positive pts about DVC vs negative pts about DVC?

[Harmony]

We are a family of 5 and absolutely love Disney and can see ourselves vacationing at Disney for many years to come so we figured DVC might be a good option for us. We get our detailed packed by FedEx on Monday. However, I just wanted some basic information from those that have bought into the DVC program. (esp since DH and I know next to nothing about it)

What's the most positive thing about DVC?

What's the most negative thing about DVC?

Another question I have is...can we stay at any resort with the DVC membership or are there only 'specific' resorts we will be allowed to use our points at?

Thanks so much!

 

[salmoneous]

Ignoring the financial angle

The most postive thing about DVC is personal satisfaction from owning a piece of Disney - to know that you will be able to take vacations there for many years to come.

The most negative thing is that DVC works best when you plan things in advance and to a lesser extent, when you take vacations that involve weekddays and not just weekends. If you own DVC, you'll be less likely to take spur-of-the-moment quick weekend trips.

You can use your DVC points at any DVC resort. One of those resorts will be your home resort. You can book there 11 months ahead of time. You can book at the other resorts 7 months ahead of time. Note that at the most popular times, some resorts will fill up with people booking 11-months out. Even though you can theoritically use your points, you might not be able to get a reservation.

You can also trade your points to stay at non-Disney timeshares and even at Disney hotels and curises - but financially it makes most sense to use points at the DVC resports.

 

[browniemtb]

What's the most positive thing about DVC?

The ease of use.....multiple travel destinations.....Disney accomodations....Mickey Mouse and my kids smiles

What's the most negative thing about DVC?

Points disappear to quick...you think about adding on. Sometimes not getting your desired resort and/or room. Other than that its been mostly positive for us.

Another question I have is...can we stay at any resort with the DVC membership or are there only 'specific' resorts we will be allowed to use our points at?

You can stay at any Disney resort but the points have there best value at one of the DVC resorts. So yes you could use points to stay at the Poly but there would be no need.......

Good luck in your decision and remember two things......"Buy where you would most likely want to stay." and if you purchase separate any contracts over 150 points. For example if you go into this wanting to buy 250 points buy two contracts - one for 150 and another for 100. This is just a safety net. If you ever had to sell one or both contracts its much easier to unload smaller contracts. A 100 pointer will sell a lot faster than a 250 pointer.

Brownie

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

Positive- Having Superior accomadations at some of the Best Resorts at Disney and having VB (non Disney-beach location ) and knowing that you'll get to vacation like this for many, many years.

Negative- High points for weekend nights. Having to plan 11 months in advance. Which can be tricky especially with the airfares being so inconsistent right now, hopefully a few years from now that may not be a problem.

 

[Caskbill]

Positive Things: Too many to mention
Negative Things: Too few to bother with.



Ok, that's a little trite. For real information be sure to check out all the FAQ's at the link at the top of this board.

Some basics: You purchase points one time, and receive an annual allotment. There are annual dues on the points after that.

Points have their best 'value' when used at any of the current 7 DVC resorts (soon to be 8). Further, they have best 'value' when used weekdays as opposed to weekends, and Adventure season as opposed to other seasons. Click the link for the point chart to compare what it would 'cost' you in the way of points for different accommodations at different times.

Alternatively, download my two programs, and experiment all you want.

Points can be used outside of the DVC resorts, and vary in the amounts required. These can change year to year. They may be used at any WDW resort except the Value resorts, and any resort which has a DVC resort in tandem. (Eg, can't stay at BWI on points since there is the BWV. Same applies to WL and BC, and eventually to AKL when the AKV are opened.

You can use points to also stay at DL, California, Paris, Tokyo, or HongKong.

There are other 'collections' where you may use points for various stays, and you may exchange to other timeshares via Interval International, but many feel these are not as good of use of points when compared to using them at DVC resorts. While a hotel stay somewhere may be great, is that worth giving up enough points for a 2-b/r villa at WDW?

Browse through the 3 main DVC boards here on the DIS, and come back with any questions you might have. Everyone here will be glad to help.

 

[Trebor]

What's the most positive thing about DVC?

What's the most negative thing about DVC?

As a brand new member, I'll tell you one of the things I liked the most about DVC: The cost of accommodations will never go up (barring some minor flucuations). The 150 points I have today will get me pretty much the same thing (6 days standard view adventure season at BWV) 30 years from now.

For me, the most negative thing is that I live so far away from Florida that I can't afford to go out there as often as I'd like, but that's not DVC's fault. With my very limited experience, I'd say the most negative thing about DVC is the ROFR.

 

[Harmony]

ROFR? What does this stand for? (gosh, I sound so dumb don't I? no wait...don't answer that! )

 

[Harmony]

Negative- Having to plan 11 months in advance. Which can be tricky especially with the airfares being so inconsistent right now, hopefully a few years from now that may not be a problem.

Let's say we get a great bonus in Aug and want to take a trip in Nov. What are the odds that we can get accommodations (sp?)?

Is this or has this been a big issue with DVC in the past?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Let's say we get a great bonus in Aug and want to take a trip in Nov. What are the odds that we can get accommodations (sp?)?

Is this or has this been a big issue with DVC in the past?

There are certain times of the year that are more difficult than others, but there is always a "waitlist", and most will find they get what they want by using the waitlist on short notice. That being said....We have called 24 hours ahead for Labor Day and gotten a unit. You just have to be flexible and not set on a specific resort or unit size. We usually don't stay in studios, but that was all that was available, so that's what we stayed in (just the 2 of us).

