Is a DVC membership as amazing as it seems

[terdferguson]

Ok just got back from a 10 day Disney marathon and I finally got the DVC information. I want to hear from you guys about what you like and don't like. . . . discuss

 

[Capang]

Doubt I'd be much help but we just purchased DVC in June. Because of that we are heading back in October. We like knowing that we will be back so we don't feel like we have to "do it all" on each trip. I'm sure we will find our dislikes soon enough. We debated on DVC for 3 years. I wish we would have bought in at the prices 3 years ago.

 

[gharter]

We looked at it for several years. Bought our first 2 years ago, and another this year and love it.
There is a lot of information here to review and I would suggest reading it before making any decisions.
For us, it was a great decision. Wish we had done it when the kids were younger (they're grown now and we can afford it now).

 

[_auroraborealis_]

It is a timeshare. Do not put all sorts of pixie dust on "membership." It is for frequent visitors who typically stay moderate or higher, but not ultra-high or Club, who accept the trade-offs of staying in timeshare villas, such as limited housekeeping, long-term planning, and annual costs.

 

[Shanti]

I choose to pay for vacations year by year instead for a few reasons:

• If we ever decide we're tired of vacationing at Disney parks, or just want to visit them much less often (very likely 15 years from now), we can instantly walk away from Disney without any strings attached.
• I feel more comfortable having the leverage of a current payment when dealing with a company. By contrast, with a timeshare, you're paying mostly upfront, years in advance of most of your product use. You don't have the leverage of disputing payments via credit card provider, etc., if you are unhappy about the service. You can't just walk away & stay with an offsite competitor instead of paying Disney. Instead, you mostly have to just hope that Disney chooses to keep treating you well and provides a good product over the next few decades.
• I like to be pampered on vacation. Daily housekeeping service and restaurant meals are part of that. So having a kitchenette & only limited housekeeping service does not appeal to me.

 

[Dean]

Ok just got back from a 10 day Disney marathon and I finally got the DVC information. I want to hear from you guys about what you like and don't like. . . . discuss

DVC makes sense only if you'd pay to stay on property for the points you own, can plan at least 7 months out, can afford it (pay cash) and are OK with the compromises of a timeshare. Usually I'd also add buying resale plus a 25 points add on for essentially all new buyers and most in general.

 

[zavandor]

DVC makes sense only if you'd pay to stay on property for the points you own, can plan at least 7 months out, can afford it (pay cash) and are OK with the compromises of a timeshare. Usually I'd also add buying resale plus a 25 points add on for essentially all new buyers and most in general.

I agree, but I would add that DVC works also if you see the value of staying on property but you wouldn't pay Disney (even discounted) prices. With what I pay in MF every year I could easily book offsite a decent hotel. DVC for me it's not for saving money but to get higher value while spending what I'm still confortable with. I love staying in Disney Deluxes, but I would never book them through CRO.

 

[bwvBound]

Ok just got back from a 10 day Disney marathon and I finally got the DVC information. I want to hear from you guys about what you like and don't like. . . . discuss

We prefer having a full kitchen, in-room laundry and "condo" layout (separated bedroom / living room spaces). DVC units answer that need and allow me to "survive" WDW visits. ;-)

We own and use other timeshare for similar accommodations in non-WDW travel. Gotta have the full kitchen!!

 

[disneynutz]

DVC is a way to get discounted DVC rooms but you will probably end up taking more vacations and spending more money. Policies, rules, discounts, perks, and management changes and you have zero say in any of it. You may not be able to book the resorts or room types for the dates you want unless you buy that resort. The management for DVC is poor at communicating.

Bill

 

[bwvBound]

... but you will probably end up taking more vacations

Heh, heh. Yep. But I think this idea is used as a selling point -- not a discouragement.

I'm on a timeshare vacation right now ... and loving every minute.

 

[disneynutz]

Heh, heh. Yep. But I think this idea is used as a selling point -- not a discouragement.

I'm on a timeshare vacation right now ... and loving every minute.

