Your thoughts on DVC

[boomhauer]

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

Look at the previous page where I posted. If you look at the purchase price of DVC for the minimum 160 points, along with dues over the next 20 years, you would spend over $32,000 in that time.

If you were to take the present day cost of staying at a Disney Value resort, for 8 nights per year, factor in a 4% increase each year, in 20 years you would spend less than $24,000.

More things to take into consideration:

1.If you finance DVC, that $32,000 increases greatly.
2.The $24,000 spent on a hotel room decreases with any discounts one might get.
3.If you decide to take an additional trip because a discount comes out, that amount would be considerably less than adding on additional DVC points.


Not sure if you're just looking for a Deluxe Resort comparison. I don't tihnk anyone would deny, DVC would be cheaper in that respect. But there's no doubt, staying Value, and some of the time moderate, will be less expensive than DVC.

 

[stacy6552]

I just wanted to chime in that we do not always book far in advance. The only times we make a point of it is if we think we will be traveling during the peak seasons, like HHI in the summer. 2 of the last 3 summers we have booked only about 45 days out. You do not need to be a far-in-advance- planner to enjoy DVC.

 

[IwasatWDWforamonth]

My mom and I were thinking about joining DVC, but we really don't think its right for us,

the main reason is we are not sure, if we will be going to disney for the next 30 years, I like to think we are. but who knows.

We stay for weeks at a time up to 6 weeks a year, the amount of points needed is enormous.

I am perfectly happy at POFQ,

the main the reason we would buy into it is the "own a piece of the magic" thing,

Im not sure that is enough of a reason.

DVC did send us an awesome book about DVC, it was hard cover. They were calling our house every day at one point too, imagine having to tell disney to stop calling.

 

[disneyobessed]

bump........

 

[alldiz]

Look at the previous page where I posted. If you look at the purchase price of DVC for the minimum 160 points, along with dues over the next 20 years, you would spend over $32,000 in that time.

If you were to take the present day cost of staying at a Disney Value resort, for 8 nights per year, factor in a 4% increase each year, in 20 years you would spend less than $24,000.

More things to take into consideration:

1.If you finance DVC, that $32,000 increases greatly.
2.The $24,000 spent on a hotel room decreases with any discounts one might get.
3.If you decide to take an additional trip because a discount comes out, that amount would be considerably less than adding on additional DVC points.


Not sure if you're just looking for a Deluxe Resort comparison. I don't tihnk anyone would deny, DVC would be cheaper in that respect. But there's no doubt, staying Value, and some of the time moderate, will be less expensive than DVC.

As it has been pointed out MANY times before.....

if you like to stay at a value.....most of the time....
with a moderate thrown into the mix....occasionally....
DVC is not for you.....NO SECRET THERE....
Kerri

 

[chalee94]

Not sure if you're just looking for a Deluxe Resort comparison. I don't tihnk anyone would deny, DVC would be cheaper in that respect.

that other poster claimed that they did "stay in deluxe resorts" and that "the cost of the dues per year is not that much off from what we would pay for our room for the vacation" - which strikes me as either dishonest or bad at math...

if you prefer value rooms and looking for codes and bargain rates, i don't think DVC is worth considering at all. the calculations with moderates vary a lot more, depending on how flexible you are with weekends (and whether disney starts making weekend nights more expensive in general.)

as long as i can avoid weekends, though, i'd prefer to stay in an OKW studio (376 sq ft with 2 queen beds) than a value room (260 sq ft with 2 doubles.) i love that DVC makes it possible to go when the christmas lights are up and stay onsite for the equivalent of $55-60 a night, taxes included...with no time spent looking or hoping for discounts.

(but when weekends cost the equivalent of $135-145 during the same period, it's absolutely fair to concede that if you have to include weekends in your plans, the DVC advantage is considerably lessened compared to moderates and values become a much, MUCH better deal.)

 

[Mandalou]

We took the DVC tour last year at SSR and we loved it! Then. . . we looked at the costs. When we go to WDW (which is about every year) we go "on the cheap" -- either at Value (with a discount) or off-site at a friend's condo (WAY cheap). We absolutely LOVE being on Disney grounds -- and our "dream" someday is to be able to afford to become a DVC member (or even just stay at a deluxe) -- but the higher costs of a DVC membership just don't make it a right fit for us. And, believe me, I want it to fit!!!

I guess I've always wondered about people who can stay at a deluxe or with a DVC membership. . . do you really USE your resort while you are at Disney? That's the big problem my husband has with spending that much money on a resort (or a DVC membership) where you aren't there a whole lot. We typically get up early, go to the parks, and stay late. How much are you DVC members at your resorts? I'm just curious. . . believe me, if I could find some way to become one of you, I would.

