How DVC Works?

Hi!

I'm sure that actual DVC owners can fill you in on the details, but I've attended a couple of presentations, and can tell you that it's a timeshare or fractional ownership using a point system. It allows you to purchase vacation time at your resort. The minimum initial purchase is 150 points at the current point value (around $110/point right now) with separate maintenance fees of around $7/point. This is paid over a five- or ten-year period through monthly electronic withdrawals from your bank account. You are assigned a "home" resort (usually the one to which they take you during your initial presentation; mine would've been SSR).

Generally, once you buy in and pay off your initial mortgage and maintenance fees, you're a free and clear owner and each year (for about fifty years) are automatically given points to use or to bank. You can also purchase more points. One hundred fifty points usually pays for a week at your home resort, but during your presentation you'll receive a brochure detailing how many points you'll need to stay at various DVC resorts, broken down by season and day of the week. Generally, weekdays are cheaper.

The obvious benefit to DVC ownership is not having to search for lodging when you visit the World. If you're at your "home" resort, when you arrive you will be greeted with "Welcome Home" signs or from a greeter. If you sail on Disney Cruise Line, I think you can do so for 75-150 points, depending on how long and what stateroom category. There are also "DVC Member Only" cruises.

I don't know all the benefits, but they're considerable and may be worth your while. Happy exploring!

Jim

Greebil, I've been struggling with how it works/is it worth it/ what are hidden plusses/minuses for a while now. Check out

This thread about whether DVC is worth it or not

for some great feedback from others on the site

I'm still not sure which way to go, but, alas... maybe the economy will bring some re-sale points down to a manageable price with low financing.

Good morning!

After reading that thread, I'm glad I didn't buy in. Because I'm single without kids, I don't think DVC would work for me.

Jim

I can never decide. The people who have DVC always seem so happy with the purchase.

So true. Again, it's that "disney magic" that you just can't put a price on...

Which is a big reason we are seriously considering buying in...it's just all about the magic. No other timeshare could ever offer that to us!

Yes. Plus, as has been said before, the option to use your points in lots of different places is a draw. You know that Disney is a reputable company and has checked out the potential hotels/experiences you'd be signing up for--and that means a lot when you're going to places that might be a bit more risky safety-wise but that still hold a lot of interest for you.