What is so good about DVC?

[gofishng Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close gofishng]

New to TS4Ms. Lots of abbrev to learn. I think DVC stands for Disney Vacation Club. But what it is about DVC that everyone wants to get it? What are some of the good DVCs if you can list the 3 letter resort abbrev? Thanks for all the info.

[barndweller Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close barndweller]

Well, you understand this is my opinion only....and I am not an owner

#1 When you stay at DVC you are onsite. If you are a big Disneyworld fan this is a really wonderful thing. You are immursed in the "Disney Magic" 24/7 and some folks really love that. I have only stayed in a DVC (Boardwalk Villas) once but then I am a west coaster and have only been to the World twice in my 59 years. I found the unit nice but certainly nothing to get all worked up about. It was pretty small but nicely furnished & comfortable for us 3 adults. I've certainly stayed in larger, plusher places that cost a lot less to purchase. But the convenience to the parks was fantastic. And we didn't rent a car but instead used the transportation provided by Disney.

#2 The value of your purchase can usually be recovered when/if you sell. Unlike the vast majority of timeshare purchases, if you decide to sell down the road, you can usually recoup your initial expenditure. Some folks have even made money.

Some owners claim DVC is very flexible since you can book one day at a time. Of course, like everywhere else, the most popular times book up first so even owners are sometimes shut out. DVC is pretty expensive in my view but if your family goes to Disneyworld a lot, it may be a good possible alternative to staying in the hotels there. I will be going to Disney later this year but as an exchanger, I chose to get a 4 bedroom upscale unit offsite this time for my exchange. The DVC units available for exchange were not big enough for my family group. By choosing to stay offsite we will not be captive to the Disney money machine and can save a lot by eating in or going to restaurants with better food for much less. This was important for us.

I'm sure that some DVC owners can offer you a lot more insight. That is just my 2 cents.

[dvcforus Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dvcforus]

It all comes down to one thing for us - FLEXIBILITY. Next month we exchanged into Marriott Cypress Harbour for a week in a 2BR using one of our non-DVC weeks. When we bought our airline tix, it was much cheaper to fly in a day early. Bingo - we are staying one night at DVC Old Key West on our DVC points -- perfect. We have used them for many different stays and combination stays. We used them this past year at Disneyland Hotel. We can't always and don't always stay one week, so DVC is just right for us. We love that we can bank and borrow points too, it makes it even more flexible. And, although we love some off-site hotels and have stayed at many nice timeshares in Orlando, there is nothing like staying on-site, using Magical Express, getting extra magic hours, etc. It has been perfect for our family for Disney trips.

[littlestar Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close littlestar]

The main plus with DVC is being onsite for going to the parks. The Disney resorts are "themed" too. Which is fun.

Here lately, we have been doing a combination of Marriott and DVC stays. I really prefer the Marriotts when I want "comfort" as they have better beds, plusher linens, and bigger TV's (with cable - DVC just basically has Disney channels and that's it), and larger square footage (except for Disney's Old Key West resort which is comparable to Marriott). The first of March we have a studio at Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas on our points (for our grown kids), but me and the hubby are staying at Marriott Cypress Harbour for comfort and relaxation.

I have been a little disappointed with the cleanliness of our DVC units over the last few years. I don't know if Marriott pays their housekeepers better or what, but the Marriott units we have stayed in have been cleaner than DVC units. Maybe Marriott gives their housekeepers less units to go through in a day or they have a better rotation on deep cleaning. But I have seen a difference and we stay at both. Of course, the Marriott brand has been in the hospitality business a long time and I think they just have it "figured out" on how to operate.

[Denise Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Denise]

Location, location, location . With young children, it is really important for us to be onsite so that we can take breaks during the day and go out at night just for the fireworks or Illuminations, for example. It is so much better for us to be able to leisurely visit the parks, knowing that we will be back at our "home away from home" later on. Plus, we don't feel like we have to rush, because we know we can always go back another year.

Savings . We rented from a member in 2005. It cost us about $2370 for six nights in a two-bedroom, and it would cost a lot more to rent from Disney. Maintenance fees on those 237 pts are about 1/2 of that price, so we figured that we are saving money by using our own points instead of renting from someone else. Plus, we can probably sell our points for close to what we paid, so aside from the initial capital expense (which we hope to recoup if/when we sell), we are saving $$ on our WDW vacations.