Some buy thinking that they will save money, most spend more. If you intended to take more vacations and you can afford it then great. Over the years we have met owners who skip several years, let their points expire but continue to own and pay dues. Some feel that they have to vacation, they don't like the idea of renting. Some just don't take the steps to sell because they have trouble letting go.

Bill

 

[Dean]

I agree, but I would add that DVC works also if you see the value of staying on property but you wouldn't pay Disney (even discounted) prices. With what I pay in MF every year I could easily book offsite a decent hotel. DVC for me it's not for saving money but to get higher value while spending what I'm still confortable with. I love staying in Disney Deluxes, but I would never book them through CRO.

I wouldn't agree with this for most situations. A DVC studio isn't enough savings over moderate to quibble about at current prices. If one values on site enough to pay the increased prices, they should likely be willing to go with a moderate on cash. Plus one needs sufficient knowledge and experience to know this is a good choice rather than just thinking they'd prefer to be on property. Comparative, an off site timeshare can be (roughly) a savings of 50% or more long term depending on the specific one/system. The niche for one who has the knowledge and experience to decide DVC is good value for the $$$ but a moderate isn't is dramatically small bordering on non existent.

 

[Lynne M]

All DVC is, is an alternate way of paying for your lodging. Depending on how you vacation, it can be more cost-effective. I guess some might consider the savings "amazing," but there's nothing different or special about the experience. You can stay at the same resorts, have the same vacations by paying out of pocket as you go.

 

[Spork24]

One of the reasons we bought dvc is that we like the suite style of the villas (non studio) versus just a hotel room. Multi room suits via cash are really expensive at the deluxe hotels.

Also we like to travel with other families, some of whom would never be able to afford a deluxe, it's nice to be able to say, "just come stay with us at our timeshare"

That being said it's not for everybody.

We paid cash for all of our points, and we like to plan vacations far in advance.

Probably the 1 thing I didn't realize when I bought is how it would change the way I think about planning Disney trips. We know have a rough plan years out. I currently have 4 trips planned over then next 2 years

 

[mj2vacation]

I look at it through a slightly different lens. I would not pay cash for the rooms that we stay in. Wayyy too practical for that. Not judging, just different.

DVC has allowed us to vacation in a way that we simply would not have. We vacation more and stay in nicer rooms.

My family has over 150 nights at deluxe disney resorts (zero on property stays before that), 14 cruises (mix of points and cash on some), and a few trips to Hawaii. Can't put a value on that quality time. We are in a transition period as one is going off to college next year, our oldest does not always vacation with us anymore, and our youngest still has a few more years.

We also have sold a few of our contracts and made out really well. Do not buy this as an investment, but it's nice to know that the contract can typically be sold easily. Our first contract was for 350 at Vero and we even sold that for more than we paid for it (lots of rookie mistakes back then). After that all of our contacts were 100 points each.

We also own with Marriott and enjoy their properties as well. Staying at one right now. Same idea. We like the deluxe resort feel but need more space.

Any timeshare is a trade off. You give up some flexibility for savings. If you can plan in advance, it usually works. We have gotten concierge level at Animal Kingdom Lodge on New Year's Eve several years. There are only 10 rooms. It takes a plan, but it can work.

 

[imaginiff]

Agree with most of what everyone has said. You are basically buying a timeshare that happens to be on-property at DisneyWorld. You must keep in mind, however, that vacationing there is costly. Ticket prices, airfare, car rental, dining out, etc. adds up. We have been extremely happy since our first purchase 20 years ago. We use our points only for the resorts. We have not had any desire for Adventures by Disney or the concerige collection. We have added on a number of times, but we really enjoy going to Disney and staying on-property. We get a one bedroom for the two of us.....I really cannot stand being in a studio for more than a couple of days. With fast pass, we no longer feel the need to do rope drop and be park commandos, we know we will be back soon. We've enjoyed the occasional discounts given on cruises, but would never use my points for a cruise. We also have another timeshare off-site, not too far from the parks. I really do not enjoy staying there, as it really is an inconvenience to me to have to get in the car and drive and park and get on the tram, etc. But if I didn't know any better (i.e. if I wasn't a DVC member) I would think it was great. Couldn't beat the price.....but I'm getting tired of paying the maintenance on it and will be looking to pass it along to someone else.

