Someone convince me to join the DVC.

[onvaca]

Why would anyone spend all this money up front for the DVC instead of finding a good deal each year?

 

[mikesmom]

In a nutshell...
Because the DVC money stays the same while the cost of the "good deal" gets higher each year.

 

[LisaR]

Oh, Oh, Oh, Can I be first? Since I asked this question many times before buying just a month ago, I have a few opinions.

First of all, how do you "find the good deals" Those "deals" go up every year. I even rented points for awhile and that went up too. I spent sooooo much time searching for the perfect price and changing ressies constantly to get the better deal.

Second, DVC is for people who like very nice accomadations. If you like the All Stars - great! I would never say that is wrong. However, to quote my husband, "roughing it for us is having to spend a night at the Holiday Inn". That is true. We like a very nice place to stay. It is a vacation and we do spend time in the room - relaxing! I can't do that in a small room. Trying to find a "deal" at the nice locations is not always possible - as a matter of fact, I found it almost impossible.

My last point is that DVC is not as expensive as I thought. I could not imagine ever paying off that initial lump sum. After much figuring and refiguring, it turns out we will break even after 5 years.

As I read time and time again, we only have one regret - not buying 5 years ago when we looked into it.

Lisa

 

[RobDoc]

DVC also allows us to stay in superior accommodations at costs similar to the moderate resorts.
There are other discount type benefits also- but the accommodations are the real reason to consider DVC.

If you haven't already done so- call 1-800-800-9100 and request the free DVC video and information packet. Enjoy!

Doc
doc@wdwinfo.com

 

[MinnieMe2]

When I think of the $$ we've spent on Disney trips during the past eleven years, it takes no convincing for me to know that by now our accomodations, outside of annual dues, would be paid for. And at times we would have been much more comfortable. We have four kids and a couple of times camped at FW in our pop-up -- with no air -- in July. Last summer we wound up at the Yacht Club and paid big $$$ because we couldn't find any discounted rooms that would accomodate all of us. You'd better believe we're hoping to buy in!!

Counting the Hours Til We're Back in the World

Mother-of-Four (Five, If You Count My Husband)

 

[mickey7861]

We have been vacationing at WDW yearly (or more) since 1987. The cost of a room at the Poly in 1987 was $135 nightly. The cost of that room now is about $345. Even with AP discounts this year that room goes for $265. 12 days in that room would cost me $3180 plus tax with AP discount if available at the time I choose to vacation. That is for this year alone. Instead this summer I will be spending 12 nights between a 2 bedroom at OKW and a preferred studio at BWV. I love the Poly but I consider both of these accomodations to be superior (space, kitchen) to the Poly room. Not to mention the fact that I would need 2 Poly rooms to equal the bed space of the OKW 2 bedroom. Our initial point purchase using MB cost us $11000. This $11000 will pay for vacations for the next 41 years. The annual dues we pay comes out to about $15 per week. We'd pay more than that to stop at McDonalds.

Our only regret regarding DVC is that we didn't purchase sooner. We looked at the info the year they started OKW but we thought it was too much money! Oh well, 20/20 hind sight.

 

[pluto109]

what is an ap discount

 

[MN_DizNut]

Here's another view: We tend to stay at either the "Home Away From Home" category of Disney resorts, or else the "Deluxe Category". (I'm a big guy and the full-size beds in the "Moderate" and lower categories just don't cut it!) Our typical Disney trip (every 2-3 years) is 8-10 days. A minimum purchase of 150 pts in DVC would be paid back within 5 trips if we continue as we currently do, plus, my DD (now 8 years old) will be able to enjoy our membership with her family until she's 50 years old.

Jon

WDW '85 offsite
DL '85
DL '87
WDW '89 offsite
WL '97
WL '97 (again!)
WH '99
WL '99
AStSp '99 (YUCKY!!!)
DCL/Poly Jun/July '02

 

[Richyams]

Using larger units, the break-even comes much sooner.

We bought in '92, 230 points at $51. We had two years of points for our first stay. Oct '93 12 nights in a Grand Villa. the rack rate was under $1,000 per night. We basically broke even on our first trip.

After staying in the GV, we realized that we were going to need one every year. We added 200 points during that stay. The next year we stayed 12 night in the GV again, not even counting the free passes, we broke even again.

Now we stay 10-12 nights every year in a GV for the cost of dues, about $1400 per year. IMAGINE THAT, an OKW Three Bedroom Grand Villa for slightly over $100 per night.

Seems like a pretty good reason to me.

"From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs", Karl Marx, pretty sick, huh?

 

[baileybrad]

is a price break that you can receive on some Disney accomodations at certain times of the year based on availability. Discounts are also available on certain types of WDW ticket media.

You can also receive discounts on a few other things Disney.

As for the original poster who wishes to be convinced to join the DVC, my answer is I don't think anyone should be influenced by someone else to join the DVC. Do the research and make up your own mind.

