What is the first thing you think of when you hear about Disney Vacation Club (DVC to the insiders)? Personally, I think of the large sum of money it would cost to buy in and the annual maintenance fees. Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve thought about purchasing a Disney Vacation Club membership many times. However, it’s just not the right time in my life to be making such a large purchase for a vacation timeshare.
The other day I read an article that made me think about Disney Vacation Club all over again. A post that quite honestly shatters common perceptions of DVC membership. An article that Disney probably doesn’t want you to read because it changes the landscape of Disney Vacation Club purchasing since Disney requires a 160 point minimum for new members when purchased through Disney.
Disney Vacation Club blogging queen, Disney tech podcaster and my good friend Katie Siloac (better known as KidaniKatie) put finger to iPad and crunched the numbers on how a small DVC purchase would work. thedvclife is Katie’s piece of the Internet to share her love of the Disney Vacation Club and has gathered quite a following of both DVC members and non-members. In addition, she is part of the quintet that brings Betamouse, a podcast where Disney and technology merge, to the ears of Disney geeks everywhere.
Here are her assumptions and her first scenario, which I find pretty amazing:
Let’s say I purchase a 50 point resale contract at Boardwalk Villas for $77 per point. What can I do with my $3850 investment? We’ll take a look at a few scenarios.
Scenario One Well, I own at Boardwalk now. And I want to experience some Food & Wine! They bring it back at the end of September in 2011 and I book my stay. It is my home resort now so I have my choice of rooms! No more waitlist for me! I book a studio standard with my now hubby for 5 wonderful nights and 6 wonderful days. September at the Boardwalk. Le sigh. Total points? 50. I want to take the time for a second and simply say this. I just priced out 5 nights at the end of September at the Boardwalk Inn. It was $2000. Now there are many factors to consider here: it will be more expensive in 2011, but I will probably get at least a 30% discount, I might get a pin code. Etc. But you can clearly see that if you are a lover of the Boardwalk in September a break-even point on your small Boardwalk contract is inevitable.
Nearly a week of Food and Wine just steps away from your room at the Boardwalk Villas, and your investment breaks even in just a couple of years. Incredible! Click the icon below to be whisked away to thedvclife.
After reading, you’re invited to come back to DisneyBiz and let me know what you think. Does this destroy your perceptions of Disney Vacation Club being at least a small car sized investment? Have you already pulled up DVC resale sites looking for a small contract? Leave a comment below or let me know on Twitter.
Thank you so much for this wonderful article Katie!
Special thanks to my photography buddy Jennifer (JLovely) for the lovely (pun intended) photo of the Boardwalk! Check out her photostream on Flickr for more great Disney photos.
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