Would somebody offer their summary of the DVC?

[SpaceAce]

I am curious if anyone can give me the detailed scoop on Disney Vacation Club. It is something I would consider, but would love to hear from people who like it...or hate it!

Some starter questions: Does it save money? Where do you stay? Do you lose money? Why is this better (or worse) than just paying for a Disney Resort?

Thanks to anyone that can help

 

[SpaceAce]

(I have read the FAQs)

 

[JimC]

I'll take a crack at this.

The maintenance fees have gone up at a compound rate of 3.1% per year at OKW since 1993 (other DVC properties have gone up as little as 1.5% per year and as high as 4.3% per year, with BCV being an anomaly as this year was a larger increase than normal -- it jumped 5.4% and has been open only a few months). Resort rates have gone up about 4.6% during the same time (as have the cost of points at DVC).

When we were making the decision, I forecast the cash flows (cost and fees) for studios and one bedrooms and compared that to moderate Disney Club discounted and deluxe Annual Pass discounted rooms. We will break even in ten years. If we used the rates for comparable rooms (one bedroom) it would be about half that amount of time.

The contracts expire 1/31/2042. Our rights terminate then. DVC could create a new program, extend the old program, do both, do nothing. I would only be guesssing. There are others on this Board who are more able than I to speak to this.

But by then we will have had many years of Disney fun, at a cost much lower than we had been paying before DVC.

We ended up buying BCV from Disney (Byron Helgeson) and OKW resale from The Timeshare Store (Pat Spell). Both were first class people to work with.

Our first mistake was not finding a way to afford it in 1992 when we first previewed it. Our second mistake was taking a full decade to revisit that decision.

Hope that is of some help. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Werner Weiss]

With DVC, you spend a lot... and you get a lot. The amount of money that you save (or don't save) depends on how you do the math. In any case, you should think of it as vacation purchase, not an investment.

DVC is especially good if you enjoy staying in a deluxe condo, such as a 2-bedroom unit with a living room, kitchen, two bathrooms, and laundry room. If you don't mind staying at a Value or Moderate Disney resort, then it's harder to justify DVC.

We usually stay at the DVC resort at which we own, because we can book there up to 11 months before our stay. For variety, we can stay at other DVC resorts, but we can only book there up to seven months before our stay (and by then there might be no availability).

Buy where you plan to stay most often — either from Disney or from a reseller.

You can use DVC points to pay for other Disney resorts or "Concierge Collection" deluxe hotel and resorts away from Disney — but the financial benefits of doing so are really questionable. (It's just a nice option to have if you find yourself with extra points one year.)

DVC can be used to trade to other timeshare resorts. This can be a good option if you get into one of the better timeshares. But people whose main goal is to exchange to other timeshares should consider buying at a different timeshare resort than a DVC.

DVC is best for people who can plan their vacations well in advance, who enjoy going to WDW often, and who are unlikely to need to cancel once they've made their plans.

People on this board love DVC.

 

[CarolynFH]

We feel we've "broken even" several times, at least in terms of what we paid for the points we used for a given trip and what those same accommodations would have cost us if we'd paid cash. Also, once we pay off the mortgage, our lodging will cost only as much as the dues!

We could never have gone to WDW as many times as we have, and we could never have stayed in such comfortable lodgings. We were just about at the point where we needed two rooms for the four of us (one for me and DH, one for DD and DS), so a 2-bedroom fits us just fine. We like the flexibility too -- DH and I can get a studio (which is nicer than an ordinary hotel room) for just the two of us, then we can get a 2-BR for us and my parents and put DS in his own studio!

So we like it. I'm sure you'll hear from someone who doesn't like it. It's not for everyone. But we think that if you plan to make at least one trip to WDW every two years, and you don't want to stay at the All Stars every time, it's worth it!

 

[lsutigger2]

As many will tell you, "we wish we had done it sooner!" DH and I had always stayed at moderates and were very happy. I sent for the video, he watched before a trip to WDW, we took the tour that trip (2000), and as they say "the rest is history". We probably would have never spent the money to stay at a deluxe, no matter how badly I wanted to stay at the GF!! This way, we pay a little each month and get many years and many trips to WDW and we can stay in really nice places. DH loves the 1 bdrms and so do I. Another real great thing is the variety and the flexiblity it offers. For us, it works!

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

I also think that DVC is a great value for large families with school age kids who vacation during peak vacation periods.

