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

[surfgirl]

Wow.. such negativity... This is a common theme on here... Jealousy....
Be happy for her.
Its nobodys buisness to pick apart what she spends on her trips... give me a break!
We too have DVC and don't regret our purchase... and I don't care if it was a good financial decision or not... I am HAPPY with it... I can afford it without it being a problem in my budget...
This board is ridiculous so much of the time.. {snip}

... {snip}... Just got back from 6 fabulous nights at BLT in a dedicated 2 bedroom. It made us VERY glad we pulled the trigger ... {snip}...

But because we were very smart 15 years ago and didn't second-guess ourselves to death, we can now stay at places like BLT.

Some things are just worth spending money on.

so, she can come on her and say she was "very smart" and "some things are worth spending money on", which is all her opinion and brag about her modest amount of points, but when people question her on the details (ie. that wasn't enough points for your stay, DVC has changed the rules, etc.) it is "negativity" ?

Why do all opinions have to agree with the OP ?

... {snip} ... And my happiness points come from spending 6 nights in a 2 bedroom BLT for my $800 outlay each year. ... {snip} ...

But yet, later you admit that you borrowed more points for your BLT and that $800 outlay is only the annual fee and isn't the true overall cost of DVC. You are misleading others and yourself if you believe that is the "real cost".

---------------

I'm glad DVC worked for you! Just don't be surprised when you brag about how you are "very smart" that others get rubbed the wrong way. And no, it isn't jealousy... I just wanted to point out the facts.

 

[jodifla]

so, she can come on her and say she was "very smart" and "some things are worth spending money on", which is all her opinion and brag about her modest amount of points, but when people question her on the details (ie. that wasn't enough points for your stay, DVC has changed the rules, etc.) it is "negativity" ?

Why do all opinions have to agree with the OP ?



But yet, later you admit that you borrowed more points for your BLT and that $800 outlay is only the annual fee and isn't the true overall cost of DVC. You are misleading others and yourself if you believe that is the "real cost".

---------------

I'm glad DVC worked for you! Just don't be surprised when you brag about how you are "very smart" that others get rubbed the wrong way. And no, it isn't jealousy... I just wanted to point out the facts.

Wow, what a tone.... why would I have to "admit" I borrowed points...(and actually, I didn't borrow them, I had them banked.) Hardly a crime of any sort!

The bottom line for MY family is that 15 years ago, we made an initial purchase, spent less than 10 grand on that initial outlay, and we are still reaping the benefits of that decision today. And we're happy every year that we can afford to stay in anywhere from comfortable studios to 2 bedroom units instead of squeezing into small value resorts or even moderate ones. That we can bring friends and family with us. After you've been to Disney almost 100 times (I grew up 90 minutes from the gate -- I've literally lost count) the resort does become important.

The FACTS are it was a VERY SMART decision for US and our traveling style. We think more in terms of cash flow....that initial cost is done and gone, and it was money designated for vacationing, not saving or investing. So now our $800 goes pretty far in getting us great vacation digs at Disney.

 

[Marionnette]

Wow, what a tone.... why would I have to "admit" I borrowed points...(and actually, I didn't borrow them, I had them banked.) Hardly a crime of any sort!

The bottom line for MY family is that 15 years ago, we made an initial purchase, spent less than 10 grand on that initial outlay, and we are still reaping the benefits of that decision today. And we're happy every year that we can afford to stay in 2 bedroom units instead of small value resorts or even moderate ones. That we can bring friends and family with us. After you've been to Disney almost 100 times (I grew up 90 minutes from the gate -- I've literally lost count) the resort does become important.

The FACTS are it was a VERY SMART decision for US and our traveling style. We think more in terms of cash flow....that initial cost is done and gone, and it was money designated for vacationing, not saving or investing. So now our $800 goes pretty far in getting us great vacation digs at Disney.

I think that surfgirl was trying to say that your intial post was misleading. You didn't stay 6 nights in a 2-bedroom at BLT earlier this month on just your original 150 points.

In fact, your statement in this post is misleading as well. You cannot make yearly week-long visits and stay in a 2-bedroom unit for 150 points at any of the DVC resorts. So stating that you're making yearly vacations and staying in such room digs on your initial investment of $10K is not quite true.