 

[LilGMom]

I guess I've always wondered about people who can stay at a deluxe or with a DVC membership. . . do you really USE your resort while you are at Disney? That's the big problem my husband has with spending that much money on a resort (or a DVC membership) where you aren't there a whole lot. We typically get up early, go to the parks, and stay late. How much are you DVC members at your resorts? I'm just curious. . . believe me, if I could find some way to become one of you, I would.

We have always hit the early EMH and tend to stay until park closing or do the lat EMH, even with two small children. But... we like coming back to a nice resort, when staying at a deluxe we usually eat breakfast at the resort restaurant, we take walks in the evenings around the resorts and now that the kids are getting a little older we will take time to use the pools, bike rentals, and other amenities offered.

 

[mprewitt]

I guess I've always wondered about people who can stay at a deluxe or with a DVC membership. . . do you really USE your resort while you are at Disney? That's the big problem my husband has with spending that much money on a resort (or a DVC membership) where you aren't there a whole lot. We typically get up early, go to the parks, and stay late. How much are you DVC members at your resorts? I'm just curious. . . believe me, if I could find some way to become one of you, I would.

When you become a DVC member, you tend to go to WDW more often, and you pickup the annual pass with the DVC discount.

I'm going about 3 weeks per year. At that rate, it isn't that important to hit every ride and to stay until you're tired as heck.

We hit a park in the morning, then relax at the resort in the afternoon, then head to a different park in the evening. Some days, we don't even visit a park.

 

[mom2aredhead]

that other poster claimed that they did "stay in deluxe resorts" and that "the cost of the dues per year is not that much off from what we would pay for our room for the vacation" - which strikes me as either dishonest or bad at math...

Not necessarily.
Now, I don't proclaim to know what the dues are for AKV, so the math here is VERY ballpark - but we were in AKL in May and spent less than $1200 for a 6 nights, 1 of which was a weekend. Yes, that probably a little more than the annual dues, but not really a substantial amount since we did not have to pay and factor in the upfront approximate $20K for DVC membership.

Over the long run I know members probably save money, but we are a family of 3 that does likes to have our WDW vacations to ourselves so space is not really an issue, and we're OK with having just a 'fridge vs a full kitchen.

I guess it's kind of like DDP - works great for some people, doesn't work out for others. Doesn't mean the opposing view is wrong.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Our dues run us about $2500 a year. We stay at least 15 or more nights a year at holiday times or summer vacation. The room we stay in would cost us about $6000 to stay for those 15 nights. We bought our points several years ago when they didn't cost as much.

 

[boomhauer]

Our dues run us about $2500 a year. We stay at least 15 or more nights a year at holiday times or summer vacation. The room we stay in would cost us about $6000 to stay for those 15 nights. We bought our points several years ago when they didn't cost as much.

Wow - That's alot.

To give the Value comparison, over 20 years starting with the current summer season rate of $99 per night and factoring in the 4% yearly increase, for 15 nights a year, you would spend $44,220.

For 15 nights at a DVC resort, dues alone starting at $2,500 a year, with the 4% yearly increase, you would spend over 20 years $74,446.

That doesn't include the purchase price of DVC or any discounts off a room only you could get.

Again, we all know staying Value is cheaper than DVC, but this gives even more of an example of just how much we're talking about.

In case anyone's wondering what the moderate resort comparison would be, starting with the current summer rate of $175, for 15 nights a year with the 4% increase, over 20 years you would spend $78,167. So, staying at a moderate you'd be spending $3,721 more than DVC, but remember - That's only dues. That doesn't count the purchase of DVC, finance charges or any room only discounts you could get.

 

[chalee94]

Not necessarily.
Now, I don't proclaim to know what the dues are for AKV, so the math here is VERY ballpark -

then maybe you should ask questions and rather than assume that you know...

but we were in AKL in May and spent less than $1200 for a 6 nights, 1 of which was a weekend. Yes, that probably a little more than the annual dues...

it costs 64 pts to stay in a value studio (smaller, hotel-sized rooms...may or may not have savannah views) at AKV in may for 6 nights including one weekend night...a larger studio with guaranteed savannah view runs 91 points.

dues on those points are $4.62 per point...or less than $300 per year for a value studio or $420 for the nicer studio. that includes all taxes.

so $800-900 a year is only "a little more?" 3 to 4 times more than annual dues is only "a little more?" (and i'm betting you paid a discounted rate...which you might not be able to get next year...and may not have even gotten a savannah view for that rate...)

