Point value at non DVC

[denapoli]

We have been on the fence for 5 years now about buying a DVC time share. Currently, we still really like staying at the 3 monorail hotels for convenience with a 6 and 3 year old, but have stayed at BC and WL and loved them too. If we bought a time share at OKW, BC, or SSR, how do I figure out how many points would be required to stay at one of the three monorail resorts and is each home base point worth more or less at these resorts, and lastly is it cheaper to just pay cash than use points at the monorail resorts, what kind of $ difference - minimal or substantial - to pay cash vs. using points at non dvc resorts? Thank you in advance for insight.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

You can use the DVC Points Calculator at the top of this page and do some comparisons between the DVC resorts you are interested in as well as the on-site hotels. I think you will soon see that DVC Points are only a good value when used at DVC properties. Some members have enough points that they don't care that other properties are so much higher. But for the majority of us, it would be more cost effective to rent our points and use the proceeds to pay cash for non-DVC locations. This holds true for DL/DCL as well.

 

[tjkraz]

You'll never be able to justify DVC (financially) if you intend on staying at the non-DVC properties with regularity. For the occasional "fix" it might not be so bad. At least the option exists.

But most times of year I wouldn't be surprised if the number of points required x annual dues is already more than the Rack Rate (or at least AP holder rate) for those Deluxe resorts.

I know people have attachments to those monorail resorts, but IMO you're really doing yourself a disservice if you discount DVC simply because of the location of the resorts.

Over the past 5 years, point costs have risen from $65 per point to $95 per point--a 46% increase.

If you want to be in close proximity to theme parks, consider a resale purchase at the Beach Club Villas or Boardwalk Villas which are walking distance (or boat) to both EPCOT AND MGM.

A One Bedroom DVC accommodation at BCV or BWV for 6 nights, about 5 months out of the year (DVC has multiple "seasons" with different point costs) would require about 167 points. BWV has current-year annual dues of $4.25 per point, meaning this stay would cost you $710 out of pocket. No tax. No additional fees.

Now, I don't know what sort of travel habits your family has, but I suspect you are paying more than $118 per night for accommodations at the Poly or CR. And with a DVC 1B, we're talking about a room that is a significant step up from a standard Deluxe resort room--full kitchen, in-room washer and dryer, separate living room and bedroom, two TVs, DVD player in living room, balcony, whirlpool tub in bath, etc.

My children are 3 and 1, and to ME, a vacation is knowing I can lie the kiddies down for a nap in the bedroom and still watch TV, relax on the balcony, or just carry on a conversation with my wife.

If you're satisfied with a room comparable to the Deluxe room, a DVC studio would be a better match. A studio for those same 6 nights is only 83 points ($353 with BWV dues, or $58 per night). And on the amenity side, even the studios come with a kitchenette (mini fridge, sink, microwave, paper/plasticware), a balcony and free access to public laundry facilities.

Of course you do need to factor in the initial cash outlay for DVC, but most people who run the numbers find that the DVC break even point is anywhere from 6-12 years (depending upon individual factors like travel dates, room types, etc.)

So my question to you is whether you can afford NOT to buy into DVC? Are the poor trade-in values of the Poly and CR really worth that convenience factor? Think of the thousands of dollars you've spend for WDW resort rooms in the past 5 years, and how far they could have gone toward paying for your WDW investment.

You know you'll be back to WDW with regularity. You know the DVC prices will only increase. You can get into Saratoga Springs now and enjoy WDW for the next FIFTY years. And, when you need that Poly or CR "fix", yes, you can still use your points there--the value just isn't as good as at the DVC properties.

One last thing to consider--if you take a gander at the DVC point calculator, one thing you will quickly discover is that weekend point costs are often 2x or higher those of weekday nights. Many DVCers will use their points to stay at the DVC properties on weekdays and then pay cash for the weekend nights that are part of their vacation schedule. You may want to consider a plan that would have your spending weekdays at a DVC resort, and then you could pay cash to get your monorail resort "fix" on the weekends. WDW resorts will move your luggage for you, making it a pretty painless process. The only inconvenience is that you may be without a room for about 5-6 hours from the time you check-out of one resort until check-in time at the other.

A lot of food for thought. I really hope you give this a look, and keep us all posted on your decision!

 

[kweaver]

tjkraz has done an excellent job (as usual! ) of giving you great information and some things ponder when making a decision about DVC.

Considering the ages of your children, I would suggest that you book a stay in a 1BR DVC unit. If you are going to be at WDW for several days...split your stay between one of your favorite locations and a DVC location. Having the extra space and amenities might sway you one way or the other.

 

[Dean]

I'd also suggest not buying points to stay at the hotels. Buy points for DVC stays and pay cash otherwisee, you'll be much better off both financially and in terms of less hassles and restricitons. Besides the option to use points for non DVC Disney resorsts is not guaranteed either in terms of the current "costs" or even it's continued availability.

 

[denapoli]

Thank you for all the insight especially to tjkraz. Somehow in my mind I already knew the logic, thankyou tjkraz for putting it in writing for me. I don't want to actually see what we've spent in the last five years in lodging (even with AP discounts) but this may be a good selling point now to my DH.