Okay, I have been reading these boards for while trying to decide whether or not to buy in DVC. The math is just not adding up to me. You all seem happy however please help me from the perspective of justifing the money. Okay, so, I own a Marriot Vacation club for the odd years. I was thinking that I would buy 130-150 points of OKW (lower maintenance cost) and go to Disney on the even years saving up to about 300 points. (We need a 2 bedroom because we have 3 kids). Okay, so here is where I am having trouble with the money: I give $11,000 (and loose interest on the money) and I figure we will go every other until our youngest is 16 every other year, which means we will go 7 times. (I know you all are thinking we will go more but I have the Marriot plus I don't know how much we will go to Disney after our kids are grown and I am not counting on making money if I sell then because new properties will probably be built then with longer deeded dates making mine undesirable). Anyway, If I add up 14 years of maint. cost of 579.00=8106.00 adding in the original investment of 11,000= 18106.00 over 14 years. (remember I am only going every other year.) When I divide that amount by 7 I have paid 2,586.00 for a week. I am figuring that I can rent points close to that now and keep my 11,000 an earn interest for the next 14 years. Can anyone help us decide when the math doesn't look good. (we also thought we could use our Marriot and stay off Disney). Could anyone please give me their advise and help us decide what to do.
please help me justify the money for DVC
- Thread starter 3kidz4dis
- Start date
DVC was not designed to yield short-term rewards. The idea is to commit for 40-50 years, break even after the first 6-8-10 years, and then vacation at a fraction of the cost.
Buying DVC with the intent of using it for only 14 almost certainly does not make sense. Chances are the contract would still hold some value at the end of those 14 years, but you'd be rolling the dice in trying to guess how much value (if any) that might be.
Buying DVC with the intent of using it for only 14 almost certainly does not make sense. Chances are the contract would still hold some value at the end of those 14 years, but you'd be rolling the dice in trying to guess how much value (if any) that might be.
MrsG
<font color=peach>We teachers ARE the worst!<br><f
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Keep in mind, as your children get older, your vacationing needs may change. We now bring along fiances and significant others, etc., not just our children anymore. Eventually it may be grandchildren. DH & I also are enjoying quick getaways for just the two of us. Financial situations also change. DH just lost his job and we already have our Feb trip and July trip booked. I have the peace of mind knowing that I only have to pay for airfare and food and I can stay painlessly at a deluxe resort.
DVC was one of the best decisions we ever made. Sometimes you can't put a pricetag on that.
DVC was one of the best decisions we ever made. Sometimes you can't put a pricetag on that.
tamu91
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If you plan on sticking with your plan in your original post, I WOULD NOT BUY
But let me walk you through my math here 
If you plan on staying at a deluxe WDW resort during your 7 visits, plan on spending $1,500+ on lodging alone with AP discounts (2 deluxe rooms @ $150 per night for 5 nights).
If you decide to rent points, 2 bedroom units will require approximately 200 points so DVC route will cost you ~$2,000/trip.
Either way, you'll spend $10,000 on lodging. Of course, since you own Marriott, you might elect to stay offsites in one of the Marriott properties in Orlando. But this would mean Marriott or Disney every other year.
I'd spend $11K now and have an "equity" that I can sell after 15 years rather than spend $10K over 15 years and end up with nothing.
You'll see many many people reiterate this point over and over again but the only regret that most DVC owners have about DVC is that we did not buy it sooner.
If you are able financially to make the purchase and you are fairly certain that you'd be going to WDW on a regular basis and you'd like to stay on-site, I'd consider buying.
But let me walk you through my math here If you plan on staying at a deluxe WDW resort during your 7 visits, plan on spending $1,500+ on lodging alone with AP discounts (2 deluxe rooms @ $150 per night for 5 nights).
If you decide to rent points, 2 bedroom units will require approximately 200 points so DVC route will cost you ~$2,000/trip.
