Is being a DVCmember worth it

[pbarager]

We looked into DVC in December and decided the costs were too much when financing. We ended up purchasing a resale Wyndham points that will allow us a 2 bedroom deluxe every year at Bonnet Creek or at other Wyndham resorts. The cost was under $200 and included closing and resort transfer fee. The best is that MF's are under $70 per month. Check out tug2.net for a lot of great info on timeshares, the people on that site are full of great advice.

[Dean]

Originally Posted by cfranklin

Well my wife and I plan on going on a vacation every year we have 5 kids so every other year we will take the kids I plan on wanting to go to WDW alot at least to DL once with the kids to aluni just me and the wife. But you say it's not good to use the points to go on a cruise or exchange fora non disney hotel out of the country? Why is this not a good idea? I would have to finance my points cause I don't have $29,000 for 200 points is that a bad thing?

IMO, people should only look at such a luxury purchase if they can pay cash but then I also feel people shouldn't finance vacations in general. Moving on past that, there are no REAL restrictions on resale that affect use and value. ALL of the excluded options are more expensive than simply buying less points and paying cash. IMO,and assuming DVC makes sense for you otherwise, buying less points resale you can pay cash for is the way to go. You will have to have a 2 BR with 7 total, 200 points will only get you to WDW for a week about 2 of every 3 years. Maybe that's perfect for your plans. You'll need around $11-12K depending on the specifics of your contract for around 200 points if you go resale with SSR or similar.

[cfranklin]

I figured out that I need 250 points to be able to go some where on vacation every year this every other year with kids. Me and the wife need are own vacation to keep our sanity. After 5 years I would basically have a nice hotel every year for mantinace fees

[Dean]

Originally Posted by cfranklin

I figured out that I need 250 points to be able to go some where on vacation every year this every other year with kids. Me and the wife need are own vacation to keep our sanity. After 5 years I would basically have a nice hotel every year for mantinace fees

I'm not aware of any model or situation where one recoups all their costs in 5 years. Generally about 9-10 years is the best you can do unless you would be staying in Disney suites anyway, usually it's more in the 12-20 year range for resale. I'd point out that using rack rates as the comparison is an unreasonable approach, even doing so using a discount is unreasonable, IMO.

[cfranklin]

It $7700 to stay at animal kingdom standard view 2 bedroom villa so if I bought from Disney with interest it would be 7 to 8 year so I was off alittle

[Dean]

Originally Posted by cfranklin

It $7700 to stay at animal kingdom standard view 2 bedroom villa so if I bought from Disney with interest it would be 7 to 8 year so I was off alittle

Again, you're assuming staying at DVC and paying cash rack rates. Is that what you would do if you didn't own? Using that method only makes sense if that would be your approach without owning DVC. There are far better comparison models.

[Missyrose]

Originally Posted by cfranklin

It $7700 to stay at animal kingdom standard view 2 bedroom villa so if I bought from Disney with interest it would be 7 to 8 year so I was off alittle

But if you don't have the cash for the DVC purchase, how likely is it for you to be staying in an $8,000 villa each year. Like Dean said, compare the cost of DVC with where you typically stay at Disney now.

[cfranklin]

Well I pay cash for my vacations now I know thew Disney if I booked today for just the room for october that is the case. Now I understand you get discounts for this package and that package but with a total package it was almost $10,000. Now I know packages go up and down all the time it took us 2 years to find a cheap package for us to go last oct. still cost us $6000 with tickets to stay at the movies resort and we check every opinion threw Disney, aaa, and enternet and couple private agents. Disney was the cheapest by almost $1600. But I think it probably would be worth it in the long haul. I'm 35 my youngest is 6 I got pleanty of vacations left in my life where can I find these other models you was talking about.

[cfranklin]

I want a nicer hotel room. I'm not rich by no means. I pay cash for everything but if I could lower my yearly cost per trip it would be easier I think. Yes I know I would haves monthly payment but that's how isabenowgor vac

[cfranklin]

Dang phone that how I come up with the money now

[crisi]

You have five kids heading to college (or other higher education), the youngest of whom is six, which means that when she gets out of college, you will have a little more than ten years left before retirement. Are you ready for these expenses, or willing to sacrifice them for vacations?

