Is it worth it???

[Hawk]

Thanks a bunch for your replies. I knew that this board would come through.

Thanks again and keep them coming.

Hawk.

 

[DiznEeyore]

There was a recent thread on the Orlando Hotels forum, asking why people did NOT buy DVC - many prefer the feel of a hotel room and want daily housekeeping included with the room. To each their own. You'll have to choose what matters most for your family and the price you're willing to pay for it. HTH!

Actually, unless there was an identical thread on the Offsite Resorts board, I think the thread you're referring to is one I started on the Resorts board:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=893419 (If anyone's interested in reading it....)

 

[rinkwide]

...Granted, there's a BIG difference in the quality and space between a single moderate hotel room and a 2BR suite...

Ya think?

 

[littlestar]

Hawk,

Another thing you could do is stay off site for the first week in a condo and then stay the last five days (Sunday through Thursday when DVC points are low) in a 2 bedroom at DVC. Or even 2 studios with DVC for the last five days of your vacation. That way if you love the Disney on-site deluxe accomodations you could still look forward to having 5 days there. Just an idea to throw around. Of course, that would mean cutting a couple of days off and avoiding the weekend. February (1st two weeks of February) the points for a standard view 2 bedroom Sunday through Thursday would be 150 at Boardwalk Standard view or 135 points at OKW. Two studios at BWV standard view during that time would take 110 points and OKW would be 100 points. Just another idea to kick around. If you plan on booking BWV standard view you almost need to own the points there, though. They book up early.

I'm not sure about how all the "Getaways" on Interval work. I have heard that your home resort timeshare won't come up on a Getaway. I know my mom and dad own Westgate Smokey Mountains and they have never had it come up on a getaway for them. But, one of my brothers owns a timeshare property in Mexico and he can get the Westgate Smokey Mountains resort to come up for getaways for him. So that might be something you should check into with other timeshare owners here on the boards. I mean if you bought a Marriott in Orlando and was counting on a "getway" to come up for Orlando for more weeks, I'm not sure how that works. Hopefully some of the others can answer that. Tug would be a good site to learn more about how timeshares in general work and the exchange companies like RCI and Interval.

 

[Beach_Bound9]

As the current cost per point keeps climbing, I think there is an increasing question as to whether it is worth it. At the current cost per point, it may not be worth it to be locked in. Renting is looking increasingly attractive.

There are many other off-site timeshares to choose from too. Bonnet creek is a new option worth considering, which I believe is a fairfield timeshare, and has close access. I'd recommend doing a search on this forum regarding Bonnet Creek.

http://www.extraholidays.com/resort...name=Fairfield_Orlando_at_Bonnet_Creek_Resort

http://search.netscape.com/ns/boomf...//www.vacationtimesharerentals.com/ads/10595/

The timeshare users group may be hepful in considering other options.

http://www.tug1.net/tugbbs1/Forum11/HTML/005491-2.html

 

[Disney Doll]

"Worth" is a subjective concept. There is financial "worth" but there is also non-financial "worth".

The others have given you a pretty good financial picture. I'll try and give you some of my thoughts about the non-financial aspects of "worth".

Some of the things I thnk make DVC "worth" it:
~We love to be on property. For us, the experience just wouldn't be the same off property.
~We love the size of the units, especially at OKW.
~We love the way each resort is themed.
~We have been very pleased with the upkeep of the properties in general. We have encountered a few minor problems over the years, but they have always been quickly rectified.
~We feel that it is a safe investment, since Disney will always be appealing enough so that if we needed to sell it we could and probably wouldn't lose money on our investment.
~We do not have any children, and still tend to go to WDW at least twice yearly. I know you say that you probably won't go as much once your children get older, but rethink that...it is a completely different type of vacation without kids, but there are a lot of adult entertainment & relaxation opportunities @ WDW.
~You don't have to "commando" tour, since you know you'll be back because you are a DVCer. We tend to relax and enjoy the resort more, and slow down a bit and enjoy a more relaxed pace.
~Believe it or not, having the full kitchen can be a positive. DH & I do not have kids, but we do like to do breakfast in the room (it's lovely to sit on the balcony sipping your morning beverage of choice). Obviously, we aren't making a full breakfast...usually it's something quick and easy. We also like to keep snacks and hours d'ourvres in there for late afternoon/evening snacking. Folks with families also do simple meals in the unit, which can save money.
~I also like having the laundry right in the room, if you are in a 1BR or larger unit. Makes packing lighter and therefore easier.
~We own a total of 430 points in 2 contracts. If we feel we do not want to spend points on the more expensive weekend nights, we pay cash. Either we start our vacation on the weekend, staying in a regular hotel and paying for it then moving to the DVC property on Sunday or Monday, or we book our DVC room to be using points for the weekdays, cash for the weekends.

Hope my slightly "different" perspective is helpful.

 

[bcvillastwo]

Hawk, you have already gotten some good advice and you will undoubtedly get some more now that you've provided some more information.

My advice, is to continue to do what you are doing, ask questions, run the numbers, think about what you are already doing and spending with respect to WDW, and about the future. I'm certain once you and your spouse sit down and think it through you guys will make the right decision for you and your family.

Since you mentioned that there may come a time when you may no longer want to take trips to WDW I'd like to offer up a couple of possibilities. First, you can always rent points and use that money to pay for other vacations. We've never rented and aren't likely to do so but there is a rent/trade board that you might check out if renting might become a possibility in the future. Second, so far people have been able to resell DVC pretty easily and many people are getting back more than they originially paid. Now, we all know there are no guarantees in life and nearly everyone expects the sales prices to go down the closer we get to the end of our contract lives. But for now and probably for the next 10 years or so I would expect the trend to continue (as long as Disney continues to exercise the right of first refusal).

Food for thought my friend.