Why Dont you do DVC??

[amzking]

We have not purchased DVC yet, because we refuse to finance and we do not have the cash lying around. If we did we would buy resale, SMALL contracts (50 to 75 points max) so they can easily be resold. No way would I buy 160 or 200 points at once, too hard to unload. Also, you are "in" as a DVC member with as little as 25 points (buying resale) then after that you can add on directly from Disney, again in small contracts, so that you have maximum flexibility and the ability to sell off easily if needed. Also if you start with a small amount of points you don't have to have 10K lying around to get in.

 

[Colleen27]

That's exactly my point, and the buy in is a HECK of a lot more than $14k.

Let's say it's $17k, for some of the cheaper DVC properites right now. That immediately puts you $17k in the whole, and then another $1k a year in dues, hundreds of dollars in flights, thousands of dollars in tickets for a family of 4 and then food prices. That could be, easily, $60k-$75k before you start seeing savings. I could take 30 trips for that price.

The buy in cost depends on the number of points, but I wouldn't consider 17K a going minimum. For some of the cheaper properties right now (and excluding the cheapest, because we're only looking at WDW properties) a 200 point buy-in can be found under 12K. And of course, many people wouldn't even need that many points; we're a family of 5 so we're looking at a larger number of points because we can't stay in studios or even one bedrooms at most properties.

I also don't see why you're figuring in flights and tickets and food. Those are a constant regardless of where you're staying or how you're paying. If you're going to Disney, you're going to have those costs. DVC might offer some small savings on those, particularly food since you're no longer in the position of having to eat every meal out if you don't choose to, but for any sort of real analysis it makes more sense to stick to lodging costs.

 

[jayandstacey]

For me, DVC is a little like a soda that's too big.

One could argue that it cheaper per ounce, or that you get more and have the right to use it as you wish, or that you're guaranteed not to go thirsty for the next two hours.

On the other hand, I might see it as wasteful or a hassle to carry around a soda when I just want to drink some now, throw away the cup and move on.

So the bottom line is that DVC appeals to a certain set of people, people who want some regularity, some sense of ownership, pride, or whatever it is that makes them happy. And while we could debate the merits of the program, it clearly works for some, so who am I to argue?

But it doesn't appeal to me, primarily on the premise that I don't want to go regularly and I'm not sure I will always care to go.

 

[snykymom]

I also don't see why you're figuring in flights and tickets and food. Those are a constant regardless of where you're staying or how you're paying. If you're going to Disney, you're going to have those costs. DVC might offer some small savings on those, particularly food since you're no longer in the position of having to eat every meal out if you don't choose to, but for any sort of real analysis it makes more sense to stick to lodging costs.

I think that's what many of us who don't buy DVC are saying: that's the if. I know that I like going to Disney, but I also like going elsewhere. Last year, I bought an AP for other reasons, and went twice. I had a third trip planned to amortize the AP, but cancelled it because I was Disney'ed out. (I know - blasphemy!) But if I owned DVC, I'd feel a lot more obligated to go, even with the rental market. And then I'd need the tickets and transportation, which I wouldn't have needed if I didn't own DVC because then I wouldn't go.

I don't like the "locked in" feeling.

Oh, and for those who say the pullouts are comfortable - remember, they're relatively new. Get back to me in, say, 15 years. They're simply not made to be slept on every night. No fold out or pull out is.

 

[bwilcox]

For me, DVC is a little like a soda that's too big.

But it doesn't appeal to me, primarily on the premise that I don't want to go regularly and I'm not sure I will always care to go.

And with that big of a soda, you'll have to "go" a lot!

 

[nytimez]

Oh, and for those who say the pullouts are comfortable - remember, they're relatively new. Get back to me in, say, 15 years. They're simply not made to be slept on every night. No fold out or pull out is.

They are replaced. That's what the maintenance fees are for.

 

[Bullseye]

Oh, and for those who say the pullouts are comfortable - remember, they're relatively new. Get back to me in, say, 15 years. They're simply not made to be slept on every night. No fold out or pull out is.

Really?? Seriously?

They are replaced. That's what the maintenance fees are for.

 

[staceymay00]

My point was that, when all is said and done, DVC makes no financial sense, whether you stay Deluxe, Mod or Value. DVC is THAT much more expensive, for not a lot of extra perks.

That is simply not true for everyone who buys DVC. We'll be getting more space (with three kids extra space and a full refrigerator for snacks and drinks is really nice) for about what we've been spending to stay at a deluxe resort hotel room WITH 40-45% discounts. We travel during school breaks and a 40% discount is not a sure thing at those times, so owning DVC allows us to stay on-site even if there are no discounts. We will break even in less than 10 years (initial buy in plus MFs each year) compared to what we've been paying even with 40% discounts, and we'll be getting a villa rather than a standard hotel room.

We bought resale and did not finance, which helped us in getting the numbers to work out in favor of buying DVC. Our initial buy in was "only" about $10,000, which is a lot less than some spend. We might add points one day, or we might not because we don't want to over commit to WDW trips in the future. Every buyer's situation is different and I don't understand blanket statements that DVC never makes sense. So every single DVC owner out there made a poor decision? It certainly does not make sense for many and that is fine, but it does make sense for others. And for some maybe it is a bit of a splurge and there is an intangible value to them. Who cares if they feel good about their purchase and can afford it.

