Is buying into DVC right for me?

[mikeishere]

Hi im 32 and have a big love for Disney vacations and always go every year or every other year to a Disney park in the world. Im from the UK and just been offered my first permanent contract with a company i've been with for years after years of being on agency and wondering if DVC is a good investment for me? Im single and don't have family/friends etc who are super into it like me so usually go on Disney vacations alone (which doesn't bother me but im sure my brother would come more if had DVC), i usually go every year or every other year (haven't been for 3 years due to covid) but not always to Disney World sometimes to Disneyland Paris as its closer and sometimes easier for me living in the UK, however may start to go to USA Disney World and Disneyland more if DVC was the right fit for me. I also enjoy Universal Studios so if ever went to Florida again would probs do a week in Disney World and a week staying in Universal Studios Hotel. i may be single but no future partner of mine will stop my love of going on Disney vacations but also don't want a partner who thinks they getting freebie trips as i pay into DVC haha. My next Disney trip is booked and i'm going on "backstage magic" with Adventures by Disney and trying my first Disney Cruise the 2nd week of my vacation early next year. I've done some research and see buying direct with Disney is like upwards of $30,000 and don't really want to get loans etc and see all the advice about only pay into DVC if you got the cash as otherwise pay more on loans and i kinda agree and don't want to do loans and hassle and interests that come with that so i guess my only option would be to buy re-sale as i can't afford paying that sort of cash direct with Disney. I see with re-sale you don't get all the perks if don't buy direct. I'm going on my first Disney Cruise next year as i said before and i hear and read that putting DVC points towards a Disney Cruise or a non DVC hotel or Adventures by Disney or an international Disney park like Disney Paris is the worst use of using your DVC points and what if i go on my 1st Disney Cruise and love it and wanna do more Disney Cruises will DVC be worth it then? I like the idea of owning a slice of Disney magic and vacation but im realistic and understand can't just buy into Disney on the sentimental feeling alone. Being from the UK and not USA i'd have travel costs etc to factor in etc but a family member works for an airline.

So really im so unsure so was looking for users on this forum to see if you can help and tell me if DVC will be a bad or good choice for me and whether i should stay clear of it or not?

 

[CarolMN]

Given what you've said, my advice is NOT buy. As you already know, DVC is a poor economic choice if you are going to use it for anything but a stay in a DVC resort. (Disneyland Paris is not a DVC resort).

Rent points when you plan to visit WDW unless you find a good value in one of the packages offered to UK residents. Historically, Disney has offered some good deals to UK residents.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[robinb]

DVC is best for people who use their points at DVC resorts. Other uses, even within the Disney system, are a poor use of points. Using your points at Disneyland Paris or for a DCL is a terrible use of points and will cost you more in the long run than just paying cash for those vacations. I would say that DVC could be good for you if you plan on visiting the US and going to WDW every 2 years. You can buy a smaller contract and bank and borrow points to cover 7-10 days at a WDW resort. I would look at the point charts for when you would be likely to travel and see how many points you would need for a week. I personally wouldn't buy a timeshare out of the county, but since you've already established a pattern of visiting the US every other year I don't think that DVC is a terrible idea.

 

[mikeishere]

DVC is best for people who use their points at DVC resorts. Other uses, even within the Disney system, are a poor use of points. Using your points at Disneyland Paris or for a DCL is a terrible use of points and will cost you more in the long run than just paying cash for those vacations. I would say that DVC could be good for you if you plan on visiting the US and going to WDW every 2 years. You can buy a smaller contract and bank and borrow points to cover 7-10 days at a WDW resort. I would look at the point charts for when you would be likely to travel and see how many points you would need for a week. I personally wouldn't buy a timeshare out of the county, but since you've already established a pattern of visiting the US every other year I don't think that DVC is a terrible idea.

I would properly not go to Disneyland Paris if I got DVC. There is the issue of enjoying my first Disney cruise and wanting more after next year which like you say is a terrible use of points.

yes I wasn’t too sure in the long term if going to Disney every year or every other year would save me cash in the long term if got DVC?

 

[robinb]

I would properly not go to Disneyland Paris if I got DVC. There is the issue of enjoying my first Disney cruise and wanting more after next year which like you say is a terrible use of points.

yes I wasn’t too sure in the long term if going to Disney every year or every other year would save me cash in the long term if got DVC?

I think it depends on what kind of deals Disney offers to UK visitors or if you will always stay onsite. Do a quick back of the envelope comparison. When do you usually go? How many days do you stay? What level of resort do you stay at? Are your special UK passes available if you're not staying with a package (I have no idea)?

 

[Her Dotness]

I personally wouldn't buy a timeshare out of the county, but since you've already established a pattern of visiting the US every other year I don't think that DVC is a terrible idea.

Actually, I'm less certain buying into DVC is at all wise for you at the moment.

You asked the very question I'd have posed,

I'm going on my first Disney Cruise next year < snip! > and what if i go on my 1st Disney Cruise and love it and wanna do more Disney Cruises will DVC be worth it then?

