snice the start and while enjoy the extra space the 1 bedroom + gives (not to mention the kitchen) going with a studio means more time at disney for me and that makes resisting the 1 bedroom pretty easy

 

[skunk]

We think it's all about convenience and the fact that we love Epcot. Stayed at all types of resorts with our kids, but last year took 2 trips alone, renting points for a BWV studio both times. Definitely different when you slow things down and relax. Kids are both in college, and as we plan to go (alone) at least twice/yr, purchased BWV resale....official members for a month now, and no bus unless we feel like it.

 

[Tink10]

doesn't it make more sense to just stay at a value resort?

It doesn't for those of us who find the values unbearable

 

[brightspark]

Hi,
We are just about decided to go ahead with DVC membership. For me the thing that excites me the most is being able to relax at the resort because I know we'll go back. Every time I've been so far I've come back totally exhausted and in need of a holiday (cause you have to do everything as it might be your last chance). How cool to go all that way (transatlantic) and not have to rush around 18 hours of the day... everyday... yippee...

Helen

 

[Pluto 2]

I am intrigued by DVC, but the maint. fees seem high, and may increase each year. If you a couple without kids who are only interested in a basic room when traveling to Disney, doesn't it make more sense to just stay at a value resort? I booked one in December for only 71.00 a night.

the maint fees most likely will increase each year. you like pay raises each year right so does disney cast members. your insurance goes up, so does disneys insurance. everything most likely will go up.

if you like to stay in disneys value resort than go ahead and keep doing it.
before i got in to dvc i stayed at the all stars i wanted to stay at the better resorts just couldnt afford it with dvc i can.

 

[lisaviolet]

even though I have only been a DVC member since..well this year, members of my family have been in it snice the start and while enjoy the extra space the 1 bedroom + gives (not to mention the kitchen) going with a studio means more time at disney for me and that makes resisting the 1 bedroom pretty easy

I'm right with you. I agree. So can you write my partner a "studios mean longer stays at WDW...don't you get it" letter?

Forget it. She's in LOVE with the one bedrooms and no longer shows any affection for the poor studios.

 

[OneMoreTry]

The value resorts are cheaper in the short run AND the long run. If I were on a strict budget that's definitely what I would do.