Is it really worth it to joing DVC?

[mrsannb]

I've looked into it a few times, but I haven't been convinced. It also seems very difficult to understand all the ins and outs of it to make sure you're getting what you want and getting your plans in place. But we do really enjoy Disney vacations. Opinions?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Prior to 1997 we tried to vacation at WDW at least every other year. We spent thousands each trip. In 1997 we purchased DVC and started doing annual DVC trips, and then started doing 2-3 trips a year. When you consider we have already paid for our accommodations in deluxe 1,2, and 3 bedroom DCV units for the next 35-49 years, YES, it's worth it. We don't have to worry about prices going up, don't have to worry about codes and getting the best deal....we already have it. We can splurg and take friends and family along and treat them to a great Disney vacation without breaking our bank or theirs. On top of that, I figure we broke even on our membership years ago.

 

[casper]

Only you can really determine if it is “worth it” for you and your family. The general consensus on these boards is that DVC is a good match if your vacation habits take you to Disney at least every other year and you prefer to stay Deluxe or Moderate level resorts. If you stay at Deluxe, you will probably start saving money (as to what you would have spent) within 7 years. If you normally stay at a Moderate it will take a few more years to break even.

However, most of us don’t seem to consider “worth it” in terms of money saved. Actually, many of us end up spending more money at Disney than we ever did before. That’s because we end up traveling there more often, eat a little fancier, take advantage of things not associated with the parks as much, etc. Where I was going once a year, I now go two or three times a year – each for about a week stay. Obviously, I’m spending more money.

“Worth it” to me consists on the type of vacations I now get to take. I stay in excellent accommodations, have been able to take my extended family along and have even provided for friends to go with me. None of this would have ever happened if it wasn’t for DVC. That, in itself, makes DVC “worth it” for me even though the amount of $$$$ is a great deal more.

I suggest you take your time in your decision. Research and read these boards. Ask us and your rep a lot of questions, and then make an informed decision. DVC is not for everyone. So it all depends on what you want concerning your vacation and Disney experience.

Best wishes for you. I remember my agonizing over the same question. I haven’t regretted joining for a moment. Well, maybe a moment when I wrote out the check!
But not since then.

 

[Mtnman44]

Stay a few nights in a 1 or 2 BR villa and then come back here at lest us know if you think it's worth it to stay at the pop...

 

[AKV707]

I agree with everything that has been said. Only you can decide for yourself.In terms of it being complicated, hey, all of us are able to manage it, so you can too! It is not that complicated, in fact it is fun. And the Dis has been so helpful to me here in my first year of DVC membership.

DW and i finally decided to buy in after we realized that our 14 trips in 14 years at mods and deluxe resorts had already cost us the cost of membership.

Take your time, ask your guide tons of questions, and ask away here. There are so many helpful Disers that helped me and we will all be happy to answer all that we can.

Good luck with your decision.

Oh, and for us, DVC is definitely worth it!

 

[mom2aredhead]

I too am deciding what to do. We go at least once a year, so yes, I think we'd save money on the actual room. But we are a small family of 3 so we'd be perfectly fine in a studio, which is no bigger than the deluxes we stay in now.
We would want to use it as a traditional timeshare some years and go to Hawaii, Caribbean, etc. But from what I'm reading about II, waitlists for non-owners, and waitlists for the DVC ones in WDW, I'm not convinced it would be worth the hassle.
Also, are there any promotions (referral or otherwise) going on that should convince me to buy from DVC directly instead of a resale?
Sorry to hijack the thread, but hopefully this would help us both.

 

[DbleTheFun]

Totally a personal decision... if your question is "Is it really cheaper to buy DVC than to just go to WDW and book at a typical hotel?" the answer is a clear no... but that's not the premise many of those who bought into DVC used when purchasing.

