FAQs about the Disney Vacation Club - Page 6 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Has anyone purchased recently? How "easy" is it to get financed through Disney? (does your credit have to be "perfect"?) Do you have to own your own home? Is it still 10% down? What is the current rate per point? How long does the process take from start to finish? When were your points first availalbe for use? Is it difficult to book for the dates/locations that you want? We are headed down for vacation April 27th and I'd like to check this out when we go, but I'd like to have as much info as possible ahead of time. Thanks
I purchased in August. My credit score is not great, B didn't have any at all (he's never had a CC). Disney financed us with no problem. I don't own a home. In fact we were talking about buying a house and decided to buy into DVC instead since neither one of us is sure where we are going to be and when. (Which worked out since he's in the Caribbean at present) My points were available as soon as I signed the paperwork. The point rate varies by property a good resource is DVCnews.com I highly recommend calling DVC and requesting info before your trip. They overnighted me the "Dreams" book and DVD. When we got to Disney I just asked to see the sales rep who had sent me the materials. We took the tour and since I had already done all of the background research, including looking at points charts for the times I like to travel, all that was left to do was get the financing approved and sign the paperwork.
I don't know what the incentives are now, but when we purchased I only put $500 down and DVC "gave" me the rest of the downpayment. I recieved 160 developer points to use the first year. I also got a $500 gift card because I knew someone who was already a member and used them as a referral. (thanks again Cheryl!)
At this point I have booked 5 trips and not had any problem finding a room. I stayed at SSR in December, I'll be there again in May. My June trip is split between SSR and VWL. October will be my first stay at AKV, which is my home property. I have also not tried to book anything difficult or during super busy times. The only thing I couldn't do was move from a 2 bedroom in June to a treehouse villa, but I didn't realistically expect to be able to stay the first week they were open.
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1. I'm single and while I generally don't have trouble finding somebody to go with me to WDW, I'll probably be doing a lot of solo trips in the next couple of years. Assuming I decide to buy, would I be better off purchasing a studio and then purchasing more points if I end up wanting a 2-bedroom for DBF and another couple to share in a future year? How easy/hard is that to do?
Just to clarify, you don't "purchase" anything other than points. Whether you use them for a Studio or Two Bedroom is completely up to you. Of course, your ownership will go much further (more nights) the smaller room you stay in.
But yes, you can always buy more points if you need to. The minimum is 25 points. If you need to finance an additional purchase you have to get at least 50. And in order to take advantage of any promotional discounts, you normally have to add 100 or more in a single transaction.
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2. I almost always stay in a moderate resort (CSR is a fave, and I stayed at Dixie Landings--now POR--a couple times in the 1980s and liked it). I'll be trying my first "value" resort for May's DoD celebration but assume I'll always veer toward moderates. However, I adored spending 2 nights at AKL in 2005 and am really curious about the AKVillas. BUT the longest I've ever stayed is one week, and I doubt I'll ever stay longer than that. So while I expect to visit WDW every year until I can't get my brittle bones onto a plane anymore (I'm turning 54 in a few days and fully expect to stay healthy until I'm 100, but you never know), I'm most likely going to be visiting WDW 1-2 times a year for 3-4 days at a shot. Will the DVC save me money over the long haul, or not?
"Savings" is mostly a function of what you are comparing. If you compare the amount it costs to buy DVC with Disney's Rack Rates for Deluxe resorts, you will probably start saving around year 8. If you finance, interest will be paid so that break-even is further out.
If you compare to staying in a Moderate resort, you probably won't save any money in the long run. However what you will get is an upgrade in your accommodations. A Studio at the Animal Kingdom Villas is obviously a step up from a standard room at POR. Many of the deluxes costs twice as much as moderates to cash guests. So you can use DVC as a vehicle for getting a Deluxe at a moderate price.
Compared to a moderate you may start saving after 30 or 40 years....but however you slice it that breakeven period is pretty far off.
