Questions for DVC owners ***New Question added in later post***

[Sirius]

These may have been asked before but the boards are slow and I'm having trouble finding them:

1. Would you purchase your DVC membership again?
2. Do you find it to be worth the intial investment?
3. It looks like resells are going for around $72.00 per point (OKW, BWV, VWL), is this a good deal?
4. Does anyone know what the current retail price is per point from DVC?
5. Would ever consider purchasing a resell DVC membership?

Thanks! Any other information you can provide would me most appreciated. I'm trying to decide if this is something I want to do. We, DW and I, go to WDW at least every two years. We are planning on having a child so, once that happens, it will be about 5 years before we go back and probably every year after that.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by Sirius
These may have been asked before but the boards are slow and I'm having trouble finding them:

1. Would you purchase your DVC membership again?

If you mean "do you regret the decision", the answer is absolutely not. From a dollars and cents standpoint, there was no reason NOT to buy DVC.

2. Do you find it to be worth the intial investment?

Depending on how you run the numbers and when you use your points, it will pay for itself in about 8-10 years compared to the Rack Rates for the same rooms. After that you get 30-40 years of vacations for a fraction of the cost.

If you're comfortable paying for a WDW Moderate resort, it will take a lot longer to cost-justify DVC. If you like the Value resorts--forget it. It's just not a fair apples-to-apples comparison.

3. It looks like resells are going for around $72.00 per point (OKW, BWV, VWL), is this a good deal?

If you like one of those resorts--sure.

4. Does anyone know what the current retail price is per point from DVC?

Last I heard you either end up paying a net of $90 per point, or $85 if you sell back your first year's points (if you buy in 2004, you wouldn't actually get points until 2005). The only resort DVC is selling is Saratoga Springs. Ownership at SSR runs into 2054, while it ends in 2042 for all of the other properties. DVC is thus able to charge more, in part, because you get 12 more years of ownership at SSR than any of the properties on the resale market.

5. Would ever consider purchasing a resell DVC membership?

Sure. You get the same benefits (other than the shorter contract length.) Although you do have to finance yourself.

It's best to buy into the one resort that you like the most because you get 4 extra months to book a stay at that one resort. At your Home resort, you can book 11 months in advance of your check-out date. When it reaches 7 months before check-out, you can book at ANY resort. It can be proportionately harder to get a room at a smaller resort like BCV or VWL after 7 months because every one of the 80,000+ DVC members can book at that resort. Make sense?

Thanks! Any other information you can provide would me most appreciated. I'm trying to decide if this is something I want to do. We, DW and I, go to WDW at least every two years. We are planning on having a child so, once that happens, it will be about 5 years before we go back and probably every year after that.

Normally, saying that you won't go for 5 years doesn't make you a great candidate, IMO. What are you going to do with those points for 5 years? You can only bank one year's worth of points, and you pay your annual maintenance fees whether you use your points or lose them.

But, I'll just add that there's really no developmental reason to wait until a child is 5 years old to take him/her to WDW. Our son was 18 mos old when we first took him, and he had a blast. He'll be making his third trip in December. He's over 3 now, and still watches our home videos every couple of weeks to see the parades and fireworks.

Besides, park admission and even food at some places (buffets) is free to children under 3.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

1. Would you purchase your DVC membership again?

Yes but I would buy it sooner.

2. Do you find it to be worth the intial investment?

Without a doubt it was. Instead of my family spending thousands of dollars on deluxe rooms, we instead used that money as a down payment for our DVC

3. It looks like resells are going for around $72.00 per point (OKW, BWV, VWL), is this a good deal?

That would depend. If it has banked points it may be a great deal or if the owner is willing to pay closing costs. I also think that a lower price would be in order for OKW because of the large number of resales that are available.

4. Does anyone know what the current retail price is per point from DVC?

For SSR it is $95.00 per point. For the other resorts if you can get them it is $84.00. (I think).

5. Would ever consider purchasing a resell DVC membership?

I did buy a resale and am very glad that I did. It was quick, easy and painless.

Good luck with your decision. The best advice is to buy at the place you want to stay at the most. If that's the BWV then look resale. If it's SSR, then buy from Disney.

HBC

 

[dianeschlicht]

1. Would you purchase your DVC membership again?
ABAOLUTELY!

2. Do you find it to be worth the intial investment?
We didn't look at it as an investment as such, but as a pre-paid vacation, and it is DEFINITELY worth it for that.

3. It looks like resells are going for around $72.00 per point (OKW, BWV, VWL), is this a good deal?
I think so, when you consider that the Disney price is initially now at $95 per point.

4. Does anyone know what the current retail price is per point from DVC?
See above.

5. Would ever consider purchasing a resell DVC membership?
ABSOLUTELY!

 

[chainkid]

We love our membership, wish we had bought sooner, has ended up costing me more money because I take more vacations now and with alot more family BUTTTTT the memories are priceless .

