Why have you NOT bought DVC?

[Cindie-rella]

We are torn on this too. My DH is actually the one that is skeptical. I on the other hand am pretty well convinced that I want to buy into DVC. We just returned from AKV studio and OKW studio (a total of 8 nights). DH did not care for OKW at all! I loved it! He did not like the inconvenience of the resort. Too big. Quiet pools too far away. Main bldg. too far away. Hated having to wait for the internal buses. His fav. is POR. As for me, I was on vacation. I just relaxed and rolled with the flow. One thing I will agree w/DH on is I will never take a 3rd floor room again. Espec. with a 35lb. grand-daughter!!! I think once he stays in a 1 or 2 bedrm there he will change his mind. I liked having a kitchen, and I really didn't mind not having housekeeping services. In fact, we'd rather not have housekeeping. I am thinking of buying into OKW, about 250 to 300 pts. The prices are reasonable. We can go every other year and sell off the points we don't use to help pay the maintenance fees. My decision has been made, now to convince the DH....

 

[Markstudy]

Disney's Time Share only covers your room? Right? Thats such a small part of my Trip Cost

I'd buy DVC if it was all-inclusive like the cruise ships. If Disney let me roll into town and the only thing I had to do is pick 1 week, 2 weeks or 3 weeks... and from there I knew all my food and park expenses were covered..... then that would be a real neat thing.

BUT TO ME...THIS LOOKS LIKE A GREAT WAY TO SAVE 30% ON YOUR ROOM IN THE FUTURE (estimate based on cost of room going up)... BUT WHAT THEY ARE NOT TELLING YOU IS 30% off of only 35% of your entire vacations cost- is like saying 10% off your total vacation cost.... and that's not enough savings to lay-out a big chunk of money and commit yourself to a contract
(a sample cost break-out... starting with my package price of $6,300)

Travel $1500
Food $1400 deluxe meal plan
Tickets $1200 hoppers, water park, shows
Room $2400 deluxe non water view
==============
(I buy the package where they roll all the cost together and give you a few discounts for the 1 price package deal)

But why would I pay $15,000 up front, and $600 a year in fees to only knock out 35% of my normal trips cost (the room)? Seems like you paid a lot of money... to still have to fork-out big money for your plane tickets, food, park tickets and special events. THIS IS WHY DISNEY LIKES IT ... They are selling you a big potential money savings on a fraction of your total trip cost

 

[shelly3girls]

Disney's Time Share only covers your room? Right? Thats such a small part of my Trip Cost

I'd buy DVC if it was all-inclusive like the cruise ships. If Disney let me roll into town and the only thing I had to do is pick 1 week, 2 weeks or 3 weeks... and from there I knew all my food and park expenses were covered..... then that would be a real neat thing.

BUT TO ME...THIS LOOKS LIKE A GREAT WAY TO SAVE 30% ON YOUR ROOM IN THE FUTURE... BUT WHAT THEY ARE NOT TELLING YOU IS 30% off of only 35% of your total vacations cost is like saying 10% off your total cost.... and that's not enough savings to lay-out a big chunck of money and commit yourself to a contract
(a sample cost break-out... starting with my package price of $6,300)

Travel $1500
Food $1400 deluxe meal plan
Tickets $1200 hoppers, water park, shows
Room $2400 deluxe non water view
==============
(I buy the package where they roll all the cost together and give you a few discounts for the 1 price package deal)

But why would I pay $15,000 up front, and $600 a year in fees to only knock out 35% of my normal trips cost (the room)? Seems like you paid a lot of money... to still have to fork-out big money for your plane tickets, food, park tickets and special events. THIS IS WHY DISNEY LIKES IT and sells it so hard... They are selling you a big potential money savings on a fraction of your total trip cost

But you would have these expenses no matter if you had DVC or not IF you were traveling to WDW anyway. Sure, there will always be discounts. But DVC gets discounts on annual passes then I can buy the DDE and get discounts there too. There are many valid reasons why DVC is not for someone but I don't see this as one of them. I think it would be quite rare for Disney to offer 30% off the whole package. They are usually discount codes or free dining, etc. but for our family these very rarely add up to the savings we have.

I have seen the numbers run many times and to me it comes down to money. If you don't have it you shouldn't spend it. If you have it in cash and plan to travel to WDW in a moderate or deluxe hotel on a somewhat regular basis then DVC might be for you.

