DVC-An owners view.

[KinnT]

An Owners view of Disney Vacation Club (DVC)
What is Disney Vacation Club (DVC)?
Many of you have asked me what the heck is Disney Vacation Club, and why are you a member? I won't try to sell anyone on DVC, because that is not the point. I will try to give you the basics of it, and tell you why we became members. To put it in layman's terms, DVC is Disney's version of a timeshare. The difference is that with a traditional timeshare you are limited to when and where you can vacation. Many people might have a choice of a week here or there but in general, they are tied to a specific time and place. DVC learned from those timeshares and tried to offer a different option. Basically with DVC you are pre-paying for your future vacations. You are buying "points" to use for future vacations each year. You pay a certain amount of money each month for anywhere from 1-10 years- based on your loan. After you have paid off the loan, you then only have to pay annual dues each year. The present contracts run until 2057.
Each DVC resort has a point chart, which places point values on rooms, days of the week, and seasons. Each DVC resort offers different room types, and different point values for their rooms. To give a quick example, say someone purchases 150-point contract. They would then have 150 points to use each year however and whenever they wanted. They even have the opportunity to "bank" those points into the next year giving them 300 points to use. So let's say someone wants to vacation at Disney over the summer of 2008 from July 13- July 17. Using DVC point charts here are some options for them for a studio size room:
 Old Key West- 55 Points
 Animal Kingdom Villas- 60 Points
 Saratoga Springs Resort- 65 Points
 Beach Club, Boardwalk, Wilderness Lodge- 70 Points

Right there you can see that would give the DVC member a nice choice of resorts and options to use. For comparison if I entered the same dates and wanted to just reserve a room and pay cash here is the cost:
 Pop Century- $829
 Coronado Springs- $1,220
 Beach Club- $2,498
 Animal Kingdom Lodge- $2,498
When we first started going to Walt Disney World in 2004, we could find Pop Century for $49 during the peak seasons. Now that same room costs us $159 a night. We decided that DVC offered a much cheaper alternative in the long run for us, as once you purchase the points are locked in and will never go up. The cash costs of rooms though will always rise. So for us DVC presented a better alternative for our family.
Many people say, "won't you get sick of Disney". Well, DVC also has offerings at over 500 other hotels worldwide that you can use your points at. So families are not "stuck" with only an Orlando offering for 50 years. That is what is nice, the flexibility of it.
Is DVC for everyone...ot at all. If you are only making one trip every 10 years, then sure it is not for you. But those who vacation to Walt Disney World frequently it is an option worth at least looking into. In the long run it can save you thousands of dollars. Regardless, it is another one of Disney's unique offerings as they try to cater more and more to families.
Thank you Scot Donohue for an "Owners" view of Disney Vacation Club (DVC).

[KinnT]

Be sure and check out Scott Donohue's website. www.wdwpeakseasons.com

[BDBopper]

Very nice. Thanks for sharing. That was a great explanation. I better understand what DVC is. My friend, William and his family are DVC members and had questions that he could not answer for me.

[KinnT]

Feel Free to call 1-866-544-2919 anytime. I am here, always, to answer any DVC related question.

[macindan]

Are there any advantages to becoming a member other than saving money? Suppose you are lucky enough to not worry too much about the cost of your annual vacation, but you are a Disney enthusiast. You certainly have the option to book nice accommodations on property at any of the Disney resorts and pay the higher annual costs for your vacation. Are there opportunities that are unique to DVC members that you would not be able to get by staying at a Disney hotel at the resort?

[KinnT]

Member Benefits

Discover the Special Benefits of Membership

There's simply no better way to experience a Disney vacation than as a Disney Vacation Club Member.

In addition to saving on future vacations, having the flexibility to select from over 500 Member Getaways around the world, and enjoying the comforts of home when you stay at a Disney Vacation Club Resort, Vacation Club Members can also receive these additional valuable benefits:

• Discounts on select dining, attractions, recreation and entertainment, including discounts on select Theme Park Annual Passes at Walt Disney World® and Disneyland® Resorts!
• A dedicated team of Disney Cast Members to help with all your vacation planning needs, including making reservations, arranging air transportation, renting a car or choosing a destination.
• Disney events, from special Theme Park attraction previews to taking over an entire Disney Cruise Line® ship.
• Special Member publications that offer "behind-the-scenes" looks at upcoming Disney events and new Disney attractions
• And as a Walt Disney World® Resort Guest, you'll also be able to take advantage of these conveniences and benefits:
  • Extra Magic Hours - Each day one of the Walt Disney World® Theme Parks opens an hour early or stays open up to an extra three hours, so Guests have the opportunity to enjoy extra time in the Theme Parks*.
  • Guest Transportation - Convenient transportation is available throughout the Walt Disney World® Resort, including busses, water taxis and the monorail.
  • Disney Service - Disney Cast Members are available 24 hours a day to help make your vacation easy and worry-free.
  • Package Delivery - Enjoy the convenience of having your purchases from select Disney shops delivered at no charge, directly to your Disney Resort hotel.
  A world of choices. Exclusive benefits. Disney level of quality. Combine all these features with the lifetime of memories you'll enjoy as a Disney Vacation Club Member, and you've discovered the Disney Difference.
  