 

[Dumbo]

onvaca,

I bought the minimum number (150) points at Boardwalk Villas. I pay a little less than $600. in dues a year for my 150 points. A studio at Boardwalk Villas can be reserved for 9 points a night. I can stay in a studio at Boardwalk Villas 16 times a year using my 150 points. Staying Sunday through Thursday several times a year. If you divide $600. by 16 nights, that comes to $37.50. Do you think that getting a studio at Boarwalk Villas for $37.50 a night is a good deal?

Dumbo

 

[mickey7861]

Ap is an Annual Pass holder discount. At least one member of your group has to have an Annual Pass to qualify for the room discounts.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Our only regret is that we did not do it sooner. We liked to travel to WDW every other year (mostly because it was too expensive to go more often than that). DVC membership has afforded us the ability to go 2-3 times a year if we choose, and spend far less money. We paid cash for both our original 230 points and our 150 point add-on. That means we had no interest rates to add to our outlay. In thinking back, we should have purchased with a loan when we first heard about DVC in 1991. I am sure we would still have saved a lot in the seven years before we actually purchased. Now, we take 2-3 trips in one calendar year, take a year off, and then take another 2-3 trips again. We have also done an exchange to Hawaii.

The key is to think of this as a prepaid vacation!

Disneydiane

 

[njDISNEYnut]

I had to jumpin on the bandwagon for this one. DVC is the best investment I ever made. We bought 350pts at BWV in 12/96. They will be paid off this Dec. To date, the retail value of our stays/cruises has far exceeded the purchase price of the points. Also, unilke other time shares, DVC is flexibel, allowing you to bank and borrow points so that you are not locked into a resort or time period. Friends of ours do own a time share and are trying to trade to a WDW area resort. They had to put infor it 3 yrs in advance and still have not had a confirmed trade. My Family is leaving on 06/20 for

1 night at AK Lodge
3 night cruise
8 nights at BWV 2br

all covered by my points - no cash out.

COme on in, join the family, and come home to Disney

 

[KNWVIKING]

Do you plan on going to WDW for a least one week a year for the next next 10 yrs ? If so buy.After that its all gravey.

 

[PoohBear88]

You can also use DVC membership to trade out (though the best use of your points would be to stay at a DVC resort of course). We're new to DVC and one of our first "BIG" trip will be the 7-day Disney Cruise to the Caribbean. We purchased 210 points last October and it tickles me pink just thinking that 1/3 of my membership is already paid for with this trip alone.

 

[SusanD]

It is a wonderful way to insure an excellent vacation a bargain price. Since our purchase in '98 we have taken two cruises and have reservations for the Grand Californian using points. We were able to bring family along and stay in a two bedroom unit during our last trip to WDW.

Most of this would not have been considered or financially possible without DVC. It is not for everyone...however, if you enjoy Disney and visit at least every two years, it can be an exceptional value.

[This message was edited by SusanD on 03-13-01 at 10:56 PM.]

 

[sumessefui]

If you go to WDW often and you like quality accomidations, the DVC is the best way to go, as far as cost. Discounted rooms are not always easy to find, especially at the better resorts, and the prices increase each year.
We always stayed at the MK resorts and the prices increased to the point where we could not go every year. Buying into the DVC was the best thing we ever did. We have 400 points, which cost us about what we had spent for our previous vacations. In 4 years we have more than broke even on our investment, and have better rooms than we did at the MK resorts.
We now have luxury accomidations for the cost of our dues or $1800 a year. In January, 11 of went and stayed in 2 two-bedroom units for 9 nights. That comes out to $100 a night. Where can you find a discount price to match that? And if we tire of it,we can sell our point for pretty much what we paid fro them. Is that convincing?

 

[eva]

We purchased in 1997 at OKW. Before we purchased I did a spreadsheet to see if we would save money. With 200 points we calculated 45 years of dues with a 5% increase each year. Then we added in the total amount of the loan (with interst). When we divided this by 45 years we found that we were spending about $1250 a year. With that 200 points we can stay in a 2-bedroom for 6 nights in Dream Season for only $208 a night. You can't even stay in a deluxe room for that amount. And when our girls are gone we will be able to stay in a 1-bedroom during Adventure Season for only $140 a night. We are even including weekend nights for all of these stays. If we avoided weekends we would save even more. The best thing about DVC is that I know what I will be paying for my room 40 years from now. I definitely know moderates will be way over $140 a night by then, even with discounts.

 

[maryisme]

In October of 2000, I booked a June 2002 (ok..i know.. i'm a big planner) disney cruise for $4000. I knew nothing about DVC. Some kind soul popped their head on over to the cruiseline board and asked "with all the money your spending on a one time event, why not join the DVC". Well, of course, I took the bait and that person was soooo right! We are now waiting for our closing date. For us, buying our main contact at HH was the best choice. We also purchased a small add on at VB and are eagerly awaiting the completion of the BCV. Also, and this is important for me and family, there is just a "good feeling" in owning a piece of the magic. The folks on this board will not stear <-_(Sp?..looks wrong..lol) you wrong, just remember, everyone has an opinion and do what works for you and your family.