Reasons I can think of to not buy DVC (we did but these were on the "cons" list)
1. Very expensive points to stay at GF or Poly (no DVC monorail for now)
2. Can be difficult to book last minute trips
3. Can feel tied to WDW (although turns out we do not)
4. Large amount of $$ up front, only do it if you have it

The biggest reason I think is that if you are happy with the value resorts then DVC is probably not for you.

 

[Markstudy]

1. But you would have these expenses no matter if you had DVC or not IF you were traveling to WDW anyway.

2. Very expensive points to stay at GF or Poly (no DVC monorail for now)

3. Can be difficult to book last minute trips

You make some good points.

1) I think this is the main reason for DVC from Disney's point of veiw. GET PEOPLE TO GO MORE THAN THEY WOULD IF THEY DIDN"T HAVE DVC. I go in 4 year cycles, I'm going to the islands next few years... time to take a break from Disney after 2008. Then I'll be back in 2011 all fresh and ready to go again for a few years in a row.

2) I like Deluxe and monorail... DVC feels like they are offering you a one-step down-grade (location-wise) from Deluxe level that I enjoy.

3) Booking trips on DVC has the potential to keep getting longer-and-longer leed-time as they sell more of them (especially for weekends and holidays)

 

[dvczerfs]

Disney's Time Share only covers your room? Right? Thats such a small part of my Trip Cost

I'd buy DVC if it was all-inclusive like the cruise ships. If Disney let me roll into town and the only thing I had to do is pick 1 week, 2 weeks or 3 weeks... and from there I knew all my food and park expenses were covered..... then that would be a real neat thing.

BUT TO ME...THIS LOOKS LIKE A GREAT WAY TO SAVE 30% ON YOUR ROOM IN THE FUTURE (estimate based on cost of room going up)... BUT WHAT THEY ARE NOT TELLING YOU IS 30% off of only 35% of your entire vacations cost- is like saying 10% off your total vacation cost.... and that's not enough savings to lay-out a big chunk of money and commit yourself to a contract
(a sample cost break-out... starting with my package price of $6,300)

Travel $1500
Food $1400 deluxe meal plan
Tickets $1200 hoppers, water park, shows
Room $2400 deluxe non water view
==============
(I buy the package where they roll all the cost together and give you a few discounts for the 1 price package deal)

But why would I pay $15,000 up front, and $600 a year in fees to only knock out 35% of my normal trips cost (the room)? Seems like you paid a lot of money... to still have to fork-out big money for your plane tickets, food, park tickets and special events. THIS IS WHY DISNEY LIKES IT ... They are selling you a big potential money savings on a fraction of your total trip cost

wow, thats some intresting math.lets look at your room rates, your other expenses you got in there, we all pay, dvc or not,and they will go up lile everything else. my 300pts @ $66.00 per point in 1999, will never lose its value. your paying cash,(room rates on aver go up 7 perc per year) your dollar dont go as far today as it did 10 years ago.its losing atleast 7 percent per year. my points never change for 42 years. your still paying the "maint." fee to the resort. it like renting a home, you may not get the tax bill but the landlord is charging you for it. as far as "locked in" , i dont have to go to wdw, i can rent my points, or go to another destination.

 

[castleview]

Because my parents bought DVC two years ago.

DH and I (now DS as well) get to go whenever we want for "free!"

"Hi my name is Jen and I am a Freeloader!"

I'm in that same position! It's great, but the "downside" is that it's not worth staying at a regular hotel. For that reason, I don't think I'll see the Poly for a long time. Also, with the exception of AKV, I don't believe there are food courts in any of the villas - I like those given the age of my kids.

 

[kgc07]

Don't forget some of us who have medical conditions that make long-term plans useless.

We travel as much as possible - right now ....see as much as possible - right now -and have no DVC restrictions. We can stay wherever we want for as long - or as little as we want and actually spend less $$$ than through DVC.

I don't have 50 years.......or even 20 years.....why waste my time with DVC?

Sorry for the touch of reality on a beautiful Tuesday morning....but there are other considerations for some of us.

You may be able to spen less money than you would staying at DVC, but I don't know of any deluxe resort that would cost less than a DVC stay.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

You may be able to spen less money than you would staying at DVC, but I don't know of any deluxe resort that would cost less than a DVC stay.

We stay at castmember rates.....DVC is nowhere close. Outside WDW --- DVC can't touch FREE hotel rooms from the points from business travel.

I never have to worry about a "waitlist" reservation and $$$ is far less.

