Vacation Club

[ericpabear]

ericpabear, just to be clear, are these the prices for DVC members only or anyone? The only reason I ask is because I remember pricing out the AP and it was $475 (about) after taxes that is for a first timer. I just want to clarify it because if I can get something for cheaper I'm in.

Yes sir. For DVC members only. I was copying out of the DVC member's site.

[Dr. Ravenscroft]

Yes sir. For DVC members only. I was copying out of the DVC member's site.

O'well Maybe I can get a discount from somewhere else. Thanks for the info anyway.

[meticulus9]

would like an opinion. I use SOG overflow rates for WDW. e.g. i wait to SOG is booked for my vacation and they book me @ a disney resort. This saves me a ton of $, even in the peak seasons (e.g. this past june i paid 89/nite for all stars). Would it make sense to consider DVC if I go once or twice a year?

[js3901]

you would need to weigh the benefits and everything about DVC before making that decision. DVC is just for the room, and does not include the admission to the parks or anything. As far as the room, you can do the standard rooms (I believe) or the DVC specific rooms (1 BR, 2 BR, or Studio apartment design).

If you go once or twice a year, it may be worth it, depending on when you go and how much you spend on everything vs. buying into a timeshare plus the dues and whatnot. if you go 3 or more times per year, I'd definately say it's worth it.

[ericpabear]

We just got our statement. Our dues are going up again. Last years we paid $69.44 a month. Now it is $73.91 a month. When we stared we were paying $40 something a month.

[Dr. Ravenscroft]

We just got our statement. Our dues are going up again. Last years we paid $69.44 a month. Now it is $73.91 a month. When we stared we were paying $40 something a month.

And That adds up to $886.92 for this year, at that rate you can get a room at a value resort for 10 nights during value season, even 7 nights during peak season. That is one trip right there, but then you have to factor in the Park tickets which that can get pretty darn pricey.

[jcodirewolf]

SOG Question... well it depends on your Pay Grade. My dad who is a Captain the Public Health Service (yes he is a real officer.) there rates aren't any better (and often worst) than I can get though AP or AAA.

As for the MF are as much as 7-10 days at a value. It goes back to what I original said. If you don't cosider the deluxe rooms worth the extra money, then DVC isn't for you. If you'd like to pay (per year) for 10 days at a value, but get 14 days or so at a Deluxe. Then it maybe worth it.

Right now points are cost about $7 pp ($2pp plus $5pp for MF) in 10 years the points will still get you 14 days and it will be costing you about $10pp. The $2 is the buyin so it's fixed. The number of points per day are also fixed (they can move the points around but there can't be point inflation.)

DVC like any investment is a gamble. You are gambling that resort rates are going to continue to increase faster than the MF goes up. Just like when you buy a house you are gambling your property value is going to go up.

johno

[Dr. Ravenscroft]

Just like when you buy a house you are gambling your property value is going to go up.

Good Lord I hope not I don't need my taxes getting any higher if they re evaluate my property.

But I do see what you mean. I was just searching the Mousesavers Website and the rates they have for the upcoming Peak season are $79 a night for POP Century compared to $119 (Sun-Thur) and $129(Fri & Sat)a night normally. Personally I don't need the Deluxe Resorts (I would like to stay in them atleast once each in my life) I can handle just having the Values. I may change my mind in the years ahead but right now not worth it for me.

[jcodirewolf]

One of the other things, and this is more for longer stays. The values don't have fridges, microwaves, or stove/ovens. The DVC (depending on studio or 1, 2, or 3 bed) have some or all of those.

johno

[YZFDonor]

TWO very important things to keep in mind UNLESS you can get a DVC membership at a discount (which we did):

1) If you always go "on the cheap" to WDW then it's probably never going to break even
2) If you want to 'upgrade' your experience, then maybe it's for you. More accomodations for a similar price.

Just some more stuff to keep in mind...

[jcodirewolf]

WRT to YZFDonor's point #1. I suspect you will "break even" but YEARS down the road. I mean it's the typical financial advice thing (who really knows, too many unknown factors rate of inflation, MF increases special assessments.)

