Surprised at Dvc value

[quandrea]

Lately I've been thinking that our Disney trips are getting too pricey. Tonight I was running numbers on a couple of other possible trips. They were all coming in at about $15000 when all was said and done for about ten days away for five.

Some quick calculations have dvc coming in at about half that for two weeks, including APs which I've been considering dumping due to cost.

Anyway, quite surprised by this. I haven't even figured in our rental income. As I said, it was just a quick calculation.

Anyone else find this or do you think even dvc is getting too pricey for a holiday.

 

[Brian Noble]

DVC only saves on your lodging, not any of your other costs*. If DVC cuts your total costs by 50%, I'm skeptical.

*: there are some discounts on APs and dining, but you should not rely on these in your cost comparison, as they can be taken away at any time.

 

[ivanp91]

Anyone else find this or do you think even dvc is getting too pricey for a holiday.

Yep, we found the value to be excellent but I completely get that your mileage may vary depending on different peoples' circumstances.

Coming from overseas our dates are generally set a long way out, so prior to purchasing DVC we had never been able to utilise any sort of resort discounts, and we go off-property enough that things like the dining plan aren't worth it. Thus, what we do is compare the hotel rack rate from the WDW/DL websites with how much we pay on our DVC loan each year, and also track how much we save in merchandise and dining discounts.

On our first trip using DVC we stayed in a studio at BLT (2 nights) and then 1BRs at Kidani (3 nights savannah view) and Grand Californian (2 nights); the cash rates for these rooms at the time added up to something ridiculous like $6,000. Second trip, last year, involved studios at VGF (7 nights) and VGC (2 nights) and the rates were almost as bad. When we pay around $4k a year, including dues, I'm perfectly happy with the value as long as, being members, the loan/dues payments total lower than what would be paid vs. a cash reservation. What I'm really looking forward to is in several years when the loan is paid off and getting these same great accommodations simply by paying the annual dues.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

The DVC value really presents itself on years we buy AP. Those years it is about half the cost to return to Disney as it is to travel anywhere else. I think that's why we always end up with 3-4 trips on our annual pass years. We are staying five nights at Tokyo Disney this year, and the room alone is $3000. That's more than my yearly dues that I get well over 20 nights at Disney with.

Every time I price out a different vacation I always end up really happy with my DVC, and am left with sticker shock with whatever destination I was pricing.

 

[quandrea]

DVC only saves on your lodging, not any of your other costs*. If DVC cuts your total costs by 50%, I'm skeptical.

*: there are some discounts on APs and dining, but you should not rely on these in your cost comparison, as they can be taken away at any time.

I think the cost comes in at half because we must travel differently down there. I have the kitchen so we cook. Most of the other vacations I price out don't afford me that perk. Airfare to Orlando is often reasonable. The trips are not an apples to apple comparison but they are the trips we'd take instead.

I liken it to having a cottage. Here in Canada people have cottages up north. Some families rarely vacation anywhere else. The cottage affords them the opportunity to vacation reasonably. Dvc seems to be doing that for us. The sticker shock on other vacations--especially as my kids get older--is unbelievable. When the twins were younger, we did Europe, Russia. Glad we did. The airfare alone for five now is crippling. At least with dvc we get to vacation. Without it, I figure we'd be staying home a whole lot.

 

[a742246]

The DVC value really presents itself on years we buy AP. Those years it is about half the cost to return to Disney as it is to travel anywhere else. I think that's why we always end up with 3-4 trips on our annual pass years. We are staying five nights at Tokyo Disney this year, and the room alone is $3000. That's more than my yearly dues that I get well over 20 nights at Disney with.

Every time I price out a different vacation I always end up really happy with my DVC, and am left with sticker shock with whatever destination I was pricing.

We go twice a year, making sure we get 3 trips out of our AP's. Then the next vacation we usually spend a week somewhere else (New Orleans, Las Vegas, Sedona for example) then fly to Orlando to spend 3-4 days in our DVC for a non theme park vacation, just to relax. Our DVC makes our vacations very affordable. Couple with playing the Credit Card game for airline points and the vacations becomes even more affordable.

 

[dcfromva]

I used to keep up with the cash prices, but it has been a long while since I checked since we just booked our DVC and forgot about it. I was pretty surprised to see how much the rack rates have increased over the years.

Now, we never paid rack rate--we always received some kind of a discount. So what a shock to me to see what rack rate was even with a 40% discount!

DVC has definitely kept on site accommodations affordable for us.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Quick comparison:

CCV selling 50 years at $176 PP
MTC fees $7.33 PP

176/50 = $3.52 if you use that point tomorrow.
Add $7.33 for fees = $10.85 to use that point tomorrow.
If you book a cabin on a weekday it's 121 points (current season).

Your DVC cost to book the cabin on a weekday is $1,312.85 including tax.

I don't think the cash price has been published yet, but it would be nice to compare.

MG

 

[Dean]

Lately I've been thinker by thatvour Disney trips are getting too pricey. Tonight I was running numbers on a couple of other possible trips. They were all comfortable by in at about $15000 when all was said and done for about ten days away for five.

Some quick calculations have dvc coming in at about half that for two weeks, including APs which I've been considering dumping due to cost.

Anyway, quite surprised by this. I haven't even figured in our rental income. As I said, it was just a quick calculation.

Anyone else find this or do you think even dvc is getting too pricey for a holiday.

IMO using rack rates can be fun but that's about it. Using to judge actual saving is a fools comparison IMO.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

IMO using rack rates can be fun but that's about it. Using to judge actual saving is a fools comparison IMO.

