New here, and thinking about buying DVC

[Octomonkee]

Hello. We're newbies here, and we're thinking about buying DVC. Been doing some research but still have some questions. First I'll tell you about our situation and then ask a few questions.

We're long-time Disney fans. I'm in my mid-40's and actually worked at Disneyland in my teens (Go Tomorrowland Merch!). We live about 45 minutes from DLR. We've been to WDW 4 times over the years and have stayed at different on-property hotels each time (usually go about every 5 years). Have also been to Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disneyland Resort once each. Have seen DVC kiosks and have been intrigued about it for about 10 years now but never took the plunge (have never been to the presentation, but planning to do so in then next couple of weeks). Hubby now works in Burbank at the Studio. There's only the two of us.

Questions:
#1. Would it be better to choose our home resort in Orlando or Anaheim? This might seem an odd question, but we obviously go to DLR more often and was thinking that if we were at risk of losing our points we could use them at VGC and possibly have a better chance of reserving a room if that's our home resort? If anyone doesn't think that would make a difference then we'd just go with a WDW Resort.

#2. I've been doing a bit a research about the "other" resort options like RCI, the Disney Collection hotels (for Tokyo and Paris), and DCL. Let me preface this by saying that I have read all about the cons in using the points for these things, but we see this as more about pre-paying for 45 or so years of vacations so we're fine with the "bad" use of points. So my question is, how easy is it to use this part of DVC? The official website makes it seem like it's super easy and one can go anywhere at anytime. If we're basically buying into DVC as a pre-paid vacation plan how feasible is it that we're going to be able to travel for the rest of our lives using this option without running into many obstacles? I don't want to find out after we buy that the only option really is doing a WDW vacation-only for the rest of our lives. I mean, we love Disney but that would be a lot for the next 45 or so years.

#3. If going on Disney only vacations is the feasible only option, then maybe we'd like to go every three years since that is what seems to be the maximum point grouping (banking, current year, and borrowing). Do I have that right, or can the points be saved for longer? What would you recommend for a number of points if I only wanted to go every 3 years? AKV is about 116 points for a week during the time we normally go (October-ish). I don't want to over-buy since I read that as a Cast Member (hubby) we wouldn't be able to rent out unused points.

#4. We like to travel in the spring and in the fall. Usually around April/May and Sept/Oct. Would a September UY be best? I still don't know why, but that seems to be the research that I've found.

I think those are my questions for now. I would really appreciate any insight.

Thx,

 

[funantiques]

As a cast member, are you required to buy direct?

 

[Octomonkee]

^ Not to my knowledge, but see my question #2 about using The Disney Collection, World Pass, and DCL. Resale might be out of the question unless the last part of question #2 and all of question #3.

 

[com_op_2000]

Questions:
#1. Would it be better to choose our home resort in Orlando or Anaheim? This might seem an odd question, but we obviously go to DLR more often and was thinking that if we were at risk of losing our points we could use them at VGC and possibly have a better chance of reserving a room if that's our home resort? If anyone doesn't think that would make a difference then we'd just go with a WDW Resort.

#2. I've been doing a bit a research about the "other" resort options like RCI, the Disney Collection hotels (for Tokyo and Paris), and DCL. Let me preface this by saying that I have read all about the cons in using the points for these things, but we see this as more about pre-paying for 45 or so years of vacations so we're fine with the "bad" use of points. So my question is, how easy is it to use this part of DVC? The official website makes it seem like it's super easy and one can go anywhere at anytime. If we're basically buying into DVC as a pre-paid vacation plan how feasible is it that we're going to be able to travel for the rest of our lives using this option without running into many obstacles? I don't want to find out after we buy that the only option really is doing a WDW vacation-only for the rest of our lives. I mean, we love Disney but that would be a lot for the next 45 or so years.

#3. If going on Disney only vacations is the feasible only option, then maybe we'd like to go every three years since that is what seems to be the maximum point grouping (banking, current year, and borrowing). Do I have that right, or can the points be saved for longer? What would you recommend for a number of points if I only wanted to go every 3 years? AKV is about 116 points for a week during the time we normally go (October-ish). I don't want to over-buy since I read that as a Cast Member (hubby) we wouldn't be able to rent out unused points.

#4. We like to travel in the spring and in the fall. Usually around April/May and Sept/Oct. Would a September UY be best? I still don't know why, but that seems to be the research that I've found.

I think those are my questions for now. I would really appreciate any insight.

