DVC vs. Hilton Grand Vacation Club

[Jennifer_W]

OK. We still have not decided what to do. We had been looking at buying into BCV because we love the Epcot area. We have 3 kids, ages 13, 11 & 1. We have been to DL or WDW almost every year for the past 10 years. We have stayed in value resorts on property 5 times, Carib. Beach 1x, and had free lodging off property at DL. But, with the 300 point cost of around $27,000 (resale), and annual fees of around $1400, we are just not sure the "magic" is all that. Anyone know what I mean?

I recently looked around at the TUG site (timeshare users' group), and noticed the Hilton Grand Vacation Club. It looks like we could buy in there for significantly less. Has anyone heard of this? GOod, bad?

I know we would be giving up the ease of transportation in getting to the parks, the EXTRA MAGIC HOURS , and being immersed in the magic 24/7. I know DVC probably holds its value better than other TS's, but the initial cost is sooooo much more. Is it worth it?

I love these boards, love planning trips, love everything Disney! DH loves WDW too, but sees us taking trips other places now and then. From what I've read, using DVC points to stay other places (like II trades) is NOT a good financial idea.

Those of you with older kids, are your vacations still "magical"? At some point will my 3 sons not be excited to go?

If you were me, what would you do?
Thanks in advance...

 

[WendyinNC]

I have 4 kids ages 2, 8, 9, and 12. I love staying onsite and can't imagine going any other way. My only suggestion is that you may not need 300 points. If you look at vacationing for 5 nights (Sunday - Thurday nights) instead of 1 week you will find that you need far fewer points.

 

[spiceycat]

you buy DVC because you love Disney period. (my opinion) - now if you can live without the onsite stuff then don't buy a timeshare in Orlando.

go for one close to you - so you can use it the facilities when you aren't staying there (ask if that is possible before you buy). Trading into Orlando is easy.

in the resale market $2,000 to $5,000 would be a good timeshare. Marriott cost more, so do HGVC.

loved the HGVC when I stayed there - but never buy in Orlando unless you are buying DVC. everything else loses it value to quick.

in your case would go with AKV - the 1-bedroom sleeps 5. While the kids are little try to trade for a 1-bedroom - but when they get too old - just stay at AKV.

remember you will own this thing long after your kids have left - so buy something you will be happy with as well as the kids.

lots of others though they would be happy to just be in Orlando and found out the hard way. DVC is Disney anything else is just offsite. although the HGVC was very nice.

for offsite stays come visit orlando hotels/attraction and skyauction you can try the surrounding timeshares without buying them. (can't do the HGVC) but they will give you information to know if you can really do offsite or if your family needs onsite.

 

[salmoneous]

Is it worth it?

All the posters here have made the decision - for them at least - that it's worth paying more to stay on property. If you look at the zillions of other timeshares in Orlando, it's clear a lot of people don't think it's worth it for them. So there's no right answer.

 

[ldo]

we own at DVC and have stayed many times at HGVC in Orlando. My thoughts:

HGVC--beautiful, larger units, more luxurious furnishings than DVC, pool area very nice. But, my kids think it's sort of boring.

DVC---older kids can have a lot a freedom and just take WDW buses around WDW--go to a waterpark, DQ, etc.--for a 14 yr old, that's pretty cool (I did it at 14 and still remember). Thus, I think DVC is likely to continue to appeal to teens as a "destination resort"--even if they don't go into WDW parks.

But, if you need a 2 BR for a full week and esp. if you need one at high points times--Easter, Christmas, then I might go with HGVC based upon cost. I would also consider Marriott, as well. The resale prices (as you are aware from TUG) are good for both HGVC and MArriott. And, you get internal preferences trading for another HGVC or Marriott. IF you think you want to trade at least every 3rd year, that might tip me in favor of H or M (DVC is expensive to use as a trade).

 

[kristinlynn]

My parents bought DVC when my sister was 3 and I was 12. It has worked out great for them.