As for cheaper, stop looking at packages. The best way for a large family to affordably do Disney is to stay offsite...probably in a timeshare or pool home, and book the components yourself.

I read two things in your posts, I suspect it isn't worth it for you (it may be worth it for others) and you have already snorted the pixie dust.

[ELMC]

Originally Posted by cfranklin

It $7700 to stay at animal kingdom standard view 2 bedroom villa so if I bought from Disney with interest it would be 7 to 8 year so I was off alittle

Originally Posted by cfranklin

Well I pay cash for my vacations now I know thew Disney if I booked today for just the room for october that is the case. Now I understand you get discounts for this package and that package but with a total package it was almost $10,000. Now I know packages go up and down all the time it took us 2 years to find a cheap package for us to go last oct. still cost us $6000 with tickets to stay at the movies resort and we check every opinion threw Disney, aaa, and enternet and couple private agents. Disney was the cheapest by almost $1600. But I think it probably would be worth it in the long haul. I'm 35 my youngest is 6 I got pleanty of vacations left in my life where can I find these other models you was talking about.

With all due respect, it seems as if you are rationalizing and not analyzing. Your statements here have me believing that you are looking for a way to justify a decision you have already made as opposed to actually looking at your options to decide which is best. Even in the DVC salespeople's pie in the sky estimates, you are not breaking even on a direct purchase for 8 years, it's close to double that if you finance. As has been discussed previously, I don't think that is even a fair comparison.

[z28wiz]

Also remember you still have to purchase tickets and food and thats what will add up. figure a family of seven for an ap pass would be about 3000 plus another 1000-2000 for food and souvenirs each week long trip

[cfranklin]

Originally Posted by z28wiz

Also remember you still have to purchase tickets and food and thats what will add up. figure a family of seven for an ap pass would be about 3000 plus another 1000-2000 for food and souvenirs each week long trip

Yes and this is what I'm looking forward to after I get it paid for. But durning the financing years it will be like me paying for the nicer hotels wich I can do I already save a ton every month for vacations now

[Dean]

Originally Posted by cfranklin

Well I pay cash for my vacations now I know thew Disney if I booked today for just the room for october that is the case. Now I understand you get discounts for this package and that package but with a total package it was almost $10,000. Now I know packages go up and down all the time it took us 2 years to find a cheap package for us to go last oct. still cost us $6000 with tickets to stay at the movies resort and we check every opinion threw Disney, aaa, and enternet and couple private agents. Disney was the cheapest by almost $1600. But I think it probably would be worth it in the long haul. I'm 35 my youngest is 6 I got pleanty of vacations left in my life where can I find these other models you was talking about.

You can only compare the room components, it seems you are comparing DVC to a package. What have you done on your multiple past trips to Disney? My suggestion is to take the room type you normally get, say a moderate and look at the rack rate then assume a 20% discount. You may be able to get 30% at times but generally 20% is doable much of the time and 10% is guaranteed for many. I think you can assume an average of 20% long term. Ignore the other costs such as dining and tickets. Don't assume the kitchen will save you money.

Generally this approach will tell you that you'll pay a little more for DVC compared to a moderate and save money compared to a deluxe. Remember though you're taking on risk and once you get away from your target view comparing a 2 BR to two hotel rooms or a studio to a single hotel room, you'll sacrifice any savings you calculated. That's esp true if you move from a studio to a 1 BR. You're also sacrificing some control, housekeeping, etc. In my view DVC resorts roughly come in between the moderates and the deluxe's. Even for the same location, there is a difference in quality and service other than just housekeeping. Also realize that there are a number of off property timeshares that are every bit as nice as DVC and can be had for a fraction of DVC. For comparable options, anywhere from $500 or less for Bluegreen, $1000 or so for Wyndham to maybe $2-4K for Marriott or $4-5K for Hilton with yearly fees roughly 70% of DVC. That approach also gives you a world of non DVC options in other locations that DVC doesn't, important for some, not for others. Off property isn't for everyone but you should know your options and what they entail.