Something I don't understand...

[luv2sleep]

I just got through reading the DVC website and what I read there seems to contradict what I have seen about how to use DVC points. I keep reading that DVC should be pursched primarily to spend time at your he resort and to purchase based on where you want to vacation yearly. However, the site talks a lot about all of the other ways the points can be used: Adventures By Disney, various resorts around the world and visiting other DVC resorts. If I bought into DVC it would be primarily to use the points in the alternative ways described on the site. I would also want to use points towards cruising with DCL.

So which way is it? If I want to use my points in other ways besides at my DVC resort towards a "discount" on what I would have to pay cash on (i.e. use the points and pay cash for the balance due) why is this a bad idea? And if it is, why would the DVC website devote so many pages towards advertising all the other things you can do with your points?

I'm confused.

 

[Andrew015]

I just got through reading the DVC website and what I read there seems to contradict what I have seen about how to use DVC points. I keep reading that DVC should be pursched primarily to spend time at your he resort and to purchase based on where you want to vacation yearly. However, the site talks a lot about all of the other ways the points can be used: Adventures By Disney, various resorts around the world and visiting other DVC resorts. If I bought into DVC it would be primarily to use the points in the alternative ways described on the site. I would also want to use points towards cruising with DCL.

So which way is it? If I want to use my points in other ways besides at my DVC resort towards a "discount" on what I would have to pay cash on (i.e. use the points and pay cash for the balance due) why is this a bad idea? And if it is, why would the DVC website devote so many pages towards advertising all the other things you can do with your points?

I'm confused.

What you are reading on Disney's website about all of the wonderful ways that you can use points (Adventure's Collection, Concierge Collection, Disney Cruise Line, RCI, etc.) are, in my opinon, fancy marketing tools. Can you use your points for all of these destinations? Absolutely. Are they good use of your points from a financial standpoint? Absolutely NOT.

Basically, the concensus that you will find here on the DIS DVC forums is that you are far better off using your points at the DVC resorts only. You would be far better off using "cash" to fund a Disney Cruise Line trip, or a stay at the Grand Floridian, than you would be by using your DVC Points.

They provide these options to make DVC seem like a flexible, well-rounded timeshare opportunity. However, in reality, the point requirements to use these "extras" is through the roof, and you will also find that DVC does not trade well into RCI. Once again, your best bang for your buck is at the DVC Resorts only.

Many members still use their points for these "extras", and how you use them is totally up to you. But the whole notion behind DVC is to save money over the long term investment by paying for your vacations in advance (either 30 or 50 years over the life of your contract, depending which resort you buy into). If you choose to use points on the "extras" mentioned above rather than at the DVC resorts, you're actually going to end up costing yourself more money than you would be saving by paying cash. Thus, it's not a wise use of your points.

Also be aware that you have other options other than purchasing DVC directly from Disney. If you purchase DVC through a resale broker, you will save significant amounts of money rather than purchasing direct. However, you would lose the option to use points on most of the extras (DCL, Concierge Collection, Adventurer's Collection). You can still use points through RCI locations.

The loss of these privileges isn't a big deal to most, as these "extras" aren't a good use of your points to begin with.

 

[luv2sleep]

What you are reading on Disney's website about all of the wonderful ways that you can use points (Adventure's Collection, Concierge Collection, Disney Cruise Line, RCI, etc.) are, in my opinon, fancy marketing tools. Can you use your points for all of these destinations? Absolutely. Are they good use of your points from a financial standpoint? Absolutely NOT.

Basically, the concensus that you will find here on the DIS DVC forums is that you are far better off using your points at the DVC resorts only. You would be far better off using "cash" to fund a Disney Cruise Line trip, or a stay at the Grand Floridian, than you would be by using your DVC Points.

They provide these options to make DVC seem like a flexible, well-rounded timeshare opportuntity. However, in reality, the point requirements to use these "extras" is through the roof, and you will also find that DVC does not trade well into RCI. Once again, your best bang for your buck is at the DVC Resorts only.

Oh! How deceiving! Thanks for the info!

 

[disneynutz]

Disney is in the business to sell DVC contracts. What sounds better, you can use your membership at WDW or you can use your membership at over 500 magical destinations.

Just because you can do something doesn't always mean that you should.

Bill

 

[Sammie]

And just because you can do something, aka the 500 magical destinations, does not mean it is easy to do or the best bargain to see those places.

 

[Deb & Bill]

And you would have to have a whole pile of points to do Adv by Disney using points for everyone in the party. So they sell you a whole pile of points. And make a bundle of money.

 

[JimMIA]

Oh! How deceiving! Thanks for the info!

It's not really deceiving. It's marketing, and not unscrupulous marketing...especially for the TIMESHARE industry.

The job of a sales organization is to present their product in the best possible light and sell their product. There are no lies in the material you read, just emphasis on the positives and no mention of any negatives. That's a lot like every commercial you see on TV...unless it's for a medication where warnings are mandated by law.

The job of the consumer is to approach things with a bit of skepticism and critical thinking. It's up to US to protect us...not some timeshare salesman.

 

[shalom]

Oh! How deceiving! Thanks for the info!

The DVC site tells you what it's possible to do with your points, and it's not lying. OTOH, Disney isn't telling you what a poor deal some of these possibilities are, any more than Maytag would to tell you that Whirlpool dishwashers actually clean better. Disney's job is to convince you to buy; your job is to get you the best deal possible. Which you are doing, by researching here.

People here will tell you how to make the best use of your points, which is a whole different thing from what Disney is doing, and more helpful for most people.

 

[Brian Noble]

Oh! How deceiving! Thanks for the info!

When someone is trying to sell you something, they do not tell you reasons why you should buy less. They tell you all the reasons you should buy MORE. Disney is not in the business of saving you money on vacations. They are in the business of making money selling you vacations.

