What benefits of owning DVC?

[yaksack]

What are they?

 

[Dean]

What are they?

The main, and only general benefits are potential savings and control of the reservations. Everything else is available by renting for cash through a member or Disney directly. You're simply prepaying for a potential place to stay and taking on risk and aggravation in return for that savings.

 

[chalee94]

The main, and only general benefits are potential savings and control of the reservations.

agree.

there are also other benefits, like discounts on annual passes or at some restaurants. but those "perks" can come and go, and should not be part of the main decision.

DVC ownership offers the lowest cost accommodations onsite at wdw, but you can still get a good deal renting without the long term commitment (but as dean said, renters don't have control of their reservations.)

 

[DebbieB]

My favorite - not having a room bill at the end of a vacation. My initial purchase is paid off, I'm paying $126 a month for 250 BWV points. Never have to play the "will a discount come out" game.

 

[luckyman_apd]

My favorite - not having a room bill at the end of a vacation. My initial purchase is paid off, I'm paying $126 a month for 250 BWV points. Never have to play the "will a discount come out" game.

I agree. Although, I never played the discount game....it was more of a "when am I ever going to afford this again" game. Becoming a DVC owner locked me into many future Disney vacations....but that's what I wanted. It's afforded me a way to stay for a lot less that I would have been paying without it, and it also opened my eyes to trip possibilities I never would have looked into before (like 3 day weekend flights using Spirit airlines)

It really is just prepaying for future stays at a disney property. It can afford large families a more convenient or luxurious stay that otherwise would cost a fortune, or wouldn't be an option. It can also cost much more than you plan if you don't understand what your getting into.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

It guarantees that my husband and I WILL vacation.

 

[jerseyduke]

It guarantees that my husband and I WILL vacation.

That is a big one about time shares in general, particularly among small business owners. Kind of "forces" them to take a vacation.

Not a DVC thing, but a timeshare thing you hear a lot from the right people.

 

[com_op_2000]

What are they?

The memories that I would never of had if not for DVC.
Right now over 140+ vacations memories that I would never of taken. From the first time at OKW, to stays at the other East Coast resorts, to eight DCLs, to Concierge Collection, and RCIs.

 

[MountainMouse]

What are they?

The financial benefit can be great. For example, take a standard studio at BLT in September. The cost for a week is 102 points, with maintenance fees of $5.05/pt it costs $515. I got what I thought was a good deal last year at WL for standard room with 2 queen beds and a woods view, the cost was $2500 for the week. The rooms are laid out differently but are about the same size. This isn't apples to apples but these are comparable rooms as far as what your getting for your money. So a person has to shell out $10000 in order to get the $515 room and the money is at risk but it's likely not a loss. Many resale for what they paid or more especially if they originally bought resale. You do lose out on any interest you would have made on the $10000, but in the example above you save $2000 on a weeks stay. Now don't read to much into that example because it's one of the better case scenarios. September is in the cheapest point cost season and many folks choose larger rooms when they have DVC can where if it were a cash stay they would have only paid for a hotel room. There's so many different ways that people use DVC that it's really best to run your own numbers and see what kind of savings you can expect. Also, keep in mind it's only a savings over what you were going to spend anyway. DVC like any vacation always costs you money and never makes you money.

 

[kbender23]

To my wife and I its more about the VIP feeling we get then the savings. I think when you price it out you do save money at a resort over if you were paying for that resort, but you could still save money by doing All Star or Pop. However, now you get to stay in a deluxe resort and be welcomed home.
Its also a great way to meet people on vacation. You would be surprised how many times we were waiting in line for something and someone had a DVC pin or hat on in line next to us. It sparked conversation and makes you feel like you are part of this great group of people that all love Disney.
In my home town the question is always where did you go to highschool, but with DVC its always, where is your home? I think that is pretty neat.

 

[graueMaus]

A full kitchen and plenty of room in a 1BR on a Deluxe resort with amenities to keep one entertained and relaxed without even setting foot in a theme park. That includes trips to Vero Beach, Hilton Head and Hawaii if we want.

 

[Jennasis]

It guarantees that my husband and I WILL vacation.

That is a big one about time shares in general, particularly among small business owners. Kind of "forces" them to take a vacation.

Not a DVC thing, but a timeshare thing you hear a lot from the right people.

