What are the "real" benefits of joining?

[ckg]

I love how easy it is to use. You don't have to book out a week. If you want 3 nights then thats fine. I like that Disney holds its value. I know prices are low right now, but wait till the Recession is over. This is the time to buy if you can afford it.

Exactly right here. If you need to downsize for whatever reason the probability that a contract will hold it's value or appreciate is much higher than for any other timeshare I am aware of due to ROFR and solid branding. Of course a timeshare is not an investment but a use item and we are prepaying a lease not a true ownership.

With that said this works quite well for most of us.

 

[FreeTime]

As many have said, I like the prepaid vacation. The first time we want to WDW we stayed offsite in a $25 a night Days Inn room with an employee discount with 3 adults in the room and 2 kids with only 2 double beds! We had a great time but say the DVC add and were ready to buy. Being able to stretch out and looking back on our first trip and saying "what were we thinking??" makes it worth it.

The many, many memories.

 

[Mick West]

Knowing I can go two to three times a year.

Financially. I've been a member for 8 years. And my stays have paid for my purchase. I'm going in Sept, staying in a 2BR at Kidana Villig (AKL) with family members. The cost of this 5 night stay would be a bit over $4,000 - I couldn't do this without "owning". Banked points and did a Dec trip two years ago using two, 2BR units at BCV. The cost of this would have been $7000! Took 13 folks (family) - and had a great, unforgettable trip. Again - a no go without being an owner.

 

[MK032197]

What have you found to be the best thing about joining the DVC?

(I've read what Disney has to say about it, but I'd like to know what real members think.)

Thanks!

I love being able to stay at the deluxe resorts with all of their amenities! This would be something we probably couldn't do every time with a trip lasting 8 or 9 nights. We also love the larger rooms and having access to the kitchen and washer/dryer. In addition currently DVC members get a $100 discount on annual passes!!

 

[segpm08060]

The fact that I can go to WDW and get my Mickey fix with a little bit of pixie dust thrown in, sustains me throughout the year. Things don't bother me as much because I know that I have my very own magical place to go to and be a kid again.

And, the memories are priceless.

 

[CarolA]

I bought for an "affordable" place to stay at Disney.

I got what I bought. Seriously that is ALL you are buying... LODGING. Anything else can and will change and should not be considered a benefit!

I like the quality of the accomodations and find that Disney pricing has reached "Fantasyland" . They want WHAT for those basic hotel rooms? They want WHAT for a three star hotel? Personally I find it amazing that folks keep paying but....

 

[DebbieB]

I bought mainly to stay in 1 bedrooms, there was no way I would pay rack rate ($400+ a night) for 6 nights twice a year. It will be 10 years in September, no regrets just years of happy memories!

 

[lovemyblt]

okay it has all already been said but here's my list:

Larger nicer accomodations
Guaranteed vacation
prepaid vacations
kitchen
laundry
owning a piece of the magic
memories memories memories!

 

[drumms2112]

the joy in knowing that my 3 year old will always know the Magic of Disney. I've decided that I no longer want to collect things and accumulate stuff. Experiencing life with family and friends, that is the "real" benefit of DVC ownership.

My Wife and I are thinking of joining DVC and want to have kids and your comment makes total sense. I love the way you think! I will remember your words when we go through the process. I think you captured what Walt Disney was going for.

 

[quentina]

You get to be part of the DVC Cult.....we have the greatest members!

I cannot give advice however, I will give my thoughts.

Dvc is the best thing we ever did. My children have done things and will continue to do things that MANY kids cannot imagine.

We are at the stage where we will be trading. Yes, it is not the greatest use of points however, why should I pay to vacation when I already have and paid for this? The way I figure, I am going to use it...good use...bad use...who cares, it is mine!!

Just my 2 cents!

 

[Coach81]

Spending quality time with my family.. going to Disney every year making priceless memories that will last a lifetime.

 

[irisbud]

I like knowing that we will have many, many years of vacations ahead of us. If it is already paid for, we might as well go. It makes it harder to blow off. I think that time is so important and so easy to give up unless you make it easy to go!

 

[supersuperwendy]

That I can stay in the 2 bedroom villas that I love until 2057!

