Thinking about DVC, have questions

[skippyNC]

Does one buy into DVC because it eventually saves money and is an economic decision? At what point does it make economic sense (e.g. how long and how often are vacations to WDW)? Are there other reasons? Besides just loving Disney, & the warm feeling of ownership, anything else?
I need some really good reasons that will help me convince my DH! We haven't been to the sales presentation, but might try to go to one next visit.

 

[spiceycat]

my results won't work for you - I brought when it was $52 a point and they were giving free tickets - so I got my money back within 4 years (I think a little less). Also there were no value resorts on WDW property.

at $84 a points - this would take much longer.

but yes on the years that I have owned DVC I think I have saved around 50 to 60%. (It would 70% to 80% - but I have just lately been able to stop buying an add on everytime they built a new DVC resort on WDW property) of course I would love a BCV add on - but my budget would not!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Hi, skippyNC. Yes, all the reasons you listed are important. One that you didn't mention is the great accommodations, which have full kitchens and living rooms (the 1 and 2 bedrooms).

I believe some folks here have reported breaking even in about seven years. Personally, I'm not sure I'll ever break even, as we just tend to add more trips!

Good luck......

 

[Disney Doll]

We bought a 200 point contract in 1997 at OKW. My DH figured it out, and in about 7 years, with what we would have spent on hotel rooms if we continued to go at least ince and usually twice per year, we would have broken even. Of course, if you pay off the loan early, you start to break even more quickly. We were just able to do that this year, so now we feel like it's a real bargain.

Basically, once you buy the points, you are buying vacation time at 2003 prices, which you will still be using in 2030, when everyone else in 2030 is paying 2030 prices.

The accomodations are superior(IMHO)to any deluxe on property that I have stayed in (all except Poly,GF, and Contemporary). Even a studio gives you all the amenities of a deluxe PLUS a kitchenette with a coffee maker, microwave, small fridge, and a toaster(I think...I'm not 100% sure about the toaster). If you are of a mind to eat breakfast sitting out on your lovely little balcony overlooking the beautiful Disney landscaping, the fact that you have the means to keep some food in your room is a savings on food. You don't have to rush out and pay $16.95 for the character breakfast buffet every morning. If you are in a 1BR or larger, you have a full,and I do mean full, size kitchen with all the major appliances. Now I am not one to be cooking and slaving away on vacation(heck! I don't do it at home...why would I do it on vacation??!!), but the ability to have light easy breakfast foods and snacks in the room, and even a few easy meals (mac and cheese or TV dinners) can be helpful in terms of savings.

We have never regretted our decision to purchase DVC, and just recently bought another contract.

 

[crisi]

Generally, you will save money if:

You stay at Deluxes
You go to Disney at least every other year
You don't go for long weekends (Friday and Saturday nights are expensive at DVC)
You aren't the type to search out the deal

You may save money if:

You go during hotel value season
You stay at moderates

You won't save money if:

You are just as happy offsite
DVC increases the number of trips you end up taking

DVC is a great way to go if you want onsite accomodations with multiple rooms and kitchen facilities at a nice resort. Your other options for "family" accomodations are to pay cash for DVC resorts (tends to be really pricey, although occationally deals are available), rent points from a DVC member, or book the cabins at Ft. Wilderness.

DVC doesn't tend to work well for people who travel on short notice (its possible, but not the best option).

 

[todsue99]

Skippy,

one of our reasons for joining is a little foolish, but it worked for me. I would never pay $400-$900(or what ever the cost is for a two bedroom) a night to stay in a hotel. I just asked my DW 'If you want to stay in high quality rooms you better buy'. We decided that we would like to stay in those rooms.

You can save a lot of money by cooking in the rooms. Almost ever breakfast and some lunches we eat there.

We bought 300 HH points and just added on 100 BCV. We have not been disappointed yet. If you can afford to do this and you would like to see Disney as much as possible(like the rest of us freaks) then DVC is right for you. You can do the cost and justify just as easily, but that is not how we looked at it.

