Not a DVC member...

[smlev]

Just came backe from a $4,000 land and Sea package and plan on visiting and spending this much annually. What are the pros and cons of membership? Do you have to qualify? Will it save us money?

 

[Chuck S]

If your primary annual destination is a DVC resort at WDW, Hilton Head, or Vero Beach...then yes, it will save you money over staying at a moderate or deluxe WDW operated resort. The "break even" point will vary, but is generally considered to be 5 to 8 years.

If, however, you purchase with the intention of using your points regularly for cruises or trading to a non-DVC resort, then no, it will not save you money.

As far as "qualifying", it depends...it is like any other "real estate/lease" transaction. If you finance your purchase, there is the normal approvals to go through. If you pay cash, then no, no "qualifying" required.

 

[canda]

DVC membership is for anyone. There may be state laws about buying over the phone. I was able to purchase from NC over the phone without having to go to FL. They will mail the forms if NY allows it. Disney has a loan for you if you need it. It might not be as good as some of the banks or credit cards, but it is not a hassle and it has not shown up on the credit reports of most DVCer's who went through Disney. I purchased at Hilton Head SC because that is where I like to vacation. we only go to WDW every 3 years. If you plan on going to WDW every 1-2 years I think it is good. I would not have purchased if there was not a HHI resort. the great thing is that when we do go to WDW we get a stay at a resort that is 1 to 2 bedrooms instead of craming into a regular room. There are many different opinons on the value of DVC. I look at it as I have pre-paid for my vacations for the next 40 years. to put a value on what a per night cost is, I take the monthly payment for the loan and the annual dues. (lets just say 230.00 per month for and example) that comes to $2760 for the year. then I divide it by the number of nights I stay in a year which is around 10. that comes to $276 per night. that rate is for a 2 bedroom unit which is a great value. Then go www.disneyworld.com and book a 10 night stay in a 2 bedroom unit and see how much it would cost. that is how I look at the value. Just look at your vacation habits and see if going to WdW alot is for your family. Also look at the timesharestore link on this site.

 

[chainkid]

It really has ended up costing me money because I now travel to WDW three times more than I would if I didn't have a membership. I usually bring family and friends staying on my points. I'm not complaining just warning you that you will love it so much you will get the add on fever and from there its very expensive. You will learn to plan ahead and really take those much needed vacations rather than letting the time slip away and then realize its been three years since we went anywhere because of work.

 

[Pa@okw95]

It will not save you money because you will go to WDW more than you did before. For years I have been going down there 2 or 3 times a year since joining in 95. In addition I have guests which I never did before joining DVC. There will be people that will tell you different, that it is a savings, but for me it has been on big expense. Would I buy into DVC now, I would not, back in 95 it looked good when I bought, but I loved WDW back then.

 

[pmcpmc]

Originally posted by Pa@okw95
It will not save you money because you will go to WDW more than you did before. For years I have been going down there 2 or 3 times a year since joining in 95. In addition I have guests which I never did before joining DVC. .

 

[JudyS]

Originally posted by Pa@okw95
It will not save you money because you will go to WDW more than you did before...

I suspect this will depend on how much vacation time the person has. Also, for some people, they may end up going to WDW more instead of vacations they would have taken elsewhere, rather than taking more vacations overall.

I'm in the process of buying DVC, but I'm not worried about this. I figure my DVC membership won't *make* me go to WDW!

 

[crisi]

Ah, the innocence.

Points are a use them or lose them deal. While you can use them other places, that doesn't tend to be as cost effective as using them at DVC. And while you can rent them, that is some amount of bother. So in some respects, you become committed to Disney in a way you aren't pre-DVC.

Disney vacations also become more enjoyable. No huge bill at checkout for your hotel. One and two bedroom units that are very nice when compared to the whole family in a hotel room. So DVC vacations easily become preferred over other vacations. Knowing you'll be back, so the commando style touring becomes less.

Generally, it will save you money if you currently take vacations every year or every other year at WDW and stay in Deluxe resorts currently, and trade that for equilvenent DVC studios. You will break even or save a little, but have nicer accomodations if you stay in moderates. You probably won't do well if you are happy offsite or at Value resorts. You won't save money if you cruise on points.

 

[helenabear]

I am in the process of closing my first contract... I debated on this for about a year or so. Finally I sat down with my dad, created some spreadsheets and did cost/savings analasys. It turned out this would be a saver for me. I already go to WDW 2 times a year and wish I could stay longer but the cost is what does me in. Just like this trip I could only afford to take a weekend and stay at a moderate on the AP rate. So for me this is definitely worth it and I doubt I will make it to WDW anymore than I already do.

I did do some costs of non DVC resorts too and if you plan to cruise all the time, it probably won't save you money, but if you plan to put $4K into a vacation and plan to do it every year, then I would guess based on my number we ran, it would probably save you money.

I think though, if I find I do wind up putting more into my trips than I used to, I would wind up selling my DVC and go back to paying rack rates. No way would I want to feel tied to something that no longer brings me joy.