What are the most cost effective DVC?

[misspelledone]

Now there is a point I didn't even consider...... an extra bathroom!

Not only do I have five kids...... they are all girls!! I am thinking that extra bathroom will become very important!

As far as my family needs changing over the years, I am sure they will. However, we went to Disney regularly before the kids and I am sure we will continue to go after the kids. When our kids get older I am sure we will be going with Grandkids, so Disney is probably in our future for a long time.

Thank you for all the suggections and viewpoints, keep them coming!

Misspelledone
25 days and counting

 

[djohn06]

If money were no object, I wouldn't own DVC. If money were a significant object - i.e. it HAD to work financially - I wouldn't own DVC. In my opinion, DVC fits a sweet spot financially that is pretty narrow. In addition to looking at resorts, consider two other possibilities. Owning offsite - Bonnet Creek is close and lovely and can be bought resale for much cheaper. Its program is far more flexible than DVC. Renting points - renting points can give you a lot of flexibility that owning can't. You get the eleven month window anywhere you can find an owner for. You don't have your capital tied up in ownership and you trade risks (with brokers, I think you come out ahead on risks now - before brokers - I think renting was the riskier proposition). (We own BWV and buying again today without looking at cost we'd own BWV. We bought it long ago when there were fewer resorts pretty much by chance and it wasn't our first choice. But its worked well for us.)

Bonnet Creek is lovely but not DVC. I wouldn't even make the comparison. There is a reason why BBC owners sell 2 bedrooms for $700 a Week and DVC 2 bedrooms resorts get $2500 a week.

If your gonna go BBC you might as well buy at Marriott and get tons of other great resorts that Whydam doesn't have.

Also, I would not rent points more than twice at DVC resorts. That money could be better served towards your purchase. Go visit the DVC resorts and get a good feel for them. You don't need to drop 3k on a BLT rental to figure out that you would like it there.

If you rent DVC 3 times you could have purchased a 100 SSR or HHI contract easily.

 

[crisi]

Bonnet Creek is lovely but not DVC. I wouldn't even make the comparison. There is a reason why BBC owners sell 2 bedrooms for $700 a Week and DVC 2 bedrooms resorts get $2500 a week.

If your gonna go BBC you might as well buy at Marriott and get tons of other great resorts that Whydam doesn't have.

Also, I would not rent points more than twice at DVC resorts. That money could be better served towards your purchase. Go visit the DVC resorts and get a good feel for them. You don't need to drop 3k on a BLT rental to figure out that you would like it there.

If you rent DVC 3 times you could have purchased a 100 SSR or HHI contract easily.

Yep, you could have, but with renting you can get the eleven month window whereever you can find an owner. For people looking for that sort of flexibility, renting can be a good way to do it - without significantly more cost than owning. (You wouldn't be able to buy that contract and have paid dues on it for three years - its more of a six or seven year sort of thing - which - is about the amount of time/trips someone with a small child might own DVC for if the adults were not Disney addicts).

Marriott/Wyndham - the point is there are a ton of timeshare options that would allow you to stay near Disney and have additional flexibility for non-Disney vacations that can be MUCH less expensive that should be considered. If you need to stay onsite EVERY TIME, want to control your own points, know you will go to Disney every year or every other year for the next ten years, stay in at least moderate resorts now - DVC isn't a bad deal. But there are a lot of factors that make other options attractive that should be considered before making what is, for most people, a significant outlay of cash.

 

[Dean]

Bonnet Creek is lovely but not DVC. I wouldn't even make the comparison. There is a reason why BBC owners sell 2 bedrooms for $700 a Week and DVC 2 bedrooms resorts get $2500 a week.

True, but it's not necessarily that one is that much better (overall) than the other. A portion of it is comfort level with the brand and market awareness. The price is definitely not a reflection of the differences, ignoring theming and the "on property" amenities, basically side by side, Wyndham BC is equal to most DVC resorts overall and better than some in many ways.

If your gonna go BBC you might as well buy at Marriott and get tons of other great resorts that Whydam doesn't have.

