Is DVC worth it?

[pied1piper]

Hey my family and I just got home from WDW and are ready to go back ASAP! Although it looks like it may take a while, I'm already starting to budget for it. I was wondering how many of you are a part of the vaccation club and if it is truly worth it. We stayed at the All-Star Movie Resort, and I understand what an upgrade these Resorts are over that....but in the overall picture of things is it worth it for a family that may only go 1 time every other year???

Thanx, I truly need the help.

 

[Lauralee131]

I think it is, but I'm just one person. Even if you went every other year, think of the accomodations you could be enjoying! And I found that after 3 trips of 9 to 10 days each, what I've spent almost comes out to what I've spent on DVC so I honestly think that in just a few visits it pays for itself.

I wish you'd have gone to talk to them while you were there, so you could see the units and sit down and speak with the reps in person...

If you want more info, PM me...good luck with your decision!!

 

[ILuvWishes!]

To tell you the truth, it has been the best purchase my husband and I had ever made. I will never give it up.

We purchased DVC right before we got married and then went to Disney using DVC points for our honeymoon. We purchased at Old Key West in 1997. We stayed in a one bedroom for 10 days. If we paid cash for the room it would have cost about $3,000 for the length of stay. We initially only had 150 points (the minimum you need to purchase). We used our 1997 and 1998 points for that stay. Our total cost for the 150 points, at that time, was approximately $9,000. So, one trip "cost us" 1/3 of the total purchase price.

Needless to say, we have added on points since then and now have a total of 340 points. We use them each year and sometimes need to borrow into the next year.

You asked is it worth it if you only will go every other year. I say YES!! And I say that because you can use 2 years worth of point for one trip and get a great room (full kitchen and laundry - bonus if you have kids or messy adults), even if you only purchase the 150 point minimum.

I said to my husband during the "talk" with our DVC guide "is this program too good to be true?". Then he said, it is a great deal and well worth it. I was skeptical at first, now I am a believer!!

Please PM me if you have any other questions. I will answer them honestly.

 

[starbox]

Hey my family and I just got home from WDW and are ready to go back ASAP! Although it looks like it may take a while, I'm already starting to budget for it. I was wondering how many of you are a part of the vaccation club and if it is truly worth it. We stayed at the All-Star Movie Resort, and I understand what an upgrade these Resorts are over that....but in the overall picture of things is it worth it for a family that may only go 1 time every other year???

Thanx, I truly need the help.

Assuming that you are going to finance the minimum point amount (150 - enough to get seven consecutive days in a Studio each year) through Disney, you'll be spending approx. 1,500 on a downpayment, 150.00 per month for ten years on monthly payments, and 50$ per month in annual fees (this amount will likely increase every year for the life of the contract). If you pay for everything upfront, you'll be paying about $15,000 at once and then annual fees each year - 150 points at SSR will cost around 600$ in annual fees just this year.

All that money pays just for your room at Disney, it does not include tickets or the meal plan.

A room at one of the All Stars will probably cost about 700-900$ for a week. So, DVC will be considerably more expensive. In my opinion, you start to break even when you consider the cost of DVC versus at least 7 nights in a deluxe Disney resort or at least 10 nights in a moderate Disney resort every year.

It will be up to you to decide if the "upgrade" is worth it to your family. Good luck! We our DVC, but it definately does not save us any money!

 

[vandy]

Hey my family and I just got home from WDW and are ready to go back ASAP! Although it looks like it may take a while, I'm already starting to budget for it. I was wondering how many of you are a part of the vaccation club and if it is truly worth it. We stayed at the All-Star Movie Resort, and I understand what an upgrade these Resorts are over that....but in the overall picture of things is it worth it for a family that may only go 1 time every other year???

Thanx, I truly need the help.

There are so many things that are not mentioned in your post that you will need to think about. How many are in your family? What time of year do you think you'll visit? Was staying at All-Stars fine for you? Are the All-Star Music suites an option? How long are your stays? Do you want better accomodations? Can you afford the purchase of DVC with the initial expense and yearly dues? Will you use the full kitchen and washer/dryer? etc. etc.

For us, we plan on visiting every other year, mostly in June and will stay between 7-10 nights. This year will be 10 nights. With a family of 6, we will spend about $400-$500 more to stay at DVC than it would cost to stay in two rooms at a value resort (rack rate). We figure to offset a good chunk of that extra expense by at least making our own breakfast. We don't like basic rooms and wanted something more. One really needs to compare DVC more to a moderate or deluxe resort, not the value resorts. I know people with large families that love the value resorts and are happy staying there. For them and at this point in their lives, DVC is not that great of a deal but for us, it is!

Finally, even if the numbers look good to you and you want to buy, it is VERY difficult to actually either write that big check (egads that was tough!!!), or sign the dotted line on another loan! If readers know a little more about your situation, we can only offer our opinions but in the end it is up to you to decide what is best. GOOD LUCK!

 

[pied1piper]

There are 4 to my family, but last time we took along Grandma and Grandpa. We just went a week and a half ago, and I think it was about the right time of year for us. Other than that any other info you need to know?

