Why DVC does or doesn't make sense for me

[dlpmikki]

This thread is to replace the two seperate threads on Why Join DVC and Why not to join DVC.

Discussion is welcome but not repetetive back and forth argument. The topic that has seemed to be most common in causing repetitive and unproductive argument has been on DVC finances and cost. The other posts (which remain stickied) have pages of argument on that point. If I see too much repetition or "I'm right, you're wrong" argument I will be editing and deleting posts as necessary. Hopefully it won't be necessary.

DVC has never sold itself as a financial investment. DVC is not cheap. You can make very good arguments either way on the money front but at the end of the day it is a personal decision as to what is good value for you.

Please come in and give / discuss your views.

[DVC Mike]

Membership in the Disney Vacation Club is not for everyone. I consider it a luxury purchase. If you are not in a position, financially, to make a luxury purchase, then perhaps you should not be considering DVC.

DVC can make sense financially -- assuming you would always stay in a deluxe resort. If you always stay in a value resort, then it won't -- but that's not an apples-to-apples comparison. The DVC resorts offer deluxe amenities and room size.

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.

People say that timeshares, in general, are a bad use of your money. I would generally agree. However, DVC timeshares have something that most timeshares don't have -- a great location that is in extremely high demand. Also, resale values for DVC contracts have remained high.

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.

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

I happen to have the disposable income available, and I was excited to commit to regular visits to WDW. I am a happy DVC member, and would recommend the program to those who fit the above criteria.

[Horizon93]

I agree with everything that DVC Mike has said. DVC is not for everyone. 10years ago, it was not right for DW and me. It is right for us now as we visit WDW once or twice every year for about 12-14 nights. We look at it as prepaying our vacations. As Mike said, if we wanted to be completely financially based, we would only rarely ever go to WDW, would stay offsite and eat offsite. But that is not what we want. We love being DVC members and we are looking forward to decades of great vacations for us, our families, and friends.

[magicofdisney]

In the original thread that was closed, I posted that this last year my family stayed at Disney over 35 nights. Including tickets, we were able to do this for around $5300. Yes, we stayed at the value resorts in order to do this (and we're FL residents). My entire point is that I WANT to stay at Disney for more than 10-15 nights per year and I want to do it for the least amount of money as possible. We are a family of 6 and DVC will not allow us to affordable stay as long as we like. For whatever reason, this point was lost in the discussion.

Now, an interesting fact I learned from that discussion is that the point value system (i.e. 97 points a week during value season) will not change over the course of ownership. That is definitely food for thought.

[Here we go again...]

Now, an interesting fact I learned from that discussion is that the point value system (i.e. 97 points a week during value season) will not change over the course of ownership. That is definitely food for thought.

I think that is what sold us. We know seasons change, but points do not.

It is perfect for us because not only do we hope to continue to go to Disney for years to come, but we want our children and their families to be able go to. For them, room prices are out of the equasion. They only have to worry about food and park tickets.

Also, with DVC we will always vacation in deluxe accomodations. Now we can stay at our favorite resort whether we have 3 people in our party or 12. With regular resorts you have to stay at POR or a deluxe once you hit 5 people. Right now with my kids and grandkids we have a group of 7.... I expect that to grow.
Next November we are planning a week in a 2 bedroom villa. I have not decided where yet. We will book in our home resort then decide at 7 months out if we want to change. So, next use year instead of 2 weeks we are taking 1 week with our whole family.
I already have Stan booked to take our family photos while we are there. What more could you ask for???

[goofy for pluto]

The main reason DVC does not make sense to me is that amount of beds you get in the room.
Do I really want to pay so much money to stay for a week at WDW and have my son sleep on a sofa bed? If there were two beds in the bedroom that would make sense. But 1 bed does not. With myself, DH and 1 child {12} we still would not have two beds untill we get a two bedroom unit, and that uses a lot of points all at once. If my DS wanted to bring a friend we would have to bring some inflatable bed or a cot to have a place for them. {Not so easy on the plane.} I can't see him and a friend sharing the sofa bed at their age and especially as they get older.
I know that SSR has those nice new design sofa beds, but the point of being a member is to try the other resorts as well, and other trip reports I have read have said those sofa beds are not so great.
So how do you all get around this problem. I would love to be a DVC member but I just can't seem to justify the amount of money I would spend to stay in order to get a unit big enough to have a real bed for my DS to sleep in.

