Wow. 2021 Annual Dues

[montreid]

The dues at the WDW resorts are all within about $1.50/point of each other. If you have 100 points, that's only $150 difference a year to be where you really want.

Annual fees do need to be part of your decision when purchasing, but don't lose sight of the big picture.

Multiple that $1.50 over 30 years = $45 differential on pricing per point. There is a subtle difference with that in addition to the resale price.

 

[eMoneyBug]

Here’s to keeping Aulani increases low YOY !

 

[Sandisw]

Multiple that $1.50 over 30 years = $45 differential on pricing per point. There is a subtle difference with that in addition to the resale price.

True, but it still comes down to buying someplace you want and that given $150 per year per 100 points, it’s not such a huge difference to choose something you really aren’t going to be happy with in the long run.

 

[RebelScum]

Dues are officially coming out late December MS told me. They are due January (I could swear it was always around Valentine's Day).

Can I pay my lump sum dues NOW (I will estimate and tweak later) and they will definitely be credited for 2021 since they really officially listed yet?
I use Disney gift cards and would like to get that settled while I'm home before I leave for Snow-birding by the time the dues really do come out.

Anyone pay early?

I also pay via Disney Gift Cards. Last year I pre paid mine using gift cards in late November based upon the estimates and it all worked out well. I think when all was said and one, I had paid a few dollars extra.

 

[TikiLagoon]

I think for alot of people (including me) its a financial restriction on where I buy. Its either buy at the most economical or dont buy at all because I cant afford it any other way. So when people say buy where you want to stay, it isnt useful advice for alot of people.

 

[RoseGold]

The dues at the WDW resorts are all within about $1.50/point of each other. If you have 100 points, that's only $150 difference a year to be where you really want.

Using the DVC Resale math, the most efficient points are around $10/year/point. So $1.50 is 15%. That is a significant difference.

Maybe worth it for some, but in this context, $1.50 is a large number.

 

[RivShore]

That RVA increase is puzzling and I am planning to contact them this week to get information as to why it is so much higher than the rest,

I do wonder if it has to do with the resort not all declared? I’ll post when I get info.

Hi Sandi,
Did you ever get any response to this question?

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

I've always paid my dues in one large lump sum. I save the MFs by putting aside money every paycheck the year prior. I know we cannot actually pay monthly by credit card, but I could switch to monthly payments and then pay off a contract by credit card at a time, correct? But I can also pay the monthly amount due in advance by gift card so long as I do it by the contract date? I'm just thinking that if I'm willing to go through the extra steps, I could make my cash last longer (in terms of earning interest) and get extra Chase points by buying Disney gift cards at Staples for 5% back. I like to be "prepaid" for my dues but it just occurred to me that doesn't mean I need to pay it all at once. I had been doing it before by CC to get the 2% back on my Disney Visa (which goes towards our APs).

Is that much different than doing the 5% off Disney gift cards at Target with a Target RedCard? I suppose if you can then turn your 5% in Chase points into more points through a card's multiplier?

 

[Sandisw]

Hi Sandi,
Did you ever get any response to this question?

Not yet. I didn’t get around to sending the question mid week this past week.

I will keep you posted for sure!

 

[sethschroeder]

Multiple that $1.50 over 30 years = $45 differential on pricing per point. There is a subtle difference with that in addition to the resale price.

Except as expected it's already reduced its difference it likely will for another 2-3 years.

Also in 30 years your MFs will be like $20/point so it's like a $0.60 difference today. That's if it were $1.50 in 2021.

 

[sethschroeder]

Using the DVC Resale math, the most efficient points are around $10/year/point. So $1.50 is 15%. That is a significant difference.

Maybe worth it for some, but in this context, $1.50 is a large number.

Except I could pay even less and stay off site. So I don't 100% buy it when there is no accounting for point charts, location, room layouts and contract length (the biggest in my book).

Like I laid out expect all the other resorts to catch up to RIV at a 3% clip for the next 2 years still so it would be a 9% difference vs the cheapest option.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I think for alot of people (including me) its a financial restriction on where I buy. Its either buy at the most economical or dont buy at all because I cant afford it any other way. So when people say buy where you want to stay, it isnt useful advice for alot of people.

But if you buy somewhere you don't want to stay, it is a poor value anyway.

