Is DVC really a good deal for the consumer?

[Wags]

Whenever I see this type of question posed, the standard reply is "if you go every year, or at least every other year" it makes sense.

Well, when the little ones are anywhere from 3 - 15 yrs. old, that all sounds great. I know that we'll be going for the next 10 - 15 years and those "pre-paid" vacations are a good deal. But, when the kids are 23, not married (no grand kids), and you find for the last 15 years you've been spending every vacation at WDW, and you just don't know if you can go for another 20+ years (based on 2042), does it still sound so good.

I know I'll hear from those who will say, "shame on you" if it was only for the kids, now you have time with the spouse. But do I really want to spend the next number of vacations at WDW when there is so much more out there? I mean there's more to life than WDW, right? Keep in mind that I'm one that loves WDW, I could go every year, but will that change and when. And if it does, is it still a good deal?

I read a number of these posts that say it's been great. How many of those post are from people who have had DVC for more than 7 - 10 years, and what is there family situation? Are the kids still young enough to enjoy. Are there some DVC'ers who are empty nesters and find they can keep going back year after year (or at least every other year)?

I guess I need to be convinced it's a good deal as well, have been sitting on the fence.

Kind of long winded, I know, but thanks.

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by Wags
I read a number of these posts that say it's been great. How many of those post are from people who have had DVC for more than 7 - 10 years, and what is there family situation? Are the kids still young enough to enjoy. Are there some DVC'ers who are empty nesters and find they can keep going back year after year (or at least every other year)?

I guess I need to be convinced it's a good deal as well, have been sitting on the fence.

We have been members for 5 years(ages 47+46).Our kids are 29(son) and 17(daughter). We also have 1 grandson(10 months). We bought DVC for the 1st class accomodations at 1 of the top vacation destinations in the world.

We love to travel and WDW isn't the only place we go to. I agree with you that there is a lot to see

out there besides WDW. Just in the last 2 years we have been to Phoenix and Sedona Az, San Antonio 2x, Las Vegas,Nags Head 2x,etc besides going to a DVC resort at least twice a year.

But we also know that our stays at the DVC resorts will basically be just for the cost of the dues for us. We will also have the option to stay at OKW for 6-7 weeks in the months of Jan and Feb if we want to get away from Ohio weather

, in 4 years when we retire.So you can see there are a lot of options for us and our family for being DVC members.

Even if we don't live another 39 years

, we know our kids will have had great memories with us, and they will be able to use the points to the contracts end in 2042.

 

[JimC]

Empty nesters here (late 40s each) with two girls in college. We go to WDW two to three times each year and tour elsewhere. Disney is our favorite relaxation destination.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by Wags
Whenever I see this type of question posed, the standard reply is "if you go every year, or at least every other year" it makes sense.

Well, when the little ones are anywhere from 3 - 15 yrs. old, that all sounds great. I know that we'll be going for the next 10 - 15 years and those "pre-paid" vacations are a good deal. But, when the kids are 23, not married (no grand kids), and you find for the last 15 years you've been spending every vacation at WDW, and you just don't know if you can go for another 20+ years (based on 2042), does it still sound so good.

I know I'll hear from those who will say, "shame on you" if it was only for the kids, now you have time with the spouse. But do I really want to spend the next number of vacations at WDW when there is so much more out there? I mean there's more to life than WDW, right? Keep in mind that I'm one that loves WDW, I could go every year, but will that change and when. And if it does, is it still a good deal?

I read a number of these posts that say it's been great. How many of those post are from people who have had DVC for more than 7 - 10 years, and what is there family situation? Are the kids still young enough to enjoy. Are there some DVC'ers who are empty nesters and find they can keep going back year after year (or at least every other year)?

I guess I need to be convinced it's a good deal as well, have been sitting on the fence.

Kind of long winded, I know, but thanks.

You can see how many times I have been to WDW in my sig. We enjoy it more each time we visit, and DVC now makes it possible to go at least twice a year.

It is only my wife and I, as we are trying to have kids. We are excited to start a good, clean, fun family tradition once we have kids...

 

[NancyDVC]

We bought in early 1992. IMHO it was one of the best things thst I ever did. For the past 11 years I have enjoyed the best accomodations, the ability to be flexible in my stays-5 days, 7 days, 10 days-flexible in the size of my accomodations-studio, one bedroom, 2 bedroom-the ability to take family and/or friends for a great vacation. I don't have to spend time searching for the best deal in accommodations. I have stayed at several different resorts both on and off property (Disney and non-Disney).
I frankly can't afford to stay in most of these resorts without DVC.
I know that there are those who analyze the cost per point/per stay etc to the nth degree.
I frankly find value in more than just $$ but in the pleasure and convenience that DVC gives me.
Go DVC!

