this may be illogical, but...

[mtquinn]

Is DVC a good deal if you only go to WDW when there is some sort of special, or deal? For instance, we (family of four) are headed there this Aug. Four nights with free dining at the Coronado. I know, it's not the BLT or a deluxe, but it is a pretty nice hotel nonetheless. I sort of consider it to be a Deluxe among Mods!

Anyway, I spoke with a DVC agent who said if we bought in to the BLT we would only need 79 points for the hotel. Ok. Then I worked numbers for the DP and park tickets. It's almost $1500, and my package is a smidge over $1800.

So, I am wondering how the DVC makes sense for us? I am not sure it does,, which is fine. It's good to know for sure. But even when the loan is paid and all you are left with are dues and fees, is it really any savings once you factor in DP's and park tickets for a family of four? Hmmmmm.

Thoughts? I would love some input from the experts!

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

You need to do more homework, no offense but you are way off on how DVC works. 79 points will not even get you 1 night at BLT in some rooms.

 

[sweetdana]

So 1 DVC is not right for everyone, and it is cheaper for some.

If you worked out the SSR or OKW per night points and costs (resale being about 65$ SSR and a little less OKW) you would for sure be cheaper.
prob not a value, but a moderate.) (Resale would = about 6.50 - 7$ per point between MF and original costs) SSR a night is about 15 points or 105$ per night. then add in 104$ (2 adults and 2 kids dining) it is about 210 or so per night. Comparing to say 224$ a night (includ dining) at a mod it is pretty close. Changing to OKW you are probably closer to 190 a night. (includ est for dining.)

If you worked out costs of BC, or BLT you would well be cheaper than costs including all discounts compared to CR, Poly, or BC/YC.
IE BLT is about 18 points a night but cost of point (upfront being say 100$ and 6$ MF they will go up slowly) = about 8$ a point making the room about 152$ a night, adding dining it is still about 260$ a night. Still well below the current cost of over 300$ a night, includ. dining.

You are comparing the most expen. DVC with a moderate resort.
As well, ANY 1 bedroom over a studio it isn't even close.

If you would only ever stay at a moderate. DVC is not a value.

If you were considering the 1-bedroom units, sometimes or stay at BLT, or BC, then you are saving a ton of $$. Also there will not always be "specials". A while yes, forever nope.

 

[drusba]

No, in the long run if you are fine doing value resorts, or moderates when when there are discounts or special deals, then likely DVC will not end up saving you money.

 

[kristenrice]

Well, I think I figured out where the guide got the 79 points from...3 weeknights and 1 weekend night in a standard studio at BLT in August would be 79 points.

ITA with the previous posters that stated that if you generally stay in moderates or values using some sort of promo (free dining, 40% off, etc) then you will not save money using DVC. But, if you plan on travelling to WDW for the next 30-50 years, you would also need to count on those discounts being available. If those discounts were to shrink or disappear, would you still be willing to pay the rack rates for your vacation? For that matter, would you still vacation at WDW?

The big difference is that with DVC, you almost *have* to take the vacations. If you pay cash and only go when there are discounts available, then you can just walk away if there is nothing that is affordable.

 

[Mtnman44]

There are a lot of ways to vacation at WDW. There is nothing wrong with any approach if it is what works for your family's specific wants and needs.

Staying at the mods and values and using specials and deals is, for the most part, much cheaper than DVC - in my opinion.

However, there is other value that should enter the equation. Just one example, is the room type. You should seriously try out spending your vacation in a 1 br or 2 br villa and chances are you'll never look at that hotel room the same way again. This is especially true for longer trips with children. Once you experience that, you'll have to determine what $ that is worth.

 

[vicki_c]

If you were to purchase 79 points at BLT (if that was even possible) - it would cost $10,000 + annual maintenance fees for the next 40-50 years. Of course, you could use those 79 points every year for that time period as well.

So I'm a bit confused by what you wrote.

But I agree with others - if you are a family that goes only when there is a discount and stays at mods or values, I don't think you would find value in DVC.

 

[nunzia]

If you like to look for the deals and are only happy going when you find them, then no, DVC isn't for you IMO. DVC is good if you want to pre-pay for years and years of stays, stay in locations that can be as small as a studio or as large as a Grand Villa in a nice resort setting and like to plan way in advance. I like a deal as much as anyone else and am frugal in all ways except my DVC, and frankly I find it a relief to not constantly search deals and then when booked wonder if I missed a different, better deal...

