Would it be worth it for us?

[apm]

We're looking at buying into the DVC, but we're not sure it would be worth it for us, given my wife's occupation. She is a school teacher, and this we have Christmas, February, and April vacations available, along with all of July and August -- that is, the most point-costly times of the year.

We're not rich -- would this ever be worthwhile? Wha'dya think? Thanks!

 

[dianeschlicht]

February isn't bad, and an occational beach vacation at Vero might be nice! I sure wouldn't want to do WDW in the heat of summer! We have been there in September, and it was awful!!

Disneydiane

 

[chris1gill]

I guess the real question is, how often do you go? How long do you stay? and how much do you spend on your accomodations? Those three answers will determine if it is worth it.... Generally speaking, if you stay in a deluxe yearly or every other year, it can be worth it, even during a high point season....

 

[BarbOKW]

We only go over our schools spring break the last week in March. The points are high, but so are the resort rates with few discounts available. For example, this March we stayed in a two bedroom at BWV's. I was going to pay cash for one night, but it was $859 (for one night!) I kept checking but no discounts ever came through. Needless to say we stayed on points. So even if you can't stay when points are lower, keep in mind that the points are lower because the room rates are also lower.

 

[Firefighter Mickey]

If you stay in a moderate or better, and go at least every other year for 1 week or longer, then you probably should take a look at DVC.

July at WDW is not the end of the world; yes, it is hot, but you just slow down some and you can generally handle the heat (our family did fine in July last year). After experiencing a really rainy September one year, I think I'd almost take July over September. Plus, as a DVC member you eventually get in the mind-set that it's not necessary to do everything on each visit, because you'll be back very soon. It takes a little while to get this mindset, but it does allow you to actually start to vacation at WDW rather than have a marathon-survivor type trip.

 

[Candace]

Like Firefighter Mickey said, I would also take July over September (I have been at both times). True it is terribly hot in the summer months, but other times are wonderful. My favorite is at Thanksgiving and pretty much in March too. I am a teacher also, and a DVC member since '94. I too go when we have school vacations. It has been worth it to me. My husband seldom travels with us, so it is a place I could go and have fun with my kids and feel pretty safe. This summer I have to do the "july thing" and go when my son can go. You realize after a few visits that you don't have to do "commando" style touring because you will always be back another time. That's how I will view it in July - I will spend more time at the resort, and go out after dark when it is cooler - or stay in the stores at DD shopping! Only you can decide, but as a teacher, I can definitely say that it has been worth it for me.

 

[Caskbill]

Don't forget that DVC is also an investment in your <u> future</u> vacations.

You'll have 41 more years worth of Disney. Your vacation periods can change a lot over that timeframe.


Caskbill

 

[minimahaki]

Prior to purchasing my FIRST point allotment in May 1993. I researched timeshares for about a year.
I spoke to individuals who owned timeshares, and I even called RCI to get a better understanding regarding timeshares. Do your homework and find out what is best for you....I think Disney has revolutionized the timeshare industry and timeshares are no longer all the same. I attribute this to Disney's concept.
DVC allows you the flexibility that most other timeshares do not. Flexibility in not only the time of year you travel but the accommodation size that you require. I LOVE MY DVC MEMBERSHIP!!!!!!
I did want to be a member of RCI and purchased some vacation time while I was in Cancun a few years ago. I love sitting at those presentations. As a DVC Member you can NEVER Be PRESSURED into purchasing anything you do not want to own....In fact every time I sit through one they always as me to sell my Disney Membership! THEY MUST THINK I AM NUTS!!!!!And that is exactly what I tell them!
Do your homework, find out what is right for you and I think you will come back and find that you can't go wrong with DVC!
Lauretta
Minimahaki DVC Members Since May, 1993

 

[jmatzen0106]

Each of us who are members, wondered if it was for
us. We had our doubts, and concerns, but, except for the fact that it was Disney, we bought into the DVC.

You are reading these boards, we didn't have that luxury back in 1992/1993. Almost all responses have been: It was the greatest investment we have ever made, we should have done it sooner, we have
added on many times since our first purchase, etc

To answer your question:
If you LOVE Disney, the answer is yes.
If you like Disney, think about it.
If unsure about Disney, the answer is no.

