Does DVC really hold its value?

[nomoretslt]

Okay now I am really confused. You said you “just bought 50 points” so I was assuming you’ve never actually stayed at a DVC resort except OKW and SSR? you just kind of resort hop while staying off property? By amenities I mean things like the community hall and the gym and the resort parking lot.
Yes there are lots of places to see the fireworks. I’ve been across the skyway connecting BLT and Contemporary since 2010 and just discovered the viewing area with seats on the Contemporary side.
Someone gave me a timeshare that was 10 minutes from Animal Kingdom. It was a 2 bedroom duplex. Kept it for 3 years and had the opportunity to give it back to Diamond....I hated it there and my husband never went and had no desire to go (I would take his mom and sister). Was happy to get rid of that $1,000/year ‘free’ timeshare. Now if it had been Bonnett Creek or Sheraton Vistana, that would have been a different story.
Wishing you nothing but happy trips.

 

[cbyrne1174]

Okay now I am really confused. You said you “just bought 50 points” so I was assuming you’ve never actually stayed at a DVC resort except OKW and SSR? you just kind of resort hop while staying off property? By amenities I mean things like the community hall and the gym and the resort parking lot.
Yes there are lots of places to see the fireworks. I’ve been across the skyway connecting BLT and Contemporary since 2010 and just discovered the viewing area with seats on the Contemporary side.
Someone gave me a timeshare that was 10 minutes from Animal Kingdom. It was a 2 bedroom duplex. Kept it for 3 years and had the opportunity to give it back to Diamond....I hated it there and my husband never went and had no desire to go (I would take his mom and sister). Was happy to get rid of that $1,000/year ‘free’ timeshare. Now if it had been Bonnett Creek or Sheraton Vistana, that would have been a different story.
Wishing you nothing but happy trips.

I always use the deluxe resorts mid-day to relax at between park hopping. There's no rule against it. You just can't swim in the pools (for obvious reasons). I've lounged at AKV a few hours because I love going to Sanaa for lunch after visiting Animal Kingdom. Kidani village has a really good lounging area above Sanaa that gives good view of the animals. I like to eat at Sanaa, then let my belly settle there for an hour before hopping to another park. You just show the guard your dining reservation and they let you right in.

I love beaches and cream at the Beach Club, but have never swam in the pool. I will usually relax there or at the boardwalk in between Epcot and HS. I used to do HS in the AM and keep my car at HS, then take the boat over and back (before the Skyliner). Poly and GF are good to relax at when you're hopping from Epcot to MK because their stops are after the TTC. I just park my car at the MK lot when I do Epcot and MK in 1 day. So yes, I know most of the deluxe resorts without ever actually paying to stay there.

Also, Diamond is a trash company. You couldn't pay me $1,000 to take a week there. However, the presidential reserve units at Bonnet Creek are nicer than most DVC rooms. Half the rooms have an Epcot fireworks view from the 16th-19th floor. The renovated SSR 1 bedrooms are definetely a downgrade from the 1 bedroom PR units at Bonnet Creek and cost twice as much.

The only value DVC has for me is for booking 1 night and having access to the resort for a 2 day staycation since I can go to Disney whenever I feel like it.

 

[Dean]

lol I just bought 50 points just to use their pools in the summer. I would never waste that much on a hotel room if I was just going to be in a park most of the day.

I've seen quite a few people over the years who own points and use them at times or routinely just to get access to the pools, free parking, as a respite from the parks during the day and for the dining plans. Some stay a night here or there, some use them just during the day. 1 night gets you 2 days access to all but the room itself.

 

[cbyrne1174]

I've seen quite a few people over the years who own points and use them at times or routinely just to get access to the pools, free parking, as a respite from the parks during the day and for the dining plans. Some stay a night here or there, some use them just during the day. 1 night gets you 2 days access to all but the room itself.

or for when you need a place to recover from a food coma during food and wine.

 

[Dean]

or for when you need a place to recover from a food coma during food and wine.

You sure it's food?

 

[Deb & Bill]

...BTW, I was never offered the extension for OKW as a resale buyer.

The original owner was probably offered the extension and declined. So it's one per contract. Unless you bought your resale long before they offered the extension.

 

[Twohsieh]

Not just hold their value but buy it right and see it increase in value. I purchased VGC (Grand Californian)) in 2018 for $155 per point and could sell it easily for $200. Could probably get more than that. Of course, this is still a timeshare so it could end up at $0 so I am not counting my windfall.

