Is DVC right for us.

[Mad-Jasper]

I ran the numbers and we spent around $4800 last year for 11 days @ Disney and around $5700 this year for 18 days. The total is for tickets, room, and DDP. With my daughter turning next year we will most likely drop the DDP because it won't be much of a value for us. We're not big on eating out and the reservations are a pain at times.

That being said, I spent about an hour on the phone with a DVC guide this morning and came up with this.

200 points for around $20K.
200 Bonus points to be used in 1 year.
Maintenance fee of a little less than $1000.00.
Since we have a kichenette, we'll drop the DDP and eat mostly at the room except one or two nights. The total comes with financing comes to about $4500 annually (including purchasing annual passes).

This almost seems like a no brainer. Can anyone fill me in on what I might be missing?

 

[vandy]

One thing you did not state is what the 200 points will get you per year. Are you looking at a Studio, 1BR or 2BR villa? What room or resort have you been staying in? For how many nights will your 200 points allow you to stay?

On the surface, it looks like you may be a good candidate. You should also include the cost of the food you will purchase to eat at your room. Also remember that the cost of annual dues will rise, but then so will the cost of a regular room.

 

[Mad-Jasper]

One thing you did not state is what the 200 points will get you per year. Are you looking at a Studio, 1BR or 2BR villa? What room or resort have you been staying in? For how many nights will your 200 points allow you to stay?

On the surface, it looks like you may be a good candidate. You should also include the cost of the food you will purchase to eat at your room. Also remember that the cost of annual dues will rise, but then so will the cost of a regular room.

Studio. We normally stay at on the All-Stars or Pop-Century.

I'm not exactly sure what the cost of food at the room. Based on our last vacation at the beach, I'm guessing about $100 for a week in addition a night a Crystal Palace and 1900 Park Fair (another $200). Heck, even if we went with the DDP, it looks like a break even with possible a few more nights.

 

[photobob]

I think you have a pretty good hold on what your costs are. We have been owners for two years and are very happy with our choice. I'm still feeling out the best way to use my points and AP to my best advantage. So far in three trips we have been in a studio, 1bdr, 2bdr and an OVIR at Vero.

The 1 BDR and 2 BDR are a so much better than a hotel room. In addition to the kitchen, the washer and dryer are off great benefit. It is also much nicer lounging in a villa where you have a living room with a couch and chair.

I think having more comfortable accommodations makes for a much more relaxing stay. I'm finding that with DVC you also know that you will be back again and again so you tend to take your time and not feel like you have to see everything. We are starting to spend more time at the resort and the pool, so the bigger room is a very big plus..

 

[itsreally4mommy]

WOW! That is a lot of nights to spend in a value resort! I'm ready to strangle my family after a week, LOL.

I think you might be a great candidate. If I were you, I'd check out ALL the DVCs and not just the current ones they are peddling. Through resale sites, like THe Timeshare Store you can get around 300 pts for that price and perhaps at a home resort you'd like even better.

Have I mentioned how green w/envy I am that you are able to vacation to WDW so much?

 

[photobob]

Remember in a studio the kitchenette just comprises of a microwave, maybe a toaster?, coffee maker and small dorm style refrigerator.

 

[Mtnman44]

Yea, you won't be doing most of your meals in a studio ....Also, even with a full Villa kitchen, if you are like me you may over estimate the amount of use you will really give the kitchen. Oh, it is GREAT to have - no question. However, during those precious vacation days, it is very possible you will decide you don't want to waste several extra hours each day coming back from the parks for lunch and dinner and then getting back.

Also, you may not need Annual passes if you only go once per year.

Compared to value resorts, it is possible that DVC will not reduce your total spending. It will however get you to better accomodations for "about" the same price. However, once you go to villa-style one or two bedrooms with kids...you will never go back!

A better way to break down your comparison is just compare lodging costs to lodging costs since the rest of the vacation expenses are the same either way. What are you paying for the Disney hotels now each year? What will DVC cost you each year?

 

[bookwormde]

First I would say that you do not have to buy from DVC to own DVC there are lots of resale contracts on the market where you can “get your feet wet” for under 10k.

You will not save money over a value even on weekdays, and for weekends you will “spend” twice what a value costs.

With that out of the way what you do get is accommodations and resorts almost like the deluxes. With a studio you can do some simple food prep, if you upgrade to a 1br (2x as many points) you get 2 rooms including a full kitchen and a laundry set. Food savings can make up for the extra cost if you only occasionally eat at the parks.

Those of use who are “cheap” stay on weekdays for points and do cash DVC or CRO on the weekends.