New York City Member since 1993 ( 12 trips ago ).

 

[luvdvc95]

We have always gone to Disney in July/August since 1983. We would never take our kids out of school for vacation. We bought into DVC in 1995 and have stayed 5 times on points since. This past summer was like staying for free, paying only for food and passes. The cost of those first four trips combined on points, if we paid cash, would have been more than the cost of the timeshare. It will definitely pay for itself in a short period of time. We will be going in May this year for the first time. It will be very strange not to have the heat and crowds we've always experienced in July/August. Counting the days.

 

[TheWho]

My wife is a teacher and the only time we can go is the same as you. Even though I'm envious of those people that can go during the off season, my wife and I decided to join DVC and deal with Florida summers. We have gone twice in July and it is hot, but manageable. First, the points in the summer are not that high. We brought 180 points and plan to go 2 years in a row and one year off (using 270 points a trip at a one bedroom). I have my eye on a cruise when the kids get bigger which will need a re-visit to my point strategy. As others will tell you on this board, if you plan to vacation (at a really great place) every year or every other year, DVC is good thing to explore. The fact that my wife teaches is a big reason we joined. With two of us working, DVC is a good counter to the rat race and two incomes also allow us to enjoy a fantastic vacation for the next 42 years.

good luck, feel free to ask more.

Dave

 

[MaryJ]

Although I am not a teacher, my husband's work schedule rarely allows him to vacation at any time other than the summer. We did go to WDW this year at spring break (only our second spring break trip EVER!) I think that I prefer WDW in July over March because now that our children are in their teens, they prefer to sleep in and stay up late. Since the park is open later in the summer, this works out better for us. We can spend the hot part of the day at the pool or maybe spend all day at the water park, and go to the park of DD in the evening.



Disney Inn (remember when?) 86
FW 89
CR/Cruise 91
VWL March 01

 

[cewait]

Let me start with the fact I am not a DVC member...I know, it's really a great program and is full of advantages. We looked HARD at the BW DVC membership. We toured the BW 2 or 3 times. The simple fact is that we would most likely purchase the minimum number of points for the DVC. The annual maintenance is higher than our usual room rate at the CBR. After I laid out the numbers on a spreadsheet, it became very clear to me that I could not justify the cost.

But here are the facts of how we do Disney.

1. We never stay in a resort more expensive that a moderate resort (i.e. Caribbean Beach, etc.)
2. Our stays are generally 4-6 nights at most.
3. We do go annually
4. We generally go in January or June.

APM, lay out how and when you travel, the level of hotel you historically have chosen and then look at how many points you need to purchase. Put these costs into the spreadsheet and take a look. This removes some of the emotion from the decision. If the numbers are close, then go for it. Like many others, I agree that it can be seen as a vacation investment. (better than NASDAQ )

I offer this input as a non-member who decided to go the other way.

Charles ºoº

 

[apm]

Your insights have helped considerably. We're going to WDW in July, and we'll certainly take a closer look then.

- Andy

 

[twinglefam]

we were sorry we waited. We vacationed in Nov. last year and wished that we had joined before going - feel like we could have applied those room costs towards our membership. We're a family of five and had a hard time finding a place to stay where we weren't five monkeys in a bed!

Here we go...........

'74, '79, '82, '86 - as a "kid"
'00 - BCR & offsite
'01 - VWL (purchase trip!)
10/01 - BW & OKW

 

[Dean]

Only you can decide if it's worth it based on your WDW visit patterns and frequency. Consider this however, where else can you buy a timeshare where you can directly cover all of the times that you state you can go. Very few timeshares allow that much floating flexibility, though there are a few. Add to that the ability to stay for any number of days, 1, 10 or whatever; use different size units on different or the same stay; get more than one unit if need for additional family or friends; banked to next year without real risk of losing your time and I'm sure I've forgot some things.

Bottom line is that the flexibility is the key to the program. Now if you want to visit WDW about every year or almost every year, I'd say it makes a lot of sense. Still a big investment so you need to be certain this is for you.

Dean