How much do Disney Vacation Club weeks cost /worth it?

I am toying with the idea of bankrupting myself with a DVC purchase. I know the prices must vary according to time of year and size of condo but am unsure exactly what a basic week would cost. The web site is a bit confusing and non-committal.

Does anyone have one of these? Are they good value? Are there ongoing maintenance costs like timeshares? Ups and downs? Are they Chav free? Any comments gratefully received, thanks.

How much do Disney Vacation Club weeks cost /worth it?

Chinners:

I own DVC and am glad I do. As you note, the number of required points vary depending upon accomdations and season. For example, a two bedroom unit at one of the Disney World resorts is about 30-40 points per night for Sunday through Thursday. Friday and Saturday nights are significantly more costly at 60-75 points per night. The costs for a studio are 12-14 per night for Sunday through Thursday nights and 22-32 points each for Friday and Saturday nights.

There are yearly dues that are in the range of $3-$4 per point. My dues for 200 points at Wilderness lodge run $75 or so a month.

DVC works out great for us. We, like many others only stay Sunday to Thursday to maximize our points.

There is too much information for me to give you here. I would suggest you go to the DVC discussion groups at www.disboards.com where you can learn everything you want to know.

Steve

How much do Disney Vacation Club weeks cost /worth it?

Many thanks, so it seems it is more down to how many points you wish to spend, rather than a set size of condo then? Is there a recommended number of points required for an annual 2 week vacation in a one bedroomed condo at all. Will take a look at the link you provided, thanks.

A one bedroom unit at Wilderness Lodge ranges from 200 to 350 points per week. Other resorts might vary a little but are in the same ranges.

Steve

Thanks again - a rough guide would therefore be 600 points in mid to low season (Sept). But I cannot find out how much 600 points would cost from the DVC website - it is very frustrating!

Points can be purchased directly from Disney or through a resale. Through Disney they are roughly $104 each, although there is a current incentive going on. Through resale they would be less, but there is a floor as Disney can exercise a right of first refusal on any sale and buy the points itself. This keeps the resale price up.

Resales can be found at the Timeshare store, http://www.dvc-resales.com/

Steve

I am so glad people who actually own time shares are happy with them.

And I%26#39;d be happier with one at disney than anywhere else.

But, the costs are just too silly. Even the owner above has said he pays $75 a month, $900 a year plus the purchase cost per week.

$900 can get you a villa for a week with no capital outlay/running/maintenance/user costs. Not to mention what your cash would be earning in the bank or a CD.

To me it wouldn%26#39;t be worth it. But i%26#39;d rent one from an owner, and have in the past.

Steve are you sure they are $104 per point? That seems high. We paid $57 pp in 1993 but we also received 4 length of stay park hopper tickets for seven years. So it was a good deal for us. You need to crunch the numbers and count on the dues going up. In 1993 ours were $300 and now 11 or 12 hundred.

Amanx:

You are right. It is questionable whether it makes financial sense for everyone. It does for us though.

When I bought the points they were only $62.50 per point so my total outlay for 200 points was $12,500. I am not sure I would buy them at $100 per point.

On the other hand, although one does not purchase a timeshare to make a profit, I could sell my points now and receive more than I paid for them. This is not likely to continue, however, since the points I purchased expire in 2042. There are programs now though where the points expire later.

It made sense for us because we stay every year on Disney property and there are rarely deals on deluxe accomodations, especially during the summer when we usually travel. If one needs or wants a villa and is willing to stay off property there are rental units, including entire homes, that can be obtained quite inexpensively.

Chinners- if you go to the disboards link I gave before there are numerous discussions as to whether it makes financial sense and you can decide if it does based upon your anticipated usage.

Rono:

Current prices can be seen at:

dvcnews.com/index.php鈥?/a>

The current price at Animal Kindgom Lodge Villas is

$104 base price less $8 promotional discount OR matching set of Developer%26#39;s Points; 160-point minimum purchase.

Steve

Windjammer,

like i said, the only good reason to buy a timeshare anywhere/anytime might be Disney. Only if you go every year and stay onsite. Like in your situation.

and you got a much better deal at 62.50 pp. but I don%26#39;t think I%26#39;d pay that, even i i could get it today.

Only because I never stay onsite (having a fam of 5) and I would never want to stay/go to in the same place every year. Unless i owned the whole shebang.

ittwit