Please try to convince me NOT to buy DVC. No, really.

[JasonDVC]

This may actually be the best time to buy in to DVC...

Don't forget, DVC is expanding. You don't always have to go WDW in Orlando. You can go to Hilton Head, Vero Beach, DL Calfornia, soon to Hawaii(All DVC resorts), soon, possibly to Washington DC (and I'm sure more are on the way). I say get in now while it is "cheap". There are some great perks available and a few years from now who knows why the initial cost per point will be.

Plus, you can always rent or transfer your points for cash and use that for trips elsewhere or for a DCL cruise or ABD Adventure

 

[Brian Noble]

You don't always have to go WDW in Orlando. You can go to Hilton Head, Vero Beach, DL Calfornia, soon to Hawaii(All DVC resorts), soon, possibly to Washington DC (and I'm sure more are on the way).

Except for the WDW resorts, there are many less expensive ways to stay in all of these locations, in properties that are just as well appointed, and very similarly located. In some of these locations, the non-Disney alternatives are better situated. (Even VGC is arguable, with the new WorldMark just one block off Harbor.)

Renting for cash, and using those proceeds to stay where you want to stay, is a better value for non-WDW trips.

Edited to add: that said, if you want to come back to WDW frequently, this *is* a great time to buy---on the resale market.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I am not a DVC owner, but the following would make this a positive decision for me...

1) make the points a permanently fixed value, at least for your home resort based on the buy-in date (it's not fair for a person to buy the number necessary for a week stay, then a couple years later, be unable to stay at their home resort for an entire week without paying more)

2) make the maintenance fee permanently fixed based on your buy-in date

3) permanently offer free or deeply discounted park tickets to DVC members with a home resort in the WDW area

A concession to 2 would be setting a maximum yearly increase on the maintenance fee such as 1 or 2 percent.

If you base being a DVC member on these items, you won't ever be a DVC member. Do you pay the exact same for your electric bill, water bill, gas bill, etc every year? I don't think so. Do you get salary increases from time to time? I bet you do. So do the housekeeping. maintenance and front desk staff. Are you using the same linens, appliances etc that you got 17 years ago? I'd bet not.

Construction costs go up and if the points weren't purchased pre-construction, the costs for construction (to pay the contractor, etc) is also going to go up. You can't fix prices based on someone's wants.

 

[Dean]

I also know that trading out to one of the resorts at RCI is not the best value but you also need to know that oter time shares require you to buy a certain week at one site that you need to go every year or try to trade out to another resort which may not be available since you bought a lower priced time share at a less desirable season.

As a rule this information is incorrect. MOST timeshare give flexibility in reservations that may include unit size, season and many even length of stay. Also, while trading can be hampered by bad choices going it, it can often be done better than using DVC for pennies on the dollar compared to DVC. In many ways many timeshares are actually more flexible than is DVC.

After reading this thread I'm seriously starting to doubt purchasing. We had intended on using it for more than Disney trips, with Disney maybe every 4 or 5 years. If it's not that easy nor a good value to trade into RCI then maybe we shouldn't.

I'm glad this thread was started.

Buying DVC would be an extremely poor way to accomplish this goal for every 4-5 years. Better to pay cash, rent from a member or look at buying something with RCI you can trade in with. Then you could use that option on off years. Your up front and yearly costs would be a fraction of trying to do this with DVC AND you'd have more and better options going forward than you would trying to do the same thing using DVC.

I am not a DVC owner, but the following would make this a positive decision for me...

1) make the points a permanently fixed value, at least for your home resort based on the buy-in date (it's not fair for a person to buy the number necessary for a week stay, then a couple years later, be unable to stay at their home resort for an entire week without paying more)

2) make the maintenance fee permanently fixed based on your buy-in date

3) permanently offer free or deeply discounted park tickets to DVC members with a home resort in the WDW area

A concession to 2 would be setting a maximum yearly increase on the maintenance fee such as 1 or 2 percent.

Not feasible options.

1. For all intents and purposes, this is already the case. While it could change a little, the risk of significant change for a whole week is unlikely.

2. They could do this but the price would be so high non one could afford it. You'd be looking at about $20-30 a point currently and even then they'd need an out just in case.

3. Again, they could do this but would have to add that price either to the upfront fee or the yearly fees. Maybe an extra $100 a point up front or an extra $20 a point going forward in yearly fees (as possible examples).

 

[ILuvMulan]

We haven't used our first stay yet... but the only downfall I have found so far is that I am already planning my next three trips
Seriously though, I think that if we were not a family of five we probably would not have bought. We are not picky about where we stay because up until this point we have spent so little time in our rooms. If there were only four of us the all-star resorts would have suited us fine. Now that we own though we are really excited about all of the extra space and amenities. We are already taking guests with us on our next two trips which would have been impossible before. Since we were going to Disney yearly anyway, it made sense to us. We are also looking forward to going to Vero, Hilton Head,Disneyland, and HI at some point after our kids are bigger... those are places we probably would never visit if we did not own DVC.

