[Dopey]

I so didn't win. Not one number right, lol. I guess that's punishment for only buying lottery tickets when the pot is really full.

[Dawn]

I didn't win either, but I am pretty sure if I did I would be spending a whole lot of time at a Disney resort DVC member or not

[Dawn]

Thanks for all the info. It really makes you think about DVC. I am not too happy that is only for a set number of years. Our other TS is deeded and our daughters will be able to use them once we are no longer here.

[Dopey]

Originally Posted by Dana

Same here...no idea how I can possible afford that right now...yeah I know it pays for itseld blah blah, but who knows how long I can keep going there every year with high school and college coming up for DD...

For us, it isn't so much the affordability anymore, thank goodness, it is my non- Disney family.
But you, going every year at least could consider it, once things go better for you. You are a perfect candidate.

[Emerson613]

losers here too!

[DVC-JP]

The financial side is obviously important, but there's more to making this decision. If I had to look at how much it costs to go to wdw every year, I would probably talk myself out of it in most cases and go every 3 or 4 years. I made my choice 6 years ago to but 150 DVC points when my 2 kids were 2yrs and 4yrs (didn't know there'd be a 3rd in 2004). They had an wonderful time there and we stayed at the Polynesian. I thought it was the only negs were the rooms and the food. Four people in a hotel room is rough after the second night. The resturants were very expensive for what you got. Although, I can understand why. So, when I saw the size of the 1 bedroom villa, with a full kitchen, and the fact that it will be paid for each year without my looking at the numbers every time, it became a great choice for us. Everybody's situation is different. I say just look at all the factors, not just financial, when deciding. And in case I didn't make it clear, 6 yrs later, it was still a great decision.

[skwak]

Originally Posted by DVC-JP

I say just look at all the factors, not just financial, when deciding. And in case I didn't make it clear, 6 yrs later, it was still a great decision.

I agree completely. I found joining the DVC to be a decision made with my heart as well as my head.

[llama]

Originally Posted by skwak

I agree completely. I found joining the DVC to be a decision made with my heart as well as my head.

I have to agree - I also agree that it is ALOT of money - but I think most DVC members are commited to going to WDW at least once a year (with us,it's twice a year).

Everyone's situation is different. We bought when our girls were still young - now that they're grown we have the option (and pleasure) of sending our kids if we're unable to go.

[skwak]

Originally Posted by llama

I have to agree - I also agree that it is ALOT of money - but I think most DVC members are commited to going to WDW at least once a year (with us,it's twice a year).

Everyone's situation is different. We bought when our girls were still young - now that they're grown we have the option (and pleasure) of sending our kids if we're unable to go.

Our kids are still young but I look forward to being able to treat them as they get older and to going with my grandkids.

[mrflorida74]

Excellent article and good analysis. One topic left out though is the number of perks that DVC members get that could impact on the overall stats. 10% discount at many restaurants and shops. Free entry into the Saratoga Springs Spa, special DVC exclusive events are just a few of the things that are cash related meaning you would spend considerably less money on your vacation than a non DVC member doing exactly the same itinerary.

[skwak]

Originally Posted by mrflorida74

Excellent article and good analysis. One topic left out though is the number of perks that DVC members get that could impact on the overall stats. 10% discount at many restaurants and shops. Free entry into the Saratoga Springs Spa, special DVC exclusive events are just a few of the things that are cash related meaning you would spend considerably less money on your vacation than a non DVC member doing exactly the same itinerary.

I agree. The discount on annual passes is also huge. We plan to use that discount today!!!

[rlcarmichael]

Good article and the two problems that I saw was that when he looks at the projected annual fee at the end of the lease term of over $20 he doesn't explain that that will be in deflated dollars. I remember minimum wage at $1.15 per hour. Gas was 50 cents. Now minimum is $7 and gas is $3. Any difference really?

The other consideration is that the cost you pay for rooms if you are general public has like trippled since I first did WDW in 1986.

You can't consider DVC an investment, except in yourself. Although I can "rent" half of my points ($10-12) and my ownership and vacation is paid for, including what I paid for the membership divided by the total years.

And there isn't another timeshare out there that you can resell and get your money back. I've bought weeks that people paid $6k for for $1. That's right ONE dollar. But I can sell my DVC and recover the points cost still. (True, sooner or later the value will start dropping as you get closer to the lease expiration date, but I'll be too old to care then!)

[mrflorida74]

Many people have doubts ahead of buying the points, and you can drive yourself half insane working out financial pros and cons. We did the same ahead of buying our initial contract (we now have 4 contracts). What I have found though is very few people regret it afterwards, and I have heard more than the odd comment that it was the best thing we ever did. It certainly was for us.

[Boss Mouse]

Some with better math skills than mine could argue against my logic: but I see it as an investment in our family. To me it is making monthly installments on our vacation.

We get to go every other year as a family and stay in a very nice setting. I would not set aside the money in a savings account w/out raiding it for unforeseen expenses. So if you're o the bubble - DO IT. We are sure glad we did.

[Elmo]

We started down the road of voodoo math, but stopped. We had two good recommendations: one from family and one from friends. Plus we love Disney. It was an easy decision.

We've been together since 1990. We had one good getaway vacation in 1996 - a Disney honeymoon trip. We didn't getaway for another vacation until 2003. We vowed never to wait that along again. DVC is our guarantee to take a vacation.