Prove to me and DW that DVC membership is a good bu

[Mike]

When I first started looking into DVC about 4 years ago, I did a 2 page financial analysis to determine if I should do it or not. I compared it to staying at a moderate for a week every other year and my analysis showed that I would come out ahead. Still I couldn't justify the expense and if I wanted to go that often. I posted my analysis here and I remember that I got a reply from someone saying that if I had to analyze it that much then it probably wasn't for me - either I got it or I didn't. I remember thinking that that poster was oversimplifying the decision process and I was a tad offended by it.

Well, four years and four trips later I realized that I finally "got it" and am in the process of closing on an OKW resale. My only regret, like so many others here, is that I didn't do it sooner.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[caverill]

I know that you have received a couple of posts that stated "you either get it or you don't".

I don't agree with that...

Anytime you think about spending that amount of money (unless you don't have to worry about money), you should take your time and make sure you understand what you are getting into.

I know when we purchased I did several spreadsheets to prove we would "get our money's worth". We had already decided that we enjoyed going to WDW every year and would like to do that in the future.

Here is all I needed to know it was a good deal for us. I went back and added the prices that we paid the previous years and projected them into the future using some "best guesses". I didn't worry about "opportunity costs" since that was very confusing to my small brain.

It worked out that we would be paying moderate prices for a deluxe room. That was enough for us.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[jennymouse]

When I first read your post and saw that you have an older child I thought no, he doesn't really need DVC. Teens sometimes go through that "NonDisney" period and you might not get much use out of it.

But then, I remembered the trip I took with just my 80yo father and I and how much fun we had without kids that trip. You and your wife could too.

And then there's the reason I bought to consider....grandchildren. I've got one granddaughter 9yo that's I've sucessfully turned into a Disney nut. Now I've got the new one pictured below to work on. Taking grandkids to WDW is the bomb!

 

[Deep-Thots]

Originally posted by jennymouse
When I first read your post and saw that you have an older child I thought no, he doesn't really need DVC. Teens sometimes go through that "NonDisney" period and you might not get much use out of it.

But then, I remembered the trip I took with just my 80yo father and I and how much fun we had without kids that trip. You and your wife could too.

And then there's the reason I bought to consider....grandchildren. I've got one granddaughter 9yo that's I've sucessfully turned into a Disney nut. Now I've got the new one pictured below to work on. Taking grandkids to WDW is the bomb!

Trust me, you do not need to have children to enjoy WDW or the benefits of DVC. DH and I are soon-to-be 38, childless, and will remain childless. Yet, we bought into DVC and enjoy WDW. In fact, there is another forum on these boards for adult, solo, or childless travelers. Check it out!

 

[canwegosoon]

IMHO it's your money...you decide. It sounds to me like you are very intrested, but your DW isn't. Is it the volume of time shares you will be owning? Are there other investments she would rather make? I think you both need to talk it out.

I know as someone who owns 3 homes + DVC it can be a lot to handle at times. I love owning at DVC though, because it is a reason for my husband to take off from work, and get away.

Good luck with your decision. And there are always other options out there, if DVC isn't exactly what you want or need. (AP discounts on Deluxe rooms can provide a great vacation too ) PM me if you have any questions.

Best wishes

 

[JimC]

Originally posted by Deep-Thots
...I was merely pointing out that the assumption that someone who purchased OKW points back in 1992 could now make money on the resale of those points was, really, economically-speaking, not true.

Actually the prices for DVC have risen 4.9% per year since DVC opened and the CPI only 2.5% per year for the same period. The points have increased just ahead of the hotel rates at moderates (4.8% over the same period).

Average price per point charged for each year, reflecting price changes as appropriate.

DVCI
1991 $48.94
1992 $52.88
1993 $56.75
1994 $59.30
1995 $62.13
1996 $62.75
1997 $62.75
1998 $62.75
1999 $65.00
2000 $66.25
2001 $73.54
2002 $78.25
2003 $84.00
2004 $84.00

DVCII
2003 $81.05 ($79 pre-opening, then $84 on 11/1/03)
2004 $91.98 (estimated average for year, currently $95)

Minimum contracts were 230 points until 5/93 when they dropped to 190, then dropped again to the current minimum of 150 as of 5/97.

 

[joepoe]

Originally posted by Laz
My wife and I own a week in Myrtle Beach. We go to MB every year and we own a 2 bedroom with a lockout. We bank the lockout and have gone to places like Hawaii and Aruba for minimal cost. My DW considers this a good buy. We also are big time cruisers (10 cruises)

We go to WDW almost every year (we have not gone for a couple of years, but are going in April, 2005). We usually stay in a moderate or Swan/Dolphin. I usually do my homework so as to get the best rates/package for the time we are going. We are a family of 3 (14 yr old DD). Obviously she is starting to think we are "boring" and wants to start taking friends with her.

Up to this point, we have not considered a DVC membership. While I am begining to see the value, DW does not. Can any of you owners give me some financial proof to back up your savings by becoming a DVC member? Also, what happens when DVC ends in 2042??? Do you lose everything?

It's not a financial decision. Timeshares are prepaid luxury vacations (although lockoffs and studios arent that luxury to some) not financial investments. Buy where you want to stay.

 

[Dean]

I disagree somewhat with the idea that timeshares are not a financial investment. Think of them like cars. Compare make and models, the look at the price differences. Once you've made up your mind in a general sense, find out how you can get what you want for the best price. If one said that timeshare are MORE than a financial investment or that one is unlikely to make money and more likely to lose money; I'd certainly be in agreement overall. Still there are exceptions.

 

[ripleysmom]

Ultimately to me DVC was not necessarily about saving money. If you can go to a moderate and be comfortable with everyone in one room go for it.

When we purchased, we had spent the week cramped into one room and were looking for a way to spread out on our vacation. I also wanted the ability to make dinner in the room or do laundry so we wouldn't have so much luggage. To be able to do that on Disney property no less made DVC extremely valuable to us.

The additional perk for us is that we also get to stay at deluxes while enjoying those amenities.


BTW I agree that your week in MB is a good buy. I love Myrtle Beach!!

 

[AFMom]

When I first ordered the DVC info I was only looking to see if Disney offered any freebies for sitting through thier timeshare presentation! Now were waiting for our re-sale to close. I spent weeks reading all of the discussion boards I could find, doing 6 different spreadsheets, analyzing every bit of info I could find. Ug! This is what my DH and I decided. We love Disney, know we we'll go at least every 3rd year - probably every other. We've always stayed at the cheapest hotel we could find on vacations with our 2 DS's, and we're sick of that! We couldn't see buying the full 150 pts directly from Disney - but - buying a resale at 100 pts made perfect sense for our needs. The ability to rent points for about $10 pp works well for us (we're military & unforseen circumstances may make up unable to use our points from year to year). We've never been able to afford deluxe before this - & I can't wait. If you love Disney, and won't always go during weekends and holidays, it would probably work out for you. Good luck -& really look at buying resale!