What am I missing here?

[Page4]

I recently sat in on a DVC meeting on a Disney cruise. The option I was presented with was 320 points a year. That's not quite enough to repeat the cruise I was on once yearly. The cost over 10 years (if I financed) with the other fees was around $60,000.00. I only spent $2600.00 on the cruise (x 10 = 26,000.00).
I know it pays off after you own it out right but It still doesn't seem to pan out.
Any suggestions on this??

 

[LWQuestie]

DVC is best used for the DVC resorts, rather than for cruising.

 

[Page4]

Do you get more dollar value for your points if used on resorts? This probably just isnt for me. I get the FL resident specials when they come up and I actually like staying at the Disney value resorts (Pop Century, etc).
I'm just trying to maximize the money I spend on Disney over the years.

 

[Pakey]

Yes dollar value is best used at DVC resorts. Also, you have to keep in mind that the points needed for a cruise in 2010 won't be the same number of points needed for exact same cruise in 2011; it will go up every year. It just doesn't make sense to buy DVC points for primary use for anything other than stays at DVC resorts.

 

[chalee94]

Do you get more dollar value for your points if used on resorts? This probably just isnt for me. I get the FL resident specials when they come up and I actually like staying at the Disney value resorts (Pop Century, etc).

point costs for cruises are not fixed and can fluctuate every year. point values for the DVC resorts are a much better deal.

but i'd agree with you - the combination of FL resident deals and your preference for value resorts makes DVC a poor deal for you, unless you decide you really want nicer accommodations at wdw.

 

[Page4]

point costs for cruises are not fixed and can fluctuate every year. point values for the DVC resorts are a much better deal.

but i'd agree with you - the combination of FL resident deals and your preference for value resorts makes DVC a poor deal for you, unless you decide you really want nicer accommodations at wdw.

Thanks for the honest opinion. I'm still researching it.

 

[Corwin]

We've been on a Disney cruise and are booked for another (and will likely keep going on cruises every 2 years or so). When we went on a DVC tour last February, our guide tried to convince us to buy in and switch our upcoming cruise to points, but we declined to do so, because I didn't think it made financial sense.

We did end buying into DVC (via resale), but we intend to use our DVC points for stays at DVC resorts, and to just pay cash for cruises.

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

DVC points are rentable at an average rental fee of $10 per point. That nets $3200 which would pay for your cruise and put a few hundred dollars in your pocket.

 

[Minne's Friend]

Do you get more dollar value for your points if used on resorts? This probably just isnt for me. I get the FL resident specials when they come up and I actually like staying at the Disney value resorts (Pop Century, etc).
I'm just trying to maximize the money I spend on Disney over the years.

If you are content to stay at the Pop Century (a very nice hotel) then DVC is not for you. DVC when compared to the value resorts is not a good buy When I bought into DVC, we always stayed at the Yacht Club or Poly so buying DVC for us was a good buy - with 4 trips this year and 2 trips next year (2011) we will break even with what we paid for our points. We also did not finance so that also makes it better.

Just enjoy Disney no matter where you stay - it is a magical place

 

[Lynne M]

I know it pays off after you own it out right

That statement is generally true when using DVC points at DVC resorts, but I wouldn't say that it's generally true when using points outside of the DVC system.

And that's an important distinction to make. When you do anything with your points other than stay at a DVC resort, you're exchanging out of DVC. The policies that apply when you're using points inside the DVC system aren't necessarily true outside of DVC.

DVC negotiates the terms and point costs of these non-DVC options on a yearly basis. DCL can change their policies for DVC bookings at any time, as described in this thread.

Major Policy Change in DVC/DCL Trade Policy

DCL can decide to raise the point costs enough to make cruises not worthwhile even if you rent your points. They can decide that they don't want to allow trades from DVC anymore at all.

My point is, these third party options are not entirely within DVC's control, and nothing about them is guaranteed in your DVC contract.

Unless you're wanting to use your points primarily for DVC resorts, I'd say it's not a good choice for you.

 

[JimMIA]

Anybody thinking about cruising on DVC points better read Carol's thread. It sounds like there has been a huge change in our ability to cruise on points.

 

[Page4]

If you are content to stay at the Pop Century (a very nice hotel) then DVC is not for you. DVC when compared to the value resorts is not a good buy When I bought into DVC, we always stayed at the Yacht Club or Poly so buying DVC for us was a good buy - with 4 trips this year and 2 trips next year (2011) we will break even with what we paid for our points. We also did not finance so that also makes it better.

