Will a DVC work for how we travel?

[kck182]

We are just starting to wrap our heads around the idea of becoming members, well sorta. Our family would like to help finance our twice yearly trips and are thinking this might be a way to do that.
We have been going about every 6 months during peak season. Easter or Thanksgiving. We don't mind staying value since we are just thrilled to be there.
We are most interested in adding the dining plan since we go so often to eat out, my DS has food allergies and it's our little bit of respite
So when we do the math it doesn't seem to save any money and potentially feels like we are adding a lot of restrictions. It's nice having the option of traveling on a discount or doing an AP room discount.
Am I missing something?
Now if we are not paying for the contract at all and it's a gift that would decrease OUR out of pocket costs. But is it a good deal?
They (my in laws) would not finance the purchase and would travel with us every other year.
We are a family of four.
Thanks so much for any insight. I've learned so much already.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We are just starting to wrap our heads around the idea of becoming members, well sorta. Our family we like to help finance our twice yearly trips and are thinking this might be a way to do that.
We have been going about every 6 months during peak season. Easter or Thanksgiving. We don't mind staying value since we are just thrilled to be there.
We are most interested in adding the dining plan since we go so often to eat out, my DS has food allergies and it's our little bit of respite
So when we do the math it doesn't seem to save any money and potentially feels like we are adding a lot of restrictions. It's nice having the option of traveling on a discount or doing an AP room discount.
Am I missing something?
Now if we are not paying for the contract at all and it's a gift that would decrease OUR out of pocket costs. But is it a good deal?
They would not finance the purchase and would travel with us every other year.
We are a family of four.
Thanks so much for any insight. I've learned so much already.

If you don't mind the value resorts, there really isn't much of a reason to buy DVC. You'll spend more overall for DVC than you would the value resort. Both those times of the year require booking at 11 months out (or close to that) or you may be shut out. And the times you are looking at always require more points than other times of the year.

DVC isn't a way to save money. You ultimately spend more and more than you would just paying out of pocket with discounted stays. All it is is prepaid vacation lodging and you still have to pay your annual dues that continue to go up each year. It's a timeshare.

If you regularly stayed at deluxe resorts, planned months in advance and didn't care about discounts and deals, DVC might work.

 

[Caren90]

I agree with the PP that DVC may not be for you since you like the Values. To really get an idea, consider renting points for a stay and see if the shoe fits.

Stephen

 

[ELMC]

Am I missing something?

I don't think you're missing anything. If you enjoy staying at the Values then DVC probably won't be a good option for you.

Now if we are not paying for the contract at all and it's a gift that would decrease OUR out of pocket costs. But is it a good deal?

If I'm understanding you correctly, someone is going to buy the DVC contract for you? In that case, you should compare your typical hotel costs vs. the annual maintenance fees to see which costs more. Even if the maintenance fees are more money, keep in mind that you are getting much, much more with a DVC stay than you are by staying in a Value resort.

Off the cuff, though, I would say that properly managed, a free DVC contract is a good deal.

 

[Caren90]

Off the cuff, though, I would say that properly managed, a free DVC contract is a good deal.

Except OP will be responsible for MF's for many years to come and that could be a problem if DVC is not a good fit.

Stephen

 

[Sandisw]

I also think that if you are comfortable staying at the value resorts, then you won't find DVC a cost savings in that respect.

However, it may be possible as DVC members, to upgrade your stays to other resorts and even bigger rooms for something comparable to what you are currently paying.

When we bought DVC, this is what we looked at and decided if we could become members and keep costs close to what we were already paying, in the end we made out because we would be in 1 bedrooms compared to hotel rooms.

There are some good deals right now on the resale market that could make it worth your while, especially if other family are involved who are willing to cover the initial buy in costs for you.

Good luck!

 

[ELMC]

Off the cuff, though, I would say that properly managed, a free DVC contract is a good deal.

Except OP will be responsible for MF's for many years to come and that could be a problem if DVC is not a good fit.

Stephen

So you're saying that having to pay maintenance fees would be enough of a deterrent that you would turn down a free DVC contract? I'm sorry, but I don't buy it.

 

[k3chantal]

DVC is NOT about 'getting a good deal'. DVC is about 'pre-paying' for the opportunity to make reservations at WDW deluxe accommodations. It's about knowing that you intend to go back to Disney again and again. So if you absolutely love Disney, know that when the children are grown you will still go back, can pay without financing it and understand that there is a yearly fee(about 5 dollars a point right now; give or take) that may slightly rise every year, can make plans preferably 11 months out to probably get your first choice, and, at any less time in your booking window be willing to be flexible, then yes, DVC is for you.

I love my membership but there was definitely a huge learning curve to using it 'successfully'. Every member has a slightly different definition of what would be successful for them but all will agree that if you are able to book vacations almost a full year in advance, then you most likely will have success.

If you can't buy the membership outright, I would not recommend purchasing this because of the interest on the loan. Then, you are really only paying 'way more'. But this is a personal opinion and many can overlook that fact.

We bought because we have always love Disney and would never treat ourselves so well by reserving Deluxe resorts but now we have a great excuse; we are members.

The other important factor is the additional costs of travel. Do you have to fly to get to Disney World? Food is costly no matter what you do. But, you can purchase the TIW card (currently).

