is the DVC really worth it

[BumpkinsOwner]

we are looking into the DVC club






does anybody know if its worth it

 

[bonzarella]

You should probably go explore the DVC boards. You will find a great deal of information. Good luck

 

[Tiffany]

we are looking into the DVC club






does anybody know if its worth it

Well we have done the math and for us it is not but others find that it does meet their needs. I would suggest checking out the DVC boards that on this site and do the math to see if it works for your family.

 

[disneymom2003]

One thing you need to know. It is my understanding you never own a DVC. Now if you buy a Marriott lets say, you can will it to your kids. Not so with a DVC. At the end of thirty or forty years you give it back. Like others have said they will know on the DVC boards.

 

[raven69david]

Biggest thing for us was payments. It's hard to find this information, especially for novices like ourselves. After alot of research we found it to be between $300.00 to $400.00 a month as we would need to finance for 10 years; this also includes the annual dues and whatnot. Hopefully I didn't fudge up the math, but so far that's what we've got. We'll be there this December and plan on buying-in to AKL KV.

 

[Missin'Disney]

I would consider if you will be happy staying at AKL KV for most of your trips or not. B/C with the only place you can book outside of 7 months being your home resort, you will likely be unable to book anywhere else if you plan to stay during all but the quietest times of year. this is why many owners have small contracts at several resorts. Otherwise they would never be able to book them! I know BWV and BCV are especially difficult to get ressies for unless they are your home resorts. this would be a main factor for me.

We did the math and decided that it just did not make sense for us. We would have financed as well, and the burden of that monthly payment was daunting. I like taking advantage of a good code, free dining, something that makes me feel like I'm getting a good deal. We've gone for several years in a row, and I've never paid even close to rack rate. I'm usually paying about 30% less than retail on any given package. The DVC savings are substantial when you compare them to rack rates, but unless you are used to paying those, it may not seem like such an overall savings. Of course, I would love to "own" a piece of the magic, but then you never really own it anyway, you are just a member.

I don't know, it just doesn't add up for me, but this came after searching the boards for months and determining what was important to me.

Good luck, do your research BEFORE your trip so you are well-informed and don't do anything hasty like we almost did after taking our tour. It's hard not to when you are there with the guide.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Go over to the DVc board. The answers you are getting here are not really accutate. A 150 point contract at SSR cost me around $150 per month 2 yrs ago ( i have since paid it off ) but that would would have been 10 year payments. Dues are $53. You CAN will it to your kids. Buying resale is even cheaper.

 

[rt2dz]

I agree with others to look at the DVC boards. I wanted to give you a few other links to check out too.

MouseSavers DVC overview article (fairly neutral, and a couple of really good links at the end)

All Ears article (the facts)



DVC News (specifically for current owners, but good insite)

 

[jerseygal]

AKV Kidani's term expires 2057....Thats 49 years more of enjoyment for DVC owners and their families! AKV and SSR I believe have the longest terms!

As to booking home resort, yes, you can book your "home resort" at 11 mos prior to checkin..I have full confidence though that I'll be able to book 7 mos out at most other resorts too! DVC is constantly adding new resorts; Bay Lake Tower right on the monorail, Treehouse Villas at Saratoga Springs,
Grand Californian Villas(Disneyland) and newest one planned for Hawaii!

Certainly, study the comments, questions, comments alot before making what I call a Luxury or Discretionary purchase, especially in our economic times as we see them today! The disboards DVC owners are very very active.
You can learn so much from the comments and questions just as you probably do on the Disney Resorts and Disney Restaurants boards.

Many on the boards say the only regret they have is not doing it sooner.

Again, my personal feeling is that it is a luxury discretionary purchase that must be researched thoroughly as to point usage, dues, use year;many intricate rules such as banking and borrowing, holding periods, etc.

Best of luck in the evaluation period! Maybe I'll see you over on the DVC boards!!!

 

[j&t'sdad]

No way can you get an accurate answer from the boards. You really need to sit down with a DVC team member, think about it, do some reasearch and see if it works for you.

There's no right or wrong answer to the DVC question. Differes for everyone based on situation, wants and needs.

 

[drag n' fly]

No way can you get an accurate answer from the boards. You really need to sit down with a DVC team member, think about it, do some reasearch and see if it works for you.

There's no right or wrong answer to the DVC question. Differes for everyone based on situation, wants and needs.

I agree! We love our DVC but researched it for almost a year before we bought in.

 

[megwilliams]

For us, it wasn't.

Emotionally, we wanted to "own a piece of the magic", but after we talked to a guide and crunched the numbers, we just couldn't justify it. We asked him about Bay Lake Tower and AKV and in each case, our 10 year loan would have been about $270 a month. That's about $32,000. Yes, after 10 years it practically pays for itself, but 10 years is a long way away. If I had the cash to buy it outright, we'd probably really consider it, but we don't at the moment, so we would have to finance.

Plus, I don't like the thought of being tied to one resort. Yes, you could book at another DVC property or even a Disney Resort, but if the property if all booked up, you go on a waiting list. I don't do well with waiting. LOL.

We've decided just to try and take that $270 a month we would spend on DVC and put it in a savings account for specifically for our trips to Disney.

BTW, it can be willed to your family, but you don't technically own the property. It's right-to-use that expires (I think for BLT) in 2061. That was never a concern for us because if I'm alive in 2061, I probably won't care about my DVC.

The best advice I have is to talk to a guide. Make sure you have a pen handy because they throw 5 gazillion numbers at you. Get the real numbers in front of you and then see if it's financially worth it for your family.

 

[swald91]

My husband really wants to become a member & I am just not sold on it. When a representative asked me why I said I don't agree on any yearly upkeep fees...it's not property that I really own and if if I decide to plan a last minute trip I'd be pretty mad if I couldn't get into my resort. Yes I also know you have so many months to book it out but I'm just not convinced. The cost in itself is plenty-not that it's not worth it...And because you are property owners you have a tax to pay on it. Not sure the actual percentage-I"m sure I too would feel different if we could out right just pay for it-I would just love it, but not in our near future.

 

[Markstudy]

If you give them all your money up-front. Then they have all the power.

Disney and I, are currently on a even stance, we each have power. They want my $3,000 and I want my week at their parks.

Seems a good balance of power to me. If they cut the bus service, or stop offering good food at the restaurants, cutting corners on staffing... turn down the heat in the pools, I will call them on that, and vote with my money.

BUT.... if I give them $30,000 for my future trips.... now they set the rules, they already have my money.

I grew up in Florida... home of the Time-share industry. (Not Disney necessarily) but I don't like how time shares find ways to change the rules, raise the prices, add fees and make it harder for me to book what I want.

Also... I get bored. I want to go to different resorts every time I visit.