 

[Sandisw]

WE just bought in because of BLT but I have been discussing this with DH for about a year (since we knew that BLT was most likely happening).

One of his biggest concerns was whether or not it would be feasible to continue go to WDW every year like we have in the past 10+ years. Gas prices were rising and so was airfare so while paying for DVC was not an issue, he was concerned whether we could afford the other costs that go along with going to WDW.

Of course, after I ran all the numbers upside down and sideways for him, he realized that we love it enough that we will continue to go, even after our kids are grown and gone, so we bought in. And, our DS is 20 so not a regular anymore, our DD is 16 and will be heading off to college in a year, so that only leaves our other DD 13. With only 3 of us, the price for airfare, tickets and food will certainly be no more than it has been for the 5 of us to go.

Good luck!!!

 

[candizfan]

After reading this thread I'm seriously starting to doubt purchasing. We had intended on using it for more than Disney trips, with Disney maybe every 4 or 5 years. If it's not that easy nor a good value to trade into RCI then maybe we shouldn't.

I'm glad this thread was started.

Wow, I hate to say it but if you only plan on going every 4-5 years, you really should rethink buying in...Did I just say that

You can buy into another time share on the resale market for $5,000 and then do a trade into Disney if they are with RCI when you want to go to Disney. Or you can rent points from other owner.

Good luck with your decision. It is hard to resist.

 

[wdrl]

Before joining for the first time this month, we spent weeks discussing the pros and cons of buying into the DVC.

One big concern we had was whether we wanted to commit a lot of our vacation time and dollars to Disney at the expense of other vacation options. We love to cruise and we love going on road trips to national parks. My wife was worried that we might feel forced to make yearly trip to WDW and have to forego a cruise.

Another concern was the cost of the yearly maintenance fees. MFs will probably increase about 3-5 percent a year. This means that, at 4% a year, a 160-point contract at AKV might see its yearly MF jump from $777.60 to over $1,000 in 7 years.

There are also some things in the fine print to consider. For example: Its nice to be able to bank and borrow points, especially if you have only 160 points like us, but still hope to use larger accommodations for family gatherings. But Disney has the right to suspend banking and borrowing. I know we would not have bought into the DVC if we had to use our points only in the year they are earned.

Each person has their own reasons for buying or not buying into the DVC. For us, it seems like an attractive deal. But only you can decide if its good for you.

Good Luck!

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

After reading this thread I'm seriously starting to doubt purchasing. We had intended on using it for more than Disney trips, with Disney maybe every 4 or 5 years. If it's not that easy nor a good value to trade into RCI then maybe we shouldn't.

I'm glad this thread was started.

If you wish to go to Disney every 4 or 5 years, then you should not purchase DVC, IMHO. However, if you believe that you will go at least every 3 years...then consider purchasing a small contract through the resale market.

 

[ckg]

While a few still operate on a fixed or floating-weeks model, increasingly they are points-based, just like DVC. Of the major multi-site developers, Marriott is just about the only holdout.

Much agreed here. With Marriott while having some really nice properties as well as I believe an international presence everything is a trade through the exchange company (with a requisite trade fee), Starwood has it's own internal network like Disney but is more spread out across the US (and generally more upscale rooms IMO) and is points based for internal trades and no internal trade fee (I think). Wyndham I think also is point based.

 

[ckg]

I am not a DVC owner, but the following would make this a positive decision for me...

1) make the points a permanently fixed value, at least for your home resort based on the buy-in date (it's not fair for a person to buy the number necessary for a week stay, then a couple years later, be unable to stay at their home resort for an entire week without paying more)

2) make the maintenance fee permanently fixed based on your buy-in date

3) permanently offer free or deeply discounted park tickets to DVC members with a home resort in the WDW area

A concession to 2 would be setting a maximum yearly increase on the maintenance fee such as 1 or 2 percent.

Well....

1) As mentioned here the total points for a resort do not change so what they can do is shift points around so if there is an increase for lets a say a weekend night in dream season goes up it needs to go down somewhere else. This maybe could be worked with. With the recent change it is "good" for some folks but not "good" for others. I find many times with system changes with DVC that seems to generally be true (not always though like in the transfer point limit).

2)This can't be done for reasons already mentioned. Some years will be more than others just like in your home.

3)How bout make DVC free also? Over 50 years lets say a family of 4 have annual passes for $200 each (and we know it is more than that) for free. That is $40000 in reduced revenue per DVC family. What about for folks that 1 resale contract of 50 points or a developer purchased contract of 1100 points should they be treated the same? Would you do this if you owned Disney? I think Disney did give away free annual passes for a specific time period when they first opened as a marketing tool. It was finite though I believe.

 

[ckg]

If you wish to go to Disney every 4 or 5 years, then you should not purchase DVC, IMHO. However, if you believe that you will go at least every 3 years...then consider purchasing a small contract through the resale market.

