Thinking about buying DVC, but the annual dues...

[michelleiada]

Does anyone think the annual dues makes DVC not really worth it? If I puchase, it would be a minimum of 200 points and probably be a resale at Beach Club. Annual dues is $5 per point, which with a 200 point contract would be $1000 per year. I know dues can go up also. Do the points required increase every year also? I know the points chart changes from year to year so is there anything in the contract that states the required points will not go up? Also, what kind of discounts are offered to you if you are a DVC owner? Do you get a discount on the dining plan? Park tickets?

 

[stefanospops]

I did a fair bit of research on these very boards before buying points at BLT last month. The first rule seems to be, buy where you want to stay. There are several spreadsheets out there that break down the cost per point over the life of that point. For example, if I 200 points at $100pp then my total cost is $20,000, $400/year over the life of the contract. So in talking about the affordability, the question becomes at what point do the maintenance fees end up costing you more per year than paying cash for a similar room.

As for discounts, you get a discount on the annual pass. You can add the basic dining plan for $40/adult/night. There are other discounts that vary as well. But the main reason you buy is to lock in your price per room.

 

[castleri]

The points do not go up each year. The total points for each resort must stay the same for the year. They may rearrange them as they did for 2010 by making some days less points and some more and or making some seasons more and some less. The total for the year must remain the same. The discounts that are offered can change from time to time and the best one at the moment is the $100 off the cost of an annual pass. There are no discounts for other tickets or the DDP. You can however buy the DDP without having to buy tickets if you wish to do a no park vacation. You of course would be limited to non park restaurants if you did that. Are the annual dues worth it? Each individual has to decide that for themselves. I was fortunate to pay for my DVC membership in full when I purchased so did not have to figure in interest on a loan either. I do a simple calculation that says my points cost me about $6.50-$7.00 a year per point ( I know that there are other ways to figure it including lost opportunity etc but this one works for me). When I stay in a studio at OKW for a week in Sept I figure my cost is about $550 for the week. The 2 BR I have reserved for 5 nights at Christmas will cost me about $1332 - I would never be able to stay in those rooms unless I had DVC. If I only use the maintenance fees for those points it of course is even less. To me the dues I pay are very much worth it. Others will disagree. How may nights can you get at the BCV for a cash reservation with your $1000. How many you can get for those points will vary with the time of year and size of unit so be sure to make a fair comparison. Good luck with your decision. DVC is one of the best things I ever purchased but there are many who do not feel the same. when all is said and done only you can make that decision and asking questions is one of the best ways to get the information you need to make the one that is best for you so you are off to a good start.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The continually rising dues led us to sell two of our five contracts. We have fewer points, good for one very nice stay a year instead of two nice shorter stays a year. When the economy improves, we'll probably put one or two of the three on the market again.

I can take the money I saved in not paying dues on those two contracts and get a very nice one week stay in a two bedroom Condo directly on a beach in South FL on the Gulf.

Discounts and perqs are continually changing, so don't buy DVC based on the current perqs. What we had last quarter, may not be what we have this quarter. The number of points for a non-DVC stay for this year can, and will probably, increase every year. Don't buy DVC to stay anywhere but DVC.

 

[ToddyLu]

It is about 2 nights eating out for us, maybe three...we eat out a good bit. We are just staying home a bit more. Never in a million years would I be able to stay in an AKV-SV studio for 9 nights like we are doing in Oct. We paid about $2400 for Pop Century on the DDP, getting a 40% discount with a pin code. When we bought into DVC last month we cancelled that trip and now have two AKV studios with a SV. The room alone there for 9 nights paying cash is $3600. I mean I am a Disney Freak, but that is a tad over our limit. Plus, darn it, I just wanted to have a piece of the World(imagine me throwing a tantrum now). I don't want to stay Value anymore and I want to go at least twice a year. So DH agreed and we are now DVC owners. We bought 210 pts at AKV. You can PM me if you have questions about what our cost was, if that will help.

Basically for the MF of $1200 we get two very good vacations in a terrific resort or one really extra nice vacation. So when we pay the mortgage off we hope to be ahead.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...Basically for the MF of $1200 we get two very good vacations in a terrific resort or one really extra nice vacation. So when we pay the mortgage off we hope to be ahead.

If you don't mind staying in a studio for your trip. I don't do studios. Nothing but a glorified hotel room.

 

[michelleiada]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I would love to buy into DVC but it is convincing my husband that is difficult. He is a Accountant/CPA/Tax Specialist and we look at everything to do with money differently. He doesn't get the whole emotional investment period! He likes Disney a lot...but doesn't share my passion for Disney, but my two teen aged daughters do. We were there for 10 days in May and rented points to stay in a 2 bedroom at BCV. I loved having the extra space and the convenience of a full kitchen even though we did the dining plan. We were able to have coffee/juice and cereal...bagels for breakfast in the morning before we headed out for the day and used our dining plan credits for lunch and dinner. We ate WAY TOO MUCH! We loved the Beach Club and love the whole EPCOT resort area.

