Disney vacation club

[macgasbp]

Hiya...can anybody advise if the DVC is such a great deal . I was at the open house on Saturday and everything just sounded so good . I would like to join but as with all "timeshares" and yes I know they claim it isnt but it appears to me as it is anyway any info would be helpful......................

[macgasbp]

Hiya...can anybody advise if the DVC is such a great deal . I was at the open house on Saturday and everything just sounded so good . I would like to join but as with all "timeshares" and yes I know they claim it isnt but it appears to me as it is theres always a catch..........Sorry for being so negative but I'm looking at investing £10,000 so don't want stung......any imput would be grateful.....thanks in advance

[BevS97]

It is a timeshare, and a DVC rep wouldn't deny that, at least ours didn't.
I think it's better than most timeshares as you get to stay in Deluxe Disney hotels - and that's where I really want to stay. Other off site timeshares, you can stay in nice properties but they just don't appeal to me as much as staying onsite.

Is it a good deal for you? I can tell you what we are doing, and you can see what you think
We are in the process of buying 171 points at the Boardwalk. This will cost us £8500 upfront and about £400 a year in dues.

For that, we can stay in a studio for 2 weeks every year, or we could do a 3 week trip every 18 months, or stay in a 1 bedroom for 2 weeks every 2 years. Or any combination of the above.

So, basically once we have paid our £8500 (which I reckon would have paid for maybe 2 or 3 stays at the Boardwalk) we are paying £400 a year for 2 weeks at the Boardwalk.

[macgasbp]

hiya Bev ....I did ask the DVC Rep and he said it wasn't a timeshare , that we were buying into a real estate ? . I was thinking about buying 200 points(recommended) and as I said around £10,000 with around £500 annual dues .I quite like the idea that you can use the point on the disney cruise and that you can go around the globe with them ......

[BevS97]

It's slightly different from standard timeshare in that you don't buy a specific week in a specific room, but it is definitely timeshare. If you buy timeshare then you are also buying real estate.
I was also recommended to buy 200 points, but we have worked out that 171 would be plenty for us.
Do you have the big book? Take a look in there at the points required for cruising and going to other destinations - if that is your plan then you are probably better of with a different company - the number of points needed for one night at some of those places was huge.

[BevS97]

In fact, check out the DVC website Disney DVC (http://dvc.disney.go.com/dvc/index)

It has the standard legal jargon at the bottom

THIS ADVERTISING MATERIAL IS BEING USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF SOLICITING SALES OF TIME-SHARE PERIODS.

[hamptonlakes]

I have just changed from fixed weeks in tenerife to points and i will be using my points through Interval International for my stay at a DVC resort. Not sure how it will work out as this will be my first time using points so we will see how we go.

[macgasbp]

Hiya..Yes I've got the book and the points grid and it all seems great so think I'll give it a bash and after all if I no longer require I believe you can sell it ?

[BevS97]

Yes you can sell it - we are actually buying a resale - it can work out a lot cheaper and you can get resorts other than Saratoga Springs (I have my heart set on the Boardwalk)

[macgasbp]

Correct me if Im wrong although you would be buying an interest in Saratoga springs you can stay in the Boardwalk which is a fav of mine also.....

[BevS97]

yes.... in theory.

If you buy at Saratoga Springs, then you can book rooms there at 11 months, you can book at the other DVC resorts at 7 months, provided there is space left.
At popular times of the year it can be hard ot get a room at the Boardwalk at the 7 month window, but generally you can get into Saratoga Springs at 7 months as it's a bigger resort, so to me if you buy at Saratoga you aren't getting a 11 month advantage anywhere.

[Saratoska]

Correct me if Im wrong although you would be buying an interest in Saratoga springs you can stay in the Boardwalk which is a fav of mine also.....

Hi macgasbp we bought last year at SSR and went home for the first time in July and the resort was lovely. I couldn't fault any of it . we love DTD so SSR was ideal for us . I like the points system because it doesn't restrict you to going at the same time each year

[Alba20]

We have been members for 5/6 years. We bought 210 points in the wilderness lodge initially....loved it so much we bought another 50 points at Vero Beach when they came up on resale.

We have visted vero beach and the wilderness lodge once, other times we have booked a studio in the boardwalk at the 7mth window and never had a problem, but then we don't tend to go to during school holidays. We've also been on two cruises and loved that as well.

We had been looking at other timeshares but liked disney for the flexibility and we love staying on site. We are travelling with another family this year so we've booked a villa, but have banked our points for this year and will use them next year.

Speaking to some people who have been members since the beginning, they say they felt it paid for itself after 5 years or so.

Alba
:wavey:

[wrpac00]

Steer clear, its timeshare what ever they say.

