Reasons to Join DVC

[Ian]

I have to admit, I was a skeptic. In fact, I'm pretty sure if you look early on in the "Reasons Not to Buy" thread, you'll see some input from me there.

But we went back and really looked at it again ... ran the numbers, went through the emotional side of the arguments, etc. ... and we decided this time around that we had made a mistake not buying in before.

Luckily, because of the current incentives going on, we ended up doing not all that much worse than we would have had we bought in three or four years ago.

There were two big factors in us taking the plunge ...

#1, I think this is a terrific inflation hedge. It's true that, if you aren't committed to or capable of taking vacations every year, there's probably better ways to hedge your money. But we are, so for us this just works.

#2, the investment we're making in our family and 50 years of family vacations is worth it alone.

Also, in the grand scheme of things, it's hard to figure how paying 15 grand today for 50 years worth of vacations (that normally cost $1,500 - $2,000 each anyway) isn't a good deal.

[rbl291]

We joined because this way of vacationing works great for us! We come home to Disney in the "off seasons for 4-6 nights 2-3 times a year, utilize ME so don't worry about a car or transportation.

It was never really a long number crunch thing...(btw I am a CPA so maybe the number crunching was just part of the decision process without really thinking of it). For us, it makes great sense to own DVC and be able to use it for all the years. Sure we could probaly do a disney vaction for less money, but the way we do it I don't hink so. We see a cheap flight and then quickly decide if we want to go for a few days.If it works out, off we go. We have not had any bad experience getting accomodations so far.

We figure we will use DVC until we physically can't get there any longer and with 2 children grown, eventually hope to be able to vacation with grandchildren! (and then send them back to their mommies and daddies!!)

Plus, owning DVC makes us take trips and invite family and friends, which we might not do if we were not owners. All in all, DVC was the best vacation plan we have made! Enjoy!

[mprewitt]

DVC membership might make sense if you meet most or all of these criteria:

• The cost of membership and dues does not appear to present a financial hardship.
• You vacation at Walt Disney World frequently: ideally at least once every two years.
• You plan to continue vacationing at Disney World far enough into the future to make the membership at least break even.
• You prefer to stay in Deluxe or DVC accommodations and/or you stay a long time (10 days or more per year). If you always stay at a Value resort, or always stay off-site, or you really are at the parks every single day for every day you're there, and you don't spend time at the resort itself (other than crashing at the end of the day), then DVC may not be for you.
• You are able to plan your vacations well in advance -- ideally 7 to 11 months out. If you aren't a planner, don't even look at becoming a DVC member. If you can't plan and book your vacations 11 months in advance, and staying at a particular DVC resort is important, then don't join DVC. If you really don't care which DVC resort you end up with, then it might not be an issue.
• You can do without daily mousekeeping and room service (of course, you can pay extra and get mousekeeping as a DVC member).
• You desire more space than a typical resort room (such as a 2 bedroom villa, with full kitchen, living room, 2 bathrooms and jacuzzi suite, and a washer/dryer).
• You’re not looking at DVC as an investment or a way to make money (it’s not). It is a decision to prepay, at today's rates, the next several decades of Disney trips.

If the only consideration is whether it makes financial sense, then maybe you should be staying offsite and only eating offsite as well, since that beats staying onsite. Beyond just the financial considerations, DVC membership is emotionally satisfying (you “own a piece of the magic”), and it gives you a reason to take a vacation at WDW.

Buying a DVC membership is a rational, financially viable option for some people: namely people who plan to stay in the higher-end accommodations at Walt Disney World on a regular basis.

Buying into DVC is almost a lifestyle choice. A DVC purchase is a way of committing to an annual Disney vacation with family and friends. For some people, that may outweigh any financial considerations. DVC will pay dividends beyond mere dollars and cents – your return on investment will be the joyous times, the family gatherings, and the experiences of a lifetime.

Only you can determine if DVC membership makes sense for your situation, based upon your lifestyle and financial capabilities.

[pogo]

DVC membership might make sense if you meet most or all of these criteria:

• The cost of membership and dues does not appear to present a financial hardship.
• You vacation at Walt Disney World frequently: ideally at least once every two years.
• You plan to continue vacationing at Disney World far enough into the future to make the membership at least break even.
• You prefer to stay in Deluxe or DVC accommodations and/or you stay a long time (10 days or more per year). If you always stay at a Value resort, or always stay off-site, or you really are at the parks every single day for every day you're there, and you don't spend time at the resort itself (other than crashing at the end of the day), then DVC may not be for you.
• You are able to plan your vacations well in advance -- ideally 7 to 11 months out. If you aren't a planner, don't even look at becoming a DVC member. If you can't plan and book your vacations 11 months in advance, and staying at a particular DVC resort is important, then don't join DVC. If you really don't care which DVC resort you end up with, then it might not be an issue.
• You can do without daily mousekeeping and room service (of course, you can pay extra and get mousekeeping as a DVC member).
• You desire more space than a typical resort room (such as a 2 bedroom villa, with full kitchen, living room, 2 bathrooms and jacuzzi suite, and a washer/dryer).
• You’re not looking at DVC as an investment or a way to make money (it’s not). It is a decision to prepay, at today's rates, the next several decades of Disney trips.