 

[mtquinn]

You need to do more homework, no offense but you are way off on how DVC works. 79 points will not even get you 1 night at BLT in some rooms.

No offense taken! Here is the quote from my DVC rep:

Hey there - just an FYI that I called and checked avail for your dates in August and you would be able to get a Bay Lake Tower lake view studio for your dates - total points for those 4 nights (checking out the 27th) would be 79 points.

 

[vicki_c]

No offense taken! Here is the quote from my DVC rep:

Hey there - just an FYI that I called and checked avail for your dates in August and you would be able to get a Bay Lake Tower lake view studio for your dates - total points for those 4 nights (checking out the 27th) would be 79 points.

Your best deal would be head to the rent/trade board and find a member with the points you need - at the going rate of $10-ish per point, you could stay there for $800.

 

[mtquinn]

Yes, I see your point. I am not a Value hotel person. Really, I am a deluxe hotel/villa person stuck in the finances of a Mod!

Every time we plan a WDW vacation, we talk about upgrading to a Deluxe and back out because of price. Once, we splurged on the Poly and LOVED the location/amenities (not the decor. needs updating) but it was very nice.

We definitely have to think on DVC more. I do love the idea of being tied to Disney for decades. Heck, I've been going since childhood and now I have my kids attached.


The thought of cruises, DL, Hawaii, Alaskan cruise, etc is making my mouth water. Sigh.

 

[averysmom]

Yes, I see your point. I am not a Value hotel person. Really, I am a deluxe hotel/villa person stuck in the finances of a Mod!

Every time we plan a WDW vacation, we talk about upgrading to a Deluxe and back out because of price. Once, we splurged on the Poly and LOVED the location/amenities (not the decor. needs updating) but it was very nice.

We definitely have to think on DVC more. I do love the idea of being tied to Disney for decades. Heck, I've been going since childhood and now I have my kids attached.


The thought of cruises, DL, Hawaii, Alaskan cruise, etc is making my mouth water. Sigh.

I am still researching DVC - don't own yet - but the cruises are a shocking amount of points - for my family of four a 7 day cruise is like 700 plus points. Don't buy DVC to go on cruises - LOL!

 

[mtquinn]

Agreed! I figured that out immediately. We would do a cruise every so often. It's just not worth it to borrow all the time to cruise. We really want the DVC for trips to DL, Disney Hawaii (someday), Hilton Head, and places like that. I hear they even are a part of Hershey Park, which is in our area and we love it there as a short getaway.

Much to think about...

 

[Mtnman44]

DVC points should be used for DVC resort stays. Everything else really, really, reduces their value. All of the trading possibilities make for good marketing, that is about it. The fact that once in a while, or in a pinch, they can be used elsewhere is a plus, but I don't know of anyone that recommends a purchase decision based on planned trading of DVC points.

 

[Dean]

As noted, it's not one size fits all and it's a poor choice to buy for exchange options, esp DCL. IF you'll go routinely for many years then DVC may add value compared to moderates in that it will give you better and nicer options for around the same price over the long run but it will likely NOT save you money. If one can buy in without financing and the other criteria fit, it's a reasonable choice to buy DVC. However, as others have pointed out, it may be more expensive over the short run.

 

[Sandisw]

Yes, I see your point. I am not a Value hotel person. Really, I am a deluxe hotel/villa person stuck in the finances of a Mod!

Every time we plan a WDW vacation, we talk about upgrading to a Deluxe and back out because of price. Once, we splurged on the Poly and LOVED the location/amenities (not the decor. needs updating) but it was very nice.

We definitely have to think on DVC more. I do love the idea of being tied to Disney for decades. Heck, I've been going since childhood and now I have my kids attached.


The thought of cruises, DL, Hawaii, Alaskan cruise, etc is making my mouth water. Sigh.

If this is the case, then you may find that DVC will allow you to stay in those bigger rooms for affordable prices.

Right now, Disney is offering some great deals to cash guests. However, that has not always been the case and no one knows how long it will continue.

When we first started going to WDW in 1994, the only discount out there, for the most part, was AAA. The first time we ever got a decent discount was in 2001 when we got a buy 4, get 3 free deal.

One thing we love about being members is we no longer have to wait for those discounts. It is so nice to know that my (and my family's) room is paid for for the next 50 years.

Even though I did pay for all my points upfront and that money is no gone from my account, owning has helped to make my yearly vacation costs go down.

