DVC QUESTION...Advice please

[redkenwolf]

Hello everyone. I know I had posted about the two different resorts earlier and thank you so much for responses. We just heard tonight that everyone in the family might work with the DVC plan. Can you please answer some questions for me...
1. How does transportation work
2. Is the amount of money paid worth it
3. Are the villas better than the resorts
4. Which of the villas is the best to choose from
5. Do you have access to the resorts
6. And most importantly... CAN you use a package ie. discovery package when you use your DVC points

Thank you so much for your advice.

For anyone who has seen Zoolander you will understand it when I say "I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!!!"
:veryconfu :hammer: :brick:

Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Thespis]

How does transportation work

If you're talking about transportation to the park, it works exactly the same way as any other resort. If you're talking about getting to a DVC presentation, they will send a van to wherever you are.

Is the amount of money paid worth it

I don't think this question has a yes or no answer. If you go to WDW at least every other year and stay in at least a moderate resort, you could easily break even in 6 years or so. If you go every three years and stay offsite, the numbers may not add up for you.

Are the villas better than the resorts

Old Key West is the only DVC resort at WDW that is not connected to a non-DVC resort. In other words, if you stay at BWV, WLV or BCV you are staying at the same resort as those staying at BWI, WL or YC/BC (just in a different section of the resort). DVC members have access to all amenities that any other resort guest has (and more!). The major difference is that DVC rooms do not get daily maid service unless an additional daily fee is paid.

Which of the villas is the best to choose from

It really depends on where you want to stay the most. If you like a laid back atmosphere where you can park outside your room, OKW may be right for you. If you like some night life and a hotel atmosphere, BWV or BCV might interest you. If you like outdoor activities and a rustic atmosphere WLV may be the place for you. It really depends on what you like. The rule is, "Buy where you plan to stay the most".

Do you have access to the resorts

As I said above, DVC members have access to everything. In fact, DVC members may use the pools at other resorts (pool hopping) while other resort guest are restricted to the pool at the resort in which they're staying.

And most importantly... CAN you use a package ie. discovery package when you use your DVC points

As far as I know, you cannot purchase a package when using DVC points. So if you usually buy the Discovery Magic package, you'll lose the preferred seating for fireworks and some free meals. In return, you'll be staying in a deluxe resort at a huge discount, plus you can get a 10% discount on Ultimate Park Hopper passes, discounts at many restaurants and a discount at WOD in DTD. It's a trade off...
I hope this answers some of your questions. DVC is not for everyone, but most of the people who buy have only one regret... that they didn't buy sooner!

 

[Rdedeian]

I was gonna answer the question but Thespis answered them perfectly.

 

[HeritageBoy]

Getting DVC was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I've been a member for 4 years now, and not just have we found we've saved money (we go yearly, meaning we should break even soon enough, with A LOT of years ahead of us). Also, a big plus is that points cannot swing more than 2+/- from the time of purchase, so, think of it this way: prices of hotels at Disney (for moderate resorts) continue to go up, now add the interest per year and inflation... this can add up to BIG savings as you continue using it, plus (as you probably know), these points can go a lot of places, (Disney Cruise Line, overseas hotels and experiences) and gives you a lot of flexibilty in where you stay (I'm going down in 1 week and staying at WL Villas and Old Key West, giving a lot of variety for a little amount of points! Also, having the conviences of a kitchen (for 1 bedrooms and up), washer/dryer and everything else, makes for an easier going vacation.
I could go on for hours, but needless to say, I think its a great idea, so I say go for it!

 

[Thespis]

My post above needs to be corrected. DVC members do not recieve a discount at World of Disney. DVC members DO recieve a discount at all locations of The Disney Store.
(I confused an AP discount with a DVC discount...)
I don't know if there's any limit as to how many points can be redistributed by season but if the price of a villa goes up for one season, it must go down the same number of points in another. Each resort has a set number of points and there can never be any more added; points can only be redistributed.
Wonder what the rack rate (or even the AP discount) for a room at the Boardwalk will be 10 years from now?

