[WDWNutCase]

Hi all...

Just out of curiosity, I decided yesterday to list the vacations and hotel stays I've used our DVC points for in the past five months and put a dollar value to them according to what we would have paid had we not used DVC points. Have a look...

Hotel/ Date Stayed------------------------Would have Cost Us
Shelburne Murray NY 10/31-11/02 2003-----$600.58
Disney’s Boardwalk 01/03 – 01/06 2004-----$1298.70
Shelburne Murray NY 01/07 – 01/08 2004---$276.70

Total------------------------------------$2175.98

We have 350 points annually and we still have another 108 points left to use before October rolls around this year.

After seeing how much it WOULD have cost us, and that we STILL have enough points left for another trip, I was more convinced than ever that we had done the right thing by becoming DVC members. Hooray!

[jen brown]

It's great isn't it? We went to Hilton Head in Oct for 3 days, are going to Disneyland in 3 weeks for another 3 days and the big trip in Oct for WDW with the entire extended family (using just our points for everyone) and it's not costing us a cent for hotels. I only wished we bought into DVC sooner than we did. We could have saved a fortune in family vacations!

[WDWNutCase]

Well that's just it....

My husband and i started adding up all of the other times we've stayed and it was like....If we had done this the first time we came here, we would almost have paid for the DVC already. Wow...

[soxmets]

I am in the same boat....

If I had purchased DVC when I first looked at it in the 1990's, it would have been paid for by now.

I currently own at Disney's Beach Club Villas, and we love it! :heart :)

[eeeee]

I spent almost 900 for my recent 3 trips to the All stars. This last time we saw the presentation and that was all I needed. I did the research, read all I could find on the web, so we joined. I have always had to search out for the cheapest rate and on top of that stayed at the All stars! Not that the All stars are bad, but one look at the DVC rooms and I felt we were at the local Motel 6! Anyway, I love the fact we will be staying in resorts we would otherwise pass over because of the price. I couldn't be happier

[MerlinMatt]

What's the typical break even point?

We love Disney, but really haven't gone much over the years. However, in May, it will be our second time in a year (we went last May as well)

I suspect that we'll go again sometime next year with my folks for a "gathering" but that's all theoretical at this point. I'd love to take the kids right before Christmas this year too.

So, I'm not prepared to get the "sales pitch" yet, but I'm curious what makes it a break-even? 1 1-week trip a year? 2?

Thanks in advance.

[Captgoodguy]

So far it sounds like a good deal, but what did it cost you to save that money?

I've never done the sales pitch either so I don't know what the rate is or if you need to pay additional expenses.

Anything you could add would be appreciated.

[jen brown]

We bought late 2002 (before point prices changed) and our $16,000 investment bought us a week long vacation every year for the next forty years. In a room the size of a suite no less.

Granted, you don't get the all inclusive package deals with food and tickets, but you have more freedom to choose. When we bought the all inclusive package, we felt pressured to go to the parks every single day and eat three complete 3-course meals everyday (regardless if we were hungry or not) or we weren't getting our monies worth. Now, if we are tired and want to lounge around the pool all day we aren't wasting the price of admission to do it. And we can have breakfast in our room which makes it more convenient on days we want to hit the park early. Instead of getting ready to go and wait with hundreds of people for a table at some restaurant.

My point is once you buy into DVC you basically only pay for what you need ticket and food wise and therefore pay less.

And don't forget that the DVC is not limited to just WDW. We've used it for Disneyland twice and Hilton Head, and I can't wait to use my points for the Plaza Hotel in NYC!

[dznygrl]

Originally posted by jen brown
I can't wait to use my points for the Plaza Hotel in NYC!

Wow, the Plaza??? Way cool. :whistle:

[BDavis932]

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Quote: "Granted, you don't get the all inclusive package deals with food and tickets, but you have more freedom to choose. "
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***You do get a 10% discount on an ultimate park hopper pass, though, with your DVC discount!!:D



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Quote: "And don't forget that the DVC is not limited to just WDW. We've used it for Disneyland twice and Hilton Head, and I can't wait to use my points for the Plaza Hotel in NYC!"
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***That is what is great about DVC...you either pay for it in one lump sum or finance it over 5,7, or 10 years. We purchased only 150 points, but we've used ours at WDW 3 times since 12/2000 and once at the Keystone Colorado Resort. On one of the trips to WDW we were able to take my parents along on a wonderful 8 night vacation in their own studio at the Wilderness Lodge Villas, and in Keystone we booked a 2 bedroom and they're was plenty of room for my parents and the 4 of us, as well! These are things we would have NEVER been able to do without DVC...and we get to enjoy DVC until the year 2042!!!



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Quote: "So, I'm not prepared to get the "sales pitch" yet, but I'm curious what makes it a break-even? 1 1-week trip a year? "
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***After 2009, our membership will be paid for. We will continue to pay the $40/month until 2042, but our accomidations until then will be paid for. The "sales pitch" is not your typical pushy timeshare. There is no pressure at all! In fact if you schedule a presentation, they will pick you up at your resort...give you the tour and the information and let you decide on your own. And if you schedule your presentation near lunch time, we received a voucher for a free meal on the boardwalk that afternoon!

***For example, if you spend $900/year at a Disney (or any) resort until the year 2054 you would spend $45,000. DVC would cost around $13000 (plus maint and taxes) for 150 per year until 2054. One week at Old Key West (for example) during May and early June is 98 points. You would still have points left over each year!!