Is DVC really worth the money? Has anyone ever thought "I wish I never bought into it

[ecpool]

I know this board is probably biased, mainly because you get on this board because your happy and want to trade experiences etc... but Is it really what its all cracked up to be? Has anyone regreted that they bought into it?

 

[JimMIA]

I know this board is probably biased, mainly because you get on this board because your happy and want to trade experiences etc... but Is it really what its all cracked up to be?

I assume you mean DVC and not DISboards! In the case of DISboards, yes, definitely.

DVC is exactly what it's cracked up to be, and it's a great way to lock in vacation costs for a lot of people. Having said that, I think almost everyone here will tell you it is not for everyone.

You'll also see a lot of controversy on this board right now about an article on Mousesavers, and I would recommend you read that article. The article has a lot of excellent information, although I think the financial analyses are a little wobbly.

The key to DVC is how often you currently visit WDW now, and how often you plan on visiting in the future. Another factor is where you stay. The rule of thumb you will often hear on this board is something like if you visit once every other year, and stay in a moderate or deluxe resort, DVC makes sense over the long run.

[There are other options, perks and benefits which come with DVC, but I would encourage you to only consider using DVC to stay at DVC resorts. DVC resorts are the best use of your points, and any/all of those other benefits are subject to change at any time.]

One of the things that is not often said here is that many families visit WDW much more often after buying DVC than before...and therefore probably spend more money at Disney than they would have without DVC. However, I don't think you'll hear many of those folks complaining about that. In fact, you'll usually hear them bragging about how much more vacation enjoyment they've gotten.

If you're considering DVC, take your time, do your homework, and keep asking questions until you are confident you understand it.

Good luck.

 

[Dean]

DVC is a specialty purchase. It's right for some and totally wrong for others. In general: if you'd stay at a DVC resort at least about every other year, will be neutral or light on weekends, pay cash and would stay on Disney property for cash anyway; it's definitely worth it. If you add any variables like financing, long weekends or any of the trade options, it becomes not worth it very quickly. DVC will never be the cheapest option, but it likely will provide the best value for the above situations. The cheapest option will be off site Timeshare exchanges. You should take your individual situation and habits and run the numbers on a number of different variables. IMO, you need to save at least 20% over projected costs to buy DVC.

I would not buy DVC with the idea of using points for cruises, doing any type of exchanges or staying long weekends to any degree. Of course the final decision is yours.

 

[JimC]

DVC is a specialty purchase. It's right for some and totally wrong for others. In general: if you'd stay at a DVC resort at least about every other year, will be neutral or light on weekends, pay cash and would stay on Disney property for cash anyway; it's definitely worth it. If you add any variables like financing, long weekends or any of the trade options, it becomes not worth it very quickly. DVC will never be the cheapest option, but it likely will provide the best value for the above situations. The cheapest option will be off site Timeshare exchanges. You should take your individual situation and habits and run the numbers on a number of different variables. IMO, you need to save at least 20% over projected costs to buy DVC.

I would not buy DVC with the idea of using points for cruises, doing any type of exchanges or staying long weekends to any degree. Of course the final decision is yours.

Best short answer to this question I have seen

 

[lizziepooh]

I would guess that most people who wish they had never bought into it have sold and don't spend time on these boards.
We are happy that we bought, but like Dean said, it isn't for everyone. You need to totally understand the program and how it would fit for your family. Good luck.

 

[JimMIA]

One evaluation tool that would probably work very well for you is to rent points for your next WDW visit. You have plenty of experience at other properties, both on-site and off-site, to serve as the basis for a sound comparison.

Try DVC on the cheap by renting points, and see how the value works for your family.

I think Dean summed it up well by saying DVC is a specialty purchase. A lot of people try to evaluate DVC as if it were an investment, but it's really not.

In fact, it is very much like buying a home. I don't know about you, but when I bought my current home, I didn't look at the "break-even" timeframe or "opportunity cost." Instead, I looked at the neighborhood, the size of the lot, the pool, the fireplace, the landscaping, etc. The house met our needs and I decided I wanted it, so I ran the numbers to see if we could afford it.

