Why have you NOT bought DVC?

[texasgirl73]

Ok I don't meet the criteria as I haven't been vacationing at Disney every year but I can tell you why I know I will never purchase DVC.....I am fickle...Disney is my current obsession but in the past I thought going back to my hometown would be the only vacation I could imagine...then I couldn't imagine going anywhere but Las Vegas twice a year...so Disney sounds great now but how will I feel in 10 years? Will I even take vacations??? Who knows...I've learned that things change and I'm not about to commit myself.

 

[tidefan]

DVC costs: Using "ballpark" figures, it seemed that it would cost about $15K or so to buy enough DVC points to go once a year for 7-8 nights. But, if we financed the cost, the actual total amount we would have to pay probably would be closer to $17-18K. Assuming we financed that amount for 7 years, we would have to pay about $250 per month ($3000 per year) for the basic cost of the DVC plan. Added to that is the annual maintence fee which I think is about $700. We realized that altogether we'd be spending about $3700 a year just for a place to stay each year...compared to the $1200 we currently pay for a room for 6 nights each year. We then switched gears in our thinking and "ran the numbers" based on if we paid the entire
$15K cost for the DVC upfront, leaving us only with the annual maintenance fee. But since a room at a moderate for 6 nights seems to cost only about $500 more per year than the DVC annual maintenance fee of $700, we realized that even if we paid that $500 more for each of the next 20 years the total cost of doing so would be only about $10,000. Frankly, we figured that if we saved only about $500 a year on our room costs by joining the DVC, it actually would take us about 30 years to break even.

Of course, these are all very rough calculations and based on going to Disney once a year for a week...we probably made some mistakes. But based on this reasoning, we felt it wasn't worth the cost. However, for others who go more frequently and have annual passes, the DVC might be a much better deal. To each, his own!

Just to point out a common misconception. You don't have to buy direct from Disney.

Comparing as close as you can, i.e., a DVC Studio to a moderate, you would need nowhere near $15,000 to buy in. For 6-nights even in the summer season at BCV, you'd only need 102 points. At OKW, you'd only need 82. You can pick those buy-ins on the resale market for about $7,000 to $8,500 depending upon your home resort. Also, your maintenance fees on this would only run about $380 - $450. So, you could stay in the same accommodations and recoup your initial costs in about 10 years.

Also, don't forget your room taxes at the moderate of 12.5 percent...

 

[tidefan]

I didn't read every single post so sorry if duplicate.

I can tell you why I owned DVC, but sold it.

We bought when we lived in Mobile, AL...was great to pop down for anytime weekend trips. This also made an annual pass a good idea. It was myself, dh and dd.

Now it is just myself and dd, we live in NJ now, so have flights to consider & park hoppers. I figured out I can get a value for 2 weeks for what I was paying in dvc annual dues. And since we have to fly, it is only convenient budget wise to go at most once per year, usually every 2-3 years.

So for me, it made sense to sell. I still spend the same per year. But now the bulk of the money is making interest in my bank, not theirs. Yes a value is smaller and not so fancy. But we only sleep and shower so the extra amenities were wasted on us.

For those with large families who are able to go a lot during the year or if you really prefer deluxe type accommodations I think it makes sense.

It is all what works for you. This worked for us. I was scared to death the first trip we stayed at ASmu after staying OKW and BWV, not to mention first time just the 2 of us w/out dad. Will it be a dive, will it be icky, dangerous? Turns out to be one of the best we've ever had.

Laura, if you don't mind, what did you get for your DVC when you sold it?

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

*** GOING OFF TOPIC SLIGHTLY, BUT NOT REALLY WARNING ***

As said before, I don't think it's a good idea to finance a DVC purchase. That being said, now that I've thought about it a bit it's really not a great idea to finance much of anything. How many of you have financed a $20,000+ car instead of buying a $4,000 used car with upfront cash? For that matter, why should one buy a Lexus instead of the Toyota model that is really the same car but for thousands less?

I have made the personal choice to drive a paid off car and buy DVC. Others may use the same amount of $$ to buy a BMW. It's all about choices. None of them are wrong. Different strokes for different folks...

ME ME ME

3 years ago my car was totaled by a big bruzing SUV that crashed into the back end of my little Saturn wagon, "Cranberry".

I could have financed a new car....Cranberry was paid for....good insurance payout.

Instead, I had $8,000 in cash and found a 2 year old Saturn with very low mileage....taxes, tags, 100,000 mile warranty....I was on the road with...."Sparkle".

Sparkle is amazing. Not a moment of trouble AND she gets between 29 - 32 miles per gallon in all my city driving. Woo Hoo

It was a good lesson in finance for me. Now I'm more responsible about my financial decisions. It is easier to fund our vacation schedule this way!

I doubt if we would ever buy DVC - far too restrictive for our vacation style...but if we ever did.......we would not finance it.

