Pro's and Con's of DVC?

[Steamboat Bill]

pro = everything
con = maintenance fees

But the Pro's far outweigh the Con's!!!!

 

[connorlevismom]

on average.....what are the fee's per year?

 

[cobbler]

on average.....what are the fee's per year?

It totally depends on the resort and how many points you own. Right now it ranges from 3.98 per point at SSR to up in the 4.20's (??) I believe for some of the other resorts.

 

[Hibernians]

{Right now the only "CON" I think of right now because again I'm new at this, is that I wish DVC did offer discount on theme park tickets. Right now they only offer discounts on Annual Passes, and at the current time, I can only make 1 trip a year to WDW, so its not worth it for me to get AP's. So I wish there were discounts for the theme park tickets. I hope down the line that will change and I can go at least twice a year, then an AP will be of some worth to me.}


I recently joined DVC and my guide pointed out a good way to use the AP more than once even if I take only 1 trip a year. The AP is good for exactly 1 year from the date you first use it. My 1st DVC trip will be Nov 2006. I plan to go only once a year; so my 2007 trip will be in the late Oct/early Nov timeframe. With one AP, I can use it for the 2006 and 2007 trips as long as they fall within a 52 week span, which they will. My guide points out that there is no need to renew the AP in 2007; instead in 2008 I can buy a new AP and use it towards my 2008 and 2009 trips. Bottom line - you can get 2 years out of the AP even if you visit once a year; not a bad way to go.

 

[RobDoc]

on average.....what are the fee's per year?

Onsite fees range from $3.98 at SSR to $4.69 at BWV. Fees have averaged about a 4% increase per year. Here is the history of DVC Annual Fees since 1991:

Year OKW BWV VB VB(sub) HH VWL BCV SSR

2006 4.24 4.69 5.27 4.12 4.34 4.61 4.48 3.98
2005 3.86 4.41 4.87 3.84 3.86 4.35 4.27 3.83
2004 3.68 4.25 4.67 3.67 3.70 4.22 4.18 3.80
2003 3.49 4.11 4.37 4.37 3.69 4.05 3.97
2002 3.22 3.92 4.17 3.33 3.49 3.80 3.77
2001 3.13 3.83 3.98 2.70 3.32 3.63
2000 3.16 3.94 4.07 2.87 3.25 3.62
1999 3.16 4.02 3.99 2.82 3.18
1998 3.17 3.94 ---- 2.76 3.20
1997 3.14 3.84 ---- 2.90 3.16
1996 2.99 3.70 ---- 2.82 3.16
1995 2.84
1994 2.70
1993 2.63
1992 2.56
1991 2.51

 

[La2kw]

{Right now the only "CON" I think of right now because again I'm new at this, is that I wish DVC did offer discount on theme park tickets. Right now they only offer discounts on Annual Passes, and at the current time, I can only make 1 trip a year to WDW, so its not worth it for me to get AP's. So I wish there were discounts for the theme park tickets. I hope down the line that will change and I can go at least twice a year, then an AP will be of some worth to me.}


I recently joined DVC and my guide pointed out a good way to use the AP more than once even if I take only 1 trip a year. The AP is good for exactly 1 year from the date you first use it. My 1st DVC trip will be Nov 2006. I plan to go only once a year; so my 2007 trip will be in the late Oct/early Nov timeframe. With one AP, I can use it for the 2006 and 2007 trips as long as they fall within a 52 week span, which they will. My guide points out that there is no need to renew the AP in 2007; instead in 2008 I can buy a new AP and use it towards my 2008 and 2009 trips. Bottom line - you can get 2 years out of the AP even if you visit once a year; not a bad way to go.

We do the same thing. If you divide the amount after our dvc discount by the two trips, it works out to be less than the MYW 5 day base ticket.

 

[connorlevismom]

I have heard that people have problems booking with other resorts outside of the disney property. Is this true?

 

[pouncingpluto]

It depends on where you want to go and when. Hawaii, for example, is extremely popular. People do still manage to get it, but they have to be flexible with dates and which resort.

I got a high-rated resort in Cancun very easily for next November (tail end of hurricane season). I will be getting trip insurance.

 

[tink2020]

What great information! Please keep the opinions coming.... I'm tagging along

 

[princesssue]

i am a little confused. with the dvc are you able to go whenever you want? i know with timeshares you have to go a certian week out of the year.

 

[cobbler]

Yes with DVC you can go anytime you want as long as you have the points avail to go.

There is a FAQ thread at the top that might be helpful to you.

 

[bobbiwoz]

i am a little confused. with the dvc are you able to go whenever you want? i know with timeshares you have to go a certian week out of the year.

When you buy into DVC you can go at any time of the year. The restrictions are the point totals, but you can bank and borrow points so you can make ressies that are more than what your contract is for, and you can only book at your home resort from 11 -8 months out. At the 7 month mark and up to the ressie dates, you can book at any DVC resort depending on availability.

Bobbi

 

[Daitcher]

Others have stated it well, DVC is a great program. It is the highest rated vacation club based on customer satisfaction. We love the program.


The cons are few but they are there. 1) maintenance fees go up almost every year. The affordable $100 a months dues now could become $300 a month in 20 years or so. Will you be in a position to afford this say when you hit retirement age and are on a fixed income? Just something to throw out there. 2) you really must plan far in advance to get the dates and resort you want. Many families don't have this type of advance knowledge on when they want to vacation. Don't count on getting in a resort at less than 6 months or so. I'm sure you could get something but will it be the room size you need at the resort you want?


Do not look at DVC as a money saver. It is not. We spend far more on vacations now that we joined than we did before. You end up going more than you think and the costs add up. You end up trying to maximize the points by doing a Sunday to Thursday only to take 3 trips that year. That means three airfares each, etc. We don't mind and can afford it but it can really add up. DVC is a great program and we have nevr regretted it. Just don't be fooled there are cons to any program.


DAVE

 

[spiceycat]

I like close enough to drive - so I don't have the added expense of flying.

My pros - love it!!!!, the kitchens (even a studio has a kitchennett), the extra room, doing your laundry while being at the parks!, being able to fix what I want when I want it (have a long list of food allergies so eating that the parks is chancie for me), going to WDW every year!!!, having family and friends along (when I want too), going solo when I want. I have stayed at all the DVC resorts.

the cons - it definitely spoils people....

 

[CNMooner]

Pros:
1. No excuses-- a Disney vacation every year! Those memories with loves ones are priceless to me.
2. Entree into the DVC properties: Kitchen to make your own food (yes, eating out, even at Disney restaurants, gets old after a week) laundry, lots of room, beautiful theming, lots of options
3. Discount on APs
4. MS! They are fabulous!
5. The option of renting points when you want to go someplace besides Disney-- it's easy and can really help in a pinch.
6. Locking in today's prices for a vacation 40 years from now.

cons:
1. You really have to keep track of your points, the rules, dates, etc. You have to be a planner, which isn't a problem for me, but some people are a bit more spontaneous.
2. Dues can go up and could become a problem-- who knows what your situation will be like in 40 years?
3. Disney is a company and companies can change-- this is a long-term committment and requires a leap of faith on your part.
4. The initial output is a lot of money!