DVC - How does it work?

[Deafjeff]

Hi,

How does DVC work? Is it worth going on introduction day to find out more?

I have seen so many adverts while we were at disney parks, resort.

What are the main benefits?

[Tink]

We are DVC members. We joined when we lived in the NE of the US and kept it when we moved to Ft. Myers and still have it now that we are only 20 minutes away!

Essentially, you purchase a number of points. Those points are used to reserve the villa of your choice at the time you choose to go, at the place you choose to stay.

There are DVC resorts, and non-DVC resorts (GF, for example) Moderates, of course, but no values.

Depending upon where you want to stay, when you want to stay and the size of the accommodation you want, will drive the number of points you will use for that stay.

You purchase your points one, and the same number of points are issued each year on your "use year" date.

You can bank unused points, and borrow points from the upcoming year... there are time frames in which banking must take place.

Points used to stay at a DVC are considered to be the most efficient use of the points, but we've used them to stay at regular resorts too. It really all depends upon what works for you.

Weekends are higher point cost than Sunday through Thursday.

That's the very basics.

Yes, I would recommend you take the tour. It is very, very laid back with no pressure. They'll answer all your questions, and assign you a guide.

We can try to answer your questions here too, but the guide will be your most valid form of information.

[Deafjeff]

Thanks for the info might join a tour when we are at disney this sept

[Slowhand]

My DW and I have been members since 1992 and by now our investment has really paid off.
Just to add to what Tink has said...apart from the purchase of your points, you will also have to pay your "Annual Dues" which are based on a $ per point purchased....something to bear in mind before you commit.
You do get a few perks from being a DVC member, a thumping discount off your AP`s being one of them.
Going on a tour is well worth doing if you are thinking of becoming a member, it is not a high pressure sell experience.
If you happen to be near to the GF then call in and speak to "Joy" who operates from the DVC desk near to the Cafe and mention our names. She will take good care of you and guide you through the process.

[Deafjeff]

smashing many thanks

[Mari]

we visited the DVC villas at Kidani village and fell in love!!

with a baby on the way we decided against joining DVC for the time being, but, we do want to do it in the years to come

I think its worth it if you plan to visit Disney frequently...

[Tink]

I haven't run the numbers since the first time, but it used to apply that if you planned on visiting Disney once every three years, then it was a good buy for you.

You can also used the points in many, many other places in the world.

Yep! Forgot about those dues!

There are ever changing perks, too. %s of this or that... those sorts of discounts. Food, tours, rentals, ect.

[lisaw]

We looked at it slightly differently when we made the decision - overall after you take into consideration the initial outlay and annual dues we probably don't save a great deal of money as we stayed at either values or moderates before. It just means for us it opens up a lot more options of places to stay that we couldn't have considered before - prepaid

[Dawn]

So essentially you pay a lump sum upfront and then an annual fee?

And how many years does that cover you for?

[lisaw]

So essentially you pay a lump sum upfront and then an annual fee?

And how many years does that cover you for?

If you buy from one of the resorts that disney themselves are selling (we had the choice of AKV or Saratoga there is Bay Lake Tower as well at the moment) it is 50 years - you can buy resale though and then you would have whatever was left on the contract.