If you look at things from a long term perspective, I think that you will find that DVC can offer you some value. For us, we are still getting our typical 5 or 6 nights every summer but instead of being in one hotel room, I can stay in a 1 bedroom.

And, this summer, because we had extra points from our first year and when we bought, we will be in a 2 bedroom. It is allowing my DD's to bring friends with them this summer. If we did not own DVC, there would be no way this would have been a reality.

 

[ToddyLu]

I agree with Sandi and the other posters.

DH and I always did Values. One year we stayed at POFQ as a gift from my MIL. But we go to Disney EVERY year (since 2002) and plan to go for the next 50. I am now a Disney Lover and no longer need to do commando raids at the parks.

We can slow down, head back to a fine resort and relax. When staying at a Value, you aren't really relaxed in the room. You lay on the bed or sit in a small chair and do not have a couch in front of the TV. You pay for laundry and lug ice from the vending machine back to the room. After our eighth trip I started really finding out about DVC and putting a price tag on it. I mean how could we afford to do DVC on a nurse/fireman budget.

We were going to Disney regardless, we were going to spend over a week there every trip...regardless...we needed to eat and buy tickets anyway. It was just time to do it in a luxurious, comfortable way. We financed our points through Disney which causes much ******* on the DIS. But it was easy, affordable and the rooms we have had so far have all be studios with svanna views and we have taken family. This would have cost us $14,000cash. We could have never spent that. So Disney takes money out of our checking account each month for mortgage and MFs. After 10 years I will have my nice room for around $1100(of course these fees increase). THere is no penalty if we pay off the loan early.

Some people buy a boat, some an RV and some DVC.

 

[mtquinn]

Yes, I agree with everyone. It's so nice to have these boards where you can get different opinions, and truthful ones! Great way to make an informed decision.

I think we may go for it. It has to be financed, as I don't want to empty accounts. That may not be the ideal way, but it is the only way. I will be back to post our final decision, as I have to get my DH to commit.

 

[Mississippian]

Here are some thoughts:

1. You really ought to rent points and try staying at a DVC property. Since you are concerned about money, I would recommend OKW or, if you are willing to spend a little more, BWV, as I think these are your two best purchase options. Personally I have a very strong preference for BWV, but the points do cost more.

2. Be aware that you do not have to visit WDW every year. Many on these boards visit all the time, but with DVC it is possible to visit every two or three years by banking and borrowing. For example, if you purchase 50 points you can bank and borrow to use 150 points every three years.

3. When making your decision on whether or not to buy, do not plan on using your points for any other purpose other than staying at DVC resorts. Any other use, such as cruises, hotel stays or what-have-you is a terrible waste of points akin to burning money.

4. Do know that DVC members really do prepare meals at home. I suspect that virtually everyone has breakfast in the room, and most have one other meal at home. This means on a typical trip there is only one meal or on average maybe 1.5 meals per day eaten out. This is a really big savings. Plus lots of snacks and stuff can be kept in the room, so that a Coke costs 50 cents instead of $3, and so on.

5. I suspect that your were quoted 79 points for four days, one being a weekend. At OKW, four nights with one weekend in early August in a studio would be 60 points. Change that to four week nights and the price drops to 44 points. A 1 BR is exactly double that price. BWV isn't much more. So chances are you could get a 1 BR for about $900 on the rent board at either resort, or a studio for under $500, staying four week nights.

6. Do not consider the difference in contract expiration when making your decision. 2042 is more than 30 years away, and during that time you will be paying substantial dues and living with your resort. $250 worth of dissatisfaction annually, compounded, comes out to quite a sum on money. The value of 10 extra years 30 years in the future just isn't much, based on the time value of money. BUT, if you actually prefer a resort with longer years, fine.

Good luck!

Correction: BWV preferred view 1 BR for for four weeknights is 120 points, so rental would be about $1,200. If you could get a standard view, the costs would be about $960. That's based on $10 per point. So OKW is cheaper; you just don't get the location or entertainment options. You do get a lot more space.

 

[sssteele]

I don't know where you reside, but one other consideration would be the availability of two great beach resorts on the East Coast - Hilton Head in SC and Vero Beach in FL. We do not own points at either resort, but have been successful getting reservations (in studios) at the 7 month window. "Off season" point requirements for HHI are incredible (as low as 6 pts. per night) for a non-ocean swimming getaway.