To Those DVC Naysayers....

[sz9144]

over on the other non-dvc boards nonmembers are also complaining that DVC may seem like a good deal to buy into, but then those nasty sneaky maintenance fees get ya!

well, I just got my first bill for my annual dues, and for those naysayers I have this to say:

my 150 SSR points were a "whopping" $588 for the year

and my 65 VWL points were a "staggering" $257 for the year-

gee hope I can still pay my mortgage after paying those "outrageous" maintenance fees

 

[boatboatboat]

they are the same people who will flock to rent your points and give you a low ball offer.

 

[simzac]

Yes, outrageous. We spent $933 for 2 rooms for 7 nights at POP this past January, and that was with a 20% AAA discount. I guess I will just have to suffer with my $646 maint fees at OKW for this year. Darn.

 

[Boston5602]

As a new owner I'll be glad to share in all the suffering too.










.

 

[Disney Anna]

But don't you also have to calculate how much you had to pay to buy into the DVC to start with? It seems to me that it would take years to financially break even.

Am I missing something? I have been thinking about buying into DVC, but financially, it just doesn't seem the best choice. To pay $13,000 to buy in then pay hundreds each year in maintenance on top of that. I'm not trying to be contrary, just trying to learn. Please enlighten.

 

[PHILCT]

The maintenance fees are way more expensive than the competition.

Yet you are onsite at Disney.

There are pros and cons.

Today I got a new offer that would give me free annual passes if I bought 130 points or more. (600 dollars about in future maintenance additional costs, making my yearly maintenance costs zoom to over $2000)

For 75 point they will give you a 2 day Disney ticket.

I have friends who own at one of the Marriot Resorts, that I must compare when I am down in May. I now need to see what the competition looks and feels like, and compare their costs and fees.

I have been surprised to see the points renting prices coming down from a couple years ago, 10 doesn't seem to be that uncommon anymore.

I am not sure why the point value of 12 dollars or more is not occuring always?

Is it the huge number of DVC owners that has driven down points rental?

Seems now like a renters buying market and not a renters selling market.

 

[Bill K]

I think we have been infiltrated!

 

[abner1776]

Yes the initial purchase price does add about $2.25 to the overall cost per point, which when added to the maint fee of say $4.50 comes to around $6.75 total cost per point( forget about the present value of money and all that jazz). A two bedroom villa can cost around 40 points on average(weekday) which is $270. I think you would be hard pressed to be able to make a cash reservation at any Disney on-site property for a two bedroom suite for $270 a night especially a deluxe property...you would be paying at least double the $270 and most likely more.
Is Marriott a better deal ? all depends on what you are looking for. If you are simply looking for a warm place to visit with nice facilities and such, then Marriott is probably your best deal, but most DVC'ers and visitors to WDW are looking for something more than a warm climate and nice facilities...it's that "intangible" that you will not find anywhere else. Everyone has to value that "intangible" themselves....no one else can set that value for you.

 

[wdw1972]

But don't you also have to calculate how much you had to pay to buy into the DVC to start with? It seems to me that it would take years to financially break even.

Am I missing something? I have been thinking about buying into DVC, but financially, it just doesn't seem the best choice. To pay $13,000 to buy in then pay hundreds each year in maintenance on top of that. I'm not trying to be contrary, just trying to learn. Please enlighten.

What you're missing is the fact that once you've broken even on your intitial purchase (plus dues for those years), then your future stays will be for just the cost of your maintenance fees. Currently the break even point is less than 10 years - and since the membership is over 45 years still, that's 35 years of staying for next to nothing. Many of us have already broken even - so for us DVC is an incredible value.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I am wondering if the thread the OP mentions is the one over on the Budget Board. Many posters over there are going to look at DVC in a completely different light. I am not knocking that board, just saying that many of the people over there look at money totally different than many others (like me). They'll die with way more assets than I will, I admit it! In fact many people on that board, don't go to Disney at all, they are just on that board for general money saving tips and info. I posted on a "to DVC or not to DVC" thread over there and then just gave up because I realized what I feel about DVC and my investment could never be explained to make any kind of financial sense to some of those posters. For me and my family we realized last January that WDW was our vacation of choice and that we might as well buy into it, stay in accomodations that are unbeatable and figure that our DVC purchase was an investment of family time not a financial one. And yes dues will go up over time but not as much as the cost of staying at a value, moderate or deluxe.

 

[Dean]

over on the other non-dvc boards nonmembers are also complaining that DVC may seem like a good deal to buy into, but then those nasty sneaky maintenance fees get ya!

well, I just got my first bill for my annual dues, and for those naysayers I have this to say:

my 150 SSR points were a "whopping" $588 for the year

and my 65 VWL points were a "staggering" $257 for the year-

gee hope I can still pay my mortgage after paying those "outrageous" maintenance fees

DVC is still a very expensive timeshare. I could pay almost 2 years worth of fees at many of my other timeshares for $650 a year. And I could trade in to DVC for a large part of the year for a 1 BR for a total cost, including prorated purchase price, for a TOTAL yearly cost less than your dues. I suspect your point is that is not a lot of money but I think most people would disagree and I would be one of them.

