Should we buy into DVC?

[kpruitt]

We are a family of 5 (3 kids; 12,8 & 3) and are debating whether buying into DVC is right for us. We would buy into AKV with 250 points.

Since our family doesn't fit into a typical hotel room, we'd have to use points for two rooms if we wanted to go to any of the Concierge Collection hotels (which is a preference for us since we want to travel other places besides Disney.) Is it worth it?

Also, how hard is it to trade and stay at other places worldwide? We'd love to go to Maui next fall but aren't sure how difficult it is to get the place we want at the time we want.

Are cruises worth all those points?

We're thinking we might bank and borrow our points to go on a big trip every two or three years.

Any advice or insight would be much appreciated since this is such a big commitment for us...THANKS!!!!

 

[eburg]

I also am interested in DVC but I know I do not want to do Disney ever year, but AKL is so cool and the fact that Atlantis in the bahamas is the network is appealling, but wondering how hard and how much addtl $ it is to get these

thanks

 

[TisBit]

What I would probably recommend is doing more like a 160 pt entry into Disney, you can always add on later. This gives you an idea of the system at the minimum cost. I would not look at DVC for all my vacation needs, but rather primarily Disney and occasionally transfering into Interval.

We are currently doing this and like the option of doing DVC, Interval or even looking for a deal on cash. Often times you can book other timeshares for cash and get decent deals. If you find that it works for you and you want more points add on later.

JMHO

 

[tinker_me_happy]

I think your kids are a perfect age to buy into DVC! Mine are older teens and we will probably only get 1 or 2 family vacations with everyone, but hey I will have grandchildren someday...
As for Atlantis, for the poster who added that in: If you want to use DVC for a trade there, don't bother. It is nearly impossible to get in to Atlantis for a multitude of reasons.
I do plan on using the exchanges, but also using some of the disney places outside of the "world". Hilton Head, Vero Beach, (hopfully) the new Hawaii resort, Disney Paris etc...

 

[dec5girl]

I think your kids are a perfect age to buy into DVC! Mine are older teens and we will probably only get 1 or 2 family vacations with everyone, but hey I will have grandchildren someday...
As for Atlantis, for the poster who added that in: If you want to use DVC for a trade there, don't bother. It is nearly impossible to get in to Atlantis for a multitude of reasons.
I do plan on using the exchanges, but also using some of the disney places outside of the "world". Hilton Head, Vero Beach, (hopfully) the new Hawaii resort, Disney Paris etc...

I'm a DVC owner who was hoping to do this in a couple of years. Please share what makes it so hard to go to Atlantis. Time of year?

 

[tinker_me_happy]

A friend of mine is trying to get into Hershey on an exchange. The rep that handles the bookings told her they have around 85% match rate (ie getting your request). He then proceeded to tell her it would be nearly 100% if Atlantis was taken out of the equation. They get almost 100 requests a day for an Atlantis exchange. Also from what I understand, the maintenance fees there are so high, people who own them rarely put them up for exchange. So high demand + low supply = minimal chance of getting it. I think if you REALLY want to stay there you should call and put in a request for ANY open week and be prepared to go when ever. I'm not sure if you are able to be so open with the DVC points and trying for a reservation that way. Maybe renting DVC points and using the money to pay cash for a trip to Atlantis?

 

[RumpleMom]

Tinker me happy don't be surprised if those older teens do want to join in on family vacations. We have found that WDW has something for all age groups, including the grandparents in their 80's. We have traveled with all 3 generations.

When those teens get to college they will want to bring friends, which you can do with DVC. When they start their jobs they have a pay check, but if they are living on their own it doesn't stretch all that far at first. They will welcome a vacation with the parents who are paying for the room with points.

Plus Orlando is a convenient airport for family to fly into from across the country.

We are seeing DVC as a way to keep our family close in the future, even though we living farther apart.

 

[Mtnman44]

If you primarily want to use your DVC membership to trade out to other locations (other than DVC properties) then NO, you should not buy DVC. There are much cheaper timeshares for trading all over the place and just use cash for your stays at WDW hotels, you'll still come out ahead vs. DVC.

 

[CraftyMouse]

Since our family doesn't fit into a typical hotel room, we'd have to use points for two rooms if we wanted to go to any of the Concierge Collection hotels (which is a preference for us since we want to travel other places besides Disney.) Is it worth it?

Keep in mind that you would fit into the World Passport, Interval International exchange accommodations. They are a better value, points wise, and offer 1 and 2 bedroom units.

 

[CraftyMouse]

If you primarily want to use your DVC membership to trade out to other locations (other than DVC properties) then NO, you should not buy DVC. There are much cheaper timeshares for trading all over the place and just use cash for your stays at WDW hotels, you'll still come out ahead vs. DVC.

I agree with this advice. DVC is the most cost-effective when you use it at the DVC resorts. An occasional exchange is fine, but using it primarily to exchange out is just not worth it. If that is your goal then look into other timeshares that are part of the Interval International network. I'm sure you'll find many with a lower pricetag than DVC.