Easy answer--no. Not a good choice for you with this possibility looming, IMO.

Now, if you don't fancy cruising as much as you thought you might--that's when to look more at the feasibility of owning DVC. Not before then, IMO.

 

[mikeishere]

I think it depends on what kind of deals Disney offers to UK visitors or if you will always stay onsite. Do a quick back of the envelope comparison. When do you usually go? How many days do you stay? What level of resort do you stay at? Are your special UK passes available if you're not staying with a package (I have no idea)?

Thanks yes will have to weigh up all my options and costs.

I would probably still go for standard rooms I’m not bothered about the deluxe fancy rooms like alot like about DVC. I’m out in the parks too much!

 

[KVacc]

Also when you buy resale, as you said you loose perks, one of those perks is being able to use your points for a cruise.

 

[mikeishere]

I think if I enjoyed the cruise and wanted to do more I’d probs have to do a cruise / theme park split stay or go back to the theme parks another time in the year or one year cruise next year Disney park as I enjoy the parks way too much.

 

[mikeishere]

Do folks who mainly do Disney cruises not have DVC membership?

 

[robinb]

Thanks yes will have to weigh up all my options and costs.

I would probably still go for standard rooms I’m not bothered about the deluxe fancy rooms like alot like about DVC. I’m out in the parks too much!

If you're "not bothered about deluxe fancy rooms" then that makes DVC less valuable. If you're perfectly happy staying at a Value resort, for instance, your perceived savings will be less. DVC is a Deluxe Resort product and the savings you get from it are when you compare staying at a Deluxe or even Moderate resort. Otherwise, you're paying for an upgrade.

Another thing to consider is that the standard rooms are often only available for people who own at the specific resorts and then only in the 11-month window. If you buy a resale at OKW you are not likely to be able to take advantage of standard view at BWV, AKV or BLT. You will need to buy at the resort that has the standard rooms you wish to stay in most often and then you'll have to be able to pull the trigger and book at the 11-month window.

 

[mikeishere]

If you're "not bothered about deluxe fancy rooms" then that makes DVC less valuable. If you're perfectly happy staying at a Value resort, for instance, your perceived savings will be less. DVC is a Deluxe Resort product and the savings you get from it are when you compare staying at a Deluxe or even Moderate resort. Otherwise, you're paying for an upgrade.

Another thing to consider is that the standard rooms are often only available for people who own at the specific resorts and then only in the 11-month window. If you buy a resale at OKW you are not likely to be able to take advantage of standard view at BWV, AKV or BLT. You will need to buy at the resort that has the standard rooms you wish to stay in most often and then you'll have to be able to pull the trigger and book at the 11-month window.

Thanks yep I’m out in the parks too much but I usually go for moderate resorts as like my comforts but All stars etc are very noisy

 

[HappyThoughtsTees]

DVC makes sense financially for those who visit annually/every other year and would likely stay at a deluxe or moderate resort cash stay otherwise. If you see yourself alternating years- cruise one year, WDW the next, then a small resale contract that you bank and borrow from might make sense.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

My advice is always that if you are happy in a moderate, DVC doesn't make as much sense. We only bought in when we got to the point where we wanted more space--a 1BR or 2BR.

 

[Wendysofftoneverland]

My advice is always that if you are happy in a moderate, DVC doesn't make as much sense. We only bought in when we got to the point where we wanted more space--a 1BR or 2BR.

But moderate pricing is getting so out of hand...we are looking at SSR resale. Looking at price per point per year and factoring in dues, a SSR studio in October would be $100 cheaper per night than what we paid for CBR last October or our Port Orleans reservation for this October.

 

[larry47591]

But moderate pricing is getting so out of hand...we are looking at SSR resale. Looking at price per point per year and factoring in dues, a SSR studio in October would be $100 cheaper per night than what we paid for CBR last October or our Port Orleans reservation for this October.

hotel price will continue to rise. That is why to me Dvc was a great investment. We will continue to go to Disney multiple times a year and I never have to worry about prices on my rooms going up. We actually decided we had too many point and are trying to sell a couple smaller contracts. If they sell anywhere near what they are listed at we will make a few thousand. This is after we used them for 3-4 years. Dvc is a great thing if you plan on going year after year.

 

[RoseGold]

If you're a solo park warrior who doesn't care about nice rooms, I don't see the mathematical value in DVC. The math will never add up to Art of Animation, or probably even Swolphin. There are even cheaper options, like getting a week of Wyndham Bonnet Creek on Redweek or even Airbnb and a car. Resale is so inflated right now, that renting points is a slim margin, and it sounds like renting would fit your goal of flexibility much better. Renting has some pluses, any home resort, easy to skip years and go to Paris or cruise instead. Rent a week in a Riviera tower room. Fun! Rent a cheap OKW studio. Great! You don't have to spend five figures and commit to a decades long timeshare to do that.

