Was anyone else on the fence...

[TheTXTaylors5]

We are firmly sitting on that DVC buying fence as we think we are 100% leaning one way and then swing the other direction the next day.

What was the deciding factor in your mind that led to you buying into DVC? Also, how did you determine how many points to buy in your initial allotment? Thanks everyone!

- Bill

 

[Deb & Bill]

DVC doesn't save you anything. It's just a prepaid vacation plan. And the prepaid part of it is getting rather expensive. We bought our first points for about $50 a point (less than half of what they are going for now) and we are starting to sell off some of our contracts (two in ROFR right now). I think the initial cost to buy in is just too high now, what with increasing dues and increasing travel costs and increasing ticket prices.

We have always gone twice or more frequently a year. This will be the first year in nearly 10 years that we are only going once.

With all the new construction, DVC will continue to sell out their resorts, but I think it will take a lot longer.

If you can find a member who will rent you the points to stay in a DVC resort, you will get the best of DVC without having to put all the money up. (where is that "biting my tongue" smiley?)

 

[starbox]

We had two deciding factors:

1. A promotion that allowed us to pay for DVC without noticing the payment in our previous budget.

2. A realization, during Spring Break, that I was going to have more vacation time and different vacation times than DH, and that I really, really, really wanted to go away when I had vacation time - even if it meant sometimes traveling alone with the kids. I would simply not be comfortable traveling alone outside of the all-inclusiveness of DVC (the convenience and security of staying at HHI and VB were HUGE in our decision).

 

[JenSop]

For us, it was coming to the realization that we wanted to make frequent WDW visits. (Although our version of "frequent" is different from others. To us it means a trip every other year, with the occasional two years in a row.) We also aren't crazy about the value resorts - in other words, unless someone was taking me for free or something, I would not want to ever stay in a value resort again.

I also liked the idea of being able to take family and be able to have the appropriate accomadations. DH and I are going with my parents and my grandmother next year and a 2BR villa is gonna be perfect for that. ANd my parents and GMom are really excited to experience Disney without kids. (They haven't gone since they took me when I was a kid.)

DH and I don't have kids yet, and we're crazy about WDW anyhow, but when we DO have kids, we'll always have a place to stay to take them on Disney vacations - same thing for when we become grandparents - we'll still have that Disney vacation. To me, that just makes me feel so good!

We bought in at 160 points (the minimum through Disney) because that's all we were able to do with our current budget. But I totally foresee getting some add-ons in a few years. I only wish we had done it earlier! (We honeymooned in Disney in 2001 and could've bought in then! oh well.)

 

[kikiq]

When we first considered DVC, it was just OKW. We didn't have the funds at the time and then life took over. Fast forward 13 years, and we spent our anniversary dinner at Disneyland and ended up talking with the DVC kiosk host for over an hour and booked a tour. I took the tour and since we were on our way to WDW the next week, I told our guide that I wanted to see the properties in person and talk with my dh while we were there.

While we were are WDW, we spent several afternoons visiting SSR and AKL. We realized that owning "a piece of magic" would ensure my dh would take a vacation every year somewhere. (He's a workaholic who loves disney) So for us, seeing the properties, points and $ off points plus knowing that this would being us back to WDW every other year with the extended family and every year with just our family. When we sat down with our guide, we talked about what kind of trips we would be making with who and 200 points does it for us...every year with our own family and if we bank points and borrow, we can take our extended family of 10 every other year.

And there is such an assortment of resorts that you can be immersed in Disney theming or not. We bought SSR because we have a choice of doing the parks, tennis, golf, spa, runninng/walking the resort, swimming or just sitting on our balcony looking at the ducks<G>. But if you want to be immersed, you can go to AKV or BWV.

A lot of people will tell you that trading out is not the best use of your points, however it is there for you to use if you want. After all, you use your points the way YOU want. We will be adding on GCV and Hawaii (even though we already have a family condo in Honolulu)

 

[mjy]

I sat on the fence for a while as well -- I think many DVC members will tell you the same thing.

I really like the concept but was not entirely able, at the time, to purchase. That was at OKW.

When I stayed at the Boardwalk later, I was really taken in with the place. And that was where they were selling at the time. I went to the presentation and found out how much the points were (which were much more than the original OKW points) and I thought to myself, "If I do not buy now, it will just be more expensive for when I do!"