 

[heatherlynn444]

we stay in a deluxe on every visit. we have not bought yet b/c DH is not finished law school (students loan must be paid off first) and we want to pay for all of it at once, or at least MOST of it. we plan to but 100 pts. resale at frist to keep the cost down and then add on from there

 

[LilGMom]

Since this thread seems to be showing both sides of the DVC coin I'll add my nickel into the hat.

We bought DVC last year after considering it and going back and forth on the issue for about three years. In hindsight I wish we would have bought four years ago. We considered the initial cost, the maintenance fees, the committment, etc. and the for us DVC is a good match.

We live in NW Florida and have been going 2-4 times a year for the last ten years. Our first resort stay was at a moderate and we instantly got spoiled. Once we stayed at a deluxe we got even more spoiled and those are the accommodations that we like. I've watched the resort prices get to a point where it was starting to price us out of the deluxes. I remember a time, within the last five to six years, when we stayed at WL for right around $120/night with a FL resident rate - can't touch that price now. I have two young boys and know that when they get to be a certain age I am going to want (or demand) that we have two rooms and I can't imagine paying deluxe rates for two rooms .

While WDW is our only vacation spot I like that we will be able to use our DVC points for other locations around the world and even on the cruises, which we plan to take in a few years.

I had spreadsheet after spreadsheet set up showing the yearly increase in resorts and when it would get to a breaking point for us, which wasn't going to be too far from now. My spreadsheets also showed when our DVC pay-in would more than pay for itself and because of our vacation style and tastes DVC is a good match. Our yearly dues were about $450 this year and you can't stay in a studio for two weeks for that amount. We will also be using our DVC as a way to treat family members so that they don't have to pay for lodging which will allow some that might not have been able to go the chance to go to WDW.

We know that it isn't an investment and we consider it our prepaid vacation fund and that is fine with us.

 

[rie'smom]

Thanks for the thread. All the talk about DVC has made me miss WDW, so we're going back at the end of May for a week!!!!!!!!

I just wanted to add that this will be the 4th trip we take this year with our DVC membership. 5 days each trip.

AK club level 2 bd-7,707,
AK standard 2527
CR 1bd suite 5485
5485
21249

These are the comps because these have been and will be the accommodations we've booked.

Our trip is costing if you divide 1512
1400
2912 for 20 days
This breaks down to 728.00/trip
If you add the cost of our points 30000 to this =32912 or 11,663 more than a regular WDW trip costs.

 

[Knuckleball]

Tidefan - thanks for the info. The information we had to work with came from an extended conversation we had with a DVC rep at one of the desks/stations in the Magic Kingdom. I think that she was talking about Saratoga Springs...but that might not have been the case. We spent quite a bit of time talking with her about the DVC and those were the prices that we were given. I was unaware that there were options such as studios that would be cheaper or that different resorts might be less. That didn't come out in our conversation. Nor did the option of buying privately.

 

[dvczerfs]

can anyone tell me how much a std. room at car. beach is going to be in 2019,2029,2049, i know what my 2 bedroom is going to cost in 2049. 10 years ago you could stay at car. beach for $60 per night,gas was 1.20 per gallon. when you pay to stay at a resort, YOUR PAYING THE MAINT FEES FOR YOUR STAY. your room rates go up apr. 7percent per year. my maint fees go up about 3 percent per year and my room is paid for. i paid 20k in 1999 for 300pts, that about 9 night per year in a 2 bedroom at okw. see were this is going? the points were $66 per point, there up to $104. ten years later. car beach is $150.00 per night, it was $60.00 ten years ago. when your running your numbers, your assuming your room rate will always per the same. another point,YOU DONT HAVE TO GO TO WDW TO USE YOUR POINTS.theres a big book full of places you can go. i bet theres one even near you. can someone run the numbers for my 300 pts for $66 per point for 9 night stay at car. beach, eating all my meals out, feeding there washer and dryers $50 worth of quarters.for me, i love disney, been goin since 73. ive been on small world, i still go on evey year but i also like to play golf, sit on the balcony and nap and sleep in the king size bed at night. dvc isnt for eveyone. but for me , i think i did ok. disney is a business, if you go, they will get your money one way or the other. look, they already have! remember, it dont matter were you stay, i bet you smile eveytime you walk under the train station like kid, i do, thats all that matters!!

 

[Cool-Beans]

I might die next month (you never know when your number will be up!), so it wouldn't do me any good to have bought into a time-share.

That's just one reason. But it is, IMO, the best of mine.

 

[rie'smom]

I might die next month (you never know when your number will be up!), so it wouldn't do me any good to have bought into a time-share.

That's just one reason. But it is, IMO, the best of mine.

Yes, but think about fondly your family would think of you while using the DVC membership you left them.

 

[a Really Bad Egg]

I might die next month (you never know when your number will be up!), so it wouldn't do me any good to have bought into a time-share.

So with that line of thinking, I'm guessing you aren't investing any money either?

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Yes, but think about fondly your family would think of you while using the DVC membership you left them.