 

[BillPA]

I think for alot of people (including me) its a financial restriction on where I buy. Its either buy at the most economical or dont buy at all because I cant afford it any other way. So when people say buy where you want to stay, it isnt useful advice for alot of people.

Not everyone can or should buy into DVC. If you don't have enough cash to buy what you need, don't buy

 

[HairyChest]

But if you buy somewhere you don't want to stay, it is a poor value anyway.

It absolutely still has value. If you are buying DVC, you want to go to Disney. And most people in that camp would agree that they would choose to go to Disney and stay somewhere that wasn't their first choice, then staying at a value or offsite. So the value is there even if you stay at the locations that usually have availability like Saratoga.

Not everyone can or should buy into DVC. If you don't have enough cash to buy what you need, don't buy

The choice for alot of people is between buying the most economical or not buying at all. If you can't afford the most economical then obviously you don't buy. Of course there are some that still buy lol.

 

[Sandisw]

It absolutely still has value. If you are buying DVC, you want to go to Disney. And most people in that camp would agree that they would choose to go to Disney and stay somewhere that wasn't their first choice, then staying at a value or offsite. So the value is there even if you stay at the locations that usually have availability like Saratoga.


Like I said, the choice for alot of people is between buying the most economical or not buying at all. If you can't afford the most economical then obviously you don't buy. Of course there are some that still buy lol.

For anyone who doesn’t care what resort, I agree with you. But, we did not buy DVC until they built BLT because staying just any deluxe was not something we wanted to do.

So, buying where one wants to stay is important if that matters to you, If just staying on property works, then go for it,

But, it makes little sense to have a special place, buy elsewhere, and then end up disappointed when forced to stay someplace one does not enjoy,

I think those of us who share the advice of buy where you don’t mind staying is because ultimately, it’s a lot of money and being happy with the choice is important.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

When I hear "I cannot buy where I want to stay" I am not necessarily hearing "but anywhere is okay."

DVC is a luxury purchase.

 

[meanwoodwhite]

I bought where it was cheapest. Can't abide by someone telling me paying $50-80 more a point is a better 'value' especially if your flexible with your vacation dates.

 

[M:SpilotISTC12]

I bought where it was cheapest. Can't abide by someone telling me paying $50-80 more a point is a better 'value' especially if your flexible with your vacation dates.

I agree with this. Example I bought a small VB contract just to use at OKW for 3 days. I know I can always get it at the 7 month mark. VB was $70 a point. The extra money I'd be dishing out on dues I know I can offset the difference through credit card points and offers.

 

[Brian Noble]

you want to go to Disney. And most people in that camp would agree that they would choose to go to Disney and stay somewhere that wasn't their first choice, then staying at a value or offsite.

It's been a while since I've posted this, but there are three things one might want in WDW-centric lodging:

1: To be onsite.
2: To have a reasonable amount of space.
3: To spend a reasonable amount of money.

For most people, in most situations, you can't have all three at the same time. Instead, you have to decide which of those three you'd be willing to live without. Alternatively, which of those are non-negotiable?

Depending on your answers to those questions, a stay in a Value or an offsite condo/townhome pool home can be a great option.

 

[DVCSunDevil]

For anyone who doesn’t care what resort, I agree with you. But, we did not buy DVC until they built BLT because staying just any deluxe was not something we wanted to do.

So, buying where one wants to stay is important if that matters to you, If just staying on property works, then go for it,

But, it makes little sense to have a special place, buy elsewhere, and then end up disappointed when forced to stay someplace one does not enjoy,

I think those of us who share the advice of buy where you don’t mind staying is because ultimately, it’s a lot of money and being happy with the choice is important.

I agree. We closed on our first DVC contract this past February (we have our first Welcome Home trip scheduled for April). The one consistent piece of advice we received from long time DVC members and brokers was to decide which resort was our favorite and buy into that one. There would be nothing worse than buying into DVC and still not being able to stay at your favorite resort because it's not your home resort. Sure, the purchase price and fees may be a little less at another resort but it is still a lot of money. We bought into the resort that we wanted and paid a little more for it, but now we know we have that resort locked up every time we visit Disney. We won't be spending a ton to visit Disney and still be sad because we couldn't stay at our favorite resort. IMO, that would be the worst.