Thx,

1. Recommend you go with DLR as your home resort, but do your planning for staying there early on. It is a small resort. With a 7-month booking window at WDW, you can get into the larger resorts in studios/1-bdrms without too much trouble. That is unless you want the AKL value/CL studios or BWV standard rooms.
2. DW and I have used our points for six of seven DCLs. For us it is a good use of points as we like the different vacations it can bring. Remember to check-out your hubbies CM discounts on DCLs, I have a family member who is a CM and he can get some very good cash only prices.
3. What ever home resort you choose, look at the current points chart for the time frame and size of room you want, and then add 10% in-case of future reassignments of points within the resort. This has happened three times in 20 years of DVC and I am one of those badly hurt by the changes. I went from have enough points to stay in the lowest point seasons Sundays - Thursdays for 27 nights per year to 22 nights per year.
4. Staying at BCV/BWV in Sept/Oct and Apr/May can be an issue with F&W and F&G at EPCOT.

 

[myxdvz]

Hello. We're newbies here, and we're thinking about buying DVC. Been doing some research but still have some questions. First I'll tell you about our situation and then ask a few questions.

We're long-time Disney fans. I'm in my mid-40's and actually worked at Disneyland in my teens (Go Tomorrowland Merch!). We live about 45 minutes from DLR. We've been to WDW 4 times over the years and have stayed at different on-property hotels each time (usually go about every 5 years). Have also been to Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disneyland Resort once each. Have seen DVC kiosks and have been intrigued about it for about 10 years now but never took the plunge (have never been to the presentation, but planning to do so in then next couple of weeks). Hubby now works in Burbank at the Studio. There's only the two of us.

Questions:
#1. Would it be better to choose our home resort in Orlando or Anaheim? This might seem an odd question, but we obviously go to DLR more often and was thinking that if we were at risk of losing our points we could use them at VGC and possibly have a better chance of reserving a room if that's our home resort? If anyone doesn't think that would make a difference then we'd just go with a WDW Resort.

If I were you, I would buy at VGC to get 11 month booking window that's close to you. Below you said you like AKV, and AKV is easier to get at 7 months than VGC. The downside to this is you can only book the WDW resorts at 7 months so some resorts might not be available on high demand seasons. If you are really buying for WDW though, buy there.

#2. I've been doing a bit a research about the "other" resort options like RCI, the Disney Collection hotels (for Tokyo and Paris), and DCL. Let me preface this by saying that I have read all about the cons in using the points for these things, but we see this as more about pre-paying for 45 or so years of vacations so we're fine with the "bad" use of points. So my question is, how easy is it to use this part of DVC? The official website makes it seem like it's super easy and one can go anywhere at anytime. If we're basically buying into DVC as a pre-paid vacation plan how feasible is it that we're going to be able to travel for the rest of our lives using this option without running into many obstacles? I don't want to find out after we buy that the only option really is doing a WDW vacation-only for the rest of our lives. I mean, we love Disney but that would be a lot for the next 45 or so years.

If there's availability, you should be able to book the Disney hotels like DLH or PPH. Remember that you will pay $95 each time. DCL is tougher because there's limited # set for DVC exchanges I think. Realize that you won't get access to the entire RCI portfolio. RCI exchanges requires you to be more flexible as well (dates, rooms, checkin days).

#3. If going on Disney only vacations is the feasible only option, then maybe we'd like to go every three years since that is what seems to be the maximum point grouping (banking, current year, and borrowing). Do I have that right, or can the points be saved for longer? What would you recommend for a number of points if I only wanted to go every 3 years? AKV is about 116 points for a week during the time we normally go (October-ish). I don't want to over-buy since I read that as a Cast Member (hubby) we wouldn't be able to rent out unused points.

3 years only as you said. You can deposit it to RCI which will extend it for 2 more years on that limited set of RCI properties I mentioned. It's curious that CMs won't be able to rent out unused points. If this were me, I'd only put it in YOUR name (not a CM) Then we'd have no restrictions over direct/resale/rental


#4. We like to travel in the spring and in the fall. Usually around April/May and Sept/Oct. Would a September UY be best? I still don't know why, but that seems to be the research that I've found.

April is better than September for you if you do travel in April/May. If you have a September UY, then your April/May trip will be too late to bank if cancelled.

If you have an April UY, you have until November 30 to bank.
If you have a September UY, you have until April 30 to bank, so any late April or May trips are at risk.


