The TRUTH About Disney's HUGE Money Maker -- Disney Vacation Club

There are those who say that “You can’t put a price on Disney magic.” But what happens when hundred-dollar price tags turn into THOUSAND-dollar price tags that follow you every. single. year.? Let’s take off those rose-colored glasses for a bit and learn the TRUTH of Disney’s most successful money making scheme, here on DFB Guide.

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[richardmercer]

If you can't afford to buy with cash up front, you can't afford it. DO NOT go into debt for a timeshare!

[allisonscribner]

This was worth it to me. I bought in 2001 and as a single parent with two young daughters, I knew I could go on vacation and not really have to worry as much. Once I was dropped off at the airport and got off the plane in FL I was chaperoned by Disney. We had several Disney vacations, went to Aulani once and took several cruises to Western and Eastern Caribbean as well as to Alaska. I still enjoy my points because the options for destination are so varied as opposed to a regular timeshare where you have the same week every year at the same location.

[Pravin_Yeshua_BTC]

Just buy a house within 20 mins of Disney if you love it that much.
We did. Best decision ever ✨

[twulff]

I am always astonished on the creativity of Disney on how to rip us off left and right with no shame whatsoever.

[SCUBAbabe]

Hey! My hubs built the bronze horse at 3:08! He’s the metal chaser not the artist. Very cool to see it in the wild! 🤣

[stephaniebfi]

I really appreciate this topic and for me it's right on time. I have a 5 figure trip scheduled for March and now that we're moving toward being empty nesters we're looking to travel more. Right now I love the flexibility of just paying cash. I appreciate all the comments particularly of people who have DVC. Disney weakening and/or taking away benefits has made it easy for me to wait and see what happens.

[MikeOnTheHomestead]

I bought a year ago and am glad I did. Basically we are prepaying for our vacations as a hedge against inflation. Just in a year alone, resort rates have increased significantly making it more and more expensive to visit the resort. We will basically have the same rate (or better) every single year and trip.

[rebeccareznicek]

My husband and I are currently going through the process of buying on the resale market. Resale can save you a lot and you do not have to buy the minimum 150 points. As others have mentioned, if you plan to visit at least every other year, always stay deluxe, and do NOT finance (pay cash), it can absolutely be worth it.

[wadesanecki]

Oh how things have changed since the start. I bought in 1992 when the only resort was Old Key West, and even that was only about half complete. The perks were super back then. The biggest perk was free tickets for you, or anybody using your points, and staying at your DVC Resort. When you crunched the numbers, the free tickets offset the purchase price. Also, at that time, my family and many of my friends were at that point where they wanted to visit WDW with their families. I was able to rent my points to them, and everybody was happy. I received rental money, and they got to say at a DVC resort at a considerable savings. The rooms at Old Key West are huge, and the one or two bedroom units include a fully functional kitchen and washer and dryer, along with two bathrooms. A quick trip to a nearby Winn-Dixie at the start of your stay, and you can save a bundle on bottled water, snacks and breakfast items for your stay. For those flying into Orlando, Disney´s Magical Express was available to all DVC guests free of charge. The resort also hosted member socials twice a week, as well as an ice cream shop all for no charge. The sales center on site at the resort also provided free juice, muffins, and bagels in the morning. And of course the bus stops at the theme parks were located at a point closest to the entrance of the park, and at Epcot, it was a lot closer than the other resorts.

As far as the resale goes, Disney offered to buy back the contracts of original investors at a price per point greater than what I paid in 1992. When have you ever heard of a timeshare company buying back your timeshare ? Let alone at a profit ? But alas, most of the perks are gone, but it´s nice to know that when I visit Disney, I will be staying in a top quality resort. I don´t even care if I go to the parks during my stay, I enjoy the amenities of the different resorts. I can sit and relax on the porch of my room and watch the zebras at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Enjoy the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the Polynesian, Bay Lake Tower, or Grand Floridian Resorts. Watch and enjoy the crowds on the Boardwalk at night. And relax and watch the golfers playing the Lake Buena Vista course that runs through Old Key West. And I won´t forget the ocean front rooms at Disney´s Vero Beach Resort. I want to make it out to Hawaii, and Aulani, I have heard only fantastic things about it, and try to find time to go to Hilton Head. But lastly, my wife dearly wants to go on a Disney Cruise, that we can use our membership points on. Sorry for rambling on.