Really, you don't need to stretch the truth to convince anyone that you made a good choice years ago. You believe it was and that's all that matters.

 

[jodifla]

I think that surfgirl was trying to say that your intial post was misleading. You didn't stay 6 nights in a 2-bedroom at BLT earlier this month on just your original 150 points.

In fact, your statement in this post is misleading as well. You cannot make yearly week-long visits and stay in a 2-bedroom unit for 150 points at any of the DVC resorts. So stating that you're making yearly vacations and staying in such room digs on your initial investment of $10K is not quite true.

Really, you don't need to stretch the truth to convince anyone that you made a good choice years ago. You believe it was and that's all that matters.

Uh, never said in my initial post I used the 150 points on the 6 nights. Of course, the beauty of DVC is that you can combine your points any which way over the course of three years, and can stay from a studio to a Grand Villa....or you can skip a year.

I'll re-edit my above post....you are right, I can't stay for a week EVERY year in a 2 bedroom for a week on my now 206 points, but again, the post doesn't say that I stay for a whole week. You are stuck in traditional timeshare thinking.

 

[Marionnette]

. You are stuck in traditional timeshare thinking.

Nope. Not stuck in that mindset at all. I understand the whole point system, borrowing and banking quite well. You, however, have made statements that are somewhat misleading to someone who may not be familiar with those features of DVC ownership.

 

[Tiger926]

Wow, what a tone.... why would I have to "admit" I borrowed points...(and actually, I didn't borrow them, I had them banked.) Hardly a crime of any sort!

The bottom line for MY family is that 15 years ago, we made an initial purchase, spent less than 10 grand on that initial outlay, and we are still reaping the benefits of that decision today. And we're happy every year that we can afford to stay in anywhere from comfortable studios to 2 bedroom units instead of squeezing into small value resorts or even moderate ones. That we can bring friends and family with us. After you've been to Disney almost 100 times (I grew up 90 minutes from the gate -- I've literally lost count) the resort does become important.

The FACTS are it was a VERY SMART decision for US and our traveling style. We think more in terms of cash flow....that initial cost is done and gone, and it was money designated for vacationing, not saving or investing. So now our $800 goes pretty far in getting us great vacation digs at Disney.

I will disagree with how you are figuring your vacation cost total as well. I have said many times on our DVC board, that I think it's misleading and not entirely accurate to not count the initial buy-in as part of the vacation totals. It sounds like you are just using your dues as your vacation cost, and that may mislead others who are seriously considering purchasing DVC.

That money came out of your bank account in order to purchase DVC vacations, so I believe it's imperative to count this in your yearly totals, as the only true and accurate way to get a total vacation cost.

I think it's important to point this out, as there seem to be a few people on here who are genuinely interested in getting more info about DVC. Whatever your initial buy-in was, needs to be divided by the total number of years on your contract, and then divided by the points, plus yearly dues in order to get that trip's accommodation totals.

I just think it's important to point this one thing out, so I hope that was ok!

Tiger

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

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.

We aren't trying to convince you that you should by, just that people whom you are using to justify your reasoning buy their own toys.

Not sure why you find that laughable.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I have been contemplating the purchase of DVC for many years. Came very close in 2001 but with the events of 9/11 decided to hold off. I now recently came in to some money, under $50,000.00 and I am thinking maybe now is a good time. If I buy the basic plan about how much do you think it would cost, also how much a month do you put out for the fee. I just want a ballpark idea. So sorry I did not purchase years ago.

Depends on how many points you buy. I am not sure of current point prices on new sales, but they are a bit over $100 per point. 160 points is the minimum purchase.

Dues are per point fees, so how much you pay depends on how many points you have. Our dues are over $600/yr...

 

[Tiger926]

Depends on how many points you buy. I am not sure of current point prices on new sales, but they are a bit over $100 per point. 160 points is the minimum purchase.

Dues are per point fees, so how much you pay depends on how many points you have. Our dues are over $600/yr...

That is a small amount of points for $600/yr. We have 360/yr and our dues are $1700/yr.

Just wanted to put these figures out there for basis of comparison. Say you need to bank 3 years worth of points for a vacation - at $600/yr x 3 = $1800.00 as the dues cost for that vacation, plus you need to add your buy-in total to that amount. Even if points are banked and not used, we still pay dues on them.

