I don't understand the Disney vacation club membership or how much it costs.

[disneyofcourse]

Last time we went to disney I tried asking one of the dvc salespeople questions on how it works and she wasn't at all interested in helping us figure it out. I was asking basic questions on how it works and how much it ends up costing. I did used to look very young but that didn't really give her a reason to basically ignore our questions and start talking to the older couples walking around. But anyways could someone here explain how it works (In really really simple terms I looked over on the Dvc board a while ago and I just don't understand to much of it. How much are these points and how do they work ? I don't think I can afford it right now just because we are buying a house that I want to do major work to. And that requires lots and lots of money lol. But I'd still like to know what its all about. I pretty much know you pay and then get 50 years of use

 

[Mickey Fliers]

This link might be helpful...

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-vacation-club/faq.shtml

If you have specific questions, the DVC Operations board is a great place to ask. Also, the person you tried to speak with at the parks or resorts, more than likely only has enough info to get you to the sales center. Their job is to make appts. for potential buyers.

 

[perdidobay]

I think if you post this question on the DVC boards, someone will explain it to you with the basics first.

If you tried to wrap your head around all of it at once, it is quite confusing.

 

[mountdew1]

Basically you pay for so many points a year for the next however many years. Different resorts have different lengths, also if you buy from a current owner may be different. Each night you want to stay has a point value. If you go during midweek low season, points needed will be much lower than say the weekend before Christmas. Cost is determined by the number of points you buy. A whole lot of factors go into determining what exactly it will cost and what you get out of it.

 

[Acklander]

I think the reason why the person in the booth didn't answer your questions is because it's real estate transaction. I don't think they're legally allowed to answer your questions. You'd have to go to the presentation which is done by a licensed real estate agent.

 

[MrsPete]

Last time we went to disney I tried asking one of the dvc salespeople questions on how it works and she wasn't at all interested in helping us figure it out. I was asking basic questions on how it works and how much it ends up costing. I did used to look very young but that didn't really give her a reason to basically ignore our questions and start talking to the older couples walking around. But anyways could someone here explain how it works (In really really simple terms I looked over on the Dvc board a while ago and I just don't understand to much of it. How much are these points and how do they work ? I don't think I can afford it right now just because we are buying a house that I want to do major work to. And that requires lots and lots of money lol. But I'd still like to know what its all about. I pretty much know you pay and then get 50 years of use

It's a time share, but it's ONLY Disney properties.
You pay a hefty amount of money up front, then you pay a rather large maintenance fee each year.
How much does it cost? That depends upon how many points you choose to buy. If you want to travel for a week every summer, you'll need a large number of points; if you want to travel during the off-season every other year, you can get buy with fewer points.
Is it a bargain? In the long run (even with inflation), DVC will cost more than you'd pay for discount accomodations; in other words, you'll always be able to find a less expensive place to stay either at the All-stars or off-site. On the other hand, it'd cost less than paying for the most expensive on-site options; so if you'd only stay at the Polynesian or the Contemporary, you might come out ahead. It's hard to justify the math on paper, but many people see it as a "promise to themselves" that they'll have a Disney vacation every year, and that makes it worthwhile to them.

In my mind, there are two hard and fast rule with DVC and all timeshares:

1. Do not buy on the spur of the moment. These folks use every trick in the book to entice you, but this is a major purchase and you should consider it carefully.

2. Look into the secondary market before you "buy new". Often you can find individuals who are looking to sell cheaply (either because they're in need of the cash or because their family has "outgrown" the magic).

 

[Chellymouse]

DVC is wonderful! Here's the basics and for more info. head over to the DVC boards. You pay a one time purchase price (depending on the property that will be your home resort it can start around $16,900 and go up from there) based on how many points you choose to purchase. Annual dues are based on how many points you "own". You may use your points at any DVC resort (home resort always has priority) you may also use your points for travel to other Disney destinations as well as destinations through interval international and the Disney adventure club. You do not acutally own a designated space per se. You are basically pre-paying your vacations for the next 50 or so years. Your DVC membership can be sold or willed to someone as well. It's simple yet complicated and it's hard to give you all of the information. our only regret is that we didn't buy in sooner. I will say, unless you plan to go to WDW at least every other year, it may not be in your best interest. My guide is Todd Bearden and he is absolutely wonderful if you would like to call for more information!

 

[Mickey Fliers]

If you want to travel for a week every summer, you'll need a large number of points; if you want to travel during the off-season every other year, you can get buy with fewer points.