I think those are my questions for now. I would really appreciate any insight.

Thx,

My responses inline.

 

[vicki_c]

In reply to one item above, I thought you didn't have to pay the $95 exchange fee at the DL resorts (or one of them).


I personally though would only buy as many points as needed to book Disney DVC accommodations and look elsewhere at other options for different vacations.

 

[disneynutz]

Based on the info that you provided, I would not recommend that you buy a contract.

Bill

 

[myxdvz]

In reply to one item above, I thought you didn't have to pay the $95 exchange fee at the DL resorts (or one of them).


I personally though would only buy as many points as needed to book Disney DVC accommodations and look elsewhere at other options for different vacations.

I think you always have to pay the $95 fee (but I haven't done it, so I could be wrong). The DLR resorts are not subject to the Rule of Four though. (This I know, coz I once tried VGF and got rejected because of this)

Based on the info that you provided, I would not recommend that you buy a contract.

Bill

But Bill is right - if you don't want to be locked down to WDW, can't really go except every 2-3 years and are restricted to buy direct and can't rent your points if you can't -- you're probably better off renting when you need it than buying.

Unless you can't rent as well because DH is a CM?

 

[csharpwv]

Have you considered buying your points/making your home resort Aulani?

If you think you'll want to trade in the future, you definitely want to keep your trade options open by buying direct. Not only for the current resale changes, but for future changes as well.

Always remember that the option to bank/use/borrow is currently a perk... it isn't 'written in' to the contract you sign. Will they ever end that perk? Who knows! But if there were ever to be drastic changes to the club, that could be one of the changes.

If you are seriously thinking about buying in, sit down and lay out an 8-10 year vacation plan... VERY tentative... just to see how you can best use your membership and if the financial outlay is worth it for your intended use!

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you plan to use points at DLR, buy VGC points. You can always use them at seven months at WDW. But trying to use points at seven months at VGC can be tough.

 

[Octomonkee]

Thank you, everyone, for the thoughtful answers. I really appreciate it. There are many fantastic suggestions and definite food for thought.

csharpwv, the 8 to 10 years worth of vacation plans is an excellent suggestion. I will definitely sit down and thinking about. Maybe once I've done so I might post here again to see if everyone feels it's a worthwhile investment.

disneynutz, thank you for saying this, and I'm glad that you did. One of the reasons for my post was to find out if our situation justified DVC. Maybe we're in love with the idea of owning more than whether it would actually benefit us. Under what circumstances would you say that it was a good idea? Traveling to WDW every year? Even if we went every 3rd year and used our points in between for other trips around the globe using RCI would you still recommend that owning is not for us? I realize that this is a DISNEY vacation club so I understand that like 80% - 90% of it should be about Disney vacation club visits and maybe 10% to 20% could be about non-Disney vacations and maybe I was kind of trying to force more of the non-Disney part into a higher percentage that just doesn't really seem like a good idea based on the fact that RCI might be more difficult to work with.

myxdvs & vicki_c, I appreciate the thoughts about VGC. Here's the thing, since I only live 45 minutes away from DLR we don't usually spend the night at one of the hotels. Partly because of cost, and partly because we don't really need to. I've stayed on property at DLR maybe 3 times in my lifetime. I only suggested because I was thinking that it might give me an advantage if I was going to lose my points. Like I could always have a running reservation there just in case we didn't get to go on vacation I could still use up the points by staying a weekend or two at VGC.

We LOVE WDW. Does DVC make more sense for us only if we plan on traveling there every year? Do those of you who own DVC still take other vacations around the world and just use cash to pay for the trips and the DVC stuff is just it's own deal that you treat separately?

Thank you again for all of the fantastic responses. I'm going to give this more thought. BTW, does anyone have the math formula for calculating the 3% to 5% increase on the annual dues? When figuring out the total cost I didn't have that formula so I just multiplied out the current yearly dues x the number of years left in the contract, but I know it'll be more than that. Just not sure how much more.

 

[myxdvz]

We LOVE WDW. Does DVC make more sense for us only if we plan on traveling there every year? Do those of you who own DVC still take other vacations around the world and just use cash to pay for the trips and the DVC stuff is just it's own deal that you treat separately?

Yes, every year or EOY at least. Any more than that, I would rent. If you're looking for a timeshare (and make no mistake, DVC IS a Timeshare) to help you with worldwide travel -- DVC is the WRONG timeshare to buy. There are other, cheaper, more flexible timeshares that will give you this : HGVC, Marriott, Starwoods and on the cheaper/lower quality scale but probably more options inside the US: Worldmark (you should look at this since you're in the West Coast), Wyndham or even just RCI weeks/points.