It depends. In many ways Wyndham is better than Marriott and even within each system, it depends on what you compare to. Assuming resale you'd have to break it down between Wyndham points, Marriott weeks and Marriott Trust points plus I'd add in Bluegreen, Hilton, Hyatt and maybe Worldwark as a minimum. And there is a potential value component as well, Wyndham is significantly cheaper overall or at least can be. What's best depends on MANY variables beyond an appropriate level of exploration appropriate for this thread. I own several of those I mentioned including DVC and DVC would not be my first purchase if I started over.

Also, I would not rent points more than twice at DVC resorts. That money could be better served towards your purchase. Go visit the DVC resorts and get a good feel for them. You don't need to drop 3k on a BLT rental to figure out that you would like it there.

If you rent DVC 3 times you could have purchased a 100 SSR or HHI contract easily.

It depends. Three 100 point rentals (the obligate comparison for this statement) would be roughly $4K in total. 100 pts at SSR will be what, $7K up front and maint fees of $1500 plus $500 roughly in closing so $9K. And that same purchase delayed by 3 yrs would cost less and have less total fees due long term. I would agree that it's potential lost money that could be paid toward a purchase but it's likely only about a $5 per point difference, maybe $1500 lost in total, I'd look at it as insurance against a bad decision. I do not agree with Bill's thoughts of jump in, buy and sell later if it doesn't work out, my view would be that later is better than sooner but there does come a time where it makes sense to fish or cut bait (buy or walk away). A bad timeshare purchase, including DVC, can be a really big setback.

Most who purchase as a new member don't know enough to make a truly informed decision, even the ones that purchase resale. And it does matter greatly what the rest of one's knowledge and experiences are in Disney in general and timeshares in general. Someone who has extensive Disney on property experience and extensive timeshare experience including for Orlando could reasonably move forward by simply understanding how the system works and probably without ever setting foot on a DVC resort. For someone who make a first trip on property and is all emotional, it probably takes 2-3 yrs AND 2-3 trips as a minimum with active investigation and even then many, if not most, will make a poor overall decision.

 

[summabreeze85]

here's my 2 cents about wilderness lodge since you said it was one of the resorts you were considering.
we've been owners for 10+ years and have only ever stayed at wilderness lodge for a day or two until this past august we stayed a week. I have a 1yr old and I was excited about how close everything was to walk and/or boat to. the biggest disappointment was the pool...we couldn't even get chairs at any point during the day (you have to get there real early to secure a spot). This was at the dvc pool and the main pool. That alone makes me not want to stay there again. plus I think the point values are too high.
The highlight of our stay was renting bikes and biking through fort wilderness. Before DVC we used to rent cabins all the time. Now that is a place they need to build some villas...maybe revamp half the cabins, add an extra bedroom or two, and sell some dvc memberships there!
I also own wyndham and love bonnet creek. If cost were the determining factor id choose wyndham over DVC.
Good luck!

 

[misspelledone]

Great thank you, good to know!

 

[cantoine]

We are a large family. I have 4 children ages 9, 6, 2, 1. I also have 2 step children ages 20 and 17. They travel with us about half of the time. We are owners at AKL. We purchased there because of the size of the rooms, the fact that they have 3 bathrooms and sleep 9 was a big plus for us. We stayed there for the first time over labor day weekend. And instantly knew we made the right choice. The resort is beautiful, and had so much to offer the different age groups in our family. The pool was awesome and the water slide was great. The savanna provided a relaxing envirnoment and I was so excited to get my 6 year old out of bed to see a family of giraffes eating from a tree right outside our balcony. My son enjoyed yhe night vision goggles, the resturants were very good, and the activites/movies were enjoyable as well. The resort is truly home for us. We love it. My children enjoy it, and at the end of the day that holds the lost value to us. Eventually the appeal to the parks fade, or you may just want an off day. Know you will get family time no matter where you purchase. With 5 children you will make so many memories no mattet where you purchase. Look for what fits your families life style. The best thing about dvc is this: you can try them all, you will have at least 30 years of vacations ahead of you. Depending on what time of the year you travel some resorts may be difficult to get but you will always get to stay somewhere. So find what fits your family. For us we knew at one point in the future we will have 3 teenage girls, the extra bathroom was the selling point lol

 

[misspelledone]

Do all the two bedrooms at Animal Kingdom have three bathrooms?

