Trying to understand DVC and..

[cassie]

I'd like to know if being a member entitles a discount on the PH tickets. I'm basically not interested in LOS or the Plus.

Also, what determines the use year? Is it when you buy in, or can you pick your own month?

 

[Richyams]

The only discount we get is on LOS passes. I think its absurd.

Use year is generally one to six months before you purchase or your existing use month if you are already an owner. You can ask for a use year, they may or may not have it available.

Use year is really of minimal importance. It simply has to di with canceling

 

[Dean]

Besides not getting any discounts except UPH (LOS), even if we did it would not be guaranteed to continue. If you decide to buy DVC, which I assume is why you're asking, then buy to use the DVC resorts. The other options are just convenience options that have no real monetary value. That includes the other WDW resorts, DCL, exchanges, discounts, pool hopping, etc. They are all things that could go away tomorrow.

Like Rich, I feel we should get more than what we do but it's beyond our control. All we can do is vote with our fee, for me that means avoiding the options.

 

[cassie]

Thanks for the info. I received my packet yesterday, and I'm extremely interested. Am I out of the loop, but are the dues rather on the high side?

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by cassie
Thanks for the info. I received my packet yesterday, and I'm extremely interested. Am I out of the loop, but are the dues rather on the high side?

The dues are somewhat high for a timeshare. That's one of the reason the other options outside DVC aren't a good deal. Still, if you use it correctly and plan on staying at DVC resorts, the price is worth it. The flexibility makes up for the high cost for most of us.

 

[cassie]

Yes Dean, the price is well worth it. I could kick myself for not looking into this last May when I was there and I could've taken a tour. My son lives in Altamonte Springs and should I visit him over the holidays I'll be sure to check this out in person. He doesn't get it (Disney), but every year when I go down he'll spend a few days with me at the resort.

 

[Granny]

I'm not as familiar with the dues at DVC being on the high side, but I am impressed with the ongoing renovations and refurbishing on the DVC resorts.

For instance, BWV is getting a pretty major refurbishing for the past several (and next several) months. And that resort is how old....7 years?

By law, DVD cannot make a profit on dues. So if the dues are somewhat high, I justify in my mind that they will maintain first class accommodations for the next 40 years.

 

[anniet]

My Dad owned a timeshare in Bermuda for 20 years and his dues were higher than mine (I only bought 150 points) but do you want to know what was upgraded over those 20 years for his dues.....NOTHING, by the time he let it run out (1 year before it would have ended anyway) they were refurbishing timeshare units that had expired for the first time in 20 years, and making them into CONDOS.

By the way, everything Dean explained, about purchasing DVC for the accomodations and not the perks- they make you sign a paper stating all that.

I purchase the Disney Club card for $30 every year. We save money on passes, but we save more on the rent-a-car and also get a discount at our local Disney Store and Downtown Disney, so I figure it pays for itself and a little bit more.

 

[Dean]

DVC maint fees are around $900-1350 for the equivalent of a 2 BR. My ocean front Marriott on HH is about half that. In comparison, they both serve their purpose in our vacations. DVC is more expensive but more flexible. Marriott puts me OceanFront in a 2 BR during peak times. My Oceanfront Puerto Vallarta resort costs me about $260 per year for the points equivilent to a 1 BR every year or a 3 BR EOY. I'd say it's about equivilent to 220-230 points per year at DVC. We'll be there for 9 days next year in a 1800 sq ft 3 BR oceanfront unit with a jacuzzi on the balcony using 2 years worth of points. Also with daily maid service.

 

[Shontell_Crawford]

Dean said it best, I must say.

DVC is a great buy if you use it at the DVC resorts, but for trading, an alternative timeshare is usually a better value in my opinion. Let me know if I can answer any specific questions for you.

Shontell