[DJB51769]

Hey there,
I live in Florida and I am thinking about this whold DVC thing as
I have 2 young boys and we have been going to WDW once a year for 3 years now, and I don't see this trend changing...
The more I look at sites selling/trading points the more I don't understand.
As far as I can tell (I really like the Contemporary) staying a week in the Contemp. is like 300ish points, a week in a Deluxe AKL savannah view room is about the same. Staying in a 2 bedroom house (sleeps 8) during Christmas week is 460ish. Why do some people seem to have 1,000 points? I think that's like 4-5 weeks a year from trips I am considering...
Is it really worth it or does spending $1,200 once a year on a deluxe resort stay of 5-6 nights make more sense?
I think it does, I'm just seeking opinions.
If I was to rent points from someone for a slow time at WDW (beginning of Dec. or Beginning of May) what should I expect to pay? $10 a point? And I can stay in Contemporary right?

Thanks in advance...
Dave
:whistle: :) :D
It's 86 Degrees on Ft. Myers Beach :p

[ilvminnie]

Staying at non-DVC villas is not the most efficient use of points. In Dec (before the Christmas rush) Rafikiman, DD & I are staying at a studio at either BC or BWI or WL for 8 nights for 128 points. We spend ~$3500/yr (until it's paid off in 10 yrs or less) for 10 yrs but get to use our 270 points/yr for 40 years. Now we are using our points in May to stay at DL, but we're getting a lot less bang for our bucks. But we figure it's the only way we'll do it.

BTW, I don't know of anyone that bought 1000 points.

[DJB51769]

What about maintanence or upkeep charges?
Anything like that you have to pay for the duration of 40 years?

thanks-dave
:D :p :) :laugh :)

[wdwjeff]

The maintenance varies per resort. We own 60 points at Vero Beach, and our maintenance fees are less than $300/yr. Unless you want to buy at a specific resort, you'll do a lot better purchasing throught resale. We just bought a couple months ago and only paid $60/pt. plus $400 in closing costs. If you go to Google and type in "Disney Vacation Club resale," you should have no trouble accessing a wealth of info. Some of the real estate sites will also have a FAQ section, which helped us a lot. Also, if you don't want to buy at least 150 pts.(which is Disney's minimum) you can only buy through resale. Good luck.:heart

[skwak]

I understand where wdwjeff is coming from. I think Jeff got an exception deal. Most sales postings are asking about $72/point.

However, I would like to point out that if you buy new through DVC for Saratoga Springs Resort you get 10 extra years of enjoyment for your family. We paid $79 a point for our 300 points which means that it cost us $5700 more (assuming the same number of points). That's $570 for each additional year. Sounds like alot until you do the math considering inflation at 3%/year and figure out what it will cost in 2045 (our 1st "extra" year) to stay anywhere.

I guess what I am saying is consider new also.;)

[DJB51769]

Allright, I do appreciate all this advice/knowledge, but...
I am still looking at math.
If I go for a about a week a year to WDW (5-6 nights), and it costs me about $1,500 for the room, is it worth it to be in DVC?
See I figure $1,500 a year paid out (I realize it will increase a little every year) for a room as opposed to $3,000-3,500 a year for 10 years and $300 a year dues or maintanence fees for remainder years is a better deal, no?
I realize that 30 years from now the money value will swing the other way, but it dosn't seem to be that great of a difference and it is 30 years from now...
They (Disney) also don't give any ticket or meal deals being in DVC right?
I am not knocking anyones decision to be in DVC, I am considering it myself, but what do you think?

dave
:D :) :) :p :laugh

[BDavis932]

We bought in December of 2000 and our only regret is that we didn't do it sooner!

With DVC, you can go so many places, including ski resorts, cruises, bed and breakfasts, etc. all over the US (and overseas) just by picking up the phone to DVC and they do the rest!

When we went to Keystone Resort in Colorado, they made it so easy...all I had to do was call the DVC 800#, tell them when and where, and within 24 hours they called me back and booked it!

We can stay 7 nights at OKW for 98 points (in May and early June) and we own 150 points....that's one week a year at WDW and left over points for a weekend getaway or a few days a Vero Beach, etc.

Here are several other threads that pertain to DVC ownership....and there are more here at DC as well.

http://www.disneycentral.com/forum/s...+vacation+club

http://www.disneycentral.com/forum/s...+vacation+club

http://www.disneycentral.com/forum/s...&highlight=dvc

http://www.disneycentral.com/forum/s...&highlight=dvc

http://www.disneycentral.com/forum/s...light=keystone

http://www.disneycentral.com/forum/s...light=keystone

http://www.disneycentral.com/forum/s...light=keystone

http://www.disneycentral.com/forum/s...light=keystone

http://www.disneycentral.com/forum/s...light=keystone

[wdwjeff]

Originally posted by DJB51769
Allright, I do appreciate all this advice/knowledge, but...
I am still looking at math

dave
:D :) :) :p :laugh

Here's how I do the math, using my personal costs. I have 60 pts., for which I paid $4,000. My maintenance costs are about $260/yr. until 2042. Figuring it at $300 to account for increases over the years, that's 38 years, or $11,400. The total cost for me, therefore, is $15,400. The point costs for rooms can never go up, so it doesn't have to be adjusted for inflation. A one-bedroom suite goes for up to 180 points or so for a week in high season. My points would allow 13 trips in that time, for a cost per trip of less than $1200. Remember, this cost will never go up, other than maintenance fees. Also, you were talking about rooms at AKL and Contemporary. We're talking about suites, here. The equivalent of a room is a studio at a DVC resort, and they are significantly less costly than the suites I'm quoting prices for. A friend of mine got a quote of over $500 per night for a suite at AKL. So, there are some bottom line numbers, have fun with them, and good luck in your decision.:heart :)

[soxmets]

The next time you are at WDW visit the models of the DVC villas. You will get an idea of the size of these rooms. I don't think staying at standard WDW resorts like the Contemporary is the best use of DVC points. Besides, once you stay in a DVC one or two bedroom villa, you'll probably be spoiled and not want to stay in standard hotels.

I have 300 points and my home resort is BCV. It allows me to stay one-week in two bedroom villas at various DVC resorts much of the year.

For a free DVC video, go to the Disney Vacation Club's official website at:

www.disneyvacationclub.com