Between the ages of 16-20 I thought I was too cool to vacation with my parents – but with my sister only being 7-11 years old, even though they had a bratty teen, my parents still had a younger child who loved the vacations.

Now I’m grown up and married and my sister is in that 16-20 bracket. My husband and I have found that Disney as adults is just as much fun as when we were kids (but different). We’ve bought into DVC and we’ve vacationed with my parents.

This year, instead of WDW, my parents used the timeshare and celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary at VBR with an ocean view room – they said it was wonderful. In a couple of years we’ll probably have kids, and my parents are already excited to experience Disney with grand kids. So, in our experience, even after 16 years, DVC has accommodated our family and given all of us some of the very best memories.

If you’re worried about not wanting to visit Disney every year, consider buying fewer points. If you bank and borrow points the right way, it could be a once every 3 year vacation. If you find you need more points you can always add on.

 

[5forDiz]

and see how DVC fits your family for the next couple of years ?

You may find that it really does work well and then can add on more points as your kids grow if you'd like to do longer trips & stay in larger villas. Or it would give you the option too of being able to purchase HGVC too and seeing what you like best.

Once you own a DVC contract any future add-on can be done through a resale. Or it can be done directly through Disney without closing costs involved but minimum purchase of an add-on direct through Disney would be 25 points.

There is some similiarity in number of years separating your children as mine ( our first is 3 yrs older than our second and nearly 9 yrs older than our third ). Our first trip with the eldest two was in 1994.
Our kids still enjoy wdw by far the best over any other vacation destinations we have been over the years as do hubby & I. We've always stayed onsite & as the kids grew older and we all started to really crave more space dvc really made good sense for us. We also have gone to HHI & VB and love those locations as well.
This summer will be our 11th trip in 13 years with our eldest two being 20 & 17 and they will have friends coming along and that will add a whole new dimension to their Disney experience. As parents, we like the peace of mind that they and their friends will be onsite using Disney transit and can be back at the resort in mere minutes as well as their having Disney Dining Plan so they are not walking the parks with too much cash.

As you can see from many posts here there are many ways you can "customize" a DVC purchase to your family's size and travel habits.

Best wishes & much magic whatever you decide !

 

[ldo]

I would start off with what I need for an every other year trip. Since you think you need 300 points--why not buy 160 instead (minimum thru DVC), get all the incentives--including an extra year of points and then see how you like it. With bank and borrowing and incentive points--you have enough for 2 trips at 300 points in the next 2 years--then take a year off to let points build back up and the following year borrow points for another 300 point trip. Your investment is 1/2 of that $30K and you can go every other year, so you won't get tired of it as easy. Plus, at some point, if you feel you really need more points, then add-on as you need.

 

[spiceycat]

again repeat if you are not buying at DVC don't buy in Orlando - Orlando is one of the easiest trades around.

you can buy a cheap RCI timeshare and trade into HGVC.

you can buy a cheap II timeshare and trade into DVC. that say 2-bedroom trades are few and far between.

 

[Mtnman44]

It all comes down to how much you value staying "on disney property". Disney hotels cost more than off property hotels. DVC costs more than off property timeshares. Go with whatever choice matches your particular vacation values and budget.

 

[rutgers1]

Does anyone know the cost of other timeshare companies, and how they compare to DVC? I didn't research it at all since my primary concern was owning part of Disney, but in hindsight, I am curious.

When more money comes available, I wouldn't mind either buying more DVC points or buying a timeshare week somewhere. I am wondering how much (actually, how LITTLE) I could pay to get a timeshare that I could trade out relatively easily. Since I live in New Jersey, I would prefer one along the eastern seaboard, north of Virginia.

 

[dvc_john]

I own at both DVC and HGVC (as well as Marriott and Hyatt), so I can offer some info. I assume you are familiar with the DVC resorts and how the program works, so I'll just pass on some info on HGVC.