[lockedoutlogic]

In the original thread that was closed, I posted that this last year my family stayed at Disney over 35 nights. Including tickets, we were able to do this for around $5300. Yes, we stayed at the value resorts in order to do this (and we're FL residents). My entire point is that I WANT to stay at Disney for more than 10-15 nights per year and I want to do it for the least amount of money as possible. We are a family of 6 and DVC will not allow us to affordable stay as long as we like. For whatever reason, this point was lost in the discussion.

Now, an interesting fact I learned from that discussion is that the point value system (i.e. 97 points a week during value season) will not change over the course of ownership. That is definitely food for thought.

Just one thing...you are from florida...which means you are more than likely never going to step foot on a plane to get to WDW....you most likely use Florida annual or seasonal passes...which provide a very good discount

So this discussion isn't really directed to those that are in your situation

If you want to spend 35 or more...or roughly 10% of the year...at WDW...more power to you.

But there are most likely very few of us outside of driving range that could even fathom doing that...with the added cost of airline, fuel....rental cars....or other transportation fees.

Those that aren't at WDW so frequently are often likely to spend more on food and merchandise per visit as well...as being there is more exotic. Not maybe to the adults...but definitely the children.

So I agree that DVC probably wouldn't be right for you for a long time....but it is more because the system isn't designed for those who are THAT into being there...and it is not meant to be offensive....just pointing out that it is a completely different scenario....

You would need a minimum of 240 points of year if you only stayed M-Thurs at OKW in a studio for 30 nights in low season...that is a minimum and provides no flexibility

So really...you are correct in that it's not for you....

for someone who loves deluxes, lives in the northeast, is a former local resident and employee, got married there, has traveled at least 3 times a year annually since leaving...is just starting a family...who has other family with DVC....who wants to use it outside of Orlando through exchange and now disney's expanded offering in California, Hawaii and beyond....
...it is perfect


I don't think that the point was lost in the discussion...it simply just doesn't apply in anything other than a tiny fraction of cases

[NJGIRL]

[QUOTE=DVC Mike;1473051][FONT=Trebuchet MS]People say that timeshares, in general, are a bad use of your money. I would generally agree. However, DVC timeshares have something that most timeshares don't have -- a great location that is in extremely high demand.

I own a timeshare and think it's great especially if you go on vacation every year and don't want to be crammed into a hotel room. But I can't understand what you are saying in your quote above. My timeshare I will own forever and have traveled all over the world with it including staying at some resorts in Florida that are 5 mins away from Disney and was alot cheaper than the Disney timeshares. How are timeshares a bad way to use your money but a Disney timeshare which you won't have forever and can only travel to one place a better way to use your money.

[Horizon93]

[QUOTE=NJGIRL;1498868]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS]People say that timeshares, in general, are a bad use of your money. I would generally agree. However, DVC timeshares have something that most timeshares don't have -- a great location that is in extremely high demand.

I own a timeshare and think it's great especially if you go on vacation every year and don't want to be crammed into a hotel room. But I can't understand what you are saying in your quote above. My timeshare I will own forever and have traveled all over the world with it including staying at some resorts in Florida that are 5 mins away from Disney and was alot cheaper than the Disney timeshares. How are timeshares a bad way to use your money but a Disney timeshare which you won't have forever and can only travel to one place a better way to use your money.

I am not necessarily agreeing with Mike. I really don't have enough information on other timeshares to judge them. In terms of owning for the rest of my life, I will be 98, God willing, when my AKV contract expires. If I am still going to WDW, I will hope for a good extension deal. But what Mike says about larger Disney accommodations is a good point. For those of us who want to stay in a DVC resort, and have a priority booking advantage, it makes perfect sense. And we can use our points outside of DVC. That is not always easy from what I hear, but it is not always easy for other timeshare owners to book a DVC stay.

[NJGIRL]

Beleive me I'm not disputing that a Disney Timeshare is money well spent but I looked at them and also own a non disney timeshare that I can pass on to my son at not extra cost to him. My timeshare is for two weeks and it is a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, full kitchen, living room and dining room at a beautiful resort with 6 pools. All that I am saying is a disney timeshare is no better than any other timeshare when it comes down to the financial end. In fact from what I was told when deciding weather to buy one or not is that the disney timeshare was less of a deal when compared to the non disney timeshare. After having a timeshare all of these years I hate when we stay at a hotel because we feel cramped so I understand why people like them but basically a timeshare is a timeshare Disney or not.

