Trying to decide if we should join DVC

[nicolette18]

My husband and I go to disney atleast everyother year and now that we have a 4 month old it seems to me that we are better off being part of the DVC. However, I am having trouble getting my husband to agree. I need some help convincing him that this is the best thing to do! Any ideas or info that could help would be great.

Also if you have the number to get in touch with Susan Schell that would wonderful!

Thanks,
Nicole

 

[stacy6552]

We first looked into it in 2000, when point cost something like $65/point. We went 3 more times within 3 years before finally buying, when points were up to $89/pt.

Buy now.

 

[coasterbob]

My husband and I go to disney atleast everyother year and now that we have a 4 month old it seems to me that we are better off being part of the DVC. However, I am having trouble getting my husband to agree. I need some help convincing him that this is the best thing to do! Any ideas or info that could help would be great.

Also if you have the number to get in touch with Susan Schell that would wonderful!

Thanks,
Nicole

It is very difficult to "advise" someone making such a HUGE decision, but there is a wealth of info here on the boards that you can find. Ask specific questions, and they will be answered! There are many factors that enter such a decision but all of us here feel we made the "right" decision to own a "piece of the mouse"...... It has to "fit" into your personal situation, so do your homework and ask away!

good luck!

 

[Zoom]

Hi! I'm sure you know abt. their promo $86/pt. if you are referred by a member(i'll be happy to give you a referral). A lot of people say that it'll go up to $105/pt. by Mar. What state do you live in? I just bought mine few weeks ago directly at DVC offfice here in DL and they have good incentives I got a nice tote bag, hats, $50 disney giftcard and 2 premium annual passes that can be used either at DL or WDW.

Goodluck!!!

 

[nicolette18]

Hi! I'm sure you know abt. their promo $86/pt. if you are referred by a member(i'll be happy to give you a referral). A lot of people say that it'll go up to $105/pt. by Mar. What state do you live in? I just bought mine few weeks ago directly at DVC offfice here in DL and they have good incentives I got a nice tote bag, hats, $50 disney giftcard and 2 premium annual passes that can be used either at DL or WDW.

Goodluck!!!

I just recently heard about the promo, thats what really got me thinking. My husband and I have been talking about it for a few years now, but just haven't taken the plunge yet! Sounds like you got some nice perks for signing up!

How exactly does the whole annual fees work for the DVC?

 

[BlakeNJ]

I was just recently in the same boat as you. I was sure I wanted to join DVC but it was my Dh that needed the convincing. Do you have the DVC packet that included the dvd? If not, you can watch the dvd on your computer. Below is the link. You'll see it listed on the right hand side of the page.

http://dvc.disney.go.com/dvc/index

We watched it together and it made a big difference. More importantly, you need to be in the right financial frame of mind. It is a large purchase as I am sure you know so you want to make sure it's not something that could a financial strain on your budget. Although you will save money on your accomodations, there are still plane tickets, park tickets and food to buy--all of which needs to be accounted for when making your decision. If it's realistic that you will only go once every other year, then it might be wise to figure out exactly how many points you need and buy half of that amount--giving you the total you need every other year using the banking system. You may need less points than you think and can find a nice small resale contract. If plans change and you need more points, you can always buy more tickets via and "add on".

One thing I did do to help DH decide was make a spread sheet showing him different ways we could use our points. For example, booking a shorter trip in 07, banking a few points into the next year then getting a large villa in 08 to bring along family. To me, being able to treat "mom & dad" was important and I think it helped sell DH too. It also helps if your DH really enjoys Disney.

Like the above posters mentioned, the friends & family deal offered right now, but only until 1/20 is the best deal SSR has seen in a long time. Sure, there will be other incentives, but non better than $15 off per point--at least not in the near future.

Best of luck with your decision. You came to the right place to ask your questions. You will find veteran DVC owners with lots of helpful information--all of which you can take back to your DH to impress him with your knowledge!

Blakely

 

[nicolette18]

I was just reading that you can't use the points to stay at the acutal hotel but only the villas at the WL is that correct?

 

[Zoom]

I just recently heard about the promo, thats what really got me thinking. My husband and I have been talking about it for a few years now, but just haven't taken the plunge yet! Sounds like you got some nice perks for signing up!

How exactly does the whole annual fees work for the DVC?

annual fees are for maintenance, right now its $4.12/pt so it all depends on how much pts you'll buy, you divide the total to 12 mons to pay it monthly or pay the whole thing yearly(due every Jan).

 

[Granny]

My husband and I go to disney atleast everyother year and now that we have a 4 month old it seems to me that we are better off being part of the DVC. However, I am having trouble getting my husband to agree. I need some help convincing him that this is the best thing to do! Any ideas or info that could help would be great.

I agree that this is a joint decision, and should not require "convincing". It does, however, require doing your homework so you understand what DVC can do for you (and importantly, what it cannot).

I see that your last couple of trips have been to deluxe resorts, so I would think that DVC would compare favorably for you on a financial side. At least for a few trips, you would certainly be comfortable in a studio. As your child (and possibly family) grows, you may want to move up to a 1BR or larger at some point. The good news is that you can start with enough points now for the smaller accommodation and add on points later on if you think you need a larger one or want to go more often.

Good luck to you and your husband in this decision process. DVC works very well for many thousands of people, but you need to understand it thoroughly before taking the plunge.