You do have to be able to plan you DVC point stays well in advance (11 months ideally) so that is a problem for some people.

Sound like you are also a candidate for an Annual Pass with DVC you get a $100/pass discount for family members who live with you.

Once you have the AP, most times of year if you have some patience you can get CRO rooms for a great discount (for the weekends). You can also get a DDE card ($65) which give you 20% off at most table service locations (including alcoholic drinks). Also you can set 50% of the miniature golf courses if that is your thing.

We did the premium AP this year so we would have unlimited water parks and Disney Quest etc (we also do an AP sea world). I also studied DVC for 6 months before I was convinced and ready to buy (resale).

I hope this give you a few things to think about. If you have not seen it, there is a DVC points chart link at the top of this page and links to one of the DVC resale brokers (there are 4-5 good ones if you ask you will get recommendations)

bookwormde

 

[Mad-Jasper]

WOW! That is a lot of nights to spend in a value resort! I'm ready to strangle my family after a week, LOL.

I think you might be a great candidate. If I were you, I'd check out ALL the DVCs and not just the current ones they are peddling. Through resale sites, like THe Timeshare Store you can get around 300 pts for that price and perhaps at a home resort you'd like even better.

Have I mentioned how green w/envy I am that you are able to vacation to WDW so much?

It's not that bad... it's just me, DW, and DD (8). We really don't spend much time in the room. I would rather stay cheap and long than luxury and short.

If we purchase, I may opt for a 1 BDR because of the 200 bonus points. I'm gonna peruse the sithe you mentioned and compare.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Mad-Jasper]

Remember in a studio the kitchenette just comprises of a microwave, maybe a toaster?, coffee maker and small dorm style refrigerator.

Yeah, I kinda overlooked that. Not necessarily a big deal but nice to know.

 

[Mad-Jasper]

Yea, you won't be doing most of your meals in a studio ....Also, even with a full Villa kitchen, if you are like me you may over estimate the amount of use you will really give the kitchen. Oh, it is GREAT to have - no question. However, during those precious vacation days, it is very possible you will decide you don't want to waste several extra hours each day coming back from the parks for lunch and dinner and then getting back.

Also, you may not need Annual passes if you only go once per year.

Compared to value resorts, it is possible that DVC will not reduce your total spending. It will however get you to better accomodations for "about" the same price. However, once you go to villa-style one or two bedrooms with kids...you will never go back!

A better way to break down your comparison is just compare lodging costs to lodging costs since the rest of the vacation expenses are the same either way. What are you paying for the Disney hotels now each year? What will DVC cost you each year?

We're not gonna do much cooking anyway. I was thinking more along the lines of eating in town a few nights and bringing leftovers back.

It's really not so much a matter of saving money as much as getting a little value back on the money spent. Once the DVC is paid for, things will be a bit better.

 

[itsreally4mommy]

The good thing about DVC is that you don't have to be locked into a studio or 1 BR. You can choose whatever size you want for each trip. It might also allow your DD to one day bring a friend or cousin. (she's a doll btw)

 

[Laneychris]

One reason we are buying DVC is that we can stay in a studio, bigger than a hotel room for little points. I thought it was a great deal compared to the price of a regular hotel room at the same resort.

 

[Coach81]

We bought a year ago.. since then we have been to Disney 3 times, and plan to go twice a year for the near future. We love it, and you sound like a great candidate as well.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I know you said you spent a lot on Disney trips. Subtract everything you spent on travel, tickets, souveniers and food. Compare what you spent on lodging to what DVC is going to cost you because you will still need to get there, still need tickets (DVC only gets you discounts on AP and PAP) and still need to eat. Plus you will still buy souveniers.

Look at the number of nights you spent and see if points could give you those same number of nights at the same price.

 

[crisi]

Remember that the only studio with two real beds at the WDW DVCs is at OKW. If you are content with the pullout, you'll be fine. If you expect a real bed, you'll need to stay at OKW. Even a one bedroom will only have one real (King) bed and a pullout in the living room.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Don't forget about maintenance fees. They are going to run you about $1000 a year for 200 points. For this year. Expect them to go up next year.

200 points in a studio might get you 10-14 days at OKW depending on when you go. If you plan on holiday time, you'd get a little over a week. A couple of nights less at BCV, BWV, VLW, AKV.

 

[Lisa P.]