Never forget that.

 

[luv2sleep]

All good info! I had no idea how this all worked. If I lived near WDW or if Hawaii airfare was cheaper I would do this for sure. I have no idea how much it would be to purchase at the property at Disneyland (or even if that's an option) but if it's not much I could maybe do they. Not that interested though truthfully. We definitely go for 2-3 days at least once a year but I don't care about which of the 3 hotels we stay in. They are all nice

 

[jagson]

That's how I see it; legally okay, ethically borderline., whether DVC or other entity.

 

[Dean]

That's how I see it; legally okay, ethically borderline., whether DVC or other entity.

Such is the nature of timeshares. If one can't hold your nose related to the sales process and other issues (changes over time, separation of resale/retail), then one should not participate. The other DVC options (DCL, etc) are like using FF miles to buy things. Further, common sense would suggest that these type of options are unlikely to be a reasonable deal.

 

[DebbieB]

They don't publicize either that you have to pay a $95 administrative fee for most non-DVC resorts. And if you want to make a change, you get hit with $95 again.

 

[luv2sleep]

Well I can see that DVC is definitely not for us. Thanks you all for explaining how it works.

 

[adminjedi]

Oh! How deceiving! Thanks for the info!

It isn't deceiving. It is true and it does make your ownership flexible. Yet, it is not the best use of your investment (pts) in most cases. However, in some circumstances it may make sense and it is nice to have as an available option.

 

[Dean]

Well I can see that DVC is definitely not for us. Thanks you all for explaining how it works.

There may be other timeshare systems that are a better choice for you, esp if you go resale. You may want to look at Shell, Worldmark, Marriott and Wyndham given your location.

 

[TisBit]

I just got through reading the DVC website and what I read there seems to contradict what I have seen about how to use DVC points. I keep reading that DVC should be pursched primarily to spend time at your he resort and to purchase based on where you want to vacation yearly. However, the site talks a lot about all of the other ways the points can be used: Adventures By Disney, various resorts around the world and visiting other DVC resorts. If I bought into DVC it would be primarily to use the points in the alternative ways described on the site. I would also want to use points towards cruising with DCL.

So which way is it? If I want to use my points in other ways besides at my DVC resort towards a "discount" on what I would have to pay cash on (i.e. use the points and pay cash for the balance due) why is this a bad idea? And if it is, why would the DVC website devote so many pages towards advertising all the other things you can do with your points?

I'm confused.

I haven't read all the responses and apologize if this just reiterates what has been said. A lot of DVC members, especially on the DIS will try to maximize the value and use of their points. Trading out to non-DVC options might not bring as much bang for your buck, but rarely are you put behind when you do this (although shopping around for discounts is always a good idea).

Many people use the rental boards as their way to justify why something is not cost effective (if trading to the cruise only gets you about 6-7 dollars a point value, but renting gets you $10 a point, it is better to rent your points and pay cash for the reservation). The problem with this can be, do you want to rent your points, do you want to take that time and inherent risk doing rentals.

I would never buy DVC just to trade out...but in my opinion if you occasionally want to trade out, it is a good option to have.

 

[disneynutz]

I haven't read all the responses and apologize if this just reiterates what has been said. A lot of DVC members, especially on the DIS will try to maximize the value and use of their points. Trading out to non-DVC options might not bring as much bang for your buck, but rarely are you put behind when you do this (although shopping around for discounts is always a good idea).

Many people use the rental boards as their way to justify why something is not cost effective (if trading to the cruise only gets you about 6-7 dollars a point value, but renting gets you $10 a point, it is better to rent your points and pay cash for the reservation). The problem with this can be, do you want to rent your points, do you want to take that time and inherent risk doing rentals.

I would never buy DVC just to trade out...but in my opinion if you occasionally want to trade out, it is a good option to have.

It's a good option to have but Disney can take it away in a blink of an eye just as they have many other benefits. That's why it's important for you to only consider the value of DVC ownership based on the only contracted benefit. Staying at your home resort and being able to book there 1 month before non owners.

Bill

 

[Dean]

I haven't read all the responses and apologize if this just reiterates what has been said. A lot of DVC members, especially on the DIS will try to maximize the value and use of their points. Trading out to non-DVC options might not bring as much bang for your buck, but rarely are you put behind when you do this (although shopping around for discounts is always a good idea).

Many people use the rental boards as their way to justify why something is not cost effective (if trading to the cruise only gets you about 6-7 dollars a point value, but renting gets you $10 a point, it is better to rent your points and pay cash for the reservation). The problem with this can be, do you want to rent your points, do you want to take that time and inherent risk doing rentals.

I would never buy DVC just to trade out...but in my opinion if you occasionally want to trade out, it is a good option to have.

They are your points to do with as you wish, however, I would point out several issues with your statements. $10 a point is low if you do it yourself, you can get that by letting someone else do it for you. $7 a point is high end for most cash type exchange options. The risks of renting done correctly are extremely low. And most importantly, there are risks and other costs using the points to exchange out as well, IMO, far greater than risks associated with renting. In addition, most of the time when this issue comes up it's in relationship to buying in, not those that own already unless they are asking for input. I would agree it's good to have options but feel that only reasonable option currently is RCI, and even then, it's a qualified endorsement because I've never come across a DVC member who actually uses DVC in an appropriate way to get a reasonable value from RCI or before, with II. Of course these are general statements, one would have to look at a specific situation to make judgements as it applies to that situation.

 

[norm&linda]

we use our points mostly for WDW vacation stays but i certainly won't beat myself up if i decide to use points toward an alternate vacation offering in future, even if it isn't an even push vis a vis points versus cash.