Opinions wanted on DVC small family value

[canabrits2]

Hi there,

I've been reading the DVC threads here for some time and am considering a DVC purchase but am also a total newbie. I'm not cheap by any means but I'm a natural "maximizer" and hate to think that over a period of years, I"m spending way more than I would if I had joined the DVC. Basically, I don't want to end up being one of those who says, "I wish I did this sooner."

I would value any and all opinions and comments on whether buying into DVC would be of good value for me based on my situation.

First, the lay-of-the-land:

My last Disney trip, last May, was a full package deal onsite at Port Orleans Riverside with Regular Dining for 7 nights and 8 days. This was awesome and preferable to prior off-site visits. I've done the European vacation thing (lived in England for 6 1/2 years) and been to many of the "olde worlde" places (except Germany, which I'd love to see). I find I want to keep going back to Disney (to the dismay of my travelling friends who see it as "fake" or "plastic" and "not real.") I've even considered Disney Adventures and those sound like a blast (but EXPENSIVE!).

We (my other half and my 6 year old daughter) are booked to go on our first Disney Cruise in 2011. This cruise is to convince my other half to buy into the Disney mentality. He does not like silly songs and mickey etc and had not been a vacationer at all in the past and would not go to WDW with us this past May (cheap!) so I'm trying to show that Disney is for all ages and an awesome vacation (which may or may not work).

SOOO....here are my questions (finally). I've read here that DVC is obvious value if one is staying at deluxe resorts with a large family, annually, anyway. On my *current* budget (especially when I have to foot the bill by myself because the other half doesn't want to go) I can only comfortably afford to spend 1 week at a moderate resort every second year if it's more people than just me and my daughter. This includes the regular table dining package, plane tickets etc. If if were just me and my daughter going alone, I could afford to take her every year but my other half may start to like Disney and last time I went, I also paid to take one of my teenage cousins (who would NEVER have had the opportunity to go with her family).

I don't mind the start up costs (which I'd likely partly finance) and annual dues (how much are these anyway?) if I really see a good long term value/discount over the years. I love Disney and know I'll be returning often and trying to take as many people with me as possible.

Could I afford to go deluxe resorts more easily if I joined DVC? I DREAM of the Beach Club Resort....but no way could I afford that atm. Could I just go more often to the moderate resorts (like annually)? I like the idea of being able to take my mum or another family member or friend and use DVC points.

Do any of you find that because you've made a DVC investment, you regret not being able to afford different vacations like visiting other countries instead of WDW or DCL? I'm thinking that there are so many options with Disney vacationing that I'm hoping this won't be the case for me. I know you need to pick a home resort, so how easy is it to use points for other kinds of Disney get-aways like cruises etc?

Also, we're in Canada and plane tickets are an expensive issue constantly so I'd likely start driving down regularly to see savings over time.

Any opinions on value of going with DVC for my situation would be very much appreciated...as well as opinions on buying Disney direct or resale (which I've just started reading about).

 

[DisnutDave]

Hi- Welcome (probably) to the "I wish I had done this sooner" club!

As for whether or not DVC is a financially good idea for you, that's something that only you and your partner can decide. I thought I'd at least let you know some of what you can expect.

First, your post indicated a desire to stay at the WDW Deluxe resorts, and although some of the DVC properties are part of these resorts, bear in mind that you will be staying at DVC locations. Not that this is a bad thing, far from it. But don't expect to be booking at Grand Floridian or Yacht Club, at least if you want to make the best use of points. Yes, staying at the Beach Club Villas is as good if not better than the Beach Club itself (except for the views, possibly). But, like all DVC properties, it is still a separate entity. We've heard that a lot of people are confused about that.

DVC is a great thing for big families, to be sure, but also for small ones. Our "family" is just DW and I, we've been members since 2002 with nothing but great DVC vacations, and many many more in the planning stages. With that said, both she and I love the Disney experience, something that, at least at this point, your partner does not (though I would think that after a cruise and some time at WDW that is likely to change). We've had many WDW vacations, but have also used DVC for other places, including Hawaii, HHI and VB. But in our opinion, DVC is intended mostly for Disney vacations. We love travel of all kinds, and have found that mixing DVC with other vacations works well for us. If your partner is afraid of "Mouse fatigue", this may work for you, too, assuming you have the resources. We have friends who are world travelers (they have been to all seven continents), and were leery when we would talk about DVC. But they joined a few years ago and now, like us, vacation with a mix of DVC and other experiences. They love it, feel it's a good vacation for their whole family, and yes, wish they had done it sooner!