Hope these figures help, Tiger

 

[Jay2009]

Why not just support each other in knowing we know ourselves and our finances enough to know what is best for us and none of us go into anything blindly, the people who it worked for were smart to do what they did, and the people who it doesn't work for are smart not to buy in. Each person and circumstances comes with its own set of uniqueness that makes having one blanket rule about something shortsighted.

OP, I'm glad you made the decision that you feel was best for you.

 

[Uncle Remus]

I'm glad I bought DVC too, love the discounts at some of the restaurants.


Oooh, ooooh, 'n don't forget the DVC discount on AP renewals.

 

[java]

Glad you are happy with your purchase! Enjoying your money is money well spent!

I'm not going to analyze your math- or tell you why we opted to not buy. I am just happy that you are happy!

 

[jodifla]

Glad you are happy with your purchase! Enjoying your money is money well spent!

I'm not going to analyze your math- or tell you why we opted to not buy. I am just happy that you are happy!

Thanks Java. How nice! Thanks.

I can totally see that DVC isn't for everybody....and actually, it's probably a small subset of Disney goers that it's right for. But for the people it's a good match for, people who go all the time -- well, it's really something we were glad we spent our money on.

And I get a bit tired of certain budget board folks always trying to tell DVC people that they're stupid for buying in. Or that we'll have these huge regrets.

15 years later, no regrets.

 

[Marionnette]

Thanks Java. How nice! Thanks.

I can totally see that DVC isn't for everybody....and actually, it's probably a small subset of Disney goers that it's right for. But for the people it's a good match for, people who go all the time -- well, it's really something we were glad we spent our money on.

And I get a bit tired of certain budget board folks always trying to tell DVC people that they're stupid for buying in. Or that we'll have these huge regrets.

15 years later, no regrets.

I don't see anyone on this thread labeling DVC owners as *stupid* or even implying that they are.

I do see people for whom DVC was not a good choice. And I see people who want a realistic accounting of what it costs to be an owner. It's the Budget Board. It's what we do. We look at major purchases from a variety of angles and evaluate all the pluses and minuses.

If you want someone who will congratulate you on your foresight then you need to go back to your thread on the DVC board where other owners will agree with your smart purchase without question because they also did the same thing.

 

[nunzia]

Here we go with all the
My case...as I said, I compare apples to apples, not what I could have paid deal hunting or staying at Motel 6. Yes..I could sure do it cheaper and have for many years..anyone who is interested in learning more will ask about particulars and should certainly read up on official Disney literature before making a decision, not just rely on a message board toss outs.
I do add in the initial purchase, as I think you must, and then I add in the yearly MF. I have 225 points in 4 contracts, my yearly MF are $856. My total outlay thus far, including MF is $28,090, so far I have gotten 'back' (in used vacation accomodations) $13,325. For the rest of this year (before my next MF come due) I will use for myself, family and friends $8,500 worth, so I will then be at $21,825, so $6,265 left until break even (plus the 2012 MF). Of course there are many ways to say this is funny math, but then there are many ways to always say someone is using funny math to make a point or not. And for many DVC owners, it isn't all about the math. It is knowing they have prepaid for a place they love to stay for vacations for years and years and the deal searching pin praying aspect of trips is gone. So easy for us now and not cheaper, per se, but since so much is pre paid (room and AP) our outlay for a trip is very small..train to Fullerton, cab to the park, eat cheap, don't buy crap..under $500 for the whole thing.
Again, for some it's great, for others it doesn't fit, but if folks are happy with what they do then it is right for them.

