DVC Is It Worth It???

[Patrick_Ears]

Okay, so i been reading up on this and noticed that you can go just about all over the world plus more. I have a few questions maybe someone can shine a light upon this...

1. Is it worth it for what you pay for?

2. Once you used all your points do you have to purchase more points or do you get them every year?

3. Once you pay your fee, how long does that last?

When we visited this past Easter i was talking to a CM from DVC and he said once you pay you get like a 60 year vacation.... :shrug:

Please explain, Thanks..

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Okay, so i been reading up on this and noticed that you can go just about all over the world plus more. I have a few questions maybe someone can shine a light upon this...

1. Is it worth it for what you pay for?

2. Once you used all your points do you have to purchase more points or do you get them every year?

3. Once you pay your fee, how long does that last?

When we visited this past Easter i was talking to a CM from DVC and he said once you pay you get like a 60 year vacation.... :shrug:

Please explain, Thanks..

1. This question comes up all the time with prospective buyers, but there is no direct answer to it. It will all depend on your vacation habits and financial situation to determine if DVC is worth it to you. If you currently stay in deluxe resorts and go to Disney (key part) yearly or every other year then it seems to be worth it. If you stay moderate or value and are content with that then it might not be as much of a buy. The only true way to determine the worth is to see if the program works for you (booking windows, resort choice, price, etc) and break down all the financials. Only you know your financial situation and spending habits.

2. You purchase a yearly allotment of points that replenish at your use year every year. For example, I purchase 200 points with an October use year. Every year I am given 200 points on October 1st to use for that year. As you have probably heard before I can bank those points forward one year and also borrow points from next year that would alter my allotments on those dates. But as of now I know that every October, 200 points become available to me. How I use those points is completely up to me, and that is where you have to refer to the points charts. You can purchase more points of course and then you would receive those at the corresponding use year as well.

3. There are two fees that are associated with DVC and both vary to a degree. The first is the purchase price of the points which is your buy into DVC. You can purchase points in 2 ways...either directly through Disney or through a resale. Resale can save you a lot of money, and also provide you the opportunity to get a resort that Disney considers "sold out". I purchased my AKL points through the forum sponsor timeshare store and saved about 6,000 by doing this as opposed to going through Disney. The only difference now is that you can no longer use resale points for the Adventure collection, Disney collection, or concierge collection (so no cruises, adventures by disney, and some other world wide vacations). To most people the savings outweigh that loss since those are often seen as a bad use of points (your value is best at DVC resorts).

The other cost of DVC is your yearly dues. Every January you will receive a bill from DVC for your share of operating the resort. Dues vary by resort and range from the 3.50-7 dollar range per point. So this past year my dues were about 1000 dollars for my 200 points at AKL. The cost of dues tend to increase a bit over each year as costs rise, but less so than the cost of a room at the resort does. You do receive a budget breakdown with your dues statement that explains exactly what your money is going towards for the year.


A few other notes...

DVC is a major financial decision and obligation. Disney tends to play the emotional side to it, as it seems they did with you when they said you pay and get 60 years of vacations. In essence that is what it is, but you are still always paying for it.

Like I said earlier, most people agree that using your points for vacations other than stays at DVC resorts is not a great deal due to points needed for some stays. DVC might not be the right timeshare for you if you would rather travel the world as opposed to making frequent trips to the DVC resorts (WDW, DL, Hilton Head, Vero, and Aulani).

This is only the tip of the iceberg. Make sure you read reference and how to guides on this since DVC can be a bit complex and you want to make sure you know it all before you make such a big decision. I am sure others will add on, but please feel free to ask any other questions.

 

[ScoutN]

DI hit the nail on the head. My father has it, my cousin recently bought in, my aunt recently bought in, and I am planning on buying in the first week or so of July... at 21... Actually I think I will fly down there to sign the paperwork

 

[dizzney]

Okay, so i been reading up on this and noticed that you can go just about all over the world plus more. I have a few questions maybe someone can shine a light upon this...

1. Is it worth it for what you pay for?

2. Once you used all your points do you have to purchase more points or do you get them every year?

3. Once you pay your fee, how long does that last?

When we visited this past Easter i was talking to a CM from DVC and he said once you pay you get like a 60 year vacation.... :shrug:

Please explain, Thanks..

I agree with Disney Insider, prior to pruchasing, we stayed at msotly deluxe hotels, now with out points we stay at DVC villas, with my family I would have to get two rooms, I can instead use my points for a two bedroom.

We have found it to have been a worthwhile purchase, we have saved money over our prior trips, also like the discounts one gets especially the DVC AP rates.

Only regret is that we didnt buy in earlier,

 

[Patrick_Ears]

1. This question comes up all the time with prospective buyers, but there is no direct answer to it. It will all depend on your vacation habits and financial situation to determine if DVC is worth it to you. If you currently stay in deluxe resorts and go to Disney (key part) yearly or every other year then it seems to be worth it. If you stay moderate or value and are content with that then it might not be as much of a buy. The only true way to determine the worth is to see if the program works for you (booking windows, resort choice, price, etc) and break down all the financials. Only you know your financial situation and spending habits.