 

[jodifla]

Wags, for lots of people, Disney is a lifelong love. I've been a DVC member since 96, but I've been going to Disney since 1973. So, with 23 years of experience with Disney, it was easy for me to see that I would enjoy it even more with top-notch accommodations.

We bought in at a low level of points (150 -- although we just added on 56 more at) so we're not so financially committed that we feel we HAVE to go only to WDW every year. And we enjoy Vero Beach, too, so we stay in different spots (still want to try HH). Perhaps someday we'll try trading out, but frankly, there's so much to do even after 8 years that we've never wanted to yet. With ambience, pools and activities, the resorts are destinations in themselves.

We take friends, so that varies the experience, and now we're taking our 20 month old son. He'll grow up having fun at Disney, just like his mom did. (Although he gets to stay in a resort setting instead of piling in the car and driving back to Tampa at the end of the day. Lucky kid!)

 

[CK1]

So many folks talk about the "luxury" of DVC... that if you "must" have the "deluxe" accommodations, then it's "ok". I just don't see how having a bed (not a cot or pad or puffy airmat) for each family member is a citation for "deluxe" gluttony!

I guess one reason I never considered the DVC resorts (nor myself) in the "luxury" category is because we save so much moolah on food by staying there... we eat nearly every b'fast in, and pack snacks or return for lunches. We stay for 10-12 days. For a family of five, trust me my friends, that's SUBSTANTIAL dough. To me, that's thrifty and sensible, which typically aren't thought of in the same sentence with "luxury". That's not to say the villas aren't "luxurious" -- it's just that I don't necessarily believe those who love them are "deluxe-or-bust" people. But similarly, I am not a glutton for punishment -- being stuffed with into a tiny room that I can't enjoy is no vacation to me (the "it's just for sleeping!" philosophy ... wherein all waking hours must be spent at the park or pool in eternal frenzied quest ... game on!) Similarly, the trash-can-filled-with-ice-makes-a-fridge routine, making grilled cheese using foil and an iron, and eating cup-a-soup or instant grits using the coffee pot...no, those aren't the vacation ideas of this DVC member. But does NOT acting like McGuyver on vacation classify me a "deluxe-o-phile"?

And if that's so... then what label shall we apply to those who get the big ol' suites at GF for rack room rate?

 

[vernon]

Wags said

I read a number of these posts that say it's been great. How many of those post are from people who have had DVC for more than 7 - 10 years, and what is there family situation? Are the kids still young enough to enjoy. Are there some DVC'ers who are empty nesters and find they can keep going back year after year (or at least every other year)?

I bought in 92/93 and have been back every year since. I bought enough points to cover a reasonable part of my vacation needs, but not all. I did that for a number of reasons.
1) I like to stay at other off site places in Orlando some times
2) I thought I may have years I wouldn't visit WDW at all so having a lower # of points I could bank/borrow so not to waste the points
3) not to over extend myself. With the benefit of hindsight I maybe underbought by about 30-40 points, but with banking, borrowing and paying cash at times that hasn't been a problem, although it maybe worked out to be a little more expensive than had I bought the extra points.

I bought when I was married and my kids were both under 10, I'm now divorced and they are 18 and 14, but both enjoy visiting WDW and although we don't hit the themeparks as much as we did on the first few trips central Florida has such a lot to do outside of those "main Disney " attractions that there is still plenty to make me want to go back. Here are a few things I've done recently or are planned for next trip that were fun , but nothing to do with Disney's Themeparks. Golf, airboat rides, KSC, Discovery Cove,Cirque du Soleil, Dali Art museum St Pete's, IOA, Universal, SW,BG Tampa, DI Spa , swim with Manatees, poolhop to CS. The DVC resorts have some great pool areas of their own and I've had some great stays at both Vero Beach and Hilton Head Island. I've also had a couple of great stays with just my DG/SO and I where we can relax and enjoy the great resort facilities that are on offer.

What I REALLY appreciate that DVC has given me is the ability to take my time when I'm on vacation, because I know if something is down for rehab, technical problem or just plain busy I can do it another time/year. I can take 20-30 minutes to sit down in the bird gardens at AK to watch the birds and get myself acclimatised to catching their movement and calls, I can sit in the rose garden at MK and watch the world go by for 30 minutes and enjoy a coffee or a soda. I remember the first few trips, getting stressed if something upset my plans, that doesn't happen anymore, because I know I'll be back at some time when it's fixed or not such a monster queue.