But I know if you bought into OKW at the pre-sales price (which was about $45/pt.) You would be at or near break-even today, after 15 years.

There is another calculation you can use which is called the future value of money. Money invested today can be worth more/less in the future depending on inflation and the rate of return. So best anyone can say is ... it depends. And it's a gamble.

johno

[ericpabear]

Since we have joined the DVC we have we have stayed at the Saratoga, Wilderness Lodge, The Boardwalk, and the Old Key West (a few times). This year we are going to the Animal Kingdom Lodge for 8 days. We have gone during regular season and holiday season, staying in studios and one bedrooms. Also have gone twice in a year a acouple of times. Each visit is for 7-9 days. Now look'n at the prices below (2008 Season Rates. I am too lazy to look up each years price.) I think I am gett'n my money worth.

Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts
Value Season:
from $285*
(1/1 - 2/13)
(7/20 - 10/1)
(11/30 - 12/18)

Regular Season:
from $315*
(3/30 - 7/19)
(10/2 - 11/29)

Peak Season:
from $370*
(2/14 - 3/29)

Holiday Season:
from $410*
(12/19 - 12/31)

[YZFDonor]

Agreed, Hotel at All-Stars XXX for $79/night doesn't compare to a DVC Studio, much less a one or two bedroom at what would be $400+/night.

We bought OKW in 1996 and got a Castmember 15% discount to boot!! I think we paid <$50/pt.

[mousemaniacs]

I'd say that jcodirewolf is right on with the whole exchange option. It really only pays to stay at the DVC resorts (boardwalk villas, beach club villas, villas at wilderness lodge, old key west, saratoga, animal kingdom villas, etc.). You can see from the point charts for the other resorts (those both at WDW and around the globe) aren't nearly as cost-effective. You are better off using an annual pass discount on those rooms.

I also agree with jcodirewolf, in that the break even point is not until 10-15 years out (you gotta factor in those maintenance costs), and even that assumes you are going very often. I often equate it to the dining plan. It's a great deal, but only if you really eat like that (large portions and desert with every meal???).

Even though the contract expires after 50 years, as jcodirewolf mentioned, keep in mind that Disney *may* offer contract extensions over time (for a cost). They are doing this right now for Old Key West.

BTW, we bought into SSR, but have never stayed there. If there are difficulties getting a non-home resort, we haven't experienced it. However, this is most likely because we always avoid the crowded times of the year. We haven't tried booking during peak seasons.

Finally, unless you want to use DVC immediately, do not buy direct from DVC. Instead try a DVC resaler like http://www.dvcbyresale.com or http://www.dvc-resales.com like we did. Even with closing costs, you'll get a much better price (i.e. $79/pt for SSR before negotiations!). I think SSR is going for $16,640 for 160 points which is $104/point (see http://www.mousesavers.com/dvc.html). There are some details about resale you should know (like right of first refusal, etc), but the process is relatively simple. And once you are in DVC, DVC does not treat you any differently. DVC agents can't tell you bought a resale.

[ericpabear]

We were not going to buy into the DVC. We had been considering buying for a couple of years, but I could not get the numbers to work in my head. The price we paid to stay at the All Stars, is what the cost of the "Dues" is for the year. Plus I had to come up with ten thou..Didn't make sense. We walked by one of the DVC stands at WDW to ask a question. The girl couldn't answer any questions, just set up appointments. Smell'n a trap, I got upset and walked off. My wife told me I had been rude, so I went back, and set up an appointment,(and got free food.) The deal breaker was relizeing that the prices off all the rooms had gone up every year since we had been going, and would continue to do so. But if I bought in, my room rate would always be the same. Only the cost of the "Dues" would increase by a dollar or two every year. Some how my lodgic about the "Dues" and the All Stars got away from me. If I remember correctly, I payed eight thou. from the DVC people. It was ten, but because I had just stayed at the park and was on my way home, they shaved off two thou..(sales pitch)