We have four kids and are going this Christmas/New Year's. (We also went last year as well). For two rooms at the Beach Club for 11 nights this year, it would have cost us close to $11,000.00 with tax included for two connecting rooms. That is more than I spent on my first 150 point contract and I get those points every year for the next 39 years. I can only imagine what the cost will be in ten year or twenty. But my costs are locked in. I like that a lot.

HBC

 

[adamak]

1. In the long run, I save money. Because I am going to WDW alot more, and doing it alot cheaper. I can gain more in service / surroundings and perks than I would have without DVC.

2. My home resort is BWV, but I have stayed in OKW, HH, BCV so far. I also spend extra money since I'm a DVC owner in AKL-Concierge & AS.

3. I don't consider myself losing money. I would say I'm actually saving money for the vacations I had had BECAUSE of my DVC.

4. Here is the big question. Why DVC?
Ready?

DVC allows me to treat my family in a highend resort. I don't have kids, but we've been to WDW about every 2 years. I don't live close to FL, and I'm not a round-the-clock Disney fan (ie, i don't do anything Disney during non-WDW vacation). With DVC, I can now treat all my friends/ family with a vacation in a top notch BWV 2-3 bedroom vacation, regardless if they can afford it or not (since I'm paying for the room). We all couldn' t have done this w/o DVC.

Think of it this way... it's a pre=paid vacation plan. It'll save you money in the long run. But I also understand that it's a lot of commitment. So, if you think you have a little extra money to spare, then go for it. But if you're not the type to go back every 3 years, then dont' bother.

It's WDW's service level that get me back. I'm paying Holiday Inn price for Four Season service.

 

[jodifla]

I concur that it's best to consider this a prepaid vacation plan. With our principal paid off, there are only the dues for our annual vacations, and that really spreads out the cost. Also, like isutigger2, we would find it hard to justify the cost of deluxe resorts -- but points don't seem so expensive, somehow.

This has also allowed us to vacation with family and friends, something we really love doing. It's great to be the hero when people walk in and see the accommodations. Everyone we've taken has just been blown away.

And, while I've stayed at many the Days Inn/Rodeway Inn/Holiday Inn etc. and most have been OK, nothing is like the luxury at DVC, especially when you go beyond the studios (although the studios are really nice, too.) These places are resorts, not just hotels.

If you like going to WDW, and if you think you could find yourself wanting to be spoiled instead of pinching pennies at a motel, then you will love DVC. And your only regret will be that you didn't do it sooner.

 

[bcvillastwo]

As you can see almost everyone on these boards has a positive attitude about being DVC members and many good points are being made but it's important to remember that each of us views cost and other factors a bit differently. So, you should focus on what is important to you and your family.

Like one of the previous posters, prior to DVC we stayed in the moderates most of the time and it's likely we would have continued to stay at that level. So, when we went though our own financial analysis we initially compared moderates to DVC studios. That was our first cut. Eventually, we broke it down to a per point cost which for us was $1.75 per point (points purchased X number of years remaining until 12/31/2042 divided by total cost to us) Then I added $4.00 for dues (an estimate the will change) for a total per point cost of $5.75.

Once you have a good handle on your per point cost you can then compare the cost of other WDW resorts at any time you like.

One final point, you asked about saving money. People have danced around this a bit. I look at it this way. Yes, if I went to WDW once a year BJDVC (before joining DVC) and only went down to WDW AJDVC (after joining DVC) then I definitely save money. Now, if I go to WDW AJDVC more than once I probably am not saving any money over my old pattern of going to WDW because I am spending money in the parks, on food, etc. that I wouldn't have spent under the old patter. But, this assumes that I go on only one vacation a year to WDW and no place else.

A little secret, I am able to go to WDW more often now because my cost to stay is less which means I get to spend that money on other things I enjoy at WDW. Yes, at the end of the day I feel joining DVC is costing me more. But................I don't care.

Remember the overall point I am trying to make, everyone's decision should be based on their own situation and everyone's situation is a little bit different. Plus, we all view the various factors that go into this decision a little differently.

Good luck.

 

[Cruelladeville]

I spent 10 days in a wonderful one bedroom villa boardwalk view right above the Screen Door, and on check-out our bill was........$756!!! That was our total cost for souveniers and buffets and eating at every fancy restaurant on property, and tall cool drinks--we had no out-of-pocket money. This is why I joined DVC, because everything else has been covered. The very cheapest I could get this room for on cash with every available discount was $305 plus tax.

