Trying to decide if DVC is right for us....help please :o)

[Rachel77]

Hi Everyone,

I'm hoping to get some help and feedback to decide if DVC is the right way for us to go.

First, I should say that we are Disney fanatics, and go to Disney at least every other year, and we like to stay at the deluxe resorts. About once a year I always think that we should become DVC members but then I always get sticker shock when looking at the initial cost.

Here are my questions...

1. Does becoming a member of DVC take away your flexability? Because our kids are so young, I was thinking we would be buying into BLT due to the monorail and being so close to the MK. We stayed at the Poly last May and LOVED it, so I'm not sure if DVC would take away our chance of ever staying there again - it doesn't sound like DVC will be at the poly anytime soon - or if we would be real limited on when we would be able to go.

2. Do you miss not having mousekeeping every day?

3. Do you find any difference (I guess a negative difference) between staying at a DVC place vs. a regular room on site?

4. Is there any advantage/disadvantage with buying points in more than one place? It looks like right now it's just Saratoga, AK, and BLT that are open for buying points - even though I think we would want to most likely stay at BLT, would it be best to split up the 160 points between BLT and AK to be able to have the 11 month booking window at both?

5. any other advice at all for DVC?

Thanks for any help!! I just think at some point I need to make up my mind one way or another - LOL! We have stayed at deluxe resorts for the past 8 years, and part of me keeps on thinking that every year we do this is a year we could be DVC and getting close to the break even point, but I also worry about limiting myself to only DVC resorts and rooms. Whether we will be going to Disney and staying onsite isn't a question at all - just whether it is DVC or non DVC.

Thanks again!

 

[thepops]

Hi Everyone,

I'm hoping to get some help and feedback to decide if DVC is the right way for us to go.

First, I should say that we are Disney fanatics, and go to Disney at least every other year, and we like to stay at the deluxe resorts. About once a year I always think that we should become DVC members but then I always get sticker shock when looking at the initial cost.

Here are my questions...

1. Does becoming a member of DVC take away your flexability? Because our kids are so young, I was thinking we would be buying into BLT due to the monorail and being so close to the MK. We stayed at the Poly last May and LOVED it, so I'm not sure if DVC would take away our chance of ever staying there again - it doesn't sound like DVC will be at the poly anytime soon - or if we would be real limited on when we would be able to go.

2. Do you miss not having mousekeeping every day?

3. Do you find any difference (I guess a negative difference) between staying at a DVC place vs. a regular room on site?

4. Is there any advantage/disadvantage with buying points in more than one place? It looks like right now it's just Saratoga, AK, and BLT that are open for buying points - even though I think we would want to most likely stay at BLT, would it be best to split up the 160 points between BLT and AK to be able to have the 11 month booking window at both?

5. any other advice at all for DVC?

Thanks for any help!! I just think at some point I need to make up my mind one way or another - LOL! We have stayed at deluxe resorts for the past 8 years, and part of me keeps on thinking that every year we do this is a year we could be DVC and getting close to the break even point, but I also worry about limiting myself to only DVC resorts and rooms. Whether we will be going to Disney and staying onsite isn't a question at all - just whether it is DVC or non DVC.

Thanks again!

Rachel,
Maybe I can help with some of your questions...
1) Flexability... yes you can still use points to stay at the Poly, but it's not necessarily a good financial deal to do so. But you have the flexability to bank your points for that year into next year and pay cash like you do now, OR you could rent your points out for that year and use the cash to pay for your Poly stay. As for when DVC will come to the Poly, no one knows if or when.
2)Not at all. I like not having it more than miss it. It's just more relaxed and makes me feel like I'm home. (no maid coming in to make my bed, etc.
3) No negatives for me. DVC is much better than a regular room
4)if you split, yes you'll have the 11 month window at both, but only for those points at that resort. But if you flip flop between the 2 every other year, and use banking/borrowing you could have 160 points every other year at each resort.
5) DVC has gotten us lots of memories that we might not have if we hadn't done it. (and our girls are 24, 21 and 19) and we've only been members for 3 years. The "parents only" trips have been great!

 

[bom_noite]

Hi Everyone,

I'm hoping to get some help and feedback to decide if DVC is the right way for us to go.

First, I should say that we are Disney fanatics, and go to Disney at least every other year, and we like to stay at the deluxe resorts. About once a year I always think that we should become DVC members but then I always get sticker shock when looking at the initial cost.

Here are my questions...

Thanks again!

