Should we buy into DVC...,help??!!

[trudis]

Hi,
My husband & I live in the UK with our 2 daughters who are now 16 & 13 and we are serious Orlando junkies, we've been staying @ WDW since they were 6 & 3 as often as we can afford!
We are now seriously considering buying into the DVC but obviously would like as much insight as possible so excuse me but this could be a longwinded post!
We prefer to stay for at least 12-14 nights(due to distance) & usually end May or in August, quite flexible about accommodation size & like the look of OKW & SSR as we have always stayed at Port Orleans FQ.
Have noticed that people are not so keen on the options available to staying elsewhere to WDW which for us is very attractive as we are keen to see as much of the US as possible.... we do stay in New York quite often although for only 4-5 nights. Have been told we would be looking at around 270 points to stay elsewhere which seemed very good?
We were thinking of spending $40k-$80k on points to give us as much freedom as possible, are we mad??
Any advice would be most welcome!!
Thanks, Trudi

 

[Pootle]

Hello and Welcome

Have you seen that there is a UK DVC board too? A few people have posted there about experiences of exchanging out of DVC or using their points elsewhere.

I'm sure the advice you will get here is that the best use of DVC points is for stays at DVC in terms of value for money and ease of use. We are also from the UK and travel widely within the USA but have found it more cost-effective and straightforward to 'pay as we go' for anything other than DVC. OTOH, there are people who take the view of 'My points/My choice' and have done and enjoyed exchanges.

Do you plan to visit every year? Take a look at the DVC points chart link at the top of the page. For 12 nights in either May or late August at OKW for example, you would be looking at 296 points in a one bedroom or 148 for a studio (2 Queen beds). The annual dues on 270 OKW points, at the current exchange rate is around £625 pa.

We purchased the minimum number of points at the time (150) 12 years ago when our son was 16 but have added on a few times since then.

 

[trudis]

Thanks Moira,
I wasn't aware there was a UK posting board so I'll try & find it to have a look there as to what people are saying about the whole experience.
Not sure that we'd intend visiting WDW every year although we are intending to visit the West Coast next year & want to stay at Disneyland for some of our stay.
I guess we need to look at the points we'd like to purchase & what the yearly costs will be as well.
Trudi

 

[Tigger031266]

A couple key questions will help.

Would you come to WDW every year anyway? (If yes, you should consider DVC). If you like going to other places like new york, paris...and would only get to Disney overy third year you should consider other timeshares/options

Do you like to stay in premium hotels with extra bed rooms? (If yes, you should consider DVC). Some people are fine in value or off site resorts.

 

[Mtnman44]

Don't buy DVC points specifically to use outside of DVC. Only buy the amount of points you'll need for your Disney Trips.

For travel everywhere else, there are far better timeshares you could buy for that purpose (and save $).

 

[Pootle]

I guess we need to look at the points we'd like to purchase & what the yearly costs will be as well.
Trudi

Another thing worth considering is the cost of airfares. The days of relatively cheap fares across the Atlantic could be numbered with the cost of fuel having risen so dramatically.

A few economists I've heard recently are predicting a strengthening of the dollar. As you've been visiting for 10 years, you don't need me to tell you what an impact on the annual dues that could make

I've always loved my DVC but I'm actually recommending my best friend not to buy but to rent from other UK DVCers when she wants to go (every other year VB). There are more UK owners than ever and with points available to rent for the £5.50 range, if you have any doubts at all, I'd think about doing that first.

 

[trudis]

Thanks for all the advice it certainly does help to look at all angles.
Have to say we do like to stay in luxury accommodation and it was the flexibilty with DVC that we particularly like ie.not being tied to specific weeks each year & the choice of accommodation.
When we come over to the US it's costing us $8k-$10k each time with airfares,accommodation etc. We are lucky in that my husband travels to Belgium every week so we collect airmiles which we can use towards flights which helps!
Maybe we should rent some points initially and try before we buy! Trudi

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Here is a thought...

With the dollar being so low right now, your purchase price for DVC will be relatively low. As the dollar improves, the value of your DVC, as well as your maintenance fees will increase.

As others have said, DVC should never be considered as an investment, but you could very possibly have a better up side to DVC financially than the Americans. You would in effect be speculating that the dollar will eventually go up in value.

Otherwise, I would consider the cost of airfare, and how rising costs may effect your trip plans. I would also evaluate your trip plans, and make sure that you plan to go to WDW at least every 3 years, and only purchase the # of points you really need.