If the only consideration is whether it makes financial sense, then maybe you should be staying offsite and only eating offsite as well, since that beats staying onsite. Beyond just the financial considerations, DVC membership is emotionally satisfying (you “own a piece of the magic”), and it gives you a reason to take a vacation at WDW.

Buying a DVC membership is a rational, financially viable option for some people: namely people who plan to stay in the higher-end accommodations at Walt Disney World on a regular basis.

Buying into DVC is almost a lifestyle choice. A DVC purchase is a way of committing to an annual Disney vacation with family and friends. For some people, that may outweigh any financial considerations. DVC will pay dividends beyond mere dollars and cents – your return on investment will be the joyous times, the family gatherings, and the experiences of a lifetime.

Only you can determine if DVC membership makes sense for your situation, based upon your lifestyle and financial capabilities.

As a person that is currently looking at his options and deciding if DVC is for my DW and I, I think this is an excellent post. Thank you for writing this. If you and I are ever at WDW at the same time, I'd like to buy you a

Thank you.

[TGK4LSU]

I am a financial advisor and a lover over Disney. We looked at becoming a member a couple years ago. I ran the numbers and considered the sentimental value. It is definitely not a good investment. It is a way of prepaying your vacations, assuming you go to Disney every year. Financing the purchase is not a good idea. The worse thing you can do is take the money out of an earning investment and purchase a membership. You may be able to break even if the funds used to purchase the membership are sitting in a checking account earning nothing. However, if you have the money, your better off putting it into investments such as mutual funds. If you really like staying at deluxe resorts, the optimal thing to do is rent the points from DVC members rather than becoming a member. I have spoke to a couple DVC members and they say the same thing. Fortunately for them, they purchased their memberships years ago when the cost was much lower. Over the next 30 years, renting the points each year and investing the money that you would have used to purchase the memberships will leave much more money in your pocket.

[MsMin]

TGK4LSU-- There are so many ways to look at it. When I looked at it the first time I said the same thing but when we stayed @ BWV last year and spent over 7K on a five day stay I started to look at it differently and those prices will continue to increase. I compared it to what I spent on vacation w/ just the 4 of us and it didn't compare as to when you have more than 5 and need two rooms(deluxe). Pts vary too on wknds and room rates don't. We found it cheaper to get the room from WDW than renting pts b/c we wanted the meal plan and as mentioned you need more than double the points over a weekend.
I think there is more to life than dollars and cents - life is a balance and there is a certain value in knowing the family can get together once a year for a Disney break. My pts were a gift so it's win win for me simply b/c my dad who gave them too us enjoys hearing the kids stories about WDW and seeing them smile. He wouldn't have given me the cash to invest but wanted the family to have the points to enjoy a vacation there. You know the saying that somethings are priceless-- I'm sure the joy of calling Disney Home is worth more than the difference in savings after all the only thing you truly possess are your memories and you can't take it with you.
While I don't believe in reckless spending, I do think that you have to enjoy a little.... DVC brings us a lot of joy....

[TGK4LSU]

MsMin, I am not sure what getting the meal plan has to do with buying or renting vacation club points. But I will agree with you that its not all about dollors and cents. As I stated, there is a sentimental value that must be taken into consideration. I was moslty viewing this from a financial point of view. If your looking to save money, your going to be disapointed if you know what your doing. Otherwise, if saving money is not that big a deal, there are other reasons someone may feel compelled to by a DVC membership.

[dlpmikki]

I am a financial advisor and a lover over Disney. We looked at becoming a member a couple years ago. I ran the numbers and considered the sentimental value. It is definitely not a good investment. It is a way of prepaying your vacations, assuming you go to Disney every year. Financing the purchase is not a good idea. The worse thing you can do is take the money out of an earning investment and purchase a membership. You may be able to break even if the funds used to purchase the membership are sitting in a checking account earning nothing. However, if you have the money, your better off putting it into investments such as mutual funds. If you really like staying at deluxe resorts, the optimal thing to do is rent the points from DVC members rather than becoming a member. I have spoke to a couple DVC members and they say the same thing. Fortunately for them, they purchased their memberships years ago when the cost was much lower. Over the next 30 years, renting the points each year and investing the money that you would have used to purchase the memberships will leave much more money in your pocket.

I realise there is a bit of a disussion going on from your original post but I should point out this topic is about reasons to JOIN DVC. There is a seperate topic about reasons NOT TO JOIN DVC where your post would be more appropriate. Please take any further discussion along these lines to that topic.

Thank you

[Horizon93]

We just joined earlier this month and are happy DVC owners at AKV.

We had looked at DVC for many years. WE have now been to WDW 14 times since 1993. In accomodations alone, we have pretty much spent the cost of membership once already!

We typically go to WDW twice each year. One DD has graduated from college and the other is in college. They also love WDW. Looking down the road and being able to bring family and someday, grandchildren, on a magical WDW trio in great accomodations will mbe further validation of our decision.

We are so happy that we joined and can't wait for our first trip home!