Not even a close choice - even without the other considerations that will keep us away from DVC.



That aside, what a thoughtless posting. In case you missed the point, I am probably not going to live many more years and expecting me to explain the financial reasoning is a little cruel.

 

[kgc07]

We stay at castmember rates.....DVC is nowhere close. Outside WDW --- DVC can't touch FREE hotel rooms from the points from business travel.

I never have to worry about a "waitlist" reservation and $$$ is far less.

Not even a close choice - even without the other considerations that will keep us away from DVC.



That aside, what a thoughtless posting. In case you missed the point, I am probably not going to live many more years and expecting me to explain the financial reasoning is a little cruel.

What was thoughtless about my post? I simply stated that I don't know of any deluxe resorts that would cost less than a DVC stay. I'm sorry to hear you have an illness that will shorten your life. In no way was my post cruel or was it meant to be. I didn't ask for you to explain your financial reasoning, I stated a point.

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

For us, it's because we don't have kids. It's just the two of us. We ususally stay at a Value or a Moderate. We splurged and did the Poly last year, but I just went and stayed at POR, we are going back in September and staying at CSR and in December we are staying at ASMo. We just haven't seen the need to pay for it yet. I know that there are discounts on other things that we miss out on, but honestly, I think that the annual maintence fees are more than what we would save.

Now, if we had a kid or two, we would be all over DVC, like white on rice. Kids cost more, therefore, you are going to save more over time because of them. If they could figure out a way to make DVC more attractive to permanently kidless couples, I would love to join, but right now, I just don't see the value in it for us.

 

[joestein]

Obviously no one here gets it.

There is NO WAY that DVC pays!

First - If you don't buy, you can put the money in the bank and earn interest, and use those funds towards your vacations.

Second - It is rare that anyone pays rack rates. When you take into account the great discounts they offer (like free dining), it costs much less than you might think.

Third - You are now locked into DVC for 50 years or so. I went to Disneyland this past summer and I am leaving for a week in a 1 bedroom BWV this friday (though an II exchange, whose total cost including maintenance and fees were $545). I am not sure that I want to go back again next year, I will see how I feel after I come back. But I am sure I will not want to go each year for 50 years!

Joe

 

[shelly3girls]

Obviously no one here gets it.

There is NO WAY that DVC pays!

First - If you don't buy, you can put the money in the bank and earn interest, and use those funds towards your vacations.

Second - It is rare that anyone pays rack rates. When you take into account the great discounts they offer (like free dining), it costs much less than you might think.

Third - You are now locked into DVC for 50 years or so. I went to Disneyland this past summer and I am leaving for a week in a 1 bedroom BWV this friday (though an II exchange, whose total cost including maintenance and fees were $545). I am not sure that I want to go back again next year, I will see how I feel after I come back. But I am sure I will not want to go each year for 50 years!

Joe

No, actually plenty of us get it. We get that some people, depending on how one vacations, can actually save money through DVC. For others, it makes no sense. Obviously for how you vacation it does not make sense. For our family we have more than paid for DVC and will continue to benefit and enjoy WDW in a 2 bedroom BCV every year bringing family along. Trust me, we have worked the numbers and it makes sense for us. We're not clueless idiots just b/c we bought DVC.

 

[dvczerfs]

Obviously no one here gets it.

There is NO WAY that DVC pays!

First - If you don't buy, you can put the money in the bank and earn interest, and use those funds towards your vacations.

Second - It is rare that anyone pays rack rates. When you take into account the great discounts they offer (like free dining), it costs much less than you might think.

Third - You are now locked into DVC for 50 years or so. I went to Disneyland this past summer and I am leaving for a week in a 1 bedroom BWV this friday (though an II exchange, whose total cost including maintenance and fees were $545). I am not sure that I want to go back again next year, I will see how I feel after I come back. But I am sure I will not want to go each year for 50 years!

Joe

thats how i make the money to pay all the outlandish maint. fees that only dvc members pay, i put my money in the bank to earn intrest.
i made my 2 bed res. for oct 2008, (same amount of points in 2045) we go evey year.sometimes twice. (since 1973) and last time i looked your room rate is going up aprox 7 per. and my intrest rate is .30 percent. if you only go once every few years, dvc isnt for you. but, you dont have to be a cpa to fiqure it out.

 

[rie'smom]

Obviously no one here gets it.

There is NO WAY that DVC pays!

