hidden costs?

[imagine_82]

My husband & I are *considering* taking the bait; I've been an avid Disneyphile my entire life, and WDW is my happy place. Recently we visited the Doorway to Dreams in nearby Schaumberg, IL and I am SO hooked on AKL's new village. The suites are beautiful, really, and Boma is one of my favorite restaurants on property.

I've been reading the threads, and asking friends who are members about the truth...but just to be sure...are there any hidden costs? You have your payment, and maintenance fees...anything else?

Thanks for the help!

 

[brkgnews]

To my knowledge, that is it as far as hidden fees on a regular basis.

A few things to consider, though (even though they're not really "hidden")...

- Like many loans, you will have to make a down payment (often 10% of the loan amount).

- Like many loans, your first and last payment may be slightly different from your typical monthly payments (example: my monthly payment is roughly $300, but my first payment was about $375).

- Your maintenance fees are billed separately from your loan payments. If you're buying at AKV, your first round of maintenance fees will be based on how many months your unit was declared into inventory. So it may be a bit abnormal. For instance, I bought in September, but my unit doens't come online till december. So I'll only have to pay one month worth of maintenance fees this year instead of an entire year's worth.

Hope that helps -- and maybe someone who has been a member longer can offer more info.


PS - one other hidden fee -- the uncontrollable urge to add on more points! :lol:

 

[Aurora_25]

To my knowledge, that is it as far as hidden fees on a regular basis.

A few things to consider, though (even though they're not really "hidden")...

- Like many loans, you will have to make a down payment (often 10% of the loan amount).

- Like many loans, your first and last payment may be slightly different from your typical monthly payments (example: my monthly payment is roughly $300, but my first payment was about $375).

- Your maintenance fees are billed separately from your loan payments. If you're buying at AKV, your first round of maintenance fees will be based on how many months your unit was declared into inventory. So it may be a bit abnormal. For instance, I bought in September, but my unit doens't come online till december. So I'll only have to pay one month worth of maintenance fees this year instead of an entire year's worth.

Hope that helps -- and maybe someone who has been a member longer can offer more info.


PS - one other hidden fee -- the uncontrollable urge to add on more points! :lol:

I think you said it all. The urge to add on more points is a constant for me

 

[DVC Mike]

but just to be sure...are there any hidden costs? You have your payment, and maintenance fees...anything else?

Nope -- just the initial up-front investment and then the annual maintenance fees.

 

[imagine_82]

thanks!!!

thank you all! i imagine that the urge to add more points doesn't fade with time, either. :lol:

 

[Phonedave]

thank you all! i imagine that the urge to add more points doesn't fade with time, either. :lol:

No, it gets worse.

-dave

 

[brkgnews]

Another "hidden" cost that I happened to think of (even though it's out in the open and doesn't affect everyone) is the fact that you do NOT get daily housekeeping service, so if you want daily service or extra towels, you have to pay for them.

 

[imagine_82]

very interesting...is there a weekly mouskeeping session? or a list somewhere of costs? i don't really think there's a problem. we're pretty capable of making the bed & keeping the bathroom picked up, and from a green standpoint, it doesn't make sense to get fresh towels daily. thanks for the tip though! :wave:

 

[brkgnews]

From Mouseowners.com (and probably on the official DVC site), here is what you get free of charge ...

Because DVC resorts are designed to be a "home away from home," you should be aware that daily housekeeping service is not provided. (However, each One-, Two-, and Three-Bedroom Villa is equipped with a washer and dryer so that you can keep not just your clothes, but also your linens and towels as clean as you like. Guests staying in Studios or Inn Rooms may use the complimentary washers and dryers conveniently located throughout the resorts. Laundry detergent is available for purchase.)

For stays of seven or fewer nights, Trash and Towel Service is provided on day four. With this service, Housekeeping will...

-Empty the trash and put new liners in the wastebaskets
-Provide fresh bathroom towels
-Replace shampoo, facial soap and bath soap
-Replenish facial tissues, paper towels, and toilet paper
-Replenish coffee, sugar, and cream
-Replenish diswashing liquid, dishwasher detergent, sponges, and laundry detergent as applicable


For stays of eight or more nights, Full Cleaning Service is provided on day four and Trash and Towel Service is provided on day eight. After that, the cycle begins again on day 12. With Full Cleaning Service, Housekeeping will provide everything included with the Trash and Towel Service, plus...

-Change the bed linens
-Vacuum and dust
-Clean the bathroom(s)
-Clean the kitchen/ette and wash the dishes

Don't know the fees for upgrading to daily service, or the cost of a "towel pack" (thought I've heard you can sometimes sweet-talk mousekeeping into hooking you up for free on a towel pack or two).

 

[brkgnews]

Thought of another "hidden" fee (that again is actually pretty well publicized). If you want to stay at a non-DVC resort...

(not only off-site hotels around the world, but also including some of the on-WDW-property hotels that just happen not to have DVC rooms)

...you are subject to paying a one-time (per booking) fee of $95 to convert your "vacation points" (DVC points) into "reservation points" (points you use to occupy non-DVC rooms). I think the only non-DVC hotels that are exempt from this are at Disnelyand, though that too could conceivably change once Grand Cali comes online as DVC. I believe you also have to pay this fee to book a Disney Cruise on points.

 

[Phonedave]

Thought of another "hidden" fee (that again is actually pretty well publicized). If you want to stay at a non-DVC resort...

(not only off-site hotels around the world, but also including some of the on-WDW-property hotels that just happen not to have DVC rooms)

...you are subject to paying a one-time (per booking) fee of $95 to convert your "vacation points" (DVC points) into "reservation points" (points you use to occupy non-DVC rooms). I think the only non-DVC hotels that are exempt from this are at Disnelyand, though that too could conceivably change once Grand Cali comes online as DVC. I believe you also have to pay this fee to book a Disney Cruise on points.

Yes, you are right about the cruise as well.


-dave

 

[Phonedave]

Don't know the fees for upgrading to daily service, or the cost of a "towel pack" (thought I've heard you can sometimes sweet-talk mousekeeping into hooking you up for free on a towel pack or two).

Something to remember. Since these are deluxe resorts, there are towels at the pools. No, I am not saying re-stock your room from the pools . It means you do not have to use your room towels for the pool.










OK- go ahead and grab one from the pool area if you want Sometimes I just end up walking back with one anyway.


-dave