I bought 3 VGC contracts in 2010 for $99/point (after incentives) and first year of double points. I could sell one of my contracts today for the price I paid for all three of them. I’m not planning to sell any of my contracts but I’m glad to know their holding their value plus some.

Also, I purchased a subsidized AUL contract in late 2020 for $100/point. Current AUL contracts are selling $25-$45 more per point now.

 

[noreenkate]

I am a huge DVC cheerleader - that said it is still just a timeshare. The only value it holds is what an owner makes of it...Resale value can change, restrictions on resale purchases keep coming, perks disappear ect. There are many owners that are unhappy with the product or vacation needs change and currently the resale market is loaded with contracts...a year ago they sold unless than a day now they are sitting a little longer- who knows where the resale market will be in another year.

For me I am a disney nerd- my intention for my purchase was to stop the clock on hotel prices Disney is someplace I have every intention of going every year with or without DVC so for me the value is the cost benefit vs a hotel stay...right now my annual dues are roughly equal to a hotel room stay at the lowest value resort with a discount code.

The memories I have with my family there are priceless...that is where the value is.

 

[kanerf]

One thing that sets DVC apart from most other timeshares is that they have a known end date. You know that you will no longer be responsible for maintenance beyond 2042 or later. One problem that many timeshares have is the that owners age out and then cannot get rid of the thing.

 

[hcarman]

One thing that sets DVC apart from most other timeshares is that they have a known end date. You know that you will no longer be responsible for maintenance beyond 2042 or later. One problem that many timeshares have is the that owners age out and then cannot get rid of the thing.

I 100% agree with you and have always wondered why others didn't model themselves more like this. Not everyone has someone to deed it to when they pass or get to where they can't travel anymore or don't want to travel anymore. Then you end up with an owner who can't get rid of it and may stop paying dues, which hurts everyone in the end. I am hearing from others that the younger generations are less interested in the vacation club concept - how true that is I don't know.

 

[Dean]

I 100% agree with you and have always wondered why others didn't model themselves more like this. Not everyone has someone to deed it to when they pass or get to where they can't travel anymore or don't want to travel anymore. Then you end up with an owner who can't get rid of it and may stop paying dues, which hurts everyone in the end. I am hearing from others that the younger generations are less interested in the vacation club concept - how true that is I don't know.

I think for most the RTU is a negative. Most have referrence it that way. Personally I see advantages and disadvantages. To me the answer is it doesn't matter until under about 20 years. The reason DVC holds it's value is simple, it's Disney.

 

[heathpack]

I think for most the RTU is a negative. Most have referrence it that way. Personally I see advantages and disadvantages. To me the answer is it doesn't matter until under about 20 years. The reason DVC holds it's value is simple, it's Disney.

Most reference it that way because when they purchase the timeshare, they can’t imagine how their lives/travel habits will change as they and their family grows, AND they value the TS when they purchase it so they believe it will be a valuable asset to leave to their heirs, AND they can’t foresee changes to the TS program (like loss of perks) & how that will affect enjoyment of their TS.

However, time and time again, we see on TUG folks experience ALL of those things and want out from their timeshare, only to learn that there’s no exit strategy. I’ve made this argument here on TUG in the past, and you flat out told me I was wrong, lol. But absolutely a built in exit strategy in the form of an expiration date is a great feature IMO. It’s a great feature even for 40 year old people who don’t think it’s a great feature because they can’t yet imagine their 70-year-old life.

I agree though that I’m not sure if positively affects resale value, other than perhaps folks don’t feel trapped so are more ok with leaping in. I imagine once there’s not much use left on these contracts, prices will drop. But hotel prices keep rising, and that will help mitigate the drop in resale prices. Everything Disney seems to play by its own rules, and normal logic does not always apply.

 

[kanerf]

Most reference it that way because when they purchase the timeshare, they can’t imagine how their lives/travel habits will change as they and their family grows, AND they value the TS when they purchase it so they believe it will be a valuable asset to leave to their heirs, AND they can’t foresee changes to the TS program (like loss of perks) & how that will affect enjoyment of their TS.

However, time and time again, we see on TUG folks experience ALL of those things and want out from their timeshare, only to learn that there’s no exit strategy. I’ve made this argument here on TUG in the past, and you flat out told me I was wrong, lol. But absolutely a built in exit strategy in the form of an expiration date is a great feature IMO. It’s a great feature even for 40 year old people who don’t think it’s a great feature because they can’t yet imagine their 70-year-old life.

