Why I don’t buy dvc…

[Disneydad14]

I have done a lot of research on dvc and I have come to two sticking points . I wanted to see from the community if my concerns seem legit. For starters I wanted to say I love the dvc hotels and actuslly would want it to work.

1. The home resort concept: I don’t like the idea of having a home resort and being locked out from other resorts. Right now I rent and I feel like that gives me a lot more flexibility. For instance I just booked beach club and Aulani both 7+ months out.

One possible solution that I think could alleviate this concern would to have a product where you have a rotating home resort . I was thinking like you could 3-5 resorts where your home resort rotates . I think this would give me the amount of variability that I need.

2. The main way I see the value of dvc really benefiting me is to pass it down to my daughter. If I am just to use it for the next ten years I think I’ll break even or so but if I pass it down to her then she could go with her kids and possible even my grandkids could bring my great grandkids. I reslly
Like the idea that even if I am gone they will still have a memory of me when they are making memories. I understand money could do the same but the truth is that sometimes we don’t buy things that are good for us and I’d like to force them into taking vacations . But the problem with this is the point cost is unknown and subjected to mgmt and I coukd potebtislly be giving them a huge bill.

One way I was thinking this could be alleviated was by prepaying dues . I would like to prepay all the dues on her contract so she can just focus on fun . Has this ever been offered before ?

Just my thoughts

 

[rockawaybeachgirl]

I have done a lot of research on dvc and I have come to two sticking points . I wanted to see from the community if my concerns seem legit. For starters I wanted to say I love the dvc hotels and actuslly would want it to work.

1. The home resort concept: I don’t like the idea of having a home resort and being locked out from other resorts. Right now I rent and I feel like that gives me a lot more flexibility. For instance I just booked beach club and Aulani both 7+ months out.

One possible solution that I think could alleviate this concern would to have a product where you have a rotating home resort . I was thinking like you could 3-5 resorts where your home resort rotates . I think this would give me the amount of variability that I need.

2. The main way I see the value of dvc really benefiting me is to pass it down to my daughter. If I am just to use it for the next ten years I think I’ll break even or so but if I pass it down to her then she could go with her kids and possible even my grandkids could bring my great grandkids. I reslly
Like the idea that even if I am gone they will still have a memory of me when they are making memories. I understand money could do the same but the truth is that sometimes we don’t buy things that are good for us and I’d like to force them into taking vacations . But the problem with this is the point cost is unknown and subjected to mgmt and I coukd potebtislly be giving them a huge bill.

One way I was thinking this could be alleviated was by prepaying dues . I would like to prepay all the dues on her contract so she can just focus on fun . Has this ever been offered before ?

Just my thoughts

So a few thoughts:

1. You are not 'locked out' of the other resorts. It's just that you can't book there until 7 months out. My home resort is Saratoga Springs and I have stayed at every other DVC in Orlando (I actually just got back from the Grand Floridian in early March). There are a few scenarios that are very very difficult to get 7 months out, such as Wilderness Lodge at Christmas or Boardwalk or Beach Club during Food and Wine festival, but generally you should have lots of options.

But, there will never be a change to the 'home resort' concept because it would be a huge headache to manage, plus it's already written into the existing deeds.

2. You can't prepay dues (other than for the year) for the reason you state - the cost per point is unknown. You could always leave her the cash with the intention to cover dues but there's no guarantee.

 

[Cfabar1]

I don't know how prepayment of dues would work for that far in advance, but I believe you can make payments at any time. Others would know better than me.

We are DVC owners, and it seems to be the right fit for us. But it is definitely not for everyone, and there are some real problems in the program that can be limiting factors for folks - high buy in cost, not really a "perfect resort" for them, points charts that, compared to other timeshare systems favor hotel room purchases over true villa accommodations, etc. Nevertheless, it makes a lot of sense for us, and we are glad we are members.

 

[Disneydad14]

So a few thoughts:

1. You are not 'locked out' of the other resorts. It's just that you can't book there until 7 months out. My home resort is Saratoga Springs and I have stayed at every other DVC in Orlando (I actually just got back from the Grand Floridian in early March). There are a few scenarios that are very very difficult to get 7 months out, such as Wilderness Lodge at Christmas or Boardwalk or Beach Club during Food and Wine festival, but generally you should have lots of options.

But, there will never be a change to the 'home resort' concept because it would be a huge headache to manage, plus it's already written into the existing deeds.