[Dollar_Bill]

Timeshare is not for everyone, and despite the negative reply above, DVC is timeshare without ownership at the end - you hand the property back to Disney at the end of the term (max 49 yrs I believe).
Other timeshares ( and there are many) offer deeded property which means you keep the property forever.
Either way in the early years you will pay what appears to be a lot of money for your accomodation, and this is where the anti-timeshare brigade cannot see the sense of it all (and the villa owners that want your business). Each to their own, villas work for some, timeshare works for other, hotels work for the rest.
European timeshare is different to the Florida version in that for the most part the USA sales agents do work within the law (timeshare is very heavily regulated) and only one that I'm aware of use dubious tactics).
We also did the DVC timeshare tour earlier this year and probably would have bought if we were 110% sure that we would return to Orlando every single year for the rest of our holidaying life as we did like what we saw. We have owned timeshare since 1998 (it works for us) and have done a few tours. Hilton will give a written gaurantee that the presentation will last 90 minutes, and they stick to that if you are not interested.
If you have any questions about timeshare, please PM me and I will answer them.
Bill

[TinkTatoo]

We bought into DVC two years go and have 260 points at OKW which we bought on the resale market as we got more points for our money. We have stayed at OKW in a 2 bedroom unit twice (which is huge) Vero beach in a 1 bed and an Ocean view room and the Boardwalk in a 1 bed. We are staying at Wilderness Lodge at Christmas also in a 1 bed. We maximise our points by spending some time off site, in a villa and that gives us two holidays in one

If you visit WDW at least once ever 2-3 years, love staying on site in luxury accommodation then DVC is seriously worth considering. .

[crux]

We bought 150 points at Wilderness Lodge in 2001 and added a further 72 points at the Beach Club Villas in 2002 - total cost approx £10,000 with annual maintenance ('dues') of just under £600 last year. This amount of points gives us two weeks in a studio for a large part of the year.

The theory is that if you go to WDW every year, or two, and stay at Moderate or Deluxe on-site hotels then it is worth looking into DVC. Whether it is a good deal financially will depend on your individual circumstances - i.e. do you have to borrow the money to buy the points in the first place etc. There is an active resale market and as Disney has the first right of refusal on any resale the prices of resales are not that much less than buying direct from Disney - at least not compared to the resale costs of other timeshares. There is also a rental market on points that you can't use, with the average rental price being $10+ per point, which would more than cover the approx $4 per point for annual dues. This would be useful if you found that you couldn't use your points one year.

DVC membership does have an end date - 2042 for all the resorts except for the new Saratoga Springs resort which ends in 2054 (presumably any new DVC resorts will have an end date of at least 2054). You do actually buy into a specific resort and for this, your 'home resort', you can book accomodation 11 months in advance. You can book any of the other DVC resorts, but you can only book these 7 months in advance. The standard advice is to buy points at where you want to stay most, this is more important for the smaller resorts - Wilderness Lodge and Beach Club - which book up very quickly.

As I've already said we joined in 2001 and I wish we'd joined earlier - we used to stay at Port Orleans Riverside (Dixie Landings) for our annual trip. Although the cost of membership is quite alot of money, from our point of view it is money well spent.

Ian

[Jan]

If you are considering exchanging points for a stay somewhere else, the required number of points for that "somewhere else" increases each year.

If you don't want to stay at DVC one year, it is possible to bank the points to the following year or, alternatively, borrow points from the following year. Or failing that you could try renting them to interested parties.

[wrpac00]

Dollar Bill, its only a negative comment to you as you are already a timeshare owner. Almost all financial experts will tell you to steer clear of them but if you think its a good deal, fine. The fact that you have nothing, at the end of it, to show for your investment in the DVC proves that.

There is no way that outlaying £10000 pays for itself in 5 years, that is pure fantasy. You could rent a 2 bed villa or condo for 2 weeks for the next 16 years and still not have spent £10000.

[catlady]

Dollar Bill, its only a negative comment to you as you are already a timeshare owner. Almost all financial experts will tell you to steer clear of them but if you think its a good deal, fine. The fact that you have nothing, at the end of it, to show for your investment in the DVC proves that.

There is no way that outlaying £10000 pays for itself in 5 years, that is pure fantasy. You could rent a 2 bed villa or condo for 2 weeks for the next 16 years and still not have spent £10000.

Hi I'm not a DVC owner, although we have looked into and I think you have missed the point if you don't mind me butting in. It is not a cheap deal to save money every year going to disney, of course you can go cheaper if you stay offsite at a villa or even a cheaper offsite hotel. It is aimed at people who stay on site at the more expensive resorts. When we did the tour our salesperson told us right at the begining that if were happy to stay off site or at cheaper resorts than the Disney dvc wasn't for us!

We nearly always stay on site at a deluxe resort, for example I have just had a quote to stay at Animal Kingdom lodge for 21/2 weeks next summer at a cost of £3,600. This is just for the room, no flights, car, transfers etc. So if we do that every year it wouldn't take long to make it pay for us! Plus we get more in a DVC studio than a Disney hotel room (bigger room, washing machine, small kitchen etc), also we could go for a 1 bed apart. for more room if we bought/saved enough points.

DVC is not for everyone I know, and I know it is not a cheap alternative to a budget orlando holiday, which we have done in the past and nothing wrong in that, but you are not comparing like with like.

Kate :wavey:

[TinkTatoo]

.........There is no way that outlaying £10000 pays for itself in 5 years, that is pure fantasy. You could rent a 2 bed villa or condo for 2 weeks for the next 16 years and still not have spent £10000.