I'm sure lots of other people will chime in with informed opinions, but ultimately it's up to you. If you love the Beach Club, you may want to start with a small contract at the BCV through resale (or possibly through DVC itself, they may have something available). Even with a smaller contract, you can bank and borrow to have vacations every other year or so, and since dues are based on the amount of points that you have (as well as where you own), these will be lower as well. If things work out, you can add on later.

The folks at Passporter have created an e-book that you may want to consider getting, called Passporter's Disney Vacation Club Guide. It's filled with useful information that will help you make an informed decision.

Good luck!

 

[Dean]

I think DVC can be great for all size families if you value staying on property as you obviously do. Before recent changes long weekends were not a good value but that has changed somewhat and you're unlikely to fly down to Orlando without spending at least a week anyway. Comparing to a moderate, you could compare to a studio. If you go routinely, a studio will likely be about break even compared to a moderate but it will lock you in to a degree. It is a poor value to buy in to use for cruises or other exchange options so I'd suggest only considering the number of points you think you need for DVC only with a modest cushion of around 10-20% but that would depend in part on how many points you're looking at, time of year and unit size you anticipate.

 

[CruznLexi]

We bought last year into KV but we also live in Florida so no air fare is needed. It is just hubby and I. Last year before buying into DVC we stayed 8 nights at Pop and with the nephews tickets and DDP it was about $3500. We like to get away to relax and hang by the pool and Disney has great pool. In Oct we spent a few hours by the pool and few hours in the park. I did finance mine for 10 years so it is not that much a month. It cost me a month what Port Orleans would cost for 1 night .

 

[canabrits2]

Great info and opinions.
I've done a TONNE of research today and had a very quick education on Use Years, end dates for different resorts, points usage at each resort at dif times of year, dues per resort etc. I have to let it all sink in. I'm thinking that SSR may be of particular good value for me since it's longer on membership years, middle of the road for dues and may suit my tastes as we get old... can you use a bbq there? rats....always one more question.

Also, BCV and AKV are still in the running for me. Lots of time to decide, I won't be buying in 2010, so I'll be researching for a while.

I dont' think the dues are that unreasonable considering....but that hinges on my next question which I can't find a quick answer to on my travels....can anyone tell me if the number of people in the unit has any bearing on points? For instance, if I book a SSR studio for a week using my points, will it matter if there are 2 or 4 guests? Thanks!

 

[sissy_42]

I dont' think the dues are that unreasonable considering....but that hinges on my next question which I can't find a quick answer to on my travels....can anyone tell me if the number of people in the unit has any bearing on points? For instance, if I book a SSR studio for a week using my points, will it matter if there are 2 or 4 guests? Thanks!

No, the points are per room for the resorts. So a studio will be the same no matter if 1,2,3 or 4 people are staying in the room.

 

[ToddyLu]

Dh(45) took me(41) to Disney for my first trip in 2002. It was wonderful, I was hooked. Because it offers so much and is so diverse everyone can find something they like. We do not have children and are annual visitors and have always gone for 10 days at least. It is a given that we will continue to "do" Disney every year. Will we travel other places...sure we did a great trip to Wash DC in 2008. I am hoping to do a long weekend for him to NYC next year since he has never been. THere is no way I am going to be able to get him on a plane to Europe for any traveling there. I went for a month in 1985 so I have seen about 11 countries, although briefly, but can relate to the history becasue I have "been" there. I find that Disney gives us lots of vacations in one. We experience a taste of Europe and other places while there. We are enjoying expanding our wine and dinner options. DH loves photography and gets to spend his time taking pics while I go somewhere else.

Now that we have purchased DVC (June 2009, 210 AKV). We have been able to enjoy 2 studios with SV. One for us and the other for his mother. WE will repeat that this year and then next year will be my parents turn. We found during this first trip that we enjoyed the luxury of more space. Before when we would stay Value we wouldn't be too anxious to get back to the room. We would wait until the bitter end of day to drag ourselves back. Now with DVC we are not as far from the gate, and actually enjoy visits back to the room to enjoy a cold beverage or snack and watch animals. It really was a vacation.

I am the one who wanted to own a piece of Disney. He was happy staying Value. I was obsessed, so he caved in last year when we could purchase points with a $18 discount and received 2008 points. Now that we have been he is hooked. He enjoyed being able to bring his laptop, have room for camera stuff and keep his favorite energy drinks in the fridge (he would always have to find ice for the bucket in years past). He supported me in the decision but after our first trip really saw the value of luxury and appreciated all the amenities available.

If this is important to you and you want it. I say buy a small reasale at your favorite resort and get your feet wet. Purchase 50 points and then go every other year with 100 points. If you find you need more just buy then. I am sure your better half maybe golfs, hunts or fishes. Mine is just happy with a camera and computer. This was a once in a lifetime gift for me (and him). He appreciates that and now supports me in it...it was a joint purchase and he trusted me. We have absolutely no regrets.

