Sparrow624's Perpetual DVC Question Thread

[Sparrow624]

Ok, so the wife and I have a plan to hopefully purchase into DVC in 2 years (able to pay upfront for resale of about 150 points). I have spoken with the DVC people on the phone and while they are helpful, they do not really "directly" answer every question. Soo...I have found the DISBOARD members to be very honest and am starting this thread to answer "honestly" as many of the questions we have (haha) as possible. Please don't use abbreviations for terms as I don't know them yet and they can be confusing.

Let's start with these three:

1. What is the benefit and why do you choose a "home" resort? If points can be used at "any" resort (as the DVC club phone rep stated) then why wouldn't I just buy at the cheapest resort?

2. Can I ever use DVC points on a "regular" hotel room at a non-DVC resort? They were oddly cryptic about this to me on the phone.

3. Are years fees do per month or all at one time at the beginning of the year/cycle?

 

[disneynutz]

1 Home resort can book at 11 months, others at 7. If you care where you stay, choose your favorite resort as your home.

2 Yes but you can probably get a better deal paying cash.

3 You can pay either way.

Bill

 

[chalee94]

1. What is the benefit and why do you choose a "home" resort? If points can be used at "any" resort (as the DVC club phone rep stated) then why wouldn't I just buy at the cheapest resort?

you can book home resort at 11 months out.

at 7 months out, points can be used at any DVC resort, "subject to availability." that really makes a difference in some cases.

DVC will generally be easier and less frustrating if you own at a resort you enjoy staying at and book 10-11 months in advance. at the 7 month window, some people are luckier than others.

2. Can I ever use DVC points on a "regular" hotel room at a non-DVC resort? They were oddly cryptic about this to me on the phone.

if you pay extra to buy direct, you have the option of paying high point costs for some wdw hotels without a DVC component.

if you love the poly, you could trade for a garden view hotel room for 42 pts per night in the cheapest season (plus a $95 trade-out fee) - or you could get a theme park view room at the bay lake tower in a larger 1BR villa for 37 pts (with separate living area, washer/dryer and full kitchen.)

if you love the port orleans resort, you could trade for a standard view hotel room for 17 pts per night in the cheapest season (plus a $95 trade-out fee) - or you could get a studio at old key west resort with 2 queen beds and kitchenette for 10 pts. (a 1000 sq ft 1 BR villa at OKW starts at 21 pts per nt.)

most of us don't think this "benefit" has a lot of value, but if you're loaded and willing to pay extra for those kinds of options - feel free. current resale buyers cannot trade DVC pts for wdw hotel rooms (and direct buyers cannot trade into the contemporary resort, for example, now that it has a DVC-component in bay lake tower.)

 

[Sparrow624]

Thanks,

Those are very helpful. My wife LOVES the Grand Floridian, we also like the Wilderness Lodge and Boardwalk. If we choose the Grand Floridian, odds are we will have to buy direct from Disney instead of waiting 2 to 3 years and hoping for re-sale. My guess is that there will not be much re-sale at the GF in 2-3 years, where as wilderness lodge has some nice re-sale deals now and I am assuming in 2-3 years as well.

Thoughts: If considering the Grand Floridian...Would I be better off buying direct from Disney when available or attempting to wait for re-sale in the hopes that it will become available in a few years?...tough decision.

 

[DannysMom]

Let's start with these three:

1. What is the benefit and why do you choose a "home" resort? If points can be used at "any" resort (as the DVC club phone rep stated) then why wouldn't I just buy at the cheapest resort?

2. Can I ever use DVC points on a "regular" hotel room at a non-DVC resort? They were oddly cryptic about this to me on the phone.

3. Are years fees do per month or all at one time at the beginning of the year/cycle?

You can use your points at any DVC resort at 7 months **pending availability** some times, at some resorts, you need to book 10-11 months out to get what you want, that means booking home resort. So it is in your own interest to buy where you wouldn't mind staying. For me that is on site at WDW, Hilton Head and Vero Beach contracts held to appeal to me, even though they were cheaper.

If your intent is to buy resale, then NO. You won't be able to use your points at a non DVC Disney hotel. If you buy direct, then yes those exorbitant point costs for a single hotel room are an option for you.

