Someone convince me - is the DVC worth it?

[erikthewise]

If I thought that DVC was a "timeshare", I would have absolutely no interest in it. There are so many differences between DVC and a traditional timeshare that I don't think using that word is helpful. Actually, "vacation club" describes it nicely!

It also seems that the proportion of members who bought DVC on the basis of a sales pitch is much smaller than with traditional timeshares. In fact a significant percentage seem to have bought without hearing a sales pitch at all.

 

[Doc and Family]

Hello Guapy,

I faced a similar decision as yours. Last year my wife wanted to join. I put her off. This year, we looked at it again, and this time I did some math. For us, it made good sense. First, it will cost you some money, but, hey, a vacation to Disneyworld is not free.
If you are happy staying in the All-Stars or Port-Orleans, then it might not be worth it, if that is all you are joining for. But, if you want bigger, nicer rooms and tons of flexibility, it will be worth it. We will break even in only 3 years (dpepending on what you compare the cost to), after that, we can stay for the cost of our annual dues, and go twice a year. Our dues cost less than we typically spend on one trip's accomodations. Anyway, for us it is a good deal, but it may not be for everybody.
P.S. also from New Orleans (at least close to it)
Good Luck with your decision,
Glenn

 

[Carl]

1. I think that people who ask to be "convinced" are already almost sure they want to purchase, not, as someone wrote "already made up their minds they don't want to purchase." I asked a bunch of questions before I bought, and until I had almost already decided to buy, had not asked much about DVC.
2. As I already posted here, so far I have NOT been happy, because I have found that the times I want to go to WDW (value season - Nov. Dec.) are the MOST difficult to get for DVC. I was NOT aware of this before I purchased.
3. For what you get - deluxe resorts and for VWL, BCV, and BWV, good locations - it is worth what you pay in dues per year. I am figuring on getting back most of what I paid for the initial purchase. (I may have an unpleasant surprise waiting for me there, too.)
4. DVC is NOT as limited as a regular time share. At least, when I could not get the dates I wanted for my points, I was able to trade the points for a regular Disney resort, all be it at a high penalty.

 

[jimmytammy]

I have read some of the replies and cant give you an honest answer on the money deal because we have been members for less than 6 mos still havent used it yet going in dec. what I can say is I could kick myself for not joining 1 yr. ago when we first considered it we could have joined for $65 pt. instead of $75 we even added more pts. before they increased I am able to put in extra time to help offset the costs so we arent dipping into living expenses if you have been bitten by the disney bug go ahead and take the plunge just think of the wonderful vacations years down the road plus if you have any questions the veterans on here can give you educated answers believe me I have come up with a few myself good luck in your decision

 

[Lisa P.]

If I thought that DVC was a "timeshare", I would have absolutely no interest in it.

I think you do yourself a disservice by denying the fact that DVC is indeed a timeshare. The industry has changed. There are now many points-based timeshare companies, which offer flexibility in the use of timeshare, varying length of stay, size of villa and time of year - Hilton (HGVC), Fairfield, WorldMark, BlueGreen, Peppertree/Equivest and others. These are timeshares and so is DVC. Some of them preceeded DVC. I'll post a separate thread with this info - it's interesting to those who like points-based timeshare.

In recent years, some "vacation clubs" have sprung up which are points-based or weeks-based programs offering NO home resort, NO recourse if you cannot book your desired stay, NO actual ownership in a real estate property or deed and only a vague contract of possible privileges over a period of years. Some of them have turned out to be terrible scams. They take advantage of Disney's (and other programs') use of this term (vacation club) to avoid the stigma associated with timeshare.

A rose by any other name...

 

[dianeschlicht]

We first looked at DVC in 1993, but didn't purchase until 1997. We bought 230 points and then added on another 150 in 1999. I think we figured out we broke even on the first points by the 4th year, but didn't bother to figure it out for the add on, since we were so grateful that we finnally saw the light and purchased!! Our only regret was not purchasing when we first heard about DVC in 1992!!! We feel like we wasted a lot of money between 1992 and 1997!!

BTW, we do go other places with our DVC too!!! Just returned in May from a 3 week trip to Hawaii that included one week on a DVC exchange!

 

[trishy]

When we were trying to decide on DVC, we had to think hard about whether Orlando was going to be our *permanent* vacation. We've traveled to many places around the U.S. and Canada and with 3 kids felt WDW was a great place to visit every year. We are AVID Disney fans, though. We have always had Disneyland AP's and have gone so many times throughout the years, I can't even give a number - certainly in the 3 digits at least. We look at the value for our family of 5; the comfort with the size of the rooms; the numerous options to entertain our family; the availability to go elsewhere if desired (We cruise on DCL also); mostly the commitment to vacations that we have made. We know we HAVE to vacation - don't laugh at me - I mean it. Too many people let time slip by and don't realize until it's too late that the kids have grown, the clock ticked away, and they didn't spend that much needed family time. It's just not the same at home - playing ball in the yard, flying a kite, riding a bike - all nice, but not the same as the magic you feel at the *World*. How many times have people said "$5,000 for a vacation or we could use that money to fix up the paint, get a new fridge, get that carpet replaced...." We are committed and are thankful at the end of each vacation that we have the DVC to take this time while we are all able to.

 

[erikthewise]

[If I thought that DVC was a "timeshare", I would have absolutely no interest in it.]

I should have said a "traditional timeshare", with all the associated negative stereotypes. Including, but not limited to, high-pressure sales tactics, little or no vacation time flexibility, uninspired design, indifferent location, and a tendency to get rundown because members don't want to pay for maintenance.

I learned to avoid timeshares at a young age, and that was a long time ago. Apparently much has changed in recent years. But I will stick with saying I would not be interested if it were not Disney, or if it were operated as a traditional timeshare rather than as a vacation club.

 

[bongo59]

My answer is quite simple.....I first venture to wdw about 15 yrs ago........i have been there 24 times in 15 yrs......had the oppurtunity to buy DVC 5 times......dating back to 1991........did not do it that time or any other........until June 14, 2002.......I bought 400 points at the BCV.........and why do I think I am dumb.......I did the math via reciepts i had...... 24 trips cost me 78,000 dollars in hotel fees........I could have bought 1500 points with this cash at OKW in 1991.......The people who post here are did not procrastinate like i did.......they have enjoyed the vacations and made a lifestyle choice for their families.......it is the best way to do disney and if you dont believe it stay at the Grand Floridian one week at Disney rack rates like I have and did for ten yrs......you'll get why you need to buy ASAP!!!!!!