Okay! Tell me...is it worth it.

We decided not to join; it just wasn't the right time for us and we wanted to use the money elsewhere. That said, I know there are LOADS of DVCers on this board who absolutely adore the program, so I'm sure you'll hear lots of positives!

We haven't joined yet, but I rarely hear people who have joined say they regret it. Of course it's hard to regret something like that, both because you probably get a lot of fun out of it and people don't like to feel bad about their big purchases.

I always feel like the benefits people seem to get out of it are less financial and more intangible. So they're generally pleased with it, but can't say exactly why. I think it's kind of like the difference between owning and renting.

We joined and do not regret it at all. I would think that in the long run it would have to save you money. The biggest perk for me is that the rooms (even the studio) seem much more homey than the other resorts. I do think Brad is correct. The joy of owning has nothing to do with saving money or any perk. I do not think we are the "normal" DVC owner though. But then again, we do not know any others so maybe more are like us than I think.
I would not try to talk anyone into buying into it though. I think that is something you have to decide and I know for us there was no question at all about buying. We knew before we even went on the tour.
I can not really explain why we love it but we do. I am more than glad to answer any questions you may have though.

I don't think I've ever heard anyone say they regret it!

For us it's something we want to do one day. We know a few people like us (in their twenties just starting out in careers etc..) who have bought into it but they don't have kids & don't plan on having them. So for us it's not going to be possible until Holden is a little older and we are more financially secure.

This, like other 'vacation ownership', is seldom a financial boon. That's not to say it doesn't make financial sense for some, but in my experience (both in researching DVC and others, and my own non-Disney ownership) it is almost never going to be the most cost-effective option. When compared to rack rates, the per night or per vacation cost is great. When compared to other options, like renting from existing owners or deeply discounted rates, it does not compare favorably. What I'm getting at is saving money should not be your primary focus in buying vacation ownership. While what they are saying in the presentation is "true", it is somewhat misleading.

With all that said, I bought with another company years ago and have been happy with my purchase. I have done a lot more research and analysis since becoming an owner than I did before the purchase. I have found that while I could vacation at the same places (including those that are for owners only) for less, being an owner makes it easier to go where I want to go. It often takes a lot of work (and time) to find that one amazing deal or to rent from an owner for less than the going rate. The savings in time and piece of mind that you get with being an owner is worth a lot.

I would encourage anyone considering vacation ownership to really sit down and look at the numbers. What is your actual cost vacation night, per vacation week, per year with ownership versus non-ownership. What is the cost of the room/resort you like to stay at if you book through Disney (rack rate and a representative 'super deal')? What is the cost at the same resort if you rent DVC points? What is the cost of the same accommodations (per night/per week/per year) as a DVC owner? What's the cost differential between DVC-direct (purchased from Disney) with valuable incentives versus without versus buying second hand? Far as I know they always have some sort of incentives for buying from Disney, but they vary and some are better than others. According to my research, a better deal can usually be had buying second hand even with Disney's Right of First Refusal.

You (or anyone considering DVC) can find some great information over at MouseSavers. Keep in mind, for the purpose of their illustrations they use "average" numbers. With some time and effort, you can do much better. For example, they use an average DVC point rental (as in renting points from an owner or company) price of $11 per point. While that is the standard rate, MUCH better deals can be had. I have found points for around $5 per. The same can be said for the resale versus direct comparison. While there may not be a great difference between the average resale price that makes it past ROFR and buying direct with a great incentive, the same is not true when comparing a great deal buying resale (like most things Disney, the resale prices they accept are constantly in flux; some low offers are accepted every day) versus an average deal buying direct. I have not found my people who were not happy with their DVC purchase, and I have encountered dozens if not over a hundred on DVC and other timeshare message boards. While you're not likely to find many vocal detractors it should be noted, in fairness, there are TONS of DVC contracts for sale every day. One could surmise those people were unhappy with something, most probably the financial obligation.

In my opinion and experience the price issue boils down to cost versus value. Even if it is not the most cost-effective option it can still the best (or an excellent) value. For us, it is not the right time. There are a lot of things up in the air for us where we expect there will be some significant changes in the coming years (such as babies). In spite of my experience finding bargains and negotiating deals, DVC is appealing to me. I look forward to being able to take a Disney vacation (staying at one of their resorts) without it being so much work. I'm proud to say I was able to trade my vacation points for DVC points, when most on the forums said it couldn't be done, but it was not easy (though I did meet some great people). The notion of being able to book my stay with one phone call is very appealing to me.

At the end of the day it's all about what's best for you and your family. If you plan to take those Disney vacations every year anyway, staying on property, DVC can be a great thing. Don't forget there are associated discounts and benefits for being an owner as well. One cautious advisory though, DVC is not even remotely cost-effective if you buy what you can't afford. Many will say, and I would agree, that means don't buy it if you can't pay for it up front. The price/value goes WAY down when you factor in financing; not to mention the inherent risk.

Here's a great breakdown from someone who determined it wasn't worth the money, and subsequent posters bring up lots of considerations. This jives with LIFL's suggestions above and just gives a cost analysis.

DVC Cost Analysis

Agreed that it's definitely not something you do as an "investment" for any money savings down the road. The main reason to do it is convenience (and discounts on APs!)

I have never done the math..but I imagine that the cost breakdown would be that it cost more to buy into DVC and stay there for one week per summer than it would to go every summer and stay in a value? Am I right about that?
We've done OKW before and looovedd it..but we don't mind the Values so much. I guess if you go a lot and you like to stay at deluxes than it would be a good benefit.

/

From a pure financial aspect, if you are content staying off site then I wouldn't buy into DVC. There are too many other timeshares in Orlando that are a super value and just as nice or nicer than the DVC rooms minus the themeing.

