Quick question for DVC

[frijolefrito]

I've talked with the vacation club planners and I'm confused. Is it cheaper to buy hotel rooms through the vacation packages then joining the DVC with the points. I got off the phone with them 4 people on studio 5 days 26,000k. I go on the website book a hotel it's 4k so I'm confused on how this works. Basically all I want to know is this a deal or is this a locked in vacation.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

This is not a quick question.

Booking a hotel room is a one-time transaction. Buying DVC is to buy a timeshare with a 30-50 year lifespan, annual fees, and the ability to book rooms many times in that 30-50 years.

 

[brittanidp]

If you buy into dvc you pay for years of rentals instead of a week at a time. If the contract is for 50 years, you're paying $26k total, for those 50 years. If you book the same room for cash (not as a DVC owner) you would pay $200k assuming that you paid that same amount every year, for 50 years. (4K room cost *50 years).

 

[frijolefrito]

"If you buy into dvc you pay for years of rentals instead of a week at a time. If the contract is for 50 years, you're paying $26k total, for those 50 years. If you book the same room for cash (not as a DVC owner) you would pay $200k assuming that you paid that same amount every year, for 50 years. (4K room cost *50 years)." Awesome!!! That's what I needed to know so I'm paying 26k for 50 years plus the annual maintenance fee of 1k a year. This is exactly what I needed thanks you. I was embarrassed to sound cheap.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

If you buy into dvc you pay for years of rentals instead of a week at a time. If the contract is for 50 years, you're paying $26k total, for those 50 years. If you book the same room for cash (not as a DVC owner) you would pay $200k assuming that you paid that same amount every year, for 50 years. (4K room cost *50 years).

Ahhh... You're paying that 26k many times over in maintenance fees.

MG

 

[brittanidp]

"If you buy into dvc you pay for years of rentals instead of a week at a time. If the contract is for 50 years, you're paying $26k total, for those 50 years. If you book the same room for cash (not as a DVC owner) you would pay $200k assuming that you paid that same amount every year, for 50 years. (4K room cost *50 years)." Awesome!!! That's what I needed to know so I'm paying 26k for 50 years plus the annual maintenance fee of 1k a year. This is exactly what I needed thanks you. I was embarrassed to sound cheap.

No problem!! When you're contemplating a $26k purchase, you have to be sure I hope to buy into it soon!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Forget the initial buy in. The fees, if you keep it for the duration, will be far more expensive.

I'm not saying it's a bad deal mind you, just that it will cost WELL north of $26k.

MG

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

If you buy into dvc you pay for years of rentals instead of a week at a time. If the contract is for 50 years, you're paying $26k total, for those 50 years. If you book the same room for cash (not as a DVC owner) you would pay $200k assuming that you paid that same amount every year, for 50 years. (4K room cost *50 years).

Whoa! You have completely forgotten the maintenance fees for those 50 years! It is not just the initial $26,000 but is that plus lots and lots of maintenance fees.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I've talked with the vacation club planners and I'm confused. Is it cheaper to buy hotel rooms through the vacation packages then joining the DVC with the points. I got off the phone with them 4 people on studio 5 days 26,000k. I go on the website book a hotel it's 4k so I'm confused on how this works. Basically all I want to know is this a deal or is this a locked in vacation.

Yes, it's in essence a "locked in" vacation.

 

[frijolefrito]

Oh one last question how hard is it to get room in other hotels.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Oh one last question how hard is it to get room in other hotels.

You do NOT want to buy DVC if that is your objective. You just made it way more expensive than it already is.

MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Once in a while okay, but it's a waste if that is your main objective.

MG

 

[frijolefrito]

Once in a while okay, but it's a waste if that is your main objective.

MG

So get it in the hotel you want to stay at? What if it's not available? Wait? Resales?

 

[Deb & Bill]

So get it in the hotel you want to stay at? What if it's not available? Wait? Resales?

Currently DVC is advertising Aulani in Hawaii and the Polynesian Villas and Bungalows. They may have the sold out resorts as well, but some they won't even put you on a wait list. You can usually buy resale less than buying directly from Disney, except for the ones they are currently selling that owners are already selling. There are multiple companies that specialize in DVC resales, just google DVC resales to find them. There is one who is a sponsor of the DVC Boards on the DIS.

What you ultimately want to do is buy points at a resort where you don't mind staying if you cannot book another resort at seven months out when all points are equal. It is getting more difficult to book a different resort at seven months out. And if you can't make a reservation at seven to 11 months out, you want to rethink buying DVC. Finally, don't buy Vero Beach or Hilton Head Island unless you want to stay in those resorts. The annual fees there are pretty high.