Either way, you'll spend $10,000 on lodging. Of course, since you own Marriott, you might elect to stay offsites in one of the Marriott properties in Orlando. But this would mean Marriott or Disney every other year.
I'd spend $11K now and have an "equity" that I can sell after 15 years rather than spend $10K over 15 years and end up with nothing.
You'll see many many people reiterate this point over and over again but the only regret that most DVC owners have about DVC is that we did not buy it sooner.
If you are able financially to make the purchase and you are fairly certain that you'd be going to WDW on a regular basis and you'd like to stay on-site, I'd consider buying.
Dean
DIS Veteran<br><a href="http://www.wdwinfo.com/dis
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My guess is that if you will truly go to WDW every other year for the next 14, that DVC is a good choice for you. I'd be the first to tell you it was a bad idea, if I thought it was, ask anyone, I've told a number of people they shouldn't buy. Your best bet would be EOY for 5-6 days avoiding weekend nights and if that works out, you would make out like a bandit compared to ON SITE stays. DVC will never make sense compared to buying a cheap timeshare to exchange and then exchanging in to the Disney area when you need to. You could do his for likely around a true cost of $500-700 per year, even if you only exchange to Orlando EOY. And you could even buy less than 150 points resale.
Is your MVCI a lockoff, if so just lockoff for an occasional trip to get two for one. You may even get a bonus week with that. Or consider cheap points systems like FF or Bluegreen.
Is your MVCI a lockoff, if so just lockoff for an occasional trip to get two for one. You may even get a bonus week with that. Or consider cheap points systems like FF or Bluegreen.
I am not sure it is for you....
If you are only going because of your kids.... Teens tend to want to "grow" out of the family vacation and they might think they have out grown Disney.
If you think you and DH like Disney enough to go w/out the kids then you would get more then 7 years out of it, but if it just for the kids. I would pass.
If you are only going because of your kids.... Teens tend to want to "grow" out of the family vacation and they might think they have out grown Disney.
If you think you and DH like Disney enough to go w/out the kids then you would get more then 7 years out of it, but if it just for the kids. I would pass.
Deemarch
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It's not for the money you could save, although it's a significant amount.
It's not for the ease of reservations, because you really put more thought into DVC ressies due to 11 & 7 month windows.
It's just a thing that you do with your heart.
Sounds dumb and I'm really not dumb, but it just felt right.
And for us, it is right!!
It's not for the ease of reservations, because you really put more thought into DVC ressies due to 11 & 7 month windows.
It's just a thing that you do with your heart.
Sounds dumb and I'm really not dumb, but it just felt right.
And for us, it is right!!
dvcssr1
Nana & Papa's Mia and Lainey
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Just a thought here. I know you only plan on going every other year until the youngest turns 16. Then probably not at all.
You might want to re-think that. The first time my sister-in-law went it was just going to be that once. "Once you go you don't need to go again". Well that had been in 1989 and she has been with us at least once a year since then and she has no kids. We took 2 DS's for the first time in 1989 also. They were 9 & 11. Well the youngest just spent his honeymoon at WDW last July and the oldest owns 150 pts at BCV (along with his Aunt, the one who only had to go once). DH and I have 150 pts at SSR and hopefully will do an add on when we go in 3 weeks. We enjoy the quiet time we spend together at WDW. Whether we go to the parks or not. To us that is the one place where we go that the outside world doesn't exist. No work, bills or problems. Just the two of us.
Of course how my family takes to WDW doesn't mean yours will too, but you never know. I am not saying WDW is for everyone but if you enjoy it now it is a pretty sure bet that you will enjoy it later.
You might want to re-think that. The first time my sister-in-law went it was just going to be that once. "Once you go you don't need to go again". Well that had been in 1989 and she has been with us at least once a year since then and she has no kids. We took 2 DS's for the first time in 1989 also. They were 9 & 11. Well the youngest just spent his honeymoon at WDW last July and the oldest owns 150 pts at BCV (along with his Aunt, the one who only had to go once). DH and I have 150 pts at SSR and hopefully will do an add on when we go in 3 weeks. We enjoy the quiet time we spend together at WDW. Whether we go to the parks or not. To us that is the one place where we go that the outside world doesn't exist. No work, bills or problems. Just the two of us.