It sounds like you LOVE WDW and plan to go at least once a year! As a result - it seems to me that DVC is the place for you to be!

I think you will get many smart answers to your post - but - read my thread on being "geeked" on selling my points! One important thing is this: Buy at the resort you know you want to stay at!

1. Does becoming a member of DVC take away your flexability.....

Using your DVC membership you CAN stay at the Poly or at other WDW hotels using your points! But, People will tell you: This is not a wise way to use your points! And, I agree with that! They charge way too much in terms of points. Thus, you are better off financially doing a straight ressie.

I also think - but others can confirm: They routinely bump the number of pts needed to rent at these resorts. Not the same with DVC - the points are basically cemented where they are (not 100% true - they can change the rate of a BLT 2 Bedroom in Summer [for example] - but if that is done they need to lower another room during a different time period.)

Idea: If you plan 1 trip a year - and want to stay at BLT in odd years and Poly in even years - consider the following: Buy 1/2 the BLT points you need! Through Banking / Borrowing you will always have enough for your BLT stays.

2. Do you miss not having mousekeeping every day?

I am not a good one to answer this! I travel, for business, up to 230 days a year! Daily housekeeping is nice - but as a routine I shun housekeeping daily as I don't want strangers rummaging through my things in my absence! Any road warrior can tell you ton's of horror story's! Though - I have never heard of an issue with Mousekeeping!

As for my wife - she has never missed it! It is more like like living at home for a week. You pick up after yourself (understand that is a full time event with young ones) and there is no issue. Keep in mind that most of your time will be at the parks, shopping and/or eating and the amount of time you spend in your real home would be greater then your WDW home.


3. Do you find any difference (I guess a negative difference) between staying at a DVC place vs. a regular room on site?

Yes - the rooms are much nicer! Past that - the same WDW quality!

You may argue (negatively) that at many of the resorts (AK, BCV, BWV and even BLT) you are a good distance from the hotel "hub-bub". In fact - our first year at BCV it seemed like we had a 10 minute walk to the lobby!

The other negative: Friday and Saturday points are priced so much higher it is difficult to justify a hop-down weekend DVC getaway! DVC is much more conducive to be used Sunday to Thursday nights.....


4. Is there any advantage/disadvantage with buying points in more than one place?

I will defer to others - as we only own one contract. But - it is really important to buy where you want to be! WDW will sell you OKW or any other "closed" property if you tell them: "I want to buy there or nowhere!". They don't advertise this.

The other thing you should know: There is a thriving resale market in DVC! Look at the top of the DVC Op's board - one reputable company advertises there! Third party resales give you the exact same product over buying through a WDW guide - but - you save a TON and it will be easier for you to get multiple contracts!

That was the one thing I did not know going in I wish I had!

5. any other advice at all for DVC?

I have not updated my DVC Financial Impact statement in a few years. Thus, this is very rough:

We bought in '03.

We paid $84 a point for 150 BCV pts.
We are trying to sell those same pts and should get $84 a point for these pts now.

We have paid approximately $5000 in dues since '03! Keep in mind, a portion of those dues get written off schedule A.....
My family has stayed in DVC rooms approximately 50 nights (there were a few paid ressies - so lets call it 40 days in DVC) and the value of the rooms we have stayed in had a "Rack Rate" of about $25,000 - and that is on the conservative side.

Lets assume you will spend the next 8 years at BLT! Every year you go in value season! For 6 of the years you get 5 days in a 1 Bedroom (standard view). In two of those years you blow it out and stay in a Grand Villa. In 2010 prices the value of those rooms comes to about 30K.

Keep in mind: I quoted 2010 prices. I think WDW has been known to raise prices now and again....



We have been very, very lucky! And, if you do take the plunge I certainly hope you have the same luck!

 

[kerri0616]

I'm not an owner, but I think about it often. For those of us who like to stay at non-DVC resorts (and you can keep down your point usage) you can always do 5 days (Sun night thru Thursday night) at your fave DVC resort. Then move over to another resort (like Poly) for the weekend nights.

I realize some do not like split stays, but this way you get the best of both worlds...a visit to a favorite non-DVC resort, and you "spend" your points for the lesser expensive part of a week from your DVC allowance.

