Is DVC for me?

[ckpoodge]

I have a question that I don't seem to be able to find an answer to. I've read through almost all of the threads, but...

My fiance and I go to Disney once a year, for about 2 weeks. We stay at Pop, and I don't seem to have the desire to upgrade to a moderate resort.

Would it benefit me to buy into DVC? I guess we can go with a studio, but we are commandos in the parks, and I refuse to cook or clean during our vacation. I like the fact that I don't have to make the beds, Mousekeeping will do it for me. And who would rather cook than order a burger from Pecos Bill's.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Carol

 

[MJ6987]

I have a question that I don't seem to be able to find an answer to. I've read through almost all of the threads, but...

My fiance and I go to Disney once a year, for about 2 weeks. We stay at Pop, and I don't seem to have the desire to upgrade to a moderate resort.

Would it benefit me to buy into DVC? I guess we can go with a studio, but we are commandos in the parks, and I refuse to cook or clean during our vacation. I like the fact that I don't have to make the beds, Mousekeeping will do it for me. And who would rather cook than order a burger from Pecos Bill's.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Carol

I am not a DVC member but even I can answer this one...NO!

 

[hakepb]

I agree, no, too.
Cooking in room can be more like toasting some bagles in room, making a pot of coffee (even studio's have a toaster) so you can enjoy a relaxing bite and sip on your sunny private balcony instead of fighting you way to and through a food court. And it is a benefit to have a washer/dryer in room or a dishwasher for bottle duty (instead of just a bathroom sink) if you are in that stage of life.

But, based on what you said, the only benefit you'd get from DVC is proximity in a few resorts (And you'd need to own there an book 11 months out). If you love MK, you can walk to MK from the new BLT. Or if you love EPCOT/DHS you can walk to those from BWV or BCV. Those resorts, and those resorts only can save you time to get into those parks faster, but you could get that same advantage by booking those Deluxe resorts to see if you love the proximity first.

 

[1-407-WDWJUNKIE]

DVC is not cheaper than booking value resorts - especially if taking advantage of promotions (it doesn't get much cheaper than free dining at Pop).

It makes staying at deluxe locations much cheaper than booking at Deluxe Resorts (albeit without all the perks such as daily maid service).

I have had my whole family of four in a Pop room for 10 days on two occasions and have no problems with it. What I like better about DVC:

1) Buses service is generally better (and closer to park entrances). Pop buses are generally packed most times.

2) Because of the motel layout at the values the windows look right onto the walkways everyone is using, so our shades are always drawn. Actually being able to let sunlight into the room is very nice, as is having a balcony, however small.

3) We don't cook in the room either, but having a fridge and microwave is a huge plus. We have drinks and snacks delivered to our room from a local grocery. Having cold drinks and being able to nuke some popcorn as a snack is nice.

4) Having a washer in the room absofreakinglutely rocks if you stay in a one bedroom or better.

One thing Pop has is the best food court on property (possibly excepting Coronoado). None of the DVC locations have as good a selection of counter service food as far as I can tell. They all have good sit down resteraunts, but are generally lacking in the cheaper fast food category.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

In simple terms, I disagree. 2 weeks at a moderate will cost you what, $2000 or thereabouts depending on the time of year?

For about $2500 a year for 10 years, you could OWN DVC with about 160 points which would give you very close to 2 weeks in a studio (given the right time of year, of course) and in 10 years (Disney financing) you'd OWN it until 2060. No cost for accomodations after that except annual maintenance with varies with each resort.

MUCH nicer accomodations and many perks for being DVC that I haven't even weighed in.

I think you're right on the cusp of it being a good decision for you. I'd say that you and your fiance need to take the tour and look at the economics and THEN make a fully informed decision.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I am not a DVC member but even I can answer this one...NO!

With all due respect, if you're not a DVC member, you are whole-heartedly unqualified to make this recommendation. Sorry. A spade's a spade. Your response sounds almost bitter. I don't know where it comes from but you are, through your own admission, not one that should answer this question.

 

[Blahnde]

In simple terms, I disagree. 2 weeks at a moderate will cost you what, $2000 or thereabouts depending on the time of year?

The OP specifically said, "We stay at Pop, and I don't seem to have the desire to upgrade to a moderate resort." That means they are happy with value and they are not spending $2,000 to stay in value. Depending upon the time of year they could be paying half that AND getting free dining. It would take much more than 10 years of value vacations to pay for DVC, especially if they buy direct with financing. Will it take more than the 35-50 years remaining on various DVC contracts? Probably not, but it will take more than 10 years.

And, by the way, this is the very reason that MOST agree that those who are happy with value accomodations do not make great DVC candidates.

Blahnde

 

[littlestar]

I am not a DVC member but even I can answer this one...NO!

I agree with you. If someone is a park commando and likes the values just fine, then DVC doesn't make sense.

 

[Blahnde]

With all due respect, if you're not a DVC member, you are whole-heartedly unqualified to make this recommendation. Sorry. A spade's a spade. Your response sounds almost bitter. I don't know where it comes from but you are, through your own admission, not one that should answer this question.

With all due respect, many non-DVC owners are better versed in the DVC program than actual owners! Just because someone does not own, does not mean that they have not crunched the numbers to determine if DVC fits their familly, finances, and vacation lifestyle. And, more importantly, just because someone is an owner does not mean that they have done their homework!