I agree though that I’m not sure if positively affects resale value, other than perhaps folks don’t feel trapped so are more ok with leaping in. I imagine once there’s not much use left on these contracts, prices will drop. But hotel prices keep rising, and that will help mitigate the drop in resale prices. Everything Disney seems to play by its own rules, and normal logic does not always apply.

It will really get interesting when we hit 2032 and the 10 year clock for 2042 resorts starts to tick down. Will those resorts have any value at that time? What will the price-per-point look like for resales?

 

[TheHolleys87]

I read some forums where a common message is “The Magic is gone, it’s not coming back, and the Disney company management is killing the parks!” Then I read other forums where prospective and recent buyers of DVC are basing current purchase decisions on the resale value of various resorts 20 or 30 years from now, assuming that past history is predictive of the future. I have to wonder whether I’m the only one who reads both!

 

[Dean]

Most reference it that way because when they purchase the timeshare, they can’t imagine how their lives/travel habits will change as they and their family grows, AND they value the TS when they purchase it so they believe it will be a valuable asset to leave to their heirs, AND they can’t foresee changes to the TS program (like loss of perks) & how that will affect enjoyment of their TS.

However, time and time again, we see on TUG folks experience ALL of those things and want out from their timeshare, only to learn that there’s no exit strategy. I’ve made this argument here on TUG in the past, and you flat out told me I was wrong, lol. But absolutely a built in exit strategy in the form of an expiration date is a great feature IMO. It’s a great feature even for 40 year old people who don’t think it’s a great feature because they can’t yet imagine their 70-year-old life.

I agree though that I’m not sure if positively affects resale value, other than perhaps folks don’t feel trapped so are more ok with leaping in. I imagine once there’s not much use left on these contracts, prices will drop. But hotel prices keep rising, and that will help mitigate the drop in resale prices. Everything Disney seems to play by its own rules, and normal logic does not always apply.

Most buyers aren't thinking of those things up front.

 

[rickandcindy23]

One thing that sets DVC apart from most other timeshares is that they have a known end date. You know that you will no longer be responsible for maintenance beyond 2042 or later. One problem that many timeshares have is the that owners age out and then cannot get rid of the thing.

A lot of timeshares have a sunset clause, especially the older legacy timeshares. The date was something like 45 years. That is how our two in Colorado are. We are hitting it pretty soon. Foxrun in North Carolina had and end date a few years ago, and I said the timeshare should end and should be sold as real estate. I was in the minority. I sold my week 26 and still have a week 52. The fees are reasonable and this is a good trader for me.

 

[heathpack]

It will really get interesting when we hit 2032 and the 10 year clock for 2042 resorts starts to tick down. Will those resorts have any value at that time? What will the price-per-point look like for resales?

I paid $9000 for my 85 point VGC contract 10ish years ago. At that time, you could sometimes get a hotel room at the Grand Californian for $189/night. Now the cheapest I ever see those rooms is $400/night. VGC expires in 30 years. What will a hotel room cost 20 years from now when there's only 10 years left on the contract? Maybe $800/night?

An 85 point VGC contract can generate 5 one night studio stays per year, and if you sell at the 10 year mark, you're essentially selling 50 prepaid studio nights. Say your buyer considers prepaying at $200/night to make sense- $200 x 50 nights is $10,000. Which is to say- its possible that VGC holds its value right up until that 10 year clock starts.

OF COURSE this is not guaranteed. OF COURSE I am not counting on it. OF COURSE Disney could tank out and lose its popularity. OF COURSE a massive earthquake could knock the resort down and leave nothing to sell. OF COURSE the new DVC that's being built at DL Hotel could change the equation.

But from my non-delusional perspective, I think folks might be surprised at how well the value holds. at least at VGC.

 

[heathpack]

I read some forums where a common message is “The Magic is gone, it’s not coming back, and the Disney company management is killing the parks!” Then I read other forums where prospective and recent buyers of DVC are basing current purchase decisions on the resale value of various resorts 20 or 30 years from now, assuming that past history is predictive of the future. I have to wonder whether I’m the only one who reads both!

Honestly I am not a huge fan of the "new Disney" myself. But still I'm going for an overnight stay and two park days in a month. Glutton for punishment maybe. Or old habits die hard. Who knows. But I am getting to the point of wondering if its really that fun any more.

 

[elaine]

parks not that fun--resorts still fun. now, we plan pop into resort for a couple nights when in FL a few times a year. we've still got 10+ waterpark days and a 5 park days. We'll do a day here/there for the next 5 years and then we're done.