 

[helenabear]

We just bought into it this year, but I'll answer based on how I feel now

1. Would you purchase your DVC membership again?

In a heart beat! I would have bought sooner too if I could have

2. Do you find it to be worth the intial investment?

I actually did some spreadsheets on the cost and worth of it and it is worth it and then some. I will be able to spend about teh same amount per year and get same or better accomidations!

3. It looks like resells are going for around $72.00 per point (OKW, BWV, VWL), is this a good deal?

Sounds pretty good. OKW seems to go for a little less and BWV & BCV go for a little more from when I was looking.

4. Does anyone know what the current retail price is per point from DVC?

As others have said I have heard $95 for SSR & $84 for all others

5. Would ever consider purchasing a resell DVC membership?

Yes, and we did! It was cheaper all around, much better interest rate and more flexible payments too through my home equity loan. I also was able to buy into OKW and I doubt I could have done that otherwise.

 

[BostonDisneyKid]

1. "Would you purchase your DVC membership again?" YES!!!! If I could go back in time, I would have bought sooner and more points.

2. "Do you find it to be worth the intial investment?" YES!!! Have you seen the rack rates lately? My last trip before DVC cost just under $5,000 for accommodations alone (12 nights - 9 people - 3 moderate rooms).

3. "It looks like resells are going for around $72.00 per point (OKW, BWV, VWL), is this a good deal?" That is average but you should be able to negotiate them down to $69/70 (below that Disney will buy them back (ROFR).

4. "Does anyone know what the current retail price is per point from DVC?" $95.00/point (SSR till 2050) and $84.00/point (All others till 2042)

5. "Would ever consider purchasing a resell DVC membership?" Yes, and I have. I bought 370 points @ OKW through a resale and am looking for a small add-on (50-60 pts) through resale currently.

From what I have figured and from what people here have gathered for financial information which I have seen, it seems to break down like this... If you go to Disney every year than you will save money and have better accommodations plus all applicable discounts. If you go to Disney every 18 months it is about a break even point but you still have better accommodations and discounts available to you. If you go every two years then you will be paying a little bit more for the better accommodations and still have discounts available to you. Beyond every 2 years you will be paying a premium for your accommodations.

 

[mikesmom]

I would agree with what most of the posters here have said! If I had to do it again I would buy sooner - MUCH sooner. It would already be paid for.
We have bought both new and resale and were happy with all transactions.
Was it worth the investment? Absolutely. Even though we had NEVER stayed onsite before DVC, we feel that our break even is at about 5 years (which will be this year). We had stayed offsite, but owning a teenager, had always gotten either 2 rooms or the suite type. My hubby didn't feel it was a pleasant vacation for the grownups if we had to share sleeping space and bathrooms with others. Add the room, the tax (which you don't pay at DVC), the parking, the always eating out (we eat in our rooms, a LOT at DVC) and the price of not getting DVC got higher. Plus room rates keep going up and DVC dues do not.
The value of being so close onsite, having afternoon breaks and knowing you are coming back so you don't have to race around the parks adds a value to your vacation that cannot be imagined until you actually buy in. With a kiddo you will really appreciate the washer/dryer in the room and the kitchen (one bedroom). Makes vacation a LOT easier on Mom.

 

[lightningcoach]

I would have also bought sooner if I had heard about DVC many years ago. That being said my husband and I are both "cheap" by nature. We had always stayed at the "value" resorts or off site. So we actually purchased DVC in a moment of weakness. Actually when we were in the room with our sales associate I felt like the room was swirling and I was losing all contact with reality. (What do they put in that free lemonade and cookies?) So we did buy from Disney directly at SSR.
Did we have major buyer's remorse?- YES
Did it go away after our first trip home?- BIG YES
However- if you don't plan on going to WDW for five years than it might not be the right purchase for you. Although if you can rent points to relatives or maybe you want to bless some people with a vacation you can use it for that.

Nothing compares with staying on site and having a kitchen/ fridge/ washer/dryer in the room. We are very happy we have a second home at SSR.

 

[Sirius]

Several people have metioned "dues". What are the dues and how much are they?

I assume it depends on the number of points you have.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Originally posted by Sirius
Several people have metioned "dues". What are the dues and how much are they?

I assume it depends on the number of points you have.

It does. It averages around 4.00 Per point per year. More at some resorts less at others.

Here it is for each resort:

OKW:$3.68
SSR :$3.80
HHI:$3.86
BCV:$4.17
VWL:$4.22
BWV:$4.25
VB:$4.67

HBC

 

[Laurabearz]

Originally posted by Sirius

We are planning on having a child so, once that happens, it will be about 5 years before we go back and probably every year after that.

I just wanted to comment on this.... DVC 1 and two bedroom units are a wonderful space to vacation with a young child. You dont even have to go to the parks... just hanging at the resort is a great vacation with a small child.

Our kids have been several times and the oldest just turned 5. If we go to thw parks, its only for a day or two, the rest of the time we are just enjoying doing nothing at the pool, riding the monorail, ferry, etc.

Just thought I would pipe in....