Your thoughts on DVC

[jeanninepl]

This has been a terrific response to this post, thank you! It has given me a lot to think about.

We do go to Disney about every other year and always stay deluxe. The resort is very important because we like relaxing at our resort as much as going to the parks. Lots to think about!!!!

 

[Piglets Mommy]

I am totally in the same boat... arg (not the pirate kind, the frustration kind)

As of right now, I can't justify the annual dues. If you have 200 points at SSR, in 2007 the annual dues were $4.12 a point. Thats an additional $800 in one year after my nice little investment That $800 in annual dues could have got me a week at CBR on room discount code... and it's that kind of mentality (I know, I bring it onto myself) that will always prevent me from buying DVC.

To be honest though, every trip since 2001 we have traveled on a Disney "package"... and I think thats what has spoiled me. I've recieved some really great deals through disney. But at the same time, my trips are usually at moderates and values, so maybe if I was more of a "deluxer" the savings with DVC would catch my eye.

For right now, I'm very content as a DVC "wannabe". I love the idea of DVC, I love the resorts, I love the rooms... but financially, and for the type of travelers/people we are... it's just not a good fit for our family (yet lol).

Interested tidbit though, for any of you "wishing" for CRVs, you may want to take notice of the entrance sign to the constuction site which reads along the lines of: Contemporary Resort Family Suites.

This sounds like me.... DVC sounds great, but we usually go during value season and love to book AAA or Disney packages. If you compare room only, sure DVC can be a great deal, but if you can grab a deal here and there, it may not be...and when you consider that you have that annual fee that would cover all or most of a trip, I just can't see it. We also like to do the DDP, which you can't get at DVC (although if they stop includung tax & tip, it would no longer hold value for us, but that's for another thread) I like to have mousekeeping and hope for towel animals, turndown etc...I don't NEED it, but it's nice to be pamperd on vacation. While it's not in our budget, I'd love to stay concierge sometime too.

We also LOVE the Poly...we like to stay at other resorts, too, but if we joined DVC, we wouls miss being able to stay there. Also, the higher point levels on weekends are a deterrent to us too....we like value seasons b/c they are less crowded, but have to wrap around a weekend to minimize the days DS misses school.

Don't ger me wrong, though....If i win the DVC membership through YOAMD, I certainly won't turn it down!!!!

 

[LilGMom]

we were told we would be paying close to $1000 a year on maintenance fees (for the duration of the plan - that's $40,000)!

Just to play Devil's Advocate ....our maintenance fees are going to be around $650ish/year ($55/month) but we can't stay at a deluxe resort for ten days for that amount.

The only open DVC's are Sarasota Springs, which does not appeal to our family; and the Animal Kingdom, which also isn't our favorite. I was told by a friend that if I wanted to stay at Wilderness or Beach Club, I would have to book 7 months out and since we have to go during the summer months (school-aged kids), our chances of getting alternate resorts are slim. We would be put on some kind of wait list. We always book our vacations at least a year out so that we could stay where we want.

The "open" DVC resorts are SSR and AKV but you can always purchase a resell at one of the other DVC resorts. We are seriously considering buying a resell at VWL. Yes it is true that you can't book outside of your "home" resort until the seven month window which we did for our upcoming October trip without any problem (our home resort is SSR but we are staying at VWL in October).

We would also not be entitled to free dining or any other promotions that occur during our stay.

As a DVC member you can purchase DDP if you are staying on points and you save around $100 off the AP.

 

[boomhauer]

One other con to DVC is actually sort of a pro. Yeah, that makes no sense. Alot of people say "if you go to Disney every year, it makes sense." I say, if you DON'T go to Disney every year it makes sense. In other words, you go other places that are much more costly than Disney where you don't have the luxury of staying for less than $100 a night.

If you're going to Disney every year and don't mind, or in my case, LOVE the Values, DVC makes no financial sense at all.

 

[boomhauer]

Just to play Devil's Advocate ....our maintenance fees are going to be around $650ish/year ($55/month) but we can't stay at a deluxe resort for ten days for that amount.

Is that what you're paying this year, or an average over the life of the membership?

