I just joined this group (per recommendation of a current DVC member). I went to Disney about a month ago and went to the timeshare sales pitch because I was somewhat interested and they threw a nice $60 gift card to me for attending. I have to say first off, this is the first timeshare presentation I've ever been to that I actually ENJOYED.
They provided some point information including costs, useage charts, maintenance fees, etc. We thought it was a great deal for what you were provided. I inquired about buying into the used market and they were very misleading and stated that you "cannot use towards non-Disney properties, cruises, etc.". I've read enough thanks to my friends and this board that this not entirely accurate; I don't care about the cruises and Adventure collection since I intend to have only 200(ish) points. And I did do some homework to realize that you can still use them through the RCI exchange.
I'm a CPA by trade so I can't help but to crunch the numbers. Buying into the used market truly sounds like a good deal and I'd be happy with what I'd pay per night. What I can't fully grasp is the value of the hotels within the RCI network. I've read several people state they are not a good use of points outside of the Disney network which inherently makes sense. However, when I crunch the numbers that is not necessarily the case. Am I wrong in thinking this? Even if we stay at a RCI hotel during a premium period, so 160 points for a week with the amortized cost per point over 40 years or more @ SSR plus maintenance fees being a total of around $6.24 per point. That 160 point trip is about $1,100 (including $100 transfer fee). That works out to $157 per night. Is the argument that I can could pay a cash price at these resort for roughly the same price, decreased quality over Disney resorts or some other reason? I'm missing something. This is important since we'd probably only do Disney every 3-5 years.
Lastly, one other question as we are contemplating purchasing. I know nothing (yet) about the Starwood program. Anybody know whether they use flexible points like Disney or do you buy specific weeks? I was on their website and honestly, I'm just confused because I see both. I love Westin and Sheraton hotels so we my wife and I both would love to stay at them when we are on non-Disney vacations which right now I'm weighing heavily. Has anybody seen both sales pitches and chose DVC over starwood for a specific reason? Please share! Thanks!
They provided some point information including costs, useage charts, maintenance fees, etc. We thought it was a great deal for what you were provided. I inquired about buying into the used market and they were very misleading and stated that you "cannot use towards non-Disney properties, cruises, etc.". I've read enough thanks to my friends and this board that this not entirely accurate; I don't care about the cruises and Adventure collection since I intend to have only 200(ish) points. And I did do some homework to realize that you can still use them through the RCI exchange.
I'm a CPA by trade so I can't help but to crunch the numbers. Buying into the used market truly sounds like a good deal and I'd be happy with what I'd pay per night. What I can't fully grasp is the value of the hotels within the RCI network. I've read several people state they are not a good use of points outside of the Disney network which inherently makes sense. However, when I crunch the numbers that is not necessarily the case. Am I wrong in thinking this? Even if we stay at a RCI hotel during a premium period, so 160 points for a week with the amortized cost per point over 40 years or more @ SSR plus maintenance fees being a total of around $6.24 per point. That 160 point trip is about $1,100 (including $100 transfer fee). That works out to $157 per night. Is the argument that I can could pay a cash price at these resort for roughly the same price, decreased quality over Disney resorts or some other reason? I'm missing something. This is important since we'd probably only do Disney every 3-5 years.
Lastly, one other question as we are contemplating purchasing. I know nothing (yet) about the Starwood program. Anybody know whether they use flexible points like Disney or do you buy specific weeks? I was on their website and honestly, I'm just confused because I see both. I love Westin and Sheraton hotels so we my wife and I both would love to stay at them when we are on non-Disney vacations which right now I'm weighing heavily. Has anybody seen both sales pitches and chose DVC over starwood for a specific reason? Please share! Thanks!