 

[jodifla]

Here we go with all the
My case...as I said, I compare apples to apples, not what I could have paid deal hunting or staying at Motel 6. Yes..I could sure do it cheaper and have for many years..anyone who is interested in learning more will ask about particulars and should certainly read up on official Disney literature before making a decision, not just rely on a message board toss outs.
I do add in the initial purchase, as I think you must, and then I add in the yearly MF. I have 225 points in 4 contracts, my yearly MF are $856. My total outlay thus far, including MF is $28,090, so far I have gotten 'back' (in used vacation accomodations) $13,325. For the rest of this year (before my next MF come due) I will use for myself, family and friends $8,500 worth, so I will then be at $21,825, so $6,265 left until break even (plus the 2012 MF). Of course there are many ways to say this is funny math, but then there are many ways to always say someone is using funny math to make a point or not. And for many DVC owners, it isn't all about the math. It is knowing they have prepaid for a place they love to stay for vacations for years and years and the deal searching pin praying aspect of trips is gone. So easy for us now and not cheaper, per se, but since so much is pre paid (room and AP) our outlay for a trip is very small..train to Fullerton, cab to the park, eat cheap, don't buy crap..under $500 for the whole thing.
Again, for some it's great, for others it doesn't fit, but if folks are happy with what they do then it is right for them.

Great points. We did it cheaper for many, many years, as I started going in 1972. I've done it ALL, I think: Day trips, Days Inn and Motel 6s, sleeping on friends' couches, camping in tents at FW, camping in RVs at FW, $99 deals at the Yacht Club, weekends at Port Orleans.

But for us, the second we saw the models and crunched through the numbers, we knew it would be a great deal for us, and the way we wanted to vacation in the future. It's worked out just as we thought it would in that regard.

We'd NEVER hand over 3.4 grand to stay in a room just six nights (the going rate on Expedia for our las trip). Heck,that's was a third of our initial purchase price. But taking a year off WDW left us with some extra points...so we went with the BLT splurge and are so glad we did.

 

[jodifla]

I don't see anyone on this thread labeling DVC owners as *stupid* or even implying that they are.

I do see people for whom DVC was not a good choice. And I see people who want a realistic accounting of what it costs to be an owner. It's the Budget Board. It's what we do. We look at major purchases from a variety of angles and evaluate all the pluses and minuses.

If you want someone who will congratulate you on your foresight then you need to go back to your thread on the DVC board where other owners will agree with your smart purchase without question because they also did the same thing.

The idea that people are nuts to buy timeshares (because Dave et al. says so) is actually a pretty frequent thread on the Budget Board. Which is why I came here to post in addition to the much more friendly DVC boards.

My point was that you can splurge....and really be glad you did years down the road, as you still see the dividends of your initial purchase. In our case, it truly has been a priceless experience. But if I'd come on here, and listen to all the endless "what ifs" I MIGHT have been convinced not to buy. And for us, that would have been a HUGE mistake.

Now the metrics have all changed for DVC....it's a lot more expensive now, and resale comes with less benefits. So not as sure I'd make the leap today. So I'm glad I did back then.

Sometimes, a little leap of faith is good, and works out.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

Wow.. such negativity... This is a common theme on here... Jealousy....
Be happy for her.
Its nobodys buisness to pick apart what she spends on her trips... give me a break!
We too have DVC and don't regret our purchase... and I don't care if it was a good financial decision or not... I am HAPPY with it... I can afford it without it being a problem in my budget...
This board is ridiculous so much of the time..
Congrats OP... Enjoy your trip!! Bay Lake is in a great Spot!! its our home resort... wouldn't trade it for anything!

Totally agree with the jealousy thing! These boards can be SO nasty. So happy for you on your purchase and lots of great vacations. We love our DVC too

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

Wow.. such negativity... This is a common theme on here... Jealousy....
Be happy for her.
Its nobodys buisness to pick apart what she spends on her trips... give me a break!
We too have DVC and don't regret our purchase... and I don't care if it was a good financial decision or not... I am HAPPY with it... I can afford it without it being a problem in my budget...
This board is ridiculous so much of the time..
Congrats OP... Enjoy your trip!! Bay Lake is in a great Spot!! its our home resort... wouldn't trade it for anything!

Totally agree with the jealousy thing! These boards can be SO nasty. So happy for you on your purchase and lots of great vacations. We love our DVC too

 

[LovableGluttons]

If the kind of vacations you'll take by buying DVC are enjoyable, and you can afford to take those trips, why wouldn't it be a good thing?

It may not offer a return on your investment, from an investment standpoint, but the rewards are still there.

I have a terrible weakness for Kauai Coffee Company coffee. Only $60 for a 5 pound bag (ouch).

I don't earn money from that investment either, but I sure do enjoy it!