just thinking outloud...

[kimmer]

after two years in row to disney, both off-site, dh and i are considering the dvc. we've got three small kids, 2,3,and 5, and do intend on returning for years and years to come. we're definately into the deluxe accomodations that have the full kitchen, washer, dryer, etc. Our last two trips we're stayed at bonnet creek and at floridays.

that said, what i gather the main draw for dvc is that you get to stay at deluxe resorts for a great value. My dilemna is - I can stay a resort, like the ones I mentioned above that have all the things the disney deluxe resorts have for so much less. Last month we got bonnet creek for 5 days for $600.00

so i guess what i'm thinking is why wouldn't i just pay cash and stay at a resort like above each year, year after year? wouldn't that cost me less than what dvc would cost me over the forty years?

is there really that much difference between staying in a floridays or a bonnet creek type resort vs on-site?

but still i find myself wanting dvc! I've got a package coming via fedex after we express interest at a booth last month...

 

[chalee94]

offsite is going to cost less than onsite - even if offsite is as close as bonnet creek.

offsite means:

1) no DME
2) no DDP
3) no disney buses
4) no EMH
5) no free parking at the parks

also means you can't trade for castle views at BLT or a short walk to epcot from BCV. no savanna with giraffes and zebras outside your door at AKV.

for less money, you can get larger villas at bonnet creek or similar timeshares (the marriotts and hgvc are farther away but still worth a look IMO) - but you lose some immersion.

only you can make the call if the savings are worth it...

 

[thepops]

My last 2 trips down, no rental car, nice savanah view, get to drop my bags at the airport and they magically arrive in my room (and on the way back drop them at the resort and pick them up atthe airport). All very nice things that I wouldn't get offsite.

 

[dkfogt]

It's just a completely different vacation experience.... definitely up to you to decide if it's worth it.

 

[KyDVC]

As a owner of both onsite resorts and a DVC member, I believe there is nothing like the atmosphere you get at the DVC resorts. If you are a big Disney fan, like we are, staying at a DVC resort is like being surrounded by the magic 24/7. We just spent 6 nights at the new BLT and it was wonderful. I wish we had bought DVC sooner. We still use our offsite resorts, which are bigger room wise, but always stay the 1st week at our offsite resort so that we can stay at our DVC resort the second week. We want to keep the Disney feeling after our stay so the DVC resort is our last memory.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

As a kid I stayed both onsite and offsite, and as as I became an adult I knew I didn't want to put up with the drive each morning and evening.

Staying onsite is just so much more convenient for me. I pay for that convenience, but I'm willing and able to do it.

We recently bought at BLT and being on the monorail was so enjoyable. Our next trip is to Kidani, so we'll have to see how we like it being away from the monorail. My previous non-dvc vacations had been exclusively at GF and the Contemporary.

 

[Orsino]

As a kid I stayed both onsite and offsite, and as as I became an adult I knew I didn't want to put up with the drive each morning and evening.

I've seen this sentiment several times on this board and each time I wonder why we are so different. We tried the bus thing a few times and didn't like it. It was nice to save money on the car rental, but we found we really liked the convenience of a car and didn't mind driving everywhere.

But now I realize we are probably different because we don't commute to work by car everyday. We take public transit everyday, so Disney buses feel like going to work, while for most everyone else driving feels like going to work, while buses feel like vacation. I can't believe it took me so long to figure that out.

As for renting off-site, if the primary concern is price, then off-site wins.

 

[jarrdisney]

We stay both on and offsite in order to make our pts go further. There is NO comparison to waking up in the morning, opening your door, watching the boardwalk come to life, and eventually taking the 5 minute stroll to epcot. You could insert another analogy at all the DVC resorts. They all have something special that all of us bought into. It's the disney magic that you won't find at bonnet creek down the road. If being immersed in disney is not that important to you, then I would definitely not buy. IMO the DDP, ME, and free parking are not good reasons to become a member, as they can be taken away at any time. Just remember that you aren't comparing apples to apples when talking about on or offsite.