Holy cow...this is us! Small business owners who generally require an act of Congress to take a vacation. Now as DVC owners we will be darn sure to make one happen every year instead of every 2 or 3.

 

[luckyman_apd]

The financial benefit can be great. For example, take a standard studio at BLT in September. The cost for a week is 102 points, with maintenance fees of $5.05/pt it costs $515. I got what I thought was a good deal last year at WL for standard room with 2 queen beds and a woods view, the cost was $2500 for the week. The rooms are laid out differently but are about the same size. This isn't apples to apples but these are comparable rooms as far as what your getting for your money. So a person has to shell out $10000 in order to get the $515 room and the money is at risk but it's likely not a loss. Many resale for what they paid or more especially if they originally bought resale. You do lose out on any interest you would have made on the $10000, but in the example above you save $2000 on a weeks stay. Now don't read to much into that example because it's one of the better case scenarios. September is in the cheapest point cost season and many folks choose larger rooms when they have DVC can where if it were a cash stay they would have only paid for a hotel room. There's so many different ways that people use DVC that it's really best to run your own numbers and see what kind of savings you can expect. Also, keep in mind it's only a savings over what you were going to spend anyway. DVC like any vacation always costs you money and never makes you money.

This scenario is us exactly. We are Studio people. We own BLT, and we generally get Standard view rooms when we know well in advance when we are going. During December last year we took a 3 day weekend trip for MVMCP. My dad decided he wanted to go. He was going to just book himself a room at the Contemporary since we already had our room for BLT...It was $500 a night for the garden wing. We were able to get him a room at BLT for the weekend...also Standard view...and with my up front point cost plus dues...I was paying $103 per night for BLT....which was very comparable to a CR basic room....but $400 a night savings. Over the last 3 years as an owner, There is nowhere I'd be able to get any kind of investment to make the same amount of money as I've saved. Every trip I've taken I've compared other room costs....and each time my up front points cost (purchase price divided by the number of points total til contract ends) plus dues is equal to a moderate room or cheaper. THAT'S the perk of owning DVC for me.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Holy cow...this is us! Small business owners who generally require an act of Congress to take a vacation. Now as DVC owners we will be darn sure to make one happen every year instead of every 2 or 3.

We aren't small business owners. My husband is an engineer.

But now that the room is "paid for." He is much more agreeable to taking time off and going somewhere.

 

[amym2]

I'll add that my post-Disney depression is much more manageable since joining DVC, since I know that we WILL be back.

In terms of perks, we like the Tables in Wonderland card option. We had a group of 8 in October and definitely saved some money.

 

[jgdsoarin]

I grew up in a family where my parents did not believe in spending money on vacations. We never went anywhere except the occasional visit to see relatives in DC. I want to make sure my kids have special vacation memories. We all enjoy Disney and have found that we really love the beach resorts, too. I like that my room costs are taken care of through my membership, the dues are very manageable, and I always know there is another vacation in our future. I'm looking to add on at Poly once the costs are announced (if it's within my budget). The only problem I have found with DVC so far is the constant urge to add on!

 

[jerseyduke]

I'll add that my post-Disney depression is much more manageable since joining DVC, since I know that we WILL be back.

In terms of perks, we like the Tables in Wonderland card option. We had a group of 8 in October and definitely saved some money.

That is so very true!!!!

I do not leave the world any more wondering when (or if) I will be back. I either already know, or have a darn good idea!

 

[keishashadow]

more of an intangible...the warm & fuzzies it gives me

even though WDW/MS has irritated me over the years with inconsistent information, I can't hold 'a mad'. Look forward to returning, often, whether with just DH or my extended family. It's a true joy to be able to gift accommodations to those you love.

It guarantees that my husband and I WILL vacation.

my work-aholic DH became a changed man after we bought our 1st contract and encouraged me to add on, even buying me a small AKV for my BD/Xmas this year

 

[bobbiwoz]

more of an intangible...the warm & fuzzies it gives me

even though WDW/MS has irritated me over the years with inconsistent information, I can't hold 'a mad'. Look forward to returning, often, whether with just DH or my extended family. It's a true joy to be able to gift accommodations to those you love.



my work-aholic DH became a changed man after we bought our 1st contract and encouraged me to add on, even buying me a small AKV for my BD/Xmas this year

A very nice gift to you!

 

[keishashadow]

A very nice gift to you!

indeed, I was speechless