If you compare to staying in a Value, DVC will cost you more. No question about it. But again, I think it's undeniable that staying at the Beach Club or BoardWalk is a huge upgrade from All Star Sports.
If you're just looking for a place to get 8 hours' sleep, a shower and a change of clothes, there's nothing wrong with the Value or moderate resorts. But again you just cannot deny that the Deluxes (and DVCs) offer higher quality accommodations, more space, better resort accommodations, often better locations, and so on.
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3. As a DVC owner, am I allowed to give points to someone else for their own trip? Does Disney frown on this or just outright demand that I be part of the group anytime someone uses my points?
You are welcome to allow someone else to use your points.
their rack price has gone up - quit a bit. now if you are looking at the discounts offered this year (and will probably be offered next year) - then no even deluxes are lower. now if you are talking the long view. Disney price of hotels generally go up between 3 and 10% each year. if you buy DVC your maintence fees will go up about the same.
but when you are talking $4 or $5 (maintence fees) per point - so a studio at AKV or OKW - $36 to $45 - versus - $269 to $295 -
you can see where the saving will come.
disney says it takes 7 trips (of 7 nights) so 49 nights staying in a DVC resort. To pay for the DVC sales.
in my calculation it took 65 nights total with financing.
Now my numbers are based on studio stays and only studio stays. Don't often (on my dime) stay in 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms. they just are not worth it for me.
Ouch, I didn't think we disagreed all that much...
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DVC can save you money even with moderates.
their rack price has gone up - quit a bit. now if you are looking at the discounts offered this year (and will probably be offered next year) - then no even deluxes are lower. now if you are talking the long view. Disney price of hotels generally go up between 3 and 10% each year. if you buy DVC your maintence fees will go up about the same.
Admittedly it's been a few years since I ran the numbers. I know when I did before buying it was something like 30 years to break-even compared to a moderate. But let's see how it looks today...
168 BLT points will get you a Water View Studio for 10 consecutive nights in Choice season. That's October/November timeframe.
The dues on those points would be $616.56 in 2009 (168 x $3.67)
Getting a Coronado Springs Water View room for the same 10 nights is $219 per night (including tax) or $2190
So if we subtract the two, DVC costs about $1574 less out of pocket per year. But then we have the initial investment.
168 points at $107 (net) plus closing costs is about $18,300. If we divide that amount by the $1574 annual savings, it will take about 12 years to break even comparing a BLT studio to a Moderate. That's not too bad.
It IS rack rates, though. AAA discounts of 10-15% are almost always available, as are special promotions like the "free dining" or the "7 for 4" offers out now. When the economy is good, deals get harder to find. So the question is whether you are comfortable chasing deals around.
And the biggest negative influence is interest if you have to finance. That $18,300 in up-front investment becomes nearly $30,000 for those who finance at Disney's preferred 10.75% rate. That brings the breakeven to 19 years at Rack Rates--even longer if you assume some reasonable level of discounting on future cash trips.
So based upon this one analysis, I'd say you're probably looking at 15 years if you pay cash and assume some moderate level of discounting on the cash rooms over that period. (Let's not kid ourselves--there WILL be other economic downturns over such a period.)
And if you finance thru DVC and pay interest over the full 10 years, it could be 22-23 years to break even.
Those periods are less than I remembered from my analysis a few years back so perhaps it's not such a bad move from Moderate to DVC after all. Of course, the numbers will vary depending upon how each individual uses the points. And opting for the luxury of a One Bedroom or larger just blows any financial comparison out of the water.
Hey TJ and PJ, you both make good points. I've talked to a DVC rep, who sent me pricing info. I created my own spreadsheet, using the prices I paid at CSR in February ($190/night including taxes & fees -- and that was a conference rate!) and assuming I would stay at CSR in the future if I don't buy into the DVC.
