When luxury is worth it: Glad I bought DVC 15 years ago!

[Cierese]

Just because someone doesn't agree with prepaying for hotel only at an enormous amount doesn't make them jealous.... to each their own. I would rather throw my $ into a good type of savings and pull out ONLY when I got to Disney. I'm more along the lines of 'what if'... what if suddenly I lost my job? How on earth would I be able to afford to pay on a vacation I won't be taken (if I'd financed?) and what if I get sick and can not go back to work? saying I did pay it out right up front... how much of that money would I get back in the end? I definitely do no NOT fall into that 'jealous' category but my life and how I do things are WAY different than others. If I had so much money I had no clue where to put it all, then I might do DVC as well but I do not. We do go to Disney on a somewhat regular basis (maybe every other year), but we have other things we enjoy as well. It's awesome you get to go... I do, too

We are staying a week at OKW in July, but very budget!
A friend gave me her points for a week (she's one of those that has so many she doesn't know what to do with them!!)... Our room is costing 'maybe' $300 (this includes all fees for DVC, guest certificate, insurance and week exchange). We are getting 5 day park hoppers through YES $1360 for 8 people (4 Adults, 4 kids) and because of that we are getting the QSDP at $1316 for everyone.... This brings the total to:

7 nights at OKW (2br) for 8 people (4A+4k)
ALL tickets and meals....$2976

We all know that vacation also involves other expenses such as getting to and from destination plus eating and possible lodging along the way. And don't forget souvenirs. Has anyone ever gone to Disney and bought nothing??? LOL

If I were going with just myself and my kids it would be about 1/2 that.
This is cheaper than us staying at value for 4 nights on the FDplan. (I know because we did this 2 years ago)

No, Dave Ramsey does not run my life, but he does make a good point! DVC is good for how long?? If I've read correctly, and I purchased now I wouldn't even get to use if after I was retired because the contract expires? Please correct me on this if I'm wrong.

Thanks!!!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Dave Ramsey, Clark Howard, and practically every financial adviser out there would disagree with this premise.

Dave Ramsey has spent thousands on vehicles and boats that lose value and have their own maintenance fees.

A timeshare is no different if it brings joy to those who own and use them.

It is just a different kind of toy.

When he sells his boat for what he paid for it, then I will believe that timeshares are a "waste of money". Until then--his boat is a "waste of money" for folks who don't want to mess with them regardless of how much enjoyment he claims to get out of it.


That being said--we waited over a decade to buy. It certainly wasn't a rush decision. For when and how we wished to do Disney, it worked for us. Of course at the time, we had not planned on moving so far away from DVC. But I would be traveling to FL with or without DVC, so the travel cost expense is moot.

Hosting some friends this summer for a couple of nights at AKL. Nice to not have to plunk down the cash for that.


And DR can take his friends on his boat on the lake. I'm sure I will be enjoying my stay as much as he is enjoying his gas guzzler.

 

[momx2]

Just because someone doesn't agree with prepaying for hotel only at an enormous amount doesn't make them jealous.... to each their own. I would rather throw my $ into a good type of savings and pull out ONLY when I got to Disney. I'm more along the lines of 'what if'... what if suddenly I lost my job? How on earth would I be able to afford to pay on a vacation I won't be taken (if I'd financed?) and what if I get sick and can not go back to work? saying I did pay it out right up front... how much of that money would I get back in the end? I definitely do no NOT fall into that 'jealous' category but my life and how I do things are WAY different than others. If I had so much money I had no clue where to put it all, then I might do DVC as well but I do not. We do go to Disney on a somewhat regular basis (maybe every other year), but we have other things we enjoy as well. It's awesome you get to go... I do, too

We are staying a week at OKW in July, but very budget!
A friend gave me her points for a week (she's one of those that has so many she doesn't know what to do with them!!)... Our room is costing 'maybe' $300 (this includes all fees for DVC, guest certificate, insurance and week exchange). We are getting 5 day park hoppers through YES $1360 for 8 people (4 Adults, 4 kids) and because of that we are getting the QSDP at $1316 for everyone.... This brings the total to:

7 nights at OKW (2br) for 8 people (4A+4k)
ALL tickets and meals....$2976

We all know that vacation also involves other expenses such as getting to and from destination plus eating and possible lodging along the way. And don't forget souvenirs. Has anyone ever gone to Disney and bought nothing??? LOL

If I were going with just myself and my kids it would be about 1/2 that.
This is cheaper than us staying at value for 4 nights on the FDplan. (I know because we did this 2 years ago)

No, Dave Ramsey does not run my life, but he does make a good point! DVC is good for how long?? If I've read correctly, and I purchased now I wouldn't even get to use if after I was retired because the contract expires? Please correct me on this if I'm wrong.