2. You can't prepay dues (other than for the year) for the reason you state - the cost per point is unknown. You could always leave her the cash with the intention to cover dues but there's no guarantee.

Thanks . I guess maybe I’m biased because the first time I tried to rent was at beach club in September this January and I wasn’t able to get anything . I wasn’t trying for the food festival. If your saying those are the only two resorts where that issue happens does it make sense to make either one of your home resorts , even if you might prefer another resort ?

 

[VGCgroupie]

Thanks . I guess maybe I’m biased because the first time I tried to rent was at beach club in September this January and I wasn’t able to get anything . I wasn’t trying for the food festival. If your saying those are the only two resorts where that issue happens does it make sense to make either one of your home resorts , even if you might prefer another resort ?

I would recommended posting over in the DVC section of the boards. Lots of DVC experts over there. https://www.disboards.com/forums/purchasing-dvc.28/

I actually just saw Beach Club is available next month for a studio while I was modifying my stay for next month. I booked Boardwalk today for 1 month from now. Sometimes you will for sure be able to find something.

 

[TikiRob]

My biggest problem with DVC since joining is that we are not saving any money. We are just going more! Stayed at 8 different DVC resorts since 2020. Now we are headed to Aulan in June. Home resort isn’t an issue, but my bank account may be.

 

[VGCgroupie]

My biggest problem with DVC since joining is that we are not saving any money. We are just going more! Stayed at 8 different DVC resorts since 2020. Now we are headed to Aulan in June. Home resort isn’t an issue, but my bank account may be.

Yep that happens. A great problem to have though

 

[eticketplease]

Thanks . I guess maybe I’m biased because the first time I tried to rent was at beach club in September this January and I wasn’t able to get anything . I wasn’t trying for the food festival. If your saying those are the only two resorts where that issue happens does it make sense to make either one of your home resorts , even if you might prefer another resort ?

September is during the F&W festival so it along with the lowest point season makes BCV and BWV sell out fast.

People always say to buy where you want to stay. This is because as an owner you have first access to reserve your room in the 7-11 window (you were at month 8 when it was sold out)
At seven months other owners can then book your resort and they can book yours.

It is certainly possible to book BCV at 7 months while owning a different resort but it can be stressful doing so. Then the question is are you going to be happy if you don’t get into BCV? If the answer is no then you know your answer, buy Beach Club. If you are happy changing scenery every so often and enjoying the other beautiful resorts look for a good deal on a resort with low dues that you won’t mind staying at if you can’t get in.

 

[Cfabar1]

My biggest problem with DVC since joining is that we are not saving any money. We are just going more! Stayed at 8 different DVC resorts since 2020. Now we are headed to Aulan in June. Home resort isn’t an issue, but my bank account may be.

Yes we have that issue too... and all the other fees add up... the APs for example, which then force you to do even more visits!

 

[georgina]

I have done a lot of research on dvc and I have come to two sticking points . I wanted to see from the community if my concerns seem legit. For starters I wanted to say I love the dvc hotels and actuslly would want it to work.

1. The home resort concept: I don’t like the idea of having a home resort and being locked out from other resorts. Right now I rent and I feel like that gives me a lot more flexibility. For instance I just booked beach club and Aulani both 7+ months out.

One possible solution that I think could alleviate this concern would to have a product where you have a rotating home resort . I was thinking like you could 3-5 resorts where your home resort rotates . I think this would give me the amount of variability that I need.

2. The main way I see the value of dvc really benefiting me is to pass it down to my daughter. If I am just to use it for the next ten years I think I’ll break even or so but if I pass it down to her then she could go with her kids and possible even my grandkids could bring my great grandkids. I reslly
Like the idea that even if I am gone they will still have a memory of me when they are making memories. I understand money could do the same but the truth is that sometimes we don’t buy things that are good for us and I’d like to force them into taking vacations . But the problem with this is the point cost is unknown and subjected to mgmt and I coukd potebtislly be giving them a huge bill.

One way I was thinking this could be alleviated was by prepaying dues . I would like to prepay all the dues on her contract so she can just focus on fun . Has this ever been offered before ?

(Not sure this is the right forum for this thread) I looked into it in the year 2000 and decided not to buy a DVC place. Happy with my decision. I stay offsite frequently on my solo trips; currently at Saratoga Springs for $300 a night through a rental company. Flexibility is important to me and my kids are not that into Disney now that they are adults.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Yes we have that issue too... and all the other fees add up... the APs for example, which then force you to do even more visits!

