Grand Floridian Expansion

[theBIGyowski]

Yes...TDC was genius in coming up with the concept of DVC. You get people to pay a ton of money up front, and then charge them a not-quite-modest fee every year to keep their point allotment for that calendar year. You also guarantee that they will either buy park tickets or an AP every year. It's the perfect long-term strategy in this economy.

As for GF having DVC...I think it's a great idea and it will sell very well because people would much rather be somewhere close to MK and on the Monorail. Think of it like buying a house. Most people would be willing to pay an extra $5,000-$10,000 if it got them closer to work or schools. There is obviously a breaking point and I will be interested to see when TDC reaches it.

[Polynesian Princess]

The other incentive for Disney with DVC is that they have the people's money regardless of whether or not they actually use their benefits. Obviously people borrow and bank their points to make the most of them and use them up, but some people don't end up using all of their points for one reason or another (decide to go on another vacation, can't take the time off, illness, etc.) Disney still gets paid for the points and can rent out the room they didn't use to a cash customer.

[Wizzard419]

The genius part wasn't the actual concept but being able to not call it a "time-share" and getting people to buy in.

[Amy]

The genius part wasn't the actual concept but being able to not call it a "time-share" and getting people to buy in.

Even calling it a time share, if you involve the word Disney, I'm sure people would have been in!

[Wizzard419]

Some might have, but the phrase "Time share" brings up too many negative images with people. If I recall, the new term is "Vacation properties"

[Amy]

Some might have, but the phrase "Time share" brings up too many negative images with people. If I recall, the new term is "Vacation properties"

I know one of my piano families bought into the DVC in the early stages and were trying to convince me to buy in as well. Even if I had the money, which I didn't then, or now I wasn't about to put up that sort of money for something that you only had rights to for a limited amount of time

[theBIGyowski]

Some might have, but the phrase "Time share" brings up too many negative images with people. If I recall, the new term is "Vacation properties"

I know one of my piano families bought into the DVC in the early stages and were trying to convince me to buy in as well. Even if I had the money, which I didn't then, or now I wasn't about to put up that sort of money for something that you only had rights to for a limited amount of time

It really and truly is something that can only pay for itself over decades. It's cheaper to vacation there for 10-15 years in a row paying rack rates than it is to buy into a DVC resort. But...if you know you are going every year and want to live like royalty...for 30+ years...it might be worth it.

Now if you have a ton of cash in a jar somewhere...it could possibly be worth it to you if for no other reason than to let you know you could go to WDW every year without forking out a ton of money...because you forked a ton in the beginning.

[Amy]

Some might have, but the phrase "Time share" brings up too many negative images with people. If I recall, the new term is "Vacation properties"

I know one of my piano families bought into the DVC in the early stages and were trying to convince me to buy in as well. Even if I had the money, which I didn't then, or now I wasn't about to put up that sort of money for something that you only had rights to for a limited amount of time

It really and truly is something that can only pay for itself over decades. It's cheaper to vacation there for 10-15 years in a row paying rack rates than it is to buy into a DVC resort. But...if you know you are going every year and want to live like royalty...for 30+ years...it might be worth it.
Now if you have a ton of cash in a jar somewhere...it could possibly be worth it to you if for no other reason than to let you know you could go to WDW every year without forking out a ton of money...because you forked a ton in the beginning.

I suppose. I just wonder what happened to their DVC ownership after their divorce...

[Wizzard419]

Some might have, but the phrase "Time share" brings up too many negative images with people. If I recall, the new term is "Vacation properties"

I know one of my piano families bought into the DVC in the early stages and were trying to convince me to buy in as well. Even if I had the money, which I didn't then, or now I wasn't about to put up that sort of money for something that you only had rights to for a limited amount of time

It really and truly is something that can only pay for itself over decades. It's cheaper to vacation there for 10-15 years in a row paying rack rates than it is to buy into a DVC resort. But...if you know you are going every year and want to live like royalty...for 30+ years...it might be worth it.

Now if you have a ton of cash in a jar somewhere...it could possibly be worth it to you if for no other reason than to let you know you could go to WDW every year without forking out a ton of money...because you forked a ton in the beginning.

It actually never truly pays for itself, you don't own anything at the end and it doesn't appreciate in value. Even if you went every year for 30 years, you would still be better off saving the money in a money market account or whatnot and then spending it on the vacation. At least then you would have interest.

[theBIGyowski]

It actually never truly pays for itself, you don't own anything at the end and it doesn't appreciate in value. Even if you went every year for 30 years, you would still be better off saving the money in a money market account or whatnot and then spending it on the vacation. At least then you would have interest.

I agree with you completely. The only exception is if you have a large family that likes to stay in deluxe resorts every single year for trips that last longer than a week. In reality...that will not happen over the course of 30-40 years.

[Wizzard419]

Indeed, if you are having a mass of people the numbers can pan out, though the quality of the stay (in terms of having all those people in the same room) may suffer.

[mindflipper]

I agree with you about the DVC - but I always get a laugh when they tell you what a "good investment" it is! Does it earn interest? Acrete in value? How is it really a "good investment"?

[Wizzard419]

Becasue you get this lanyard and tote-bag.

[momeja]

Okay, everyone, I'll 'fess up and admit that we're DVC owners. After Mom died, we used part of the money we received from Mom's estate to purchase some points at the Beach Club. The kids were thrilled. For them, it was like having a bit of Nana continuing forward with them into the future.

I consider it to be a "break even" investment. We won't make money off of it, but we won't lose money on it either. And in this economy, that's saying something. So it was a good purchase overall. I wouldn't recommend it if you have to finance it, but if you can find the money to pay for it up front, and you know you'll be visiting Disney for many years to come, it's not bad. In fact, I consider it to be our very own piece of the Mouse.

Thank you, Mom.

[Amy]

Okay, everyone, I'll 'fess up and admit that we're DVC owners. After Mom died, we used part of the money we received from Mom's estate to purchase some points at the Beach Club. The kids were thrilled. For them, it was like having a bit of Nana continuing forward with them into the future.

I consider it to be a "break even" investment. We won't make money off of it, but we won't lose money on it either. And in this economy, that's saying something. So it was a good purchase overall. I wouldn't recommend it if you have to finance it, but if you can find the money to pay for it up front, and you know you'll be visiting Disney for many years to come, it's not bad. In fact, I consider it to be our very own piece of the Mouse.

Thank you, Mom.

That's a nice way to look at it. May I ask how long is the investment period? That was the one thing I couldn't remember, is it 30 years or something like that?