I just can't seem to get him to see things my way. Any suggestions?

 

[michelleiada]

If you don't mind staying in a studio for your trip. I don't do studios. Nothing but a glorified hotel room.

I agree...I don't want to stay in a studio either! My daughters are 15 and 14 and don't want to share a bed anymore. I love the extra space offered in the villas...all the comforts of home!

 

[ToddyLu]

If you don't mind staying in a studio for your trip. I don't do studios. Nothing but a glorified hotel room.

Exactly.....all I have ever done (except one trip to POFQ, that MIL gave to us as a gift) is value rooms.....so to me a studio is very Deluxe. It is all relative and everyone has a different opinion as to what their needs are. We are doing DDP this trip so no need for a kitchen. I'm a lover not a cooker anyway

 

[tractortippin]

I was kind of in your position...me and my Dh tried the #'s all different ways and we kept wondering if DVC was really worth it. We ended up going to a DVC event and watching the presentation they brought up a bunch of good points (yes I know they are sales people and thats what they do but sales people or not they did have good points)

Then they told us about the incentive to buy at the event (yes I know, sales people). To be honest I went so my DS could see Mickey. Even when they were bringing up all these things I was thinking there is no way he's going to go for it.

By the end...he went for it!!!!!!!!!

So maybe on your next trip you could sign up for the tour that they give, maybe that would help?

I think its a very personal thing. For every person that loves it there is one that doesnt.
Good luck!

 

[ToddyLu]

Convincing DH...hmmm...well I explained it to him like this. I love Disney and I want Disney to be my golf, my Nascar (as others have stated in other threads).....but I know that my DVC is actually a Rolex in a different form. Completely worthless to others who do not share the same ideas...something no one will ever see or even know that we have (under the sleeve so to speak), that only a very few will see any value in...I don't think I know anyone with a Rolex in MS. It is and will be my once in a lifetime gift to myself that I can share with him and others...complete luxury for the few days I have for vacation every year. Luxury with no other value than a nice, terrific room with perhaps a great view at one of the most prized vacation spots in the world. It is a "vacation home", "condo" of sorts for us--for a middle class couple (fireman and nurse) who do not have children and want something extra during vacation.

I am sure at some point we will advance to a one bedroom--since studios are glorified hotel rooms Dang folks give us a chance! Heck will have addonitis by then..

 

[Deb & Bill]

...I am sure at some point we will advance to a one bedroom--since studios are glorified hotel rooms Dang folks give us a chance! Heck will have addonitis by then..

You got me. Just be careful with that add-on itis. It's a sickness and you have to get really, really mad at Jim Lewis to be cured.

 

[michelleiada]

Well....I did the DVC tour in May 2007 with my girlfriend while we were all staying at the Swan. My husband had no desire to join us and even yelled to me as we were getting in the van "don't sign anything!!" He knows me too well......but I didn't purchase knowing he would have been mad. To the OP...I am a nurse too! I know that I really love the Beach Club and that would absolutely be where I would want to continue staying. My husband enjoyed our recent time there(except for the 10 days of rain) and I thought maybe I might have him convinced. I know he enjoyed the extra space, the pool, the location but he is so obsessed with the money thing.....I just wish he would lighten up a bit. I guess our life philosophy is different. Maybe it has to do with being a nurse...I know that life can totally change in a second, I have seen it all too often... Anyone can become ill, and I believe in living life to it's fullest..every day. Do what makes you happy. He believes in paying cash for everything and not having debt at all. The only debt we have is a mortgage on our home. No car payments...no credit card debt. Yes...we will have two college tuitions to pay for in 4 years.....but family vacations are just as important as college tuitions. Do I sound like I am trying to convince all of you????

Anyway....I am not going to give up. Some day I will be a DVC owner! I will keep working on him. Maybe I can tell him that he can't have his New England Patriots Season Tickets anymore......hmmmmm.

 

[arthur06]

Like everything in life...it comes with a price! I had to work on DW for a while..not to long (we both always get what we want!). DW doesn't get the whole banking and borrowing...that different rooms cost more points...what exactly is a home resort or anything! That's my job...She trusts me! Give it time, don't pressure him! And before you know it, we will all welcome you home!

 

[kaffinito]

Some times it takes a while for DVC to make sense. I waited a few years to buy DVC, and then I only did when I added up the cost of our trips and compared that to what it would cost per year to own DVC. I'm a bookkeeper by nature ( and training) so when I saw the numbers I had to go with a DVC purchase.

For the short term renting points or staying through CRO would work financially, but the long term costs all pointed to DVC. With my vacationing style, and the need for older DS to have his own room now that he's older (17 this August) I'm glad we bought DVC. The annual dues would still not be enough to cover the cost of two nice rooms for 8 days twice a year plus one side trip with DH, so I'm still coming out ahead $$$.