[DVC Mike]

People say that timeshares, in general, are a bad use of your money. I would generally agree. However, DVC timeshares have something that most timeshares don't have -- a great location that is in extremely high demand.

I own a timeshare and think it's great especially if you go on vacation every year and don't want to be crammed into a hotel room. But I can't understand what you are saying in your quote above. My timeshare I will own forever and have traveled all over the world with it including staying at some resorts in Florida that are 5 mins away from Disney and was alot cheaper than the Disney timeshares. How are timeshares a bad way to use your money but a Disney timeshare which you won't have forever and can only travel to one place a better way to use your money.

Timeshares are typically a bad investment. You are putting a bunch of money into a depreciating asset. Similar to buying a new car, the typical new timeshare looses up to 50% of it's value the minute you sign on the dotted line.

With DVC, this is not the case. DVC maintains it value due to two things: 1) they are in a high-demand location (WDW), and 2) Disney exercises their ROFR on resales. Both of these keep the resale value of DVC higher than your typical timeshare.

Depending on where your timeshare is located, it may be difficult to trade out. Again, this is not a problem with DVC, as there are loads of folks who want to trade in to DVC.

Non-DVC timeshares are best purchased on the resales market (much like buying a 1 or 2-yr old car).

And yes, non-DVC timeshares are "forever", but will you be around forever? Even if you pass it on, will your grandchildren enjoy staying in a 100-yr old condo?

[NJGIRL]

Timeshares are typically a bad investment. You are putting a bunch of money into a depreciating asset. Similar to buying a new car, the typical new timeshare looses up to 50% of it's value the minute you sign on the dotted line.

With DVC, this is not the case. DVC maintains it value due to two things: 1) they are in a high-demand location (WDW), and 2) Disney exercises their ROFR on resales. Both of these keep the resale value of DVC higher than your typical timeshare.



I'm not rying to get into an agrument here but this being a Disney site I think sometimes people don't realize Disney isn't the only place people vacation. Other locations are very high demand and the fact that Orlando has sooooo many hotels, timeshares,rentals etc. it is a fairly easy place to trade into any time of the year. Also any timeshare I have been in is kept very nice. That is what the maintenance fees that you pay every year is used for.



Depending on where your timeshare is located, it may be difficult to trade out. Again, this is not a problem with DVC, as there are loads of folks who want to trade in to DVC.


I have never had a problem trading out of my timeshare as long as I trade 6 months in advance. As long as you deposit in advance your trading power is pretty good.

Non-DVC timeshares are best purchased on the resales market (much like buying a 1 or 2-yr old car).

And yes, non-DVC timeshares are "forever", but will you be around forever? Even if you pass it on, will your grandchildren enjoy staying in a 100-yr old condo?

As far as I know Disney has never torn down a hotel so the Grand and Poly are older than any timeshares I have stayed in. Of course if things are not kept up they will go down hill but again that is what the maintenance fees are for.

Again I'm not saying that it doesn't make sense to buy a disney timeshare if that's what you what to do but it really is no different that spending your money on any other timeshare.

[dlpmikki]

I'm not convinced that there is anything new being added in the back and forth about whether Disney timeshares are any different to other timeshares value wise. (This from someone who owns both a Disney and a non-Disney timeshare). No timeshare is an investment in money but in your vacation. True that my Disney timeshare could still be sold for more than I paid for it but that may not continue. True that my other timeshare will leave me with an interest in the property long term but that may leave me with more bills to.

This isn't a productive discussion and unless you really have something new to add please drop it. I don't want to edit/delete unless I really have to. Thank you.

[CaptainSad]

My wife and I looked real hard into getting into DVC a few years ago. Because of the cost and the limited avalibility at the time we decided to not purchase it. When we looked they had only a couple of places to stay. Now they have a few more choices. I still don't feel it is worth the price for what you get. I since have gone another route. Yes it is not Disney, but it is on Disney property. The time share I got into is right next to the Caribbean Resort. If you know Disney property you know where I am talking about. You can't miss the 8 towers. I am not limited to when I can go to WDW. I can reserve anytime I want and not have to worry about being turned away. I have a choice of 1 BR suite up to a 4 BR Presidential. I can book 11 months in advance and upgrade 45 days before my date of arrival. There are better deals out there. If you need the Disney name then by all means go DVC. If you don't there are other options. Don't get me wrong. I love Disney World as much as any of you. I like like more bang for the buck....