Just enjoy Disney no matter where you stay - it is a magical place

Right now with now with the FL resident special I can stay at the Pop for $61 a night. Thats hard to pass up because I go to Disney so much. I can use the money somewhere else.
How does it work with using the points toward Adventures by Disney? My wife really want to do some of that.
I agree anywhere Disney is magic!!

 

[Sammie]

Right now with now with the FL resident special I can stay at the Pop for $61 a night. Thats hard to pass up because I go to Disney so much. I can use the money somewhere else.
How does it work with using the points toward Adventures by Disney? My wife really want to do some of that.
I agree anywhere Disney is magic!!

The true savings over the long haul is always going to be using points for stays at only the DVC resorts.

The other options are going to be best booked for with cash.

If value or moderate resorts fit your needs, I don't think DVC will benefit you. We were in the same situation and went for years and payed cash. However when the family group go to the point we were needing more than one room, DVC was a good fit.

 

[chalee94]

How does it work with using the points toward Adventures by Disney?

probably cheaper to pay cash as you would need a ton of pts and it could change every year...

 

[CarolMN]

As others have already posted, the real value of DVC is using it to stay at a DVC resort. IMO, using points for the other options is nota good dollar value. With very few exceptions, you will be better off paying cash for non-DVC options.

Again IMO, DVC is seldom a good value for Florida residents because they are able to take advantage of the special discounts Disney offers to them.

Many Florida residents favor long weekend trips. While that pattern is less expensive than it has been in the past, weekends are still more expensive than weekdays in the DVC system. It's harder to justify DVC (on an economic basis) if you plan to use it mostly for long weekends.

Also, DVC works best for those who can plan more than 7 months in advance. If you tend to book closer to arrival, then DVC will probably end up to be a source of frustration for you. Availability is difficult as you get closer to arrival. You may get lucky, but more often than not, you will be on a waitlist, have to change resorts or room types, or find yourself at a resort that is not your first, second or third choice.

FWIW, if I were a Florida resident, I would not buy DVC. Instead, I would take advantage of the special resident discounts and when I wanted a larger unit, I would rent points.

Good luck with your research.

 

[Dean]

I recently sat in on a DVC meeting on a Disney cruise. The option I was presented with was 320 points a year. That's not quite enough to repeat the cruise I was on once yearly. The cost over 10 years (if I financed) with the other fees was around $60,000.00. I only spent $2600.00 on the cruise (x 10 = 26,000.00).
I know it pays off after you own it out right but It still doesn't seem to pan out.
Any suggestions on this??

You have correctly figured out that from a $$$ standpoint DVC only makes sense to use for DVC resorts and pay cash for other other options. You have the ability to know that up front and make choices accordingly. If you want to own DVC to use for DVC, then just buy less points and cont to pay cash for cruises, it'll be cheaper and give you far more control and protection.

 

[Page4]

Thanks Carol, You really summed up the value of DVC to a FL resident. I would say that your post is a must read to any FL resident considering the purchase.
Now back to planning this years visit to the Food and Wine Fesival at Epcot!!

 

[Dean]

As others have already posted, the real value of DVC is using it to stay at a DVC resort. IMO, using points for the other options is nota good dollar value. With very few exceptions, you will be better off paying cash for non-DVC options.

Again IMO, DVC is seldom a good value for Florida residents because they are able to take advantage of the special discounts Disney offers to them.

Many Florida residents favor long weekend trips. While that pattern is less expensive than it has been in the past, weekends are still more expensive than weekdays in the DVC system. It's harder to justify DVC (on an economic basis) if you plan to use it mostly for long weekends.

Also, DVC works best for those who can plan more than 7 months in advance. If you tend to book closer to arrival, then DVC will probably end up to be a source of frustration for you. Availability is difficult as you get closer to arrival. You may get lucky, but more often than not, you will be on a waitlist, have to change resorts or room types, or find yourself at a resort that is not your first, second or third choice.

FWIW, if I were a Florida resident, I would not buy DVC. Instead, I would take advantage of the special resident discounts and when I wanted a larger unit, I would rent points.

Good luck with your research.

I would agree that DVC can be less of a value for a FL resident but it can still be a great benefit for those of us who qualify for FL resident status. One could make the same argument that DVC doesn't make sense for many others based on the AP option assuming just owning for the discount isn't enough. Currently there isn't a lot of difference between being a FL resident and an AP holder other than the option of the special passes thus there are other ways to get many of the same discounts and benefits. I know people that own a small DVC contract but stay off property. They get a studio for 1 or 2 days (not consecutive) so they can have pool access, get the DDP for a few meals, have a place to change and rest during the day, get parking, etc.