[michaelsmagicalmoments]

We almost got convinced to get a DVC membership years ago. We were on vacation and in the bubble. We went to one of Disney's promo events where we got extra Fast Passes (remember those??). We signed up with joy at the idea of 50 years of Disney vacations, though I was a bit apprehensive at having to finance the thing. After getting home, I did a lot of research and cost analysis. I couldn't justify keeping it. I cancelled within that grace period window and I'm so glad I did.

[meghuff]

For DVC to work for you financially. ..
1. Need to want deluxe resort accommodations
2. Need to be able to book 11 months in advance
3. Need to be going to Disney at least every year or two.

That being said, my husband and I have been DVC members since 2016. We love it and can't bring ourselves to give it up. My husband would never be happy doing anything that was a waste of money.

[wdgpcfr]

I have looked at DVC a couple of times. Each time I realize I can go to Disney every 3 years for the cost of the maintenance fees.

[TomB]

Good video. We purchased in 2009 and we could sell it or more then the purchase price and all the years of dues combined. We usually book our home resort 11 months out so we can be assured of a room for the dates we want and change to the hotel we want the morning of 7 months out. I would say the Beach Club is the hardest to get a room at. We also save a few hundred bucks on annual passes which offsets the annual dues expense too. No hotel parking fees either. I could write more but I'll just say it's been a good deal/experience for us.

[janirak.]

My husband and I joined 8 years ago. We did the math, for us we definitely saved money versus paying cash each trip. I will say this, it’s not for everyone but we have found it to be valuable. Best advice I could give is to do lots of research and make sure it’s a good fit for you and your family.

[kimt]

Our issue is the annual pass thing. We are out of state. It just seems nonexistent in value at this time. And NO spring break for us anymore. We went; our flight back got cancelled, we were there an extra 4 days. That last minute we could NOT get one reservation for any of the parks. It was frustrating.

[russmacc]

From a pure financial standpoint, if you can't pay for your points upfront or can't pay the note off in under 5 years, I would recommend not doing it. You lose a lot of the savings benefit by getting killed with interest over the 10 years of payments. For example, the Riviera right now for 300 points would be approximately $55, 000 with closing costs plus dues of 210 a month (which, I believe, can go up). Over 50 years, that cost (if the dues never go up), would be about $181, 000 total, or $3, 620 per year for your lodging. Considering where you can stay and the length, that is honestly a great price. If you do the 10 year note, your $55, 000 becomes a smidge over $100k without dues, so about $226k with dues (50 years), you're at about $4, 520 per year. Not horrible, but you can probably book a stay for close to that price in one of the hotels if you just book normally. Also - consider hotel room costs will go up over the next 50 years, it starts to look like a better deal, but again you have to have the money now and have to really love Disney.

[randyc]

AJ is 100% correct on this. I have been a DVC member for 20 years and got all my money back including maintenance fees in 10 years. Best of luck on your decisions.

[loganholt]

I own 4 contracts. 1 direct and 3 resale. Zero regrets! I will say it is a buyers markets on the resale market right now. The most common complaint from DVC members is why didn’t I buy sooner! It’s a huge hedge against inflation and you plan on going to Disney once a year or every other year for the rest of your life you will save much money

[charlescook]

In September my wife and I are going on an Adventures by Disney (absolutely fantastic) tour of London, followed by a Trans-Atlantic cruise on the Disney cruise line- all on vacation club points. In the same month my 30 year old twin daughters are staying at the brand new Riviera DVC resort using our points for three days before their cruise on the Wish. My son and family (wife and two kids) are going to WDW and staying in a one bedroom suite at the Wilderness Lodge ($850 per night cash price) using our points. So, that is five members of my family along with a daughter in law and grandchildren enjoying our points. We have gradually increased our contracts over the years. It is fantastic because of the flexibility and broad range of potential vacation. Now they have added the National Geographic tours to the DVC point charts. The investment is still worth something, unlike other programs.

IT IS NOT A TIMESHARE!!

[ericmanner]

FIRST THINGS FIRST, AJ. THE VERY FIRST TIME I ENTERED OLD KEY WEST (1996), WITH MY SISTER-IN-LAWs FAMILY WHO HAD THE MEMBERSHIP, I WAS MOVED TO TEARS WHEN THE SECURITY GUARD AT THE GATE SAID, "WELCOME HOME". I KNEW OUR VACATION WOULD BE INCREDIBLE.

When I look at the evolution of Walt Disney World, I can't help but taste that bitterness in my mouth. I understand that the pandemic has had an impact on everyone and everything. In my mind, everything "today" is shaded with the headlines of executive bonuses, after the massive layoffs of the actual people who make Disney magical. It doesn't bother me that I don't go, it bothers me that I refuse to go.