 

[dumbo71]

Hey my family and I just got home from WDW and are ready to go back ASAP! Although it looks like it may take a while, I'm already starting to budget for it. I was wondering how many of you are a part of the vaccation club and if it is truly worth it. We stayed at the All-Star Movie Resort, and I understand what an upgrade these Resorts are over that....but in the overall picture of things is it worth it for a family that may only go 1 time every other year???

Thanx, I truly need the help.

Did you stay All Stars by choice or because the budget dictated it?

If either one of these is the reason then I'd say skip the buy in. If you really want an upgrade now and then, rent from one of the respected "professional" renters here on the Dis.

If you are happy at All Stars or that is what your budget allows then I'd say DVC is likely not for you.

Good luck.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

When you say "is it worth it" I think you mean in terms of money? In that case the answer is no. If you're looking for DVC to save you money it won't over what you currently do, especially if you only go every other year.

It will substantially upgrade where you are staying, it will change your pace (knowing for sure that you will be back) and it will probably cost a lot more because you will end up going back more often to take advantage of your points (your head says no but your heart will keep saying yes).

If you are happy at the All Star Movies and your family is as well, don't consider DVC as a way to save.

Good luck with your decision.

HBC

 

[dumbo71]

To tell you the truth, it has been the best purchase my husband and I had ever made. I will never give it up.

Never say never. I would have said the same thing a year or so ago. Things change and now I'm 1000 points lighter.

One beauty of DVC is that I actually made money on the sale and from renting throughout.

Can't guarantee those buying SSR now will make money from selling down the line but it is certainly very possible. At the worst they will only lose some money not a ton like other timeshares.

 

[Dean]

It may or may not be worth it. It will likely not save you money over the value resorts but may give you a better option at a reasonable price. If you do mostly weekends, it is a horrible idea. If you can do Sunday to Friday consistently, it is almost always a good value. And the non DVC options are always a poor reason to buy.

 

[ILuvWishes!]

Never say never. I would have said the same thing a year or so ago. Things change and now I'm 1000 points lighter.

One beauty of DVC is that I actually made money on the sale and from renting throughout.

Can't guarantee those buying SSR now will make money from selling down the line but it is certainly very possible. At the worst they will only lose some money not a ton like other timeshares.

I will say never. I will NEVER get rid of or sell our DVC points! We did not buy DVC to sell it and make money. We bought it to spend time at Disney World with family and friends (many who also own DVC). We bought a modest amount of points, enough to vacation at Disney 2-3 weeks a year in a 1 bedroom.

We have made 16 trips using DVC points over the last 10 years and it has already paid for itself. Now we have 35 years left and will never have to pay for another hotel room again at Disney or any of their Vacation spots!! Yes, it is a big expense at the beginning, but it pays off over time

With our family (2 young kids), we like the bigger rooms with laundry and kitchen facilities. We like the idea of resting during the day so the kids can nap in a separate room. My husband can do his work, while I rest on the couch (NOT THE BED) and watch TV.

Everyone has their opinion. We love WDW and will continue to vacation there when we have grandkids. Then we can give it to them.

So many options to consider...

.

 

[ILuvWishes!]

New at this posting thing. I did it twice in error. SORRY!

 

[SFLTIGGER]

I will say that I have to agree with the majority of what has been said here. It absolutely should not be a descision that is entered into lightly! And it can be a scary experience. But, have you looked at the rack rates lately . Even though maint. fee will continue to increase, the room rates will also continue to increase and who could even guess what the room rates will be 20 years from now

As for me, what a difference to be in a 1br. as opposed to even a moderate room, not to mention the ameneties of the DVC/Deluxe resorts. I'm in for good!

 

[Mischa]

We went to WDW last May and bought into the DVC membership. It was our first trip to WDW (well, DH's first and my 4th) and it was such a great deal we just went for it.

And being DVC members it actually helped us have a 2nd vacation (to WDW of course) just last month. We stayed at our home resort (SSR) and absolutely loved it! All we were "out" was plane fare and food. It really was one of the "cheapest" vacations we've had (even though we were at SSR).

Buying into the DVC has been a wonderful experience so far and we can't wait to go again and again. We're sorry we didn't buy a LONG time ago!

 

[MrShiny]

We think DVC is so worth it! I can tell you, we would not have made trips as much as we have lately without DVC (which we think is a great thing, as the kids grow so fast!). If you figure the 47 years left in SSR, the cost per year is only a few hundred dollars. With that, you can queeze in quite a few nights at WDW.

Also I am not planning on it, but I bet in 20 years the resale value of DVC will be very favorable compared to what I paid.

 

[tedhowe]

it will change your pace (knowing for sure that you will be back) and it will probably cost a lot more because you will end up going back more often to take advantage of your points (your head says no but your heart will keep saying yes).

This, to me, is the biggest thing about DVC that makes it "worth" it.

We are heading down in 10 days (Yay!!! ) and this trip is all about my two young DDs (ages 5 and 2) and what they want to do.

There are about a half dozen new attractions/shows between the 4 parks that I'd like to see, but I don't know if we'll get to them all... we may not even go to Epoct at all this trip.

Instead, we're going to let the children lead the way... I expect lots of show-type attractions, fireworks and parade watching. DW and I have been going to Disney together for going on 13 years now, and we've only stopped to watch a parade ONCE. We've always been interested in doing more other things... but now we'll just relax and watch the parade with our girls.