As for Best and worst. There truly ARE too many good things about DVC to enumerate. The flexibility of the program is the best part I can think of. Just because I own at OKW, does not mean I have to stay at OKW every trip (unless I want to), and I'm not tied to a specific week, time of year, unit size etc. etc. etc.

I saw some mention having to plan at 11 months out as a negetive, but there are really very few times of the year that you MUST plan that far out. Of course, it depends a bit on the size accommodations you want, but most will have success 7,6,5,4 or even less months out. Be advised that the first 2 weeks of December, the week between Christmas and New Years, and Easter are some that are particularily difficult to secure at less than 7 months. That first week of December will likely need much MORE than 7 months to secure. Your home resort is the only place you can book at the 11 month booking window. All other DVC resorts can only be booked 7 months out or less.

 

[Mtnman44]

From a yet to be member's perspective (as compared to a "normal" orlando timeshare:

Pros: - option to have almost guaranteed reservations at a WDW resort (with proper planning)
- Disney perks, including free transportation at the resort and to/from airport.
-disney magic, legendary groundskeeping and environment, cast member "attitude", etc.
-Proximity to other WDW locations. Walking distance to some parks, DTD, etc
-For now, the value of the DVC contract actually appreciates

Cons: -expensive! you can own a week for a 2 br at a five star/gold crown resort in the area for approx $5,000 and 650 maint fee per year. This is one third the cost of a week's worth of 2br points in DVC. Plus it doesn't expire like DVC.
-Limited usefulness outside of DVC. "Forces" you to stay in DVC properties for your vacations. (some may not feel this is a CON) Outside of DVC trading power is subject to inflation and will lose value over time.
-Contract Expires. It is assumed that the market value of the contract will start to decrease near the half way point as the expiration year approaches.

Bottom line, If you enjoying staying on Disney Property in Deluxe accomodations and plan to do so for the forseeable future, then you'll likely find a lot of value. If you vacation habits are different, then you should take a close look.

The more I look at the issue, the more I see it as a non-money decision. Vacations cost money. Staying anywhere costs money. DVC costs money. Is this an experience I want to spend my money on or not. That is what I'm asking myself. I will say that I LOVED staying on WDW property this last January. It was my first time staying on site. It was at Wilderness Lodge. It was wonderful, wonderful, and fun, and beautiful, and the magic didn't end when we stepped out of the parks, and the kids loved it and there was so much to do, and the employees were so bright and cheery, and it was clean and it was relaxing......you get the point. I sold my Westgate timeshare. When we go to disney, we want to stay on Property. I can't afford to spend $300 or $400 hundered per night for 10 days every year but I can afford a moderate DVC membership and I'll still be using it when standard resort rates are $800 to $1,200 a night! That's where the payoff really is, 10 years or so down the road.

Good Luck

 

[Trebor]

ROFR? What does this stand for? (gosh, I sound so dumb don't I? no wait...don't answer that! )

Sorry. ROFR: Right of First Refusal. If you're buying points through the resale market (instead of directly from Disney), once you agree on a price with the seller, Disney has the right to swoop in and buy the contract for the same price you've agreed to. So be wary of any deal that looks too good, because it will probably be bought out from under you.

If you are planning on buying through the resale market, take a look at the end of the "Anybody pass ROFR lately" thread to see what the going rates are.

 

[Mtnman44]

I've been wondering if the current waitlist has anything to do with whether or not a particular off passes ROFR. If they have a buyer lined up at a profitable markup.....This might explain why some contracts fail even when the price appears to be "high enough" based on others that have passed ROFR...

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

.

Negative- Having to plan 11 months in advance. Which can be tricky especially with the airfares being so inconsistent right now, hopefully a few years from now that may not be a problem.

I posted that planning 11 months in advance is a negative because I own at the Boardwalk and if I want a 1 bedroom boardwalk view or a 1 bedroom standard view- in the season I go I need to book 11 months in advance. I'm sure I could book another resort with no problem but I want the Boardwalk and those rooms sell out the quickest. The boardwalk has a 3 tier point system where you get to choose a standard room for less points or for the same # of point you get to choose from a Preferred View(pool or garden view) or a Boardwalk View room.

In addition, booking airfare is getting very tricky. My friends paid $277 rt each person for their airfare 7 months ago and now Delta is offering the same flights for $177 rt and will not give them a refund, only a credit towards a future flight. It used to be that if you booked early (at 11 months out) you'd get the best airfares, but with fuel cost going up & down its not the case anymore. Since you are a family of 5 the cost of transportation is important.

Eventually, when our children are out of school, I'll be able to chose the time of year I get to go, but for now, I have to go when its busy(which means I have to plan around the airfare too)(My rt tickets for my Feb trip-with us returning on Feb 25 is $857 per person right now---thank goodness I didn't pay that much --I just happen to be online at the right time, but since its February school vacation in the Northeast the flights are expensive!!!!). If you buy into the BCV or BWV or even the WLV you will have to book as soon as you can to get what you want when you want to go. You may not have a problem at OKW or SSR due to the size of the resort, unless you'd like to book a GV.

There is a waitlist, but mine never came thru. The reason is that I have to go during school vacation and its very busy during those times.

Since you are a family of 5, you will need a 2 bedroom so that will limit your choices. In addition, if any members of your family are in school, you may not be able to go at the slower times of the year. However, since the contract is for another 36 or 47 years - I won't always be going during the busy times, so the 11 month booking window may not matter ---until the grandchildren start school

I think its great you are trying to learn everything you can before you commit to buying into the DVC. However, what is a negative for some may not apply to everyone. I personally feel that having to commit 11 months in advance is a small inconvenience to what DVC has to offer, but it is a negative at this point in my life and does involve a lot of planning to be able to get the accomodations I want.

Good Luck with your decision!!