 

[Amy&Dan]

DVC is still a very expensive timeshare. I could pay almost 2 years worth of fees at many of my other timeshares for $650 a year. And I could trade in to DVC for a large part of the year for a 1 BR for a total cost, including prorated purchase price, for a TOTAL yearly cost less than your dues. I suspect your point is that is not a lot of money but I think most people would disagree and I would be one of them.

I see your point. However, what isn't more expensive at WDW? You can stay at Pop Century for $99 a night or you can stay in the same type of motel type room for $49 a night offsite. Nobody on the DVC board will probably say DVC isn't a very expensive timeshare compared to other ones. I think the point being made is that if you like to stay onsite and consider onsite properties as much of a destination as the parks then DVC makes sense. I looked into other timeshares, they were way cheaper but to me they coudn't compare and wouldn't have offered my family what we were looking for in a timeshare. And I find the flexibility of DVC to be a major selling point. Everything mildly associated with WDW is a lot of money, why would DVC be any different? I think the point that the OP was making is that the cost of those annual dues will be a small price to pay to stay onsite at a DVC resort for the many years after the purchase price is paid off.

 

[popsmensahbonsu]

over on the other non-dvc boards nonmembers are also complaining that DVC may seem like a good deal to buy into, but then those nasty sneaky maintenance fees get ya!

well, I just got my first bill for my annual dues, and for those naysayers I have this to say:

my 150 SSR points were a "whopping" $588 for the year

and my 65 VWL points were a "staggering" $257 for the year-

gee hope I can still pay my mortgage after paying those "outrageous" maintenance fees

I find those maintenance fees rather high when compared to other timeshares. Those $845 dollars in dues couldn't even get you a 1 bedroom for a week. You don't have enough points. I can get a one bedroom at a top Marriott property for slightly more than your dues for a week. Guess what this is with no buy in and I get my Marriott Reward points as well.

DVC is a great program but please don't act like it is cheap. Those "others" on the other boards have it right. It is far cheaper to rent than to own. They could rent your points for $2115 based on the going rate of $10/pp. Difference here is $1270. At $1270 dollars in the plus, it takes a long time to cover that buy in money. During that time the buy in money would be earning interest. Renters aren't all that off. What exactly is the point with your post? How is adding to this forum?

 

[Dean]

I see your point. However, what isn't more expensive at WDW? You can stay at Pop Century for $99 a night or you can stay in the same type of motel type room for $49 a night offsite. Nobody on the DVC board will probably say DVC isn't a very expensive timeshare compared to other ones. I think the point being made is that if you like to stay onsite and consider onsite properties as much of a destination as the parks then DVC makes sense. I looked into other timeshares, they were way cheaper but to me they coudn't compare and wouldn't have offered my family what we were looking for in a timeshare. And I find the flexibility of DVC to be a major selling point. Everything mildly associated with WDW is a lot of money, why would DVC be any different? I think the point that the OP was making is that the cost of those annual dues will be a small price to pay to stay onsite at a DVC resort for the many years after the purchase price is paid off.

It depends. DVC only makes sense financially if you use it correctly at DVC resorts. If you do so, it's easy to make a case though the question still is whether it's better and cheaper to buy or rent. As for being better than off property, that also depends. Some people actually prefer off property. Some people think some of the off property places are nicer. Some say if you're going to drive, as we usually do, it doesn't matter. As for the value of staying on property, part of my post was to make the point that one could many times stay on property using off property timeshares for a fraction of the cost. I am a DVC member and currently own 555 points down from a high of 885 points. In reviewing my II account I find 13 exchanges into DVC. Most in 1 BR and a couple for 2 BR and none for a studio. OKW, BwV and SSR are the resorts though I've seen others just not that worked out for me. My average total costs around $600-700 per week inclusive of yearly fees, prorated purchase amount and all exchange fees. And I feel I can get into DVC at one resort or another for a 1 BR or larger for about a full 6-7 months out of the year.

And many off site timeshares are a FAR better option for trading than is DVC even ignoring the costs.

 

[popsmensahbonsu]

It depends. DVC only makes sense financially if you use it correctly at DVC resorts. If you do so, it's easy to make a case though the question still is whether it's better and cheaper to buy or rent. As for being better than off property, that also depends. Some people actually prefer off property. Some people think some of the off property places are nicer. Some say if you're going to drive, as we usually do, it doesn't matter. As for the value of staying on property, part of my post was to make the point that one could many times stay on property using off property timeshares for a fraction of the cost. I am a DVC member and currently own 555 points down from a high of 885 points. In reviewing my II account I find 13 exchanges into DVC. Most in 1 BR and a couple for 2 BR and none for a studio. OKW, BwV and SSR are the resorts though I've seen others just not that worked out for me. My average total costs around $600-700 per week inclusive of yearly fees, prorated purchase amount and all exchange fees. And I feel I can get into DVC at one resort or another for a 1 BR or larger for about a full 6-7 months out of the year.

And many off site timeshares are a FAR better option for trading than is DVC even ignoring the costs.