And, you are buying real estate in the US, Florida in particular. That means if you sell, you will have to deal with the IRS. If you rent out your points, you are running a business in the US. If you die, your estate needs to probate your Florida holdings in a Florida court and deal with the IRS. I can think of a lot of reasons foreign nationals might want to avoid these things.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

But moderate pricing is getting so out of hand...we are looking at SSR resale. Looking at price per point per year and factoring in dues, a SSR studio in October would be $100 cheaper per night than what we paid for CBR last October or our Port Orleans reservation for this October.

hotel price will continue to rise. That is why to me Dvc was a great investment. We will continue to go to Disney multiple times a year and I never have to worry about prices on my rooms going up. We actually decided we had too many point and are trying to sell a couple smaller contracts. If they sell anywhere near what they are listed at we will make a few thousand. This is after we used them for 3-4 years. Dvc is a great thing if you plan on going year after year.

Maybe it is time for me to reevaluate my standard advice. Prices in the last year really have gone crazy.

 

[RoseGold]

Maybe it is time for me to reevaluate my standard advice. Prices in the last year really have gone crazy.

I mean maybe. For my August trip, Pop is 188.

 

[DVCSunDevil]

Hi im 32 and have a big love for Disney vacations and always go every year or every other year to a Disney park in the world. Im from the UK and just been offered my first permanent contract with a company i've been with for years after years of being on agency and wondering if DVC is a good investment for me? Im single and don't have family/friends etc who are super into it like me so usually go on Disney vacations alone (which doesn't bother me but im sure my brother would come more if had DVC), i usually go every year or every other year (haven't been for 3 years due to covid) but not always to Disney World sometimes to Disneyland Paris as its closer and sometimes easier for me living in the UK, however may start to go to USA Disney World and Disneyland more if DVC was the right fit for me. I also enjoy Universal Studios so if ever went to Florida again would probs do a week in Disney World and a week staying in Universal Studios Hotel. i may be single but no future partner of mine will stop my love of going on Disney vacations but also don't want a partner who thinks they getting freebie trips as i pay into DVC haha. My next Disney trip is booked and i'm going on "backstage magic" with Adventures by Disney and trying my first Disney Cruise the 2nd week of my vacation early next year. I've done some research and see buying direct with Disney is like upwards of $30,000 and don't really want to get loans etc and see all the advice about only pay into DVC if you got the cash as otherwise pay more on loans and i kinda agree and don't want to do loans and hassle and interests that come with that so i guess my only option would be to buy re-sale as i can't afford paying that sort of cash direct with Disney. I see with re-sale you don't get all the perks if don't buy direct. I'm going on my first Disney Cruise next year as i said before and i hear and read that putting DVC points towards a Disney Cruise or a non DVC hotel or Adventures by Disney or an international Disney park like Disney Paris is the worst use of using your DVC points and what if i go on my 1st Disney Cruise and love it and wanna do more Disney Cruises will DVC be worth it then? I like the idea of owning a slice of Disney magic and vacation but im realistic and understand can't just buy into Disney on the sentimental feeling alone. Being from the UK and not USA i'd have travel costs etc to factor in etc but a family member works for an airline.

So really im so unsure so was looking for users on this forum to see if you can help and tell me if DVC will be a bad or good choice for me and whether i should stay clear of it or not?

The main questions I would ask is 1) do you stay in Disney resorts at least every two years and 2) are those stays in at least a moderate level resort? If the answer to either question is no, then DVC probably isn't right for you. But if your answer is yes to both questions then DVC can be a great option that saves you money on your resort stays. Depending on your buy in cost and resort, DVC can cost you less (or at the very least, the same) on your resort stay as a moderate...and it will definitely save you money if you already stay in deluxe resorts. And those are agains today's rack/cash rates...imagine the savings after 5, 10, or 15 years worth of increases in those cash/rack rates. But if you normally stay in value resorts then DVC is going to be an increase in price for you in the long run.

If you don't routinely visit WDW now, then DVC would save you money on the resorts but the reality would be that you would actually be spending more money overall because your trip frequency would increase. IMO (and my financial planner's opinion), DVC is a great option for those that are already visiting WDW and staying at moderate/deluxe resorts. The key is to not having to change your travel patterns in order to experience the "savings".

You will see many comments that both support and condemn both resale and direct purchases, but keep in mind that the "perks" that come with direct purchases are not guaranteed. They can and do go away. The ONLY think that is guaranteed in the POS (the DVC contact) are the things associated with the resort stay. That's it. All the other "extras" can go away at any time.

We bought into DVC a few years ago because we routinely visit WDW and stayed in at least moderate resorts. AND we knew we wanted to keep going to WDW in the future. Knowing those things and also knowing the rate at which resort prices increase every year, it was a no brainer for us to lock in today's DVC rates for all our future stays. And we love almost always having a future DVC reservation booked. But everyone is in a different situation. Good luck with the decision!!