2. You purchase a yearly allotment of points that replenish at your use year every year. For example, I purchase 200 points with an October use year. Every year I am given 200 points on October 1st to use for that year. As you have probably heard before I can bank those points forward one year and also borrow points from next year that would alter my allotments on those dates. But as of now I know that every October, 200 points become available to me. How I use those points is completely up to me, and that is where you have to refer to the points charts. You can purchase more points of course and then you would receive those at the corresponding use year as well.

3. There are two fees that are associated with DVC and both vary to a degree. The first is the purchase price of the points which is your buy into DVC. You can purchase points in 2 ways...either directly through Disney or through a resale. Resale can save you a lot of money, and also provide you the opportunity to get a resort that Disney considers "sold out". I purchased my AKL points through the forum sponsor timeshare store and saved about 6,000 by doing this as opposed to going through Disney. The only difference now is that you can no longer use resale points for the Adventure collection, Disney collection, or concierge collection (so no cruises, adventures by disney, and some other world wide vacations). To most people the savings outweigh that loss since those are often seen as a bad use of points (your value is best at DVC resorts).

The other cost of DVC is your yearly dues. Every January you will receive a bill from DVC for your share of operating the resort. Dues vary by resort and range from the 3.50-7 dollar range per point. So this past year my dues were about 1000 dollars for my 200 points at AKL. The cost of dues tend to increase a bit over each year as costs rise, but less so than the cost of a room at the resort does. You do receive a budget breakdown with your dues statement that explains exactly what your money is going towards for the year.


A few other notes...

DVC is a major financial decision and obligation. Disney tends to play the emotional side to it, as it seems they did with you when they said you pay and get 60 years of vacations. In essence that is what it is, but you are still always paying for it.

Like I said earlier, most people agree that using your points for vacations other than stays at DVC resorts is not a great deal due to points needed for some stays. DVC might not be the right timeshare for you if you would rather travel the world as opposed to making frequent trips to the DVC resorts (WDW, DL, Hilton Head, Vero, and Aulani).

This is only the tip of the iceberg. Make sure you read reference and how to guides on this since DVC can be a bit complex and you want to make sure you know it all before you make such a big decision. I am sure others will add on, but please feel free to ask any other questions.

Hey Thanks for the info!!! Yes that does explain alot. Okay one more for ya...

Can you use your points for Tickets and DDP also??

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Hey Thanks for the info!!! Yes that does explain alot. Okay one more for ya...

Can you use your points for Tickets and DDP also??

No. Points are only for accomodations. As of now DVC members receive a sizable discount on annual passes and can pay to add the dining plan to their stay.

 

[Patrick_Ears]

No. Points are only for accomodations. As of now DVC members receive a sizable discount on annual passes and can pay to add the dining plan to their stay.

hmm i like this so far... I will send you a message.

 

[OurDailyGruel]

I think it is worth it if you have interested kids to take over more than two decades preferably 3.5-4 decades with the last decade a sort of "endurance" of having to use up points that may be unrentable or unsellable. There is no point in factoring renting or reselling in the value analysis.

 

[Computer Magic]

I suggest you stay at a DVC before buying into the program. For me, I didn't like the DVC, felt like an apartment and not on vacation. Now that was mine and wife opinion and many won't agree.. YOu don't get mousekeeper every day so you don't get the daily refresh.

Also it is a 50 year cost, so feel comfortable that you and family will still enjoy Disney in 40+ years.

DI did a nice post.

 

[tjkraz]

I suggest you stay at a DVC before buying into the program. For me, I didn't like the DVC, felt like an apartment and not on vacation.

Depends on the size of accommodation. The smallest DVC villas are Studio rooms which run about 350 sq ft and are virtually identical to Deluxe resort accommodations.

Larger villas are available including 700+ sq ft One Bedroom villas and 1100+ sq ft Two Bedroom villas. Each of these have full kitchens, dining area, washer & dryer, private bedroom(s) and so on. Many people appreciate the added amenities but there's no obligation to stay in anything larger than a Studio.

[YOu don't get mousekeeper every day so you don't get the daily refresh.

Daily housekeeping is available for a fee. Even those who choose to pay for added housekeeping services will experience dramatic savings over the long haul.

Also it is a 50 year cost, so feel comfortable that you and family will still enjoy Disney in 40+ years.

DVC has many non-theme park destinations including Hilton Head Island, Vero Beach FL, Hawaii and hundreds of other locations available via RCI. Yes, the ideal customer will always be someone who appreciates the Disney theme parks. But I don't think seeing 40 years into the future should be considered a pre-requisite.

DVC ownership can also be sold if one's tastes or financial situation were to change in the future.