If you want to stay in a villa every year then DVC isn't for you but if you want to stay onsite in luxury accommodation then DVC is well worth looking into. This is our second year of DVC membership and so far we have had a total of

16 nights in a 2 bed at OKW which would have cost $500 per night - Total $8,000
3 nights at Vero Beach in a 1 bed which would have cost $345 per night - Total $1,035
2 nights at Vero Beach in an Ocean View room which would have cost $270 - Total $540
1 night at the Boardwalk in a 1 bed which would have cost $410 - Total $410
6 nights at Wilderness Lodge in a 1 bed which would have cost $600 per night $3,600

That's $13,585 and when you add tax it comes to $15,283. Not bad for just £800 maintenance over the two years and I forgot to add the savings we have made on AP's as DVC members. This year it was $400.

As I said before DVC is not for everyone but if you love staying on site then check it out.

[crux]

Dollar Bill, its only a negative comment to you as you are already a timeshare owner. Almost all financial experts will tell you to steer clear of them but if you think its a good deal, fine. The fact that you have nothing, at the end of it, to show for your investment in the DVC proves that.

There is no way that outlaying £10000 pays for itself in 5 years, that is pure fantasy. You could rent a 2 bed villa or condo for 2 weeks for the next 16 years and still not have spent £10000.

At the end of our contract in 2042 we'll have 41 years of holiday memories (assuming I'm still arround) and know that it was paid for in 2001 and at 2001 prices (apart from annual dues). TinkTatoo gives an example of how much would be paid if you booked the rooms on a cash basis - this is how DVC can 'pay for itself in 5 years'. We wouldn't pay cash to stay at DVC resorts, we'd still be paying cash for Disney Moderate Resorts if we weren't DVC members, which is cheaper - but this would mount up considerably over 41 years. When we were looking into purchasing the first 'break-even' date was approx. 5 years (i.e. cover the cost of paying cash for DVC resorts) - when I altered the calculations to reflect staying at on-site moderate resorts the 'break-even' date became approx 8 years and when this was exprapolated further to include annual dues and loss of interest on the initial investment the true 'break-even' date is between 9 and 10 years.

Having said all that, we could sell the points we own now for a profit (even including the annual dues) and we would have had free accomodation at WDW for the last five years. Not that I've any intention of selling :D

As I've said before if you want to stay at WDW in moderate or deluxe hotels then DVC is worth looking at. If you want to stay at the value resorts, or off-site then its not worth looking at.

Almost all financial advisors would tell you that buying a car is a very bad investment, but almost all of us buy one ;)

Ian

[Treacle44]

It is a timeshare yes, but it's much more flexible than most and you can't really get stung, I mean you're dealing with Disney after all. We bought into in May and for us, we're thrilled. I wouldn't necessarily say it's a fab saving on holidays but for the same pricce as we would normally pay to stay in standard accomodation, we'll be staying in deluxe onsite hotels, something we wouldn't be able to afford normally. And we can go for 3 weeks each time rather than two. In 6 or so years, we worked out it'll have paid for itself.

You've got to look at if it's a good deal for you.

Good luck!

T
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[Hal]

Dollar Bill, its only a negative comment to you as you are already a timeshare owner. Almost all financial experts will tell you to steer clear of them but if you think its a good deal, fine. The fact that you have nothing, at the end of it, to show for your investment in the DVC proves that.

There is no way that outlaying £10000 pays for itself in 5 years, that is pure fantasy. You could rent a 2 bed villa or condo for 2 weeks for the next 16 years and still not have spent £10000.
wrpac00 the mistake you are making is to see DVC as a financial investment. DVC is not a financial investment - it is a timeshare. It is not cheap but it is good value. It is a means of staying on-site in deluxe accomodation at a reasonable cost - but you can stay off-site cheaper by say renting a villa. Despite this because of the way Disney enforces its Right Of First Refusal, to maintain the resale price of DVC it is not inconceivable that owners may make a profit when they come to sell - which is highly unusual for timeshares. If you want an investment buy a unit trust - if you want a leveraged investment buy a property with a mortgage - if you want to stay in quality Disney accomodation, buy DVC. Your comments about it paying for itself or not has already been debunked by other posters.

macgasbp if you search for threads concerning DVC you will find a lot of past discussions on this point (along with some number crunching by me to illustrate the case). :wavey:

[wrpac00]

Hal, I am not seeing it as a financial investment at all.

I have been going to Orlando for the past 13 years and having stayed in a villa I would never stay in anything else again. The space, luxury, amenities and versatility that a propery offers cannot be compared.

Personally the last place I would want to stay is on a Disney or Universal site. Great to go to the parks but lovely to get away from it all at the end of the day. Of course I know that there are people who just love staying on-site that's great.

By the way Hal I haven't seen a post yet that has 'debunked' my figures. There are plenty of other options out there that cost slightly more than have been quoted on here that do not need for someone to get a mortgage and offer a whole lot more.