 

[Crystal_27]

The good thing about your situation is that you can buy less points than those who either travel every year or need larger accommodations. So, you might be able to get away with buying, say, 70 points at the BCV which would cost you about $6,500 (which you'd have to buy resale, of course) but which you could use every other year to get at least a week in a studio. As far as using your points to stay at the Moderates, you will find that it costs about as many points to stay at the Moderates as it does the DVC resorts (plus you have to pay a $95 transfer fee), so it really does make the most sense to use DVC points to stay at DVC resorts. In terms of not wanting to vacation at any other vacation destinations now that we have DVC, we prefer Disney (or Disney cruises) so that's not even an issue with us at this point. However, if we do ever find ourselves tired of Disney (not likely), there is always Hilton Head, Vero Beach, or the new Hawaii resort that are also part of the DVC network. One word of caution, though... If your DH is not a fan of Disney, you are probably going to have a tough road ahead convincing him that DVC is worth the initial expense and the MFs. My DH loves Disney so it was a given that we'd buy into DVC eventually, but with as much as we go and the fact that it's really our only vacation destination right now, I could see him resenting it if he didn't love Disney. Make sure that your DH is onboard or at least that you can make enough of a case for DVC that he will see the cost savings of DVC. Good luck!!!

 

[canabrits2]

No, the points are per room for the resorts. So a studio will be the same no matter if 1,2,3 or 4 people are staying in the room.

Holy cracker-jacks. SOLD. That does it for me. I usually end up paying for extra heads myself so I'm paying anyway and can fill the room up to 4 peeps, then that's a huge advantage.

 

[canabrits2]

Dh(45) took me(41) to Disney for my first trip in 2002. It was wonderful, I was hooked. Because it offers so much and is so diverse everyone can find something they like.

If this is important to you and you want it. I say buy a small reasale at your favorite resort and get your feet wet. Purchase 50 points and then go every other year with 100 points.

Perfect advice. That's likely the route I'll end up taking. I'm hoping if I start off with my own points and take him, then he'll like it and I'll ask him to kick in some dough for extra points. Some people just can't envision a painting before it's completed. Funny thing is though, on many things, once I've made the case and he sees the outcome, he's in with both feet.

 

[canabrits2]

The good thing about your situation is that you can buy less points than those who either travel every year or need larger accommodations. So, you might be able to get away with buying, say, 70 points at the BCV which would cost you about $6,500 (which you'd have to buy resale, of course) but which you could use every other year to get at least a week in a studio.

Totally.......

Now to compare all the DVC resorts to try and pick one (like the idea of all SSR, BCV, AKV or VWL). So many options! I love Disney.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Holy cracker-jacks. SOLD. That does it for me. I usually end up paying for extra heads myself so I'm paying anyway and can fill the room up to 4 peeps, then that's a huge advantage.

Except at OKW where there are 2 queen beds in the studio, the other studios have 1 queen bed and a pull out sofa bed that's a "double." I do not think that having 4 adults in a studio without paying "extra" is a huge advantage.

Bobbi

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

My DH and I own 100 points at Boardwalk Villas. We love it!

We travel in adventure season, mostly avoid weekends, and get studios. We've been able to travel twice per year.

We chose BWV because we could either get 1) cheaper standard points, or 2) beautiful boardwalk views.

Fifty points at BWV would allow you to stay 5 days in adventure season, standard studio every year, or would allow you to stay in a preferred/boardwalk view every other year alternating between 6 and 7 days. At worst, you would be able to stay in a studio in Premier season every other year for 5 days.

TSS has a 50 pt. contract for $4250. MFs would be about $260/yr. I have seen one night at POR run close to $260.

One word of advice: when buying a small contract -- be sure to get a UY that fits the time of year you would most like to travel. Whenever I've gone late in my UY, I've worried that I would lose all of my points if I couldn't go. If you plan for early in your UY and you can't go...then you've got 10 or 11 months to try again, bank, etc.

 

[crisi]

I'm not sure its for you. You say you are a natural maximizer. DVC doesn't SAVE most of us money - it CHANGES the way we vacation in a way that we get value, but end up spending more. We don't get to take advantage of 'deals' when booking on points, like free dining.

You want to stay Deluxe - DVC doesn't get you into a Deluxe resort. It gets you into the timeshare attached to the Deluxe resort. There are some critical difference. Make sure you understand them.

For what you want to do - a studio every other year - you aren't going to need many points - and you are going to want to own them at the BCV. That means buying a small contract resale - since Disney won't sell you a small enough number of points for what you want to do.

We keep vacationing other places, but we have two really good incomes in our household (and a relatively small number of DVC points), so we do the every other year thing at Disney, then go somewhere else.