Is it really worth it to become a DVC member?

[Panfan86]

I have recently looked into becoming a DVC member, but the website just confuses me. Im hoping that by coming here, i can get some clarification. Is it just like have a timeshare, or is it different? How does the payment situation work? Any info and insight would be greatly appreciated!

 

[McCrae]

I have recently looked into becoming a DVC member, but the website just confuses me. Im hoping that by coming here, i can get some clarification. Is it just like have a timeshare, or is it different? How does the payment situation work? Any info and insight would be greatly appreciated!

The first thing I would suggest you do is contact DVC and speak to a guide. They will give you all the basic information you need. Once you have this you will be in a better position to ask more specific questions.

 

[bookwormde]

It is also good to know that there is a resale market where you can get all be the newest resorts at major discounts

bookwormde

 

[jmjousley]

After speaking to a guide, sit down and look at your vacation routine. Do you normally stay in value resorts or do you like the deluxe accomodations? Will you take advantage of the kitchen, or do you still like to eat all of your meals in the parks? How often will you be traveling?

I wished we lived closer to Orlando (we're in the Midwest). We are now finding out that we are not going to Florida as often as we had dreamed to go and I don't think we are getting the best value for our vacation habits. When we able to go more often, I think our DVC was well worth it. Don't forget to add in the cost of dues/maintenance fees in your cost analysis.

Sharon

 

[chalee94]

Is it just like have a timeshare, or is it different?

it's definitely a lot like a timeshare. it's just point-based. so instead of having a set week in a 2BR each year, you can buy a certain number of pts that allow you different options.

How does the payment situation work?

it depends on how many pts you buy.

if you buy a 75 pt SSR resale contract, it would cost less than $6000 upfront - but you'd probably need to pay cash or arrange your own financing. and you could only book a studio (which is like a deluxe hotel room) for maybe 5-6 nights a year.

if you bought that 75 pt contract, you'd also owe about $28 per month in "maintenance fees" - that amount would most likely go up each year about 3% or so.

for that money, you'd get 75 pts each year until 2054. you could easily book SSR (your "home resort") at 11 months out - and try to switch at 7 months to try another resort if you like. the point charts at the top of the page will give you an idea of how far 75 pts will go...not terribly far, but enough for some.

if you want more nights each year and/or more room (such as a 2BR villa which is more like a deluxe suite or rental condo - complete with full kitchen, washer/dryer, jacuzzi tub and so on), then you could easily spend $20,000 or more with $200 or so in maintenance fees each month.

elbow-room onsite at wdw don't come cheap.

you can also buy direct through disney, and they will finance the purchase at 10-12%. they usually require a minimum purchase of 160 pts.

here's a link to more reading material if you want it.

 

[firstcruise]

You can request a video be sent to you on the website too. It has all the info about DVC in it and goes over points, banking, RCI etc. Calling a guide is good too, but if you're like me I want to see what it's about and come up with my questions before calling.

There are also cast members around the resort at DVC kiosks that can help too.

 

[DisneySJB]

When I bought DVC, I did not approach it as an investment. I approached it as pre-paying for future vacations at today's prices. If you plan to vacation at WDW at least every 3 years for the next several years, you should definately learn more about DVC. Yes, it is expensive. But, WDW is very expensive and will continue to increase whereas DVC lock you in (with exception for maintenance fees).

 

[Mtnman44]

The answser is: it depends. I honestly think it is a real money saver for a very narrow range of WDW visitors. For the rest of us, it actually causes us to become much more regular vistors.

If you have a fairly solid plan to visit WDW every year or two for the next 20 or so years, and you intended to stay in Disney Resorts, then a DVC membership may be financially "worth it".

The upgraded accomodations are another factor that adds value to the equation. Most people who use disney resorts stay in hotel style single room units. DVC members have studios available, but most probably use 1 and 2 BR full condo villas, which is a huge improvement for an extended vacation with a family, in my humble opinion. This is a main factor for me in the value equation.

There are significantly less expensive ways to stay at or near WDW world, including some very nice villas (near but not on the property). DVC is simply one option.

I have recently looked into becoming a DVC member, but the website just confuses me. Im hoping that by coming here, i can get some clarification. Is it just like have a timeshare, or is it different? How does the payment situation work? Any info and insight would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Is it worth it? Not any more because DVC is getting so greedy with the price of points. Buy a resale or rent a members' points instead.

 

[disneynutz]

You really need to take some time, learn, and work the numbers. Disney vacations are very expensive, owning a DVC interest will save you some money if you intend to vacation at WDW every couple of years. In addition to the cost of buying your contract, you will have a increasing dues payment, food, transportation, and admission tickets to buy every year.

Don't buy based on hype or wanting to belong to a club, it really isn't a club, just a way to get a discount on your hotel room.