...but not really a substantial amount since we did not have to pay and factor in the upfront approximate $20K for DVC membership.

why on earth would you suggest that someone pay $20k, when all they need is a smaller contract in the $6500 or $9000 range to accomplish the 6 night stays you have proposed? (while it's true that AKV resale contracts are not currently available, they will be in the very near future.)

it'll take you 7 to 9 years while saving $800-900 per stay to make up for that $6500 contract...for the 40ish years after that, you'd be paying maintenance fees ONLY. (assuming you did stay in a "savannah view" room for $200 a night, and you put no value on the larger room, it would take a few more years for the larger contract to break even in purely financial terms.)

and if you decide to get out after 6 or 10 years, history has shown you will likely get most of that upfront cost back (many longterm DVCers could sell for a profit at this point...but i would never suggest buying DVC expecting an increased value...but if you sell, you'll definitely get a good percentage back.) OTOH, if you keep the contract for the full 40-50 years until the value ultimately reaches zero, the upfront costs are spread out considerably (that $9000 upfront still only adds about $30 a night to room costs)...with the net result being that you could be staying at AKV every year for less than $600 a year with no time spent searching for codes or hoping for disney to discount the rooms.

I guess it's kind of like DDP - works great for some people, doesn't work out for others. Doesn't mean the opposing view is wrong.

but when those holding the opposing view make assumptions without having the necessary facts, they certainly can be wrong. if someone claims the DDP is a bad deal...because they never cared to look into the numbers...that's just uninformed.

Over the long run I know members probably save money, but we are a family of 3 that does likes to have our WDW vacations to ourselves so space is not really an issue, and we're OK with having just a 'fridge vs a full kitchen.

the studios just have a fridge and "kitchenette" with microwave and coffeemaker...the larger 1BR and up villas that DVC offers do cost more and aren't really comparable to a hotel room. (are you listening, boom? deb and bill AREN'T spending 15 nights in a studio room, so your comparisons are increasingly pointless.)

again, if you like value hotels, DVC won't offer a huge savings. if you don't mind staying offsite, you can definitely stay more cheaply. if you prefer to stay for 3-4 days at a time including weekends, or 9 straight days with weekends on both sides...the higher costs for weekend stays will chew up a lot of the financial benefit that DVC offers.

but if you want to compare DVC straight up to other onsite hotels, at least make the comparison a reasonable one...

 

[mprewitt]

This was a chart I made up in reply to someone a while back. This is in comparison to purchasing the minimum 160 points from DVC. Not sure what the current price per point is, but at the time this was done, the price was $91 per point. In 20 years, with the dues, you will have spent $32,273 on DVC. Please keep in mind, that is if you pay UP FRONT and DO NOT FINANCE.

Let's just say, you take the regular 2007 season rate of $99 per night at a Value Resort for 8 nights and adjust the chart yearly with a 4% increase over the same 20 year period:

Over 20 years, you would spend $23,345 without DVC. To break even with 160 points, it would take you 24 years, and this is all assuming, you have received no annual pass discounts in that time. Also, this is assuming you pay for DVC upfront and don't finance it. If you finance it, you're probably looking at just breaking even over the life of membership. To take it a step further, if you DO adjust for resort room discounts, it's almost assured you'd spend more money with DVC.

If you wanna take it even further, this is on an 8 night per year scenario in a studio. If you factor in a 1 bedroom or above, forget it. Not even close.

Of course, this isn't apples to apples. You're talking a studio at a DVC versus a hotel room at a value. Some, much prefer the DVC studio. I've stayed in both and I can honestly say, hands down, I would chose a value standard room.

Not only is this not an apples to apples comparison, but you're comparing staying 8 nights a year at a Value resort to 160 DVC points, where you could stay up to 20 nights a year at a DVC resort (assuming OKW Studio).

 

[mprewitt]

then maybe you should ask questions and rather than assume that you know...

Some good points, chalee94. It seems like there are some folks out there trying to present simple financial comparisons without all the detailed information. It is difficult to take into consideration all the variables in a financial analysis.

DVC doesn't compare well to Value resorts, just as Value resorts don't compare well to offsite resorts. If getting the absolute cheapest vacation is your goal -- stay offsite.

You should be comparing DVC to the Deluxe resorts, as most DVC resorts share locations and amenities with the Deluxe resorts.

If you're really interested in whether DVC makes sense or not, venture over to the DVC boards on The DIS.

 

[minnie61650]

Not only is this not an apples to apples comparison, but you're comparing staying 8 nights a year at a Value resort to 160 DVC points, where you could stay up to 20 nights a year at a DVC resort (assuming OKW Studio).

Those 20 nights would all have to be Sunday through Thursday during Adventure or Choice season (8 points a night at OKW) because Fri and Saturdays are more than twice the points (20 or 21 points during Adventure and Choice seasons at OKW).