A studio at SSR in July for 6 nights is 94 points. Not a large number of points.

In the long run (even with inflation), DVC will cost more than you'd pay for discount accomodations; in other words, you'll always be able to find a less expensive place to stay either at the All-stars or off-site.

Well, that is speculation, unless of course you have a crystal ball.

On the other hand, it'd cost less than paying for the most expensive on-site options; so if you'd only stay at the Polynesian or the Contemporary, you might come out ahead.

Or, if you need larger accomodations b/c of family size, you will come out ahead (unless you are happy staying offsite).

1. Do not buy on the spur of the moment. These folks use every trick in the book to entice you, but this is a major purchase and you should consider it carefully.

I totally agree about considering the purchase very carefully, but I was never "tricked", coerced, or pushed to buy DVC. My guide was just that, a guide.

Again, the DVC board will help answer any specific questions.

 

[eliza61]

I'll use my experience as an example.
First I will say DVC is not a good fit if you are a budget traveler. Meaning if you love the value category or offsite, you can always find cheaper accomadations. Now onto my family

1) We always stay on site and at Deluxe. Generally we love concierge. We go ~ every year and 1/2 to every two years.
2) room rates have risen a lot more than by annual dues. I don't forsee this changing. Every thing else is speculation.
3) We own 200 points. Thats enough for us to go for 6 nights every year at the time we generally vacation. (Late August thru November) and stay in a 1 bedroom villa
4) DVC works best if you can plan your vacations in advance. Its a little harder if you are a last minute type traveler.
5) We have used our points at other places. So far we have used them in London, Washington DC and NYC. Never had 1 bit of problem trading out. there is a fee to trade out.
6) I use my points in a variety of ways. Now that the kids are going to college Dh & I take long weekend trips and this may I'm doing a "gals-spa trip" with 3 of my best friends.

Absolutely the best decision we have made in a very long time. It may not be the best financial use of my money but I have long stopped measuring my life in just Dollars & cents. My only regret is that we didn't do it sooner.

 

[dcfromva]

Last time we went to disney I tried asking one of the dvc salespeople questions on how it works and she wasn't at all interested in helping us figure it out. I was asking basic questions on how it works and how much it ends up costing. I did used to look very young but that didn't really give her a reason to basically ignore our questions and start talking to the older couples walking around. But anyways could someone here explain how it works (In really really simple terms I looked over on the Dvc board a while ago and I just don't understand to much of it. How much are these points and how do they work ? I don't think I can afford it right now just because we are buying a house that I want to do major work to. And that requires lots and lots of money lol. But I'd still like to know what its all about. I pretty much know you pay and then get 50 years of use

DVC is a prepaid vacation. You pay about 1/3 of the cost of points (for the life of the contract) upfront and 2/3's of the cost for points every year in the form of annual dues.

If you are looking for good way to buy into points, one way might be to buy a small resale. They are hard to come buy, but with a little patience you could find a 50 point contract. You pay for the cost of the points plus closing (it varies with the number or points, but say around $400). With a 50 pt contract you could bank the points and borrow the points and have 150 points to use every 3 years.

For example, with 150 points you could stay in a studio at the BCV for a week and have some points left over for all weeks except Christmas-NY and Spring Break. If you knock off Fri/Sat stays, you can stretch your points out a little further.


Even though the cost to buy the points initially seems to be the biggest expense--(because you are paying for the number of years left in the contract all at once), the largest expense is the dues paid annually. This year they range from 4.21 per point ( at SSR) to 4.80 (at BCV) to 6.04 per point (at VB). However, DVC will divide up the expense on a monthly basis and allow you to set up automatic funds transfers. If you had a 50 pt contract at BCV, this year the dues would cost $240.00 or $20.00 a month.

Membership in DVC also gives you some fringe benefits (which are subject to change). One is $100.00 off a regular adult AP and $125.00 off Premium adult AP. Another benefit is you can add DDP onto your DVC reservation. You can pool hop at the other resorts (except SAB and AKL) during non peak times. There are also discounts off of tours and at restuarants, et'c.

Once you have your initial contract, you can add onto it if you wantwith DVC with as little as 25 point increments (if you pay cash) or 50 points (or more) if you want to finance.