Bill

 

[twinboysmom]

OP, noticed you lived in Nevada. Are you planning to spend more time at DL or WDW? What are your travel habits? How long do you stay? Tell us a bit about yourself. You are doing your research first which is quite smart. One thing that I didn't understand until after I bought in was that DVC peak times are usually when the points are lowest. So those first couple weeks of December are very hard to book outside the 11 month window. Also, some people have better luck than me but despite what a guide tells you, some resorts are downright tough to get into at 7 months. Next May is the first time in 7 years that we will be staying at VWL. We did no research first, so not like me. Buy where you want to stay unless you honestly do not care. They were selling SSR when we bought, it was brand new, and we were drinking the WDW kool aid at the time. Lucky for us we love SSR but some people have different views. There are a ton of properties so one for everyone. The last thing, a mistake we made was financing it. My opinion, buy a resale contract in cash. Any specific questions just ask. There are a ton of very knowledgeable people on these boards that will answer just about any question you might have. Good luck with your decision.

 

[KKKKCS]

For us, fellow Nevadans by the way, it is definitely worth it. On a Disney cruise in 2008 we sat through the DVC spiel to kill an hour and we realized we were rarely taking family vacations. At that time it had been 7 years since our last one. We decided then and there that DVC was for us because for the cost of 2.5 cruises we would have 50 years of guaranteed vacations. So far we have taken a cruise, spent a week in a grand villa at Christmas with 13 of our family members, and next summer we are spending 10 days in a 2 BR with each of our 3 kids able bringing a friend. Which brings up another great benefit for us, being able to share our good fortune with family and friends. Is it worth it on strictly a dollars and cents basis? Probably not. But for us there are more important considerations than just the money.

 

[JimMIA]

DVC is not like a timeshare.

DVC IS a timeshare.

Never forget that, and never forget that any Disney representative you are speaking to IS a timeshare salesman.

 

[JimMIA]

you can also buy direct through disney, and they will finance the purchase at 10-12%. they usually require a minimum purchase of 160 pts.

However...using Charles' SSR example, you would be paying almost DOUBLE the price you would pay if you bought resale. With his 75-point contract example, you'd be paying the full $120 per point, with no discount.

Also, Disney's LOWEST interest rate for financing is 10.75%, I believe (someone correct me if I'm wrong). If you don't qualify for that "preferred rate, the interest rate is 14.25%.

If you purchase directly from Disney at their prices, and finance using their financing, the question of "Is it worth it?" takes on a totally different look, IMHO.

Paying top dollar AND a very high interest rate really makes the cost much higher.

 

[jacqueline moratelli]

I have been a member since 2002 and I have to say that buying DVC was the best thing I have ever done. Our family has had more fun vacationing using DVC than any other timeshare we own. I currently own 2 other timeshares (flagship and Starwood) and I have to say Disney is the best by far. The points makes vacationing very flexible. You can pick the days you want to vacation be it 3, 4 , 5 or more days as opposed to other timeshares where you have to vacation a whole week. Many times my family and I have took a long weekend and use out DVC points. To date we have never been disappointed in anything with DVC. Member services is awesome and very polite. DVC accommodations are so much roomier than traditional hotel rooms. DVC is truely magical!!!!!!!! YOu will not be disappointed. Oh and you really do save a lot of money over the years. Hope this helps.

 

[rentayenta]

Is DVC worth it? For us? Hell to the yeah! But like the others have noted, you need to take into account your vacation habits and preferences. It certainly isn't for everyone.

 

[maryanne.a.nua]

I have recently looked into becoming a DVC member, but the website just confuses me. Im hoping that by coming here, i can get some clarification. Is it just like have a timeshare, or is it different? How does the payment situation work? Any info and insight would be greatly appreciated!

if you have kids and wanna visit Disney most of the time. then it's worth it to be a DVC member... there's lots of benefits in becoming a member. try to read on some of the links here at DISBoards so for you to get an idea whats it all about.

GOod luck!

 

[Stephen121795]

I think DVC is great if you plan on visiting WDW or DL at least once every three years and if you can plan you vacations at least 7 months in advance.

 

[Scampi]

I love being a DVC memeber. It works for me because I like to travel to Disney as often as I can. I've also used my points for a cruise and would now like to go on an advetures by Disney trip.

A DVC guide can give you all the info you need to determine if it is good for you. As for me, I have no regrets.

 

[Ken_Breadbox]

I love being a DVC memeber. It works for me because I like to travel to Disney as often as I can. I've also used my points for a cruise and would now like to go on an advetures by Disney trip.

A DVC guide can give you all the info you need to determine if it is good for you. As for me, I have no regrets.

I'll be honest, I had next to no interest in DVC when we went down last week. At the end of a week in OKW, and especially after I found out that DVC could take you all over the planet, I was intrigued enough to hear the spiel.

The salesman did a masterful job of selling DVC to us. Of course, I had no intention of signing anything right away, but we were pretty much sold on the benefits.

It was only afterwards (isn't that always the way) that I started wondering if I got the whole story, and I resolved to come here and find out.

For instance: points. Nick made a big deal of saying that the points system was a hedge against inflation, since we would lock in at X$/pt. and it would give us, say, 150 points per year over the length of the contract. It didn't occur to me until later to question if those points decrease in relative value. For instance, 150 pts now gets me, say, seven nights a year. Is there a point in the future when that same point value will only get me four nights? Or one?

Another thing he didn't explain very well (probably intentionally) was the resale market. I don't really understand this. If Disney has the right of first refusal and can veto sales that are too cheap...doesn't it follow that resale would invariably be more expensive? And yet I hear it's much cheaper. What am I missing?

Pardon the stupidity!