One of the main reasons that I purchased -- aside from the prepaid vacation idea -- was to force myself to take a vacation on a regular basis. I'm one of these workaholic kind of people who tend not to take the time that I need. However, my sense of squeezing a penny is higher than my workaholism and I take the time so as not to lose out on the money that I have paid into my dues.

And the program has made it affordable for me to go to Disney regularly as well. Looking at rack rates for the rooms, I would not be able to go as much as I do. At least not at the types of resorts at which I like to stay.

Is it getting more expensive to go on vacation? Yes. With rising fuel costs, the airlines are certainly charging much more. However, I make sure that I look -- beginning quite early -- for the best price and then I pounce on it and lock it in. When I go down, I let the Magical Express pick me up and take me back to the airport. No rental car. Just remaining at Disney.

With the perk of getting an annual pass at $100 savings, I purchase one of those as well and make sure that I time my vacations so that I get three weeks out of one pass. Another way to pinch a few pennies, or, in this case, dollars.

I know the program is not for everyone. But it sure has worked -- and is working -- for me.

 

[Tinkerdreams]

The deciding factor for us is that we enjoy going to Florida, especially to WDW. Being able to get a villa that will accomodate 8 or 12 people enables us to include our family members who, like myself, cannot afford a yearly trip to the mouse with the way the room rates keep climbing. However, now they can!!!

We're also fortunate that if the cost of airfare goes out of control, we can still drive - its only approximately 20 hours - plus this would give us a car to use while we are there!!

The way I determined the points we bought into was to look at the point charts for all the DVC resorts and then decide what time of year we would be most interested in going, where we might like to stay and what accommodations we would get. From there I decided on 200 points. This will give us a minimum of 1 trip a year and hopefully more (depending on the family).

Good luck on your decision.

 

[veenstra56]

We are firmly sitting on that DVC buying fence as we think we are 100% leaning one way and then swing the other direction the next day.

What was the deciding factor in your mind that led to you buying into DVC? Also, how did you determine how many points to buy in your initial allotment? Thanks everyone!

- Bill

We were absolutely going back and forth for a few months before our purchase. In the end we just decided that a) we knew we'd be going to WDW (basically) every year anyway, b) we knew that we'd always want to stay at the deluxe resorts, and c) since we'd be there anyway and we'd want deluxe resorts, why not prepay our accomodations with DVC?

Everyone is different, but for us, we don't regret our decision one bit.

Good luck!

 

[nboicepardee]

Having to go to bed at 8pm once we started bringing our little ones! We toured at VWL in 2001 and decided it just wasn't in our budget. Then, in 2005, we took our first daughter when she was 21 months old. We stayed in a value (which I really didn't mind before having kids) and had to go to bed so early because we were sharing a bedroom. We decided that our idea of what a vacation is really changed. We wanted to put her to bed (even when we are on vacation, we try to keep to our kids' sleep schedules...makes everyones life more pleasant!), have a glass of wine, relax, chat. We also loved the idea of spending a few hours in the park each day and really enjoying our resort as well. We love the flexibility of the points system. We loved that so far DVC has not lost its value and as a matter of fact, its value continues to go up (just in case we decided to get rid of it at some point...don't see that happening! ). We originally bought 160 points at SSR (150 was minimum at the time, but we decided on 160 because of exchanging). We added on 50 at AKV because I am in love with this resort and I realized we would need more points once our girls are in school and we need to start going during school holidays. We love the idea of the 2 bedrooms, but know we won't always have enough points to get one, but we can do some of both (for example, we are staying 3 nights in a one bedroom and 5 nights in a two-bedroom for our upcoming trip in january). I am thrilled with our decision to buy. We varied where we stayed on our vacations, but generally stayed in a moderate or a value, so I am thrilled we will now be enjoying deluxe accomodations each time.

 

[wildernessDad]

For me it was the fact that I have been a life-long Disney fan (not of all of it, mind you). I was also away from it for a bit and needed vacations. We went to WDW at the suggestion of my DW and stayed at WL. Loved WL, went on the tour and I thought, "This is something that I need and can commit to." So we bought at VWL, even though we were shown SSR.

It doesn't really save one money. One spends money to go on vacations. But there is a savings over the years when compared to laying out cash every year for a vacation, if one is patient enough and fortunate enough to hold on to those points.

 

[starbox]

I forgot to answer about the number of points - we bought in conservatively @ 175 points - not the minimum, but the minimum I'd need to take the 3 vacations a year I wanted to take if I watched my travel dates (assuming I stayed in studios and did one trip at OKW where points were cheaper and got standard views).

