[royorb1]

When I was checking into joining the DVC, I was trying to justify the cost. We were going to be staying at the Contemporary and when I saw how many points it would take to stay there, it didn't seem worth it. I know that if we stayed at the resort we signed up with the points worked out but when I looked at other things like cruises and more expensive resorts, the points just didn't add up, at least for the most inexpensive option. I would like to go to WDW every year, is it worth it?

[BDavis932]

Well, you can stay in a studio for one week at Old Key West for 98 points per week (this is an average rate). That is seven nights in a great resort with a kitchenette in your room and free laundry access.

We have 150 points per year and if we use our points at disney every year, we still have 52 left over for another trip somewhere else, or we can save them for the next year and can bring family with us!

I would never consider using my points at WDW anywhere other than a DVC resort (Boardwalk Villas, Beach Club Villas, Wilderness Lodge Villas, Old Key West, SSR). You can also use your points (and DVC makes it VERY easy) at other great resorts all around the world.

If you buy at SSR, you get to use your points until the year 2054!!! All others is 2042.

[mickey]

True. The amount of points Disney charges for the non-standard items does seem high. The only way to look at is is that you have these 300 points that you have to use up by the end of the year, and if you don't use them, they have a value of $0, so you might was well get something for your money.

You can use your points at any of the DVC resorts, and the value is great. We can stay in a deluxe type room at a deluxe resort, such as Beach Club or Wilderness Lodge, and the cost is something like $60 - $100 per night.

To make it work, you have to go at least every three years. We usually go twice in a three year period (with the entire family), and it works out well for us. I figure I would have already spent my initial payments in hotel bills, and I still have 35 years worth of points coming to me.

Check out the threads in this forum. There are several that discuss the financial aspects of investing in DVC.

[royorb1]

Thanks, just wanted to ask, what is SSR. So what you are saying is just use your points mainly at DVC resorts.

[mickey]

SSR is Saratoga Springs Resort, the newest DVC resort. Yes, using your points at DVC resorts is by far the best value, but there are time when using your points elsewhere might make sense, especially if it is use them or lose them.

[royorb1]

Do you now lose your points if you don't use them?

[BDavis932]

DVC has a collection of different resorts they participate with all around the US that they call "concerige collection" and they also participate with point trading with Interval International.

We have used the Congerige collection in Keystone Colorado during the summer of 2001. We stayed in a 2 bedroom condo (very nice!!) for 6 people, it was 147 points for 7 nights. We also want to go to Tanque Verde Ranch in Arizona and Mackinaw (sp) Island in Michigan. They also have The Plaza Hotel in NYC and many others in the Member getaways program.

Here are a couple informative sites to check out on DVC: www.dvcfriends.com and http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/dvc.htm.

Also, go to the top of your page and type in DVC or Disney Vacation Club in the search box. There are many great discussions that you may want to read.

[mickey]

Yes, you can lose points. Each year, you receive an alotment of points. You have 365 days to use the points or bank them. Then, after the 365 days is up, you get the banked points back, and if you don't use them in the next 365 days, you lose them. So, you technically have two years to use points. You can also borrow from the year coming up, so you can have as much as three years worth of points at one time to use.

[disneymaverick]

how much are paments for 150 poitns? do you pay that off in 10 years what kind of programs do they offer to pay the points off is it like a mortgage?

[royorb1]

Thanks for your info, I'll check into what you have given me. The three things that turned me off to DVC were staying at the Contemporary (using DVC points was like paying $800.00 per night), expense for cruises and the dude ranch which was very expensive.

[BDavis932]

We financed through disney for 10 years. We pay $110/month for the payment and $40 for taxes & maint. After we pay off the note, we will continue to pay the $40/month until the year 2042.

They have so many specials, but the average cost to buy 150 points right now at SSR is $13000. We purchased our for about $10,500, and they were running a special at the time that that Disney put down like $1500 (?) You can also check out DVC resales online and here is a link of a reseller that I saw on allearsnet.com: http://www.dvcbyresale.com/index.html.

DVC/Disney recently were offering a free WDW vacation when you purchase...not sure if they are still doing that.

[BDavis932]

Originally Posted by royorb1

Thanks for your info, I'll check into what you have given me. The three things that turned me off to DVC were staying at the Contemporary (using DVC points was like paying $800.00 per night), expense for cruises and the dude ranch which was very expensive.

IMHO, you can get nicer accomodations then the contemporary at a DVC resort and for the "price" (points) that you use for the cruise, we can get 4 trips to Old Key West. It's not cost-effective to use points for the cruise.

[royorb1]

I understand, again thanks for your time, I will check into DVC again!

[llama]

I think that most DVC members use their points for DVC accomodations at WDW. If you took a tour of any of the villas you'd understand why most of us choose this route. The DVC villas really are "homes away from home", as opposed to a hotel room.

[disneyguy]

OK so now for the real question: Where can i find the chart that tells you how many points a certain resort runs, at a specific time???!!!