Of course how my family takes to WDW doesn't mean yours will too, but you never know. I am not saying WDW is for everyone but if you enjoy it now it is a pretty sure bet that you will enjoy it later.
Greysword
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I would like to add a question to your question 
Why are you buying 150 points of OKW at $11,000 when you could probably buy 150 points at SSR for $12,750 ($85 x 150, this is with the current $10/point discount)? This would extend the life of the deed to 49 years and make it more economical.
Of course once your kids turn 16 and you don't use it any more, you can always rent out the points you don't use for a small profit.
You can also use them to get onto the Disney Cruise Line much easier than Interval International or RCI.
If you end up with grandchildren, you can take them to Disney as well or give your kids the points so they can take their children.
You can stay on property, by-passing the need for car rentals and tools as well as fighting Orlando traffic. This also permits you all of the goodies Disney has for their resort guests.
Just a couple thoughts. Of course it mainly comes down to whether you really want to stay on property and say you own a piece of Walt Disney World. If you are wishy-washy, then take the tour and look at the property, but don't buy until you are completely satisfied.
Why are you buying 150 points of OKW at $11,000 when you could probably buy 150 points at SSR for $12,750 ($85 x 150, this is with the current $10/point discount)? This would extend the life of the deed to 49 years and make it more economical.
Of course once your kids turn 16 and you don't use it any more, you can always rent out the points you don't use for a small profit.
You can also use them to get onto the Disney Cruise Line much easier than Interval International or RCI.
If you end up with grandchildren, you can take them to Disney as well or give your kids the points so they can take their children.
You can stay on property, by-passing the need for car rentals and tools as well as fighting Orlando traffic. This also permits you all of the goodies Disney has for their resort guests.
Just a couple thoughts. Of course it mainly comes down to whether you really want to stay on property and say you own a piece of Walt Disney World. If you are wishy-washy, then take the tour and look at the property, but don't buy until you are completely satisfied.
Alexander
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Also keep in mind that points are currently renting for $10/pt. I can't help but think that as our maintenance fees increase, so will the rental price. Fourteen years from now, it is very unlikey that the points will be going for $10.
DVC is about having a prepaid vacation. If you are more concerned about earning interest on your money, then it really doesn't make sense for you.
We thought DVC was a crazy investment when they first opened the Vacation Club Resort (now OKW). We could stay for so much less at a moderate resort than what they were selling points for. However, as the price of these other resorts has climbed higher every year, the points at the DVC resorts has remained the same. The other accomodations will continually raise their rates, DVC will not change their point values. This makes DVC such a good value.
The only thing that frustrates us about DVC is that we waited too long to join!
DVC is about having a prepaid vacation. If you are more concerned about earning interest on your money, then it really doesn't make sense for you.
We thought DVC was a crazy investment when they first opened the Vacation Club Resort (now OKW). We could stay for so much less at a moderate resort than what they were selling points for. However, as the price of these other resorts has climbed higher every year, the points at the DVC resorts has remained the same. The other accomodations will continually raise their rates, DVC will not change their point values. This makes DVC such a good value.
The only thing that frustrates us about DVC is that we waited too long to join!
We are in the same boat.
We have 150 points at BWVs. We bought for $63 a point (so had significantly lower by in), use 282 points every other year (currently, this will change as we move seasons as the kids age to just over 300 points) in a two bedroom. Dues are about $680 a year. So $9450 in by in costs of $800 every year for the next dozen until the kids graduate. $800+$800+$680+$680 = call it $3000 a trip.....sounds like I'd do better renting points for $282.
But the contract will still have 25 years on it when the kids graduate, so if I decide to sell then, I should be able to get something back ...if I don't, its vacations for basically the cost of dues (we are golfers, so Disney is an attractive post kid resort for us).