Kerri

 

[timandlesley]

1. Does becoming a member of DVC take away your flexability? Because our kids are so young, I was thinking we would be buying into BLT due to the monorail and being so close to the MK. We stayed at the Poly last May and LOVED it, so I'm not sure if DVC would take away our chance of ever staying there again - it doesn't sound like DVC will be at the poly anytime soon - or if we would be real limited on when we would be able to go. Not for us, we bought into Animal Kingdom Lodge and LOVE it and have stayed at Bay Lake Tower and are enjoying other trips we can plan. Just love all the different opportunities we have to try new resorts.

2. Do you miss not having mousekeeping every day? I will be honest, I REALLY thought that we would but we don't at all. WE find the times they do it are just when we need it and we honestly don't miss it at all.

3. Do you find any difference (I guess a negative difference) between staying at a DVC place vs. a regular room on site?
No, not at all actually. We still have amazing experiences and enjoy the resorts tremendously. Each resort has something unique to offer. WE do love AKL Jambo house because it is under the same roof as the rest of the hotel, we just love it there.
4. Is there any advantage/disadvantage with buying points in more than one place? It looks like right now it's just Saratoga, AK, and BLT that are open for buying points - even though I think we would want to most likely stay at BLT, would it be best to split up the 160 points between BLT and AK to be able to have the 11 month booking window at both? I think your idea of splitting it up sounds good.

5. any other advice at all for DVC?
We just love being DVC owners, our only regret is that we didn't do it sooner.

Thanks for any help!! I just think at some point I need to make up my mind one way or another - LOL! We have stayed at deluxe resorts for the past 8 years, and part of me keeps on thinking that every year we do this is a year we could be DVC and getting close to the break even point, but I also worry about limiting myself to only DVC resorts and rooms. Whether we will be going to Disney and staying onsite isn't a question at all - just whether it is DVC or non DVC.

Thanks again![/QUOTE]

 

[rentayenta]

Hi Everyone,

I'm hoping to get some help and feedback to decide if DVC is the right way for us to go.

First, I should say that we are Disney fanatics, and go to Disney at least every other year, and we like to stay at the deluxe resorts. About once a year I always think that we should become DVC members but then I always get sticker shock when looking at the initial cost.

Here are my questions...

1. Does becoming a member of DVC take away your flexability? Because our kids are so young, I was thinking we would be buying into BLT due to the monorail and being so close to the MK. We stayed at the Poly last May and LOVED it, so I'm not sure if DVC would take away our chance of ever staying there again - it doesn't sound like DVC will be at the poly anytime soon - or if we would be real limited on when we would be able to go.

There have been rumors that the Poly will add DVC but rumors are just that. I think all of the DVC resorts are every bit as cool as the Poly. As far as flexibility, how far in advance do you usually book?

2. Do you miss not having mousekeeping every day?

Not at all, in fact I prefer it. I hate having to pick up for Mousekeeping.

3. Do you find any difference (I guess a negative difference) between staying at a DVC place vs. a regular room on site?

On our last trip we stayed OKW Grand Villa, 2 bedroom AKV, and then 2 nights at the POR (this was the trip where we bought DVC, we were staying with friends). I cannot find even one negative difference.

4. Is there any advantage/disadvantage with buying points in more than one place? It looks like right now it's just Saratoga, AK, and BLT that are open for buying points - even though I think we would want to most likely stay at BLT, would it be best to split up the 160 points between BLT and AK to be able to have the 11 month booking window at both?

You can always buy resale if there is another resort you'd like to call "home".

5. any other advice at all for DVC?

Thanks for any help!! I just think at some point I need to make up my mind one way or another - LOL! We have stayed at deluxe resorts for the past 8 years, and part of me keeps on thinking that every year we do this is a year we could be DVC and getting close to the break even point, but I also worry about limiting myself to only DVC resorts and rooms. Whether we will be going to Disney and staying onsite isn't a question at all - just whether it is DVC or non DVC.

Thanks again!

Purchasing DVC has been one of the best things we have done for our family as far as vacationing goes. No more cramming 5 into ANY hotel room. We'll always have a full kitchen, washer/dryer, and room to move. My hubby and I just got back from Cabo, using DVC trading into RCI, and the resort was every bit as nice as the Disney resorts. We are taking the kids to Disneyland this June and staying in a 2 bedroom at the GCV. I am in the very early stages of planning a mega DVC trip in December 2011 for 16 days (SSR/THV). I cannot say enough good things about DVC.

 

[Sandisw]

With an every other year plan, owning at two resorts might be difficult in the sense that you can't combine the points until 7 months out. At 11 months you would have to book a split stay and then trade out at 7 to be all at one resort.