Another reason for me to buy was that I wanted to be able to stay at VB or HHI with DH, and DVC gives me the ability to do that. He doesn't like spending money, but if I tell him we're staying on "points" then somehow he's ok with it.

Good luck convincing your DH!

 

[slowly]

We are recent owners of the Villas at the Californian. No, we are not rich but we are "OK". Here was our thought process and maybe it can help your DH:

1. How many times have we visited DL or DW in the last 5 yrs? We have gone every year for the last 7 yrs and we live in HI. In addition we took 3 DCL cruises the last 3 years.
2. Are the kids going to enjoy it? We have a 9 and 6 yr old and we can give it to them as wedding gifts.
3. Is the level of service and amenities worth it? It's Disney!
4. Can we seriously afford it without having to "worry" about the cost? Yeah, because the money we spent the last 7 yrs would have paid for a DVC property!

I went into DVC more for research for my friend than anything else. Had very little intention of buying! I thought the price was a lot more than what we paid which was a good thing. Our purchase was such last minute we bought during our cruise on the Magic in June! You and your DH have the luxury of reading the threads and researching. We are so new that our mortgage hasn't even closed yet. I only commented because I wanted to share our thought process. Now if you had asked any other question, I have no idea but will definitely share after our first experience.

 

[nunzia]

Convincing DH...hmmm...well I explained it to him like this. I love Disney and I want Disney to be my golf, my Nascar (as others have stated in other threads).....but I know that my DVC is actually a Rolex in a different form. Completely worthless to others who do not share the same ideas...something no one will ever see or even know that we have (under the sleeve so to speak), that only a very few will see any value in...I don't think I know anyone with a Rolex in MS. It is and will be my once in a lifetime gift to myself that I can share with him and others...complete luxury for the few days I have for vacation every year. Luxury with no other value than a nice, terrific room with perhaps a great view at one of the most prized vacation spots in the world. It is a "vacation home", "condo" of sorts for us--for a middle class couple (fireman and nurse) who do not have children and want something extra during vacation.

I am sure at some point we will advance to a one bedroom--since studios are glorified hotel rooms Dang folks give us a chance! Heck will have addonitis by then..

Very well said. I wish we had bought years and years ago, but since DVC was only in WDW (and our single trip there was odd and the kids really refused to go back, always louding proclaiming DL..before it was DLR.. over WDW.) it didn't make sense.
This is my one true luxury in life. I don't even think we count as middle class (DH is a Vet tech and I'm working way out of my degree field in Finance/Admin.)...but we live very frugally so end up more comfortable than people we know who make double. My first stay at DGC spoiled me forever from off site hotels. I want to NEVER leave the atmosphere once I get there. I can see panhandlers and WalMarts at home. Maybe though, as we hit retirement we may rent a car and go explore, but basically I want to stay in the Disney bubble.
Studios are fine for DH and I, and not all places with refrigerators and counter tops are created equal..just stay in a Crestwood Suite to see my point (as we did in Denver visiting son and family)...but I love the luxury of moving up when we have different family groups together.
So..it's worth it for us. Different choices for different people..I can't imagine having a house bigger than I need or a new car yearly..

 

[starwood]

I use the Disney Visa and the reward dollars pays about 1/2 of our annual dues every year. We can stay for a week in a 1 bedroom for about $450 annual dues after using the rewards card.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I would love to buy into DVC but it is convincing my husband that is difficult. He is a Accountant/CPA/Tax Specialist and we look at everything to do with money differently. He doesn't get the whole emotional investment period! He likes Disney a lot...but doesn't share my passion for Disney, but my two teen aged daughters do. We were there for 10 days in May and rented points to stay in a 2 bedroom at BCV. I loved having the extra space and the convenience of a full kitchen even though we did the dining plan. We were able to have coffee/juice and cereal...bagels for breakfast in the morning before we headed out for the day and used our dining plan credits for lunch and dinner. We ate WAY TOO MUCH! We loved the Beach Club and love the whole EPCOT resort area.

I just can't seem to get him to see things my way. Any suggestions?

What convinced my DH was the thought that "IF" we ever decided we didn't want DVC anymore we could sell our points and get back most of the money we paid for it.

 

[ToddyLu]

Been thinking about the DH problem. Buy yourself a Passporter or other Disney Guide, tuck a brochure or something about DVC in it--then sit it by the toilet for reading material...I bet he will pick it up to read lots....just like mine...don't let him in on it and "I was never here".

 

[ToddyLu]

ooohhh, or you could say when he asks you what you want for your birthday...."I just want a DVC resale".... or start out with 25-50 points resale and buy it yourself. Then offer to share your points with him. But then you have to practice showing your disappointment when you don't get what you want.....I due that sometimes but then we just laugh about it because my DH is very spoiled with the toys he wants....and he knows I trully never ask for anything...we are really great friends that are married. He is really in to DVC and when I hint at adding on already he just says, "Dang be patient, let's go a couple of times and try out a couple of other places (besides AKV) before we do that" I guess that is reasonable.