According to my calculations, if I became a DVC member in 2009, I would break even in 2019 (assuming I spend 11 nights a year at WDW). If I limit my WDW visits to two 4-night stays a year, I would break even in 2024. And if I spend just one 5-night visit a year, I will NEVER break even. But since I can envison two visits a year -- one solo and one with friends/family. . . .
But as you and others have expressed, the DVC is more about upgrading your resort experience than it is about saving money. And while I have no children of my own, I relish the possibility of inviting my dear friends, their children and grandchildren to join Rick and me in a villa for a week. I have several friends, including a young widow raising two boys and a friend my own age with a special-needs child -- who could really use a great time at WDW, and they'll never have the money to do it on their own. I would LOVE them to be my guests in the future.
Sounds like I'm hooked, doesn't it? I emailed Doug at the DVC today and said that one year from now I'm likely to buy. I want to make sure I have the cash -- I refuse to go on credit for anything other than a house and maybe a car. One year from now, I think it will be possible. (I do believe my mutual funds will be worth something next year -- I do, I do, I do believe! )
When I come down to Orlando for the PP DoD, I'm going to get a DVC tour. Then we shall see!
Thank you, Cheryl, for all your great information in this thread -- and thanks go to so many others who continue to post their advice. This is a terrific thread -- I'm learning from questions as well as from answers! Keep it going!
tjkraz - cut the vacation of 10 days into - 5 days Sun-thurs - and do it 4 times a year.
then we are talking the same.
can't do the same for the resort either
196 - fall - sept
247.50 - spring - march
$219.38 - fall food/wine
$236.25 - spring - may - flower/garden
remember each year to put WDW prices up (5% - average) - varies from 3% to 10%
increase the maintence fees by 8% too each year. (this should be high)
By my guest!!!
I picked a time period at random from one of the middle seasons, middle room classes, including both weekday and weekend stays. Certainly you could concoct situations where the numbers come out better or worse. Whether or not "best case scenario" numbers are meaningful to many people remains to be seen.
But if you want to put together a detailed line-by-line explanation of your own numbers, feel free. Short of that, your posts just seem like generalizations which lack any substance.
I have followed the Rack Rate increases at Disney resorts since we became members (2003) and never seen a year-to-year increase of more than 5%. And that 5% is typically for the more expensive room classes like suites and concierge. The standard rooms are usually more along the lines of 3%. But if you have numbers to substantiate a projected 10% annual increase, feel free to share them.
Right now, Disney has an incentive to new DVC members that gives them 160 free points (or basically they're matching any number of points you make with your initial purchase) and these free points expire October 3, 2009.
Since the rest of my 2009 vacation time is spoken for, this incentive doesn't thrill me.
QUESTION: What kind of incentives did you receive when you bought into the DVC? And do you think Disney will offer something similar in 2010 (which is when I'm likely to buy)? I know Disney won't promise me anything in the future, but wondered how the rest of you fared whenever you bought into the program. Thanks.
Right now, Disney has an incentive to new DVC members that gives them 160 free points (or basically they're matching any number of points you make with your initial purchase) and these free points expire October 3, 2009.
Since the rest of my 2009 vacation time is spoken for, this incentive doesn't thrill me.
They also have a different incentive right now where you can get a free 3-night DCL cruise for a 160-point purchase. (Ocean view room, up to four guests, gratuities included, select sailing dates between now and December 2010.)
That offer and the "free points" you mention are both scheduled to end this Saturday.
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QUESTION: What kind of incentives did you receive when you bought into the DVC? And do you think Disney will offer something similar in 2010 (which is when I'm likely to buy)? I know Disney won't promise me anything in the future, but wondered how the rest of you fared whenever you bought into the program. Thanks.
It's safe to say that DVC will never been lacking some form of incentive. Since I have been watching DVC (back to 2001) they have always had some discount available. What we can't predict is what form the incentive may take.
There is usually some cash reduction in the price per point. Right now it's $6.25 off at AKV and SSR, $5 off at BLT and VGC. Sometimes the cash discounts are greater and that is the only incentive buyers receive.