[Hal]

Paul you have obviously made your mind up, but as the last place you would want to stay is on Disney property why are you even posting on a thread entitled "Disney Vacation Club"? You said "There is no way that outlaying £10000 pays for itself in 5 years..." yet when poster after poster shows that it does you just ignore them :erm:

Anyone interested in the finances of DVC might find this post (http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=596072&postcount=8) of mine from a previous thread of interest. It does cover and explain the initial cost. Paul, it is unlikely to interest you though, as you don't want to stay on-site anyway ;)

[Treacle44]

Paul you have obviously made your mind up, but as the last place you would want to stay is on Disney property why are you even posting on a thread entitled "Disney Vacation Club"? You said "There is no way that outlaying £10000 pays for itself in 5 years..." yet when poster after poster shows that it does you just ignore them :erm:

Anyone interested in the finances of DVC might find this post (http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=596072&postcount=8) of mine from a previous thread of interest. It does cover and explain the initial cost. Paul, it is unlikely to interest you though, as you don't want to stay on-site anyway ;)

I totally agree with you, why keep posting if he obvisouly doesn't like anything about staying onsite at Disney??? Obviously knows nothing about DVC either so is no real help to the original poster.

T
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[Dollar_Bill]

Dollar Bill, its only a negative comment to you as you are already a timeshare owner. Almost all financial experts will tell you to steer clear of them but if you think its a good deal, fine. The fact that you have nothing, at the end of it, to show for your investment in the DVC proves that.

There is no way that outlaying £10000 pays for itself in 5 years, that is pure fantasy. You could rent a 2 bed villa or condo for 2 weeks for the next 16 years and still not have spent £10000.

Paul,
Please help me understand your comments. I think the statement "Steer clear, its timeshare what ever they say." without any further comment implies that it is not a good thing, hence negative - regardless of whether I own or not.
Please take the time to read my post again and you might see that investment did not appear in the text.
Also help me understand the maths involved in the villa rental.
If a villa near Disney rents at £300.00 per week that means £600 per year,so 16 years = £8600, which is not so much less than the £10,000.00 mentioned above, however will the rental still be £300 in 16 years time?
If the increase in rental is 5%/year then year 16 is £623.68/week. So with this in mind 2 weeks every year with a slight 5% increase comes to £14,194.50 spent over the 16 years - ouch! with increasing costs thereafter.
DVC is now looking rather good value for money, since DVC still has another 15 years or so to run and it was paid off over £4000 ago. (debunked I think)
Oh I knew all those timeshare tours would come in handy someday!:d:
I have stayed in $29/night accomodations, been in a villa which was everything you say it is, but didn't like the long drive to get anywhere. I have stayed in Disney on the Boardwalk, in Universal Royal Pacific Resort, which are lovely and close to all the ammeneties.
As I have said each to their own and DVC is a great idea if it satisfies individual needs (it certainly appeals to many), and I now prefer my timeshares which provide 2 bedrooms, living room, full kitchen and laundry facilities, secure parking, large uncrowded pool, members only shops, etc.
Bill

[ollie]

If anyone wants anymore details about DVC resale, closing and legal costs etc just ask. Quite a few Dibbers have used the same resale agent recently and can recommend them, if you want details of websites etc just ask.

[TinkTatoo]

....having stayed in a villa I would never stay in anything else again. The space, luxury, amenities and versatility that a propery offers cannot be compared.

Personally the last place I would want to stay is on a Disney or Universal site. Great to go to the parks but lovely to get away from it all at the end of the day.....

We came from a 2,000sq ft villa and went to a 1,400sq ft 2 bedroom unit at Old Key West. It didn't feel cramped at all and we had plenty of "space, luxury, amenities and versatility"

We were at OKW which is a total oasis away from the parks, we were right on a golf course had views over a lake and could have been a million miles from WDW. We weren't though and when we wanted to visit a park we just hopped on the bus with no hassle of parking (or paying $10 parking costs)

When we did want to really get away from it all we drove down to Vero beach and spent a couple of very relaxing days there and all this for a fraction of the cost we paid to stay at the villa.

[dvc]

We are owners at the Beach Club and we holiday once every two years for four weeks in luxury. This is our treat to us. When we are not at Disney we holiday in England - usually camping - which we also love. Staying on Property for us is great. The resort is beautiful, the rooms spacious. If you love Disney and want to have a luxurious holiday then I woudl reocmmend DVC.

[wrpac00]

Well at least I generated some responses, pity it wasn't a more wider audience that responded though.

If you look at the FIRST post you will understand why I originally commented, this was 'is it a timeshare' which it is a form of timeshare. The comments given so far, IMO, hasn't helped her either because they are the opposite end of bias to me. I am not biased, I just think its NOT a good deal. Don't forget we are all entitled to an opinion and through personal experience I am entitled to mine.

Perhaps its me but paying £2000 a year for accomodation (£10000 pays for itself in 5 years) IMHO is totally stupid and has still not been justified.

Its horses for courses, if we were all the same it would be boring and we all would stay in the same place and have identical holidays. Funnily enough I don't go to Orlando to visit Disney (maybe once every 4-5 years) I visit every year for other reasons. Also I stay 4.5 miles from Disney, this is not a long drive by any stretch of the imagination.

[BevS97]

Perhaps its me but paying £2000 a year for accomodation (£10000 pays for itself in 5 years) IMHO is totally stupid.

