Why Dont you do DVC??

[JasonDVC]

I noticed a lot of people getting hung up on the maintenance fee issue...

If you qualify...get a Disney Visa card from Chase and use it to earn points. You can use those points to pay all, or most, of your annual maintenance fees thus costing you nothing out of pocket.

If your DVC purchase is paid off and you use your Disney Visa points to pay off your annual fees...you will essentially be travelling to WDW and beyond with free Deluxe accomdations.

 

[SSR]

There are several out there on the web--just do a Google search. Personally, I looked at what was available online, then put my own together using Microsoft Excel. It's not rocket science.

Of course.

I believe this particular calculator only helps you keep track of your points. It does not do any cost comparisons.

Thanks. Sorry about that. Was trying to do it on my iPhone. I'm sure others will chime in...

 

[KellyNY]

Like someone said above, DVC is about emotional comfort, not financial.

Depends. 10 years ago my DD was 8 and I knew I do not plan to do Disney every single year, we skipped some years, although some years we did it twice. So for me it would be a waste. For someone who has a 5 and 1yo for example and plan to have more kids in a future, and used to travel to Disney every year in a past without even considering something else, it may be a saving later. In 10 years, kids still be young with maybe another kid and by the time youngest will say "enough", oldest may bring grandkids into picture. See, for some people it is really good investment in a long run.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Depends. 10 years ago my DD was 8 and I knew I do not plan to do Disney every single year, we skipped some years, although some years we did it twice. So for me it would be a waste. For someone who has a 5 and 1yo for example and plan to have more kids in a future, and used to travel to Disney every year in a past without even considering something else, it may be a saving later. In 10 years, kids still be young with maybe another kid and by the time youngest will say "enough", oldest may bring grandkids into picture. See, for some people it is really good investment in a long run.

But being locked into the same few resorts with fewer amenities just doesn't appeal to me. Maybe it does to some.

 

[SSR]

I noticed a lot of people getting hung up on the maintenance fee issue...

If you qualify...get a Disney Visa card from Chase and use it to earn points. You can use those points to pay all, or most, of your annual maintenance fees thus costing you nothing out of pocket.

If your DVC purchase is paid off and you use your Disney Visa points to pay off your annual fees...you will essentially be travelling to WDW and beyond with free Deluxe accomdations.

With an average of say $800 per year in MFs, that would be $80,000 in charges on that visa. Methinks those folks won't have any problem paying the $800 without the help of the visa.

 

[mistyt]

I'll agree with emotional comfort but it also does provide financial savings to those who vacation at WDW often and who prefer the finest accommodations. We've all done the math and we know how much we are not spending for our trips now that we are members!

I'm loving your posts in the thread! We are huge DVC fans and look at it as we bought into something that is inflation proof price wise.

Take for example that a room at the Contemp, when it opened, was only $88 and now that same room is up to over $400 a night!

With DVC, I have locked in my rate so I don't have to worry how much that room goes up now because I'll always be paying the same thing and will eventually only be paying my maintanence fee which for our family is a little over $600. A one week stay at the All-Stars can be over $700 and those are accomadations we prefer not to stay in. Five years from now, those of you who vacation without DVC will be paying even more for those rooms while we are still vacations just on our maintanece fees.

Not to mention we get discounts on APs, dining, entertainment, tours, shopping, golf, spa packages, and more!

 

[nytimez]

DVC does not save you money, so I'm not sure what Benjamins are in your pocket.

Like someone said above, DVC is about emotional comfort, not financial.

I'm glad you know so much about how much it costs each of us, highly specific personal financial details and even the emotions we feel about DVC, all from a few messages on the Internet.

Do you think you can find a missing sock for me while you're at it?

 

[bakenatj]

I'm a DVC member and I find this discussion very interesting. The fact is there are numerous factors to weigh when looking at purchasing DVC. It is not an monetary investment, you're not gaining money. It is a way to secure a rate. If inflation/economic growth continues at the same rate as the past 50 years, then those that purchase now will not be paying as much for Deluxe Villas accommodations at WDW as those that chose not to purchase. You will come out ahead in the long run by purchasing it's just the personal decision to make that initial purchase that is a deterrent to many.

Let no one make the mistake that this is a great deal and that Disney isn't making $$ off DVC. Disney is a business and they wouldn't do this if it wasn't making them money. DVC is good for Disney because it guarantees repeat customers to their parks, restaurants and everything else WDW has to offer. They give you a better rate "Now" for future rates on accommodations so they can count on you spending that extra money on other forms of entertainment while you are staying on their site. Simple economics. Hope this helps.

 

[mistyt]

But being locked into the same few resorts with fewer amenities just doesn't appeal to me. Maybe it does to some.

You can actually use all the resorts on Disney property (except the values) and also use the membership towards cruises, ABD, and over 500 other places around the world.

