We just got back from a week’s vacation at Walt Disney World near Orlando and came back with more than we bargained for. My wife and I did all the WDW stuff and stayed on a Saturday for some quiet relaxation. That was until we visited a kiosk at one of the properties that was talking about the DVC or Disney Vacation Clubs. We put together a one-hour tour of Saratoga Springs, a lakeside timeshare across from Downtown Disney. We had no intention of buying anything, but we had some time to kill.
Now, first a few words about our situation. We are semi-retired and run a web based business from home. I have stock investments and three adult children, one still in college. We have looked at other timeshares and agree that they are generally not good investments. They are usually highly restricted, overpriced, and in most cases, offer properties in places you may never visit. For example, they are miles away from the beaches or the main towns. Anyway, we took the tour out of morbid curiosity and the fact that it was a Disney resort.
They sent a van to our resort and took us to the sprawling 1000 room resort. Once we arrived, we were pleasantly surprised. The massive project made up of three-story buildings was very well designed. There were several pools, restaurants, a gym and spa, and buses and a ferry to the rest of Walt Disney World. Once we finished the tour, the representative went over the details.
The timeshare system is simple. You buy a bunch of points starting at 150 for around $15,000, give or take. Then you get a brochure of properties that are grouped by collections. The best value and most flexible options are in Florida and Hilton Head, SC. Depending on the time of year and the size of the room, you can stay at the property from a few days to a few weeks. Disney is also partnering with a company called Interval International to add overseas destinations to the plan. There are restrictions like a full week minimum and other rules for that real estate. But Disney also offers complete travel packages like guided tours and of course your cruise line.
So what do we decide? Well, the most endearing feature is that it’s a Disney timeshare, which means they have high standards. Even partners must adhere to the Disney tradition of excellence. But the downsides would be familiar to most timeshare buyers. There is an annual maintenance fee that starts around $850 after you’ve paid the $15,000, plus closing costs. That fee can and does increase each year, even if it’s as little as 5%. Then there is a reservation fee of $75 to $95 for each arrangement. If you book 5 separate 2-day stays, you will pay 5 separate booking fees.
The good news is that there are no blackout dates, but you should book well in advance to secure a room at the property of your choice. Another advantage is that you use one agent and one phone number for all arrangements, including restaurant and transportation reservations. Locations for most timeshares are good; some are four- and five-star resorts, but those are the ones that use the most points, of course. In addition, the most popular times of the year also require more points. Well, what is the end result?
You could do worse than buy a Disney timeshare. If you plan to go to Disney World regularly then this is for you. There are numerous discounts for members, from park fees to souvenirs and restaurants. The Saratoga Springs timeshare has lasted 47 years. You can pass that on to your children, without any penalty. Or have them use the points while you’re still around. Everything depends on you. There are also DVC timeshare resales available at a lower cost, but I can’t endorse them because they are not connected to Disney. Do your own research online. But the discussion forums I have visited have nothing but praise for DVC and all the various properties. If you’ve ever considered a timeshare but were as skeptical as we were, look to DVC. We are thinking of buying three, one for each child and her future children. They could still be using it 47 years from now and would have already been paid for. And who doesn’t love a Disney vacation?