So confused, and have a couple questions...

[mrudman]

I've been browsing around on here, just to try to get some sort of idea on what a DVC would cost, and if it would be something I'd ever want to do.

We're going to wdw in a few months, and then in the summer of 2010, we're planning having a huge family vacation, and going on a week-long disney cruise.

Would love to be able to go down to disney every 2-3 yrs, or take other vacations that would use the dvc points also.

So trying to figure out first of all how many points a 7-day dcl cruise costs?
And if its possible to borrow points in future years... and how many points are you allowed to borrow?

I know I'm sounding confusing, but my parents 40-yr anniversary is coming up.. they're planning on treating the entire family (14 of us) on the cruise, and will be reserving 4 staterooms.

Based on what I've found so far, I'm guessing this trip is going to be costing them somewhere along the lines of $25,000.

So now I'm trying to figure out whether it would be advantagous to them to use that money to buy a dvc, then use the points on that cruise.

Thinking this will be their only vacation for probably 8-10 yrs, so borrowing from future years wouldn't matter at all.


I'm sorry if I totally confused you... just trying to get some sort of idea on if it might be better in the long run to buy into dvc.

Thanks!

 

[chalee94]

Would love to be able to go down to disney every 2-3 yrs, or take other vacations that would use the dvc points also.

if you're not going to wdw at least every other year, it's probably not worthwhile.

So trying to figure out first of all how many points a 7-day dcl cruise costs?

a lot. buying into DVC in order to cruise is generally not a good use of pts, although it can be done. you are better off paying cash.

And if its possible to borrow points in future years... and how many points are you allowed to borrow?

you can bank one year ahead (then the pts expire.) you can also borrow next year's pts (and the pts will expire at the end of the current use year). banking and borrowing are irrevocable transactions.

so if you own 160 pts, you can borrow next year's allocation of 160 to book 320 pts. (if you banked last year's allocation, you could use up to a total of 160+160+160 = 480 pts for a single reservation.)

 

[goalie5hole]

Not sure of your parents ages but DVC is a 40-50 year contract. I'm sure it can be willed to someone somehow if it came to that.

 

[kim_d]

The points required for 14 people to go on a cruise would be very high and since you can essentially "tap" into 3 years of points (bank, current and borrow) it would require a fairly high amount of points- more than $25K worth.

 

[mrudman]

Thanks all for the replies! So it's sounding like it wouldn't be a wise choice for the DVC at this point...

The points required for 14 people to go on a cruise would be very high and since you can essentially "tap" into 3 years of points (bank, current and borrow) it would require a fairly high amount of points- more than $25K worth.

Did have one more question though in response to this reply... you say it would cost more than $25k, but if by using the 3 yrs of points to cover the cruise, even if it would mean renting more, wonder if it could still be an option to look at... only reason I'm asking is because then for the next 40 yrs you'd be getting the points and only paying the yearly dues, right?

 

[goalie5hole]

Thanks all for the replies! So it's sounding like it wouldn't be a wise choice for the DVC at this point...



Did have one more question though in response to this reply... you say it would cost more than $25k, but if by using the 3 yrs of points to cover the cruise, even if it would mean renting more, wonder if it could still be an option to look at... only reason I'm asking is because then for the next 40 yrs you'd be getting the points and only paying the yearly dues, right?

The minimum points for 2 adults for a standard inside stateroom on the 4 night cruise in value season is 82 in the same room (I think, not too familiar with the cruise line). Then it goes down for 3rd and 4th adults. So there's 164 for a 4 night cruise for 2 so add up what roughly 14 would be in terms of points. $25K would only get you roughly 225 points(not sure the current cost per point).

 

[chalee94]

Thanks all for the replies! So it's sounding like it wouldn't be a wise choice for the DVC at this point...

Did have one more question though in response to this reply... you say it would cost more than $25k, but if by using the 3 yrs of points to cover the cruise, even if it would mean renting more, wonder if it could still be an option to look at... only reason I'm asking is because then for the next 40 yrs you'd be getting the points and only paying the yearly dues, right?

if you'd like some ballpark numbers, a standard inside stateroom in 2008 for a 7-night may sailing costs 194 pts per adult for the first 2 adults in the room. each additional person costs from 119 pts for a child aged 3-5 up to 149 pts for additional adults (age 13+).

(also, keep in mind that unlike rooms at DVC resorts, point costs for cruises can and do increase from year to year. so these rates can change for the 2010 cruises.)

assuming you still only need around 2300 pts for 14 people to go on a cruise in 2010, you would need to buy a contract of around 770 pts...roughly $70,000 or so.

but yes, after that is paid, you would only be paying the annual dues (roughly $3600-3800 in 2008, but will increase over time) for the next 48 years or so...

 

[chalee94]

oops - i found the 2009 sailings chart, which includes a "high peak" column for 7 night trips to the western caribbean in the summer (may 30-aug8), and prices start at 232 per adult for the first 2 adults and 180 per child (aged 3-5).

so it looks like the total pts required would run more like 3000 or so for that period (depending on changes, if any, from 2009 to 2010). but a 1000 pt contract would set you back quite a bit...