is it worth it?

[mcap2004]

Do you think you have to go to Disney more than once, for DVC to be worth buying?

 

[disneynutz]

There are several factors that determine if DVC can be a room cost savings. The resort or level of resort that you normally stay at, your desire to stay at a deluxe resort with DVC amenities, and the frequency of your Disney vacations.

Bill

 

[Dean]

Do you think you have to go to Disney more than once, for DVC to be worth buying?

IMO the following are the requisites one should consider but even then each person's situations is different. One should:

• Be able to plan at least 7 months out.
• Have enough knowledge and experience of Disney and DVC to make an informed long term decision.
• Value staying on property enough to pay significantly more.
• Be comfortable with the compromises and risks of a timeshare.
• Go at least every other year of sufficient volume to make it worthwhile, a 2 BR EOY for a week is good, a studio EOY for a week or less is very questionable.
• Pay cash.
• Years ago this list also included not looking at long weekends but the points wee reallocated such that it's not as big of a deal anymore.
• Realize things will change with timeshares so avoid the situation that negative changes will quickly make it not worthwhile.

I'm assuming you're asking once per year, I can't imagine anyone considering buying simply for one trip.

 

[mcap2004]

There are several factors that determine if DVC can be a room cost savings. The resort or level of resort that you normally stay at, your desire to stay at a deluxe resort with DVC amenities, and the frequency of your Disney vacations.

Bill

We've stayed at the suites at AoA; however, I thought it was way too small and they say it's a suite for 6 ppl. But it's too small especially that it's 4 adults and 2 kids when we go. It was very cramped and not comfortable. I know some ppl get those because they say they just need a place to sleep but we don't always go to the parks and trying to fit us in there when we ordered food was nearly impossible to be able to eat.

There are times when it's only 4 of us but most times we're a party of 10. But thank you for the tips.

 

[mcap2004]

IMO the following are the requisites one should consider but even then each person's situations is different. One should:

[*]Be able to plan at least 7 months out.
[*]Have enough knowledge and experience of Disney and DVC to make an informed long term decision.
[*]Value staying on property enough to pay significantly more.
[*]Be comfortable with the compromises and risks of a timeshare.
[*]Go at least every other year of sufficient volume to make it worthwhile, a 2 BR EOY for a week is good, a studio EOY for a week or less is very questionable.
[*]Pay cash.
[*]Years ago this list also included not looking at long weekends but the points wee reallocated such that it's not as big of a deal anymore.
[*]Realize things will change with timeshares so avoid the situation that negative changes will quickly make it not worthwhile.
I'm assuming you're asking once per year, I can't imagine anyone considering buying simply for one trip.

Oh yes, we usually love to plan a year in advance. No one ever knows what's going to happen in that year but I believe it's better to be prepared.

Oh yes, I meant 1x per year. Even EOY is what we would like to do. My DH and I can only vacation in the summer due to kids' school and would like 10 days but paying cash each time for AoA gets to be quite a bit and adds up when it could go towards DVC, right?

 

[crisi]

It likely won't be cheaper than a suite at AoA. It might still be worth it. Realize that once you are staying on points, the packages and package perks don't happen - like free dining or room discounts.

Rent points and see. But consider all your options. Going offsite for your family size would give you both space AND come in cheaper than that AoA suite. And Bonnet Creek is so close you might as well be onsite - particularly if you are car people and not Disney transportation people to start with.

 

[disneynutz]

We've stayed at the suites at AoA; however, I thought it was way too small and they say it's a suite for 6 ppl. But it's too small especially that it's 4 adults and 2 kids when we go. It was very cramped and not comfortable. I know some ppl get those because they say they just need a place to sleep but we don't always go to the parks and trying to fit us in there when we ordered food was nearly impossible to be able to eat.

There are times when it's only 4 of us but most times we're a party of 10. But thank you for the tips.

I suggest that you read the DVC purchase threads here on the DIS, your situation isn't rare and others are going through the same decision process.

Based on what you have posted, DVC might save you some money or at least improve your quality of stay.


Bill

 

[disBOBney]

To purchase for a one time use, your trip would have to absorb all the costs of buying and selling, (i.e. closing costs, and 10% sellers fee, assuming your using a broker,) plus dues for the year (s) that you have the contract. Dues are paid on the calendar year, which means that if you are planning a first half year trip you could likely need the contract crossing two different years.

Also, it is important to know that DVC Villas are not configured like hotels. A studio or 1 bed room generally only have one dedicated bed, there would also be a pull-out sofa and in some cases a pull-of chair or drop down bunk. So for your group you would probably prefer a two bedroom which is 3 times the cost of a studio (or of course you could get two studios, but they do not have adjoining studios.)

Therefore, with your group and you are thinking only for a one-time visit renting points would be the better option. However, since you have already mentioned that you have been before, why are you only thinking of a one-time visit?

 

[mcap2004]

It likely won't be cheaper than a suite at AoA. It might still be worth it. Realize that once you are staying on points, the packages and package perks don't happen - like free dining or room discounts.

