Where Is It?

[javamom]

Forgive me if this is the umpteenthhundredth time this has been asked, but I am trying to figure out where the savings is in the DVC. I must be missing something somewhere because I know "folks like to save money" and I'm definately folks too!

In the FAQS it says something like $89 per point 150 point minimum/per year. That calculates out to 13,350. Now, I think I figured out that the stay that I am planning would be like 288 points, or just 25.6K. Plus I would still need to purchase tickets at a 10% discount, right?

I am just not getting what the savings is. What am I doing wrong? Or is it just a savings based upon having a larger room/living space?

What am I missing, I really want to figure this out. Because I am all for the idea of getting more mouse for less!

 

[PinkTink63]

Forgive me if this is the umpteenthhundredth time this has been asked, but I am trying to figure out where the savings is in the DVC. I must be missing something somewhere because I know "folks like to save money" and I'm definately folks too!

In the FAQS it says something like $89 per point 150 point minimum/per year. That calculates out to 13,350. Now, I think I figured out that the stay that I am planning would be like 134 points, or just under 12K. Plus I would still need to purchase tickets at a 10% discount, right?

I am just not getting what the savings is. Or is it just a savings based upon having a larger room/living space?

What am I missing, I really want to figure this out. Because I am all for the idea of getting more mouse for less!

I'm not sure I'm following you! DVC basically is pre-paying your vacation accomodations for the next several years. You need to figure out what you would be paying for those same accomodations without DVC. You do get some perks with ownership too, but that is not garaunteed. Right now we do get $100-125 off AP's right now.
Hope this helps somewhat!
Stephanie

 

[BillPA]

I think you are missing that you pay that one time, and get the same amount of points each year for the next 36 or 48 years depending on where you buy.
You do have dues each year but those are in the $4 to $4.50 a point range.

 

[keys2kingdom]

Say for instance that you decided your yearly stay would require 300 points, you would buy into DVC with a 300 point contract. Using your example of $89 per point (this is not the current price though) this would cost you $26,700. That $26,700 is a ONE TIME expenditure that "buys" you 300 points every year for 48 years (if you buy SSR). You would then pay dues on those 300 points every year ($3.98 per point for SSR this year), but that would be your only cost. I can certainly see how it didn't make sense to you the other way, you were missing a HUGE piece of the puzzle.


P.S. The 150 point minimum you referred to is the smallest contract you can buy directly from Disney. That would be the number of points you start with every year. You can buy any size contract you want to start out. The key is that it's a one time cost.

 

[kgkmom]

My DH and I were having this *exact* conversation tonight. He calculated the cost at approx. $4000/yr for the 5 year payment option from Disney. His point is, can't I (and it's just for me and DD-DH doesn't like to fly, doesn't like theme parks, and hates the FL heat!) take a vacation each year for much less? Well, of course. Can't we take *two* vacations for the price of the yearly payments? Probably. But as I reminded him, the cost of the vacations will simply keep going up, and will never go down. By buying DVC, you lock in a certain rate, so to speak, of a certain level of accomodations.

The only time DH came to WDW with us, we stayed in AS-SP, so this is what he's comparing it to. He won't go back down until DS is old enough not to be trouble so we're looking at his next trip being in 4-5 years. I told him, that he'd be much more comfortable staying in a DVC accomodation, especially if we stay in a 1-bedroom. He sort of got that point. I kept trying to sell him on the golf, but he just became more resistant.

The bottom line for me is, this isn't his type of vacation (he's a homebody like you've never seen), and I'm having trouble justifying the expense when he may only benefit from it 2, possibly 3, times in his life.

I could really use some help!!! And I could really use winning the lottery

 

[javamom]

I was on a DISchat tonight and got that major piece of the puzzle filled in for me. Man, I'd love to be able to buy into the DVC, but that is still a chunk of change. It'll take some serious thought to figure out if it is cost-effective for us. There is always all those travel-related expenses to figure in as well. Thanks for the info though, I really appreciate it!

 

[Kimmumum]

Man, I'd love to be able to buy into the DVC, but that is still a chunk of change. It'll take some serious thought to figure out if it is cost-effective for us.

Remember that you can buy a smaller amount of points and then add on when you have additional cash. You do not have to buy "all" of your points at one time. If it fits into your budget you could buy say...200 points now and then buy 100 later on (if you really needed 300 points).

DVC is wonderful. Do not become overwhelmed.

 

[vascubaguy]

Remember that you can buy a smaller amount of points and then add on when you have additional cash. You do not have to buy "all" of your points at one time. If it fits into your budget you could buy say...200 points now and then buy 100 later on (if you really needed 300 points).

DVC is wonderful. Do not become overwhelmed.

Very true, you don't have to buy all of the points now, many of us started with fewer points and then added more later. There is also the resale market where you could save a little more money, but you have to acquire your own financing, use a credit card, or a home equity loan, etc. Many will argue that financing DVC is not a good idea, but many others would disagree with that too. If you decide to buy, just know that you can buy as few as 25 points on the resale market, but direct thru DVC you'd have to get 150 minimum.

Oh, and if DVC is not financially feasible now, another alternative is to rent points from a DVC member so that you can get a feel for the DVC accommodations. In many cases, renting points for a DVC stay would still be cheaper than booking a stay at some mods, and especially the deluxes.

 

[javamom]

I know that you can book the Dining Plan with a DVC now as an option. How about Magical Express, or do you have to arrange your own transportation?

 

[StormTigger]

I know that you can book the Dining Plan with a DVC now as an option. How about Magical Express, or do you have to arrange your own transportation?

I got this one!

You can use ME while staying in DVC, even if you are staying on rented points (okay.. someone correct me if I'm wrong on that last part).

I will warn you though, if you are iffy on buying into DVC, and you rent points to "try it out".. the chances of buying greatly increase!

I also would agree w/ getting a small contract to start, if you don't go every year, you can bank and borrow points to turn the smaller contracts into one big ... okay decent size ... Disney vacation every other year. The fact that you aren't going every year, might also be a selling point you can use. (At least that's what you tell him anyway. )

 

[MarylandMommy]

As for the Dining plan, I rented points from a wonderful DVCer. I called with the confirmation number she gave me and asked for the Dining plan. The CM added it to the reservation and we will pay for it when we get there. CM also stated that I had 5 days before we check-in to cancel the dinning plan if we change our minds. Great CM, for giving out all the information!
BTW, as for the Disney Dining Plan, LOVE IT!!!!

 

[RoyalCanadian]

There is always all those travel-related expenses to figure in as well.

The travel-related expenses should be considered a moot point -- one would pay the same expenses for getting to WDW whether one stayed DVC or in a cardboard box behind the Hess Station.

However, I don't think Magical Express is available for the cardboard box.