DDP vs. cash dining & groceries is a decision you'll need to make regardless of whether you're staying in All Stars w/ a cooler or mini-fridge or in a studio w/ mini-fridge. Either way, I'd say you'll spend close to $175/week for convenience foods/beverages with prices increasing, then add $175 for 2 simpler TS meals w/tips and another $100+ in snacks for the week (they add up fast!) or $900/year for 14 nights. Compare w/DDP ($86/day for your family plus $20 tip on the TS meal = $1484/2 weeks or for 3 "adults" at $114/day plus $25 tip = $1,946/2 weeks DDP. Again, you'll have to make this decision regardless of which way you go with your lodging.

For your park passes, you'll need to decide whether it makes sense to get APs next time, if you don't need MYW passes with a DDP package.
If you don't mind foregoing hopping and the passes will expire, an adult 7 day MYW pass through Undercover Tourist (legitimate) is ~$222. So 2 of these per person would get your family 2 weeklong passes for $1,332. Cost is similar if you combine a 6-day + 8-day instead.

Regular AP's at full price from Disney will cost your family (3 "adults") $1,431 the first year and $1,305 in a renewal year. Since it may provide for AP discounts off your room at All Stars or a moderate, as well as park-hopping and some discounts, it's probably a better deal for your family since you go so much. AP discounts on your room rate could potentially save you as much over a year as the DVC discount - but it's not guaranteed.

At DVC discount pricing, the APs would run $1,113 the first year and $1,008 to renew. This savings of $310/year for your family is worth considering. However, there is absolutely no assurance that DVC will continue to offer the discount on APs to DVCers. Extra benefits are always subject to change... and they do! Do not consider a potentially disappearing benefit when looking at the cost-benefit of making a DVC purchase.

 

[RumpleMom]

Before DVC we stayed at All-Stars and moderates, and realized that we would be paying the additional adult fee for the room when the 2 kids turned 18. Those fees can add up quickly.

Now we have a larger, more comfortable room and the kids have brought friends over the years. We have added on several times. We thought a studio would be great for the kitchenette, then we tried a 1 bedroom, then a 2 bedroom, gosh, I don't even want to take a look at a grand villa.

The kids are twentysomethings and still love WDW.

We just wish we had joined sooner.

 

[Lisa P.]

I ran the numbers and we spent around $4800 last year for 11 days @ Disney and around $5700 this year for 18 days. The total is for tickets, room, and DDP.

All Stars rooms run ~$150/night outside of peak holidays. If you continue to stay for 29 nights per 2 years or ~14 nights per year, then you would compare DVC with a cash cost of ~$2,100/year for your room. If you get the regular APs (non-DVC), and if you are able to get AP room discounts, that savings may more than cover your higher cash cost for the APs for non-DVC members. But you cannot count on AP room discounts when you want to go

Anyway, adding together your cash stays (14 nights = $2,100) at All Stars plus regular APs, you'd spend ~$3,531 first year, $3,405 in renewal year for room and passes.

200 points for around $20K.
200 Bonus points to be used in 1 year.
Maintenance fee of a little less than $1000.00.
The total comes with financing comes to about $4500 annually (including purchasing annual passes).

So you'd spend ~$969-$1,100 more per year for DVC plus AP. Add another $300 extra/year if the DVC discount on APs disappears.

Is it worth it to you to pay more for DVC than what you're doing now? Only you can answer that. But to be honest, do you really want to take on a loan right now that will increase your annual budget by another $1,000 plus, and it would not provide any more nights staying at WDW? Some here (besides me) would caution you about financing an expensive luxury purchase like DVC, especially in today's economy. If you want the upgrade in resort to the DVC resorts, would you be willing to pay for it with cash nights at moderate or deluxe resorts? If so, perhaps you'd put whatever upgrade expenses you'd expect to pay aside and save up for your DVC purchase in a year or two. If you can't do this, is it really affordable or would you be committing yourself to higher expenses than is wise? Again, only you can answer this.

200 points will only get you 14 nights in a studio if you always stay at OKW (lowest points) during Dream season or lower (can be tricky if your DD can't miss much school) and you never use the points for holidays, long weekends or 9-day stays that include two weekends. That's a best case scenario and I'd tend to say you won't always want to do it, ending up adding cash nights anyway or buying even more points later. If these are the realistic result, then you'll be spending even more for DVC, beyond the $1,000/year increase above, than what you're currently paying at All Stars.

So IMO, if you are enjoying your current non-DVC vacations, keep going. It's more economical. If you think you'll be upgrading your cash trips to, say, a moderate or deluxe room anyway, then DVC may break even eventually, especially if you can save up and not pay interest on a loan. These are the reasons that most folks would advise you NOT to buy DVC if you normally stay in Disney Value hotel rooms or offsite and it's working for you. HTH.