Rent VS Buy Disney Vacation Club? Which is Better?

I do the math and analysis YOU need to make a decision about Disney Vacation Club. I compare the cost of Disney Vacation Club direct with Disney or on the resale market. I also take you through the FULL cost including the on going annual fees. I then compare this cost to renting points.
Link to spreadsheet (note you will need to make a COPY to edit): docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
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You can find lots of playlists on my channel including weekly vlogs, Disney vlogs from Walt Disney World Florida, Disneyland California, Shanghai Disneyland and Disneyland Paris, DVC vlogs and some other lifestyle bit and bobs!
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[@KarenBee]

Drop any questions in the comments! Thanks so much for watching!

[@popepg]

This is excellent! It is the first video I have seen that compares the cost of renting to the cost of owning. Everyone else compares rack rates to the cost of owning. Thank you so much for making this :)

[@KarenBee]

I'm so glad it was helpful!

[@RSammon]

We just bought direct at the Grand Floridian recently, and I am happy to see it #2 on value vs. renting behind Aulani (which would obviously be a difficult home resort for many people, like myself, on the east coast). Thanks for a great video: I really appreciate all the math.

[@KarenBee]

Glad the math validates your choice! I still haven't stayed at Grand Floridian but hoping to soon!

[@GonzoSD316]

Massive thanks for the spreadsheet! As someone seriously looking into things and needing to make decisions, it’s been helpful. Also, I just updated your May spreadsheet yesterday…If only I was a little more patient lol. Seriously though, thank you very much for all the videos they have been helpful.

[@KarenBee]

You're so welcome! Oh no way haha I'm going to try do them at least monthly going forward

[@tommurray823]

I paid $18k in 2000-idk for 370 points at BW &BC. A forward looking view of the “present value” Would probably help in the long range decision. At the time I did not finance but paid in full and my current annual dues are about $3200.00. Not a bad investment

[@carrydonkey-gs5op]

This makes me pretty happy :X. I own at Riviera, Aulani and Animal Kingdom. Planning to add more at Riviera and then potentially buy direct for poly 2 or resale poly if it's the same association. It's nice seeing that 3/4 of your home resorts are in the top 4 for value.

[@huapiavesyviajes]

great informative video here karen would choose to rent than buy because some prices seem very expensive here so thanks for sharing this information when booking a disney vacation club very good video

[@KarenBee]

Thank you! Yes it's definitely a big financial commitment!

[@jeremyreeve5798]

Informative review. So right to keep mentioning the 'on going' costs of taking a DVC membership, very relevant for UK/Ireland guests as there are also significant extra costs in travelling to Florida in holiday periods. Also, it is a very long term contract and are you really prepared to be travelling to Disney for many years to come? Very easy when on holiday to get 'sucked in' to the vibe, when booking a 2 week stay, even at a Disney hotel just as and when you want to go may be the better decision. Very difficult to try and nail holiday plans for the next 30+ years!

[@sp-d6465]

We really want to buy a contract but so torn between going direct and resale. I want to go direct in case an extension is ever offered as I don’t see resale contracts being eligible for them. Plus I want to have the security of going direct with so much money involved. I would rather have a contract & rent my points out if not going for a year etc 😂 I don’t see renting as a long term saving versus buying for our needs xx

[@KarenBee]

Oh interesting I never really thought of that - I have a feeling they might go a totally different route as apparently the OKW extension was a bit of a nightmare (although that was offered to all members). It's a tough decision - I've been happy with our choice to do a bit of both!

[@leblancrealtygroup1811]

@karenBee Are you accounting for the percentage the annual dues will increase each year in your calculation? Great video by way.

[@KarenBee]

No that's not been accounted for - I've noted that in the video so all comparisons are on a current prices bases - I'm also not accounting for the increase in rental cost so hopefully remains a fair comparison.

[@dnasch]

Im still confused if its worth it. I really would like to buy at the contemp

[@samita137]

Was just looking for comparisons on rent vs buying and saw your video, timing was great! FYI the dvcrentalstore provides an availability calendar. They also offer a few options when it comes to cancellations, depending on how many days out so that you don’t lose it all. But they do charge a little more. What I been dining the last couple of years is search availability on their site then booking on David’s. Been renting for a while and seems to work great. However, at this rate I feel like I’m losing more from renting if my vacationing habits remain the same.