Rent points and see. But consider all your options. Going offsite for your family size would give you both space AND come in cheaper than that AoA suite. And Bonnet Creek is so close you might as well be onsite - particularly if you are car people and not Disney transportation people to start with.

We don't go when they offer free dining so that wouldn't be a problem. We only go during the busy summer season. And we usually do drive but it's too long of a drive coming from texas for my little ones so flight is our next option

 

[mcap2004]

I suggest that you read the DVC purchase threads here on the DIS, your situation isn't rare and others are going through the same decision process.

Based on what you have posted, DVC might save you some money or at least improve your quality of stay.


Bill

I definitely want to improve my quality of stay and I know for a fact we would go more than once a year if we had DVC but we are still doing plenty of research.

 

[mcap2004]

To purchase for a one time use, your trip would have to absorb all the costs of buying and selling, (i.e. closing costs, and 10% sellers fee, assuming your using a broker,) plus dues for the year (s) that you have the contract. Dues are paid on the calendar year, which means that if you are planning a first half year trip you could likely need the contract crossing two different years.

Also, it is important to know that DVC Villas are not configured like hotels. A studio or 1 bed room generally only have one dedicated bed, there would also be a pull-out sofa and in some cases a pull-of chair or drop down bunk. So for your group you would probably prefer a two bedroom which is 3 times the cost of a studio (or of course you could get two studios, but they do not have adjoining studios.)

Therefore, with your group and you are thinking only for a one-time visit renting points would be the better option. However, since you have already mentioned that you have been before, why are you only thinking of a one-time visit?

By a one time visit, I mean 1x per year or even EOY. Right now we only go 1x a year and ONLY during the summer because of my kids. But I have thought about renting points to try it out first.

 

[staceymay00]

We've stayed at the suites at AoA; however, I thought it was way too small and they say it's a suite for 6 ppl. But it's too small especially that it's 4 adults and 2 kids when we go. It was very cramped and not comfortable. I know some ppl get those because they say they just need a place to sleep but we don't always go to the parks and trying to fit us in there when we ordered food was nearly impossible to be able to eat. There are times when it's only 4 of us but most times we're a party of 10. But thank you for the tips.

A 2br DVC villa is so much more comfortable than an AoA suite! Last year we spent a couple of nights in an AoA cars suite. We enjoyed our stay and the resort is neat, but I doubt we will stay there again. It was a one time deal since we are Cars fans - especially my youngest son - and we did not have enough DVC points for the last two nights of our stay. This was Thanksgiving week - it was expensive! We can stay in a 2BR DVC unit for less than it costs to stay in a AoA suite (figuring initial cost of our points plus MFs multiplied by points required for one night).

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[rmcildw2m]

Not for me , I have owned 4 different contracts now and although they have small 50 to 75 points per , I still have gotten way more bang for the buck on points verses paying cash for the same kinda room .

 

[Dean]

We've stayed at the suites at AoA; however, I thought it was way too small and they say it's a suite for 6 ppl. But it's too small especially that it's 4 adults and 2 kids when we go. It was very cramped and not comfortable. I know some ppl get those because they say they just need a place to sleep but we don't always go to the parks and trying to fit us in there when we ordered food was nearly impossible to be able to eat.

There are times when it's only 4 of us but most times we're a party of 10. But thank you for the tips.

Even for the 6 you'll need a 2 BR and for the 10, even more, so you should plan accordingly.

Oh yes, we usually love to plan a year in advance. No one ever knows what's going to happen in that year but I believe it's better to be prepared.

Oh yes, I meant 1x per year. Even EOY is what we would like to do. My DH and I can only vacation in the summer due to kids' school and would like 10 days but paying cash each time for AoA gets to be quite a bit and adds up when it could go towards DVC, right?

For 6 people resale at WDW for 10 days for 6 people you're looking at around 450 points total. So up front a commitment of at least $30K plus and yearly fees of $2250 or more. For that situation I'd likely do 2 resorts, one higher demand or cheaper options (AKV, BWV) or at least 2 contracts even if say SSR.

 

[mcap2004]

Even for the 6 you'll need a 2 BR and for the 10, even more, so you should plan accordingly. For 6 people resale at WDW for 10 days for 6 people you're looking at around 450 points total. So up front a commitment of at least $30K plus and yearly fees of $2250 or more. For that situation I'd likely do 2 resorts, one higher demand or cheaper options (AKV, BWV) or at least 2 contracts even if say SSR.

More times it will just be 4 of us, which is myself, DH and 2 kids. We only plan on purchasing for us. 6 ppl would be if In-laws tagged along but I am only looking/interested to buy for a family of 4.

 

[crisi]

More times it will just be 4 of us, which is myself, DH and 2 kids. We only plan on purchasing for us. 6 ppl would be if In-laws tagged along but I am only looking/interested to buy for a family of 4.

One of the things with DVC is if you buy for your family of four to go every other year - where do the points come from for these trips for six or ten?

