Is it worth the cost to become a DVC member

[grandmadebby]

If you can only go to Disney World once a year or even everyother year do you think it is worth joining the DVC? We are already members of Wyndham Vacation Clubs and own at Bonnet Creek although we prefer to stay on sight at Disney and use our points at other vacation spots. We are also RCI members but have been unable to book Disney through them by depositing a use week because there is no availability. Trying to decide whether to become members.

 

[BBG-BLT]

I believe so. We only go once a year (once and awhile us parents can get away for a weekend to WDW) but mostly we go once a year. We love DVC because we do go once a year and now we know that for the most part our hotel (villa) is paid for. And this way we know we're going to go once a year where before we used to kid ourselves and say "Maybe this year we won't go to Disney" but we would always end up going.

So for us its knowing that its paid for. The ability to plan in advance and not have to worry about getting a pin code and the fact that we're more relaxed knowing we're coming back. It also freed us to try a different time of year and not have to worry about the change in price (just more points or a not as good view).

Good luck with thinking about it - it is a big purchase but I've stayed on my DVC points but have always (for 7 years now) traded in my Mexico timeshare. Buy where you want to stay.

 

[Chuck S]

You already have several things going for you. You currently own a timeshare, so you are familiar with how they operate...and I certainly understand wanting to stay onsite.

I think you are a good candidate for DVC, though you may consider purchasing resale,because you may be happy with a smaller contract that the current minimums available...but that depends upon the size of accommodations you'd use, of course, and what resort you'd like to purchase.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I also think you are a good candidate for DVC. Since you only want to travel once a year or everyother year, you can get by with the smaller contract and by using banking and borrowing, get the size unit and length of stay you desire.

Now, if you are thinking you always need a 2 bedroom every year, you'll want more points, but if you can get by with a 1 bedroom most of the time and an occational 2 bedroom, or only plan every other year, you'll be fine. If you aren't so concerned about which resort, you can take advantage of the ones with lowest point costs and maintenance fees also.

 

[dmoore22]

And, if your like me (I'm making an assumption your a sexy senior citizen -- "grandmadebby") a bargain resale contract that expires in 2042 (I doubt I'll be traveling much when I'm 110) may be just up your alley.

 

[littlestar]

If you bought developer from Wyndham you should have plus partners on your account. If you do, you can obtain DVC stays with your Wyndham points through RCI. PM me if you have Plus Partners and I'll send you more info about obtaining DVC through RCI with it.

A small DVC points package bought resale (say 100 points) would allow you to book a 1 bedroom every other year. Or, if you'd be happy with a DVC studio, you could buy even less points resale.

 

[grandmadebby]

Thank you for the information. I guess I should give a little more information about us. When we go to Disney we take us, 5 adult children and 2 spouses, and our 5 grandchildren so we usually get a 4 bedroom presidential or a 3 bedroom and a 1 or 2 bedroom along with it. Just depends on who all is going.

As far as booking through RCI with our Partner Plus I tried last year, shortly after DVC switched to RCI from II and nothing was available. So I banked points with RCI Oct 1st 2009 for thid use year and still no availability for this summer. I have banked 2 red weeks, if that means anything to you guys, not sure I understand it all.

Do DVC members qualify for Dining plans and are there discounts on tickets? Thanks so much for your help. We have recieved a book from DVC with the point alotments but still not sure if it has enough value to warrant the maintenance fees and all.

 

[AirGoofy]

Do DVC members qualify for Dining plans and are there discounts on tickets? Thanks so much for your help. We have recieved a book from DVC with the point alotments but still not sure if it has enough value to warrant the maintenance fees and all.

You have a lot of people. We only are a family of 4 (dds 8,5) so a studio works for us. We may have to go to a 1 bedroom in later years. We joined DVC, did an add-on, and now go twice a year. DVC is worth it for us as we love staying on WDW property. Yes, DVC members may purchase the DP (there are 3 of them) as well as some other discounts, but those are optional and change over the years. Even the allocation of points can change each year.