For us, we normally take 2 or 3 week-long vacations a year... all in 5 star properties... and often at All Inclusives or Tropical destinations. We had twin boys last year, and that changed the way we travel. We still stay in 5 star resorts, but now things like WDW seem more exciting for us. We took our boys when they were 11 months old and decided that there would be no other place we would rather build annual memories around, than there... and so it made our decision easy. We basically pre-paid for a holiday a year at WDW (Had the cash) and know that this will be something we can share with our kids as they get older.

We bought 500 points, so that we would have the flexibillity of what type of property we would use, or so that if we wanted, we could go more often... but this still allows us to travel to other parts of the world with our kids, that we want to share with them. We arent adverse to using our points for a DVC cruise either (Although others warn about it not being a good use of points)... we simply use them how we would travel normally... and when we dont have points or want to go somewhere that points arent an option.. we do so...it seemed like the perfect solution. (we have no interest in renting out points)

It is a great program for it's flexibility... and knowing that our children will get MANY years of use out of it... made it a no brainer for us... but again, it is all a matter of personal opinion.

 

[AKV707]

In terms of wait listing at WDW, the key there is to buy where you want to stay. The 11 month window at your home resort is very helpful. I am new to DVC, but was able to, on three months notice, make a reservation at OKW for Food and Wine, a traditionally busy DVC time.

Remember that when we get waitlisted, we tend to post, when we don't we don't always post.

In terms of II exchanges, the best value for DVC points is for a DVC resort, but likely the second best is through II. And I have read successful II exchanges.

A DVC studio gives you a kitchenette, a balcony, and a DVC experience. As nice as a deluxe room is, from my brief experience, it does not match the quality of a DVC stay.

 

[mrsannb]

I really appreciate these replies. They're very helpful. Now that we have 3 children, it may be that DVC is right for us!
Once you buy in, how soon can you start using it?
If I bought this month, could I stay there in May?

 

[mom2aredhead]

In terms of wait listing at WDW, the key there is to buy where you want to stay. The 11 month window at your home resort is very helpful. I am new to DVC, but was able to, on three months notice, make a reservation at OKW for Food and Wine, a traditionally busy DVC time.

Remember that when we get waitlisted, we tend to post, when we don't we don't always post.

In terms of II exchanges, the best value for DVC points is for a DVC resort, but likely the second best is through II. And I have read successful II exchanges.

A DVC studio gives you a kitchenette, a balcony, and a DVC experience. As nice as a deluxe room is, from my brief experience, it does not match the quality of a DVC stay.

Thanks! AKV would be the one that we'd be interested (many of our prev stays were at AKL). I've been tempted to buy a resale at BCV because of the price difference, but I don't know how happy we'd be there since we're so used to AKL. Spoiled - I know. Also, the extra years at AKV are a bonus. I still just don't know. UGH! Maybe the resale prices will come down when they finally start selling CRV. Or is that still a secret??

 

[mrsannb]

What are all the options of places you can buy right now, and how much is it? (I know you buy points and choose a certain number but forget the details)

 

[Anal Annie]

We purchased our DVC membership because we liked going at least every other year and staying in "Deluxe" resorts...we like to vacation in places like Hawaii, Mexico and other caribbean islands and we like to go on DCL etc. Vacation costs in general were going up every year. We decided to "lock in" our future accomodation price now. Also, we started thinking about how much a trip to WDW would cost in another 25 years! What if we have grandkids by then that can't afford to go without DVC?! THAT was a big reason we did it. Disney was pricing us out of the deluxe resorts. We had already backed down to "moderates" and I was contemplating "value" resorts for our trip last summer. We really wish we had done it several years ago. But too late now - just glad we finally did it!

That said - we HAVE spent more for our trips than I expected we would. We bought AP's for last summer and to cover this summer - then figured we should try to squeeze in a trip inbetween to use them again! WELL...so there's extra airfare...OH - and we ran out of points so now we're booking on cash! (Good thing we can also get a DVC cash room discount!) SO-O we're having a BIG first year of ownership...but will have to tone it down a little in the future and learn to manage ourselves a little better... But still glad we finally did it!!