Plus, for the $20 difference, I don't have to hassle with renting points, get my copy of Vacation Magic, get any discounts or perks for members. And, with a little flexibility (like our two kids on the hideabed), we feel guiltless inviting guests, who feel guiltless accepting.
Obviously, your numbers will vary as your buy in will be higher.
We have 150 points at BWVs. We bought for $63 a point (so had significantly lower by in), use 282 points every other year (currently, this will change as we move seasons as the kids age to just over 300 points) in a two bedroom. Dues are about $680 a year. So $9450 in by in costs of $800 every year for the next dozen until the kids graduate. $800+$800+$680+$680 = call it $3000 a trip.....sounds like I'd do better renting points for $282.
But the contract will still have 25 years on it when the kids graduate, so if I decide to sell then, I should be able to get something back ...if I don't, its vacations for basically the cost of dues (we are golfers, so Disney is an attractive post kid resort for us).
Plus, for the $20 difference, I don't have to hassle with renting points, get my copy of Vacation Magic, get any discounts or perks for members. And, with a little flexibility (like our two kids on the hideabed), we feel guiltless inviting guests, who feel guiltless accepting.
Obviously, your numbers will vary as your buy in will be higher.
gjw007
DVC, Diamond Resorts, Wyndham Resorts
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There is another possibility for the other years vacations if he doesn't do DVC. If he belongs to RCI, I know that they have 2-bedroom bonus weeks that can be less than $500 per week at certain times of the year (I've seen them for over $1000 per week at other times depending on the resort if offered). These don't require exchanges. Pretty much like the point that Dean was making about purchasing a cheap timeshare and exchanging inot Orlando but since you already own a timeshare, there may be some other advantages that you can take advantage of but are unaware. The first time that I have done this was by purchasing a 1-bedroom bonus vacation for the week for $149.
II probably has something similar. I don't know much about Marriott but they might hae some of these as well. These are off-Disney property but it doesn't sound like being on Disney property is a high priority as much as he is interested in going to Disney. Granted, many, if not all, of the properties are not as nice as DVC but from an economical perspective, it might be cheaper. Of course, there are some value added benefits to being onsite such as packages sent to the rooms, being able to quickly go back to the resort to relax and then back to the theme park.
I think it's a toss-up. I have another timeshare but I still have a DVC membership to Saratoga because I do put a value on being onsite especially since I like to go around Xmas time.
II probably has something similar. I don't know much about Marriott but they might hae some of these as well. These are off-Disney property but it doesn't sound like being on Disney property is a high priority as much as he is interested in going to Disney. Granted, many, if not all, of the properties are not as nice as DVC but from an economical perspective, it might be cheaper. Of course, there are some value added benefits to being onsite such as packages sent to the rooms, being able to quickly go back to the resort to relax and then back to the theme park.
I think it's a toss-up. I have another timeshare but I still have a DVC membership to Saratoga because I do put a value on being onsite especially since I like to go around Xmas time.
The way you put it, it may not be a good deal for you, but....
DS was 16 and we were going to stay at BWV "just this once" and "he's 16 and won't want to vacation with his parents anymore".
NOT!!!
He's 22 and except when college/job schedules prevent he still goes with us, his buddies take turns coming along, when he can't come (this last year) he says "it's OK, 'cause it's not like I'll never get to go again" (he's counting on it!), He's pretty close to engaged so I guess I can count on his girlfriend coming later.
We've taken the older ones (much to old to care, NOT) with the new grandchild, we've discovered the Food & Wine Fest just for us, we've taken friends along, too. Disney is not just the Magic Kingdom, parts are even better for adults in my opinion. We had never even stayed onsite before "just this once" and we couldn't be happier now. Onsite made all the difference in our vacation quality.
DS was 16 and we were going to stay at BWV "just this once" and "he's 16 and won't want to vacation with his parents anymore".