As for the number of points for the stay, you are probably looking at a GrandVilla and studio combination or any other of numbers thereafter. That is a lot of points. An option you may consider is purchasing 1/2 the number of points you need, and travel to WDW every other year. DVC has banking/ borrowing UY rules as well. Good luck with your decision.

 

[disfanforlife]

I can't imagine how much that would cost without DVC. We have a family of 5 and think it is well worth it. It is so nice for us to have a two bedroom and I know that we "could" fit in a one bedroom, but for us having DVC is a good reason to get the two bedroom and enjoy that extra space. With as many people as you have traveling you probably would need two two bedrooms. But, we only go once a year and find it is well worth it. Who knows someday we may go more or less often but for now it is great for us. This year will be our third trip as DVC owners and my only regret is that we didn't buy in sooner!

 

[littlestar]

Since you have Plus Partners on your Wyndham account, I PM'd/sent you a link on how to book DVC through RCI. I'm not going to post it publicly on how to do it.

 

[grandmadebby]

Thanks littlestar but I don't know where to find the PM or what that is. Could you please tell me, I appreciate your help.

 

[dmoore22]

Thank you for the information. I guess I should give a little more information about us. When we go to Disney we take us, 5 adult children and 2 spouses, and our 5 grandchildren so we usually get a 4 bedroom presidential or a 3 bedroom and a 1 or 2 bedroom along with it. Just depends on who all is going.

We bought when all of our six children were still at home. We found a resale that had a years banked points then caught addonitis and purchased an add-on through resale in which the seller paid the first year's MFs. It made a significant difference in the cost of our trips pre-DVC allowing us to stay longer for less $$$$. Compare the resales with the current DVC incentives. They can be very competitive with each other.

Do DVC members qualify for Dining plans .

If you mean free DDP the answer is "No." However the cost to DVC members is consistent in that they are not charged the seasonal differential which is a savings over the OOP guests.

and are there discounts on tickets? Thanks so much for your help.

DVC members receive a discount on Annual Passes and Premium Annual Passes here is a link that provides more specifics: http://allears.net/pl/apass.htm#dvcapfaq

With the AP you also receive AP discounts in addition to DVC discounts purchasing merchandise and dining. As an AP holder you can purchase the Tables in Wonderland dining discount card which, depending on your dining habits, can be as cost effective, if not more cost effective than the DDP. The key statement is " It depends."

We have recieved a book from DVC with the point alotments but still not sure if it has enough value to warrant the maintenance fees and all.

Many folks perseverate on the maintenance fees. Roughly 20% are allocated as property taxes to the state of Florida which, if you itemize, contributes to the deductions on your federal, and depending upon where you live, state income tax. I love being able to use a part of DVC as a legal tax deduction. Since we have hit the phantom "breakeven point" our per night cost for accomodations, including intial cost + maintenance fees, now runs at a few bits over $68 per night.

DVC has worked very well for us -- so far anyway.

I highly recommend the DVC Primer at Mouseplanet. Com which is another unofficial Disney site that give a nice perspective and tools to play with in making a decision: http://www.mouseplanet.com/8739/A_Disney_Vacation_Club_Primer

Best of luck and, hopefully, you'll soon be greeted with HOME!!!!

 

[grandmadebby]

Thank you dmore22. We purchased Wyndham when it was Fairfeild in about 1986 or so in Pagosa Springs Colo and it has made many changes over the years. However, it is hard to stay in a regular motel, even a Disney Motel, when we are not traveling using points. Bonnet Creek, where we own now, is great but I feel like after such a long trip we loose out on alot of benefits and the buses run a strange schedule, or it seems that way to me. Thanks again for your help and the websites to look for information.

 

[ValpoCory]

If you can only go to Disney World once a year....

In general, the DVC is a good idea for those that say "only go to the Disney World once a year". For those of us with a "Disney problem", as my family and friends say I have, that statement is literally no big deal.

 

[littlestar]

Thanks littlestar but I don't know where to find the PM or what that is. Could you please tell me, I appreciate your help.

PM means Private Message. Log in and click on private messages (on the right hand side of the screen under your log in name it should say private messages). I sent you a link in that private message on how to obtain DVC through your developer Wyndham points.

 

[grandmadebby]

Thanks