Looking to buy, family of 10, no idea where to start...

[carrielovesdisney]

I am interested in purchasing DVC membership. I have no idea where to start. If you purchase, are you eligible for free dining?

 

[com_op_2000]

No free dining.
Read, read some more. Check out the FAQs and previous posts on this forum. Ask specfic questions, the people on here are more than will to help/give options.
Oh, yea, one more thing read some more!

 

[disneynutz]

I suggest that you rent from a owner first to see if the DVC resorts will work for your family.

Bill

 

[JimMIA]

With a family of 10, DVC may not be your best option. In fact, there may not be any great options ONSITE at WDW.

If the entire family normally vacations together, there is only one size of DVC villa that will accommodate 10. That's the three-bedroom Grand Villa, and those are in short supply. At WDW, of the thousands of DVC villas, only 106 are Grand Villas, and there are no GVs at VWL or BCV. Only SSR (36), OKW (27), and AKV (22) have fairly good numbers of GVs. BLT has only 14 and BWV has only 7.

Since there are so few GV's, you really need home resort booking advantage to get one, so your real effective potential availability may be limited to a few villas at one resort.

Also, as you'd expect, the points costs for a Grand Villa are high. The lowest point cost is OKW where a full week in a GV ranges from 349 points to 615 points in 2012, depending on season. OKW's dues are currently $4.98 per point. If we assume only a tiny increase to $5 per point for 2012, that's a dues cost of $1745 to $3075 depending on season...and that doesn't include your purchase price.

I would follow the advice above to read everything you can about the DVC system, how it works, and what it costs. For our family of 3, my experience was that DVC did not save us money...but it did improve the quality of our vacations.

In your situation, I'd also thoroughly explore the offsite options. You may find more suitable, much less expensive options renting vacation homes offsite. There are numerous 5-6 bedroom homes (many with their own pool) available in close proximity to WDW for MUCH less than you'll pay anywhere onsite. And renting, obviously you don't have the large initial outlay and continuing annual financial obligation.

If you look on the DIS Orlando Hotels and Attractions forum, you'll find a bunch of discussion of a variety of OFFsite options.

 

[Deb & Bill]

DVC is a timeshare. You are purchasing a real estate interest.

 

[disneynutz]

I guess another question is why are you looking to buy?

Bill

 

[chalee94]

I am interested in purchasing DVC membership.

as deb&bill says, first you should think more in terms of "ownership" than "membership." you would be purchasing a long-term real estate interest...a lot like a 30+ year lease. DVC represents prepaid accommodations at DVC resorts (about 7 onsite at wdw, 1 at hilton head, 1 at vero beach, 1 tiny one at DLR and 1 in hawaii.)

if things change in 10 years and you no longer want to go to wdw every year, you would still be responsible for the annual dues until you sell that real estate interest or until it expires (which varies from 2042 to 2060 depending on which resort you commit to purchasing.)

if you buy in, disney would be offering you a (relatively) fixed deal on lodging costs. but be aware that disney would no longer be willing to offer you discounts like "free dining" or "40% off" or "7-for-the-price-of-4." if the economy improves and disney continues to raise lodging rates as they have done in the past (while cutting back on discounts), then you will come out ahead - otherwise, you may be disappointed.

DVC is only for lodging costs, so you would still be on the hook for travel costs, tickets and food.

there are currently numerous perks that are nice for members: dining/shopping discounts, about a $100 discount on an adult AP, pool hopping and free internet during stays. these can go away at any time.

you pay a certain amount upfront to buy a contract (over $100 per pt direct, usually less than $100 resale) - similar to buying a house. then you pay maintenance fees every year - to pay for insurance, utilities and upkeep - similar to owning a house.

the DVC works "best" for people who:

1) go to disney at least every other year
2) prefer to stay onsite at deluxes (or at least moderates)
3) can plan their vacations 10 or 11 months in advance
4) can limit Fri-Sat stays since weekend point costs are a little higher
5) intend to use DVC primarily for staying at a DVC resort at disney (rather than trading out for other timeshares or cruises, etc.)
6) need or prefer larger accommodations than a basic hotel room

OTOH, there are lots of good reasons to balk at buying DVC:

1) thousands of $ upfront plus annual fees require a certain level of financial ability and commitment (and you still need to pay for tickets and travel, etc.)
2) commitment to wdw/fear of wdw burnout (sorta - while you can trade out if you buy direct, the best value is staying at the DVC resorts)
3) DVC not as deluxe as deluxe hotels in some senses (limited housekeeping, sofabeds, no room service at some DVC resorts)
4) financing a depreciating (sooner or later) luxury purchase is generally a poor idea
5) happy with value hotels
6) amenities like a kitchen and washer/dryer have no value for you
7) you don't/can't plan vacations 6+ months in advance
8) you enjoy hunting for deals/bargains for each trip

If you’ll be upset when other people can pay cash for a room and get a discount or get “free” dining thrown in, then DVC is not for you.

also be aware that if you think you might keep DVC for 6-8 years and then sell it down the road, it may have little to no value as DVC has begun cutting perks that transfer when you sell your contract.

here is a link to a basic DVC FAQ.

here is another FAQ

 

[a742246]

I am interested in purchasing DVC membership. I have no idea where to start. If you purchase, are you eligible for free dining?

For a family of ten. About the only good affordable dvc buy would be the SSR treehouse villas. There is no free dining but you will have three full bedrooms and a full kitchen. You would need around 246-315 points in a contract if you are planning a yearly trip. You would have to buy into SSR saratoga springs to get the 11 month window(a must). Expect to pay around $55.oo a point on the resale market, MF would be around $4.50 a point
a year. 300 points x 4.50 = $1350.00 a year.

I would check these boards for more info. I don't remember if the treehouses allow 10 people in a room, though.


PS it may be better to buy 2 150 point contracts than one 300 point contract(in case you want to sell one in the future).

To me DVC is a good deal.

 

[Deb & Bill]

For a family of ten. About the only good affordable dvc buy would be the SSR treehouse villas. There is no free dining but you will have three full bedrooms and a full kitchen. You would need about 253-315 points in a contract if you are planning a yearly trip. You would have to buy intp SSR saratoga springs
to get the 11 month window(a must). Expect to pay around $55.oo a point on the resale market.
I would check these boards for more info.

The Treehouse Villas only sleep nine, not ten. A family of ten would be limited to a grand villa if they wanted to all be in one villa.

 

[JimMIA]

The Treehouse Villas only sleep nine, not ten. A family of ten would be limited to a grand villa if they wanted to all be in one villa.

Also, one of the three bedrooms sleeps two non-adults in bunk beds.

And there are only two bathrooms, which doesn't divide very well into TEN.

 

[logan115]

Getting a 2BR + studio may work as well, provided the OP is ok with not having everyone in the same room. Greatly increases the choices, but even this may prove difficult. Also, you can get a 2BR + studio for fewer points than a GV.

Chris

 

[Mtnman44]

The proportion of benefit for the OP should be the same as for everyone else. All else being equal, the benefit of 2 DVC rooms vs. two regular hotel rooms should be the same.

In other words, if all the other factors for DVC purchasing are present, then the OP is in the same position as any other potential purchaser. For example, if the Op normally travels at least ever other year, and wants to stay "on property", etc, etc, then they might find some benefit in choosing DVC. Yes, they would need double the points since they would need two units. However, this cost is compared to normally needing at least two rooms when traveling anyway, so the comparison should remain equivillant.

 

[JimMIA]

The proportion of benefit for the OP should be the same as for everyone else. All else being equal, the benefit of 2 DVC rooms vs. two regular hotel rooms should be the same.

In other words, if all the other factors for DVC purchasing are present, then the OP is in the same position as any other potential purchaser. For example, if the Op normally travels at least ever other year, and wants to stay "on property", etc, etc, then they might find some benefit in choosing DVC. Yes, they would need double the points since they would need two units. However, this cost is compared to normally needing at least two rooms when traveling anyway, so the comparison should remain equivillant.

I agree, provided a two-room situation (where the two rooms may be geographically separated) works for OP's family.