 

[Donald is #1]

I really appreciate these replies. They're very helpful. Now that we have 3 children, it may be that DVC is right for us!
Once you buy in, how soon can you start using it?
If I bought this month, could I stay there in May?

The answer is...it depends.

First of all, are you planning on buying through Disney or via resale? Buying through Disney is much quicker but you pay a higher price.

If you bought through Disney, you would have your points right away and could make a reservation ASAP. However, it depends upon availability. Also once you get within 60 days, DVC releases all of the open inventory to Disney to sell for cash reservations. I am not trying to discourage you; I just don't want to say yes and then you find that there is nothing available. If you are flexible about the dates that you travel and where the reservation is, then I would expect that there is availability for May. If you are going to purchase, I would ask your guide before you sign to check availability for you.

If you bought via resale, it will take longer. First you have to find a contract that you like and make an offer. Once the seller accepts the offer, then both of you have to sign paperwork. Once the paperwork is signed, then the resale company sends it to Disney for ROFR. Disney has 30 days to decide whether they want to exericse ROFR or not. If Disney decides not to exercise ROFR, then you have to wait for the closing before you have your points.

 

[Donald is #1]

What are all the options of places you can buy right now, and how much is it? (I know you buy points and choose a certain number but forget the details)

Through Disney, they are currently selling SSR and AKV. Both resorts are currently being sold at $104 per point. However, the last incentive has been extended for another 1-2 weeks and if you buy at least 110 points, then you can get either $8 (AKV) or $10 (SSR) off per point or instead of the discount some developer's points. Disney is also selling some of the older resorts due to points they have obtained from ROFR. However, I don't know the price of them.

Via one of the resalers, you can buy any resort and the price varies. If you are interested in resale, go to the last page of the ROFR thread to see the current prices.

Here is a link to the ROFR thread ROFR Thread

 

[AKV707]

The minimum initial buy in 160 points through Disney. Yes, SSR and AKV are th ones being sold. You can also buy the other DVC resorts through Disney if points are available.

I think the prices are:
BCV: $101 PP 2042 exp.
BWV: $98 pp 2042 exp.
OKW: $96 pp 2057 exp

I am not sure about VWL, HH, and VB.

When you buy through DVC you get the points immediately.

 

[mrsannb]

There are yearly dues or maintenance fees too, correct?

 

[sixisenough]

We actually just bought 200 pts at AKV this past weekend and received 270 developer points that we have to use in the next year. I just booked a summer getaway to Disneyland Hotel for 230 pts in a 1br suite and my points were already available for use. The customer service is fabulous in helping you figure out where to stay. You probably could get a room at Saratoga Springs for sure in May, it is very big and they are still selling those.

We also debated for a long time about whether to purchase or not, and I am so excited that we did. We just got back from a value line vacation at Disney, and I so looking forward to the luxury we will have on vacation from now on. The financing is almost too easy at Disney, just think of it like acar payment, but will be memories for 50 years

 

[sixisenough]

There are yearly dues or maintenance fees too, correct?

Yes, depending on your resort.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Here is the fee history for each resort. The price is per point, so for this year, if you have 100 points at SSR, you'd owe $421 in maintenance fees.

****2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004
OKW 4.56, 4.40, 4.24, 3.86, 3.68
BWV 5.04, 4.85, 4.69, 4.41, 4.25
VB 6.04, 5.63, 5.27, 4.87, 4.67
HHI 5.16, 4.98, 4.34, 4.04, 3.86
VWL 4.87, 4.73, 4.61, 4.35, 4.22
BCV 4.80, 4.63, 4.48, 4.27, 4.18
SSR 4.21, 4.12, 3.98, 3.83, 3.80
AKV 4.71 , 4.62,

 

[mrsannb]

They really get you with those maintenance fees.
Why is it better to own rather than just rent other people's points?