 

[Donut23]

WAY too expensive for the way we travel and much too restrictive even if you consider castmember advantages.


We travel for free a great deal of the time.......rewards from my business travel and our AMEX points. Can't beat a beautiful room at the Crown Plaza.....Times Square.....FREE....and generally upgraded because of my travel history, for example. Yes, we are used to staying in very nice hotel rooms.

We go to WDW and/or DL a couple times a year....that's plenty. Sometimes we stay with our disney travel friends in their DVC property....sometimes it makes more $$$ sense to stay at castmember rates so it generally works out in the wash. I would hate to be stuck with DVC - eliminates flexibility.

We have castmember rates for the cruiseline....but even better....we have great friends who allow us to use "friends and family" for RCI and Celebrity. Next cruise....Oasis of the Seas....then back to Alaska. Disney cruise in Alaska cannot compare to other products there so transferring DVC points to a cruise makes no sense.

How do you use DVC points for that beautiful cottage on Martha's Vineyard? How do you use (or why would you spend the $$$) DVC on our "Great History Trail -- Sharpsburg, Gettysburg, Charlotte, Williamsburg ---- free rooms again.

Few people can turn a travel promotion into complete success like we can. DH was shocked (when we were planning our first trip together) when I explained how easy it is to travel.....very well.....for very little......ok, ok.....our next disney trip....9 nights......total rental car charges (taxes) $ 41. Our Alaska trips....free first class airfare with Delta skymiles....free hotel rooms ashore, taxes only rental car......greatly reduced cabin - junior suite on the beautiful Radiance of the Seas...and far better itinerary than Disney will have in Alaska......shall I continue?

50 year contract....too restrictive. Heck - in 5 years we could easily be living in Kissimmee....why on earth would we want DVC?

Sorry, just has never made any sense for us.

 

[Pjimmeyer]

Financially it might make sense for us, but I'm really particular about where I stay. At WDW I HAVE to stay at the CR. When I was a kid and my dad was stationed in Florida in the 70s I developed this fascination with the CR and monorail. BLT just won't do for me...it doesn't have the monorail running through it. I was lucky enough to be able to afford to stay there for the first time in the early 90s and stayed there on every visit to WDW since.

So I guess the issue for us is flexibility.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

I guess we bought in at the right time....mid-thrities, child 1 year old (now we have a second child so we have an almost 4 year old and a 1 year old.) No financing and the chunk of change was from an awesome bonus my husband earned which we first used to stock the college fund and pay off student loans. We then treated ourself to a BWV resale.

We've done 2 DVC vacations and are planning our next. My three year old loved it so much and demands to stay at "our home at Disney". We brought family members both trips, otherwise we would simply not have vacationed at all with such young children. With my husband's job, we can easily forget to take any vacation at all. I guess that's the ultimate savings, but simply not an option for me. Life's too short.

We now have family and friends who are lining up for our next trips. These are not things that would happen if not for DVC.

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

We are going to buy a DVC! after 2 years of deluxe it makes more sence to us.

 

[Bradsdadg]

We are going to buy a DVC! after 2 years of deluxe it makes more sence to us.

Congrats! I'm sure you'll love it

 

[nytimez]

Financially it might make sense for us, but I'm really particular about where I stay. At WDW I HAVE to stay at the CR. When I was a kid and my dad was stationed in Florida in the 70s I developed this fascination with the CR and monorail. BLT just won't do for me...it doesn't have the monorail running through it. I was lucky enough to be able to afford to stay there for the first time in the early 90s and stayed there on every visit to WDW since.

So I guess the issue for us is flexibility.

It actually wouldn't make sense for you if you HAVE to stay at CR. The points required to stay at CR (not BLT) are too high. It's always much much cheaper, points-wise, to stay in an actual DVC room, and there are none inside the CR.

 

[snykymom]

They are replaced. That's what the maintenance fees are for.

Of course. But when Disney thinks they need to be replaced, and when I think they need to be replaced are two different things. As the years go on, it is more than possible that they'll put off replacing them as long as they can get away with. Just like with the older beds & mattresses.

It may not be something that matters to you, and that's fine. But it does matter to me. When they give me the option of a studio with 2 queen beds, or even with 2 double beds, maybe I'll reconsider. As it is, the layout does not work for me.

 

[poohj80]

When they give me the option of a studio with 2 queen beds, or even with 2 double beds, maybe I'll reconsider. As

You have that option now at OKW.

 

[itchin2go]

We aren't sure we will be going to WDW every year in the future. Right now it's great but once the kids (esp my 2 yr old) get older, we will want to take them overseas, as well as to other places in the US.

I wouldn't want to pay for something I may not want to use in the future.

My sentiments exactly.

 

[awilliams4]

Does that 900.00 include food,tix and getting there? no so you are spending 900.00 a year for JUST the room..and then add food and tix for next week and you are spending more then I am and we stay deluxe also.QUOTE]

I believe you are insinuating that staying in a hotel room is the same as staying in a villa. Sorry to disappoint you but you are not getting the same experience as a DVC member in a 1/2 Bd or Grand Villa. There is no comparison. Your point is lost then.

 

[awilliams4]

That actually is something that baffles me, why someone would spend $20 more a point just to buy from Disney. .

To get BLT and the current years points.

 

[poohj80]

To get BLT and the current years points.

There are actually quite a few BLT resales available already for less than WDW price, not $20 less but less.