If I am correct, aren't dues based upon how many points you own?

 

[LilGMom]

Is that what you're paying this year, or an average over the life of the membership?

If I am correct, aren't dues based upon how many points you own?

That is for this year and it is based on how many points you own. So if you suffer from addonitis and have a bunch of points you could be paying a lot per year in maintenance fees.

 

[ParrotBill]

We bought over 10 years ago but agonized over it for a few years.. would we really go every year? Would we want to be isolated at OKW?

Then they built BW. Since BC was our favorite place, it was no longer a hard decision and we bought 220 points. Later we added 80 points at OKW because we found we loved the tranquility and large spacious rooms.

The reason it's a good fit for us:
* Prefer Deluxe resorts
* Going every year or close to it
* Want to bring family members sometimes (free ride on our points means they can afford it)
* Financed only 6 years, so paid off now
* Our analysis slowed break even before 10 years, and after that dues means we pay for about 2 nights standard rate, and get at least 10 more nights scot free.
* As WDW veterans, our park pace is slower and our desire to enjoy the resorts higher.
* We LOVE the large spaces of the one bedroom, separate sleeping area for our child, separate TVs, Fridge and microwave. I do not like living on a bed for a week or more.
* We are okay with trash and towel every 4 days and cleaning on the 8th. I can walk the trash to the trash room and we are fine with hanging towels up for a few days. If we need a couple of extra towels we bring a couple back from the pool (only a couple, not an abusive amount). And we don't mind making our own bed, even on vacation. Small concessions for a big value to us.

 

[boomhauer]

That is for this year and it is based on how many points you own. So if you suffer from addonitis and have a bunch of points you could be paying a lot per year in maintenance fees.

Which is exactly where I would be. We currently spend on average, about 20 nights at Disney per year. I would need ALOT of points for that, and with dues, it was crazy expensive.

One thing that bothers me a bit is when people say "if you go every year, it makes sense". That's not true to everyone and people really should know that. It CAN make sense, but is not a fact in every situation.

I spent alot of time discussing it with a financial advisor. I think we can all agree, DVC isn't made as an investment. It's not. From there, there are just so many variables and scenarios that factor in. The big question of "Do you save money?" is different for everybody. There is no definitive yes or definitive no. It all depends on the individual person. I think alot of people go into DVC with the idea that it will save you money no matter who you are. I know I ALMOST did. It wasn't until I sat down and went over every possible scenario that I realized for me, it wasn't worth it.

 

[G8RFAN]

A lot of people mention that you should be the type to plan your vacations out well in advance. We do not fit that criteria but we do go to WDW a lot and we like deluxe accomodations. We have never booked a room on points more than 3 months out probably more because of our jobs than anything else. Yes we have been told there was no availability at times, so we go to plan B and book thru CRO with hopefully a FL or AP discount or pick another week. That was actually one of the factors initially pushing us away from DVC after reading everyone's comments here. Our rep told us that there were a lot of potential FL DVC members with the same initial concerns, as trips to WDW are many times spur of the moment and that FL resident specials make the economics of this purchase more difficult to justify. He warned us that we may not be making best use of how the program works but also said that the times we expected to go are generally slower DVC times and we probably wouldn't experience a lot of booking difficulty. So far we have not. We also only go for about 5-6 days tops for our longer WDW stays, as usually our trips are for long weekend getaways so determining consistent use of points was also very difficult. However, we like mixing it up between cash and DVC, but our DVC stays are extra enjoyable when you open that envelope hanging on your door the morning you check out. We have not changed our vacation habits and I think the program has been flexible enough to accomodate us. With the addition of the DDP and other discounts, the decision has been further reinforced.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Cleaning schedule has been incorrectly stated on a few posts so far. If you stay 7 nights or less, you will get your trash removed and your towels replaced on day 4. If you stay 8 nights or more, you will get a full cleaning on day 4 and your trash removed and towels replaced on day 8. That cycle repeats for longer stays.