You can pay maintenance fees either in a lump sum at the beginning of the year or pay by monthly deduction. Your choice.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards App, please excuse any typos.

 

[DannysMom]

Thanks,

Those are very helpful. My wife LOVES the Grand Floridian, we also like the Wilderness Lodge and Boardwalk. If we choose the Grand Floridian, odds are we will have to buy direct from Disney instead of waiting 2 to 3 years and hoping for re-sale. My guess is that there will not be much re-sale at the GF in 2-3 years, where as wilderness lodge has some nice re-sale deals now and I am assuming in 2-3 years as well.

Thoughts: If considering the Grand Floridian...Would I be better off buying direct from Disney when available or attempting to wait for re-sale in the hopes that it will become available in a few years?...tough decision.

If you are interested in GF, then direct may be your only option for a while, as they have not even begun sales there. Resale GFV points will be a few years out, I would guess. There are resale deals to be had at both VWL & BWV. And I think you are correct in guessing that when you are ready to buy that will still be true.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards App, please excuse any typos.

 

[DougEMG]

Thanks,

Those are very helpful. My wife LOVES the Grand Floridian, we also like the Wilderness Lodge and Boardwalk. If we choose the Grand Floridian, odds are we will have to buy direct from Disney instead of waiting 2 to 3 years and hoping for re-sale. My guess is that there will not be much re-sale at the GF in 2-3 years, where as wilderness lodge has some nice re-sale deals now and I am assuming in 2-3 years as well.

Thoughts: If considering the Grand Floridian...Would I be better off buying direct from Disney when available or attempting to wait for re-sale in the hopes that it will become available in a few years?...tough decision.

The price difference between VGF and VWL/BWV are going to be huge. Lets assume $180 for VGF direct and $60-$70 for VWL/BWV. Is paying $120 per point extra worth it to you to ensure you can always book the VGF at 11 months, or are you happy buying at VWL/BWV, staying there and just trying to move to the VGF at the 7 month mark.

1-2 years after direct sales start for the VGF the resale price probably will not have dropped that much. Certainly not enough to make up for any WDW trips that you would make in those 1-2 years that you paid cash for.

 

[k3chantal]

Thanks,

Those are very helpful. My wife LOVES the Grand Floridian, we also like the Wilderness Lodge and Boardwalk. If we choose the Grand Floridian, odds are we will have to buy direct from Disney instead of waiting 2 to 3 years and hoping for re-sale. My guess is that there will not be much re-sale at the GF in 2-3 years, where as wilderness lodge has some nice re-sale deals now and I am assuming in 2-3 years as well.

Thoughts: If considering the Grand Floridian...Would I be better off buying direct from Disney when available or attempting to wait for re-sale in the hopes that it will become available in a few years?...tough decision.

Looking at The Grand Californian as an example, you may find yourself waiting or competing for resale points if you choose to wait for the Grand Floridian. So while there are many resale contracts to purchase for resorts like Animal Kingdom Villas, others don't pop up as often. If you have the money to burn at 186 + dollars a point, you may want to buy there direct.

But I would definitely choose a home resort that you would like to stay over and over again. Though you have the ability to book elsewhere at 7 months, that 11 month window is really important and probably will become more important as time goes on, especially depending on when you travel.

 

[Sparrow624]

Next question:

If I buy multiple contracts at the same resort, as long as my use years are the same, can I use the points in combination?

If I buy multiple contracts at different "home" resorts, can I combine them at one resort for reservation purposes...or, would I need to try to do so at the "7 month" mark?

 

[Sparrow624]

If I buy at OKW or SSR, How hard would it be at the 7 month mark to use the points at BWV, BCV, or VWL for a studio? Anyone have experience with this? I am looking for the best deal possible and it looks like OKW or SSR...but not sure I want to stay at those 2 resorts all the time.

 

[DannysMom]

Next question:

If I buy multiple contracts at the same resort, as long as my use years are the same, can I use the points in combination?

If I buy multiple contracts at different "home" resorts, can I combine them at one resort for reservation purposes...or, would I need to try to do so at the "7 month" mark?