I'm a very happy DVC owner. Being an owner allows me to slow down and really enjoy Disney. I don't have to go full throttle on every trip anymore and if I decide I don't want to go one year, I can rent my points out for a profit or do a direct exchange with someone who has something that I want.

There are a few DVC owners who do direct exchanges (me included) into difficult to get into resorts like Westin St. John, the Royal resorts in Mexico and Hawaiian resorts among others.

If you are concerned about the big investment in DVC, I'd recommend looking into going thru the back door of RCI instead. You can buy into Hilton, Bluegreen or RCI points for much less initial outlay and then use RCI to exchange into DVC.

This method is a little more time consuming as you have to watch the sightings boards for bulk deposits or put in an ongoing request but it is very possible to get into DVC every year much cheaper than owning points purchased direct or resale.

The maintenance fees tend to be high on DVC compared to other timeshares.

Having said all this, I love the DVC flexibility. If you are one who likes to go on short trips and like to vary the size of the unit you reserve then you would probably enjoy DVC. If I budget my points correctly with an average minimum contract purchase (150 points) I can get almost 18 nights in a studio at OKW. That's not bad for a maintenance fee of $700 a year. Of course that doesn't count the initial investment I made buying direct (mistake), buy resale instead.

DVC does not charge for making a reservation like some timeshares do and does not charge for guest certificates either like some do. They have a terrible website that does not yet allow online booking. THat's a bit frustrating in this age of computers but you learn to live with it.

You do have to be diligent to keep track of your deadlines for banking and booking with DVC because peak times will be difficult to get into even if you own. There are no guarantees, especially with trying to get BCV or BWV at F & W time or VWL at Christmas time. Many holidays are difficult too so you will need the 11 month booking advantage and will probably have to walk your reservation to get what you want. A bit annoying but that's how it is.

Lucky for me, I ususally go in off season and am not too picky which resort I stay in. They're all good.

I'd also add that Wyndham has a beautiful resort almost on Disney property at Bonnet Creek and is as close as it gets for a great price to DVC. A great cheap alternative to owning DVC. I also own some Wyndham points and will be doing a combined stay at AKV during the week and staying at Bonnet Creek on the weekend since DVC is very points expensive on weekends.

There are tons of possibilities.

Great tip on the RCI stuff, Chriskre!

Now keep in mind that these are the rules today with RCI/DVC. DVC can go back to Interval International next year and the plan can go sour but it doesn't look like that is going to happen but that is always a possibility so don't buy something you couldn't use otherwise.

One thing I learned before buying into DVC is that money CANNOT be a factor because it is NOT and investment and it is NOT cheaper. That is that, there is no math to do or numbers to figure out. End of story.

Here is why we bought into DVC:

[ul][li]We are a family of 5 and 99% of the time we take other family with us (usually my MIL or my mom and grandma) so right off the bat we need a deluxe resort or 2 rooms at a moderate resort--value resorts are never an option for us. [/li][li]We go (or plan to go) every year. Lately we've been making plans for 2 times a year.
[/li][li]We hate being rushed and knowing we 'have a place' to return to year after year allows us to slow down and not feel like we have to stuff all sorts of attractions and sights into one trip.[/li][li]We love the homey feeling we get from the rooms.[/li][li]We love that we can use our DVC points for destinations other than Disney.[/li][/ul]If you want to go back to the $ factor, well, we used to stay at the Polynesian before becoming DVC members--we love it there and love the location (on monorail line=convenient) and our trips (for 6-7 of us) including room, meals (DDP or not) park tickets, etc...well, it was costing us $6-$7K anyway. (that also figures in spending money and getting there and back--we usually drive but stay overnight somewhere on the way down and back, we are in (PA).

As a DVC member we still have to pay for food; DDP, OOP, groceries and cooking in--or a combo of those, park tickets, APs or hopper passes, getting there and back, PLUS yearly maintenance fees.

Is being a DVC member cheaper? Again, I say no. BUT, for us, it makes sense because we have the $ to invest into it and we enjoy the convenience of it.

I think that once you get used to having a kitchen in your room and having a seperate living room or even extra bathroom then you get a little spoiled.

To me if I have to travel and be uncomfortable then I don't want to do it as often. Since buying timeshares, I travel much more often because it's just nicer to do so in a full condo as opposed to hotel rooms. Also, I can invite friends and family to come along for almost the same price as going by myself so I can be generous to those who would never be able to afford to stay onsite Disney.

I agree about being able to bring people who normally could not afford to go. We've taken other family members--they get to stay for free or for very cheap With 3 kids, the spacious rooms and private bathrooms.bedrooms are awesome!

I bet that's true. I could easily see myself getting accustomed to actually having doors you can close. Or even a bit of a delineation between where I worked and slept.

I concur. Once you start staying in 'the good places' it's hard to go back to just a bed, tv, and bathroom.

True..we turned into resort snobs and haven't stayed at a Value in over 5 years..it's going to be tough going back to POP this summer..but oh well..at least we are there!

You do have to be careful with this approach.

Not that long ago DVC began to prohibit RCI exchanges where the owner owned in an Orlando area resort.

http://dailyhomerenotips.com/2011/03/26/orlando-time-share-owners-heads-up/

We own at Sheraton Vistana and cannot exchange through RCI to obtain a DVC unit.

If you do this, do not buy a timeshare in Orlando.

Which is really too bad. My early 20's special need daughter's few joys is WDW and with me now the only one who takes her it would really be a lot more convenient to stay in WDW. We did it once a few years ago before the DVC policy change came into effect and it was wonderful.

Dan

Good info Dan1, thx for posting and .