ZippyDooDah said:
I don't mean to butt in, but my husband and I are in the same boat as the original post. We just got back from WDW an hour ago and went through the DVC sales pitch (for the 2nd time) and pd a deposit. But now we're having second thoughts. I can definitely see how it is a huge value to those with large families, or those who come from far off, or those who are accustomed to staying at deluxe. But we are a small family of 3, who drives only 8 hours, and have only recently begun trying out some of the deluxe resorts. I guess what I want to know is: are there any DISadvantages to DVC? Are there any "hidden" costs or issues or things I need to know that my salesman may not have gone over with us?
I know the decision is very personal, but I need all the facts - good and bad. Any feedback?
One of the things the salespeople make sound good is the options outside DVC...they aren't bad, but your best use of points is inside the DVC system. Not the
Disney Cruise Line, not the Broadmoor hotel, not some resort in Europe. Buy DVC to stay in DVC resorts at WDW - and maybe occationally trade out. Don't buy DVC as a flexible travel the world type timeshare.
If you currently stay in a Deluxe in one room, you will find a studio at DVC saves you money - especially if you can avoid weekend nights. However, with a child, you may discover the wonder of the one bedroom - which lets you sleep your soon to be five year old on the hideabed while you and your husband watch TV in the Master Bedroom (and will give you space from your soon to be pre-teen). It allows you to pack less and get laundry done easily - throwing in a load as you leave for the parks, drying it overnight, and throwing in a new one the next morning. It allows you to whip up eggs in the morning, or microwave some popcorn or cook a frozen pizza in the evening.
DVC will give you an "allotment" of points each year. With banking and borrowing you can have three years of points at once and move them around a bit. But it means you need to do some planning so you don't drive yourself into such a hole you run out of points - or (the unlikely alternative) you don't take trips and miss out on using your points. Points management isn't a huge deal once you get used to it.
Likewise, DVC works best for planners. Currently rooms are already booked for much of October/November and December. It can be hard to find a room anyplace on certain nights and stringing a week together without moving could be really difficult. There are times of year where its possible to take short notice trips, but you probably won't have a lot of choice on resort and may need to be flexible on room size and dates.
Although as a DVCer I could have booked a September trip at CBR on cash and taken advantage of free dining, DVCers often have a hard time justifying that since they don't use their points. Promotions like free dining don't come to DVCers.
Currently we have some nice perks, particularly if you go often enough for an Annual Pass. The AP discount is nice, and combined with the DDE available to AP holders, it can be a great deal. But it doesn't work for all DVCers and perks are subject to change. Don't buy because you'll get perks and bonuses.
DVC gets maidservice on a reduced schedule. On a weeklong trip, the mousekeeper will stop by to empty trash and switch towels on day four. Stay eight or more days and you'll get a full cleaning. You can pay extra to have your room cleaned more often, but it reduces the "bargain" you are getting. Most DVCers think the maidservice level is fine, and actually prefer not having to worry about a maid in their room every day. But it does mean if you want beds made, dishes done, clean towels, etc, you'll do it yourself or pay.
DVC guides won't tell you that if you are happy offsite, there are plenty of timeshares in the Orlando area to be had for a song on the resale market. Though if you were happy offsite, you wouldn't be staying onsite in Deluxes now.
DVCers sometimes feel we lack power after we buy...there is currently no guarenteed non-smoking. Checkin policies can be frustrating and often you don't get into your room until 4pm. In the past, we've felt we get the short end on transportation. DVC resorts usually operate at pretty close to capacity, showing up at 10pm and you may be looking at the last room unoccupied in the resort - which may be a smoking handicapped room far away from the elevators looking at a dumpster without a balcony. (I don't think that exact room exists, its the combination of the worst rooms at several resorts - well, maybe smokers who keep the drapes shut, never go outside, and don't mind handicapped rooms would mind it).
. I have just accepted the housekeeping thing-several people on this board have told me that I may come to like not having it every day-we'll see. LOL, our first DVC trip is Dec 1-9. Both DH and I were bummed about the meal plan thing. We were in love with the old gold/silver plans. We did buy PAP's with our DVC discount that we also plan to use Oct 2006, and we bought the DDE card. I have read many good thing about this card, so I hope it works well for us. I really can't think of any more negatives. The maint fees are not a lot at all-we have them deducted monthly from our checking account-I don't even notice them (we own 230 pts). We plan to buy another 150 points in about 2 years. Good luck!
) and clean off the table. My DW actually appreciates "Not having to clean for the maid" (this is a concept most guys do not understand, but she has a thing about letting a maid pick up after her.