[@KarenBee]

Glad it was helpful! Oh that's great, they didn't have that when I booked with them but that was a long time ago now. I'll have to check it out! YES I've seen their different add ons for cancellations. That's actually a good way of doing it! Ye that's it - if you're doing it long term it's a good idea to weigh up the options. I'm sure resale would be a decent saving.

[@edwardleecaliforniausa]

Morning happy Thursday morning and I loved your chit-chat vlogs and this was amazing video I enjoy your channel because you are amazing Supporter

[@KarenBee]

Morning! Thanks so much for your lovely comment!

[@edwardleecaliforniausa]

@KarenBee your welcome have a great day and happy Friday morning

[@emtadamd9488]

First off, great videos! So it sounds like the optimal DVC strategy is to get in on a new resort that you actually want to be at. Maximizes the time of the contract and is where you want to go. I’m deciding on pulling the trigger for the Villas at Disneyland. Trying to justify the cost. Trying to understand what the points actually get me. Basically we are gambling on whether the cost makes sense 20,30,40 years from now, right?

[@KarenBee]

Ye that's a good summary - I see it as essentially gambling that the cash prices will rise and therefore your investment will be worth more in comparison. Best value for money in my opinion is going to be on the resale market but for CA that's not a good option either.

[@MoniqueARuiz]

I like the KZbin shorts idea for specific scenarios. I have a random question, do you have to do taxes in the US as well as whatever the tax rules in England are, considering you’re a DVC member? In a not so random question, can you use your points to book multiple rooms at the same time? Say if you were traveling with friends or fam and didn’t want to go the multi-bedroom route (i.e everyone wanted their own specific space)?

[@KarenBee]

I think I'll do some general advice ones and then add on specific scenarios from the questions. So when I went direct it was a bit easier and when I did resale I did have to get a tax number, the only tax form required is provided to me by Disney each year and just confirms that I'm a non-resident. I'm not subject to any additional taxes as I'm still resident in the UK - I think maybe it's something I'd have to look into further if I generated revenue from it (i.e. from renting). Yes you can - there are no restrictions on how many reservations you book even if they overlap. I love the lock off rooms for that situation too (you can get a 2 bed lock off where it's basically a full studio room attached to a 1 bed so you have that privacy)

[@MoniqueARuiz]

@@KarenBeeso helpful, thank you! I’ve always been curious about DVC, but your videos have been SO great for helping me make an informed (instead of just emotional) purchase plan. Still not quite financially ready, but I’ve got a goal date in mind and will be sending you a virtual champagne bottle once I pull the trigger for all the help you unknowingly provided lol!

[@epinder2436]

I go to WDW every year for 2 weeks in September. We used to stay at beach club, but since the price rises we stay at a moderate. Therefore, we started looking at DVC buying 250 direct at Rivera. What worries me is the fact that it's so hard to get reservations for those studios, especially if you're booking for the two weeks. Also, do people normally buy the contract fully or go through finance? I don't see/understand why you would finance a purchase as the APR is so high? Surely it isn't worth it.

[@KarenBee]

Sounds like it's probably a good fit! 250 is a large contract - I guess it depends on the type of room that you would want for the 2 weeks you're staying there but if it's a studio I'd definitely reconsider going so big. I have no problems getting a studio at the 11 month mark and usually get what I want at the 7 month mark unless it's a particularly busy time of year but September is good for available as long as you're willing to book in advance. I actually think a lot of people do get Finance and yes totally agree it's SO high, this will be my next video! I actually took Finance for both of my contracts but I paid it off VERY quickly (less than a year for both) - the value for me at the time of purchasing when I did (i.e. right before they raised the minimum for direct benefits and when I got an absolute steal on resale) outweighed the interest cost over the short time I repaid. Hope that's helpful!

[@nigel804]

Hi Karen this is the best DVC video I have come across, me and my wife are based in the UK and are looking at buying a resale contract via DVC Resale Market. Would it be ok to drop you an email with a few more questions please regarding the process of buying? Thanks

[@KarenBee]

Hi! Yes of course - I’m working on an updated video as well which will hopefully be up this week

[@KarenBee]

E-mail is in description box FYI