If you go through Disney, the minimum contract you can purchase is 160 points. You pay the per point cost plus closing costs. They have varying incentives to purchase--some with a discount off the price of points. I'm not sure the current price of points--I think the undiscounted price is $101. (I have also heard rumors the price is going up again in March. )

 

[becca-becca]

We just bought into DVC this month. We wished we had done it sooner! I like it because I now know at the end of my vacation that I can come back and don't feel so compelled to "do everything and see everything". We are going this Christmas, and I plan on slowing down our park method a little bit. This way, WDW can become more relaxing instead of so tiring! For our Christmas Trip, we are taking our extended family (13). We would never have been able to do this without DVC. We are staying Deluxe in room accomadation that would have cost us around $9000.00. Plus we are going on a short cruise (DH and I) this September with our points we earned from their incentive. When you add these two totals up, we have almost "made up" 2/3 of the initial cost of DVC. We think it is great!

 

[n2mm]

It's a time share, but it's ONLY Disney properties.
You pay a hefty amount of money up front, then you pay a rather large maintenance fee each year.
How much does it cost? That depends upon how many points you choose to buy. If you want to travel for a week every summer, you'll need a large number of points; if you want to travel during the off-season every other year, you can get buy with fewer points.
Is it a bargain? In the long run (even with inflation), DVC will cost more than you'd pay for discount accomodations; in other words, you'll always be able to find a less expensive place to stay either at the All-stars or off-site. On the other hand, it'd cost less than paying for the most expensive on-site options; so if you'd only stay at the Polynesian or the Contemporary, you might come out ahead. It's hard to justify the math on paper, but many people see it as a "promise to themselves" that they'll have a Disney vacation every year, and that makes it worthwhile to them.

In my mind, there are two hard and fast rule with DVC and all timeshares:

1. Do not buy on the spur of the moment. These folks use every trick in the book to entice you, but this is a major purchase and you should consider it carefully.

2. Look into the secondary market before you "buy new". Often you can find individuals who are looking to sell cheaply (either because they're in need of the cash or because their family has "outgrown" the magic).

Wow, I'm glad I didn't read your message before buying in. I never got any pressure because I called a guide\ recommended by another person. I bought in, site unseen. My only negative was not buying earlier. NO you don't need alot of points. WE just stayed at the AKV for 4 nights in a studio and it only cost 36 points. It's not only Disney properties, you can stay a lots of places around the world. You can use your points to cruise. I suggest you do a little more homework before posting inaccurate information.

 

[maxtomsmom]

Two more things and not that they are make it or break it deals, but most rooms accommodate 4 individuals. If you want Grandma and Grandpa to come along, they will have to have their own room. That is double the expense. If you have enough points or carefully bank and borrow points, others can join you on your vacation without extra fees. We plan on doing this and having my BIL and family come in 2010. They will pay for the annual dues for just that one use year which would be way less than staying at a moderate. Plus they get a kitchen, which is good for breakfasts and lunches (we prefer to save a little during those meals and have a sit down dinner every night).

The second thing is that you can allow someone to use your points. If our sons choose to use points towards their honeymoons lmao: - they're 4 and 6 now), they have them. We could gift them. Or if we can't use the points that year we can sell them to someone.

Again, these are not major things but it made it more attractive.

 

[alicenwonder99]

DVC is a prepaid vacation. You pay about 1/3 of the cost of points (for the life of the contract) upfront and 2/3's of the cost for points every year in the form of annual dues.

If you are looking for good way to buy into points, one way might be to buy a small resale. They are hard to come buy, but with a little patience you could find a 50 point contract. You pay for the cost of the points plus closing (it varies with the number or points, but say around $400). With a 50 pt contract you could bank the points and borrow the points and have 150 points to use every 3 years.

For example, with 150 points you could stay in a studio at the BCV for a week and have some points left over for all weeks except Christmas-NY and Spring Break. If you knock off Fri/Sat stays, you can stretch your points out a little further.


Even though the cost to buy the points initially seems to be the biggest expense--(because you are paying for the number of years left in the contract all at once), the largest expense is the dues paid annually. This year they range from 4.21 per point ( at SSR) to 4.80 (at BCV) to 6.04 per point (at VB). However, DVC will divide up the expense on a monthly basis and allow you to set up automatic funds transfers. If you had a 50 pt contract at BCV, this year the dues would cost $240.00 or $20.00 a month.

Membership in DVC also gives you some fringe benefits (which are subject to change). One is $100.00 off a regular adult AP and $125.00 off Premium adult AP. Another benefit is you can add DDP onto your DVC reservation. You can pool hop at the other resorts (except SAB and AKL) during non peak times. There are also discounts off of tours and at restuarants, et'c.