  *Valid Theme Park admission and Resort ID required.
  

[Monkey joe]

Do you have pay $12,000 straight up or over time?

[KinnT]

On the resale market, it has to be certified good funds at closing. Most people will do a small home equity loan or you can go through www.tammacfinancial.com. They are a lender who will finance timeshare purchases.

[KinnT]

www.WDWPeakseasons.com is now www.WDWNewsletter.com Be sure and visit.

[SummerInFL]

Thanks for the explanation! My thing is how much does it cost? Does it just give you the rooms? Or does that include park passes or anything else?

What's the annual fee? What's the average price of buying into the timeshare.

I don't need to be sold on the idea, I go 2-3 times a month already, what I want to know is will I get a better value for my money and if it's worth the investment for me. That being said, I need to know numbers and everywhere I look, they just don't provide them.

I don't need an exact number, I know that's impossible, but I would like an average.

Also, what's the deal with the "home" resort, what does that mean exactly?

Do you think it would be better if I just bought existing points from other members? I hear you can get the Deluxe resorts for Moderate prices at WDW, is that true?

[KinnT]

My thing is how much does it cost?
DVC is a point based system, so cost varies depending on vacationing habits and how many points you purchase. Please refer to the point charts to determine your "Magical" amount needed.

Does it just give you the rooms? Or does that include park passes or anything else?
The highest and best use for DVC points is for accomodations at a DVC resort. That is where the most value is. Disney does include a number of benefits for their owners. Disney offers a free DVD.

What's the annual fee?
This will vary depending on the size of contract and resort. Maintenance and taxes are based on a per point charge.

DVC Annual Dues

Maintenance and taxes
2007 2008

Beach Club Villas
$4.6339/pt. $4.80/pt.

Animal Kingdom
$4.62/pt. $4.71/pt.

BoardWalk Villas
$4.8512/pt. $5.04/pt.

Wilderness Lodge
$4.7281/pt. $4.87/pt.

Hilton Head
$4.9839/pt. $5.16/pt.

Old Key West
$4.3983/pt. $4.56/pt.

Saratoga Springs
$4.1229/pt. $4.21/pt.

Vero Beach
$5.6272/pt. $6.04/pt.


What's the average price of buying into the timeshare.
Again, too many variables to answer this. You have to know which resort you are wanting to own and figure out your point total needed for a typical vacation that your family would take. You can view videos of all DVC resorts here. A point at Disney will vary between around $65 per point (Vero Beach) to $95 per point (Animal Kingdom).


I don't need to be sold on the idea, I go 2-3 times a month already, what I want to know is will I get a better value for my money and if it's worth the investment for me. That being said, I need to know numbers and everywhere I look, they just don't provide them. I don't need an exact number, I know that's impossible, but I would like an average.
Because of Disney's Right of First Refusal, which protects the value of ownerships, most owners compare the rental rates of staying at a DVC resort to the yearly cost of ownership (m/t charge for points) for an easy way to look at savings realized by using points at a DVC resort compared to renting the same space.


Also, what's the deal with the "home" resort, what does that mean exactly?
“Home” resort?
The resort you should purchase is decided by two factors. Does your family want to stay at a particular DVC property every time you visit Disney and will they be disappointed if you don’t? If the answer is yes, then buy where you want to be!! If you want to jump around to the different resorts to get a unique experience each time you visit Disney, then buy the property that best fits your financial and particular vacationing needs. You can reserve your home resort 7 to 11 months in advance. This is called "Home Priority Booking".



Resort locations

• Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas (Walt Disney World)

Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas is the latest addition to Disney Vacation Club. This resort was first announced in October 2006[1]. The first vacation homes are slated to open in summer 2007 and will be located in the existing Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. Additional units will be located in the new Kidani Village, which will open in phases and be completed in 2009. The addition will contain a new restaurant, children's water play area, and its own savanna.

• Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa (Walt Disney World)

This Disney Vacation Club resort recreates the upstate New York country retreats of the early-1900s, featuring babbling brooks, a themed pool, dark wood antique-style furniture, and Victorian era architecture, fabrics and colors. The first buildings opened in May 2004. Construction of Phase 2 at Saratoga Springs is currently underway. The recently announced Phase 3 will consist of six additional buildings and is expected to open in 2007. When complete, Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will be the largest Disney Vacation Club resort. Ownership interests at Saratoga Springs went on sale in August 2003. The resort is located in the Downtown Disney resort area.

• Disney's Beach Club Villas (Walt Disney World)

The Beach Club Villas are located in the Epcot resort area adjacent to Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts and across Crescent Lake from the BoardWalk Resort. It opened its doors in July 2002. Like the BoardWalk Villas, the Beach Club Villas are integrated into a larger resort that includes a hotel. The Yacht & Beach Club resort compound includes a three-acre pool. Like the BoardWalk Villas, boat service is available to the Disney-MGM Studios and Epcot. There are also sidewalks to both of these parks.*

• Disney's Old Key West Resort (Walt Disney World)

Located near Downtown Disney, Disney's Old Key West Resort is the first of the Disney Vacation Club Resorts (in fact, at one time it was simply known as the Disney Vacation Club Resort). Old Key West opened in late 1991. This resort has an Old Florida theme and is set on Disney's Lake Buena Vista Golf Course. Boat service is available to Downtown Disney Marketplace.

• The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge (Walt Disney World)

The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge opened November 15, 2000. Like the BoardWalk Villas, the Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge are integrated into the hotel portion of Disney's Wilderness Lodge. The resort sits among tall timber and wildflowers, continuing the tradition of 19th century National Park Service lodges. The Villas at Wilderness Lodge is located on Bay Lake with boat service to the Magic Kingdom and Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. A special part of the resort houses a collection of train memorabilia and artwork, including an exhibit featuring two of Walt Disney's personal scale-model railroad cars.

• Disney's BoardWalk Villas (Walt Disney World)

Disney's BoardWalk Villas opened during the summer of 1996. The BoardWalk Villas are different from Old Key West in that the Villas are integrated into the hotel portion of Disney's BoardWalk Resort. The BoardWalk Resort consists of the Villas (the DVC units) and the Inn, which has the hotel units. The Boardwalk Resort is located near Epcot and contains an entertainment district with several restaurants. Guests can walk to the Disney-MGM Studios and Epcot, or take boats.

• Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort (Hilton Head Island, South Carolina)

Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort opened on March 1, 1996.

• Disney's Vero Beach Resort (Vero Beach, Florida)

Disney's Vero Beach Resort is located in Vero Beach, Florida on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, around two hours southeast of the Walt Disney World Resort. The resort opened on October 1, 1995 as the first Disney Resort to be constructed away from of one of its theme parks.



Do you think it would be better if I just bought existing points from other members? I hear you can get the Deluxe resorts for Moderate prices at WDW, is that true?
Here is Disney's active offering for Saratoga Springs On the resale market, you can get a nice SS ownership for around $81-$83 per point (depending on point history).Hope this helps.

[MJMcB]

Originally Posted by SummerInFL

I don't need to be sold on the idea, I go 2-3 times a month already, what I want to know is will I get a better value for my money and if it's worth the investment for me.

Anyway you crunch the numbers, Summer, its worth it. Dave from Mouse Extra has been a member for just a couple of years, he has gone 5 or so times and it has already paid for itself.

I just bought 100 points myself (haven't closed yet). When I crunched the numbers it really does pay for itself after 4 or 5 trips or so

[KinnT]

And, when you realize that when you become a seller and Disney has protected your investment with their Right of First Refusal, the DVC program is a "NO BRAINER" for folks who like to stay in the DVC resorts.

[MJMcB]

Originally Posted by KinnT

And, when you realize that when you become a seller and Disney has protected your investment with their Right of First Refusal, the DVC program is a "NO BRAINER" for folks who like to stay in the DVC resorts.

Plus, the DVC resorts are expanding. Now you can stay at the AKL and soon the Contemporary. Then will get additional resorts in the future, etc

[geoffa]

It's also worth noting that it isn't just about ataying on Disney property. You can convert your DVC points into resrvation points and via Inteval International (based also in Celebration) you can book other vacation sites around the world. For us in Europe this gives DVC are far bigger scope. We recently had a week in Scotland at the Kenmore Club on the shores of Loch Tay - all organised via the DVC to Interval International exchange.
It's worth noting also that when booking Disneyland Resort Paris, park tickets used to be included in the points per night. Now you have to BUY them seperately which isn't quite as good value even though the points level hasn't been adjusted to reflect this. Paris is always a problem because they have no DVC units and just let you have the ordinary rooms. These are issued in block dates and we've always found it troublesome for arranging a stay. This is all because DLRP isn't fully owned by Disney. Too many European banks are investors!