I'd love to go on the Disney Cruise at some time, but just haven't had enough time or points to do that as yet. I think I'm a very long way short of getting bored with Orlando, WDW and DVC.

Wags, I'd turn your question on it's head, after all it isn't really what other people manage that should be a deciding factor to you. What interests and likes do you have other than visiting WDW themeparks and can Central Florida provide you with a good opportunity to enjoy those hobbies and preferences. I would think there is a very good chance it can, but you need to look outside the obvious offerings to see the whole range of opportunities that are available in Central Florida, JMHO.

 

[Lisa F]

WDW, for me, is a "vacation." While people who go once in their lives go, go, go and stress over long lines, we go for special events like the food and wine festival, enjoy the resort, swim, stroll around the parks and soak up the atmosphere, enjoy the many wonderful restaurants, go to downtown disney and shop and go to the comedy club and adventurers club, go to water parks, and never ever stand in line to do any of it. Just like some people go to the beach year after year for rest and relaxation, we go to WDW for the same. It helps us to recharge our batteries. Sitting on the beach is BORING to me, and going to WDW is basically a trip that is all about play and rest. I can't imagine getting tired of that. We don't have kids yet but are intending to start a family in the next few years.

I'm also an architect and I love to "travel." To me, traveling is seeing someplace that you haven't seen before. Yes, it's fun, but it is also work. You go, go, go to see everthing you possibly can see in the short time you have to see the place. There are certainly wonderful things to see out there in the world but it's not the all out relaxing, indulgent, recharging "vacation" that WDW is. WDW is my version of laying out on a caribbean beach for a week.

Lisa

 

[CarolA]

I am a single 42 year old with no children.

The last time I stayed at my DVC resort, I thought that this might not have been the best "financial" investment, but it was an investment in myself.

I enjoy going to Disney. I find the flexibility very appealing. As to planning ahead, I tend not to do it. However, I am NOT limited to school vacation periods and normally only use a studio so probably 90% of the time I can get a studio at OKW at late notice. (I booked the three days prior to Christmas the first of August, I have booked as late as the day of the trip!)

I do travel a lot to other places, but have not used my DVC points for that. If I was considering using my timeshare for other travel I would probably go look at purchasing a resale someplace else.

I agree with a lot of others, lately reading the resort board I have been thinking that the discounts are few and far between. While I love Disney I am not paying rack rates and I have an AP. SO... it is either my DVC or off site for me!

 

[littlestar]

DVC was right for us. We've been going to Disney and staying onsite since 1994 (moderate hotels usually unless we found a code). We never wanted to stay offsite. To us, the vacation meant Disney hotels or we didn't want to go at all. We had some very bad experiences offsite and my husband said it's onsite or we stay home. So we were prime candidates for DVC. I've got a brother and sister who could care less about staying onsite at Disney, they prefer offsite timeshares (Mariott Grand Vista, Wyndham Palms, etc). Every family is different. But for us, we don't want to go if we don't stay on Disney property.

Our lives are super busy and Disneyworld DVC hotels mean rest and relaxation for us. We might go to the parks one day on a trip. The rest of the time we relax at the pool, go out to eat, shop, etc. It feels like our second home. Our girls are now 23 and 19 and they still love it. Both girls work at local hospitals (going to college also) and they appreciate the Disney vacations even more now than what they did when they were younger. Our oldest daughter just got married and spent her honeymoon at the BCV. It was nice to give the points to the kids for their honeymoon. It was wonderful not having to come up with cash for their honeymoon at the BCV (weddings are expensive enough). We joined DVC almost two years ago and we have no regrets.

We also love Hawaii. But, Hawaii is a very long plane ride from Indiana. I like having the DVC because I can hop on a plane and I'm there in 2 hours. It's usually warm year round (better than Indiana that's for sure).

When we were paying cash for rooms, it was getting expensive because we had to add that $25.00 charge for extra adults in the room beyond two. So even if we found a code rate at a deluxe for $169.00 a night, we had to add another $50.00 to it for the girls and then the tax on top of that. And we were never guaranteed a code rate for when we wanted to go. It was frustrating. DVC was right for us. If you don't go to Disney every year and could care less if you stay onsite, I wouldn't buy in. Every family is different.

I wouldn't trade our memories at Disney for anything. It's been money well spent for our family.