Once you have your initial contract, you can add onto it if you wantwith DVC with as little as 25 point increments (if you pay cash) or 50 points (or more) if you want to finance.

If you go through Disney, the minimum contract you can purchase is 160 points. You pay the per point cost plus closing costs. They have varying incentives to purchase--some with a discount off the price of points. I'm not sure the current price of points--I think the undiscounted price is $101. (I have also heard rumors the price is going up again in March. )

Wow! I'm even more confused!

 

[toesmom]

It's a time share, but it's ONLY Disney properties.
You pay a hefty amount of money up front, then you pay a rather large maintenance fee each year.
How much does it cost? That depends upon how many points you choose to buy. If you want to travel for a week every summer, you'll need a large number of points; if you want to travel during the off-season every other year, you can get buy with fewer points.
Is it a bargain? In the long run (even with inflation), DVC will cost more than you'd pay for discount accomodations; in other words, you'll always be able to find a less expensive place to stay either at the All-stars or off-site. On the other hand, it'd cost less than paying for the most expensive on-site options; so if you'd only stay at the Polynesian or the Contemporary, you might come out ahead. It's hard to justify the math on paper, but many people see it as a "promise to themselves" that they'll have a Disney vacation every year, and that makes it worthwhile to them.

In my mind, there are two hard and fast rule with DVC and all timeshares:

1. Do not buy on the spur of the moment. These folks use every trick in the book to entice you, but this is a major purchase and you should consider it carefully.

2. Look into the secondary market before you "buy new". Often you can find individuals who are looking to sell cheaply (either because they're in need of the cash or because their family has "outgrown" the magic).

I'm not entirely sure about the fact that DVC purchase is more expensive over long run than the value resorts would be. Before we purchased our DVC membership, we sat in our POP Century room and crunched these numbers for about 4 hours comparing value rates and DVC cost over long run. After about 16 years, DVC was a better deal than the values. And the DVC rooms are deluxe accommodations.

And the DVC presentation is absolutely laid back and you are not pressured at all. Our guide did not use every trick in the book to try to get us to buy (I think the PP attended another timeshare presentation and assumes DVC is the same - well it's not) In fact it clearly states in the documents that you have 10 days to change your mind after you sign.

You won't find DVC in the resale market cheap as Disney exercises ROFR over the contracts for sale.

We really crunched the numbers and found DVC was worth it for our family. Not for every family. But we now only stay in deluxe accommodations as compared to only staying in value resorts. Who would have thought I'd be staying at BWV at peak season? I was always the one trying to find the cheapest deal for values years ago.

Do your own research about this, as it appears that some posters have skewed opinions about these things.

 

[LSchrow]

Wow, I'm glad I didn't read your message before buying in. I never got any pressure because I called a guide\ recommended by another person. I bought in, site unseen. My only negative was not buying earlier. NO you don't need alot of points. WE just stayed at the AKV for 4 nights in a studio and it only cost 36 points. It's not only Disney properties, you can stay a lots of places around the world. You can use your points to cruise. I suggest you do a little more homework before posting inaccurate information.

i agree with n2mm: i never experienced any pressure whatsoever (unlike regular timeshares, DVC reps are selling a wanted commodity). for each of my 3 contracts, i contacted them, not visa-versa.
we used to stay deluxe with 50% CM discount, our studio in may (not low season) will effectively cost 70-80% less than deluxe. of course, it depends on when you buy (what price, & incentives are offered), where you buy (dues vary depending upon your home resort). btw, i could sell my points & even with dues counted in, get back significantly more than what i paid
fyi, a studio has a queen bed, pull-out coach, and a kitchenette (with small fridge, coffee-maker, microwave, toater, etc) ~ we use the kitchette daily so much, much better than a deluxe in our opinion. a one bedroom & up is HUGE, with a full-size kitchen, jacuzzi, living room, etc .
flexibility is great with DVC: when all four of us (DH, self, & 2 kids) went, we would get a one bedroom (last week of august). the kids are older now (23 & 19yo), so last year DD & i went for a "spur of the moment" week in june, then DH & i went in oct (both studios). in september, i sent my parents & DB & his family (in a 2-bdrm). if i have leftover points (which tends not to happen anymore ), i can rent them. and in a year or 2, we'll prob take a trip to italy, using our points.
as with many other DVC owners, our biggest regret is not buying earlier. as others said tho: if you are happy staying off-site (we did once, & won't ever again, but some ppl do enjoy it) or for whom value resorts "fit the bill" (again, not for us), DVC would most likely not be for you.
remember also, no one here who owns DVC has any reason to convince you to buy (unless they are the one referring you, of course) ~ there is absolutely no reason for us to give misinformation.
please, please read over the DVC boards, ask a lot of questions. the vast majority of DVCers are thrilled with their purchase, and will be more than happy to tell you literally everything you need to know: both the good and not-so-good.
hth

 

[crisi]

Mary on mousesavers has a good analysis. A lot of it depends on your assumptions - what will room rates be 10 years from now? What will dues be ten years from now?