I know some that own at both using banking/borrowing to alternate each year, but not sure if that would work out as good for you since you won't be going yearly. Of course, owning DVC may change that!!!!

We love DVC and did not miss the mousekeeping at all last summer. We stayed in studios but did split stays so we had fresh towels every few days. We wanted to try out 3 of the resorts for our first stay and loved all of them (BWV, VWL, and BLT) but BLT remains our favorite (and our home).

As others have said, if you really want to stay at the Poly on occassion, you can. But the cost in points of a room there is about the same as a 1 or 2 bedroom in a DVC resort (depending on the season) and you have to pay a $95 exchange fee. However, they are your points and if that is what you want to do with them on occassion, then you can!

I will admit that the BLT studio was the smallest of the studios we stayed in and from now own, will get a 1 bedroom when we are there. Our plan is to do 3 nights in a studio somewhere (there are only 3 of us going now since two of the kids are college age) and then 3 nights in a 1 bedroom at BLT. It was okay last summer, but a bit tight. I am not sure I would spend a lot of nights there with 4, unless the children are little.

But, if you know you are considering going to WDW, at least every other year, and don't want to have to stress about waiting for those discounts (which are slowly going to go away, IMO), then DVC could very well be a great choice for you!

Good luck!!!

 

[Rachel77]

Thank you all so much for all the great feedback!!!

 

[robertdangelo]

If you like to try different resorts... you may want to consider resale. The Timeshare store is great... sponsor of this board... click on the link. They have alot of info on their site.
You can become members with as little as 25 points/year, however I would recommend 50 or 100/year depending on your vacation plans... time of year, size of accomodations. Through banking borrowing, you can go every other year with a small contract. Resale prices are $20-30/point less than Disney, depending on home resort. SSR is a good option as it runs till 2054 and are selling around $70./point.. Many older resorts go to 2042.
If you want the home(11 month) booking advantage at more than one resort, you could purchase two contracts... but get the same Use year. You can combine the points and book at 7 month out at other resorts as well.
We own at BCV, BLT and are currently adding on at SSR through resale.
Good luck!

 

[Minnie824]

1. Does becoming a member of DVC take away your flexability? Because our kids are so young, I was thinking we would be buying into BLT due to the monorail and being so close to the MK. We stayed at the Poly last May and LOVED it, so I'm not sure if DVC would take away our chance of ever staying there again - it doesn't sound like DVC will be at the poly anytime soon - or if we would be real limited on when we would be able to go.
No, not at all. We used to stay at the deluxe all the time, and did the club level too. We thought we would miss it but the extra space is SO nice. Our dds are 8 and 6 and we bought enough points to do 1 week at a 2 bedroom each year. Do we need a 2 bedroom? Nope, but them having their own bed and room is great! We own 2 resorts. We bought at AKV at first and a few months later bought a resale of BCV. That way, we alternate years and have double the points at each.

2. Do you miss not having mousekeeping every day?
Not at all. We're only in the room to sleep or rest so the beds don't really need to be made perfectly. And with the washer/dryer, I wash towels at night or when we leave if needed.

3. Do you find any difference (I guess a negative difference) between staying at a DVC place vs. a regular room on site?
No negatives here. We've stayed at SSR and AKV so far, and will be at BCV this summer. Its nice having the flexibility to stay at different places.

4. Is there any advantage/disadvantage with buying points in more than one place? It looks like right now it's just Saratoga, AK, and BLT that are open for buying points - even though I think we would want to most likely stay at BLT, would it be best to split up the 160 points between BLT and AK to be able to have the 11 month booking window at both?
I would look at resale of resorts too from timeshare store. We had a great experience with them and were able to get BCV quickly, which is what we really wanted since we love the pool and the epcot area. I like having 2 resorts because I feel we have even more options that way. Would love to have a third someday too..

5. any other advice at all for DVC?

Just wanted to point out...you can still stay at the regular disney resorts too. We recently had to change our trip around, and although it cost us more points, we're doing a split stay at BCV and at the YC club level. You can still use your points that way if you want. We've been really happy with our DVC purchase and wish we did it earlier. I can tell you we really will be saving money in the long run too.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Rachel77]

Well, we did it! We're now the proud owners of 160 points at BLT.

Thanks again all!

 

[Coconuts]

Congrats! I'm jealous; I am in the same spot you were in. I need to talk DH into it.

 

[robertdangelo]

Congrats & Welcome Home, Neighbor!