Why have you NOT bought DVC?

[eliza61]

mountain of $$$ in advance, expensive yearly fees......cannot get reservations easily anymore.......[/B]hummmmmmmm.....hardly a tough decision for us.

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They are doing some thing seriously wrong then. The DVC system works especially great if you can book early. All dvc'ers can book 11 months in advance at their home resort, can't get much earlier than that. Christmas time is probably the only week that is hard to try a new resort.
Don't want to turn this into a debate, I do want to clear up a misconception that most dvc'er don't go other places. Most of us, especially once we've finish paying for our membership travel to many, many other places. We do see the world

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

They are doing some thing seriously wrong then. The DVC system works especially great if you can book early. All dvc'ers can book 11 months in advance at their home resort, can't get much earlier than that. Christmas time is probably the only week that is hard to try a new resort.

Exactly my point.

Most of the DVC people I know are long-long time DVC folks who were comfortable booking far less than 11 months ahead and still having accommodations available to them. The last two trips our DVC friends have used AP reservations or DH's castmember reservations to stay (when we traveled "last minute".....once planned 2 weeks ahead and once 6 weeks ahead).....because their waitlist never cleared for DVC accommodations. That is not the convenience WE experience as non-DVC members and I certainly would not want to spend the $$$ for a system that is not convenient.


By the way....the two reservations were --- week after Thanksgiving and first week in May of 2007 - neither time especially busy at WDW.

 

[minnie61650]

My perdition....for existing DVC members- is a 2 year waiting list to book reservations for the Tower with monorail, when finished.

They will sell it to new folks at a premium price (and sell-out) and then everyone that has been in the DVC program for the last 10 years, will also want to stay there!

I agree.

That is why I have been patiently waiting for 15 years for a monorail DVC to be built.

 

[Chester's Mum]

Most of the literature you read about DVC (except for the dis spin) states that DVC is not a good choice for everyone. Only you can decide if it works for you.

In the past, we have stayed 10 nights 2 years out of three, in a moderate resort. In 2006 that 10 nights cost $1,300 (approx) plus tax. Last year 7 nights at CSR cost us $1,029.00. Both stays were in May.

I bought 100 points resale and paid cash up front. My maintenance fees are $504, I now get to stay at a great location in (what I consider to be) a higher level of resort. This year we stayed 4 nights in a savannah view studio at AK (booked 4 months out), and 5 nights in a Boardwalk studio booked 6 months out (had to borrow 31pts from next year). The one night of our vacation we spent at Pop Century cost $141 (saturday night) with AAA discount (march break).

So far its working out well for us. I didn't buy thinking it was an investment, I bought so that I could stay in a great resort for a reasonable price. The location of Boardwalk is what actually drew me to DVC.

 

[bookwormde]

The varied opinions on this thread really show that the ”value” of DVC really depends on how you intend on using it and what you are “replacing” when you get it. It is definitely not your “standard” timeshare.

The issue of expiration is really only relative if you are comparing it to other super high-end timeshares like Hilton which support there prices with ROFR. Otherwise with a low percentage of exceptions most timeshares have almost no resale value (look on EBAY).
Also for most you can “rent” a week just as cheap as the current maintenance fees.

I am just buying in and designed my vacations to maximize the “value” of DVC.

I like to go with extended family.
I like having a kitchen because we go primarily in the summer and we take mid day breaks and can fix a leisurely lunch (we also can have a quick breakfast) The cost savings from this alone are staggering.


I was looking for about 75 pts so I could do OKW 2br 5 weekdays once every 2 years.
Resale I would have had about 6K into the purchase resale. My maintenance costs every 2 years would have been $750. The equivalent rack rate on the same accommodations would be $2650 to $ 3150. Even if you add on a 4% safe ROI of $240/yr or $480 per vacation for a total cost of $1230 it is still a significant savings (I figure I can sell my DVC in 10-15 years and recover the initial investment).

Here is one of the problems with DVC; you always want more points.

What I ended up buying was 150 pts so I could do OKW Grand villa (3br 2000+ sqft) 5 weekdays once every 2 years plus an extra 2 days in a 2 bedroom. I paid about 11k resale. My maintenance costs every 2 years would have been $1500. The equivalent rack rate on the same accommodations would be $6910 to $ 7755. Even if you add on a 4% safe ROI of $440/yr or $880 per vacation for a total cost of $1940 it is still a significant savings (I figure I can sell my DVC in 10-15 years and recover the initial investment).
So for a little more than the cost of a deluxe standard room for 5 nights I am getting the above accommodations.