 

[noreenkate]

I read some forums where a common message is “The Magic is gone, it’s not coming back, and the Disney company management is killing the parks!” Then I read other forums where prospective and recent buyers of DVC are basing current purchase decisions on the resale value of various resorts 20 or 30 years from now, assuming that past history is predictive of the future. I have to wonder whether I’m the only one who reads both!

I read both also and I am astonished by the current state of the resale market & the parks…if we learned anything from these past few years IMO it’s anything and everything can change without much notice. I dunno the thought of purchasing resale based on past resort performance is nuts…i am probably crazy but you purchase DVC cause you plan on going on vacation to Disney a lot. Purchasing resale eases the initial blow but is still sunk costs that although I may break even never did I except to recover them.

 

[got4boys]

Disney Vacation Club timeshares is part of the "retirement" plan. As mentioned in previous posts, it is one of the few timeshares that can go up in value, even buying it at full retail. I made the mistake (don't we all as newbies in timesharing) thinking the RTU was going to be a factor and did not buy it in 1999. Bought something else - lost a bit of money on that one! Boy did I think differently 10 years later. Started the process acquiring, using, selling off (and making a little money) to find the right ones for our retirement years. Right now the plan is to travel in the winter months south or someplace warm, using a mixture of timeshare is the goal.

 

[TheHolleys87]

I read both also and I am astonished by the current state of the resale market & the parks…if we learned anything from these past few years IMO it’s anything and everything can change without much notice. I dunno the thought of purchasing resale based on past resort performance is nuts…i am probably crazy but you purchase DVC cause you plan on going on vacation to Disney a lot. Purchasing resale eases the initial blow but is still sunk costs that although I may break even never did I except to recover them.

Yes, I consider our DVC purchase a sunk cost too. It makes me sad when I read of these young families buying in, especially direct, and basing their decision in large part on which resort will sell for a higher price 10 or 20 years down the line. Who knows what the situation will be with the Disney parks, theme parks in general, the timeshare industry, and the vacations accommodations industry by then? You shouldn’t even assume you’ll be able to sell it, IMHO.

 

[noreenkate]

Yes, I consider our DVC purchase a sunk cost too. It makes me sad when I read of these young families buying in, especially direct, and basing their decision in large part on which resort will sell for a higher price 10 or 20 years down the line. Who knows what the situation will be with the Disney parks, theme parks in general, the timeshare industry, and the vacations accommodations industry by then? You shouldn’t even assume you’ll be able to sell it, IMHO.

That and the I can leave it to my kids…
was trying to convince family member the other day - resale at this point is not a great option IMO for her family. Yes you get more points for less but with more points comes more responsibility for MFs- why anyone would put 18 year olds still in college on the hook for dues for large contracts before they have their 1st real jobs.
My advice for her was (2) 75 point contracts direct to start. G-d forbid they are easier to unload - And again I am not a fan of the post Riv restrictions...and for a family that has difficulty planning the more options the better

 

[frank808]

That and the I can leave it to my kids…
was trying to convince family member the other day - resale at this point is not a great option IMO for her family. Yes you get more points for less but with more points comes more responsibility for MFs- why anyone would put 18 year olds still in college on the hook for dues for large contracts before they have their 1st real jobs.
My advice for her was (2) 75 point contracts direct to start. G-d forbid they are easier to unload - And again I am not a fan of the post Riv restrictions...and for a family that has difficulty planning the more options the better

I would advise resale contract anywhere but Riviera, Vero and HH. I cannot justify paying 50% more to purchase direct.

Actually at today's prices, unless you are hard-core Disney fan, I would not advise to buy in.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

 

[noreenkate]

I would advise resale contract anywhere but Riviera, Vero and HH. I cannot justify paying 50% more to purchase direct.

Actually at today's prices, unless you are hard-core Disney fan, I would not advise to buy in.

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I think direct vs resale is a decision for the individual family involved and how they vacation. That said this family is looking for DLR - whole different ballgame- Home Priority is everything and resale at VGC is no bargain. The new tower at DLH will probably be the easiest way in- The chances of getting 2 small contracts are SLIM without going direct. Remember I brought this up because her justification is well I can leave it to the kids and again I don’t see any legitimate reason pick up extra points just cause it’s cheaper sunk cost especially if odds are you aren’t going to be able to book where you want to go…

before anyone goes getting your panties in a knot I know- I get it we are disneynerds and MOST do better resale…BUT that isn’t always an absolute.