Magic . There is something just magical about Disney. So owning points at a DVC resort just feels good for those of us who love all things Disney.

[Jimbo Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jimbo]

Convenience and Preference

I agree with all that was said above. We have exchanged into Boardwalk and it was amazing to have all the Disney you wanted 24 / 7. We went to the laser show at Epcot at night after coming back from Animal Kingdom or Magic Kingdom.

We are looking to go again and are starting to consider the best way to get to Disney again during spring break 2009. I think we will be booking air fare first then looking for accomodations. I know with Orlando you can find a room just about any day of the year. So, I will get the cheapest air by booking 331 days out and then worry about accomodations later. I'll consider using an AC, renting, or exchanging. I'll even consider using Marriott points to get into a Marriott...

[timeos2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close timeos2]

#1 When you stay at DVC you are onsite. If you are a big Disneyworld fan this is a really wonderful thing. You are immursed in the "Disney Magic" 24/7 and some folks really love that. I have only stayed in a DVC (Boardwalk Villas) once but then I am a west coaster and have only been to the World twice in my 59 years. I found the unit nice but certainly nothing to get all worked up about. It was pretty small but nicely furnished & comfortable for us 3 adults. I've certainly stayed in larger, plusher places that cost a lot less to purchase. But the convenience to the parks was fantastic. And we didn't rent a car but instead used the transportation provided by Disney.

If you absolutely must be on site to feel you are getting all the "magic" and are willing to pay big money upfront to buy and even bigger money - some of the highest in the industry - in annual fees for smaller than average units but with a definite Disney feel DVC can be OK for some. But as barndweller says look below the superficial theming and these are not top quality resorts.

#2 The value of your purchase can usually be recovered when/if you sell. Unlike the vast majority of timeshare purchases, if you decide to sell down the road, you can usually recoup your initial expenditure. Some folks have even made money.

Some owners claim DVC is very flexible since you can book one day at a time. Of course, like everywhere else, the most popular times book up first so even owners are sometimes shut out. DVC is pretty expensive in my view but if your family goes to Disneyworld a lot, it may be a good possible alternative to staying in the hotels there. I will be going to Disney later this year but as an exchanger, I chose to get a 4 bedroom upscale unit offsite this time for my exchange. The DVC units available for exchange were not big enough for my family group. By choosing to stay offsite we will not be captive to the Disney money machine and can save a lot by eating in or going to restaurants with better food for much less. This was important for us.

I'm sure that some DVC owners can offer you a lot more insight. That is just my 2 cents.

As for #2 that has been true in the short term. But unlike most other timeshares DVC is GUARANTEED to have a value of zero at the end. And already the older RTU's have been slipping in even the propped up pricing being offered. As they get older that prop will slide down or disappear.

The only way DVC makes sense is in you would spend the ridiculously high cost for on site hotel rooms anyway. Then, bought right and in comparison to that super inflated cost, DVC can have a better cost/value. But compared to off site you are paying a big premium that, for most, simply isn't worth it. But for those that have to be 100% immersed in Disney, are willing to ride the frustrating transportation and have their over priced trinkets delivered to their unit (why as they buying this crap?) I guess it holds a value. Try it but don'y but it until you are sure you really need the immersion to be happy.

[idahodude Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close idahodude]

IMO, the main benefit to owning with DVC is that you can stay on property. This allows greater flexibility in getting to/from the parks, especially if you are at Epcot or MGM and staying at Boardwalk or Beach Club Villas.

The "extra Magic Hours" are only available to individuals staying "on property" which can be a great way to spend more time in the parks with fewer people.

You probably won't save much in time getting to the parks if there's not a lot of traffic and you stay in one of the timeshares closer to WDW. The exception to that is the situation described in my first paragraph above. But, if there's a lot of traffic or you're staying far from WDW, then the on-property transport is likely faster.

You will not save money on meals or souvenirs if you stay on property without a car. Groceries are much more expensive on property than off and well, Disney doesn't sell anything cheap. If the main focus of your vacation is the meals and souvenirs, then I wouldn't recommend DVC for you. If it's the "Disney experience" and opportunities to spend time in the parks with fewer people, then DVC may be right for you.

I do own part of a DVC membership (with my brother) and another timeshare, have stayed on property and off at WDW.

Hope that helps.

