Disneyland onsite or offsite hotel?

[disneysteve]

You can use it at Disney's resort in Hawaii and Hilton Head. I am sure there are more, but I do know of those.

The other one is in Vero Beach, Florida.

[Like2Plan]

Still, the numbers will never make sense. It will always be cheaper to rent than to own when everything is factored in between the upfront cost and the annual maintenance fee.

It made sense for us at the time, but we paid a lot less for the points than they are today. (And currently, we could sell the points for almost twice what we paid for them--and more than recapture the upfront costs).

Anyway, if I added in the acquisition costs of 1.78 +5.37 for the maint fees = $7.15 per point X 20 points (non peak times weeknight) = $143.00 per night. This is the all in price--no additional cost for parking and no taxes added on top. We like staying at the Grand Cal and this timeshare has made it affordable for us. (And, honestly, we have paid more per night to stay offsite.)

An individual can rent DVC points, but if you go through a broker it's around 15-16 per point (slightly less directly through a DVC owner). However, there are limitations with renting. It would definitely cost us more to rent the same product. It might be worth while for a one off visit.

But, we have family in the LA area and we know we will go back there every year (or more often, if we can). We use the timeshare as an anchor point for multiple interests across many different ages in the family--there are lots of amenities at the hotel, theme parks, downtown Disney and a movie theater just to mention some.

I try to link up our stays with my sister's family, too. In the past they have always gone with the 2BR unit (costs more points: 52 points during weeknights non peak times). It has a full kitchen--3 bathrooms--washer/dryer (sleeps 9--she usually has some one in each bed ) She also cooks all their meals because of some food allergy issues (and it saves a lot of $$). She usually requests a theme park view--We've seen the parade at Californian Adventure from her living room (as well as the world of color).

I really think it has been worthwhile for us so far.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I've tried to figure out the DVC but the points get so confusing. Can you use it at WDW? What is it for onsite there?

[disneysteve]

currently, we could sell the points for almost twice what we paid for them

This is what is remarkably unique about Disney. The timeshares actually have resale value and often at a profit. No other timeshare can say that. Most people are desperate to unload their timeshare contracts and can't even give them away.

I've tried to figure out the DVC but the points get so confusing. Can you use it at WDW? What is it for onsite there?

Yes, DVC is big at WDW. There are a lot of sites including Bay Lake Towers, Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club, Boardwalk, Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, and I'm probably forgetting some. Plus I think you can use your points to stay at any Disney hotel though I'm not sure how good the exchange rate is.

[Like2Plan]

Yes, DVC is big at WDW. There are a lot of sites including Bay Lake Towers, Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club, Boardwalk, Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, and I'm probably forgetting some. Plus I think you can use your points to stay at any Disney hotel though I'm not sure how good the exchange rate is.

The only WDW one you forgot was villas at Wilderness Lodge. Yes, it is true you can use your points at the Disney hotels, but you are right about it not being a good exchange rate. The Grand Californian hotel using exchange points (for a non weekend night in Jun for a standard view hotel room) is 50points. The other room categories are higher. We could get a 2br DVC villa for 52 points. I would way rather get the 2BR for nearly the same points. (But, my first choice would be the studio for 20 points and stay twice as many nights. )