What are the negatives?

[dacky041208]

Ok, I've talked with DVC sales people and we are on the cusp of purchasing (probably a resale). We still aren't too sure where we would like to buy into, but I was wondering, what about DVC don't you like (your home resort or just DVC in general)? Is there anything at all?

I'm just trying to get both sides before we jump in. Thanks.

 

[silmarg]

My DW thinks the lack of mousekeeping is a negative.

 

[StevesBLT]

For me, the biggest negative is that DVC doesn't work well for last minute trips. It works great for trips planned well in advance--I've almost always found availability at my chosen resort at the 11 month/7 month window. However, for last minute trips, often there is no availability, or the only availability is at Saratoga Springs.

 

[dacky041208]

My DW thinks the lack of mousekeeping is a negative.

Lack of mousekeeping? I don't think we'd need them daily, but do they come at all? What if you are in a studio at AKL Jambo house?

 

[silmarg]

Full mousekeeping is once a week (every 7 days). They do a trash and towel change on day 4 (I believe).

Maintenance fees are a bummer of course...

No free dining....

 

[FindTheMickeys]

I haven't found anything about DVC yet that I can't live with or without. Yes, I did try to book at BLT 6 weeks out and got shot down, but hey, went to SSR and got my room. I'm happy, because I will be at Disney and it doesn't get much better than that
Just remember to buy whre you want to stay for the 11 month advantage.

 

[chalee94]

several have been covered but there are lots of good reasons to balk at buying DVC:

1) thousands of $ upfront plus annual fees require a certain level of financial ability and commitment (and you still need to pay for tickets and travel, etc.)
2) commitment to wdw/fear of wdw burnout (sorta - while you can trade out, the best value is staying at the DVC resorts)
3) DVC not as deluxe as deluxe hotels in some senses (limited housekeeping, sofabeds, no room service at some DVC resorts)
4) prefer to stay on weekends and weekend point costs are higher
5) financing a depreciating (sooner or later) luxury purchase is generally a poor idea
6) happy with value hotels
7) amenities like a kitchen and washer/dryer have no value for you
8) you don't/can't plan vacations 6+ months in advance
9) you enjoy hunting for deals/bargains for each trip

edited to add: i own and am very happy to own but it's not for everyone. there are tradeoffs.

 

[princessfionasmom]

Like a PP said, the last minute trips can get ya! I have to say that's my only negative so far.

 

[kenny]

It makes going home to my house harder!

Seriously though, not many negatives for us.
-limited house keeping. Would be nice to not have to make our bed on vacation but not that big of a deal.
-limited availability on last minute trips. We don't do these but can see how it would be an issue for some.

Otherwise I only have positives!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Poor communication to the members about "enhancements" or changes.

 

[edk35]

Beware of ADDONITIS..... It hit us about 1 1/2 years after our first DVC purchase.

Just remember that you will forever pay your DUES even when your contracts are paid in full.

Like others have said......even if DVC is paid for.....you will still have park passes/transportation/food to purchase. However if you go to WDW every year you would have these costs PLUS ACCOMODATIONS.

We love DVC and have no regrets.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

With owning DVC, as with most timeshares, there will be a commitment of your time to fully understand how to maximize your use of the points you buy. Luckily, you already have found one the best sources to help you with that task! And even after you come to the point you think you fully understand the rules, DVC will inevitably change the rules and you will need to do some more studying.

You are also more of a captive audience than if you are a cash guest at WDW or DL. If DVC makes a change with which you are unhappy, generally, your only options are to live with it or sell your points. If you are a cash guest, you can cancel your reservation and vote with your dollars by spending them elsewhere. -- Suzanne

 

[dacky041208]

Beware of ADDONITIS..... It hit us about 1 1/2 years after our first DVC purchase.

That's already hit me. It is just DW and I right now, so 160 points would be plenty, but I always find myself scrolling down to the 200+ point listings until my wife smacks me back to the 160 level

 

[Deb & Bill]

Full mousekeeping is once a week (every 7 days). They do a trash and towel change on day 4 (I believe).

Maintenance fees are a bummer of course...

No free dining....

Not quite correct. If you stay seven nights or less, you get your trash removed and towels replaced on day 4 with day 1 check-in day. If you stay eight nights or more, you get a full cleaning on day four and trash removed and towels replaced on day eight.

Annual member fees always go up each year, so ultimately you will pay more in the annual fees than you pay for the initial buy-in for points.

Don't get your heart set on discounts and perks because they can (and do) change.

Making a short notice reservation is difficult unless you don't mind changing resorts and room types. The larger resorts may be available, but not always.

DVC advertises all the outside of DVC places to go, but they can be difficult to get and not worth the points. Those are negotiated annual, so the point requirement does go up.

And I'll agree with "poor communication".

 

[andreadoiron]

i sometimes think the cost of dvc plus yearly fees are too expensive. we bought into the ssr 4 years ago and would def take a loss selling our points now so keep in mind, you won't make money if you decide to sell.
however,after staying onsite in 1 bedroom villas, going back to a reg hotel room is very hard. if you don't mind eating every meal out and staying in a hotel room, prob the cost of dvc won't seem like such a good deal.

 

[disneynutz]

Being a DVC member locks you into having to use or rent your points each year for the length of your ownership. Adding the cost of travel, food and tickets, can really set you back year after year.

Bill

 

[Dean]

I love DVC and find any negatives to be relative. However, the relatively high cost and poor trading value I see as negatives. DVC is best for those that will stay at DVC resorts almost exclusively, it is a poor bet and/or poor value for essentially everything else.

 

[acder12]

The only negatives we have found so far are:
* we did an exchange with Interval but have not found anything comparable with RCI (DVC's current exchange partner). In most cases, an exchange is not the best use of your points but it is an option.
* we like to go to DVC at Hilton Head Island. So many "locals" own there that it can be very difficult to get a reservation for a full week stay at the 7 month mark as we don't own at that resort. Generally you can get a weekend stay because the "locals" go home rather than use up their points on the more expensive nights. I don't know how DVC could fix this but for those who want to stay for the full 7 nights, it is a challenge.

 

[crisi]

We are content, but I wish the rooms were cleaner and better maintained. I do miss daily mousekeeping (not enough to pay for it though).

My bigger gripes are with Disney in general. Quality of food has gone down while we have owned, really reducing our enjoyment in our trips. Customer service doesn't seem to sparkle like it used to. And, we are getting Disney-ed out....which I did know about myself when we joined - we only have enough points for every other year and I've always said that we probably won't hold our points for the life of the contract.

Another one that hasn't been mentioned and has nothing to do with Disney - DVC can encourage you to bring friends and relatives you wouldn't dream of treating if you were paying cash for a room. And while this is one of the BEST things about DVC (or any vacation home), it can also be one of the most frustrating. Your friends may not understand cancellation policies, may not get back to you promptly regarding invites, may start treating your timeshare like theirs, etc.

 

[dmoore22]

The only negative is I can't come up with any excuses that hold water to not go on a vacation at WDW. My DW sees right through them.