Good luck with your decision. We went through the presentation and tours and 'sat' on it for an entire year before deciding to do it.

Oh! Someone else is paying for the membership! Yippee! Great deal; go for it! But..... who will hold the title? Will they pay for it in full? Or if you are on all the paperwork; could you be stuck with a huge loan?

 

[kck182]

Except OP will be responsible for MF's for many years to come and that could be a problem if DVC is not a good fit.

Stephen

No worries about the fees, I don't anticipate being responsible for them (even though we would try, they never let us pay for anything)
Don't get us wrong we enjoy staying Deluxe but just can't pay rack rate at Easter. I'd rather stay more days.

We do not have any plans to vacation anywhere else because of DS's allergies. It's really the only place in the world we feel comfortable eating out.

We enjoy ourselves and our time there. We are over the moon that they are considering this but want to make sure that we get their money's worth.

 

[kck182]

Wait I thought you could purchase a dining plan?

 

[k3chantal]

Sorry; yes you can use the Dining plan, typo....I am typing too fast. Sorry!

 

[kck182]

No loan.

 

[Missyrose]

The other thing you may want to think about OP is how comfortable you are committing to years and years of Disney trips with your in laws. I have no idea how your relationship is with them (obviously pretty good if they're willing to buy DVC for you) but what happens if there's a year where you would just like to take a trip with just the four of you. Or if you want to take a Christmas trip and they want to go in July. I just would hate to see you end up with a bunch of hurt feelings within the family.

If they're willing to pay for DVC, I don't see why it wouldn't work for you. Just be prepared to plan trips farther in advance than you used to (preferably 7-11 months in advance). You'd be getting improved accommodations and in possibly better locations than you've had with the values.

 

[kck182]

Thanks so much for all the good info! We do have a good relationship with them and enjoy when they come along since they are a huge help with the kids. That being said Disney is NOT my father in laws idea of a good time. He tolerates it for the kids. So I would be very surprised if they came every other year. But they would be welcome on any of our trips
Yes we are very lucky and blessed!

 

[LoveKermit]

We are in a similar situation except the in-laws own the points. I think you have to be careful how the owners are listed versus the associates. Us kids are associate members. I can make my own reservations and changes and stuff. This will irk some--but because of that, our keys have said Member. I do not think I could bank the points, haven't tried, don't want to. But we pretty much can use points when wanted/needed.

We do not get the AP discount because we do not have the same address. I also think they would have to buy the TIW card as well. We do not do DDP.

Just be sure if you are to be the owners, you may need to be the ones who write the check or at least present at closing. In other words, your in-laws may need to give you the money to pay for it.

On the flip side, even if you are used to value, it does change the way you vacation. You will eat a little more often in the villa (allergy friendly, cheaper). There is more space and you can do laundry. You may also find that you do not feel as obligated to travel at those peak times because you are not trying to work around the deals. I enjoy going when the deals are switching because it seems there is much movement in the resorts and less in the parks.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We are in a similar situation except the in-laws own the points. I think you have to be careful how the owners are listed versus the associates. Us kids are associate members. ....

Kermit brings up a good point. If you are on the deed, then you are entitled to the discounted AP, shopping discounts, etc. If you are not on the deed, and are merely an associate member, you can make reservations and that is about it. No discounts for you.

Plus if they are on the deed and you are not, it goes to their heirs when they die (or to the state if they leave no will). And if both of you are on the deed, you still have to go through having them taken off the deed if they decide they no longer want it but you do. It also becomes an asset in the event of bankruptcy.

 

[ELMC]

DVC is NOT about 'getting a good deal'. DVC is about 'pre-paying' for the opportunity to make reservations at WDW deluxe accommodations.

Well, it should come as no surprise to you k3chantal, but I disagree with you on this. I don't think the two are mutually exclusive. You can embrace the pixie dust and love your DVC and prepay for your vacations and all that good stuff and still try to get a good deal.

I'm a BLT resale owner and I don't love Disney any less than the people who bought direct in the $130-160pp range. I just paid half as much.

 

[joeyrose]

hard to keep 'em down on the farm after they've seen gay paree. once i stayed at a dvc villa, i could never go back to the (motel 6 style) values.

 

[canopynut66]

we started out years ago staying in all deluxe then moderates then tried the each all stars values and then back to moderates and then POP came on the scene so we tried that and love it and got twice a year once for two weeks and the other like a four day trip. we have figured and went over all and IMO it is cheaper for us to stay at value and go and come as we please. we did the DVC aas a renatl once but we do not want to cok or make coffee while on vacation so that was perk was not good one for us. if we need more room we get two connecting rooms and is still cheaper than leasing into DVC. If any way I could be convinced it was a cheaper way to go would have been there years ago. but my grandson in law's Dad has sold time shares for 35 years and he would NOT own one and the main reason he told me is no one ever owns it but the developer and bank and to get the times we wanted to use it was way more expensive as well plus all those fee's. so good luck

 

[LoveKermit]

hard to keep 'em down on the farm after they've seen gay paree. once i stayed at a dvc villa, i could never go back to the (motel 6 style) values.

Ditto.....

We are going to Holiday Inn Vacation Club in Gatlinburg, TN (on cash) in a couple weeks. My parents, after staying at BLT with us, do the same in Palm Springs in Jan. The space, the breakfast in the room, dinner if you want, the space.....