At HGVC you buy a week in a specific resort, in a specific season, and a specific room type. That week is worth a certain number of points. You can book exactly the resort, season, and room type you bought for a full week at 12 months out. Otherwise you can book at any resort, any time of year, and room type for any number of days (3 day minimum) at 9 months out using the point system much like DVC.
The maintenance fees are less than DVC, but they do charge for reservations and for banking. You can borrow for free. Their main locations are Orlando (2 existing sites and 1 under construction), Las Vegas (3 sites), Waikiki (2 existing and 1 under construction - all at the Hilton Hawaiian Village), and Waikoloa/Kona (1 existing and 1 under construction). They are also building in New York City, but the rules are differenct for that one, and it will probably be difficult to get. The also have 1 in South Beach (Miami) Florida. And they have a number a affiliates in various locations (Colorado, Calif, Scottland, Mexico, SW Florida, etc). Some are easy to get and some are harder. If you want a low-cost rental they have something called 'open season' where you can book for cash 30 days out for a fairly low rate.

 

[spiceycat]

don't know your area.

but foxrun in nc - trades well into DVC. it is not to expensive but it is not close to you.

go ask on tug and see what you get.

 

[CarolA]

I love my DVC. That said I am not thilled with the trading deal we have. I have had ZERO success and really am at the mercy of someone in MS when I call. I would perfer to have access to the info myself.

I am looking around right now for an alternative. My first thought is to go with a Marriott as I have HEARD they trade well, but I need to do some research. I like the "floating week" concept they have, but they do peanalize people who buy resale which is a concern....

All that long winded was to say... if you want one to trade I would probably SKIP DVC.

 

[mommylo]

Both DVC and HGVC have something in common: they are both point system and both companies exercise ROFR (right of first refusal). E.g. I own 5000 points Gold Season at HGVC Las Vegas Hilton, which is the number of points needed for a 2 bedroom in Gold Season. But I can use the points to book a Studio or a 1 bedroom therefore "stretching" my points. They have locations in Vegas, Hawaii, Miami, which are all the places I like outside Disney. It is easier to book HGVC during peak seaason like Christmas than DVC. For example, for our Christmas trip, we ar staying at HGVC Sea World and visitiing WDW. However, everytime you make a booking with HGVC, you have to pay a booking fee of $49 (non-changeable reservation) or $69 (exchangeable reservation) so it adds up. I got the 5000 points, 2 bedroom Gold Season, EOY for $4500 resale and MF is about $700 (paid EOY). Overall I am happy with both timeshares.

 

[spiceycat]

I love my DVC. That said I am not thilled with the trading deal we have. I have had ZERO success and really am at the mercy of someone in MS when I call. I would perfer to have access to the info myself.

didn't know you tried to trade and couldn't.

that was one reason for my owning other timeshare to trade them - but where do I trade them to Orlando....

might go ask on
www.tug2.net

since I don't trade outside the US can't help you.

also later this year when skyauction has it sale - definitely get some weeks then. now these are not the best places or resorts - but hey for under $200 (okay might be more this year). they do pretty well.

 

[CarolA]

I have not tried all that hard, but I am thinking about my options LOL!

 

[rutgers1]

Thank you for the explanations. I definitely need to check out tug. I wasn't aware of it before. For me, I would consider a non DVC timeshare if the price was a no-brainer. If it was remotely similar as DVC, I would stick with what I know.

 

[Jennifer_W]

also later this year when skyauction has it sale - definitely get some weeks then. now these are not the best places or resorts - but hey for under $200 (okay might be more this year). they do pretty well.

What is this? Timeshares sell their excess weeks? or a cheap way to buy a timeshare deed?

 

[Brian Noble]

Generally in the offseason, generally smaller units, and generally the lesser resorts---skyauction is RCI's channel for distressed inventory that they don't expect to be able to dispose of any other way. It's sort of the priceline equivalent of the timeshare universe. I would not expect the HGVCs to ever make it that far. But, if you are flexible and not terribly picky, you can get some 2BR units at very nice resorts at many times during the year.

II also rents their excess inventory, but not at quite the same bargains.