Also..the flexibilty of the points! In Dec. 2011 we are planning a trip with our friends in a grand villa that is currently going for $1205/night! I love using points rather than that cash!

 

[dmoore22]

The benefits are too numerous to list. It's everything from the "Welcome Home!" greeting you get when you arrive to the little discounts and perks that only DVC members get. It's taking multiple trips each year at a cost less than what we paid when we stayed at the Value Resorts with our 6 kids before becoming DVC members. It's the discount passes into the parks. It's the ability to deduct that part of our maintenance fees that are listed as property taxes off our income taxes since we itemize. I just wish I could afford enough points to stay 365 days a year.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

There are so many good reasons already given, but I have one more.

I am a compulsive planner who has spent way too many hours online comparing reviews and rates of offsite hotels, booked one, second guessed myself, shopped around again closer to the trip for last minute deals, etc.

Now that we have DVC, I called at the 11 month mark and got my villa. Now all I have to do is count down the days till we go. I know I will love the room and got a great deal on it!

 

[gray52]

For my DW and I, it's knowing that our DD2 and DS5 will always have a vacation available to them... and eventually to their children.

 

[EmmaHattieJacob]

Charlie,

have you traded your points for a cruise?

Have an offer to buy 200 points at Beach Club Villas for $53 per point....4 day cruise is 5-7k....if i take this cruise every 2-3 years for the life of the contract....which I know I wont do but hear me out....seems very logical that its pays out....just can see spending 5 7 9k for a cruise then poof the moneys gone....the DVC person who was outstanding even though she new I was buying resale put it this way......that deal on BVC is great just buy it!!
53 per point divided by life of contract 33 years = $1.60 per point + $5.00 per point for maint.= $6.60 X 600 points(needed for the cruise) = $3960.00....math works.....renting my points would only bring me 2-3 k maybe....could try and find DVC member who doesn't own Marriott or Westin ....so maybe I could trade my weeks for points.....thanks for all you help in advance....just got back from 1st visit to Marriott Waiohai Easter break wow!!!

 

[SEC]

The real benefit to DVC for us is knowing that we can go to Disney every year and not have to hope for a deal. I love the $100 off annual pass also, which allows us to get two (or three) trips out of one pass.

We are going to Disney in a couple of days on the buy 4, get 3 free deal and staying at the Polynesian. I am very excited about staying there, but making the reservations also made me appreciate DVC so much more. It was a hassle to keep calling WDW to try to find dates that would work for us and get the deal. I spent several hours on the phone and internet. At one point I told my husband it wasn't worth it. With DVC you make one call and get your reservation, sign up for magical express and make dining reservations and not have a hotel bill when you check out!

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

Real Benefits:

Having superior accomadations without the superior price tag. I just stayed in a 1 bdrm Preferred view at the BW - for $936 (cost of my dues).

Next year I will stay 4 nights at the BLT-- I will be 5 minutes from the MK and then I will stay another 3 nights at the BW where I will be 5 minutes away from Epcot and 15 minutes away from DS. To me that is just priceless to be so close to the parks.

 

[logan115]

Charlie,

have you traded your points for a cruise?

Have an offer to buy 200 points at Beach Club Villas for $53 per point....4 day cruise is 5-7k....if i take this cruise every 2-3 years for the life of the contract....which I know I wont do but hear me out....seems very logical that its pays out....just can see spending 5 7 9k for a cruise then poof the moneys gone....the DVC person who was outstanding even though she new I was buying resale put it this way......that deal on BVC is great just buy it!!
53 per point divided by life of contract 33 years = $1.60 per point + $5.00 per point for maint.= $6.60 X 600 points(needed for the cruise) = $3960.00....math works.....renting my points would only bring me 2-3 k maybe....could try and find DVC member who doesn't own Marriott or Westin ....so maybe I could trade my weeks for points.....thanks for all you help in advance....just got back from 1st visit to Marriott Waiohai Easter break wow!!!

Wow !! $53 per point for BCV, am I reading this correctly ? Did the seller already accept that price ?

I haven't seen anything pass ROFR for BCV under $80ish, good luck with your contract, it would definitely be the buy of the century.

If/when you get a signed contract, can you please post the details here http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1960185&page=55

Thanks