We bought with the intention to add-on later - SSR was the only currrent resort announced or for sale (and I wanted a longer contract for the $$), but there were the ever present rumors that another DVC would be announced.

After a year of usage, we had stayed at all the DVC properties except BCV because I wanted to "try out" everything before deciding what to do about an add-on. I realized that the two resorts I was sort of thinking about add-on points at were actually not places I wanted to stay on a regular basis. I also realized that view meant more to me than I thought it would, and that I'd prefer not to stay at OKW annually to save points.

A one bedroom never tempted us because we have two opposite gender kids and it did not provide any more seperate sleeping accomodations for them than a studio - BUT with AKV and the sleeper chair, we knew we'd want at least 1-bedroom some of the time.

So - fast-forward a year and I feel like I was able to make a much more informed choice about how many points I needed and where I wanted them to be than I would have been at the initial buy-in. I am very, very glad we bought in with a conservative amount of points and added later.

BTW - our initial contract is at SSR and the add-on is at AKV and I would not have it any other way because SSR was a great deal w/incentives and the longer contract and it is SO MUCH CHEAPER in terms of monthly dues. It's also a really great resort that we enjoy very much. I am really glad I am not paying the AKV annual due/fee rates for all of my points.

 

[jarestel]

We were definitely "on the fence" for a while, but since we were visiting WDW on a fairly regular basis anyway, we decided to purchase the minimum (at the time) 150 pts and try it out. Worst case, we figured we could always sell if we weren't happy with DVC.

That was 7 years (and a few add-ons) ago and though I'm not one who believes DVC is perfect, it is still working satisfactorally for us. I will confess that we have tired of it a little bit and really don't see us owning until the very end of the contract, but for the near term we are happy enough with a trip or two every year.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Pakey]

The factor that pushed me off the fence was the idea that regardless of how old the children get, WDW still provides a vacation destination with enjoyment for everyone. DH and I have 3 sons (age 26 to 31). Buying DVC was with the intent that the entire family would use it. DH and I go once a year just the two of us and then we go once every other year and take the 3 DS's and their families. We've taken family vacations to other destinations but there is always someone in the group who can't find anything to enjoy (one doesn't like the beach, one doesn't like snow, etc). At WDW, everyone finds something while still being together.

For me personally, I would not have purchased DVC or the 2 addons we have done if financing would have been necessary. I do not see DVC as any kind of equity building investment; it's a vacation with prepaid lodging.

 

[drag n' fly]

This is our predicament. We are 100% sure we are buying. After doing tons of research we have finally decided on either SSR or AKV. Both resorts have pros and cons. Flights for the five of us is approx 2000 each time we come down and we are planning a once a year trip now. As our needs change the amount of trips we take may increase/decrease. The golden rule on the DIS board is buy where you want to stay. However in our case we also had to make an economic decision. Families of five are greatly ignored with exception of AKV. Everywhere else is more points, for more money, for more maintenance fees. The times we will be able to go for the next 6-10 years are during the higher seasons = more points. Our first choice is SSR, take the new incentives and rent out any remaining points we may not use. Or AKV where we can fit into a one bedroom villa, less points, less investment. We are doing the tour next month at DL. Dh wants to buy one 160 point contract at each resort but I do not want to put so much money out toward it yet. I would rather have addonitis than regretitis. I want to buy one 160 point contract at AKV and add on another 160 point contract in 2 years. We will make our final decision once down there.

 

[JsMom2]

Hi Bill,
A few things made me go for it:

1. (A big one), after I sold our house in the states, I invested some of the money and put 20K in a CD that renews every year, so so all of my funds weren't tied up in long term investments. So that means I can purchase my DVC without incurring any debt.

2. The length of the contract. In almost 50 years the cost of a vacation will be what 100 times more than now?? This way I've already prepaid for family vacations for not only Jasmine and me, but also her kids (even though that seems so far off.)

3. Even though I'm overseas now, I can use it the points in Japan and Europe next year, and hopefully Hong Kong in 2010.

4. I went for it now, vs later since I know I'll be able to use the extra Developers points within 12 months. And I'll save $500 in lodging by using some of my Developers points at WDW in Dec. Plus with the Visa promo, I'll get the 500 extra Rewards dollars in addition to the 230 I earned by using the card for the cost of the membership.

5. I was going to buy 160, but went for 225 so I could get the $10 off and the developers points.

6. I went for SSR because the price was lower than AKL, as are the annual dues. Plus I like the SSR location near DTD. I'd like to stay at all the resorts eventually, but I think longterm SSR offers a lot of options for different age groups.

