My wife and I requested information on the Disney Vacation Club. Based on my review, I do not see where you benefite from "owning" a piece of the resort.
Where am I missing the boat?
Where am I missing the boat?
DisneyPhD said:This topic is rather an ongoing debat on this board. Mostly between the DVC members who think it is great(last count was around 50, but many are new members or lurkers) and the non DVC members, who don't see the advantages of it. Sometimes it depends on how you do the math or what kind of WDW vacation you want. I got to admit there was a time I didn't see the value in it either, one of the reasons I didn't join sooner. It rather is a lifestye once you figure it out. But then again WDW is a lifestye so it fits for us.
For someone who goes every once in a while, and only wants to stay at a value resort, it is cheaper to find codes or deals. Also with an AP and some luck you can find some good deals at other resorts, but then again you might not, and the prices are always going up. DVC is locked in. (Dues can raise some, but not much.)
For people who go often, plan to go often and want to stay at Deluxe resorts with better then Deluxe accomodations, DVC is great. It also depends if you can aford the buy in amount right now. It is a pay off in the long run. You pay your 14,000 or up buy in now, and then for around 700 or more (or less depending on how many points you have and where) you have your accomodations for vacations paid for for the next 40 to 50 years.
I am happy we bought when we did. I was laid off last year, and while our family can live on only hubby's income, I stay at home now, my income was for the fun things in our lives. Because we already owned DVC, less income does not mean we have to give up our annual (sometimes more) vacations to WDW.
Depends on how you look at it. There are few threads about this going on. Check them out.
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=45205&highlight=DVC
If you are interested also look at www.disboards.com under the DVC forum.
Woody13 said:It all depends. I consider the DVC to be a money pit but some people like the idea of buying a long term lease at rack rate. However, I have looked at the DVC since its inception (even rent points sometimes) and for me and my family, its not a good deal.
I do not want (or need) to wash laundry or prepare meals while I'm on vacation. I do want "mousekeepers" every day. I use a Disney Resort as a place to shower, sleep and change clothes. In all the many years I have visited WDW, I have never paid the rack rate for a resort room. Also, when I have rented DVC points, I have never paid the "customary" $10.00 per point, because they're are just too many "distressed" points up for rental.
Another problem with the DVC (IMHO) is that you now have to buy a 50 year contract! Sorry, but I don't know anyone who can plan that far out! Things change and the DVC contract is far too inflexible. We had Disney Resort reservations back in September, but had to cancel our trip due to hurricane Ivan. We got a full refund. A couple of years ago we had to cancel a Disney trip due to a family crisis. Again, we got a full refund. With a DVC contract, you must do something with those points (trade, rent or bank them), or you loose them! No more than three years of points can be combined at any one time. There are time limits on when banking is allowed, and once banked or borrowed, points cannot be returned to their original use year.
Another factor is that WDW resorts (and Orlando resorts) are way overbuilt. Even during the high visitation periods, you can still find a room. Disney Resorts are seldom (if ever) sold out. I visit during the "value" seasons so resort rooms are easy to find and discounts abound.
In short, why would I want to buy a DVC contract and pay the DVC rack rate (plus finance charges) when I can either rent DVC points at a discount or stay at a regular Disney resort at a discount? :wave:
tiggerlover1971 said:Is it true that you have to give it back to Disney after a certain amount of time or if you die it goes right back to Disney ? I have heard that and I know on other time shares they usually go to the children if you die
hakunamatata said:So you basically get a certain number points which renew each year? With the points that renew, in general, how many nights can you stay each year, excluding purchasing additional points?
hakunamatata said:So you basically get a certain number points which renew each year? With the points that renew, in general, how many nights can you stay each year, excluding purchasing additional points?
hakunamatata said:Update........we joined.........
:sohappy:
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