There are certainly a lot of “technical” requirements and planning that go along with DVC but in my case I can deal with is for this type of value. Just as I note, I am way to cheap to have every done rack rates for a grand villa. I also would never “spend" my point on a weekend room, I would do a cash reservation which within DVC can sometimes be done at a 20% discount. I also buy no expiration tickets with park hopping and water parks for $45-50 a day (figuring you get the 10 days of water parks for free) since I know I am coming back.

There are certainly other good values out there for people who have different needs (free dining being the best from a value resort).

We like to go to Sanibel on the weekends (do not like the WDW crowds anyway) so it is perfect for us.

Like I said the only problem is that you always want more (or different points) I will probably by 30-35 KTV points when they come available so I can walk to Magic Kingdom and monorail to Epcot on some occasions (maybe get a studio on new years eve MK view).

To answer the original question I delayed for a while to get the best value and to fully understand the intricacies of DVC
bookwormde

 

[MickeyNicki]

We dont want to put out the money or make the commitment.

 

[Fall1]

We are seriously considering it and there's a great resale contract out there right now that would be perfect for us, but we haven't done the tour yet. We are nervous to buy site-unseen. We're planning on doing the tour this trip in October and hopefully we'll buy then, or on resale when we get home.

We just love staying in deluxe, so I think it will work for us.

 

[lilyv]

We don't want to put out the money or make the commitment.

Exactly.

 

[YesMickey]

I don't think it is a deal mainly because everywhere you go on Disney, at your resort, at the parks, signs in the busses etc. they are trying to sell it. That only means to me, someone in sales, that it makes Disney a ton of money. When my family of 4 goes to Disney it usually costs us a little over $2000 a trip, 5 nights usually. That includes Mod. resort and the meal plan. We are the type that basically needs a clean comfortable room to sleep and clean up. If I wanted to stay at a nice condo or resort to relax for a week I would not go to Disney. The DVC is only a deal "At Disney" because they charge so much for there Deluxe accomadations. You can go plenty of places in America on nice beaches and spend less than $300/night for a multi bedroom condo on a beach, that does not require an upfront investment and maintenance fees. Just my reason.

 

[EJKONZ]

Although we are die hard disney-nuts and our upcoming trip in June will be the second this calendar year (and we might go again in December!) we had a lengthy "lull" in our visits while daughter was in high school, college and graduate school. Still a close knit family we like to travel together and other interests took a front seat. We spent school vacations backpacking through Europe, Austrailia, and she spent almost a year researching and writing a thesis.

We are now back on Disney track but enjoy being able to spontaneously decide to head down for a week when the spirit moves us. We have never had any trouble getting reservations ... not picky about what resort ... have stayed in many and love them all.

 

[Chester's Mum]

How did you come to that conclusion? The maintenance fees alone are what a Value resort would be. Minumum buy in is 160 points now and at $4.50 per point in maintenance fees, that's $720 a year. You can get a week at a Value resort for that.

My one night POP during march break cost me $141.00 (saturday night)including tax and a AAA discount. If you travel during school breaks you don't get any 40% discounts.

 

[chalee94]

I have been pondering DVC.
All of the posts, for and against the DVC have been interesting.
I have never read anywhere in my research what happens if DH and I passed away? Would the contract be 'inherited' by our kids until the expiration date?
And what would happen if hard times hit and one couldn't sell resale or pay dues?

didn't see this answered completely before, so...

1) DVC is an asset (a prepaid asset, not a perpetual one) and can be willed to your heirs, to be owned by them until it expires.

2) if you can't pay the dues, you would resell it. there is an active market for people who want to go to wdw. if you stopped paying dues and refused to resell it, DVC could repossess the contract.

I just can't afford a DVC as a young professonal with a family.

I wish there was a cheaper alternative or some value DVC (I don't know how that would work, but there it is!)

We can only go every couple of years, but always want to go more, and we really can't afford any buy-in with five figures.

I don't know how you guys can do it!

did you read my post on page 6? OKW is essentially the value option for DVC - low resale prices, low maintenance fees and studio rooms (similar to hotel rooms with 2 queen beds) start at only 8 pts on weeknights. you can start with a small resale contract (say 50 pts) for less than $5000 and maintenance fees of $20ish per month. you can bank pts ahead one year and/or borrow from the next year to go every other year or every three years.

by my figuring, an OKW studio works out to less than $60 on weeknights, taxes included.

there are still plenty of other reasons why DVC might not be for you, but there are buy-in options much lower than five figures...