 

[frijolefrito]

Thanks again you all have been very helpful!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

It's also important to understand that DVC units are not the same as staying in a hotel room. You don't get daily housekeeping, and you will not get 2 beds in a studio unless you're staying at Old Key West resort. What you get in a studio villa is a queen bed and a full sleeper sofa. Some studios will also have a Murphy bed that is smaller than a twin bed that will accommodate a 5th person. When staying on DVC points, you will not qualify for other discounts from Disney, like Free Dining.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

So get it in the hotel you want to stay at? What if it's not available? Wait? Resales?

Are talking about other DVC resorts, Disney hotels, or hotels outside the system?

First thing you really need read some basics. There may be an intro to DVC here on Dis or other sites.

MG

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

So get it in the hotel you want to stay at? What if it's not available? Wait? Resales?

There are DVC resorts and then there are Disney hotels and there are differences between the two.

I'd suggest at least reading this thread to get a better idea about DVC and probably doing even more investigations:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/so...e-disney-vacation-club.3514582/#post-55842679

 

[Dean]

I've talked with the vacation club planners and I'm confused. Is it cheaper to buy hotel rooms through the vacation packages then joining the DVC with the points. I got off the phone with them 4 people on studio 5 days 26,000k. I go on the website book a hotel it's 4k so I'm confused on how this works. Basically all I want to know is this a deal or is this a locked in vacation.

As noted, this is a complicated question at this stage of your investigation. First, you need sufficient timeshare and Disney experience to make an informed decision though you have to start somewhere. I get a sense you don't have a lot of experience staying on property with Disney from your post. DVC makes sense if staying on property is important (and one is willing to pay more to do so), used ONLY for DVC rooms, $$$ wise for resale and one can afford it (to me that's pay cash). One also needs to be OK with the long term commitment and the compromises of a timeshare. Off property timeshares will be the cheapest options, renting DVC privately will be the cheapest option other than buying. Simplistically speaking, DVC will be more expensive than value rooms and roughly the same as moderates but with added value and benefits.

You need to investigate this sufficiently. IMO it takes around 6 months of active investigation to be sufficiently educated. I generally recommend at least one private rental to check it out before buying. You should look at resale, quite a bit cheaper but with some limitations. It's roughly 60-80% of the retail price depending on choices.

 

[frijolefrito]

As noted, this is a complicated question at this stage of your investigation. First, you need sufficient timeshare and Disney experience to make an informed decision though you have to start somewhere. I get a sense you don't have a lot of experience staying on property with Disney from your post. DVC makes sense if staying on property is important (and one is willing to pay more to do so), used ONLY for DVC rooms, $$$ wise for resale and one can afford it (to me that's pay cash). One also needs to be OK with the long term commitment and the compromises of a timeshare. Off property timeshares will be the cheapest options, renting DVC privately will be the cheapest option other than buying. Simplistically speaking, DVC will be more expensive than value rooms and roughly the same as moderates but with added value and benefits.

You need to investigate this sufficiently. IMO it takes around 6 months of active investigation to be sufficiently educated. I generally recommend at least one private rental to check it out before buying. You should look at resale, quite a bit cheaper but with some limitations. It's roughly 60-80% of the retail price depending on choices.

I yearly make a trip to Disneyland and want it at a cheaper rate than the hotel packages. I'ma Disney pro! I've been going to Disneyland since I was born and go at least once a year. I end up spending about 8k per trip but soon I'll finally be moving to California. So the idea of paying up front cash for 5 nights yearly for 50 years (I think I'm upping it to a week) and paying the 1k/2k annual fee sounds awesome. I've stayed on property in every room except the themed rooms. I hate paradise peer with passion but Disneyland hotel and grand Californian are great. We end up staying at the grand Californian more because I get a military discount and it's a difference of 25 dollars a day. My enlistment will be over next summer and I'd like the idea of the vacation club. I've read things but came to this board for an insiders opinion. If I'm going to do this I'm buying, I'm not looking off property because I don't want to leave the bubble, and I love magic morning. I also like the idea of the kitchen.

"Simplistically speaking, DVC will be more expensive than value rooms and roughly the same as moderates but with added value and benefits" This is the kind of input I was looking for and thank you (all of you) for taking the time to write out thoughtful informed responses. I really appreciate the time you all put into answering and thanks you! I'll look into those website and read a little more just to be sure. My only worry is getting one at disneyland. Thanks again.