Thanks!!!

Well, not all of us have friends who will give us a 2 bedroom at OKW to be able to go that cheap. So, you are getting the benefit of a friends generosity and at the same time questioning someone for owning DVC. I don't get it.

 

[Tiger926]

Glad OP had a great time!

Just as point of clarification. I constantly see that people who don't buy DVC say that the only way it makes sense, is for people who normally stay in Deluxes, and that is incorrect.

When you add our buy-in, yearly dues and all associated costs, our 2 week trip each summer in a 1 bedroom villa costs us what a moderate stay would cost. Moderate would actually cost more, as you can't cook in your villa, so you have to purchase food. We do not compare to bogus rack rates, as hardly anyone pays those, so we compare to what our former vacations cost.

I totally realize that DVC isn't for everyone, but people really need to get the proper info before they put out information that just isn't true. So, if you normally stay in moderates or deluxes, then perhaps DVC is for you (definitely not Value, as DVC will cost a lot more).

Lots to consider when deciding upon purchasing DVC, but let's make sure the info is correct!

Tiger

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

You can use your points at the campgrounds.

After $95 (I think?) exchange fee.

 

[Tiger926]

Well, not all of us have friends who will give us a 2 bedroom at OKW to be able to go that cheap. So, you are getting the benefit of a friends generosity and at the same time questioning someone for owning DVC. I don't get it.

If his friends didn't purchase DVC, then he wouldn't even be going on that trip.

I always laugh at people who say that those of us who bought DVC are dumb or irresponsible for doing so, as everyone should just rent or borrow from friends.

Ummm...if none of us bought, there wouldn't be rentals or gifts to friends!

Tiger

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Just because someone doesn't agree with prepaying for hotel only at an enormous amount doesn't make them jealous.... to each their own. I would rather throw my $ into a good type of savings and pull out ONLY when I got to Disney. I'm more along the lines of 'what if'... what if suddenly I lost my job? How on earth would I be able to afford to pay on a vacation I won't be taken (if I'd financed?) and what if I get sick and can not go back to work? saying I did pay it out right up front... how much of that money would I get back in the end? I definitely do no NOT fall into that 'jealous' category but my life and how I do things are WAY different than others. If I had so much money I had no clue where to put it all, then I might do DVC as well but I do not. We do go to Disney on a somewhat regular basis (maybe every other year), but we have other things we enjoy as well. It's awesome you get to go... I do, too

We are staying a week at OKW in July, but very budget!
A friend gave me her points for a week (she's one of those that has so many she doesn't know what to do with them!!)... Our room is costing 'maybe' $300 (this includes all fees for DVC, guest certificate, insurance and week exchange). We are getting 5 day park hoppers through YES $1360 for 8 people (4 Adults, 4 kids) and because of that we are getting the QSDP at $1316 for everyone.... This brings the total to:

7 nights at OKW (2br) for 8 people (4A+4k)
ALL tickets and meals....$2976

We all know that vacation also involves other expenses such as getting to and from destination plus eating and possible lodging along the way. And don't forget souvenirs. Has anyone ever gone to Disney and bought nothing??? LOL

If I were going with just myself and my kids it would be about 1/2 that.
This is cheaper than us staying at value for 4 nights on the FDplan. (I know because we did this 2 years ago)

No, Dave Ramsey does not run my life, but he does make a good point! DVC is good for how long?? If I've read correctly, and I purchased now I wouldn't even get to use if after I was retired because the contract expires? Please correct me on this if I'm wrong.

Thanks!!!

You are VERY fortunate.

I don't have friends that will give me a week's worth of accomodations for free or near free.

It is not really a fair comparison.

Contracts are for 50 years.

Dave's boat wont' last that long and he paid more than Jodi did for her DVC for it.

My husband and I will be in our 80s when it expires. We have bigger issues if we cannot be retired before then.

I believe OKW could add on an extension--but I don't recall for how long nor do I know if Jodi took advantage of it.

But your situation and Jodi's are apples and oranges. If I had someone who could give me free Disney accomodations in a 2BR condo for a week--I probably wouldn't have purchased a contract either.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Glad you had a great trip, Jodi!