There are two types of comparisons to consider. One is the DVC to some variation of ONsite cash rental lodging (DVC cash reservation, Deluxe, Mod, Value, etc.). In those comparisons, DVC ownership should come out better than DVC cash reservation or Deluxe, and about the same as a Mod. On the other hand, many people absolutely LOVE Disney Values, and they would be better off at a value. But, either way, this is kind of a "rigged" comparison that is only valid if OP really would not be happy staying anywhere except in an ONsite Disney resort.

The other comparison is not to ONsite Disney options, but what you would really do if you didn't have DVC. That would include renting a DVC villa from a DVC owner, and dozens of OFFsite options...some of which might be both nicer than DVC, and a much better fit for OP's family.

My advice to OP is to first decide whether you will be visiting WDW every year, every-other year, or less frequently. If you plan to visit less frequently than every-other year, it's hard to make a good case for DVC (IMHO).

I would also only consider using your DVC points for stays in the DVC resorts. Ignore the other options like RCI, cruises, the various "collections," etc. Those options offer much less value than using your points for DVC stays. If DVC is to work well for you, it has to make sense for stays in DVC resorts only.

If you plan on every-other year, or more frequent, visits, I would then try to figure out what type of lodging would work best for your family. If you really want to be onsite, then DVC may be for you. If you're good either onsite or off, offsite will almost certainly save you major bucks.

But the main thing is to get the lodging that works best for your family. You don't want to go cheap and then regret it. Neither do you want to throw money away.

 

[todd0268]

Most people say that a family of 10 don't need a DVC membership. I can tell you that as a family of 10 DVC was the best thing we ever done. Our only mistake was that we chose the least points at the time (160). The next year we added 5o more points and this year we are adding another 5o points. I say but Saratoga Springs because you can rent the Treehouse Villas which is the BEST DVC value for a 3 bedroom. With plenty of room for a family of 10. Trust me, our family loves the Treehouse Villas. And at $99 a point (as of 10/20) its a great bargain and you can get as many points as you need. The only drawback is that the popularity of the Treehouse's you have to book 11 months in advance. Which I actually like. Hope this helps. I wish we bought years ago!

 

[JimMIA]

I say but Saratoga Springs because you can rent the Treehouse Villas which is the BEST DVC value for a 3 bedroom. With plenty of room for a family of 10. Trust me, our family loves the Treehouse Villas.

As Deb pointed out above, the occupancy limit for THV is 9, not 10. I assume you could add one more under the age of 3 in a Pack N Play, but that's only a temporary solution.

And at $99 a point (as of 10/20) its a great bargain and you can get as many points as you need.

At $99 per point, you're paying double what you should pay. You can buy SSR on the resale market for $50, and it's even cleared ROFR recently lower than that.

I agree SSR is probably the best value available right now...but not buying direct.

Also, Todd's example of buying in a little light and then adding gradually as you can afford it is a very wise strategy.

 

[Dean]

Most people say that a family of 10 don't need a DVC membership. I can tell you that as a family of 10 DVC was the best thing we ever done. Our only mistake was that we chose the least points at the time (160). The next year we added 5o more points and this year we are adding another 5o points. I say but Saratoga Springs because you can rent the Treehouse Villas which is the BEST DVC value for a 3 bedroom. With plenty of room for a family of 10. Trust me, our family loves the Treehouse Villas. And at $99 a point (as of 10/20) its a great bargain and you can get as many points as you need. The only drawback is that the popularity of the Treehouse's you have to book 11 months in advance. Which I actually like. Hope this helps. I wish we bought years ago!

As Jim suggests, you can buy SSR for half that resale and give up nothing of true value (overpaying using points for cash options). As for a family of 10, it totally depends on the situation. If one needs a 3 BR most every time, DVC will likely not supply those needs unless one owns at OKW or SSR and reserves at exactly 11 months out every time. In general, those needing that much space will be better served off property and often with none DVC timeshares. Wyndham, Orange Lake (now Holiday Inn), Hilton and Marriott will be top choices. Westgate may also be a reasonable consideration for those that know what they're getting themselves into. Obviously with 8 children there will be times when not all will go and likely other times when several may want to take friends or other family with them. In General, DVC tends not to work well for most groups of this size due to the limited number of larger units and the reservation system. Buying exactly what you need in the area (3 BR) is often the best option.