That would be a major selling point for us. We have five girls currently aged 8,7,5,3, and 10 months. So in a few years bathrooms will be very important

Thanks!

 

[chalee94]

Do all the two bedrooms at Animal Kingdom have three bathrooms?

only in the kidani village 2BRs. (BLT 2BRs also have 3 bathrooms.)

 

[CarolMN]

Do all the two bedrooms at Animal Kingdom have three bathrooms?

That would be a major selling point for us. We have five girls currently aged 8,7,5,3, and 10 months. So in a few years bathrooms will be very important

All of the 2 bedrooms at AKV-Kidani have 3 bathrooms. Not sure bout those in Jambo house.

 

[Kidanifan08]

Do all the two bedrooms at Animal Kingdom have three bathrooms?

That would be a major selling point for us. We have five girls currently aged 8,7,5,3, and 10 months. So in a few years bathrooms will be very important

Thanks!

As noted, the 2BR's at Jambo only have 2 bathrooms. The Kidani 2BR's have 3 full bathrooms and the 1BR's have two. The low point value rooms are all at Jambo, so those 2BR's only have 2 bathrooms. Additionally, the concierge rooms are at Jambo and only have 2 bathrooms.

If you are not hoping for the concierge or value rooms at Jambo, then getting a 2BR savanna or standard view at AKV is fairly easy to get at the 7 month mark most of the year, even if you own elsewhere. We own at AKV and do use those unique room categories on occasion, so we like having AKV as our home resort. Owning at SSR and trading into AKV at the 7 month mark is probably more cost-effective than owning at AKV, keeping in mind that there may be a rare instance that you may not get what you want at AKV.

 

[Dean]

We are a large family. I have 4 children ages 9, 6, 2, 1. I also have 2 step children ages 20 and 17. They travel with us about half of the time. We are owners at AKL. We purchased there because of the size of the rooms, the fact that they have 3 bathrooms and sleep 9 was a big plus for us. We stayed there for the first time over labor day weekend. And instantly knew we made the right choice. The resort is beautiful, and had so much to offer the different age groups in our family. The pool was awesome and the water slide was great. The savanna provided a relaxing envirnoment and I was so excited to get my 6 year old out of bed to see a family of giraffes eating from a tree right outside our balcony. My son enjoyed yhe night vision goggles, the resturants were very good, and the activites/movies were enjoyable as well. The resort is truly home for us. We love it. My children enjoy it, and at the end of the day that holds the lost value to us. Eventually the appeal to the parks fade, or you may just want an off day. Know you will get family time no matter where you purchase. With 5 children you will make so many memories no mattet where you purchase. Look for what fits your families life style. The best thing about dvc is this: you can try them all, you will have at least 30 years of vacations ahead of you. Depending on what time of the year you travel some resorts may be difficult to get but you will always get to stay somewhere. So find what fits your family. For us we knew at one point in the future we will have 3 teenage girls, the extra bathroom was the selling point lol

IMO this is the perfect situation to buy something like SSR and use the points for standard and savannah rooms at AKV, it's the best of both world's in many ways and about 25% cheaper long term than buying AKV directly with little if any chance of being shut out.

 

[misspelledone]

Do the DVC members get a discount on park tickets?

Thanks again to everyone, I appreciate and and all opinions and help!


Cheers!
Misspelledone

 

[chalee94]

Do the DVC members get a discount on park tickets?

currently get a discount on annual passes. also, there is a short-term special on a funky 4 day/4 park (no repeats) ticket for $199 plus tax.

no special deals on MYW tickets of any kind. buying DVC is primarily for the deal on accommodations - any other ticket deals or discounts ("perks") can come and go at any time.

more details here:

http://www.mousesavers.com/sources-for-discounts-on-walt-disney-world-tickets/#dvc

 

[dbs1228]

I have 3 daughters and we bought at BLT originally and since have added on there. We also bought at SSR for the 3 bedroom tree houses but the point cost for those have gone up - girls are older and no one wants to sleep on the top bunk in the 3rd bedroom. We recently purchased BWV for food and wine stayed there recently and LOVED it but I would not consider it for staying with 5 kids.