BLT is dd's first request for her birthday trip next year. I am hoping we get it. Love the idea of walking to MNSSHP and avoiding bus/monorail line congestion.

 

[jodifla]

Just because someone doesn't agree with prepaying for hotel only at an enormous amount doesn't make them jealous.... to each their own. I would rather throw my $ into a good type of savings and pull out ONLY when I got to Disney. I'm more along the lines of 'what if'... what if suddenly I lost my job? How on earth would I be able to afford to pay on a vacation I won't be taken (if I'd financed?) and what if I get sick and can not go back to work? saying I did pay it out right up front... how much of that money would I get back in the end? I definitely do no NOT fall into that 'jealous' category but my life and how I do things are WAY different than others. If I had so much money I had no clue where to put it all, then I might do DVC as well but I do not. We do go to Disney on a somewhat regular basis (maybe every other year), but we have other things we enjoy as well. It's awesome you get to go... I do, too

We are staying a week at OKW in July, but very budget!
A friend gave me her points for a week (she's one of those that has so many she doesn't know what to do with them!!)... Our room is costing 'maybe' $300 (this includes all fees for DVC, guest certificate, insurance and week exchange). We are getting 5 day park hoppers through YES $1360 for 8 people (4 Adults, 4 kids) and because of that we are getting the QSDP at $1316 for everyone.... This brings the total to:

7 nights at OKW (2br) for 8 people (4A+4k)
ALL tickets and meals....$2976

We all know that vacation also involves other expenses such as getting to and from destination plus eating and possible lodging along the way. And don't forget souvenirs. Has anyone ever gone to Disney and bought nothing??? LOL

If I were going with just myself and my kids it would be about 1/2 that.
This is cheaper than us staying at value for 4 nights on the FDplan. (I know because we did this 2 years ago)

No, Dave Ramsey does not run my life, but he does make a good point! DVC is good for how long?? If I've read correctly, and I purchased now I wouldn't even get to use if after I was retired because the contract expires? Please correct me on this if I'm wrong.

Thanks!!!

But in this case, other people are subsidizing your vacation. That's great, but not something you can count on. You're very lucky.

We smartly bought DVC as DINKS and paid it off quickly. If we had a doomsday scenario like you mention, then we'd simply SELL it. We can still sell it 15 years later for about what we paid for it, in fact.

Our DVC will carry us until 2054....so not sure where you are getting that it won't get you to retirement....unless you are 20 or so. I'll be 90 something by then.



Oh, and I bought no souvenirs at Disney when I was there week before last.

 

[jodifla]

Glad you had a great trip, Jodi!

BLT is dd's first request for her birthday trip next year. I am hoping we get it. Love the idea of walking to MNSSHP and avoiding bus/monorail line congestion.

Thanks. BLT is fabulous! We had a 2 bedroom overlooking Bay Lake! Other people complain about the lack of design, but it looked totally like I thought the Contemporary should.

Walking over to the MK was great. So was being on the Monorail!

I got BLT in under 7 months.

 

[Cierese]

But in this case, other people are subsidizing your vacation. That's great, but not something you can count on. You're very lucky.

We smartly bought DVC as DINKS and paid it off quickly. If we had a doomsday scenario like you mention, then we'd simply SELL it. We can still sell it 15 years later for about what we paid for it, in fact.

Our DVC will carry us until 2054....so not sure where you are getting that it won't get you to retirement....unless you are 20 or so. I'll be 90 something by then.



Oh, and I bought no souvenirs at Disney when I was there week before last.

Oh geez... wow. ok. Was NOT trying to say anything mean about anyone here, stating what I wouldn't buy DVC for many many reasons....

You're totally right. I wouldn't be staying at OKW if she'd not given me a week. We were planning to go just my kids and I in the Fall, but we got lucky (sorta). Have to go a different time of year. It happens. I just don't go to Disney enough to buy DVC. Some do, I don't. Plus every situation is different. We never stay at the same place or do the same things. Disney is every 2-3 years depending on life. We vacation several times a year and do a lot of long weekends. I'd never stay 2 weeks at Disney, but that's just me. Like I said before, I'm always looking at the 'what ifs'. DVC would be awesome if I weren't a single mom, 3 kids, and a ton more $$...maybe.

As for DR and his boat HAHAHAHA!!!! He's also looking at buying his wife a new car.... oh well...lol But then again DR has millions of dollars to do whatever the heck he wants to with and I don't agree with 100% of his lifestyle, just said he made a good point. After seeing what my parents (they have BG) and my friend who gave me the week having to go to places ONLY when there's availability, etc. DVC expires, but some of the other's don't. Its just not a good fit for me, none of them are.