I would never pay £2000 for accomodation, but then again, I wouldn't get to stay at the Boardwalk if we don't buy DVC. We don't like staying in villas - we've tried it, and we hated it. We do like staying onsite at a nicer hotel, and this way we will get to do so. We had a sum of money we could afford to spend, if we'd spent it on holidays I reckon we would have had no money left after 2 or 3 holidays, this way we get our holidays subsidised for 35 years.

[Hal]

OK here's another quick run through of some financial calcs. of DVC versus V*lla (asterisked to stop the annoying auto highlights!).

DVC = from $75 per point (say $71 per point + closing costs $500). Say 150 points = $11,250. @ £1= $1.90 = £5,921. say £6,000.

Maintenance fee = say $4 per point = 150 x $4 = $600.00 pa.

V*lla/Condo cost say $600 per week = $1200 for 2-weeks.

DVC lasts until 2042 or 36 years from now (longer if your buy SSR).

DVC points increase in value each year. If you assume by $2 per annum. After 10 years your DVC points will be worth $85 per point. You could therefore sell them for 150 x $85 = $12,750 – a paper profit of $1,500.00.

Assume maintenance costs increase at the same rate as inflation on v*lla costs. So, you can regard 1 week of v*lla hire as equalling maintenance fee, so just disregard both and look at the cost of the 2nd week.

Assuming 3% inflation, in 10 years time that same week will cost you $782 per week.

Yr Rental cost
1 600.00
2 618.00
3 636.54
4 655.64
5 675.31
6 695.56
7 716.43
8 737.92
9 760.06
10 782.86
6,878.33

Over those 10 years you will have spent you will have spent $6,878 on that week.
That money will be gone.

Whereas with DVC you will have paid $11,250 up front however you could then sell those points for $12,750.

So, the true cost of DVC would be the interest cost of borrowing the $11,250 originally, or the opportunity cost of not investing it if you didn't need to borrow the money.

Another significant factor, which could go either way, is changes in foreign exchange rates. When you buy in to DVC you know how much £ you are spending. If £1 falls to say $1.50 by year 10 your week in the v*lla is costing you $782.86 = £521.90 versus $600 = £315.78 per week now HOWEVER your DVC was still set at your original rate, so your original DVC cost of $11,250 cost you £5,921 HOWEVER after 10 years the points are worth $12,750 which at $1.50/£ = £8,500 so you would have made over £2,500.

The far better reason to buy into DVC though is not any of the above financial calcs but because of the positive experience of everyone on the Dibb who has bought into DVC. The only regrets people have is that (a) they didn't do it sooner; and (b) that they didn't buy more points up front. It is that which sells DVC to me, not any of the above calcs which rely on assumptions and can be blown away by exchange rate movements. The simple truth is that DVC isn't for everyone, but its members love it.

[Bruce]

I joined this thread a little late, and think that enough has already beed said, all I can add is that a) I have no regrets and b) I am aleady looking to add-on.

Let us know what you do, as I am looking forward to saying 'Welcome Home'

Best of Luck

[matt987106]

i havent brought into DVC yet

the idea is great, pay a lump sum to start and then a smallish fee each year

now i have a family, DW who works part time, DD who is in preschool, i work part time

i did the calculations and worked out, if i wanted to go every other year for 2 weeks it worked out at roughly the same amount of money as putting the "lump sum" in a bank account, earn a bit of interest and i can stay in 1 of the Value resorts, we are staying in movies this time

now i understand you cannot compare DVC (delux) to Movies (value) its not the same standard, last visit we stayed in POfq (moderate) and the standard was great, im hopeing Movies will be allmost as good, BUT we only tend to sleep in the place and grab a bite to eat sometimes

the sums were about the same, DVC and Movies, whilst we both work part time, going to movies will do us fine

when we have a little more money, then we might look into it again

[matt987106]

these are my calc's on the subject (all roughly done)

Cost per year in maintenance 270 UK pounds

now for 2 years thats 540 UK pounds

i can book 2 weeks in POP for 700

now if i put the 5 K in the bank

it must earn me 260 UK pounds every TWO years, the sums are very close, i must admit, and i would see the points system as a saving scheme for a holiday,if you had perks like discounted 2 week pass's etc, that would help, but no, we will see, as i said, its a close call

all from this thread

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=89568&highlight=dvc

[BevS97]

now for 2 years thats 540 UK pounds

i can book 2 weeks in POP for 700

It has been consistently stated that if you are happy staying at POP, then it's probably not a good deal for you. 2 weeks at the Boardwalk would cost you £3,024.00 or 2 weeks at Old Key West is £2,618.00 (those are for October in a Studio).

If you want to stay in these sorts of places, every year, or every other year, then it is worth considering DVC. If you want to stay at POP then it's not going to be a good deal for you.

[Hal]

i can book 2 weeks in POP for 700
at present exchange rates, and if prices increase in line with UK bank interest rates ;)

when we have a little more money, then we might look into it again
The only problem with this is that the $ cost will always be higher the longer you leave it. Factoring in exchange rates is very important too - presently $1.9 to £1. In the future if rates are $2.50 to £1 it will be cheaper - if $1.50 to the £1 more expensive.