I'm a DVC member, we stayed in Deluxes, and DVC COSTS us a LOT of money over what we'd spend without it. We go to Disney more often. We stay in one or two bedroom units over studios. We treat friends to accomodations. And we are not alone. We are happy with our DVC purchase - but its a little like heroin for a lot of people. One minute you are buying a 75 point resale contract to stay in an OKW studio during low season, you turn around and own 500 points because you just HAD to take your family down for a stay in a Grand Villa.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

I'll use my experience as an example.
First I will say DVC is not a good fit if you are a budget traveler. Meaning if you love the value category or offsite, you can always find cheaper accomadations. .

gotta disagree with you here-we always, always stayed in the values until we bought our DVC. For us DVC definitely fits into our budget, a studio is about the equivalent of 100 bucks a night for a room, can't even get a mod at rack rate for that...

We like the DVC because I can cook in the room, which also saves us cheepie cheepies a lot of money. We have to pinch so we can go as many times as we have...

 

[eliza61]

I'm a DVC member, we stayed in Deluxes, and DVC COSTS us a LOT of money over what we'd spend without it. We go to Disney more often. We stay in one or two bedroom units over studios. We treat friends to accomodations. And we are not alone. We are happy with our DVC purchase - but its a little like heroin for a lot of people. One minute you are buying a 75 point resale contract to stay in an OKW studio during low season, you turn around and own 500 points because you just HAD to take your family down for a stay in a Grand Villa.

They really need an intervention division. Maybe like Men in black, some one to hold up a red blinking light to "Deneuralize me". If they open up a DVC at the contemporary, I am so doomed.

 

[chalee94]

i'm a budget-oriented guy and i bought into DVC (a small resale contract at OKW of 40 pts from the timeshare store) at the end of 2006. here are my numbers:

initial cost of contract, including all closing costs: slightly less than $3800.00.

cost of annual dues: last year, it was $14.67 per month. (this year it's under $13 per month...but that is unusual.) i expect next year to be close to $16 per month.

for those dollars, i can stay 5 weeknights per year at a studio (like a hotel room but with 2 queen size beds) at old key west for the next 34 years (i stayed there in december 2007 and loved it.)

for 8pts per night, i can only stay during low point seasons (Jan 1- 31, Sept 1-30, Oct 1-31, Nov 1-25, Nov 29-30 and Dec 1-23.) i love the christmas decorations, so that's when i'm planning to go most often. you can find per night point costs for DVC resorts here: http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-vacation-club/DVCpoints.shtml

by my math, it works out to less than $60 per night - hard to beat even at the value resorts IMO.

some other advantages:

1) i can still get the DVC discounts of $100 off an AP (although i typically use a few days per year on my no-expire 10-day hoppers instead - which are NOT discounted.)

2) i get 10% discounts (more rarely 20%) on lunch and dinner at a few disney restaurants.

3) if i want to take a break from wdw, i can stay at hilton head or vero beach during the offseason. i have access to other DVC resorts at wdw (and eventually hawaii) but would not be able to stay for 8 pts per night...i would have to stay fewer nights or borrow from next year's points...

disadvantages:

1) while mrspete is wrong that DVC members in general are limited to ONLY disney properties - you do need 160 pts to trade out to other timeshares, IIRC - at less than 160 pts, i am pretty much limited to DVC-only options.

2) nov-dec is popular among DVC members, so trading out to a different DVC resort may be difficult at 7 months...that's when i start to have the option to book those other resorts.

3) weekend nights - fri/sat nights - cost a lot more than weeknights. instead of 8 pts per night, costs go up to 20 or 21 pts per night for a studio. so staying over for a weekend means changing hotels or else borrowing pts from next year and paying the equivalent of over $150 per night... :-(

4) edited to add: i would agree with crisi- it can be hard to stop at a budget-oriented DVC purchase. it is very tempting to add-on so i can stay at higher-point cost DVC resorts or, down the road, larger accomodations like the 1,000ish sq ft one bedroom suites at OKW...

let me know if you have any more questions...