This is brilliant advice!

You can bank 1 year and borrow the next year basically using 3 years of points in 1 year if you can time it right.

Then you can reevaluate and always add more on once you get the hang of it and see that you like it. Like most of us here once you get a taste you will want more. It is quite easy to get spoiled from a hotel room since they are night and day. This product opens up so many more possibilities.

 

[disdad09]

While a few still operate on a fixed or floating-weeks model, increasingly they are points-based, just like DVC. Of the major multi-site developers, Marriott is just about the only holdout.

Since I am new to this Timeshare Buisiness perhaps you could share with me some of the other Timeshare companies that are point based like DVC?

From what I have read Marriott is the best other Timeshare company other than DVC and from what you are saying still holds to the restricted week trade like I mentioned.

 

[Brian Noble]

Large multi-site developers with point systems include Wyndham, Bluegreen, Hilton Grand Vacation Club, WorldMark. Starwood...the list goes on and on. Some of these are more flexible than others, but none of them are fixed week/same resort/every year systems.

 

[Pa@okw95]

The only thing I would suggest is don't look at it as a savings or investment but an expense, if you can afford it and really want to spend a great deal of your vacation time at WDW then do it. I have made over 30 trips to WDW since joining in 95-would I have gone to WDW that much had I not been a member, no way. I don't even go to the parks most times down there now. So how much money did I save, nothing, it is one big expense but the rooms are large for WDW, and it is a nice place to get out of the cold. I am from up north however not South. I have no long term complaints but don't let anyone tell you it is a savings.

 

[Dean]

If you wish to go to Disney every 4 or 5 years, then you should not purchase DVC, IMHO. However, if you believe that you will go at least every 3 years...then consider purchasing a small contract through the resale market.

IMO, even every 3 years are tricky as it has to be no more than 3 years to the day for each trip.

Since I am new to this Timeshare Buisiness perhaps you could share with me some of the other Timeshare companies that are point based like DVC?

From what I have read Marriott is the best other Timeshare company other than DVC and from what you are saying still holds to the restricted week trade like I mentioned.

I'd agree with Brian's list and maybe add Shell, Hyatt, RCI points, Diamond and Club Intrawest, and there's still more as Brian indicates. As to what's best, it depends on what you want out of it, how flexible you are, where you want to go, unit size needed, how well you can plan and how demanding you are. I'd say Marriott is the top in many categories but not for everything and not necessarily the best value. I'd say Wyndham might be the best value to use and Bluegreen the best value to use and trade. Marriott is the best in many ways for top end combined with flexibility and trading options. They are all better choices than DVC for trading for most situations with VERY limited exceptions like the top Marriott's and more expensive Starwood options. Then there's the Ritz and Four Seasons. Each person has to investigate and see how the puzzle best fits together for them and their family.

The one thing that DVC has on the rest for trading is the Search first option. Not enough to justify buying but if you already own and you want to shoot for the moon for top end options, that can be a very reasonable approach to value while trading DVC.

 

[crisi]

IMO, even every 3 years are tricky as it has to be no more than 3 years to the day for each trip.

Its also really hard to have exactly the number of points required and not end up "wasting" a few points - particularly if any changes occur. Those wasted points add to the overall cost of a DVC trip - they aren't likely to be enough to rent or do anything with (or you'd do something with them).

 

[Dean]

Its also really hard to have exactly the number of points required and not end up "wasting" a few points - particularly if any changes occur. Those wasted points add to the overall cost of a DVC trip - they aren't likely to be enough to rent or do anything with (or you'd do something with them).

Certainly. While you could work out exactly the number you might need, a reallocation could get you (or help you). These are some of the reasons I said a 3 year cycle is tricky and why I've said in the past I think every 2 years is a better plan. It is more forgiving in these situations allowing some flexibility if the members plans change or the points costs change for any reason. While I don't mind having extra points, I'd rather be under and have to pay cash for a day here and there or rent a few points for transfer, than lose points routinely.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I think the fewer number of points you have, the less flexibility you have.

THe less often you go...the more certain you must be about your trips, and yet the more flexible.

In this case, you should ALWAYS plan to travel early in your UY, and have the flexibility to change your reservation to later in the year if something comes up.

 

[Dean]

I think the fewer number of points you have, the less flexibility you have.

THe less often you go...the more certain you must be about your trips, and yet the more flexible.

In this case, you should ALWAYS plan to travel early in your UY, and have the flexibility to change your reservation to later in the year if something comes up.

To a degree. I'd say there's a min threshold for most situations and a max threshold for most budgets. However, the more points you have the more risk. For those where the budget is an issue and for those wanting the most value possible from their membership, fewer points (within reason) are often better than more. Fewer points do entail more planning and at times, fewer options. Having a lot of points, esp at multiple resorts and/or multiple UYs, can give one much flexibility but at a cost.