Disney Vacation Club

[MooseBucks]

Anyone here have any thoughts about buying into the Disney vacation club? I've always been against timeshares but the value seems to be pretty good if you travel there fairly often. My worry is that as my kids get older they will no longer want to go to Disney.

[rennigade]

How much is it to buy in? What are the yearly fees? How much is an airbnb or vrbo? Orlando is a major tourist destination. Im sure you can find some pretty cheap places to stay around disney.

I should put you in touch with my in laws regarding timeshares. They had to hire a lawyer just to get out of it. I think they spent somewhere around $10k-$15k to join and around $800/year maintenance. What a bargain!

[amastewa93]

Avoid timeshares or anything that even remotely looks like a timeshare.

Don't even think about it.

Just. Don't. Do. It.

[MooseBucks]

I know I know but can't someone reinforce the idea that maybe this a good idea?

[disneysteve]

I know I know but can't someone reinforce the idea that maybe this a good idea?

I know many, many people who own DVC. They all feel it was a good deal. It wasn't, but they all think it was. They're happy, so who am I to complain.

That said, Disney is the very rare exception in the timeshare game. The ownership shares have actually appreciated in value over time. I still don't think that justifies buying them but at least it's a strong argument in their favor. If you buy and years from now no longer want it, you will almost certainly be able to sell it for a good price, possibly even more than you paid.

[MooseBucks]

I know many, many people who own DVC. They all feel it was a good deal. It wasn't, but they all think it was. They're happy, so who am I to complain.

That said, Disney is the very rare exception in the timeshare game. The ownership shares have actually appreciated in value over time. I still don't think that justifies buying them but at least it's a strong argument in their favor. If you buy and years from now no longer want it, you will almost certainly be able to sell it for a good price, possibly even more than you paid.

That's where I'm stuck. I have a family member that bought 3 yrs ago and is looking at a 30% gain on their purchase. There is also the ability to sell the points wach year and at current rates it covers more than your annual fees + amoritized purchase price.

[disneysteve]

That's where I'm stuck. I have a family member that bought 3 yrs ago and is looking at a 30% gain on their purchase. There is also the ability to sell the points wach year and at current rates it covers more than your annual fees + amoritized purchase price.

Yes, if they are appreciating that well, it's not such a bad deal.

I guess if you are sure you are going to go regularly and insist on staying at deluxe accommodations, and don't mind paying the annual fee, and can afford the purchase, it's worth looking into.

We took the tour a few years ago and the number they threw out were just insane. I think it was somewhere around $12,000. We just got back from a week at Disney earlier this month. We spent 7 nights in a very nice 3-bedroom, 3-bath townhouse. The week cost us about $625. So at that rate, we could go annually for 19 years with $12,000 (and that doesn't count the annual fees). Of course, rents will rise over time, but so will annual fees. So no matter how I run the numbers, I can never have it make sense. But I don't factor in the possible resale value since that is unknowable.

[rennigade]

Of course, rents will rise over time, but so will annual fees.

Rents can typically be offset by staying further from the park. Thats always an option.

[disneysteve]

Rents can typically be offset by staying further from the park. Thats always an option.

True, but we prefer to stay close by. We usually rent a place at one of two developments that are within a 5-10 minute drive of property. We never have any trouble finding a place for under $100/nite (which matches or beats the annual fee for DVC without the large upfront purchase).

I realize I am not comparing apples to apples. You really need to run the numbers based on where you are happy staying.

[MooseBucks]

True, but we prefer to stay close by. We usually rent a place at one of two developments that are within a 5-10 minute drive of property. We never have any trouble finding a place for under $100/nite (which matches or beats the annual fee for DVC without the large upfront purchase).

I realize I am not comparing apples to apples. You really need to run the numbers based on where you are happy staying.

What are the names of the developments and what site are you using to book. I'd be interested to check it out.

[disneysteve]

What are the names of the developments and what site are you using to book. I'd be interested to check it out.

The last 3 trips we rented in Crestwynd Bay. That's more low key, mostly residential, not a resort-feel. We've also rented many times in Windsor Palms (Windsor Hills is same owner and also very nice). Those both have much more of a resort environment with a clubhouse, big pool, game room, little shop, theater, etc. We rent either through VRBO.com or directly through the owners' site for Windsor Palms http://www.windsor-palms-florida.net/.

[msomnipotent]

It is a known fact that timeshares were invented by Satan himself.

I had to hire a lawyer to get out of mine, and that was after a timeshare employee actually stole one from me (we were suckered into 2). They didn't even fire the employee!

And it is one thing to be told that your timeshare has appreciated in value, it is quite another to actually sell it for a profit. You might have better luck with a Disney branded timeshare, but our timeshare was "valued" at $25,000 and I couldn't even sell it for $2,000. Meanwhile, the maintenance dues rise whenever they feel like it.

[Singuy]

Steve, you sure DVC points are still appreciating as much as you think? I believe Disney crippled DVC points if you want to resell in 2011.

"Since March 21, 2011 Disney has had restrictions on using points from resale purchases for Disney Cruises, Disney Hotels that are not DVC villas, Adventures by Disney and the Concierge Collection. Fair to note that Disney Vacation Club denotes these options as “incidental benefits” of Membership and reserves the right to discontinue them at any time regardless of how the membership is purchased."

So if you are expecting to get a HIGHER value out of your points, then you'll have to wait a really long time. Resale value is rated at 50% of retail value currently, not higher than retail.

So buyers beware.

[disneysteve]

Resale value is rated at 50% of retail value currently, not higher than retail.

If DVC resells for 50%, that's worlds better than any other timeshare.

In fact, if you are looking to buy DVC, I'd definitely look at the resale market first.

[FLA]

. We just got back from a week at Disney earlier this month. We spent 7 nights in a very nice 3-bedroom, 3-bath townhouse. The week cost us about $625. So at that rate, we could go annually for 19 years with $12,000 (and that doesn't count the annual fees). Of course, rents will rise over time, but so will annual fees. So no matter how I run the numbers, I can never have it make sense. But I don't factor in the possible resale value since that is unknowable.

where do you like to stay? We stay at a place two miles away called Windsor Hills and love it. I stayed on property once, what a waste, I'll never do that again.