[gjw007 Member Find all posts View Profile Close gjw007]

As others have noted, the main advantage is being on Disney property and being surrounded by Disney. It is also possible to park your car and not worry about transportation although I find that I still like having my car. For example, if you stay at the Boardwalk or the Beach Club, you can walk to either Epcot or MGM/Disney Hollywood Studios.

As mentioned, each resort is themed but there are little touches that you also don't see at other timeshares. As an example, at Christmas, there will be choirs during the evening singing. While I don't know if this is true of all the DVC resorts, it has been true during my stays at the Boardwalk and the Wilderness Lodge. Also at the Boardwalk, there have been various performers and entertainers during the evening.

I don't think the rooms are necessarily better than other timeshares; in fact, they are smaller. In addition, unlike my ownership at OLCC (and I believe this is true for most timeshares) where there is a definite schedule for room maintenance and renovation, there is no specific plan that I am aware of for DVC meaning that one room can be recently painted and updated where the room next door has not had any work done.

Also while you will find some people who report that the value has gone up, it will ultimately go to zero as it is a right to use setup (rather than you actually owning the unit/week) where you know that you have no ownership at some definite point (2054 for my SSR unit whereas my OLCC units are infinite). There are arguments for and against this as many will say that they don't want to own an old timeshare yet many of them would jump onto owning at the Contemporary if it were to have remodeled a wing. This seems contradictory as the Contemporary was built before any of the current timeshares in Orlando (that I know of). The key is the maintenance and upkeep of the resort, not the age. In the short term, the prices have gone up but that won't last forever but this may be delayed by actions taken by Disney such as its recent offer to the Old Key West an extension of 15 years to the contracts.

In short, it is because of the Disney name and the location. DVC has not been quite as successful with its off-theme park resorts such as Vera Beach and Hilton Head although you will find fans of those resorts. People buy DVC to stay at Disney.

[blome Member Find all posts View Profile Close blome]

Theming, theming, theming.
The DVC/Disney resorts transport you to another time & place through extensive & intricate theming.

Other resorts, although very nice, are esentially generic brick & mortar buildings with nice landscaping.

Plus all the other stuff...

[gjw007 Member Find all posts View Profile Close gjw007]

Theming, theming, theming.
The DVC/Disney resorts transport you to another time & place through extensive & intricate theming.

Other resorts, although very nice, are esentially generic brick & mortar buildings with nice landscaping.

Plus all the other stuff...

Theming by itself would not make DVC special. DVC has not sold Hilton or Vera Beach (in fact, it cut down on the original size of Vera Beach), both of which have Disney theming, as well as it has sold DVC on theme park property. It helps but clearly location is the most important.

[blome Member Find all posts View Profile Close blome]

Theming by itself would not make DVC special. DVC has not sold Hilton or Vera Beach (in fact, it cut down on the original size of Vera Beach), both of which have Disney theming, as well as it has sold DVC on theme park property. It helps but clearly location is the most important.

Not SO much theming at HH and VB.
Villas at Wilderness Lodge, and Animal Kingdom Villas are truly great examples of theming.

Besides-- It did take a while to sell HH & VB, but they did sell out-- And at Disney prices.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

If you like Disney, and go there often then DVC probably makes sense. Although expensive to own, the perks are real nice.

I don't own a DVC but have to admit that I love staying in them when visiting Disney.

I got my DD, and her friend one for this March. They don't need to worry about driving to, and from the airport, or getting to the parks. They can walk to Epcot, and MGM, and have any merchandise they buy in the parks sent back to their room.

They will be taking advantages of the special park hours open only to those staying at Disney. This is great because they are going at a busy time of the year.

I do think that all and all, there are nicer timeshares in the area. However, none can beat the convenience of Disney if your main purpose for staying in Orlando, is going to the Disney parks.

[TomandRobin Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close TomandRobin]

If you don't "get" Disney and you would only occassionally use DVC, then its not for you. You would be better off renting from an existing owner or buying elsewhere and trading into to DVC.

If you are Disney family, go almost every year, want either larger units or more then a value resort then DVC is probably right for you.

[SDSunshine Member Find all posts View Profile Close SDSunshine]

If you don't "get" Disney and you would only occassionally use DVC, then its not for you. You would be better off renting from an existing owner or buying elsewhere and trading into to DVC.

If you are Disney family, go almost every year, want either larger units or more then a value resort then DVC is probably right for you.

You have very little to lose by getting a resale contract for little points (50 perhaps) and going every 2-3 years. Then, if you love it, you can always add on.

K