When is to old to purchase a DVC membership?

[DVC Grandpa]

In February at 63 we purchased our DVC membership. Won't be driving down to Florida for the next 40 years. Were we wise in our purchase? Over the past few years we have made our stays count (from 18 to 25 days at a time). How long a pay back is it, or shouldn't we think of it that way?

 

[fkj2]

Until my mom's health failed to the point I couldn't drag her to FL with me, she enjoyed every moment at WDW and would go back tomorrow if she was able. Her last trip there was at age 79.

Ask either Doc or Dean about the right to inherit the ownership. If I'm unable to go to WDW at age 83 when the ownership expires, I guess I'll have to transfer right of use to the niece and nephew.

We're never guaranteed tomorrow, so just enjoy WDW and your family as long as you can.

 

[missattitude]

I don't think age matters, if you are enjoying it than it is worth it! We are
in our 40's and we bought it with the idea that we will give it to our kids to use when and if we are unable! That is one of the reasons we purchased because it is deedable.

ENJOY!!!!!

 

[ncligs]

DVC Grandpa,

Welcome to the DIS!!!!! Age doesn't matter, what matters is you enjoy your wife,family, kids,grandkids,etc Life is about happy memories, love, families, good times,bad times,etc. Enjoy every day while you are here. DVC is just the "icing on the cake"!!!!

 

[RobDoc]

One day post mortem is too old!

Until that time, you'll have the time of your life.


Your DVC membership may be sold or included in your estate planning. Depending on usage, most will realize a break even point between 7-15 years of use. It sounds as though you'll have no problem using your points with the extended trips you mention.

Even if you're not still going in 2042, I'll bet you will have more than gotten your enjoyment from the program...I know I will (and I'm not THAT much younger than you! )

Enjoy !!

 

[PamOKW]

I don't think it's a problem at all. 63 is certainly not "too old". In fact, I think the original target for purchasing DVC was not the young family but the older traveler who spends money and/or brings along the extended family. With extended trips to DVC I would compare it to the cost of purchasing a vacation home....you already broke even. (Okay, okay, don't start with the financial spreadsheets....)

 

[mickey'smj]

I bought two years ago at age 57, and I'm single with no children. Since then I've been to VB twice, HH twice, and WDW three times, accompanied by sister, SO, uncle, aunt, friends, etc. On several of these excursions I brought my 86 year old mother, who has enjoyed the beach, miniature golf, Epcot and the Magic Kingdom.

I'm delighted to be able to share my membership, feel safe wherever I go, like the familiarity of my "home(s) away from home," and plan to enjoy my membership indefinitely.

Have fun.

MJ

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by DVC Grandpa
Were we wise in our purchase?

I'm assuming that this was not a rash, impulse decision. Sounds like you visit WDW quite often. And I find that the older I get, the more I appreciate the creature comforts that purchases like DVC can bring. We paid our dues of years in cramped hotel rooms. This is something we can truly enjoy and appreciate.

So I guess my answer to your question is YES, it sounds like you made a wise purchase.

And welcome to the DIS Boards and to DVC ownership!!

Oh yeah, and WELCOME HOME!

 

[DVC Grandpa]

Thanks for all the thoughts. I think we considered most all of them at the time of purchase. It’s nice to think we aren’t the only ones who purchased at this stage of life. One other big consideration was location of the new property – BCV, Love it!

 

[Sims]

And another thing - if you ever did decide that you wanted to change your mind, there are many people waiting for resales as the resorts sell out. You could get to the break even point for your investment and then get some money back either with resale or point rental.

 

[Dean]

Assuming your extended stays were on property at WDW, it shouldn't take you long to "pay" for your membership, maybe 7-10 years depending on specifics. You'll either save money in the long run, enjoy nicer accomodations at a controlled and reasonable price or both. Contrary to popular belief, DVC is not the cheapest way to go. It is frequently the cheapest way in the long run to stay at deluxe WDW accomodations throughout the years assuming one doesn't hit mostly weekends.

 

[PamOKW]

How long a pay back is it, or shouldn't we think of it that way?

Chances are you will probably breakeven at some point. However, I don't necessarily look at DVC that way. I like to think of it more as a car. You don't wonder when you'll break even on the cost of your BMW versus what you could have paid for a Hyundai. If you like DVC vacations and you can afford them....you are never too old.

 

[BobH]

The payback time depends on how much you spent for your DVC interest and whether you paid cash or borrowed. I spent $15000
and have taken enough vacations since I purchased less than 2 years ago to have used it enough to have recovered about $5000. At this rate I will have recovered my purchase price in a about 6 years. If you borrow obviously it takes longer depending on the loan, the interest and time to pay off. I usualy check the cost to stay at the same accomodations I am using my points for and add another 10% because I would pay room tax if I wasn't using points. I do not figure what I would have lost (as many people do) by tying the money up in DVC instead of investing it. I would have spent the money on vacation anyway. I wouldn't look to invest it. You could accelerate your payoff time as a friend of mine did by getting a Grand Villa and having the whole family go. A Grand Villa would probably go for a $1000 a night or more if you had to pay cash. DVC is flexible that is the main advantage. My wife and I use it with family and without. If we don't use it our college age kids use it. Someday I hope to repeat the trips I had with my kids with my futre grandchildren. I don't see how anyone can go wrong as long as they have a plan to use it and enjoy the destinations offered by DVC. Good Luck!