Yes, multiple contracts at the same resort, with the same use year can be used together, as points from one pool, so to speak.

Points from different home resorts can only be combined at the 7 month booking window.

You may only use that resorts points in the 11-7 month window, with banking, current and borrowing points, you will have a maximum of 3 years points to use at any one time.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards App, please excuse any typos.

 

[DougEMG]

Next question:

If I buy multiple contracts at the same resort, as long as my use years are the same, can I use the points in combination?

Yes, provided the titles on the contract are the same.

All contracts with the same UY and same title will be under one membership number.

If I buy multiple contracts at different "home" resorts, can I combine them at one resort for reservation purposes...or, would I need to try to do so at the "7 month" mark?

If they are the same membership then at the 7 month mark you can then combine the points to make one reservation. Between 11-8 months you can not combine points from different resorts.

 

[DougEMG]

If I buy at OKW or SSR, How hard would it be at the 7 month mark to use the points at BWV, BCV, or VWL for a studio? Anyone have experience with this? I am looking for the best deal possible and it looks like OKW or SSR...but not sure I want to stay at those 2 resorts all the time.

The answer to this is "it all depends".

What it depends is on how many days you want, what time of year you are looking for, what size room and view you want and how flexible with your dates you are. So you see there is no easy answer.

If you book right at 7 months then there is a chance of you getting what you want.

If you want BWV standard/boardwalk view at F&W, not very good. VWL at Christmas, not very good.

Don't buy OKW and SSR unless you are happy staying there if you can't switch at 7 months. The price saving between OKW/SSR and VWL/BWV/BCV on the resale market isn't that big; $10-$20/point tops; to make it worth the risk if you aren't going to be happy where you are staying.

Myself, I bought SSR & OKW for the cost savings, then I bought BWV to make sure I could stay there when I wanted to.

 

[DannysMom]

Got to agree with Doug. It totally depends. If you intend to stay at BWV or BCV for Food & Wine, buy there. Buy where you wouldn't mind staying if you are unable to switch at 7 months. Same thing if you want travel in December, buy where you want to stay, it is a very busy time for DVC, despite being a lower crowd season for Disney hotels & parks in general.

We bought resale BCV points because after staying at SSR, DH did not want to have to stay there, he much preferred the BCV location& pool. Me, I would have been happy just to be at Disney, and bought at SSR (and gotten a few extra points as well.)

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards App, please excuse any typos.

 

[Dean]

Thanks,

Those are very helpful. My wife LOVES the Grand Floridian, we also like the Wilderness Lodge and Boardwalk. If we choose the Grand Floridian, odds are we will have to buy direct from Disney instead of waiting 2 to 3 years and hoping for re-sale. My guess is that there will not be much re-sale at the GF in 2-3 years, where as wilderness lodge has some nice re-sale deals now and I am assuming in 2-3 years as well.

Thoughts: If considering the Grand Floridian...Would I be better off buying direct from Disney when available or attempting to wait for re-sale in the hopes that it will become available in a few years?...tough decision.

If you're set on the GF most trips, then you'll likely need to buy there and there really is little point in waiting for resale. OTOH, if you want to stay there occasionally and try other resorts along the way, the cheapest on property option you'll be happy with some trips is likely your best bet. For access with savings SSR is likely the best option, followed by OKW then AKV but it really depends on price. Remember no matter your home resort you'll be just like everyone else with any points when it comes to non home resort reservations. Price for SSR in today's dollars for 150 points around $10K resale or a little less, GF likely more in the $22-23K range. GF may have a higher total fee but the per point fee may be a little less due to higher points total per villa. Of course you could buy SSR sooner and then consider an add on or GF resale later for an in between cost. It ultimately comes down to how you'll use it but it makes no sense to pay for GF and then use those points for the other resorts a large % of the time. Will 150 be enough, for a week a year that will give you a studio fairly consistently and maybe a 1 BR every 3-4 year but little more.

Next question:

If I buy multiple contracts at the same resort, as long as my use years are the same, can I use the points in combination?