Now, in the years that I have owned DVC it has gone up in value, so I could recover completely my original investment, and maybe extra. At the most, my 10 day vacation cost just my dues at about $4 per pt, or $1200. That's $120 per night. Can you get any room on property with a washer/dryer, whirlpool tub, full kitchen, huge bathroom, separate bedroom for $120 per night?? That's why DVC is so great

 

[wordzylady]

My husband and I have a 13 year old and before we bought into DVC we did the Disney thing every year and the first 3 years we stayed at ASMo and the next year we were at Caribbean Beach. We bought DVC that fourth year we were there and the only regret we've had is that we wished we had done it the first year because what we spent the last four years would have paid for our contract. It is the best thing we have done for us. We didn't do a lot of analyzing and scrutinizing over the numbers, we have thought of it as an investment into great family memories and vacation accomodations we could never have imagined being able to stay in. We take our second trip home in January and can't wait!!

 

[jimmytammy]

I think you have gotten a lot of your questions answered...so I will throw in my 2 cents worth here. We Love It, greatest thing since sliced bread IMO

 

[DeeP]

If you are someone that goes to WDW on a regular basis and plan to continue to do so, joining DVC is a no brainer! You get top of the line villas for less than a moderate resort would cost!
The best value of DVC pts is using them at DVC resorts and this seems to be growing truer each year, this I am not happy with.
However as far as my DVC membership, it has exceeded my expectations and I have never used it any where but DVC resorts! I am now able to go to WDW every 3-4 months and stay in wonderful villas! It has definitely been a win-win situation for me. I am prefectly content going to DVC/WDW resorts, there is more than enough to keep all of us very happy and content for many days, it really is a vacation destination, there is something for everyone! And DVC is the icing on the cake!!!!

 

[SpaceAce]

more ?s, and thank yous!
Thanks to everyone for getting me started. I have a few more questions that maybe some of you can help with....please remember i am totally new to the idea of the vacation club, so please do not be frustrated with my ignorance here

- Where can you stay?
- If you have several years in a row where you cannot go, can you make it up with more trips later? I guess that's an example to describe my question of whether your points have to be used within certain timeframes, or if they build up?
-How do you actually "buy" your share? Who do you talk to or recommend going through?
-What all is included? Park admission too?

Thanks to all!

 

[crisi]

Where can you stay:

The DVC resorts are:

Boardwalk Villas (BWV)
Old Key West (OKW)
Villas at Wilderness Lodge (VWL)
Beach Club Villas (BCV)

outside WDW:

Vero Beach (VB)
Hilton Head (HH)

and soon at Disney World, Sarasota Springs.

Note that in the cases of BWV, VWL and BCV these are attached to their respective hotels, but you are staying in the DVC portion of the resort. Check out www.Disney.com and go to Disney vacation club for some resort descriptions.

You can also use your points to stay in other Disney hotels (though not the ones that have a DVC attached to them, so you can use points at AKL but not WL), take Disney cruises, and visit other hotels and resorts. But generally speaking, the DVC resorts are the best "value" for your points.

Can you "save" points:

To a degree - you can bank one year into the future (but you have to know you are going to do it by the middle of the year) and borrow from the next year. So its feasible to go every three years. But you should have some predictibity and similarity in your trips - because you need to know that you are going to have to bank.

For instance, we have 150 points and take one approximately 300 point trip every other year - combining banking and borrowing each time to do so.

Another option, if you can't travel, is to "rent" your points (check out the rent/trade board here for details).

How do you buy:

Either through Disney or through a reseller. The banner ad at the top of this page will take you to a good reputable reseller. Another one can be found at www.atimeshare.com. The Disney Vacation Club link at www.disney.com will hook you up with a DVC sales guide.

What is included:

Really, just your accomodations and use of the resort. DVC members get condo like accomodations, which means that mousekeeping will not make your bed every day ("Trash and Towel" on the fourth day of your stay, a cleaning on the eighth day). No park tickets (although currently there is a small discount on UPHs - when OKW first opened they threw in park tickets until the milleneium - it was a great deal for early adopters). A few perks, such as some dining discounts to certain restaurants. Do NOT join expecting perks, you are likely to be disappointed. And no, DVC will not make you eligible for Florida resident rates, unless you are already a Florida resident. There are some small other perks - use of the health club without additional fees, free videos at the resorts, BWVs has a community room with games and such. Some kids activities at the resorts.

 

[Zurg]

DVC has made our Disney obsession much more managable.

 

[StephenKay]

Hi there,

Mine is:

DVC is a great leap of faith rewarded by years of treasured memories.