Is DVC worth it for Aussies?

[ehsmum]

Does anyone have it? Is it worth us for us Aussies?

 

[DVCAustralia]

Yes, I own DVC at a few different resorts and have found it to be great, even though I have only actually used it once so far.
As far as whether it is worth it for Aussies, it basically depends on how often you travel to DVC locations, which now include Oahu and Grand Californian as well as WDW, as it is generally not worth using them for the other options. The general rule is that if you travel at least every three years it can work.

 

[ehsmum]

Thanks for your reply .

Do you mean that you only use it at Disneyland/world? I watched the dvd the other day and what appeals to me about it is that you can use your points all over the world. Granted I haven't looked too far into it, but if it's only worth it to use at Disney then it might not be for us .

 

[DVCAustralia]

DVC certainly promotes the worldwide aspect of it to widen the buyer pool, but the further you get away from DVC-owned resorts the less value and availability you get, with non-Disney exchanges the worst. DVC used to be part of Interval International, but Disney decided to switch to RCI a couple of years ago. Both are basically worldwide timeshare exchange companies, but with Disney in control you do not get all the benefits and are more restricted even on exchanges than other members of the same exchange company.
If you want to use either company you are much better accessing it by buying into a different timeshare.

 

[JennyN]

Ok I dont understand the whole timeshare thing very well but we do belong to RCI, does this mean we can use it for Disney? Any help is appreciated.

 

[ColinA]

Ok I dont understand the whole timeshare thing very well but we do belong to RCI, does this mean we can use it for Disney? Any help is appreciated.

Friends of ours tried to book at Beach Club Villas with RCI, it was 2.8 weeks of RCI to 1 week of Disney over Christmas week. Not sure how it equates with other weeks. From what I understand cheaper to book on renting points.

Buying DVC was the best purchase we ever made. We bought in 1999 with all our points at BWV and visit WDW every year.

At the present time taking into account the purchase price and maintenance fee it works out similar cost to staying in a value resort.

As DVCAustralia says it is generally not suitable for other locations. It is the same point value for all DVC resorts. Home resorts you can book at the 11 month window, other resorts at the 7 month window.

I would only buy DVC to use at Disney and use or rent out all the points every two or three years.

 

[cola]

Ok I dont understand the whole timeshare thing very well but we do belong to RCI, does this mean we can use it for Disney? Any help is appreciated.

Yes you can use RCI for Disney. Do you know if you have RCI points or weeks? The two big problems are the fine balance between get airline tickets cheap and Request First through RCI or wait until confirmed through RCI and airline tickets might not be great, AND it's usually the smaller units. RCI often has Disney's Old Key West and Disney's Saratoga Springs available, the Beach Club and Boardwalk sometimes, and Wilderness/Animal Kingdom/Bay Lake Towers rarely, but they do appear. Endless Vacations can give you a rough idea of when there is availability through RCI (search for Orlando area, the Disney resorts are always near the top). With exchanging you don't get the specials like free dining.
DVC does do bulk deposits, so sometimes there is suddenly a lot of availability. Best to check the Sightings board on tug2.net