Is It Worth It?

[Christy LOVES Disney]

Is it worth buying into DVC if you don't plan on taking Disney trips every year or two? We want to go to Disney but then off to Hawaii, then Vegas, back to Disney, Colorado, and everywhere else. Do you think it is really worth it or is it a waist of money to do that? Are you only getting your money's worth when you go to Disney?

 

[Mr Man]

Is it worth buying into DVC if you don't plan on taking Disney trips every year or two? We want to go to Disney but then off to Hawaii, then Vegas, back to Disney, Colorado, and everywhere else. Do you think it is really worth it or is it a waist of money to do that? Are you only getting your money's worth when you go to Disney?

Um, it depends?

We are recent converts to DVC, so will defer to the members with more experience but here is what we do.

For us, DVC makes sense only if you are going to go to Disney and stay at a DVC resort at LEAST every other year. If not, I would have to say it is not worth the 50 yr investment (yup 50 yrs).

DVC hypes up the other places you can trade into for vacation, but IMHO there are better/cheaper ways to do this through other Time Shares/cash ressies etc.

We intend to use our DVC points to stay at a DVC resort twice yearly in a 1 BR suite at a time of our choosing. On years where we know we will vacation elsewhere, we will combine our DVC points to secure larger accomodations (or a longer stay) at a DVC resort.

Any vacations taken outside Disney will be via our Marriott Timeshare or whatever means we can secure.

For us, DVC is a premium (re expensive) timeshare. For us to get the maximum benefit out of it, it needs to used at Disney.

FWIW, I viewed the DisBoard for 6 months before we made the decision to purchase. It was worth the investment in time.

Regards,

 

[Christy LOVES Disney]

well i know 50 years is a while but one day i will have kids and want to bring them too. ugh so complicated.

 

[ransom]

Using your points for non-DVC resorts is generally not the best way to use them.

However, if DVC is a good deal for you at all (and that's an individual decision we all have to make), with banking and borrowing you could go as infrequently as once every three years and still find DVC to be a good deal. If you buy 1/3 of the points you'll need for any given stay (perhaps going through resale if it means buying less than the 160 point direct-from-Disney minimum), you can bank and borrow to get your once-every-three-years stay.

But beware! You may end up loving DVC so much that you'll end up taking every vacation at WDW. Before you know it, you'll have added on a couple more contracts, and will be spending each year at a different resort!

 

[erikthewise]

No.

There are too many other good alternatives for lodging if your visits to WDW will be sporadic, and more are being built all the time. And yes, you are only getting your money's worth when you use your points at DVC resorts.

However if you want to join DVC for the emotional rewards, and to have the best available accommodations at WDW (without paying $1000/night) when you DO visit, there's nothing wrong with that. Getting the best value is not everyone's goal.

 

[chalee94]

i'd agree that DVC is probably not worth it for you.

IMO you should go to the TUG forums to do some research, and start shopping for a cheaper timeshare that is a good trader.

 

[Christy LOVES Disney]

well dad and i talked it over.... he says every 3 years. we just bought. lol sorry guys thanks for the advice though.