Read the different threads on here very carefully before you make a decision. And don't let this year's perks sway you. They come and go and are an added "gift"....plus you can only utilize most of them if you are a direct buyer....agree with Dean's post near the top.

 

[TexasChick123]

I grew up staying both on and off property on our Disney vacations which were every 5 years or so. They didn't have as many perks for staying on property as they do now. We have a philosophy that when we travel, we don't want to spend money be more uncomfortable than we are at home. We went to Disneyland in California in the fall of 2015, and after spending too much money on a two-bedroom suite at the Grand Californian, I said to my husband, "There's got to be a better (read cheaper) way." Then, I discovered DVC. With having 2 young kids, we know that a lot of our vacations will consist of Disney trips and beach trips for many years. We would otherwise stay onsite for a long time because they (especially my youngest) still need that midday nap to recharge, and staying onsite makes that so much more doable. To be honest, it is nice for the parents as well to have a break then. Also, the kitchen is such a game changer because we can eat breakfast every morning in the villa and then hit the parks at rope drop ready to go. Staying in a very nice condo at Disney for a fraction of the cost is incredible. We have paid for rooms at the GF, and it really hits the pocketbook. We both did the financial analysis, and it just makes sense for us since I love Disney so much and would like to go once a year. Even if there are years that we do not end up going, though I will be very sad about that, there is an active rental market where I can rent out my points and won't lose the money I paid. Financing versus paying cash doesn't make any sense, and you would be better off just paying as you go for your vacations. We have done the math, and it makes sense to own DVC if you plan to use it or rent it out, as long as that is allowed. For us, we feel like DVC ownership is a luxury for sure, but one worth paying for.

 

[ScubaCat]

We went to Disneyland in California in the fall of 2015, and after spending too much money on a two-bedroom suite at the Grand Californian, I said to my husband, "There's got to be a better (read cheaper) way."

*COUGH*EmbassySuitesAnaheimSouth*COUGH*

 

[bumbershoot]

Just looking at the question in the subject line...no it's not amazing. It's a timeshare.

It is a timeshare. Do not put all sorts of pixie dust on "membership."

Yep.

DVC makes sense only if you'd pay to stay on property for the points you own, can plan at least 7 months out, can afford it (pay cash) and are OK with the compromises of a timeshare

I disagree that those are the only ways it makes sense. To you perhaps, jut others have different ways of looking at things.

All DVC is, is an alternate way of paying for your lodging. Depending on how you vacation, it can be more cost-effective

Yep.

I look at it through a slightly different lens. I would not pay cash for the rooms that we stay in. Wayyy too practical for that

Same. Though I'm actually way too cheap for that!

DVC has allowed us to vacation in a way that we simply would not have. We vacation more and stay in nicer rooms.

Yep! Except for the vacation more part now. We've slowed way down. My son doesn't like to miss dance, and his dance company doesn't schedule 11 months out so I kept scheduling trips during important-to-him things. And he and hubby just aren't as interested in wdw (at Disneyland we almost always stay offsite because I dislike the Grand and won't spend the money on dlh or pph anymore), and the coats of wdw are really peeving me now.

But nice rooms, yep.

 

[ScubaCat]

at Disneyland we almost always stay offsite because I dislike the Grand and won't spend the money on dlh or pph anymore

Not to get too far off the original topic, but I've never stayed at any of those. The DL hotels are a massive ripoff considering they have far less amenities than many WDW properties (and even compared to many of the offsite hotels literally yards away from the park entrances) and the convenience vs. offsite is minimal at best.

As for DVC membership being worth it, I just look at it as a product like anything else. We go 1-2 times a year anyway and enjoy the villa-style accomodations at the Beach Club immensely, so for us it was well worth it. The trick, as others have pointed out, is to fully understand what you're buying before you buy it. It's just a timeshare on Disney property. If that appeals to you, go for it! If you're not 100% sure, I'd hold off until you are, because it's a huge investment and you really need to understand what you're buying before you buy it. The sales presentation should not be part of your consideration, either; that is simply a gimmick to get you to buy.