That's what I'd recommend you do. Check out the product first. See if it meets your needs. If it doesn't, nothing else matters. If it does, see if you can afford it. Consider other options also, and make the decision that makes the most sense to you in light of your family's needs and resources.

If I did the financial gymnastics that some people recommend here (and I have the education and background to do them), I would be living under a bridge and riding a stolen bike to work!

 

[palmtreegirl]

We did and that's why we sold ours.

 

[JimC]

...In fact, it is very much like buying a home. I don't know about you, but when I bought my current home, I didn't look at the "break-even" timeframe or "opportunity cost." Instead, I looked at the neighborhood, the size of the lot, the pool, the fireplace, the landscaping, etc....

If I did the financial gymnastics that some people recommend here (and I have the education and background to do them), I would be living under a bridge and riding a stolen bike to work!

Jim, I could not resist asking -- do you use the fireplace much in Miami? I am surprised they would put them in that far south. On the second item just think how much money you would save and have in your retirement fund if you did that (but with a good second hand bike -- I wouldn't want you to get guest quarters courtesy of the local government). I look back at what my wife and I have spent over the years on this or that and I just shake my head in amazement. The totals are simply stunning.

 

[JimMIA]

Jim, I could not resist asking -- do you use the fireplace much in Miami? I am surprised they would put them in that far south.

Contrary to popular opinion, we actually do get really cold weather here every year. Whenever the temps plunge below 70, we crank up the fireplace. Actually, we do use it a half-dozen times a year, but certainly not for warmth.

On the second item just think how much money you would save and have in your retirement fund if you did that (but with a good second hand bike -- I wouldn't want you to get guest quarters courtesy of the local government).

Hard to say. Living under a bridge and riding a bike to work, I might not have had the same opportunities I enjoyed. Retirement IS good! But I would have saved money as an outdoorsman.

And I'd steal a bike -- nothing's gonna happen to a common thief! I'd have people standing in line to weep over the trauma of my potty training and the County would probably buy me a Lance Armstong model Trek to make me go away!

 

[cruise-o-matic]

DVC is a specialty purchase. It's right for some and totally wrong for others. In general: if you'd stay at a DVC resort at least about every other year, will be neutral or light on weekends, pay cash and would stay on Disney property for cash anyway; it's definitely worth it. If you add any variables like financing, long weekends or any of the trade options, it becomes not worth it very quickly. DVC will never be the cheapest option, but it likely will provide the best value for the above situations. The cheapest option will be off site Timeshare exchanges. You should take your individual situation and habits and run the numbers on a number of different variables. IMO, you need to save at least 20% over projected costs to buy DVC.

I would not buy DVC with the idea of using points for cruises, doing any type of exchanges or staying long weekends to any degree. Of course the final decision is yours.

I agree with Jim on this is hte best short answer. Dean, you ought to archive this to post in future threads

 

[pirateparrot]

DVC is exactly what it's cracked up to be, and it's a great way to lock in vacation costs for a lot of people. Having said that, I think almost everyone here will tell you it is not for everyone.

I found this thread that I thought was interesting and timely. http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=876960

I pretty much know what my accomodation costs are going to be for the next 50 years. If the occupancy rates stay as high as they are at WDW, room prices are going to just keep going up.

 

[3kidz4dis]

DVC is a specialty purchase. It's right for some and totally wrong for others. In general: if you'd stay at a DVC resort at least about every other year, will be neutral or light on weekends, pay cash and would stay on Disney property for cash anyway; it's definitely worth it.

I was wondering if you could tell more about the weekends being light or neutral. I guess I may look at it the wrong way but I bought enough points for 7 nights so I should use them. Plus I look at it this way, it is worth paying more because we don't loose work days and the kids don't loose school days so I am willing to pay more of a premium. I know some people stay elsewhere for the weekend but with 3 kids it is a hassle. Am I looking at this the wrong way or do others look at it the same way?

 

[vascubaguy]

The only thing that I personally don't agree with is renting points first if you are trying to decide to buy (depending on how long the stay would be). I would much rather spend the money for renting towards the purchase of DVC.