 

[agdbeanie]

What's the avg. monthly cost of DVC and do you have to pay yearly dues or anything? Are there any hidden costs that they didn't tell us about at the open house???

 

[DisneyPhD]

We just joined DVC this year after coming home from WDW in Dec. We paid over 3 months so we could get the points on our CC and get exta air miles. We go to WDW every year, but as new members have not been to DVC as of yet. Infact we just got our new membership cards in the mail today!!!

We have 170 points at VWL. I wish we would have waited for BCV, but such is life, I am sure we will love WL being so close to MK since we have a one year old baby now!

I belive the average monthy dues are around 60 dollars, or you can pay them all up frount annually if you want to. The only "hidden fee" I have found is that is you want to use your points for any resort that is not disney owned or for the DC line there is a 75$ fee each time.


At first you don't seem to be paying less then staying at a mod or a good price at a delux, but the rooms are much nicer. You can also save points and stay at a sudio that is like a normal resort room but a little bit bigger and has a kictenette. ( I know I spelled that wrong!)


When thing I learned after we bought was that DCV ends in 40 years. So if you wait 2 more years to join you get 38 years of use out of it. If you are thinking about joining, do it as soon as you can. I wish we had a few years ago, but couldn't afford it then. Also buy as many points as you think you will need. Adding on seems like a waste. I think 220 is really a good amount (alas we only have 170 and will have to do one year sudio and one year 1 bedroom or cut short on one weekend night to make it all work.)

Oh also you have to be careful about banking points, you can lose some it you don't do it right.

If WDW is right for your family trips I would really consider it. Good Luck.

 

[redkenwolf]

So how many points does a villa cost/add up to??

 

[MinnieFan]

Originally posted by DisneyPhD
We just joined DVC this year after coming home from WDW in Dec. We paid over 3 months so we could get the points on our CC and get exta air miles. We go to WDW every year, but as new members have not been to DVC as of yet.

We did the same thing to get the miles. We will be staying for the first time in December, and just made our reservations for 8 more night in April at BCV. They only thing I regret is that we didn't join last year. Oh well.

 

[yensid354]

DVC Villas

We've been members at OKW since '93, and if you plan to make WDW a regular vacation spot, it is MAJOR WORTH IT!!! When we bought our membership, one night at the Contemporary was only 139.00!!!! Now it is well over $200+!!!!

Points for the Villas are all that are currently available, OKW sold out in 2000. There are points for OKW available in the secondary market though, so you might want to check.

When it comes to points for villas or OKW, our experience is that the number of points for each new resort have gone up for each night, with each new resort, but like a previous post noted, the points are a fixed quantity, and so if a studio or 1 bedroom went up for the 3rd week of May (as an example), the points for a week in a slower time would go down.

Which VC resort you stay in depends on your preferences. For quiet and relaxing, OKW is the place, for some additional services and shopping/night life, BWV or the new BCV are the right place to be. As I understand it, The wilderness lodge villas are almost sold out!

Also, regarding the time left on the contract. This purchase is a real estate purchase, and as such, you can always sell it!!!!

So, all I can say is, DO IT

 

[DisneyPhD]

They closed the sale of VWL in Febuary 2002. That means no new sales of it but current owners can add on. At the time they had an incentive if you bought VWL they would back date your start date and sell back your 1st year for 10$ a point. We did this, but I still perfer BCV as my favorite resort. Our sales person asured use that VWL is the smallest and therefore the hardest to get into. I wish I would of known then to buy where you want to stay the most.

One other thing to keep in mind is that points almost double for Friday and Saturday nights.

Minnie fan I feel the same way. Our first DVC trip will be March 1 to the 7 2002. The other time of year we like is Dec before the Christmas rush (have to go when hubby is on break from teaching. )