Thoughts on Disney Vacation Club?

I don't see how it could possibly be worth it.

Considered it in the past. Just didn't make financial sense.

Trashy

seems like the best deal is to rent DVC points from DVC members.

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We absolutely love it, but I understand it's not for everyone

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ie: Only for people who think an Igloo is appropriate luggage.

Please enrich your kids with something more than Disney, which they are already bombarded with every single day. Take them to the Mayan Pyramids or Stonehenge instead of that crap. Yes, you are obligated as a parent to do it 2 times, I get that, but avoid it as much as you can.

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I imagine when my kids get older we may be staying on Disney property but going to Universal or other parks nearby.

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Like moving up from a Pop Tart to a Toaster Strudel. Please for you and your kids sake, stop the repetition of Orlando, and if you do go again, for God's sake drive out to Kennedy Space Center. That is worth the trip.

I'm just saying if they've moved onto Universal, then they can appreciate the Kennedy Space Center or the Mayan Pyramids. Just don't stay the course there. And hell, near the Mayan Pyramids great snorkeling. Maybe I was spoiled, but I do believe in introducing children to sophisticated culture as much as possible.

All Vacation Clubs are bad. Never join a Vacation club

I have traveled internationally and I thought I would never like disney. We went last year with our kids (then 5, 8) and loved it. We went again this year and are thinking another visit this year.

The main reason is because it is fun and Easy. We have done international with the kids and customs is a PIA.

I have considered DVC, but it seems like it only gets close to making sense if you buy a resale, but they took away all of the perks from resale buyers.

A better deal would be to buy a condo within a couple miles of Disney. It could be rented when you are not there and you would have a good chance at appreciation on the value. You could also go as often as you would like and not worry about points. The annual pass includes free parking at Disney.

MIL did it, but everyone in the family uses it and pays for it. Makes it easy.

Also, her sister lives in Orlando and works at Disney so they use it to visit her a lot.

The only way it used to make financial sense was to buy resale. But they've taken away so many perks for resale contracts, that it doesn't really work in any sense.

From a practical standpoint, you buy in if you want priority at a specific hotel. You buy in if you want the condo experience. You buy in if you have upfront cash. You buy in with the understanding that it isn't an investment. You buy in if your habits already have you going to Disney once every couple years.

I have 150 points at Saratoga that I got for $57 per. They're worth 80-85 now. I have Bay Lake Tower points I bought for $120 per worth $130 now. Both contracts were done before they changed the rules so I have access to the discounts. So if I had to sell, I could easily make my money back (the upfront cost). Also, I could rent them out and easily cover my dues as well as have plenty of extra money to spend elsewhere. That's probably one the best incentives. DVC is the only timeshare worth anything that you can get out of easily.

And going to Disney this way does not keep us from going elsewhere (this year excluded due to the flood). We've been to Europe multiple times, Maine, Napa, Oregon, Hawaiii (and stayed at the DVC resort there which is gorgeous), etc. The thought that DVC locks you into Disney vacations is ignorant.

But again, I wouldn't buy today. I would probably stick to renting. Direct from disney is very expensive and the contracts are starting to get too short for most home resorts to make financial sense.

I plan to travel abroad once my kids are a bit older. I have no desire to visit Venice or Rome with a 3 year old. I get your anti-commercialism stance on Disney but it is a lot of fun and magical for kids.

We bought my 7 year old a Pascal plush (chameleon from Tangled) which she brought with her everywhere. The second to last day she left it on the beach at the Polynesian never to be seen again. She was very upset about losing it. So as we were leaving to come back home we were picking out souvenirs at one of the stores and my daughter relayed this story to one of the cast members. The older lady discreetly took one off the shelf, removed the tag, and said "You mean this guy? He's been waiting for you here a few days." and gave it to her. Sure it's no Eiffel Tower but still magical to them.