There are options - you could skip next years trip and borrow those points. You could rent some extra points from someone else.

Most likely, you will buy more points than you need for four people, and bank and borrow points every year so every few years you can take guests.

Add in the costs of those guests though. If you are going to own extra points to take friends and relatives - and you'd never do that if you didn't own - it can get expensive - buy in costs are more, dues are more. If you rent points to take friends - that's expensive too. Its one of the big reasons many of us don't actually save money, but we do get value in bringing our friends.

Also be careful of your guest planning. Many of us have discovered guests can be more difficult that you imagine in the dreaming stage. There are three kinds - the problem free you are dreaming about now - the ones that you want to bring and dream about bringing, but when the rubber hits the road,they aren't going to be able or have the desire to budget the time or the money and never make it - and the ones that are a pain in the backend. They invite themselves along, or cancel at the last minute leaving you stuck with too big a room. They complain the whole trip about the cost, or the amount of walking. You suddenly discover they've invited a friend along and now you are over room occupancy. They want to switch resorts long after everything has been booked, then whine about how horrible the program is when it can't accommodate their sudden wish. Some people are blessed with only the first - and some people seem to have been blessed with none of the first. We've had all three. Take a realistic look at your friends and relatives before you invest in extra points.

 

[Dean]

More times it will just be 4 of us, which is myself, DH and 2 kids. We only plan on purchasing for us. 6 ppl would be if In-laws tagged along but I am only looking/interested to buy for a family of 4.

Ok, thanks. Your note mentioned 6 then 4 then said most times it'd be 10. buying just for the 4 will not given enough points for the larger trips without some other adjustments.

 

[mcap2004]

One of the things with DVC is if you buy for your family of four to go every other year - where do the points come from for these trips for six or ten?

There are options - you could skip next years trip and borrow those points. You could rent some extra points from someone else.

Most likely, you will buy more points than you need for four people, and bank and borrow points every year so every few years you can take guests.

Add in the costs of those guests though. If you are going to own extra points to take friends and relatives - and you'd never do that if you didn't own - it can get expensive - buy in costs are more, dues are more. If you rent points to take friends - that's expensive too. Its one of the big reasons many of us don't actually save money, but we do get value in bringing our friends.

Also be careful of your guest planning. Many of us have discovered guests can be more difficult that you imagine in the dreaming stage. There are three kinds - the problem free you are dreaming about now - the ones that you want to bring and dream about bringing, but when the rubber hits the road,they aren't going to be able or have the desire to budget the time or the money and never make it - and the ones that are a pain in the backend. They invite themselves along, or cancel at the last minute leaving you stuck with too big a room. They complain the whole trip about the cost, or the amount of walking. You suddenly discover they've invited a friend along and now you are over room occupancy. They want to switch resorts long after everything has been booked, then whine about how horrible the program is when it can't accommodate their sudden wish. Some people are blessed with only the first - and some people seem to have been blessed with none of the first. We've had all three. Take a realistic look at your friends and relatives before you invest in extra points.

You understand me oh so well...lol! That is what I am trying to explain to my DH. That while it's nice to invite his parents but then his sister, brother, his brother's kid and the kid's mom have to come too because one will not come without the other. I am telling him I AM NOT going to get extra points and have to pay more $$ for someone else to enjoy a stay at our expense. I am only going to get points for my family of 4 and if they want to cone along then they need to worry about their own stay because I've even looked into renting and it is waaay to much $$$. I'd rather just put that money towards getting into DVC.

 

[mcap2004]

Ok, thanks. Your note mentioned 6 then 4 then said most times it'd be 10. buying just for the 4 will not given enough points for the larger trips without some other adjustments.

Oh yes, sorry about the confusion. 10 is how many we are if my in laws go along with the SIL and BIL but I am only going into DVC for a familu of 4. I am not going to lose out on going to my family vacations with my kids because we have to bank and borrow for ppl that want to tag along. I don't mind an extra 2 like the MIL & FIL but anyone else needs to find their own way when it comes to lodging

 

[crisi]

You understand me oh so well...lol! That is what I am trying to explain to my DH. That while it's nice to invite his parents but then his sister, brother, his brother's kid and the kid's mom have to come too because one will not come without the other. I am telling him I AM NOT going to get extra points and have to pay more $$ for someone else to enjoy a stay at our expense. I am only going to get points for my family of 4 and if they want to cone along then they need to worry about their own stay because I've even looked into renting and it is waaay to much $$$. I'd rather just put that money towards getting into DVC.

I wouldn't buy. I'd rent points or do what you are doing. If you buy, its going to be very easy for your DH to let slip "you should come along Mom" - and before you know it you have three years of points invested in a "just one time" family vacation - and are renting extra points to cover all the costs....or you will end up being the bad guy - and trust me, DVC is not worth being the bad guy when it comes to your in laws. Being the bad guy when it comes to your in laws puts a lot of strain on a marriage. So, in your case - not worth it.