I’m having flashbacks to the first year I bought an AP (pre-DVC): we were going to WDW twice in one year and I remember telling everyone it was a “one and done” situation. Three APs, five contracts and hundreds of points later, I’m realizing it was quite the slippery slope.

 

[ckb_nc]

We are going more. My wife who is not the biggest Disney fan loves the resorts. We own at Saratoga but got a 2 bedroom at Grand Californian for Memorial day (using our points for the year !) and then last year 2 nights at the Disneyland Hotel. DVC opened this world to us.

Just back from 4 nights at the Poly - we really enjoyed Moorea. Heck my wife visited Riveria and it's on the list now. We have literally visited every Disney Resort except Beach Club at least once in the 7 month window (had a DC reservation which COVID killed).

We have discussed several times selling our points and keep coming back to a firm no. I have been renting some to help pay for dues as we are in a bit of a Disney lull.

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

So a few thoughts:

1. You are not 'locked out' of the other resorts. It's just that you can't book there until 7 months out. My home resort is Saratoga Springs and I have stayed at every other DVC in Orlando (I actually just got back from the Grand Floridian in early March). There are a few scenarios that are very very difficult to get 7 months out, such as Wilderness Lodge at Christmas or Boardwalk or Beach Club during Food and Wine festival, but generally you should have lots of options.

This depends on when you visit. It is a challenge to get some of the DVC resorts at 7 months out unless you go at slower times. We owned at AKV, starting in 2010, and were never able to get anything other than Saratoga or OKW for a full week during the dates we wanted to travel. We were able to get the Grand Californian for 5 days, but ended up canceling. We were never able to get Bay Lake, the G-Flo, Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge or Boardwalk. We tried for about 10 years. If you plan for certain weeks in Jan, Feb, early March, or Aug, it is possible, but the more popular times are a challenge.

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

People always say to buy where you want to stay. This is because as an owner you have first access to reserve your room

THIS!


To the OP: @Disneydad14

Do not buy based upon price, but instead what appeals to you the most.

If you want a Magic Kingdom fireworks view, look at Bay Lake. If you like serenity and feeling away from it all, look at Animal Kingdom Villas. If you want to be close to the MK and like the monorail, look at the Polynesian. If you always want to travel at Christmas, consider Wilderness Lodge, the G-Flo or Animal Kingdom. And so on.....

Also, look into DVC resale, vs purchasing direct from Disney. Sometimes you can get a good price on the points/contract because somebody needs to sell due to life changes.

 

[Sandisw]

Right now, we enjoy the ability to trade to other resorts at 7 months out with owners being given a 4 month advantage…

By contract, we must be given at least one. However, those rules can change so buying where you’d be okay staying if you can’t switch is important

It has gotten harder at 7 months so it’s important to give into it with realistic expectations. Many owners have success and don’t have an issue, especially if 1 bedrooms are what one wants.

Studios, especially near park resorts, can be tricky and resale points aren’t good at RIV, CFW, VDH, and presumably any new resorts that come along.

You definitely have more flexibility with renting in the sense that you can book any home resort because you get matched with an owner who owns there.

It does come down to how disappointed you will be if you don’t get what you want at 7 months.

In terms of future dues…we have accounted for it in our estate. We have three kids and discussed it with them…there will be money set aside to help offset the costs for at least 5 years.

 

[4luv2cdisney]

I have done a lot of research on dvc and I have come to two sticking points . I wanted to see from the community if my concerns seem legit. For starters I wanted to say I love the dvc hotels and actuslly would want it to work.

1. The home resort concept: I don’t like the idea of having a home resort and being locked out from other resorts. Right now I rent and I feel like that gives me a lot more flexibility. For instance I just booked beach club and Aulani both 7+ months out.

One possible solution that I think could alleviate this concern would to have a product where you have a rotating home resort . I was thinking like you could 3-5 resorts where your home resort rotates . I think this would give me the amount of variability that I need.

2. The main way I see the value of dvc really benefiting me is to pass it down to my daughter. If I am just to use it for the next ten years I think I’ll break even or so but if I pass it down to her then she could go with her kids and possible even my grandkids could bring my great grandkids. I reslly
Like the idea that even if I am gone they will still have a memory of me when they are making memories. I understand money could do the same but the truth is that sometimes we don’t buy things that are good for us and I’d like to force them into taking vacations . But the problem with this is the point cost is unknown and subjected to mgmt and I coukd potebtislly be giving them a huge bill.

