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**mickey** · 01-09-2002

I have stayed on property and off, and several places, but never at a private residence. We have stayed at several of the Marriott Vacation Clubs, mostly because we could get a three bedroom for under $300 for 7 days. I didn't mind staying at the Marriotts by the World Center, the large hotel right at the entrance to WDW. The drive wasn't too far, and the hotel had a great pool. But there is just something about staying on property.

We became members of the Disney Vacation Club after one visit of staying at one of the Marriotts and then spending two days at Vero Beach at Disney's resort there. There was no comparison in service and quality. Don't get me wrong, the Marriotts are nice, but if you have ever stayed with Disney, you know what I mean. We purchased our membership from a reseller in Orlando. I did everything from my home, only talked to them on the phone once. We saved significant money, and got a boatload of points that hadn't been used yet. I calculated everything, including the yearly fees, and it came out to about $5 per point that we receive. So, to stay at a studio at Boardwalk costs us about $45 per night during value season. Even a 3 bedroom at Old Key West is only about $200 per night. And the good thing is that our price doesn't really rise each year. In twenty years, the price will be roughly the same. And one of the nice things is that as a DVC member, we can swim in any pool at any of the Disney resorts (haven't been able to get in to swim at AKL though :D ). The pool at the Beach and Yacht club is out of this world.

It has worked out great. We are able to go twice in a twelve month period for about ten days each time, and still have enough points for my wife and I to return during that time for our anniversary for three or four nights. We just buy annual passes, and the second time we come, it feels like everything is free. We then take two years off, and start all over again. I couldn't think of anything better. It has worked out well for us, and I would do it all over again.

You can also rent DVC points for about $10 per point, if that is of interest to you. Many members are unable to use points at times, and hence they expire, so you will see members trying to "rent" the points to others. Not bad, and usually saves you about %30 off the rate of the hotel.

01-09-2002	#2 (permalink)
mickey Administrator Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 6,229	Good suggestoin. I have stayed on property and off, and several places, but never at a private residence. We have stayed at several of the Marriott Vacation Clubs, mostly because we could get a three bedroom for under $300 for 7 days. I didn't mind staying at the Marriotts by the World Center, the large hotel right at the entrance to WDW. The drive wasn't too far, and the hotel had a great pool. But there is just something about staying on property. We became members of the Disney Vacation Club after one visit of staying at one of the Marriotts and then spending two days at Vero Beach at Disney's resort there. There was no comparison in service and quality. Don't get me wrong, the Marriotts are nice, but if you have ever stayed with Disney, you know what I mean. We purchased our membership from a reseller in Orlando. I did everything from my home, only talked to them on the phone once. We saved significant money, and got a boatload of points that hadn't been used yet. I calculated everything, including the yearly fees, and it came out to about $5 per point that we receive. So, to stay at a studio at Boardwalk costs us about $45 per night during value season. Even a 3 bedroom at Old Key West is only about $200 per night. And the good thing is that our price doesn't really rise each year. In twenty years, the price will be roughly the same. And one of the nice things is that as a DVC member, we can swim in any pool at any of the Disney resorts (haven't been able to get in to swim at AKL though :D ). The pool at the Beach and Yacht club is out of this world. It has worked out great. We are able to go twice in a twelve month period for about ten days each time, and still have enough points for my wife and I to return during that time for our anniversary for three or four nights. We just buy annual passes, and the second time we come, it feels like everything is free. We then take two years off, and start all over again. I couldn't think of anything better. It has worked out well for us, and I would do it all over again. You can also rent DVC points for about $10 per point, if that is of interest to you. Many members are unable to use points at times, and hence they expire, so you will see members trying to "rent" the points to others. Not bad, and usually saves you about %30 off the rate of the hotel.