Yes, there are nice perks like the $100 discount on annual passes. But perks can come and go, and you shouldn't base your decision on them. At its heart, DVC is a way to vacation at WDW in upgraded accommodations at an affordable rate. If that works for you, everything else is just gravy!

 

[Sammie]

I was just reading that you can't use the points to stay at the acutal hotel but only the villas at the WL is that correct?

True, same with Beach Club and Boardwalk.

 

[byoung]

We first looked into it in 2000, when point cost something like $65/point. We went 3 more times within 3 years before finally buying, when points were up to $89/pt.

Buy now.

Don't you regret not buying earlier?

 

[disneystick]

Before we bought into DVC we went to DW every other year. Not that we could afford the cost of DVC up front...had to finance and 2 more years and it will be paid off. However, we have been owners since 2003 and would do it again. Our normal vacation in the past, when we went all out would have just been staying at DW Value resorts and now with DVC we are staying in $500-$800.00 a night rooms if we choose. No way could we have done the $500-800 price range without DVC. Our previous trips thru DVC have included a cruise to Alaska, Disneyland Hotel, Grand California at DisneyLand and of course POFQ and BCV at DisneyWorld. We also like the fact that we could go to other vacation destinations on a daily or weekly bases and not have to go to DL or DW all the time and the flexible dates that DVC allows us, unlike other timeshare. But in order to get your money's worth...you do need to use the points.

Also, remember the cost factor needs to include the yearly maintance dues which could cost around $500 and up depending on how many pts you buy. DVC is not cheap, but for us it is like taking $200.00 out a month and setting it aside for our yearly vacation. I know, $2400 a year is a great vacation stash...but if I had to pay for my hotel room with my own cash, it would still be at the value resort. Basically with DVC, our Quality of vacation have change for the better and boy are we delighted!!! Good luck with your decision.

 

[Lenc324]

I couldn't convince my husband at the time to buy in 1997, so when I got divorced I bought on my own...Glad I did

 

[rahrah]

If you continue to go every other year, you will be wondering what to do with your points. 300 points every two years will get you into a 1 bedroom with points left over.

Are you prepared to go to Disney more frequently?

The other route is to use 160 pts every other year to trade into another timeshare somewhere else. However, common wisdom says that frequent trading of timeshares through II is not cost effective. I have not tried it, so I really cannot say.

 

[eliza61]

My husband and I go to disney atleast everyother year and now that we have a 4 month old it seems to me that we are better off being part of the DVC. However, I am having trouble getting my husband to agree. I need some help convincing him that this is the best thing to do! Any ideas or info that could help would be great.

Also if you have the number to get in touch with Susan Schell that would wonderful!

Thanks,
Nicole

Welcome to the Dis, Nicole.
For my DH & I it was not so much convincing but more like anxiety. We thought about it for 2 full years before making the plunge. After all it was a huge out lay of cash (or in our case, a loan). Our major arguement for purchasing was that we go to Disney at least once every other year (now its averaging every 16 months), we always stay Deluxe and we were staying 7-14 nights when we went. We couldn't see that changing in the forseeable future so purchasing was a good choice for us. We have never regretted the purchase.

Good luck and welcome home!

 

[eliza61]

My husband and I go to disney atleast everyother year and now that we have a 4 month old it seems to me that we are better off being part of the DVC. However, I am having trouble getting my husband to agree. I need some help convincing him that this is the best thing to do! Any ideas or info that could help would be great.

Also if you have the number to get in touch with Susan Schell that would wonderful!

Thanks,
Nicole

Welcome to the Dis, Nicole.
For my DH & I it was not so much convincing but more like anxiety. We had heard so many time share horror stories before that we were very scared of making a huge mistake. We thought about it for 2 full years before making the plunge. After all it was a huge out lay of cash (or in our case, a loan). Our major arguement for purchasing was that we go to Disney at least once every other year (now its averaging every 16 months), we always stay Deluxe and we were staying 7-14 nights when we went. We couldn't see that changing in the forseeable future so purchasing was a good choice for us. We have never regretted the purchase.

Good luck and welcome home!

 

[starwood]

What convinced my DH was when he realized he could always sell the points and get back a big portion of what we put into it. We only bought 100 points resale and when we got back from our first DVC trip he said we needed more points. We bought another 35. After several years of using a few points and banking the rest - this year we are going for a week in April and staying in a 1 bedroom at OKW. I use the Disney Visa card and put the reward points toward our dues. This year I only had to pay out of pocket $276 for dues. The going rate for a 1 bedroom at OKW is around $400 a night.

 

[nicolette18]

Thanks for all the help, DH and I will still be doing some research.

 

[Zoom]

I use the Disney Visa card and put the reward points toward our dues. This year I only had to pay out of pocket $276 for dues.

Hi! I have a disney visa card too, so you mean i can pay my monthly annual dues using the reward points? How? pls. let me know thanks

 

[starwood]

Hi! I have a disney visa card too, so you mean i can pay my monthly annual dues using the reward points? How? pls. let me know thanks

When I got my bill (I pay my dues once a year) I called MS and told them I wanted to pay part with the Disney Rewards card. I told them how much I had on the card. They processed it and then told me how much was left. I put that on the Disney Visa (more points!). This was the 2nd year I had done this.