NOT!!!
He's 22 and except when college/job schedules prevent he still goes with us, his buddies take turns coming along, when he can't come (this last year) he says "it's OK, 'cause it's not like I'll never get to go again" (he's counting on it!), He's pretty close to engaged so I guess I can count on his girlfriend coming later.
We've taken the older ones (much to old to care, NOT) with the new grandchild, we've discovered the Food & Wine Fest just for us, we've taken friends along, too. Disney is not just the Magic Kingdom, parts are even better for adults in my opinion. We had never even stayed onsite before "just this once" and we couldn't be happier now. Onsite made all the difference in our vacation quality.
MdmMim
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) ...I don't know how much we will go to Disney after our kids are grown...[/QUOTE said:We traveled to WDW when our kids were little, staying offsite, then onsite. Our kids grew up, and our last "family" vacation was when our DS turned 17.DD has continued to enjoy WDW. (She knows her way around better than I do!)
We joined DVC 5 years ago, as it became evident that the obsession was not coming to an end.Staying in deluxes was getting expensive, and I thought the $ would be better spent going toward DVC.
Move ahead 10 years:
DS is now 27, and as of last Feb., is now a bigtime WDW fan!I offered him the use of points, and he is now hooked! He was there in Feb., and returned for Thanksgiving (without me!)
He is looking forward to our group trip in December.
I added on last year to cover DD's and DS's trips, as they both go there with friends. It is an absolute joy to be there with them, even though they're all grown up.
I did not envision this wonderful time with them, as I figured they'd have their own interests--and these interests would not include vacations with parents, or WDW. But happily, I was very wrong!
DisneyMim
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Great Mims think alike!! We too thought (mainly because that's what EVERYONE kept telling us) that our kids would "outgrow" Disney. We bought in 1991 when our kids were young and I can honestly say that I enjoy it MORE now with one child in college and one in HS. They have become huge Disney fans just like their Mim and Did!! And we couldn't be happier!! I would not let this keep you from buying. You can always sell later if it's not for you anymore. We have so many friends who wish they bought when we did!!
No1HawkFan
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Let's say you buy 300 points at OKW from the TSS for $76 per point, however, the contract has all 300 points left from 2004.
Cost = $24,568 Price + closing + dues for 05
Rent out the 300 points from 2004 at $10 per point = $3000
Reduces costs to $21,568
Rent points in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, and 2013 = $9,000 Net ($10 per point rental minus the $4 dues) $6 NET x 1500 points
Vacation with 300 points in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014 = $6,000 Cost of dues
2015 you decide to sell ---$18568 is what you have into the program $24,568 minus the $3000 from renting 2004 and minus the $3000 from renting the points the other 5 out of tens years.
Unless something drastically changes between now and 2015 you should be able to sell those 300 points at Old Key West with a net to you of $18568($62 per point) or better. Then those vacations in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014 were somewhat free.
This is, of course, is if you purchased paying cash and it does take a little bit of effort to rent your points. I guess you would have to place a value on the time you have to spend renting those 300 points for those 5 years.
Good Luck!!!
Cost = $24,568 Price + closing + dues for 05
Rent out the 300 points from 2004 at $10 per point = $3000
Reduces costs to $21,568
Rent points in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, and 2013 = $9,000 Net ($10 per point rental minus the $4 dues) $6 NET x 1500 points
Vacation with 300 points in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014 = $6,000 Cost of dues
2015 you decide to sell ---$18568 is what you have into the program $24,568 minus the $3000 from renting 2004 and minus the $3000 from renting the points the other 5 out of tens years.
Unless something drastically changes between now and 2015 you should be able to sell those 300 points at Old Key West with a net to you of $18568($62 per point) or better. Then those vacations in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014 were somewhat free.
This is, of course, is if you purchased paying cash and it does take a little bit of effort to rent your points. I guess you would have to place a value on the time you have to spend renting those 300 points for those 5 years.
Good Luck!!!
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