This free cruise incentive is unique. Never seen that offered before and may never again.
For the last 2+ years they have done a lot of the "free points" offers you mention. They usually have restrictions, though. Points need to be used by a certain date, only certain resorts, only book on 7 months' notice, etc. Some offers stipulated that the points had to be used for an RCI exchange only.
Looking back they have had offers where buyers received a free set of Annual passes (one-time use only.)
So unless DVC changes its marketing strategy, they definitely will have incentives in 2010. But we just can't predict what those incentives might be.
Hey, just wanted everyone to see what DVC News has announced 4/1/2009. I don't know how long these incentives will run, but I'm now seriously considering buying in. There are incentives for those of you who are already owners, too.
Cindy, it would awesome if when you were touring the Models, you told them, here's my deposit(that's how it happened with me, i knew RIGHT away that it was for me, er us)
Cindy, it would awesome if when you were touring the Models, you told them, here's my deposit(that's how it happened with me, i knew RIGHT away that it was for me, er us)
Wendy, I can tell that talking to you is going to get me into trouble! Can't wait to meet you in May -- and our lunch will probably be the first thing I do after touring the villas with a DVC member. Yikes -- I will probably be even more hyper than usual (which I don't think is humanly possible).
You guys are great with all the information. My DH and I live in Long Beach, CA which is about 20mins from Disney. But we would love to visit WDW again. We have been thinking about the DVC but I wanted to have some information before we went for the tour. I saw that it was posted at the begining of the thread that it was 3-5$ per point, but when I was looking at incentives they are offering now they said 6$ off per point. How much is it per point now? I think I am going to have them send me information. Also if you don't know whether your going to bank your points at the begining of the year, you lose a % of them? Is that right? Thanks for all the info. I can discuss this with my DH now.
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Judith
I love Disneyland
Me,DH- Luke, DD-Katelyn, DS-Joshua
You guys are great with all the information. My DH and I live in Long Beach, CA which is about 20mins from Disney. But we would love to visit WDW again. We have been thinking about the DVC but I wanted to have some information before we went for the tour. I saw that it was posted at the begining of the thread that it was 3-5$ per point, but when I was looking at incentives they are offering now they said 6$ off per point. How much is it per point now? I think I am going to have them send me information. Also if you don't know whether your going to bank your points at the begining of the year, you lose a % of them? Is that right? Thanks for all the info. I can discuss this with my DH now.
You can get info on current pricing and discounts here:
Since you are so close to Disneyland, if you have any desire to use points to stay at the forthcoming Grand Californian Villas, I would suggest buying there. It's a very small development (only 50 units at Disneyland) and you can still use those points for the occasional trip to Walt Disney World--booked at 7 months, of course.
The current base price for all resorts (DVC is actively selling 4 properties) is $112 per point. Discounts vary by resort. For the Grand Californian, if you have a referral from a current DVC member you have two choices for a 160-point purchase:
1. An $8 per point discount PLUS a free 3-night Disney Cruise
2. A $14 per point discount with no cruise
That is very attractive pricing. FYI, the offer ends on June 15th.
As for your other questions, each member is assigned what is called a Use Year. That's the 12-month period over which you can USE your points. My Use Year is February, which means that every set of points I receive is valid from 2/1 to the following 1/31. My 2009 points are good for stays between 2/1/09 and 1/31/10.
Members have 8 months in which to bank their points to the next Use Year. In my case, I have until September 30, 2009 (the 8th months of my Use Year) to bank all or part of my 2009 points. If I don't bank them by 9/30, I either have to use them all by 1/31/10 or they are forfeit.
It probably sounds more confusing than it is. One thing I will say about DVC in general is that it works best for advance planners. I have a pretty good idea of how we will be using our points for the next 2 years, so there really isn't any risk of missing-out on banking points. DVC isn't terrible conducive to taking spur-of-the-moment trips.
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