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Disney Vacation Club: Worth the Cost?

If you are in the Disney Vacation Club, or have been, Richard Livesidge wants to know if you think joining was worth the price.

From RICHARD LIVESIDGE
Posted July 29, 2002 at 2:11 PM
For many years now we have been trying to decide wether or not we should join The Disney Vacation Club. I understand that it costs about $10,000 set up fee and then you pay a small amount each year. What are 'the points' that you get given actually used for and do you get enough points for more than 1 vacation each year. Plus do you have to stay in The Boardwalk Villas/ Vero Beach/ Old Key West or can you choose any of the Disney Hotels?? On the Video it said 45,000 familys were members so hopefully somebody out there can share some information.

Please help me by giving any advice that you can.
Thanks!


Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond.

From Joe Nocella
Posted July 29, 2002 at 3:39 PM
My wife and I became members since July of 1997 and never regret it. We were actually looking at purchasing points back when they first started (1992) but financially we were not capable of doing it. It is so good (and a great value), that when our daughter was born in 1999, we purchased additional points. What you purchase are points that must be used within your "use" year. You can borrow from the next year, or "bank" unused points for the following year. At the time when we purchase, there was a minimum amount of points you can buy, which was 150. You paid a per point one-time fee, and are assessed a monthly (or annual) maintenance fee based on the amount of points that you have (which, for us, for 210 points equates to about $40/month (which part of which can be tax deductible (check your accountant))). So, this concept of $10,000 is wrong.. it is based on how much you buy. You have to buy into a "home" resort, but that just gives you the right to book your reservations nine months in advance for your home. Other Vacation Club resorts are booked six months in advance. You don't have to stay at the Vacation Club resorts... you can stay anywhere on the Disney property. We have used points in Paris, London, New York, Disneyland and in San Francisco. It is well worth it.

From RICHARD LIVESIDGE
Posted July 30, 2002 at 4:54 AM
Thanks Joe!

Do you know if you can use the points at Disneyland Paris?

also, am I correct by saying you can stay in ANY WDW resort hotel or just a select few?

From RICHARD LIVESIDGE
Posted July 30, 2002 at 8:16 AM
Thanks to all you guys that e-mailed me with info, especially Sherry. I am now strongly considering joining.

From Joe Nocella
Posted July 30, 2002 at 8:22 AM
Yes.. you can use your points at Disneyland Paris. The only Disney park that the points cannot be used at is Tokyo Disneyland resort.

From Ed Noonan
Posted July 30, 2002 at 9:38 AM
We joined in 1992. Quite simply, we would do it again in a heartbeat. We have had 10 years of memorable Disney vacations, and have 40 years to go! I figured we had more than made up our initial investment on our 5th or 6th WDW vacation.

From Alice west
Posted July 31, 2002 at 4:16 PM
Dear Richard,
GO FOR IT!! I guess the main question would be how be, is how much do you enjoy Disney. My family and I (we have 2 young sons) are Disney fanatics. We go approx. every 2 years. We purchase points in the New Disney Beach club villas. It has allowed us to go more often and stay longer. Hope this helps. You won't regret it.

From Robert Niles
Posted July 31, 2002 at 5:23 PM
Okay, I'll ask the stupid newbie question:

Can someone give me a quick overview of the Disney Vacation Club: how it works, the upfront costs, the annual costs and what I can expect to get in return? And why is this a better deal than just booking a room elsewhere on-site?

From RICHARD LIVESIDGE
Posted August 1, 2002 at 1:13 AM
Thanks to everybody that e-mailed me (I have recieved about 10 e-mails from different people who are members :-) )

In reply to your question, Robert, I am not the right guy to answer it!

I am still trying to figure it all out and work out how much it will actually cost an average family per year.

Anyone else answer Robert's question??

From Joe Nocella
Posted August 1, 2002 at 9:30 AM
Robert,

For all the costs upfront and annual, you should speak directly to a Vacation Club representative. Some correct me, but I think the price per point recently went up. From a perspective of someone who is a Vacation Club member, it has been perhaps the next best investment we have made for our family next to buying our own house. As someone mentioned before, you basically pay off your investment after 3 or 4 visit to WDW. And, you have a vacation paid for (at least room-wise) until 2040. As I mentioned before, you do not have to take advantage of the points at WDW. We have used the points in London, New York and San Francisco at four-star hotels. We are planning to use points next year for Disneyland Paris. Once my daughter is old enough, we will use points for the cruise line. It is the best investment.

From Stephanie Pancratz
Posted July 10, 2003 at 8:29 AM
My boyfriend just joined DVC, and I am so excited!!! I even attended an Open House & am contemplating joining myself. Look into it for SURE.

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