Blahnde

 

[Grandbuddy]

I would say the values remain the value. I've stayed at two and enjoyed them. I'm older and the added room and amenities of DVC are important to me - so we have purchased two contracts at SSR, to share time with our boys and our grandchildren.

With the information provided in the original post, it appears that continuing to use budget accommodations and having access to special promotions is working out very well.

 

[ckpoodge]

Thank you for all of your comments. I thought that might be the case. If we ever do decide to upgrade into the moderate resorts, then I might recheck. But for right now, I don't see the need to pay for a room that we won't be in.

But it's nice to dream about owning a piece of the magic....

Carol

 

[Dean]

Thank you for all of your comments. I thought that might be the case. If we ever do decide to upgrade into the moderate resorts, then I might recheck. But for right now, I don't see the need to pay for a room that we won't be in.

But it's nice to dream about owning a piece of the magic....

Carol

While I don't necessarily disagree with the above, let me explore another viewpoint. DVC will not be cheaper on the surface but if you can do 12 days instead of 14, with only 1 weekend, DVC will not be that much more expensive for a studio. Much better accomodations, larger rooms, more and better options, not as much chasing codes/specials, etc. I would only do this if you could pay for it without financing. Depending on the time of year you'd be looking at around 200 points or so (roughly). If you went with OKW or SSR that'd be $14K up front and $1000 a year. Using rack rates you'd be saving maybe $5-600 a year but getting a much nicer option and the kitchenette with a larger room plus a few other perks. You don't have to do any real cooking to save a little with a kitchen, just oatmeal, microwave type things. I'd suggest you rent a studio for one or a part of a trip and see what you think then decide.

 

[castleri]

While I don't necessarily disagree with the above, let me explore another viewpoint. DVC will not be cheaper on the surface but if you can do 12 days instead of 14, with only 1 weekend, DVC will not be that much more expensive for a studio. Much better accomodations, larger rooms, more and better options, not as much chasing codes/specials, etc. I would only do this if you could pay for it without financing. Depending on the time of year you'd be looking at around 200 points or so (roughly). If you went with OKW or SSR that'd be $14K up front and $1000 a year. Using rack rates you'd be saving maybe $5-600 a year but getting a much nicer option and the kitchenette with a larger room plus a few other perks. You don't have to do any real cooking to save a little with a kitchen, just oatmeal, microwave type things. I'd suggest you rent a studio for one or a part of a trip and see what you think then decide.

totally agree with these thoughts. We bought back when points were cheaper and I think my points cost about $6.50-$7.00 each per year so my stay at AKV and SSR this past week cost me less than a moderate and about the same as a value at rack rates. We have come to really love the fact that there are no mousekeeping people in the rooms except on T&T or full cleaning days. We also used to do commando style vacations but find that now there is more time in the room and around the resort and also really enjoy early mornings and late evenings on the balcony.

 

[sam_001]

i use to be a value resort guy. my decision to buy dvc was that i planned on going to wdw once a year and spend about 10 days there. you can still go commando thats up to you. about cleaning they have trash and towel day and a full cleaning depending how long you stay there. i finance my dvc so it is equal to a car payment which i could afford to pay. it is nice to have a frig and microwave allot nicer than the value resort. i would say yes and no. my answer to the yes is that you could go once a year to wdw and spend about 2 weeks. my no answer is that you like to stay at a value resort and go commando. i would schedule a tour at disneyland or wdw because they have a mock up of the rooms there and the pictures on the web site don't give the rooms any justice. my 2cents

 

[TenThousandVolts]

I am not a DVC member but even I can answer this one...NO!

I agree! To the OP, keep enjoying POP and if your tastes or needs change then you may want to reconsider. (I also love POP!)

 

[Cruelladeville]

Going commando doesn't make any difference to the discussion. I did commando at the beginning, too, but I don't any more. I am older and smarter now, and I am past that stage of my life. The same will eventually happen to the OP. What is important is, are you planning to do Disney for the next 7 years? If your answer is yes, then DVC might be for you. Right now you are spending $2000 on accommodations. In another 7 years, you will have spent over $14,000, and you won't have anything to show for that except room receipts. If you had put the money into DVC, you would have nearly paid off a resale contract, and you could then turn around and sell the contract, and recoup your $14,000.

 

[WolfpackFan]

It sounds to me that OP knew the answer before she even asked it. I would say they would not be good DVC candidates if they are happy with value and want their bed made everyday.

 

[GranddadTom]

I am totally with Dean on this.

"I would only do this if you could pay for it without financing. "

I speaking from a father's point of view. You sound young. As your family grows (as usually happens) you will have financial obligations that will come ahead of a trip to Disney World. You do not want to be taking on obligations that may get in the way of your doing other things (like buying a home).

 

[lowepg]

, but we are commandos in the parks

Well, if you go commando in the parks, I guess its one less article of clothing you could use the washer/drier for?

If you play with a spreadsheet long enough, you can make anything look like a deal, but it seems it would take a LONG time for this to make sense....

One thing is for sure, dont EVER stay in a DVC resort unless you are committed to buying- you will have a hard time going back to Value!

"Happiness is visiting Disney every year"

 

[lowepg]

I would only do this if you could pay for it without financing.

Yup, and dont buy a new car until you have the $35K in your checking account.... oh wait....?