If you want to stay in these [Deluxe] sorts of places, every year, or every other year, then it is worth considering DVC. If you want to stay at POP then it's not going to be a good deal for you.
100% Agreed. :thumbs-up

[matt987106]

at present exchange rates, and if prices increase in line with UK bank interest rates ;)


The only problem with this is that the $ cost will always be higher the longer you leave it. Factoring in exchange rates is very important too - presently $1.9 to £1. In the future if rates are $2.50 to £1 it will be cheaper - if $1.50 to the £1 more expensive.


100% Agreed. :thumbs-up

Oh i agree aswell

its just for now, we are happy staying in POP or movies, for me at present its a place to sleep and thats about it

dont think i am knocking DVC in any way shape of form

but im just giving my humble opinion in reply to the OP

[macgasbp]

Oops....Sorry causing some disagreements . I think I will go for the DVC as it appears to be a good long term investment (although not to make money) but have a better standard of acommadition whilst in Orlando .

[Treacle44]

Oops....Sorry causing some disagreements . I think I will go for the DVC as it appears to be a good long term investment (although not to make money) but have a better standard of acommadition whilst in Orlando .

Great news! :) So next question is what hotel are you going for as your home resort?

T
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[Saratoska]

Oops....Sorry causing some disagreements . I think I will go for the DVC as it appears to be a good long term investment (although not to make money) but have a better standard of acommadition whilst in Orlando .

you have actually summed it up yourself in one ;)

our circumstances changed because our son needed better accomodation due to tragic circumstances . i.e. we need to go to accommodation that is equiped and for that we needed 1. a villa 2. ammenities for disabilities

we have stayed in villas numerous times and yes it is great if you have a large family or group staying . before our sons accident it was just the 4 of us and it worked out expensive. I can understand why some people do not want to stay on-site, too much disney and all that :smile: and that was why we bought at SSR (which again doesn't suit everyone) the villas are beautiful, spacious and peaceful , peaceful maybe because the resort isn't 'attatched' to one of the parks. and a huge plus for me anyway is being able to stay in a villa and NOT have to do the laundry at the end of your stay which was what we had to do after each villa stay. Also eating out is part of our holiday and maybe we were just unlucky because I know there is loads of villas closer to disney etc but getting to the villa each day was timecomsuming not for reaching just disney but for the shops and restaurants.

we have never had such a relaxing and peacefull holiday as we did this year and for us its not about the money for us its giving us a better quality of life that we could never have done had we not bought in.

macgasbp go with your gut feeling and if you arn't sure don't buy

[salmim]

Perhaps its me but paying £2000 a year for accomodation (£10000 pays for itself in 5 years) IMHO is totally stupid and has still not been justified.

Can't see how you can say it's stupid if you haven't tried it, if someone feels that is value for them it doesn't make them stupid?

Family of 4 at OKW resort thats around £35 pppn, great value..

To justify it is surely just to say that it is fantastic value for me?

Anyway best £12,000 I ever spent...

[wrpac00]

Perhaps its me but paying £2000 a year for accomodation (£10000 pays for itself in 5 years) IMHO is totally stupid and has still not been justified.

Can't see how you can say it's stupid if you haven't tried it, if someone feels that is value for them it doesn't make them stupid?

Family of 4 at OKW resort thats around £35 pppn, great value..

To justify it is surely just to say that it is fantastic value for me?

Anyway best £12,000 I ever spent...

I can get simliar accomodation for £600, that works out for 6 people £7pppn, great value??????????????????

Also none of these calculations take into account the money you have lost by not having that £6000 invested (£8712 after 10 years). If you are going to quote facts and figures then you have to cover everything. So many people don't do that when they buy a vacation property i.e. that's why there are so many up for sale.

[BevS97]

can get simliar accomodation for £600, that works out for 6 people £7pppn, great value??????????????????

If you are happy with your accomodation then yes, its a good deal. If you aren't then any amount paid is too much.

[salmim]

I can get simliar accomodation for £600, that works out for 6 people £7pppn, great value??????????????????

it is fantastic value, definitely rate the villas over in Florida..

just that after 5 years of paying £35pppn I will be paying £0pppn ..apart from maintainance of around £500 in Jan of course... which isn't the worst deal..far from stupid

[Jools]

I can get simliar accomodation for £600, that works out for 6 people £7pppn, great value??????????????????

Yes that is good value. But some also like to saty on site and are happy to pay extra to do so.

Not everyone prefers a villa, same as not everyone likes to stay on site. Each to their own.

[Saratoska]

I can get simliar accomodation for £600, that works out for 6 people £7pppn, great value??????????????????.

we have never managed to get a villa for £7 pppn.

[rusty30]

We have looked at DVC twice, quite seriously. The first time was back in 1996 when it was all shiny and new! It did seem like a good deal back then - plus the dollar was weak and we could have got 200 points for about £3/4K.

We didnt do it then because we were newly weds and decided to invest the money in buying our house instead.

We then started to think about it again in 2004. We then decided we needed around 400 points to have the sort of accomodation we like (seperate space for the kids and room for a grandma if they decide to come).

I did a lot of number crunching and research, DH finally caved in and told me to go ahead with it, BUT I decided against it in the end.

