Why be a DVC member???

[lukenick1]

Can someone convince me why its so great to be a DVC owner??? I'm considering but don't know much about its advantages as opposed to a regular timeshare. I don't own any timeshares or any vacation clubs so please advise me. please educate me!!
Thanks

 

[Grandbuddy]

Can someone convince me why its so great to be a DVC owner??? I'm considering but don't know much about its advantages as opposed to a regular timeshare. I don't own any timeshares or any vacation clubs so please advise me. please educate me!!
Thanks

If you and your family:
have enough income to have a little money that you do not need for groceries and mortgages;
really enjoy vacationing at Disneyland, or even more at Walt Disney World;
would like your WDW accommodations to be spacious enough to spread out a bit, and can see the advantage of having a kitchenette or full kitchen, and even a washer and dryer in your villa; and
believe that your vacation patterns will continue to resemble the above,

you may be a good candidate for DVC membership.

A DVC membership is a way to lock in today's somewhat discounted (as opposed to booking for cash), comfortable (not luxurious) accommodations, and hedge against future vacation inflation. If you have to finance your DVC purchase, you won't see the savings on your accommodations as quickly as you will if you are able to pay for your points in cash - but you will still see savings, in time (several years, either way, for a "break-even" point).

If you are looking at DVC for "trading" potential, the potential is there, but it is not the most economical way to use your points. If you and your family are happy and comfortable in the value resorts, you will not save money over that level of accommodation - ever.

The fact that you have posted here indicates an interest. I started haunting DVC threads to try to "talk myself out of" purchasing. Didn't work.

 

[lukenick1]

How possible is it to trade for Harborside Resort Atlantis as a DVC owner??

 

[DeeCee735]

You might want to post this as a new thread. It'll give the topic more "exposure". I have seen posts about people who have traded into Atlantis, but never got into the detail of them because trading into Atlantis doesn't pertain to our travel patterns. Good luck

 

[EGLSMOMMY]

If you and your family are happy and comfortable in the value resorts, you will not save money over that level of accommodation - ever.

I know there are many different situations and variables to consider, but is this statement always true? According to a spreadsheet I received from someone, you should eventually save money even if you are used to and were happy staying in a value. Although, the break even point is much, much later. Any opinions?

 

[chalee94]

I know there are many different situations and variables to consider, but is this statement always true? According to a spreadsheet I received from someone, you should eventually save money even if you are used to and were happy staying in a value. Although, the break even point is much, much later. Any opinions?

if you buy OKW (low resale cost + low MFs), only stay in studios and never stay on fri-sat night, i would argue that you can beat value pricing (at rack rates).

but if you're really happy at the values (and enjoy the attendant giant statues, bright colors and mass-dining CS options), i still wouldn't recommend making a commitment to DVC...

 

[ilikedvc]

Silly question. Don't buy into DVC. More room for the rest of us!

 

[Ka-chow!]

This is a good thread with some people, including me, arguing some pros and cons.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1808918

I found that DVC'ers are very passionate about their memberships. They will talk about it appreciating in price, but when you challenge their numbers, DVC gets reframed as a "vacation prepurchase program". Alot of money has been spent for DVC, and I think poor financial arguments are often used to defend that decision. Some people even finance the purchase over a couple of years at 12-13%/year. A consideration of risk just doesn't seem to be a part of the equation. For me, I just couldn't justify the purchase in risk/benefit terms.

I recently considered buying into it, but I thought the DVC's financial arguments were strong only from the Disney corporation's standpoint, especially when you put risks of higher gas prices and/or major economic downturns into the equation. I've been told that Disney has the opportunity, if they wish, to raise maintenance fees 15% annually.

And booking need to be made 7 or 11 months in advance. I usually don't plan that far out.

I may see where the resale market in the next few years if gas continues to be 4-5 dollars a gallon or more. When people can't travel down as much, and if I'm still interested at that time, I should be able to rent or buy points much cheaper than they are now. On the other hand, Disney will also continue their slow gradual erosion of hours, services, quality, value, etc to save on costs, so I'll probably get what I pay for.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[disneyfan2kids]

...On the other hand, Disney will also continue their slow gradual erosion of hours, services, quality, value, etc to save on costs, so I'll probably get what I pay for.