If I buy multiple contracts at different "home" resorts, can I combine them at one resort for reservation purposes...or, would I need to try to do so at the "7 month" mark?

While some have answered this question, I felt there was more info to share. Currently DVC will combine them (usually) if they are titled EXACTLY the same. There is no guarantee this option will continue and this is one of the ares where DVC could delineate qualified vs non qualified points. I'm not saying they will but they could and I wouldn't be surprised if they did. Some other companies that combine contracts are starting to head this direction already.

If I buy at OKW or SSR, How hard would it be at the 7 month mark to use the points at BWV, BCV, or VWL for a studio? Anyone have experience with this? I am looking for the best deal possible and it looks like OKW or SSR...but not sure I want to stay at those 2 resorts all the time.

I don't think you'd have to be concerned about staying all the time at the home resort but it depends on what/when you're trying to reserve as well as appropriate use of the wait list. Don't buy a resort you'd be unhappy staying at most trips. There are also some specialty unit types that might alter the landscape. BWV standard view, AKV concierge, AKV value and 3 BR units in general come to mind.

 

[CRobin]

While some have answered this question, I felt there was more info to share. Currently DVC will combine them (usually) if they are titled EXACTLY the same. There is no guarantee this option will continue and this is one of the ares where DVC could delineate qualified vs non qualified points. I'm not saying they will but they could and I wouldn't be surprised if they did. Some other companies that combine contracts are starting to head this direction already.

I would agree on the delineation. I have 2 "identical" (except for point quantities) contracts @ BWV, and when I book online the system brings up each as a separate "contract" (including points banked), and from there you opt from which to use points. DVC appears to be well equipped to make the distinction between qualified and non qualified points, even if the contracts are "identical".

 

[DougEMG]

While some have answered this question, I felt there was more info to share. Currently DVC will combine them (usually) if they are titled EXACTLY the same. There is no guarantee this option will continue and this is one of the ares where DVC could delineate qualified vs non qualified points. I'm not saying they will but they could and I wouldn't be surprised if they did. Some other companies that combine contracts are starting to head this direction already.

Interesting. Why would they do this, what do they gain from this?

Given the ability to link reservations anyway, this is just going to cause more work for member services as owners call up to link their reservations. If they stop linking and make you move then house keeping costs are going to go up as rooms will need to be cleaned more if you have to move more.

 

[Sparrow624]

Next Question:

- When "free dining" comes out, can it be applied to DVC bookings? Just curious.

- What are some of the "cons" of owning DVC? A lot of people make it seem like it is all so great, and the phone reps obviously will not tell you of any cons. Those that own, what are some drawbacks or issues?

 

[k3chantal]

No, you can't get 'free dining'.

I think the biggest 'negative' about DVC is that even if you pay outright for your points, you have yearly the maintenance fee to pay.

And even though we all love to go to Disney, buying DVC may encourage you to go more often thus you are spending more on tickets, food, and other travel related costs.

It is a commitment. If you realize that you shouldn't have purchased it, you will lose money.

There is also a learning curve to using DVC. If you frustrate easily or want very specific plans, you may not like trying to use your points.

 

[Sparrow624]

Struggling to find the mathamatical benefit here of joining DVC? Don't get me wrong, I want to, but it just doesn't seem to make sense financially, at least not for the Wilderness lodge. Is something wrong with my math here?

DVC: Wilderness Lodge (Expires January 31, 2042):

Re-Sale Cost: 150 Points for roughly $9,500.00

About $1050 per year in maintenance fees (rounding and adding up just a bit to encorporate for assumed raises and inflation) ($88 per month)

$9,500 initial buy in
About $32,000 in total maintenance over 30 years

Total: $41,500 not including food or tickets.

*This would get me about 8 nights in a one bedroom studio every 2 years during the summer (that is when we can travel)

Booking a Deluxe, Courtyard view Room at Rack Rate straight through Disney

$2,900.00 for 7 nights every other summer.

Total for 15 trips (every other summer for 30 years): $43,500.00



So, I would only save $2,000 total by choosing to join DVC?

And that is at rack rate...so, conceivably, I could/would save money booking Disney hotels at whatever promotion they have going on instead of DVC?