I HAVE a illness which will prevent me from growing old with my brand-new husband.

I am sorry but I feel your comment is a little unsettling.

 

[boldlyreal]

We're waiting for the Contemporary DVC to finish and then we are so in there!

 

[ededmd]

But honestly, my question goes to those who got to WDW every year, especially those who pay to stay in Deluxes, and have chosen not to buy DVC?

We go 1-3 times a year and pay cash to CRO to stay in Poly suites, Poly concierge, and VWL villas (1BR and now preferably 2BR). Because we like staying in a variety of accomodation types and non DVC locales, because we don't / won't stay in DVC studios (and hence benefit from the lower point structure), because we always include a Fri / Sat in our stay and don't want the hassle of changing rooms / resorts (again weekends have really high point structures), because I don't want to have to be on the phone and book day by day during peak / holiday season, because I get my work schedule only 3-4 months in advance, DVC seems less than ideal for us.

Something I have heard from our DVC guide (true or not) when we did explore this option is that DVC is really great for those who want deluxe level accomodations at moderate level prices. I think if you are fortunate enough to afford the flexibility of booking direct with CRO when / where / what you want to book, DVC seems a little like a hassle.

 

[dvczerfs]

We go 1-3 times a year and pay cash to CRO to stay in Poly suites, Poly concierge, and VWL villas (1BR and now preferably 2BR). Because we like staying in a variety of accomodation types and non DVC locales, because we don't / won't stay in DVC studios (and hence benefit from the lower point structure), because we always include a Fri / Sat in our stay and don't want the hassle of changing rooms / resorts (again weekends have really high point structures), because I don't want to have to be on the phone and book day by day during peak / holiday season, because I get my work schedule only 3-4 months in advance, DVC seems less than ideal for us.

Something I have heard from our DVC guide (true or not) when we did explore this option is that DVC is really great for those who want deluxe level accomodations at moderate level prices. I think if you are fortunate enough to afford the flexibility of booking direct with CRO when / where / what you want to book, DVC seems a little like a hassle.

yah, i agree, with your work 3-4 mon. that would be a problem. i never had a problem but my points are at bwv and we love okw. (not to many people fight to get in okw for some reason) and we book at 7 month because we go basicly the same time evey year. we never had to change rooms and you can use point at all the wdw resorts but the value resorts. we always arive on a tuesday and leave the following friday , so that gives us 10 nights with only one weekend and we go in october or first two weeks of dec.(lowest points) we are lucky we can vacation for those days and at that time of year.(not to open the "take your kid out of school can of worms") i see were it dont work for eveyone. also , i would agree with your guides statement. that would make sence to me.

 

[joestein]

We recently bought our 2nd Wyndham Timeshare for under $1000 with closing costs.

It is EOY (every other year) with annual maintenance costs of approx. $300, which includes II membership.

I was able to trade my points for (2) 1 bedroom units at DVC (one at BWV, one at BCV) for my family and SIL family.

My cost per unit was approx $550 (1/2 of 2 years of Maintenace + Exch Fee + $99 DVC fee)

So why spend $20K plus ridiculus maintenace when it seems to be an easy trade. Even if it was beginners luck, well I will stay at a Hyatt or Marriott TS next time I want to go.

Joe

 

[Sammie]

I HAVE a illness which will prevent me from growing old with my brand-new husband.

I am sorry but I feel your comment is a little unsettling.

If the comment had been made "after" being aware of your condition, then yes I could see where it would be unsettling, but that is not the case.

I am sure there was no ill will in the comment.

We have DVC and we love it and we have all intentions of passing it on, whether that is in many years or soon as with everything we own.

I wish you the best and prayers for you and yours.

 

[dvczerfs]

We recently bought our 2nd Wyndham Timeshare for under $1000 with closing costs.

It is EOY (every other year) with annual maintenance costs of approx. $300, which includes II membership.

I was able to trade my points for (2) 1 bedroom units at DVC (one at BWV, one at BCV) for my family and SIL family.

My cost per unit was approx $550 (1/2 of 2 years of Maintenace + Exch Fee + $99 DVC fee)

So why spend $20K plus ridiculus maintenace when it seems to be an easy trade. Even if it was beginners luck, well I will stay at a Hyatt or Marriott TS next time I want to go.

Joe

im just asking, is that one of those time shares were they charge you to make a reserv. charge you to exchange your "week", and whats a 99 dvc fee?
i good buddy of mine has one ,and stayed off property at the sher. vistata?
im not to fami. with a reg time share just that you buy a week and good luck on the "list". but wow, sound like you got a good deal!

 

[Mr Vincent]

We leave for WDW Sat May 3rd....that would be Tomorrow.

BWI -> GF -> Dis Cruise. Two weeks in total.

I am anticipating being approached by a Timeshare....oooops....dang, I keep making that mistake.....I mean D...V...C....rep. I will make a full report on return.

Oh BTW....these boards have really helped me prepare for the trip...u guys and gals are great.