Just my 2 cents.

Happy-Happy, Joy-Joy!!!

 

[javamom]

I think in order to appreciate the DVC membership, you have to try to put on your long-term glasses. Seriously, you really just need to decide if you were going to spend the money at Disney (either usually or always) anyway. Do you wanna bet that the rack rate increases will out-race the maintenance fees? Are you feeling lucky?

BTW, as a side note, how many peeps here can remember the Energy Crisis of the 70s' and the birth of hatchbacks and exploding Pintos?

This too shall pass, and I will still be enjoying my DVC - with my grandkids.

 

[Ka-chow!]

BTW, as a side note, how many peeps here can remember the Energy Crisis of the 70s' and the birth of hatchbacks and exploding Pintos?

This too shall pass, and I will still be enjoying my DVC - with my grandkids.

I do remember the '73 and '79 oil crises, but they were much different in origin and scope. They were massive but short term supply interruptions from the OPEC oil embargo (following the '73 Arab-Israeli War) and Iranian Revolution, respectively. The current shortages are primarily a product of new Chinese and Indian industrialization/demand. In 20 years, China will have the same number of cars as Americans do now. Unfortunately, there just aren't more undiscovered oil reserves left like Saudi Arabia, so the price will rise until it meets the costs of alternative fuels.

I admire your confidence that gas will lower, but unless you know something I don't, China and India are not going away.

I didn't follow how hatchbacks or exploding Pintos had to do with DVC or gas prices, so I'll just have to take your word for it.

Enjoy the parks with your grandkids!

 

[nyck]

I am very happy with my DVC, so much that I bought a 2nd one last year because I was using my points from the 1st one too quickly. And now, with the way the economy is, I am actually HAPPY that I own 2. Where it is true that people will not travel as much now because of gas and airfare, if your vacation is pretty much paid for (accommodations at least), you can still travel since the biggest cost is paid for. And I like that I do not have to worry about going the same week each year (like most timeshares) or switching weeks. I do go to Disney every 6 months pretty much, but also have been to Paris, London, San Diego, New York, Chicago, and cruises with my DVC. I have control over my vacation costs with the DVC and do not have to change it due to the economy. Airfare costs me about $150-200 higher now to go, but I can still afford it. I would not be able to afford it without DVC though. So even if later you do not want to go to Disney anymore, you still have plenty of options. Or rent the points out and make extra cash that way. I own at Beach Club and people are ALWAYS wanting to stay there, either when I go or to buy it from me. The 2nd one I bought is Saratoga, which is ok, but Beach Club is my favorite. I only bought Saratoga for the points and the discount they were giving at the time. I don't even have children, but when I do I already know I can afford to take them to Disney. There are so many people who can't do that, so I feel very lucky and blessed.

 

[Dina]

We never looked at DVC as a way to save money. I've been going to Disney consistently since I was 3 years old, and I don't see that stopping any time soon. My parents took me every other year until I graduated high school, and since then my husband and I have started going to Disney at least once a year (sometimes as much as 3 times a year). It's our absolute favorite vacation destination. However, I really wanted DVC for several reasons. 1st-- I have two boys, and in a few years when they start hitting the pre-teen/teen years, we're going to start needing some privacy, and I didn't want to have to pay for two hotel rooms (we didn't like our stay at the values, so we'd either have to pay for moderate or deluxe). Secondly, my husband's parents and my parents were starting to make trips with us to WDW, and I thought the trips would be much more enjoyable if we were in a villa together rather than separate hotel rooms. Third, I do alot of laundry in Disney (I think more than most), I feel like I pack alot, but we go through our clothes very quickly, and after 7 trips of hauling my clothes back and forth to the laundry (wasting valuable Disney time), the thought of a washer and dryer in my own villa was priceless (the dishwasher was pretty cool too, although not as needed anymore since we're past the sippy cup /bottle phase). Lastly, I was tired of staying at the values and moderates. We had one deluxe resort trip, and i wanted more. I just couldn't justify spending more than $2000 on just our room for more than one week, it felt like throwing alot of money away, and while we spent a considerable bit more than that on DVC, the fact that it was for 50 years made it seem more reasonable.