Rack rate is a starting point for comparison IMO.
The best deal for deluxes I have personally seen is 30% off rack with AP.
So, if I'm trying to figure the actual cost of a room I start with rack and figure 30% less. Most times actual will be within that window. That said, it's a pretty big window.

MG

 

[jerseyduke]

On a similar note

85/40 = 2.125
5.44 in MF = 7.57 (rounded up)

*121 = 915.97
Same room, done with SSR points bought resale.

Taking a look at the Poly, The Bungalows are pretty booked in March, but from April 1st - Sept 30, the Bungalows have only 4 days where they are not available, and that is within the 7 month window. And 3 of the 4 days are memorial day weekend and July 4th

 

[Maistre Gracey]

On a similar note

85/40 = 2.125
5.44 in MF = 7.57 (rounded up)

*121 = 915.97
Same room, done with SSR points bought resale.

Taking a look at the Poly, The Bungalows are pretty booked in March, but from April 1st - Sept 30, the Bungalows have only 4 days where they are not available, and that is within the 7 month window. And 3 of the 4 days are memorial day weekend and July 4th

Indeed... But the key is, as you suggested, will they be available at 7 months?
I think the rack rate will help answer that question.

MG

 

[quandrea]

IMO using rack rates can be fun but that's about it. Using to judge actual saving is a fools comparison IMO.

I'm not comparing rack rates. I'm pricing other trips we consider taking. They invariably cost way too much.

Trips priced include cruise to the Baltic, Disney land, western Canada, Quebec City and Eastern Quebec. Once I book air and pay hotel, the price is high, high, high. Travelling with five is an expensive proposition. Dvc allows us to get away affordably. I've been complaining about ticket prices but even figuring them into the equation, I come out ahead.

 

[jerseyduke]

Indeed... But the key is, as you suggested, will they be available at 7 months?
I think the rack rate will help answer that question.

MG

The rack rate starts to be become irrelevant as inventory is sold. Once the units are declared into inventory, they belong to the association, and not to DVD/DVC. They can only be rented out when people trade out their CC points.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

The rack rate starts to be become irrelevant as inventory is sold. Once the units are declared into inventory, they belong to the association, and not to DVD/DVC. They can only be rented out when people trade out their CC points.

Generally speaking cash ressies for a non member are always available.
At least as often as non DVC hotels.

MG

 

[wdrl]

The rack rate starts to be become irrelevant as inventory is sold. Once the units are declared into inventory, they belong to the association, and not to DVD/DVC. They can only be rented out when people trade out their CC points.

A point of clarification: Even after inventory is declared by DVD to the condominium association's inventory, DVD still owns those points until it sells them to the general public. DVD can do what they want with the points it owns, which includes renting them out for cash reservations.

 

[jerseyduke]

Yes, I misspoke.

 

[Madame]

I'm not comparing rack rates. I'm pricing other trips we consider taking. They invariably cost way too much.

Trips priced include cruise to the Baltic, Disney land, western Canada, Quebec City and Eastern Quebec. Once I book air and pay hotel, the price is high, high, high. Travelling with five is an expensive proposition. Dvc allows us to get away affordably. I've been complaining about ticket prices but even figuring them into the equation, I come out ahead.

I completely understand where you're coming from. We are planning Europe 2018 & can only go in summer as I teach. At least $5000 CAD just for the flights .

All in it'll cost us between $35 & $40 000 CAD. Now, we are cruising Disney (in steerage), but a land-based vacation is not small change either.

I've lived in Europe. Hotels are not necessarily made for a family of 5 = $$$$$$. (Plus I am not spending vacation looking for laundry facilities & packing & re-packing 10 times; not this Maman). Plus train fares for 5... Nope.

We've rented out our 2016/17/18 points & will rent out our 2019 points to cover dues. Plus no vacations until the trip .

 

[Cyberc1978]

I completely understand where you're coming from. We are planning Europe 2018 & can only go in summer as I teach. At least $5000 CAD just for the flights .

All in it'll cost us between $35 & $40 000 CAD. Now, we are cruising Disney (in steerage), but a land-based vacation is not small change either.

I've lived in Europe. Hotels are not necessarily made for a family of 5 = $$$$$$. (Plus I am not spending vacation looking for laundry facilities & packing & re-packing 10 times; not this Maman). Plus train fares for 5... Nope.

We've rented out our 2016/17/18 points & will rent out our 2019 points to cover dues. Plus no vacations until the trip .

Just being curious but how can it cost you 40k CAD to go to Europe? Are you staying several months? I understand that airfare can be crazy expensive during school breaks.

 

[quandrea]

Just being curious but how can it cost you 40k CAD to go to Europe? Are you staying several months? I understand that airfare can be crazy expensive during school breaks.

I can see it. We priced a Disney Europe cruise and it was going to be $23000 for the five of us. Air would have been $5000. So already $28000 and you haven't paid gratuities, shore excursions, transfers to and from port, hotels pre cruise and meals not eaten on the ship. We did Russia and Scandinavia when our twins were infants. Saved the two air fares that way, they didn't pay shore excursions and didn't sail Disney who was $10 000 more than Celebrity. Now that our twins pay full fare for everything, dvc is one of the only affordable holidays.

I'm looking at this now as our travel wings are getting clipped. Dd is going to start high school. I'm floored by air fare during school breaks. Dh says we can rent all our points but I wonder where he thinks we will vacation for less. Maybe he figures we will stay home. Don't like that idea.