 

[Lanshark]

Again, thanks for all of the great responses. DH and I will definitely tour the resorts next time we go. We have been married 24 years and have two kids who are almost 17 and almost 13. We went to WDW on our honeymoon and have probably been back 15 times since then. Every time we mention going somewhere else on vacation the kids beg us not too. That's fine with us. We love it and will continue to go even after the kids have left the nest. We have been so many times that we never do the commando bit. We take it slow and easy. We stayed for 2 weeks (we have PAP's) during the end of May and beginning of June. We spent more time in the hotel room relaxing than usual. As I said, a tour may be in order.

 

[littlestar]

Good luck with your tour Lanshark!

On a side note, our oldest daughter was whining the other day about having to wait a whole year to go to Disneyworld. She works in surgery at one of our local hospitals and it had been a particularly crazy day for her. She said, wahhh, I need a trip to the VWL really, really bad. I need unreality. For our daughters, the work world has only made their DVC addiction worse.

 

[jmminarik]

Most of the thoughts I had when I read this originally have been addressed so I won't rehash them here. I do, however, want to make a few statements on behalf of the accused.

A few people have posted that they don't stay in the rooms except to sleep...we used to be that way...give us a bed and a bathroom and we're set to go.....all day, everyday running around like idjits trying to do everything. Then we bought into DVC...and had comfortable rooms (even the "smaller" rooms at the non-OKW resorts ). Knowing we'd be back quite often over 40 some years meant we didn't have to do anything. We could sleep in, relax and watch tv, take a whirlpool bath, go back ot the room and veg out, sit on the porch (or shelf as the case may be) and watch the world go by, stay up late or go to bed early without disturbing the other...watch a movie on video...only pack 3 days worth of clothes since we didn't have to fight the mobs of people crowding the laundary rooms (though I do miss hanging out and chatting with all of those lovely young mothers while the clothes were spinning )....ride the monorails back and forth then stop in the Poly for some fruity tropical beverage, just because. These are things that no "return on investment" analysis can ever quantify.

Succinctly stated, DVC is a quality of life investment. While you need to examine the financial aspect of it, you can't quantify the experience in Excel.

-Joe

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by jmminarik
...though I do miss hanging out and chatting with all of those lovely young mothers while the clothes were spinning ....

.....

.....

 

[MUcrick]

Another advantage is the ability to "rent" points to others. My wife and I are expecting our first child this coming Thanksgiving. (Ok, she's expecting, I'm just along for the ride.) Deciding that we would not take a lengthy vacation during our upcoming use year, we opted to rent 300 points. At a rate of $10/point, it is quite a nice retunr on our investment -- which is only two years old! Better still, this allowed us to pay for baby furniture and start a college fund.

I couldn't be happier with our decision!

mucrick

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Congratulations. You'll have many wonderful Disney memories in the future together. The ability to rent for short term needs is a great option.

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by MUcrick
My wife and I are expecting our first child this coming Thanksgiving. (Ok, she's expecting, I'm just along for the ride.)

..........................

"Congratulations!!

 

[OneMoreTry]

Main requirement for DVC is that you want a condo instead of a hotel room. Because if you want to stay at Polynesian or Grand floridian or another Disney hotel it would be better to wait for discount codes. (However they may not always be available.)

Other requirements are

Love of Disney

Ability to afford it

Plan to visit Disney regularly


Since we meet the requirements, we bought in and love it!!!

 

[vernon]

OMT, I'd have to disagree with you about having to want a condo style unit as opposed to just using a hotel room. Obviously that does mean you are "limited" to OKW, BCV, BWV, VWL and the new SSR. If you want to stay at the monorail resorts then DVC isn't an economical success but I think, as hotels, all of the above do not hold up badly to the monorail resorts.

Using a cost per point in the range of $7-10 ( and I don't think long term the higher range is correct, but even so for the sake of argument)
It puts your cost of a studio at OKW from $ $56-80 per night ( 8 points per night X cost) for weekdays and averaged over a week at $80-$110 per night (80 pointsXcost divided by 7) I don't remember seeing OKW offered below $100 per night even with the heaviest discounts.
That puts the Beach club studios in with a cost of about $80-110 per nights for weekdays only and $110-$150 is averaged out over a whole week.

That's at "worst case scenario, if like me you consider the only cost your left with now is dues it means I'm paying less than $30 per night for OKW and less than $50 for BWV, BCV and VWL. I'd like to know where there is a discount code that competes with that.