I agree 100% with this guys post.

 

[Amy&Dan]

It depends. DVC only makes sense financially if you use it correctly at DVC resorts. If you do so, it's easy to make a case though the question still is whether it's better and cheaper to buy or rent. As for being better than off property, that also depends. Some people actually prefer off property. Some people think some of the off property places are nicer. Some say if you're going to drive, as we usually do, it doesn't matter. As for the value of staying on property, part of my post was to make the point that one could many times stay on property using off property timeshares for a fraction of the cost. I am a DVC member and currently own 555 points down from a high of 885 points. In reviewing my II account I find 13 exchanges into DVC. Most in 1 BR and a couple for 2 BR and none for a studio. OKW, BwV and SSR are the resorts though I've seen others just not that worked out for me. My average total costs around $600-700 per week inclusive of yearly fees, prorated purchase amount and all exchange fees. And I feel I can get into DVC at one resort or another for a 1 BR or larger for about a full 6-7 months out of the year.

And many off site timeshares are a FAR better option for trading than is DVC even ignoring the costs.

I agree with what you are saying, I am merely saying that since I never intend to use my DVC for anything other than staying at a DVC property during off season it was a good purchase. So for me it made sense. I do sometimes think, maybe we should have just not bought 400 points but rented. But I liked the fact that I was locked into the pricing, renting is too risky for my anal self! I have no desire to rent to or from anybody. It made sense for my family as an investment into something we love. But financially its stupid like all vacation related purchases! But I love being stupid. I also have a lot of friends who own various timeshares and each one of them complains constantly. The two people I know/knew who owned DVC and counseled me into whether it made sense to buy or not seemed very satisfied and happy with their decision.

 

[Dean]

I agree with what you are saying, I am merely saying that since I never intend to use my DVC for anything other than staying at a DVC property during off season it was a good purchase. So for me it made sense. I do sometimes think, maybe we should have just not bought 400 points but rented. But I liked the fact that I was locked into the pricing, renting is too risky for my anal self! I have no desire to rent to or from anybody. It made sense for my family as an investment into something we love. But financially its stupid like all vacation related purchases! But I love being stupid. I also have a lot of friends who own various timeshares and each one of them complains constantly. The two people I know/knew who owned DVC and counseled me into whether it made sense to buy or not seemed very satisfied and happy with their decision.

I've always said that DVC makes sense for DVC stays assuming one doesn't go heavy on weekends. But even for those that do all their vacations at WDW on property, DVC isn't right for all of them. In the last 6 months I've had 3 stays and only one night on points and that was to add one weekday night at OKW to a stay booked non DVC. This has been a combo of cash, a free 2 night stay at OKW as compensation for a problem 10 years ago and II exchanges. This single night on points may have been the only night I have personally stayed at a DVC resort on points since 1999 though other members of my family have gone, namely my son, friends and chaperone's as a grad present. And after a large trip this Dec, I have every expectation of selling all of my points though I will likely buy a small add on to keep my hand in and access to the perks.

 

[PinkTink63]

DVC is still a very expensive timeshare. I could pay almost 2 years worth of fees at many of my other timeshares for $650 a year. And I could trade in to DVC for a large part of the year for a 1 BR for a total cost, including prorated purchase price, for a TOTAL yearly cost less than your dues. I suspect your point is that is not a lot of money but I think most people would disagree and I would be one of them.

Hey Dean,
Would you mind telling me what other timeshares you own that you can trade into DVC?
Thanks!

Steph

 

[Dean]

Hey Dean,
Would you mind telling me what other timeshares you own that you can trade into DVC?
Thanks!

Steph

Contrary to popular belief, DVC is not hard to trade into for certain times of the year. While I own Marriott's, I almost always trade my Aruba units and MX points. All the trades I mentioned above fit that scenario. I am in the process of converting my Aruba units to Bluegreen points so will likely have less weeks to do so in the future. And this last couple of years and next year or 2 is a time when we were concentrating on DVC after taking somewhat of a break for a while. The specific resorts really aren't important to the issue. The issue is whether one can have enough trade power to trade in at all and when are the units routinely available. I search II essentially every day and have for years. Thus I see a lot of what hits online. I also see variations between the weeks I use to search with and different unit sizes. The way II works, this is likely just a subset of the units actually deposited. ASAMOF, I just got a 2 BR for the week prior to xmas for a 1 BR deposit from Aruba for a week we are having a large family gathering anyway. That likely means we'll rent out something we already had reserved, but we shall see.

I don't mind giving the resort names but am hesitant to as I fear some will assume those are the resorts one should buy if they want to trade or even trade in. But the resorts that I own may not be right for you and vice versa. If you want the specific resorts just PM or email me and I'll tell you, same for anyone else that is curious.

 

[pogopossum]

my experience is that after four dvc resort stays and four cruises, two stays at big cedar lodge in missouri, and a stay in chicago we broke even somewhere between 5 - 6 years in and even at $1800 for the year in dues we are doing dvc 2 br for 15 nights this year and still have points to bank to next year. so my experience is that it is still a pretty good deal to own dvc.