wouldnt discount codes be cheaper?

[PamOKW]

Just to expand on Regina's comments about Holiday time savings at WDW....

With the exception of last year, this time of year is always full rack rate. For this year, that's $860.25 per night (including tax). Regina's 13 night stay would run $11,183.25.

Another point to look at, in 1997 the 2 bedroom pre-tax for Christmas week would be $425 per night. In 2002, it's $775. That's an 82% increase in the cost of the room in 5 years.

So, feeling like a genius Regina?

 

[denman007]

Pam,

Would Regina's 13 night stay in, lets say, 2010, still cost the same amount of points as it does today?

In otherwords, does that points per night stay the same for 42 years? It seems that's what DVC is claiming.

If that is truely the case, then that would be a good selling point.

 

[Landof10000lakes]

Disney is allowed to change the points per night stay, but only for a net zero sum.

Example, if disney wants to make an OKW studio cost 10pt per night, instead of 8pt (adventure season, Sun-Thurs) they must take those extra 2 pts. from somewhere else, say lower premier season from 15pts to 13pts (Sun-Thurs).

Any changes in the point system must equal out to a net zero sum, over the course of the year. If they add points to a nights stay, they must subtract them from somewhere else.

Disney has adjusted the point system in the past at different resorts. (OKW I think)

 

[PamOKW]

that would be a good selling point.

Yes, it is one of the major considerations. The rates don't go up in the traditional sense.

There is leeway for DVC to make adjustments if some problem arises but that has only happened one time at OKW (when it was the only DVC). A few years ago, they considered reducing the amount of points for weekends and increasing the weekdays but abandoned the idea. But, that's how it needs to work, something goes up and something goes down.

 

[nisiemouse]

As a new DVC member I am just happy that I don't have to spend time looking for discounts (and looking again for a better one when you find one). I love all the DVC homes. Occasionally we will stay in a hotel room during a high point night (like the night after Thanksgiving 72points yikes!) but it is only one night and I can't wait to have all that room and a refrigerator. This helped convince dh. We have a ds and a dd and space will become even more important as they get older.

 

[Regina]

Denman, to answer your question, we went during the holidays in 1995, 1999 and, as I mentioned, we're going at the end of this year.

The amount of points used has been about the same for all 3 trips. Considering what hotel rooms were going for during the Millennium celebration, it was a steal to stay on points.

 

[denman007]

You guys have some good valid points for DVC. Is there a formula for calc'n the maint fees?

That's the only missing piece for me.

Thanks.

 

[Disney1]

Another way to look at the value of DVC is this - Will I be spending at least $58,960.00 over the next 40 years on room charges to visit Disney (or $1500/year) ? You will also have to ask yourself the question, Do I want to spend some of that money at different resorts at other locations? I think this is the most important question to answer first. You do not want to shut yourself out of the opportunity of doing other things.

In addition, the structure of vacation club does not lend itself to the fun of last minute planning. Most options will not be available to you with last minute planning. Some of the best vacations we had were made on the spur of the moment.

 

[hellokitty]

I agree we have planned our last two trips pretty quick and have changed resorts like 3 times. I like to flexiblity of doing so, however, it would be nice to know I was going to disney every year and didnt have to think "maybe we should go somewhere different this year?"

 

[RobDoc]

Maintenance fees vary by resort and typically have increased about 3% per year- and have even gone down some years.

Here is a recent discussion about DVC <a href="http://198.65.131.237/showthread.php?s=&threadid=177227">annual maintenance fees.</a>

Enjoy!

 

[denman007]

I didn't really mean a formula for increases, I meant a formula for cost per point.

I would go with BCV or WL.

What would the maint fees be for 200pts at BCV, 150pts?

Is there any max % increase? What determines the % inc?

 

[Dean]

Maint fees for most for BW, BC and WL will all be somewhere in the general range of $750 for 200 points. OKW will be somewhat lower, about $100 less. Max increase is 15% but history is it will be a lot lower. As timeshare go, DVC is already high on maint fees so the hope is that Disney will do a good job anticipating costs and there will be no dramatic jumps in fees or special assessments.

 

[RobDoc]

Maintenance fees currently range from about $3.23 to about $3.83 for the onsite resorts.

Disney has done a good job, IMO, of properly projecting the expenses needed to maintain the resorts at a high level.

Many timeshares cut corners in this area and then end up with massive increases when repairs can't be put off any longer. Everything has a life expectancy and timeshares have to prepare for the eventual need to recarpet, repaint, re-roof and replace appliances. In some cases some of these costs will affect all units at about the same time (since the age of the units is about the same).

Thus far, Disney has done an effective job of sustaining a high level of maintenance and repair!!