BLT to me has a spacious living/kitchen area and we eat in most our meals because it is just easier, 3 bathrooms and dedicated 2nd bedroom with 2 queen beds, sleeper couch and chair are a plus. I would compare the space of AKV has to BLT and OKW but BLT has the benefit of being close to the park. BLT also has a longer life and expires in 2060 vs. 2042/2057. Once my kids became teens they wanted to go to the parks until midnight and being at BLT it was nice to know they are a monorail ride away, if they wanted to sleep in they would meet us over there. Now that I have stayed at BLT, BWV, AKV, OKW, SSR and VGF hands down with kids I would buy at BLT- is it the best value - no probably not but for me it is because its where we (my family) likes to stay.

I do agree with the post that if they would just convert some of the cabins to 2 and 3 bedroom villas at the Fort I would buy in immediately as that is my all time favorite location but rooms and beds are just way too small.

Good luck

 

[Joed88]

Excellent post, after a few years the parks tend to be the same old thing. No reason to rush, you will be back next year.

Bill[/
So I'm looking to buy this weekend and the people I know who already own tell me that they never have a problem getting into the resorts they want to stay at and to just get the cheapest points you can get. Seems to be a very different opinion here. I'm going to want to stay around the boardwalk area pretty much every time but the resale is a good $20 plus per then akl with less years. Do you find it difficult to get in outside your home resort?
Thanks for the help!!!

 

[disneynutz]

Excellent post, after a few years the parks tend to be the same old thing. No reason to rush, you will be back next year.

Bill[/
So I'm looking to buy this weekend and the people I know who already own tell me that they never have a problem getting into the resorts they want to stay at and to just get the cheapest points you can get. Seems to be a very different opinion here. I'm going to want to stay around the boardwalk area pretty much every time but the resale is a good $20 plus per then akl with less years. Do you find it difficult to get in outside your home resort?
Thanks for the help!!!

Read the waitlist, harder to book now posts and you will get an idea of what DIS posters think about availability. You need to understand that there are another 400,000 people who don't post on the DIS.

There are so many variables that determine booking success. My current recommendation is to buy SSR knowing that if you can't book the resorts you want, you will sell later and buy your favorite home resort.

Bill

 

[chalee94]

So I'm looking to buy this weekend and the people I know who already own tell me that they never have a problem getting into the resorts they want to stay at and to just get the cheapest points you can get. Seems to be a very different opinion here. I'm going to want to stay around the boardwalk area pretty much every time but the resale is a good $20 plus per then akl with less years. Do you find it difficult to get in outside your home resort?
Thanks for the help!!!

i would recommend that you "buy where you don't mind staying." lots of people buy into SSR and think they'll never have to stay there - but the math doesn't work on that.

if you will be crushed not to stay at BCV (or BWV), then you need to buy there and book early (10-11 months out).

if you book at exactly 7 months out, you'll tend to have better luck as far as changing out. if you book at 6.5 months out, you'll be far too late during certain periods of the year (early december and food and wine festival, especially). if you are booking low demand periods like february, then buy SSR and give it a shot.

 

[disneynutz]

It seems like most buyers approach ownership as if it's a life long commitment and that selling in a couple of years is out of the question. I disagree, until you try the shoe on, how do you know if it fits?

Will it cost you to sell and buy a different contract/resort, sure it will but your WDW DVC vacations will cost you around $300,000 over 30 years including your DVC ownership, travel, food, admission tickets, hard ticket events, dues, extras, so spending 10% on a commission to sell and buy your favorite resort in a couple of years is next to nothing.

Bill

 

[Deb & Bill]

Excellent post, after a few years the parks tend to be the same old thing. No reason to rush, you will be back next year.

Bill[/
So I'm looking to buy this weekend and the people I know who already own tell me that they never have a problem getting into the resorts they want to stay at and to just get the cheapest points you can get. Seems to be a very different opinion here. I'm going to want to stay around the boardwalk area pretty much every time but the resale is a good $20 plus per then akl with less years. Do you find it difficult to get in outside your home resort?
Thanks for the help!!!

There is a reason that the BWV and BCV cost more with less time on the contract. People want to stay there. Like Charles said, if you want to stay there most of the time, you need to own there. There are times of the year when you won't get anything at either of those two locations at seven months out.