I only purchased enough points to go on a trip once a year in October. Well, now I'm going to be going in April and will be down there for 2 weeks (1 week for a conference, the other for vacation). For me to rent the points I would need it would be about 102 points, or $1,020. That's a nice payment on some points.

 

[JimMIA]

For me to rent the points I would need it would be about 102 points, or $1,020. That's a nice payment on some points.

Yes, it is. It would buy 12-15 points, depending on where and how you bought. But in the grand scheme of things, it's a minor outlay compared to the initial cost of a DVC ownership + the committment to maintenance for all of those years.

It might be worth the investment (which is still less than they would spend at a regular Disney resort) to be sure DVC was the product they wanted to buy. If they're already sure, it would be a waste of money, but if they're not, it might be a sound idea.

 

[Granny]

I was wondering if you could tell more about the weekends being light or neutral. I guess I may look at it the wrong way but I bought enough points for 7 nights so I should use them. Plus I look at it this way, it is worth paying more because we don't loose work days and the kids don't loose school days so I am willing to pay more of a premium. I know some people stay elsewhere for the weekend but with 3 kids it is a hassle. Am I looking at this the wrong way or do others look at it the same way?

I believe what Dean meant was that someone shouldn't buy DVC with the thought of mostly taking a lot of long weekend trips. In your case, where you stay both weeknights and weekends, I believe that is what Dean would term "neutral".

Those who stay primarily Sunday - Friday would be the "light" weekend users.

We also purchased enough points to avoid moving on weekends. It is part of a relaxing vacation experience for us to avoid moving.

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

Simple answer from me is it's worth the money if you think it is. Is a $60,000 car worth the money when a $20,000 car will get you to the same place? It's your money to spend how you want. I see a lot of posts like this where people will crunch numbers and figure out that if you only use your points on DVC resorts it's worth it, or if you limit your stays to Sun-Thurs its more worth it. My attitude is if you pay for something and you are happy with it, it doesn't matter how you use it, it's worth it.

 

[KelNottAt]

I don't regret buying DVC at all. But I do regret the type of points we have.

We have 305 BWV points, April UY. I wish we had thought it through a little and bought 3 contracts, all April UY: 100 HH, 115 BWV, and another 115 BWV. This would have given us more points overall; easy bequests for the kids; 11 month window at 2 resorts; and the ability to sell a portion in the event of a financial emergency.

Oh, well. Hindsight's 20/20. We still enjoy every minute of our membership.

 

[CGregoryJr]

Since Jan. '03 (DVC purchase date), our all-in cost of accommodations is $79 per night of stay. This cost is inclusive of dues, interest carry and net of rental income. Through calendar 2005, our family will have utilized a total of 1,706 points over 55 nights of WDW visits--we usually stay in a 2 BR villa. Prior to joining DVC, we were spending $250-$350 per night (including taxes) to stay in Disney hotel rooms. For us, it's been an easily justifiable expenditure due to our desire to visit WDW during vacation periods. As the kids have gotten older, however, we have noticed a definite trend toward more variety in our travels. We still plan to hold on to the membership because we have other family members who can benefit from the program.

Good luck with your decision!!

 

[murcor]

We also purchased enough points to avoid moving on weekends. It is part of a relaxing vacation experience for us to avoid moving.

Also, over the long run I dont think that moving/paying cash for weekends will get you any further ahead

 

[spiceycat]

I still love my DVC.

been a member since 1993. I go every year -sometimes several times a year. I don't stay for long (well compared to other members) because I have pets at home and would miss them. My stay is generally 4 to 7 days.

I drive down most of the time. Last year I got a great deal I could fly for less than the cost of driving. (gasoline prices were going up at the time)

I generally stay at my DVC Sun-Friday and then leave, sometimes I will stay at a value or moderate resort that Sat before our stay.

I would like to retire so I am trying to cut my expenses. But I am not cutting out DVC - no way, no how!!!

ask over on the resort boards and orlando boards. some people were very bitter about DVC. One person in participate kept saying it would never paid off.

well I got my money back - long, long ago. A studio at OKW rents for $269 (with taxes - $300) I can stay there for $24.08. Definitely works for me.

my experience won't be yours. DVC will only say that after pay off - you will only save 80 to 70% of the room cost.