Need advice- DVC-yes or no

[RivaLJ]

I have been thinking about buying into DVC recently. My DS7 and I have been going to Disney every year for the past 4 years and will continue to do so for the forseeable future. I usually stay at a deluxe resort(Poly) for a minimum of 10 nights. I usually go in the second half of August. I tend to get the dining plan but like the idea of a "kitchen". All I would need in a DVC is a studio accomodation. I will admit that the BLT has me intrigued.
Now that you have my vacation background here are the questions:
1. do my vacation habits warrant a look into DVC?
2. will I save money by investing in DVC over the long run, rather than paying OOP each year?
3. how many points would I need?
4. about how much per month if I finance?
5. can I use the points at a non DVC resort?
6. is DVC purchase deductible on my taxes?
Thanks for answering my questions. If there is anything else I need to know about DVC, please let me know.

 

[SSRFred]

Your current pattern fits the mold. I figure you need around 210pts (the points chart can be accessed at the top of the web page) for a cost around $24,000.
Factoring in maintenance fees and surcharges for daily housekeeping and comparing to the Poly, you'd currently save around $4,000 per year. If you pay cash, that puts your break even somewhere when DS is in Highschool. If you finance you'd probably break even when DS is graduating from medical school. These are rough calculations but not that all inaccurate representations. I'll leave the rest for others to answer.

 

[jdg345]

I have been thinking about buying into DVC recently. My DS7 and I have been going to Disney every year for the past 4 years and will continue to do so for the forseeable future. I usually stay at a deluxe resort(Poly) for a minimum of 10 nights. I usually go in the second half of August. I tend to get the dining plan but like the idea of a "kitchen". All I would need in a DVC is a studio accomodation. I will admit that the BLT has me intrigued.
Now that you have my vacation background here are the questions:

1. do my vacation habits warrant a look into DVC?

I think so, yes. DVC is worth looking into if you travel to WDW every other year or more frequently. Especially if you stay in moderate to deluxe resorts.

2. will I save money by investing in DVC over the long run, rather than paying OOP each year?

If you continue to stay in Deluxe resorts and have to deal with their prices increasing year over year, then you will likely save money in the long run, yes.

3. how many points would I need?

This depends on what resort you want to stay in and what view/category you're looking for. For example, 10 days in a Studio, early December, Savanah View at AKV runs about 134 points. The same room booked the second half of August would run about 156 points. BLT will cost a little more, point wise.

4. about how much per month if I finance?

This depends on your credit and a bunch of other things like how many points, whether you do direct debit, etc, etc. You can speak with a vacation guide who will be able to give you better estimates here. If you need a recommendation for a guide, feel free to drop me a PM and I can recommend someone.

5. can I use the points at a non DVC resort?

Yes, but this typically doesn't make sense to do so as the cash cost is 'cheaper' than what the point value would be.

6. is DVC purchase deductible on my taxes?

I believe that a portion of the Dues are Deductible, as is the interest if financed, but there are some caveats to this. You may want to check with your Guide and/or an Accountant.

Thanks for answering my questions. If there is anything else I need to know about DVC, please let me know.

Absolutely! Best thing to do is wander around the DISBoards

 

[3guysandagal]

To answer #'s 1,2 and 3..
Lets do some math here...

10 days at AKV, end of Aug, Savannah view (lets go big) with 1 Fri and 1 Sat stay would cost 156pts.
So lets say you bought a 160pt contract to cover this 4 yrs ago (Assuming you could buy AKV back then, but just for fun here..)
160pts X $96/pt = 15,360+closing (lets say$300)=$15,660 buy in.(not including incentives, just the $8/pt off, and NO financing)
Those last 4 yrs of vacations (room only) at the Poly may have cost you about $3900/yr (based on a minimum room rate this year of $355/night plus 12.5% tax) = $15,600 (not taking into account any discounts etc)
MF's (dues) per year on that 160pt contract based on this years dues @$4.71/pt=$753/yr X 4 =$3014.
Add those up...$15,600+$3,014=$18,624
Subtract what you have spent already...$18,614-15,600= $3,014 more than already spent, yet next year that would be almost wiped out, that is add another year of dues (3,014+753=3,767) and figure another $3,900 to stay rack, 3,767-3,900=-$133 to the good.
The next year, another 750+ for dues, and thats what your vacation is now "costing" you.
Every year after that you are getting a $4,000 room for @750+ MF's.
So in essence the DVC ownership in your case could pay for itself in 5-6 years.
And before people start pointing out dues increases etc, I was just trying to make it simpler for example sake and there would be slight increases every year to dues as well as rooms, so....

I think you are a good candidate for DVC.

 

[JW9DVC]

If you can afford it, yes. There is a savings I see no matter how you look at it. Even if you finance it. Talk to a tax advisor regarding those benefits. Resale is cheaper, depending on the resort. JW