Good Luck!

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

I like the fact that I always have a vacation to look forward to in the next 1 to 2 years. The more we go to WDW, the more we love it. When we first bought in '00, we expected that we'd eventually use points for a cruise, and potentially use the trade-out priviledges for vacations elsewhere. We are now on the verge of a second add-on, and just can't go to WDW enough.

Having our WDW vacations to look forward to has enhanced our quality of life to a degree. We find opportunities to relax together with family and make wonderful memories. When one trip ends we have the fun and excitement of planning for the next one.

By all means, attend a presentation and read any info you can find on DVC. Many people decide it isn't a sound decision for them, but many feel like they wish they'd done it sooner.

Check out this thread - "Profile of a DVCer". It is many pages long and will take you hours to read, but it will give you and your spouse a whole lot of insight into why people are happy with their decision to join:
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=241284&perpage=15&pagenumber=1

Have fun with your research!

 

[Lexxiefern]

I think eventually we will break even, but it won't be for a while. My DH said why buy when you find these great rates for the deluxe hotels? I told him that we were not guaranteed to find these great rates every year for every trip. With DVC, you pay the same for every trip (except you pay up front). For 150 points (the minimum) = $11,100 ( with magical beginnings) divided by 39 years = about $284 a year (if you don't finance). Dues are roughly $4/point so about $600/year. So total of $884/year and that gets us at least a week in a studio. A studio is comparable to a deluxe room and that would equal $126/night. That is much better than any code I would ever find! (these figures are rough, so take them as an outline)

Anyway that is what I told my DH and it worked. We however are at 300 points now, so be careful, it can be dangerous

My main motivation for buying DVC, even if we only break even, was to guarantee myself a trip (or two) to disney every year. I would have to BEG Dh to let us go. Now it's, which month do you prefer?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by Lexxiefern
...A studio is comparable to a deluxe room and that would equal $126/night. That is much better than any code I would ever find!...

Yes indeed. It should also be noted that price is TAX INCLUDED.

 

[disneymom99]

We bought because we love disney. We went in 1999 and stayed at FW in the cabins and loved it. We loved having a kitchen and separate bedroom and living room. With 2 DD we thought it was great. After going back to Disney in 2001, but staying offsite at Westgate, we realized how spoiled we were at Disney. It was then that we looked into buying into DVC. We figured that since we probably would go every 1 to 2 years, joining would save money in the long run (haven't calculated just how long). If you find yourself going to Disney often, and desiring deluxe accomodations with added ameneities, then purchasing DVC may be good for you. You also have to remember, that you can use your points places other than Disney. We'll be done paying it off in about 3.5 years. Only to probably add on as we have only 150 points right now.
We also like the fact that we are able to cook in our room. Since we are DVC'ers on a budget, this is a plus for us. We don't spend very much money on food in the resort or the parks (with the exception of 1 or 2 character breakfasts).
If you make taking a vacation a priority, like we do, DVC is a good way to go.

 

[ripleysmom]

Our decision wasn't economy driven so much as accommodation driven. I love having the room to spread out and really like having the kitchen, washer/dryer and jacuzzi which is available in a 1BR and higher.

 

[skippyNC]

Wow! Thanks for all the replies! I mentioned casually to DH last night that we should go check out the DVC in October when DD is on fall break. He said good idea! So now I can start planning a trip to the World. I had ordered a DVC video some time ago, but never received it. I'll keep reading these boards for information.
We like staying on-site and we like the deluxe resorts, and a kitchenette would be such a plus. Are W/Ds in each unit or in a common area?

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by skippyNC
...(snip).... Are W/Ds in each unit or in a common area?

Every 1, 2 and 3 bedroom unit has its own washer/dryer right in the unit. The studios do not have w/ds, but each DVC resort does have at least one laundry room. The washers & dryers in that room are free - but you do need to provide your own detergent and softening agents.

Good luck with your decison-making process.