 

[AStamm]

DVC isn't for us because we have no problems staying at value resorts. For someone who wants to stay at deluxe resorts, I think it makes complete sense. We were just at a DVC presentation on our first DCL cruise a few weeks ago and there were a number of DVC owners there. Every single one who indicated they owned DVC raised their hand when the presenter asked them who was glad they made the purchase.

I say if you're a deluxe resort kind of family and can afford it, go for it.

 

[Demosthenes]

I own 250 points at SSR. Annually, that affords us 15 consecutive nights accommodations in a studio or 9 consecutive nights accommodations in a 1-bedroom during May, October or November. We can get a couple of extra nights in early December, January or September, and few less nights in the summer months. That is more than sufficient for our little family, but it affords us the opportunity to stay in 2-bedroom villas wen we need them as well. Our annual dues run us just over $1000. I purchased the points on a 0% Credit Card, and will have it paid off by October. I think DVC makes great sense if you typically stay deluxe, and are flexible with where you stay (I like all 5 on property resorts, so I don't really care where I stay, so long as I get some variety), and you can pay for it up-front. If you can't pay up-front, it takes a lot more time to break-even on your vacations, but it still can save you money over time.

FWIW, I don't think you should factor is discounts on rooms in comparison to DVC any more than should factor in DVC discounts on things like passes or dining. Both are subject to change over time, and neither are guaranteed.

 

[cjnix29]

We have considered it, but haven't bought for the very reason that we go once a year, the cost of the dues per year is not that much off from what we would pay for our room for the vacation. Better not to have the cash outlay, since it really isn't saving us any money!! We do stay in deluxe resorts, but I'll pay the nightly rate, since dues goes up too!

 

[ElizabethB]

My thought is that if WDW keeps building DVC, it must be extremely profitable for WDW. If it is extremely profitable for WDW, it must be something less than profitable for the party on the other side!

The other reasons we haven't purchased:

1. With more and more DVC units being built, discounts for CRO reservations seem plentiful (witness all the vacancies for late August/September during free dining at OKW and SSR).

2. I don't like that the timeshare is for a set period of years. Timeshares such as Hilton Grand Vacations are deeded forever -- and can be passed on to heirs.

3. I don't like that WDW reserves the right to change the points requirements (please correct me if I'm wrong about this).

I do think it's good that WDW supports the DVC resale prices with a right of first refusal that WDW apparently actually exercises from time to time. That helps with the fact that otherwise timeshares generally decline rapidly in value. My only question is that with more and more DVC capacity on the market, how long with WDW be willing to exercise the right of first refusal to (presumably artificially) support resale prices? It seems like something of a pyramid scheme that can only work for so long . . . . (admittedly WDW has billions (perhaps trillions) it's more a question of how long they want to support DVC resale prices before they decide to use the money elsewhere).

Just my $.02.

 

[angelmav]

I am also on the outside looking in, really wanted to look at SSR on our recent visit but never made it. I just think the WDW and orlando in general offers such an amazing vacation experience that its hard to beat. That said, there are enough detractions to owning DVC that I am still in the looking, need convincing mode. Maybe next trip will actually take a closer look, until then I am happy to glean all this helpfull info from those of you in the know!

 

[boomhauer]

My thought is that if WDW keeps building DVC, it must be extremely profitable for WDW. If it is extremely profitable for WDW, it must be something less than profitable for the party on the other side!

Exactly!

 

[mprewitt]

DVC membership might make sense if you meet most or all of these criteria:

• The cost of membership and dues does not appear to present a financial hardship.
• You vacation at Walt Disney World frequently: ideally at least once every two years.
• You plan to continue vacationing at Disney World far enough into the future to make the membership at least break even.
• You prefer to stay in Deluxe or DVC accommodations and/or you stay a long time (10 days or more per year). If you always stay at a Value resort, or always stay off-site, or you really spend the entire day at the parks away from your hotel, and you don't spend time at the resort itself (other than crashing at the end of the day), then DVC may not be for you.
• You are able to plan your vacations well in advance -- ideally 7 to 11 months out. If you aren't a planner, don't even look at becoming a DVC member. If you can't plan and book your vacations 11 months in advance, and staying at a particular DVC resort is important, then don't join DVC. If you really don't care which DVC resort you end up with, then it's not an issue.
• You can do without daily mousekeeping and room service (of course, you can pay extra and get mousekeeping as a DVC member).
• You desire more space than a typical resort room (such as a 2 bedroom villa, with full kitchen, living room, 2 bathrooms and jacuzzi suite, and even a washer/dryer).
• You’re not looking at DVC as an investment or a way to make money (it’s not). It is a decision to prepay, at today's rates, the next several decades of Disney trips.