 

[R W B]

My Girlfriend and I just took a 8 day trip to WDW in May and we wanted to talk to one of the DVC members at there booth but we never did find the time so when I got home I look up the DVC website and I was able to talk to a DVC rep via IM for about an hour and I just picked his brain about different questions. He ended up sending me a big package with alot fo details in it, one of the books is about 90 pages. It gives the points break down for a few DVC resorts, not all but enough so you get the idea.

My GF and I decided this is something we do want to do but for the points we want it will have to wait a little while. We dont want to settle for less and not be 100% happy with it.

I suggest you look up the website and get some info from them, although getting first hand experiance knowledge from members here is great too.

 

[Computer Magic]

Daily housekeeping is available for a fee. Even those who choose to pay for added housekeeping services will experience dramatic savings over the long haul.



DVC has many non-theme park destinations including Hilton Head Island, Vero Beach FL, Hawaii and hundreds of other locations available via RCI. Yes, the ideal customer will always be someone who appreciates the Disney theme parks. But I don't think seeing 40 years into the future should be considered a pre-requisite.

DVC ownership can also be sold if one's tastes or financial situation were to change in the future.

What you mention is true but as you mention the prices increases. Even Disneyinsider (who I consider DVC pro) admits the non-theme parks use is not the best use of DVC points.

You have to first have a buyer to sell your ownership as Disney is not making it guest friendly to sell your DVC on the open market. So you may not get much depending on the demand. So plan for the long haul and pass on to family or don't do it.

You may be right about the Studio, I stayed in a two bedroom at AKL.

 

[tjkraz]

What you mention is true but as you mention the prices increases. Even Disneyinsider (who I consider DVC pro) admits the non-theme parks use is not the best use of DVC points.

Point values suffer most when used toward The Disney Collection (Disney Cruise Line voyages and all Disney hotels which are NOT part of DVC), Adventurer Collection (Adventures by Disney) and Concierge Collection (a small group of hotels around the US with which DVC has direct contracts.)

All of the options I mentioned have costs which are on par with DVC resorts. Vero, Hilton Head and Hawaii resorts are all native to the DVC system.

Costs for the 500 or so RCI destinations are similarly low. A Studio villa is only 12-16 points per weeknight depending upon season. It does help to have a good understanding of how the RCI system works before attempting a trade, but it's certainly feasible and the costs are equivalent to staying in a native DVC resort.

You have to first have a buyer to sell your ownership as Disney is not making it guest friendly to sell your DVC on the open market. So you may not get much depending on the demand. So plan for the long haul and pass on to family or don't do it.

Sorry but I can't agree with this one. If you run the numbers comparing the cost of purchasing DVC vs. paying for similar trips as a cash guest, most will find that the breakeven point runs about 7-8 years. That is the number upon which buyers should focus.

Sure it helps to picture oneself as a long-term guest at Disney resorts. But holding the contract until its expiration in 40-50 years is certainly not necessary in order to benefit. At year 9+, the initial investment has been covered and you begin to vacation for pennies on the dollar. Any savings realized after that point, or money recouped on sale of the contract, is the proverbial icing on the cake.

Resale prices may not be what they were 5 years ago but the market is still brisk and demand is high. As long as Walt Disney World and Disneyland are considered premier vacation destinations, demand for resale DVC contracts will exist. Prices will never fall to the bargain-basement levels of some other timeshares because there will always be people wanting to stay at the Bay Lake Tower or the Animal Kingdom Lodge....particularly at rates less than what Disney is charging.

In other words, even if you buy in at $120 per point....use the points for about 10 years...and then sell for $60 per point, I can guarantee you will have saved THOUSANDS of dollars over the prices paid by a cash guest for similar accommodations. Hold the contract longer and the savings increase every single year.

 

[disneyeater]

My Girlfriend and I just took a 8 day trip to WDW in May and we wanted to talk to one of the DVC members at there booth but we never did find the time so when I got home I look up the DVC website and I was able to talk to a DVC rep via IM for about an hour and I just picked his brain about different questions. He ended up sending me a big package with alot fo details in it, one of the books is about 90 pages. It gives the points break down for a few DVC resorts, not all but enough so you get the idea.

My GF and I decided this is something we do want to do but for the points we want it will have to wait a little while. We dont want to settle for less and not be 100% happy with it.

I suggest you look up the website and get some info from them, although getting first hand experiance knowledge from members here is great too.

Depending how you plan to use your points, I highly recommend going resale. You can get more points for less money. I would look into it if I were you.

 

[mikewdw]

what would be a rough estimate of a base buy in price? someone who would stay in the smallest room no more that twice a year (usually once) for anywhere from 5 - 10 days

 

[tjkraz]

what would be a rough estimate of a base buy in price? someone who would stay in the smallest room no more that twice a year (usually once) for anywhere from 5 - 10 days

You can find recent info on direct pricing here:

http://dvcnews.com/index.php/dvc-program/financial/pricing-a-promotions

For resale prices, look at the listings for some agents like the forum sponsor.

The number of points required per night varies greatly depending upon resort, view and season. I believe the lowest tend to be Animal Kingdom Villas Value studio at 9 points per night and Old Key West at 10 points per night.