First - If you don't buy, you can put the money in the bank and earn interest, and use those funds towards your vacations.

Second - It is rare that anyone pays rack rates. When you take into account the great discounts they offer (like free dining), it costs much less than you might think.

Third - You are now locked into DVC for 50 years or so. I went to Disneyland this past summer and I am leaving for a week in a 1 bedroom BWV this friday (though an II exchange, whose total cost including maintenance and fees were $545). I am not sure that I want to go back again next year, I will see how I feel after I come back. But I am sure I will not want to go each year for 50 years!

Joe

I'm not locked into Disney for 50 years. We're using our pts for a trip to Italy and Hawaii. You do have many options for travel other than Disney.

 

[drag n' fly]

Obviously no one here gets it.

There is NO WAY that DVC pays!

First - If you don't buy, you can put the money in the bank and earn interest, and use those funds towards your vacations.

Second - It is rare that anyone pays rack rates. When you take into account the great discounts they offer (like free dining), it costs much less than you might think.

Third - You are now locked into DVC for 50 years or so. I went to Disneyland this past summer and I am leaving for a week in a 1 bedroom BWV this friday (though an II exchange, whose total cost including maintenance and fees were $545). I am not sure that I want to go back again next year, I will see how I feel after I come back. But I am sure I will not want to go each year for 50 years!

Joe

Interesting interpretation of the thread.

1. DVC is not for everyone. DVC is not a financial investment where you expect a financial return. It was an investment in our family and future generations. If you like to stay at Deluxe properties DVC will save you money in the long run. The worst investment for ones money is for it to sit in a bank and collect paltry interest. If you don't buy at least invest your money with a healthy return.

2. Discounts at non deluxe resorts are easy to come by. Discounts at Deluxe resorts are very limited. You cannot get DVC for the same price as a value or mod. Then again those resorts do not offer the same amenities either. DVC resorts offer deluxe amenities. I would not recommend buying DVC if your preferences are value or mod resorts.

3. One is never locked into anything. You can always sell your DVC timeshare. You have a home resort for 11 month booking advantages but you also have over 500 locations (including all the Disney Parks and DCL) worldwide you can use your points at. That is 50 years of travelling the globe (if one chooses) and never stepping foot in a Disney park if you did not want to.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

What was thoughtless about my post? I simply stated that I don't know of any deluxe resorts that would cost less than a DVC stay. I'm sorry to hear you have an illness that will shorten your life. In no way was my post cruel or was it meant to be. I didn't ask for you to explain your financial reasoning, I stated a point.

I guess you were wrong on both points.

Yes, I consider your posting cruel and yes there are plenty of ways to travel freely - without restriction, including at WDW in Deluxe properties, and spend much less than DVC....AND with far more flexibility.

No worries.

 

[Markstudy]

Do you ever wonder if Disney's staff is reading this and enjoying our debate?

To get inside the head of a Disney bean counter....

Average person (or family) will take 12 trips to Disney in their lifetime. Spending on average $2500. Making them worth $30,000 to Disney.

If I can sell that average family on a DVC program... You get that average up from 12 trips to 30 trips over their lifetime. Thus getting $75,000 on average from each DVC member/family over 50 years (sell more tickets, food, t-shirts, dues, fees)

So.... as it might be a way to "save money" on your vacation... its a way for Disney to get you to spend twice as much $$$ cash on DISNEY.

For Disney, its all about capturing 90% of your lifetime vacation cash.

Same reason Disney does the dining plan.... capture more cash from visitors who don't step foot off of Disney Property, because of a nice discount on the food program.

OR as my wife would say- "I bought this new dress, it was $100 off, look how much money I saved you by going shopping and finding this great sale" LOL

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

I like trying to think like a Disney bean counter

If I put my CPA hat on....

Average person (or family) will take 12 trips to Disney in their lifetime. Spending on average $2500. Making them worth $30,000 to Disney.

If I can sell that average family on a DVC program... I get their average up from 12 trips to 30 trips over their lifetime. Thus getting $75,000 on average from each DVC member.

So.... as it might be a way to "save money" on your vacation... its a way for Disney to get you to spend twice as much $$$ cash on DISNEY

You could work in Anaheim! That's exactly their thought process now!!!

 

[LoraJ]

I've thought about it, but I think we'll only be going to Disney every other year. We like to do other vacations as well and visit places we have never been before. We're staying at BCV in the fall, who knows, I may just get sucked in.

 

[Dopey420]

Because I can rent!