If the only consideration is whether it makes financial sense, then maybe you should be staying offsite and only eating offsite as well, since that beats staying onsite. Beyond just the financial considerations, DVC membership is emotionally satisfying (you “own a piece of the magic”), and it gives you a reason to take a vacation at WDW.

Buying a DVC membership is a rational, financially viable option for some people: namely people who plan to stay in the higher-end accommodations at Walt Disney World on a regular basis.

Buying into DVC is almost a lifestyle choice. A DVC purchase is a way of committing to an annual Disney vacation with family and friends. For some people, that may outweigh any financial considerations. DVC will pay dividends beyond mere dollars and cents – your return on investment will be the joyous times, the family gatherings, and the experiences of a lifetime.

Only you can determine if DVC membership makes sense for your situation, based upon your lifestyle and financial capabilities.

 

[chalee94]

My thought is that if WDW keeps building DVC, it must be extremely profitable for WDW. If it is extremely profitable for WDW, it must be something less than profitable for the party on the other side!

as opposed to all those onsite hotel rooms that they are just happy to break even on?

disney is going to try to make money on whatever they do. they also keep building theme parks and making movies...maybe you ought to just stay home out of spite?

this isn't a logical argument at all. it's just being cynical (and demonstrating a lack of understanding of basic economics.)

1. With more and more DVC units being built, discounts for CRO reservations seem plentiful (witness all the vacancies for late August/September during free dining at OKW and SSR).

even at a discount, it's more than i'm paying as an owner...

2. I don't like that the timeshare is for a set period of years. Timeshares such as Hilton Grand Vacations are deeded forever -- and can be passed on to heirs.

along with the annual dues...which lots of heirs may not want to pay...opinions vary.

3. I don't like that WDW reserves the right to change the points requirements (please correct me if I'm wrong about this).

the number of points sold per resort is fixed...DVC can't make it more points to stay at SSR in july without requiring fewer points to stay in november (or whatever.) in practice, over 15 years of DVC management, the points requirements have been adjusted exactly ONCE...

My only question is that with more and more DVC capacity on the market, how long with WDW be willing to exercise the right of first refusal to (presumably artificially) support resale prices? It seems like something of a pyramid scheme that can only work for so long . . .

i suspect you don't know what a pyramid scheme is...

DVC prices have increased in the past...partly due to inflation and partly due to increasing demand. i would agree that if someone is buying in and counting on prices to continue rising at the same levels, they are making a risky assumption. prices on contracts, at some point, WILL decline. that point will probably come sooner for the older DVC resorts. but that only indicates that the value of DVC contracts ends at a certain point...as that value is used up, the contract will eventually be worth less. but that doesn't make it a "pyramid scheme."

 

[chalee94]

We have considered it, but haven't bought for the very reason that we go once a year, the cost of the dues per year is not that much off from what we would pay for our room for the vacation. Better not to have the cash outlay, since it really isn't saving us any money!! We do stay in deluxe resorts, but I'll pay the nightly rate, since dues goes up too!

i'd like to see the numbers you are looking at.

 

[boomhauer]

A DVC purchase is a way of committing to an annual Disney vacation with family and friends. For some people, that may outweigh any financial considerations. DVC will pay dividends beyond mere dollars and cents – your return on investment will be the joyous times, the family gatherings, and the experiences of a lifetime.

I agree with everything stated, and agree with this as well. However, the above statement does not exclude non-members and those non-members can vacation just as often as members, and spend the same amount of money.

In other words, I plan on going to Disney World at least once a year for the next 20 some-odd years (at least) and I don't plan on spending as much as DVC would cost me.