7. When I did a final gut check, I honestly felt that I would regret it later if I didn't do it.


You probably have more flexibility as far as time is concerned, since you can drive to WDW anytime you want. Have you checked out the resale listings and compared the prices there to the DVC direct prices with the incentives?

Have fun checking out the property. When you're there, you'll figure out what's right!

 

[zalansky]

It took us years to decide. We toured in 2004 and bought a contract but got scared and cancelled it when we got home. But we live close by and go often since we have passes, and we like to stay over. Just because WDW is close doesn't mean its any less of a vacation for us. DVC was always in the back of my mind. We hopped off the fence because they offered a Friends & Family discount of 15% off back on early 2006 so we bought 200 SSR points then. Plus we had money to put down, so it made a difference. Our first trip home we knew we had made the right decision. But keep in mind like someone else said, you should consider it as pre-paying for vacations, because in my mind that is exactly what it is.

Be careful of add-onitis. It can happen really fast. We just added on another 100 points at AKV and we're thrilled. But I still want another 100 points at Beach Club.

 

[BigBahamaDada]

We are also in Texas, and were getting our amusement park fix by going to Sea World in San Antonio and Six Flags in Dallas. But when we did this, we routinely stayed a premium hotels -- Westin La Cantera and Hyatt Hill Country. We finally relalized we're staying in wonderful accomdations, only to end up enduring less than premium parks. With DVC you get both -- great hotels and the best parks. It's just a superior product.

As for savings -- we also had been doing a Disney cruise about every other year. We dropped the cruise habit, and picked up DVC in its place. So there's some cash back in my pocket right there.

 

[WDWLVR]

We were both life long Disney fans who love WDW and enjoy all the resorts but especially the deluxe ones (we honeymooned at the Grand Floridian). We were on the fence about DVC at first because of the dreaded "timeshare" name plus we didn't have the money for it. Fast foward a number of years. My Mom had passed away and left us her condo which we sold and paid off our house. We now had more disposable income. Went on a Disney cruise and one night while waiting to get into Disney Dreams talked to a family who owned DVC. Called and requested the book and video. A few months later while making a quick trip to WDW called the guide assigned to us and arranged for a tour and the paperwork to be ready. We were 99% certain we were going to buy at this point. Since it was a quick trip we stayed at All Stars which was nice but small. Took the tour and one look at the king size bed in the one bedroom, the full kitchen and the jacuzzi tub and I was ready to sign.

As for points - we bought 300 because we wanted to be able to get a one bedroom in any season including the weekend.

All that was back in early 2000 and I think it was one of the best decisions we ever made.

 

[ransom]

We went back and forth on buying into DVC. In the end, we saw that it was the least expensive way to have a long annual trip to WDW for many years to come. By our analysis, we should break even after seven years, and after that the cost of our rooms will simply be the annual maintenance fees. So, for us, it was the cost that was our deciding factor.

Note, however, that we plan to always stay in studios, since it's just DW and I. There wouldn't be any reason for us to buy in at the level of points required for a 1- or 2-bedroom unit.

As for the number of points we did buy, we simply looked at the charts, figured out the highest point-cost season we'd ever want to be there in, what our minimum number of nights we wanted to stay was, and bought our points accordingly.

The result is that we can stay in a studio for 8-10 nights (depending on "season") once a year. That's just what we wanted.

From there, it was just a matter of deciding on the best use year for us and waiting for the right contract to come up on the resale market. It just took a few weeks after making the decision for the contract to come up.

Good luck in making your own analysis and decision.

 

[Eddie]

Finally took the plunge this year and it just kind of made sense.

We have been going to WDW for 5 straight years. Did the tour in 2006 but declined. Went on 2 other long but expensive vactions in 2007 so went Value for our 2007 trip to WDW. While I believe you get great value for the value resorts I just don't want to stay in them again.

Factored in what kind of trips we plan to do in next 10 years with DD before college and it all made sense it will save a few $.

At that point we will decide if we want to keep it or not. Think in 10 years you would still get a pretty good return if we decide to sell but doubt we will. DW loves WDW and while I am not a huge fan I am a huge fan of all there restaurant and starting 2008 will start hitting the links. With the DVC discount that is a nice savings. Discounts on AP are an added bonus too.

The service is usually pretty great at the resorts and looking forward to our 1st DVC stay in April of 2008 after coming back form a DIS cruise.