Funny thing though someone mentioned staying at different resorts for different rates. I just got quoted one night at a mod for $30 cheaper than at a value... I'm confused. LOL

 

[nicki.momof3]

Silly question from someone that knows very little about DVC.

I have looked at the prices so I understand that. If I pay for my DVC in one payment or pay it off quick how any years is that good for? Did I purchase a 20 year time share - 15 years - 50 years?

Once I pay it off all I have to pay is the yearly fee, park tickets, and food correct?

 

[RitaE]

All that really matters is that it has worked out well for you.

DVC (or any timeshare) would have been a disastrous buy for us 15 years ago ... and today just because of the way we like to vacation.

We've rented points once and then stayed at the Deluxes during big code discount times. I've just never been all that interested in marrying our family to Disney the way some do. We just aren't that fanatical about Disney vacations.

 

[disneyofcourse]

But in this case, other people are subsidizing your vacation. That's great, but not something you can count on. You're very lucky.

We smartly bought DVC as DINKS and paid it off quickly. If we had a doomsday scenario like you mention, then we'd simply SELL it. We can still sell it 15 years later for about what we paid for it, in fact.

Our DVC will carry us until 2054....so not sure where you are getting that it won't get you to retirement....unless you are 20 or so. I'll be 90 something by then.



Oh, and I bought no souvenirs at Disney when I was there week before last.

Mine will expire before retirement age. Just means I need to buy more later on

 

[jodifla]

Silly question from someone that knows very little about DVC.

I have looked at the prices so I understand that. If I pay for my DVC in one payment or pay it off quick how any years is that good for? Did I purchase a 20 year time share - 15 years - 50 years?

Once I pay it off all I have to pay is the yearly fee, park tickets, and food correct?

Different properties have different end years. Some end in 2042, and others in 2054.

 

[ffcheff]

I am also glad I bought dvc two years ago. Our first stay in disney was at CBR in 2008. It was very nice but too small for our needs as a family of 4. After having our third child and pricing vacations for a family of 5, DVC was a good value for us. If I had only one child I don't think I would own DVC. But I am happy with my purchase, and my vacations.

 

[zurgswife]

IF you would normally 1) Go to Disney every year and 2) Stay in Deluxe accommodations. Very few people fall into that category, but most DVC owners I know use the "pays for itself" rationalization.



Keep in mind DVC only covers one portion of your vacation expense ... the hotel room. I rent DVC points each time I go, and the hotel room cost represents ~20% of the total trip cost.


Renting DVC is the way to go if yearly Disney vacations are not your normal. I've never had a problem finding an owner. You get the benefit of DVC hotels without any of the obligation of a timeshare.

My Financial guru hubby did the numbers 13 yrs ago and we used our stay at a moderate to do the numbers. We broke even long ago. We have made 28 trips in the last 13 years. And for us and the ability to be able to cook in our room for almost every meal helpe slash the cost dramatically. So, DVC had added value to be able to eat in.

We also just recently sold one of the 3 contracts that we owned and sold it for more then we paid. So, we lost nothing on the orginal investment.

 

[Candace]

Totally agree - love, love, love my DVC!

I'm with you! I am a member since 1994 and have never regretted it!

 

[SandrA9810]

After $95 (I think?) exchange fee.

Exactly. Because it's not on the list for DVC, you have to pay the $95 which is like one night's stay already. On top of that, it's about equal in cost to points in the final total. Unless you bought your points for like $3, which it might be slightly cheaper.

Depending on the hook-ups needed, it could be anywhere from $40-90 a night for a partial site.

I love some of the DVC resorts, and would love to stay at one every so often. But my preference is still the campgrounds. Once you stay there, you're hooked.

 

[jodifla]

My Financial guru hubby did the numbers 13 yrs ago and we used our stay at a moderate to do the numbers. We broke even long ago. We have made 28 trips in the last 13 years. And for us and the ability to be able to cook in our room for almost every meal helpe slash the cost dramatically. So, DVC had added value to be able to eat in.

We also just recently sold one of the 3 contracts that we owned and sold it for more then we paid. So, we lost nothing on the orginal investment.

This is SO true. And it's SO MUCH EASIER when you have small children.

We often have guests, so we tuck the kids into bed, and stay up visiting over bottles of wine and cocktails.