 

[kimmer]

yeah, see it is that magic, that ambviance, that we DO love. So far we've only yet to experience it at the parks themselves and at the resort restaurants like ohana, etc. But if staying at a disney resort is anything like that, I wouldn't want to leave Question is, I guess, is if that magic is worth how much more it is than what I pay off-site...

someone else on this board said something like that he doesn't view dvc as a real money saver but more as a pre-paid vacation....and I guess that is kinda of what it is

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

But now I realize we are probably different because we don't commute to work by car everyday. We take public transit everyday, so Disney buses feel like going to work, while for most everyone else driving feels like going to work, while buses feel like vacation. I can't believe it took me so long to figure that out.

Excellent point, probably never thought of it that way either. Actually since we have a little one and AREN'T on a monorail next time (Kidani) we're going to try the car thing and see how it goes.

 

[Anthony1971]

I've seen this sentiment several times on this board and each time I wonder why we are so different. We tried the bus thing a few times and didn't like it. It was nice to save money on the car rental, but we found we really liked the convenience of a car and didn't mind driving everywhere.

But now I realize we are probably different because we don't commute to work by car everyday. We take public transit everyday, so Disney buses feel like going to work, while for most everyone else driving feels like going to work, while buses feel like vacation. I can't believe it took me so long to figure that out.

As for renting off-site, if the primary concern is price, then off-site wins.

We take the train/bus to work everyday...
For us we just do not wnat to drive on vacation no matter where we go...
There is always somone who is going to drive lets say not so well and ruin your day.

 

[dbs1228]

We drive to work everyday, stay on site for all Disney vacations and have yet to NOT rent a car. We use boats and monorails but cannot get into the bus rides (have tried them) I like driving to the parks and leaving when I am ready to leave and arriving back at my resort in under 15 minutes. Love our resort time! Someday on one of our shorter trips I suggested trying no car to my DH and he had a fearful look on his face I love staying on site, nothing compares for us. Everyone is different.

 

[brianbyard]

Why don't you try renting a villa for a few nights wo you will have a basis for comparison? For me its all about the magic of being on property. My brother on the other had would rather rent a 4 bedroom house 10 minutes outside the world. Its really a personal decision and in my opinion if you have never stayed onsite you cannot make a completely informed decision.

Good Luck!

 

[kimmer]

that's a good idea - i think for our next trip we'll stay on-site so we have something to compare our experience with. i have a feeling though that once we do, we'll be hooked!

 

[Sandisw]

yeah, see it is that magic, that ambviance, that we DO love. So far we've only yet to experience it at the parks themselves and at the resort restaurants like ohana, etc. But if staying at a disney resort is anything like that, I wouldn't want to leave Question is, I guess, is if that magic is worth how much more it is than what I pay off-site...

someone else on this board said something like that he doesn't view dvc as a real money saver but more as a pre-paid vacation....and I guess that is kinda of what it is

DVC is definitely pre-paid vacations and can save you money in the long run over what it would cost you to stay onsite at one of the deluxe resorts.

However, as many have said, there are deluxe resorts outside of WDW that provide some of the same benefits in terms of room size for less.

But, once you stay onsite and experience what that has to offer, you will find it hard, IMO, to go back to offsite. As someone mentioned, there is nothing like being able to leave the MK and be back in the room in 10 minutes after a quick walk to BLT.

Before investing in DVC, I think you should definitely book an onsite trip. Then, and only then, will you know if the benefits of being an onsite DVC guest outweigh the savings of a stay at those other resorts.

Good luck!!!

 

[brianbyard]

I think you will be hooked too, but better to find out before spending the money. My wife and I are in the the process of waiting to pass ROFR for BCV. We know we love it! so its worth the price and commitment.

 

[littlestar]

We do both. We stay 3 or 4 nights in DVC resorts (using our DVC points) and then move over to Bonnet Creek or one of our favorite Marriott Vacation Club resorts for a week's stay. We own DVC, Marriott, and Wyndham points. It's the best of both worlds.

If you really like the onsite experience and enjoy the DVC resorts, you don't have to buy in at 160 points - you could buy less. Just an idea to kick around.

I actually like part of our vacation being DVC and part being my other favorite resorts in Orlando. We've vacationed enough in Orlando over the years that we venture out to do other things besides the Mouse - the Mall of Millenia in Orlando is wonderful, the various outlet stores are great for shopping, and we have our favorite Orlando restaurants that we can't find at home (Flippers Pizza). It really depends on what you want and value in a vacation to Orlando.