 

[Laxmom]

We own Marriott as well as DVC and I will tell you what we like about DVC; flexibility. When we book our Marriott it is a week long trip...no option. We went to HHI earlier this spring but could not stay the entire week. We left after 4 days. The rest of the week went unused, we lost those days and they, consequently, cost us $225 per day when you divide our MF by the number of days we used. We lost money on that stay. With Disney, that does not happen. You can bank and borrow. Marriott, you use or lose unless you deposit with II. With DVC, we could have just reserved those 4 days and saved the rest for another trip. With Marriott, I have already made my reservations for next summer; you must plan 1 year in advance to reserve at your home resort, in most cases. With DVC, I called last month and got a precruise stay for 2 nights at Wilderness Lodge in a 2 bedroom. Also, the DVC points are much easier to rent if we can't use them in the banking process.

I didn't cover whether you should buy DVC or another point system because others have already touched on that. We have only owned for a little over a month and these are the differences we have already noticed. Now, don't get me wrong, we love our Marriotts and they have their place in our ts portfolio but a great point system like DVC can be a great decsion if you are not a long rage planner.

 

[littlestar]

What I like is the theming and the location of the DVC resorts being right on WDW property. Right now our points are slimmed down to just one small contract at SSR (I'm waiting to add on at the Contemporary). I like being able to call up DVC Member Services and book 5 nights in a studio for my kids or nieces or nephews (Sunday through Thursday when the points are low). We plan far enough ahead and don't travel during busy times so we can usually book whatever we want. We own two other timeshares - an even and odd week at drive-to destinations from our house. But those timeshares are week long stays and not a point system like DVC.

If you love the WDW resorts and place a premium on staying on property in at least a moderate resort, I'd say go for it. If you are worried about buying right now with the economy the way it is, maybe get your feet wet with a smal DVC contract - like 50 or 60 points. If being on property at Disney doesn't matter to you, then I'd either rent or search out other timeshare systems and find something that would fit your needs. If you buy a timeshare other than DVC, be sure to buy it resale. DVC has held its value very well, but most other timeshares drop like a rock after purchasing from the developer.

 

[Starr W.]

We're DVC members because when we go to WDW we want to stay on site and really want more space than a hotel room.

We use our points(SSR&VB) mainly for booking holidays Thanksgiving and Easter.

Our Starwood ski week, we'll probably head out there in 2010, has been our "experimental" trading week so far. We went to Park City with it in June.

Just purchased a fixed week at a resort in MI, an area we love so we will probably use that one every yr. We got it cheap enough and the MF's are reaonable and knowing how much a rental goes for it's not a problem if we don't stay the full week. I'm a head of the game even if I stay 4 nights.

I would love to get a Marriott week, but I think we have enough for the time being.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I really enjoy the flexibility to go when I want, and the differenct choices of accomodations. Contrary to popular opinion, I also like to use the points for the Collections series and will use for Concierge Loew's Resort in NYC. Many options, whether a good value or not. ( GO 99!!)

 

[Starr W.]

I really enjoy the flexibility to go when I want, and the differenct choices of accomodations. Contrary to popular opinion, I also like to use the points for the Collections series and will use for Concierge Loew's Resort in NYC. Many options, whether a good value or not. ( GO 99!!)

I may use the points to go to NYC one day(ABT's Spring season at the Met?) To be honest I haven't really looked at the new book, I know they cut down the Conceirge Collection.


The Carl looked pretty racy yesterday in final practice.

 

[marnietch]

We agonized over whether to spend the money on becoming DVC members back in 2001. It is one of the best decisions we made. We love all of the resorts, especially OKW and HHI, and we have the greatest vacations ever. You feel "special" when you're a DVC member. I can't quite put my finger on it but there is this great feeling when you check in and they say, "Welcome Home". We have since bought points two more times and are considering another purchase (Contemporary). Good luck with your decision but I can't see how you can go wrong if you love Disney!!!

 

[MILLZ]

is there anything better than investing in your family. best decision ive made