One way I was thinking this could be alleviated was by prepaying dues . I would like to prepay all the dues on her contract so she can just focus on fun . Has this ever been offered before ?

Just my thoughts

My children are 23 and 26 and I have added them to the deeds.
I have a bank account in their names as well and funded it with 5 years of dues at 125%. It is a HYS account, so it will hopefully outpace dues increases (but the extra 25% helps). So, basically, when the contracts pass to them in full, they have immediate access to at least 5 years of dues payments and time to decide what to do with them.

I like the idea of gifting them vacations for the long term, but worry about burdening them as well. My kids are set up to have access to immediate funds upon our passing for multiple purposes. It's hard to think about and plan for, but necessary.

 

[MarkNC2Disney]

I l like the ideas in this thread of setting aside $ for dues! It’s a substantial financial burden. The initial purchase price is like a down-payment on a new car

 

[Anthony1971]

First I would strongly suggest to not prepay dues - although you technically cannot there is really nothing stopping a person - or at least that I can see- of adding a lot of money to dues as you can pay even when you owe 0. You just never know if a person will want to hold onto DVC.
As far as availably it depends on the time of year and sometimes just plain luck. In the end with 95% certainty you will have choices other than your home and waitlists do work. Most important you may find yourself at resort you read never and may love it.... I find enough that make comments that with 99.9999% certainty have not stayed at the resort and that is both good and bad comments.

Does this make DVC right for you: NO. There are many things to consider.... We did before we bought. Right now we can get every penny we paid for our contracts and more. But being it is over 20 years if we got zero back it would not matter. I will make this clear the amount you pay in dues will exceed your contract price multiple times over during a contract.... When we bought it was in the very low teens of years bur fairly certain it was less. This is the most important fact to keep in mind..... However if the Disney brand stays alive you will be able to sell and get something back if needed maybe more...... Do not fall into the trap of buying a lot of points buy 150 - if you buy direct if that is still the min- and add if need down the line.

 

[Tatebeck]

If you want 11 month access to 3 or more resorts, you can just do what a lot of us here do, including myself

You can buy smaller contracts at multiple resorts that you love and if needed you bank/borrow to use 2 or even 3 years of points at once while rotating resorts, switching out to other resorts at 7 months if something good is available

 

[AstroBlasters]

I have done a lot of research on dvc and I have come to two sticking points . I wanted to see from the community if my concerns seem legit. For starters I wanted to say I love the dvc hotels and actuslly would want it to work.

1. The home resort concept: I don’t like the idea of having a home resort and being locked out from other resorts. Right now I rent and I feel like that gives me a lot more flexibility. For instance I just booked beach club and Aulani both 7+ months out.

One possible solution that I think could alleviate this concern would to have a product where you have a rotating home resort . I was thinking like you could 3-5 resorts where your home resort rotates . I think this would give me the amount of variability that I need.

2. The main way I see the value of dvc really benefiting me is to pass it down to my daughter. If I am just to use it for the next ten years I think I’ll break even or so but if I pass it down to her then she could go with her kids and possible even my grandkids could bring my great grandkids. I reslly
Like the idea that even if I am gone they will still have a memory of me when they are making memories. I understand money could do the same but the truth is that sometimes we don’t buy things that are good for us and I’d like to force them into taking vacations . But the problem with this is the point cost is unknown and subjected to mgmt and I coukd potebtislly be giving them a huge bill.

One way I was thinking this could be alleviated was by prepaying dues . I would like to prepay all the dues on her contract so she can just focus on fun . Has this ever been offered before ?

Just my thoughts

There is nothing wrong with renting points and having home resorts priority where you want. Many of us rent out excess points and are happy to have people like you to rent to.

The downsides for us with renting is that we like to have complete control and flexibility and you will never have that when renting.

We also purchased DVC with the thought in mind that our kids would be able to take our grandkids to Disney (Aulani and Disneyland) in the future if they wanted to.

The unintended consequences of our purchase is as follows:

1) We never argue over if we are going to go to a Disney because of how expensive is.

2) We don’t argue about what location we are going to stay at and how expensive it is.

3) We are super chill about each trip because there isn’t a back of the mind concern about when/if we are coming back.

4) The mindset has shifted into how we can get the most enjoyment out of our points each year.

“Abundance mentality instead of a scarcity mentality”.