Here is the point chart for OKW:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-vacation-club/OKW-Points.shtml

Have fun at Disney!

 

[boomhauer]

Not only is this not an apples to apples comparison, but you're comparing staying 8 nights a year at a Value resort to 160 DVC points, where you could stay up to 20 nights a year at a DVC resort (assuming OKW Studio).

Maybe assuming you go on all low nights of the year and never stay on a weekend.

To stay 20 nights in a studio at OKW in the summer would run 316 points.

In the same respect, if you stay at a Value Resort during all low nights of the year, the $99 per night drops to $74.

 

[mom2aredhead]

then maybe you should ask questions and rather than assume that you know...

so $800-900 a year is only "a little more?" 3 to 4 times more than annual dues is only "a little more?" (and i'm betting you paid a discounted rate...which you might not be able to get next year...and may not have even gotten a savannah view for that rate...)


why on earth would you suggest that someone pay $20k, when all they need is a smaller contract in the $6500 or $9000 range to accomplish the 6 night stays you have proposed? (while it's true that AKV resale contracts are not currently available, they will be in the very near future.)

it'll take you 7 to 9 years while saving $800-900 per stay to make up for that $6500 contract...for the 40ish years after that, you'd be paying maintenance fees ONLY. (assuming you did stay in a "savannah view" room for $200 a night, and you put no value on the larger room, it would take a few more years for the larger contract to break even in purely financial terms.)

and if you decide to get out after 6 or 10 years, history has shown you will likely get most of that upfront cost back (many longterm DVCers could sell for a profit at this point...but i would never suggest buying DVC expecting an increased value...but if you sell, you'll definitely get a good percentage back.) OTOH, if you keep the contract for the full 40-50 years until the value ultimately reaches zero, the upfront costs are spread out considerably (that $9000 upfront still only adds about $30 a night to room costs)...with the net result being that you could be staying at AKV every year for less than $600 a year with no time spent searching for codes or hoping for disney to discount the rooms.



but when those holding the opposing view make assumptions without having the necessary facts, they certainly can be wrong. if someone claims the DDP is a bad deal...because they never cared to look into the numbers...that's just uninformed.



the studios just have a fridge and "kitchenette" with microwave and coffeemaker...the larger 1BR and up villas that DVC offers do cost more and aren't really comparable to a hotel room. (are you listening, boom? deb and bill AREN'T spending 15 nights in a studio room, so your comparisons are increasingly pointless.)

again, if you like value hotels, DVC won't offer a huge savings. if you don't mind staying offsite, you can definitely stay more cheaply. if you prefer to stay for 3-4 days at a time including weekends, or 9 straight days with weekends on both sides...the higher costs for weekend stays will chew up a lot of the financial benefit that DVC offers.

but if you want to compare DVC straight up to other onsite hotels, at least make the comparison a reasonable one...

Nice Attitude. You must have lots of friends. Done Here. Bye Bye.

 

[mprewitt]

Wow - That's alot.

To give the Value comparison, over 20 years starting with the current summer season rate of $99 per night and factoring in the 4% yearly increase, for 15 nights a year, you would spend $44,220.

For 15 nights at a DVC resort, dues alone starting at $2,500 a year, with the 4% yearly increase, you would spend over 20 years $74,446.

That doesn't include the purchase price of DVC or any discounts off a room only you could get.

Again, we all know staying Value is cheaper than DVC, but this gives even more of an example of just how much we're talking about.

In case anyone's wondering what the moderate resort comparison would be, starting with the current summer rate of $175, for 15 nights a year with the 4% increase, over 20 years you would spend $78,167. So, staying at a moderate you'd be spending $3,721 more than DVC, but remember - That's only dues. That doesn't count the purchase of DVC, finance charges or any room only discounts you could get.

Again, this is not an apples to apples comparison.

Deb and Bill's $2500 a year in dues is probably for over 500 points, and with that many points you could stay 62 nights a year in a studio at OKW.

 

[chalee94]

Not only is this not an apples to apples comparison, but you're comparing staying 8 nights a year at a Value resort to 160 DVC points, where you could stay up to 20 nights a year at a DVC resort (assuming OKW Studio).

to be fair, his assumptions start with an 8-day-straight period including 3 weekend nights, in the summer and at an "average cost" DVC.

while you can stay 20 nights in the offseason at OKW with 160 points if you cut out weekend stays, his assumptions are reasonable enough given the starting point.

it's only when he starts crowing about comparing a value room to a DVC suite with 1000+ square feet and a king bed/whirlpool tub/kitchen/washer&dryer that it gets a bit ridiculous...