Why? Well, we are people who prefer to be in an offsite villa to be honest. We arent the type who feel being onsite is the be all and end all of the holiday. We spend probably MORE time off site than on and it really isnt a big deal to us. We love the space and freedom of a villa. When I did the math, I would be paying more in maintenace for my DVC than I would for a 5 bed/5 bath villa only 5 mins from Disney.

Last year we stayed onsite at two deluxes (AKL and Poly) and although it was nice, it did back up my original thoughts that DVC wasnt for us. We liked the experience but felt cramped in one room with the children (and yes, I know the DVC rooms are very generous!) so we would definately need enough points for a 1 or 2 bed unit each year.

Also, dont forget that your investment will have very little resale value at all as the expiry date aproaches (not very relevant at present, but something to consider when number crunching).

HOWEVER - I do feel that DVC does offer a great deal for those who:

a. Have a tidy sum of cash "spare"
b. MUST holiday onsite (generally at a deluxe)
c. Dont wish to go EVERY year
d. Require, for the most part, a studio or 1 bed unit
e. Happy to "mix & match" points to stay offsite

It didnt work for us as we wanted a large unit for at least 2 weeks per year, every year and we are just as happy offiste :D.

I will also add that I found the DVC tour very friendly and the staff not at all pushy. Its is a good product, which for the right people can be a good purchase. The numbers work for some, but not for others.

Just research, consider your options, your lifestyle and your budget before you make a desicion.

Good luck!

Allie

[cityblueboy]

Just thought I'd put in my twopenneth worth.

We've been DVC members for 10 years and added on last year.

For those 10 years we have been on holiday as a couple with no kids. We haven't been every year, but have taken advantage of different accomodation in different locations as well as 2 cruises and a skiing trip to Whistler, Canada. We've taken friends and family (three couples also joining as a result).

This year we are going with some more friends who have never been, their 2 sons and for the first time ever, our new baby boy (7 Months):D

The initial cost we wrote off a few years back and to us the prospect of being able to go on fantastic holidays year after year with what we feel to be a minimal outlay is amazing.

I know my son will be safe. I know we will be looked after. I know the accomodation will be a good standard.

These to me are key.

Yes, we could probably have holidayed cheaper, staying in a Villa, but that's not what we want.

That just about sums it up really, its personal preference and we're not all the same, all we can say is that we don't regret joining for one minute.:thumbs-up

[Lil_Missy]

Does anyone know where I can find out the mortgage interest rate for a Disney mortgage? Also what is the deposit?

[Jools]

Lil Missy, we did the tour in May and the interest rate to buy through Disney was around 9%.

[rusty30]

We were advised not to get a Disney mortgage. The rates are very high. It makes more sense to get a low interest bank loan and (if you can afford it) pay for it over a shorter period of time. You can get a bank loan at around 6% APR. When we looked Abbey National were arranging the loans via Disney but it was a very high rate - though they make it sound cheap as the payments are quite low but the repayment figure was over 25 years and the interest was horrific!

If I remember rightly you needed a 10% deposit? Although Im sure a member will know for sure.

[BevS97]

I think we were offered something through GE Capital Bank, and there was a no deposit option, but I didn't really pay much attention as we wouldn't have gone that route.
A better option may be to consider extending your present mortgage, you can get a much lower rate that way, and £8000-£10000 may make very little difference to your payments (obviously this depends on the size of your current mortgage)

[Treacle44]

WE did the GE Money loan and paid it back when we got back. It meant we didn't have to pay $500 deposit when we were out there.

T
x

[Vabeth]

Sorry to re-open an old-ish thread but DH has recently shocked and amazed me by suggesting we buy into DVC!:omg: :spin: :spin: :spin:
He has spent the last few days trawling the internet and working out figures and it looks like we're 98% convinced it's for us!:D
The only issues now are which resort to chose as home and will the fact that we will probably only be able to travel during school holidays for the next few years be a problem? I know all about the 11 and 7 month booking windows but i'm worried that the dates won't be available for such popular times of the year!
I've always had a bit of a 'thing' for the Boradwalk so that was my first choice, but then i started looking at The Beach Club ... :confused2 Is there really much difference in the two - i know one is slightly cheaper than the other but how do they compare? Or do we go for SSR as it is newer and has a longer 'life' to it?
Also am i right in thinking that if i bought through Disney rather than re-sale SSR would be the only one they have on offer?
Confused - i am!;)
Thanking you in advance for any help!:wave:

[Bruce]

At the moment you can only buy SSR through Disney direct, so to get BWV or BCV you would have to go the re-sale route.

If you PM me, I will happily send you the details of some re-slae agents, and I can also give you the details of a very good DCV Owners site.

If you do decide to purchase through Disney direct let me know, and I'll gladly recommend you, I dont think you will get anything extra out of it, but I will!:grin:

But seriously, if you want any info, just PM me.