 

[a Really Bad Egg]

Because I think DVC (or any timeshare) is a luxury item, my humble advice would be...

1. If you can't afford to pay cash for your points (without touching your emergency savings fund) then you should probably keep working on building a bigger nest egg first.

2. If your family (to include those who may inherit points) doesn't plan on visiting the Orlando area a couple/few dozen times over the course of the contract, maybe the DVC timeshare option isn't the best one.

You may find those that argue...

...against DVC the loudest are those who want it but can't afford it

...for DVC the loudest are still trying to convince themselves they made a good choice.

Buying or not buying a luxury item is a personal decision based on one's financial condition and vacation choices - and should be respected.

 

[pickles]

I think I can offer some perspective from someone who has been there and done that. I LOVE our DVC, but we have sold it after having it a year. We do think we will buy again someday, but we learned a few things

when you own DVC you are almost obligated to take a trip every year(or every other year) this is not a problem, unless you are unexpectedly broke with today's economy.
The room is paid for, but the tickets, meals and food are not and that can add up, especially when you start adding a herd of kids.
The yearly fees come at a bad time of year..Jan , right after Christmas..can you say ugh...of course, you can pay those monthly and that can be a wise way of doing things

there are some good perks of DVC the one is the discounted AP

If you are not middle income like us, then none of the above is gonna phase you a bit, if ths luxury item will take your budget some then it may be best to rent points or use the different disney specials to go down there


I do believe families of 5 REALLY save owning DVC and finally get some options on where to stay, and again I really liked having a piece of Disney...it is apride/ego thing.

Hope this helps give another point of view

 

[Markstudy]

everywhere you go on Disney, they are trying to sell it. That only means to me, someone in sales, that it makes Disney a ton of money.

Yep!....... Great ideas, sell them selfs

Ideas that are highly profitable for the Corporation... need a crack sales staff, and high profile ad campaign.

 

[KELLY]

We bought last year. The best money we have every spent. We only purchased 160 the min was 150. But the extra 10 points because for the times we wanted to go we would need them. Needless to say we want more. We are doing the free dining at POFQ in September. It it a good deal. No free dinig with DVC. DVC is so much more that just Disney. You can go any where in the world. We will stick with Disney. My girls are really young. We are going to buy more points in a couple of years.

 

[stepdisney]

Because I think DVC (or any timeshare) is a luxury item, my humble advice would be...


You may find those that argue...

...against DVC the loudest are those who want it but can't afford it

...for DVC the loudest are still trying to convince themselves they made a good choice.

Buying or not buying a luxury item is a personal decision based on one's financial condition and vacation choices - and should be respected.

Very true and very well said.

 

[KelsiesMommy]

We could do it and not have to finance it, and DH still won't- he's not the ultimate Disney fan- even though we could use our points at DLR (we have APs here) and stay at a Deluxe cheaper than we stayed at POFQ in Jan (my only time to WDW) he doesn't want to go to WDW every year or two.

I wish I could have convinced him! I could go with my mom and the kids and he wouldn't have to go- just pay for it LOL

 

[dvczerfs]

Very true and very well said.

agreed!! well put put!

 

[drag n' fly]

Because I think DVC (or any timeshare) is a luxury item, my humble advice would be...

1. If you can't afford to pay cash for your points (without touching your emergency savings fund) then you should probably keep working on building a bigger nest egg first.

2. If your family (to include those who may inherit points) doesn't plan on visiting the Orlando area a couple/few dozen times over the course of the contract, maybe the DVC timeshare option isn't the best one.

You may find those that argue...

...against DVC the loudest are those who want it but can't afford it

...for DVC the loudest are still trying to convince themselves they made a good choice.

Buying or not buying a luxury item is a personal decision based on one's financial condition and vacation choices - and should be respected.

I agree with everything you say except...one

We researched for 7 months before we decided to go ahead and purchase. Since we live 3000 miles from WDW and cannot purchase from our home, we flew to DL to make our purchase. It was a well informed investment for our family. No regrets and I never will need to convince myself we made a good choice. There are the few that do make that purchse based on a emotional decision....we were not one of them...that's all.