My mom used our membership to stay at the Plaza in NYC for my 16th birthday many years ago. We never would of been able to do something like that without our membership because of the cost

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

You can actually use all the resorts on Disney property (except the values) and also use the membership towards cruises, ABD, and over 500 other places around the world.

My mom used our membership to stay at the Plaza in NYC for my 16th birthday many years ago. We never would of been able to do something like that without our membership because of the cost

Really? You can use your points at the Grand Floridian?

 

[rentayenta]

Maybe it doesn't save YOU money, but it has saved many of our families quite a bit of money and will continue to do so since we are past the break even point. We understand it's not for you, but it's working for a lot of us!

ITA.

It does save money! We spent 5 nights in a 2 bedroom villa at the GCV at Disneyland. That villa would have cost us $1,500 per night on the low side. That's half the price of our cost to purchase DVC. And that's in just one 5 night trip. We also used it to spend a week in Cabo right on the beach- another $2,000 right there. We are planning a 10 night DVC vacation for next December in the THV at SSR. That will about break us even in just over 2 years. With 30+ years left to vacation on our contract, we will save a TON!

 

[Desnik]

PLUS the 14,000 min you paid upfront...THAT is where the heck I got that from....so you are out a min of 14,000 right from the start,then the 900.00 in dues plus all that other stuff you have to get like tix,food and airfare....does not sound that great to me...I like to go other places to vacation other then JUST wdw and unless you just have money to burn buying dvc when you like to go other places is just throwing money away on dues every year...I dont see why there are so many people that came on here to defend their choice to buy dvc when the quistion was " why DONT you dvc?" The OP was not asking why do you or why dont you it was simply why DONT you..which means she was not looking for a debate.

Wow, did you not see my post right after the one you quoted? Here it is:

Oh, see that's what I get for posting while I was on the phone! I get it now......actually, it was a lot more than $14,000 initial purchase price.

Actually I am fortunate enough to be able to go on multiple vacations a year, including our 2 WDW vacations. You may think of it as throwing our money away, but again that is not a fact because you think it is, it is your opinion. I never came to this thread to defend my choice in buying DVC. I could care less what you think. I stated in my first post that this is a great thread and will help those who maybe on the fence with a DVC purchase. The reasons people were stating for not buying were the exact reasons that they shouldn't be DVC'ers. DVC is not for everyone and doesn't make sense for everyone. The only one debating here is you. I never try to convince anyone that DVC is perfect or a good choice for everyone. It works for us, and I know it doesn't work for others.

plus your original buy in of $14.000 I think is what he means

Got it, I got it 2 mins after posting, then posted that!

Maybe it doesn't save YOU money, but it has saved many of our families quite a bit of money and will continue to do so since we are past the break even point. We understand it's not for you, but it's working for a lot of us!

Exactly!!!!

 

[mistyt]

Really? You can use your points at the Grand Floridian?

Yes you can.

 

[bakenatj]

Really? You can use your points at the Grand Floridian?

Yes you can, it's not the best way to get the most for your points but you can stay on points.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Yes you can, it's not the best way to get the most for your points but you can stay on points.

Right, but the best way is to stay at SSR or OKW, neither of which have any appeal to me.

 

[mistyt]

Right, but the best way is to stay at SSR or OKW, neither of which have any appeal to me.

How about Villas at Wilderness Lodge?
Or Villas at Boardwalk?
Or Villas at Beach Club?
Or Villas at Animal Kingdom Lodge?
Or Bay Lake Tower?

Even if you buy into DVC at say Bay Lake, it doesn't mean you ever have to stay there. You can stay at any of the DVC reosrts you just can book out as far in advance.

 

[bakenatj]

Right, but the best way is to stay at SSR or OKW, neither of which have any appeal to me.

That isn't totally true either. DVC is designed for the member to get the most of their points by staying at the Deluxe Villas Resorts. Not just SSR or OKW. In your case, if you like GF the best, then stay there but I would not recommend DVC to you. That is one of the many things to consider when looking at purchasing. It's not for everyone.

 

[Desnik]

Right, but the best way is to stay at SSR or OKW, neither of which have any appeal to me.

Actually, you can add AKV value or standard view to that too as well as BWV standard view. Those have the "cheapest" points per night.

 

[KellyNY]

But being locked into the same few resorts with fewer amenities just doesn't appeal to me. Maybe it does to some.

Well, I did CBR for 7 trips and I love it. I did CSR couple of trips and POP once but my heart is set on CBR, so for me staying there all the time is not a problem. But again, it is me, for you maybe same resort twice is not a good idea, we all different.

 

[Corwin]

Really? You can use your points at the Grand Floridian?

Yes, you can (though it's not a particularly good deal to do so).

Right, but the best way is to stay at SSR or OKW, neither of which have any appeal to me.

If you define "best" as being the fewest number of DVC points required for a stay, then a value or standard room at AKV is even fewer points than SSR or OKW, and a standard room at BWV is comparable.

You know, for someone who purports to know everything about DVC and its value, you seem to have some gaps in your knowledge.