Looking forward to saying 'Welcome Home'

[Vabeth]

Just thought of something else!:blush:
I'm slightly confused by the 'use year' month - i think that's the right term!:confused2
I know it is all to do with when your points become available and banking eligibility, but does it make a big difference what month you have in terms of when you plan to visit? What happens if you don't plan to visit in the same months each year? Also how is the 'use year' decided?
Also we will probably be buying next year now but have already booked next years trip! Am i right in saying we can bank those points for the 2008?
Thanks again!:wave:

[Bruce]

'Use Year' is the term Disney use for the start of your year i.e When you points become available.

I have a use year of December. This means that on the 1st of December 2006 I will get my allotment of 220 points, I can use these until the 31st November 2008. I could also use them now by borrowing them.

I am looking to go in April 2008, and stayiing in a 2-bed vacation home that will cost about 600 points. To do this I will bank my Dec 2006 points, and borrow 160 of my Dec 2008 points.

Hope this helps,

[Vabeth]

Thanks Bruce - you're a star!:thumb:

[ollie]

Hi, excellent decision:thumbs-up
BCV is quite small compared to BWV and is very sought after on the resale market. We lost out to ROFR twice on contracts for BCV and decided on BWV in the end. OKW is a good choice as the rooms are the largest of any of the DVC resorts and you can get contracts for $76 a point.

[Hal]

Good choice!

Taking your questions in turn:-
we will probably only be able to travel during school holidays for the next few years [will that] be a problem?
Summer will IMHO not be a problem - peak times are Xmas and Easter. To ensure you get in book at the 11-month window for your home resort, and you can then switch your booking at the 7-month window to another resort should you wish.

I've always had a bit of a 'thing' for the Boardwalk so that was my first choice, but then i started looking at The Beach Club ... :confused2 Is there really much difference in the two
The biggest difference is that Beach Club gives you access to its waterpark style pool - which is the best of any of the DVC properties.

Or do we go for SSR as it is newer and has a longer 'life' to it?
IMHO the extra years are not worth choosing it over another DVC property - its so far in the future that if you discounted the benefit back its not really worth much extra.

[/I]does it make a big difference what month you have in terms of when you plan to visit? What happens if you don't plan to visit in the same months each year? Also how is the 'use year' decided?[/I]
IMHO the only diff it makes is that if the use year is within 2 months of when you want to travel, if you need to cancel your travel plans your options on what you can do with the points are limited within 60-days of your year-end. Use year is decided when points are originally sold - basically as an interest in real estate it has to be divided up equally for legal reasons, so there will be as many people own points in Jan as own them in Mar, in Sept etc. etc.

Am i right in saying we can bank those points for the 2008?
Already answered but yes. :)

:wavey:

[Vabeth]

Thank you all so much for your help and advice!
We are off to WDW in 5 weeks so will do the tour and take it from there! (We're now 99.9% convinced it's the right thing for us!):D :spin: :spin: :spin:

[TinkTatoo]

Thank you all so much for your help and advice!
We are off to WDW in 5 weeks so will do the tour and take it from there! (We're now 99.9% convinced it's the right thing for us!):D :spin: :spin: :spin:

If your 99.9% convinced then the tour will give you the extra 0.1% (plus they have yummy ice-cream at the end :tounge: )

Have fun :spin:

[Vabeth]

If your 99.9% convinced then the tour will give you the extra 0.1% (plus they have yummy ice-cream at the end :tounge: )
That sounds perfect to me!:D

[Bruce]

Don't forget to ask for your free 'Immediate Fastpass Tickets'.

These let you go to two attractions, and they give you a fastpass to use there and then!

Good luck,

[Treacle44]

At the moment you can only buy SSR through Disney direct, so to get BWV or BCV you would have to go the re-sale route.

If you PM me, I will happily send you the details of some re-slae agents, and I can also give you the details of a very good DCV Owners site.

If you do decide to purchase through Disney direct let me know, and I'll gladly recommend you, I dont think you will get anything extra out of it, but I will!:grin:

But seriously, if you want any info, just PM me.

Looking forward to saying 'Welcome Home'

Hi Bev

Out of interest, what do you get extra out of recommending someone to DVC direct? When I asked they said they don't offer anything to UK DVC members.

[Hal]

Hi Bev

Out of interest, what do you get extra out of recommending someone to DVC direct? When I asked they said they don't offer anything to UK DVC members.
My understanding is that UK residents do not get anything for referrals too.

[Vabeth]

From reading 'the other' site:blush: it would appear, as part of the 15th anniversary, they are offering a $15 per point discount on SSR if you have a referal! DH wants to wait till next year but, with an offer like that, i want to get it done and dusted on our trip next month! So i will be needing to borrow one of you lovely peoples names! Pretty please! ;)

[kevbrydon]

going off $1.87 thats about £1200 ..if you go for 150 points and get $15 off..thats a hell of a saving...

Kev

[Vabeth]

going off $1.87 thats about £1200 ..if you go for 150 points and get $15 off..thats a hell of a saving...
That's what i keep telling him! The only thing that's putting him off buying now is the fact we've already booked for 3 weeks next year at CSR! I've told him we could always bank our points for the following year (with maybe a 2 night stay at our home resort while we're there next year to get a feel for the place - See i think of everything!;) )

[kevbrydon]

It's the other way round in our house..DW is'nt sure..but will visit DVC when were out in a couple of weeks time to see for ourselves..

Kev