DVC points are best used for DVC resorts. Anything outside that, you devalue what you get from it, and reduces the discount (if any) you're still getting from prepaying your vacations. So looking at RCI, and those other exchanges forbidden to resale (Disney Collection, Concierge Collection, etc) are good "just in case" scenarios - but they shouldn't be the main point of your purchase.

YMMV and all that jazz.

 

[disneynutz]

Disney may advertise all of the great places that you can use your points but the reality is, they have set the system up so that using points outside of staying at a DVC resort does not make sense. They place restrictions and require a premium number of points compared to the cost and flexibility of using cash. RCI has something like 6000 locations to trade to but DVC only allows less than 500. They added a $95 fee to reduce the value even more.

Traveling to WDW from the West Coast can be expensive. If you vacation at WDW every 2 years now then owning for a room discount might make sense. Changing your vacation habits because you bought a timeshare doesn't. Owning is just the small cost of the equation, the thousand and thousands of dollars needed to vacation at WDW is what will cost you and these costs increase each year. I'm talking dues, travel, food, park and event admission, and extras.

Bill

 

[Dean]

Hello. We're newbies here, and we're thinking about buying DVC. Been doing some research but still have some questions. First I'll tell you about our situation and then ask a few questions.

We're long-time Disney fans. I'm in my mid-40's and actually worked at Disneyland in my teens (Go Tomorrowland Merch!). We live about 45 minutes from DLR. We've been to WDW 4 times over the years and have stayed at different on-property hotels each time (usually go about every 5 years). Have also been to Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disneyland Resort once each. Have seen DVC kiosks and have been intrigued about it for about 10 years now but never took the plunge (have never been to the presentation, but planning to do so in then next couple of weeks). Hubby now works in Burbank at the Studio. There's only the two of us.

Questions:
#1. Would it be better to choose our home resort in Orlando or Anaheim? This might seem an odd question, but we obviously go to DLR more often and was thinking that if we were at risk of losing our points we could use them at VGC and possibly have a better chance of reserving a room if that's our home resort? If anyone doesn't think that would make a difference then we'd just go with a WDW Resort.

#2. I've been doing a bit a research about the "other" resort options like RCI, the Disney Collection hotels (for Tokyo and Paris), and DCL. Let me preface this by saying that I have read all about the cons in using the points for these things, but we see this as more about pre-paying for 45 or so years of vacations so we're fine with the "bad" use of points. So my question is, how easy is it to use this part of DVC? The official website makes it seem like it's super easy and one can go anywhere at anytime. If we're basically buying into DVC as a pre-paid vacation plan how feasible is it that we're going to be able to travel for the rest of our lives using this option without running into many obstacles? I don't want to find out after we buy that the only option really is doing a WDW vacation-only for the rest of our lives. I mean, we love Disney but that would be a lot for the next 45 or so years.

#3. If going on Disney only vacations is the feasible only option, then maybe we'd like to go every three years since that is what seems to be the maximum point grouping (banking, current year, and borrowing). Do I have that right, or can the points be saved for longer? What would you recommend for a number of points if I only wanted to go every 3 years? AKV is about 116 points for a week during the time we normally go (October-ish). I don't want to over-buy since I read that as a Cast Member (hubby) we wouldn't be able to rent out unused points.

#4. We like to travel in the spring and in the fall. Usually around April/May and Sept/Oct. Would a September UY be best? I still don't know why, but that seems to be the research that I've found.

I think those are my questions for now. I would really appreciate any insight.

Thx,

Several questions rolled into 1. Which home resort, how many points and retail vs resale are the main ones it seems. I suspect any CM would be subject to the rules in place even for resale which would include no rentals and might require them to sell it back to DVD directly. Of course the non CM spouse could buy with only their name but if one did so and were outside the rules for CM, it could create some issues.

Home resort for an every few year WDW visit would likely be best for VGC or HI. Best UY would either be April or Sept assuming equal usage but in this case it wouldn't matter as much as some.

While it'd good to have options, buying to use for non DVC stays (RCI, DCL, etc) would cost more than buying proportionately less points and paying cash for the other options. Not to mention those options could change or cease tomorrow and can be difficult to use, esp RCI.

Planning for every 3 years to WDW from CA is likely not a viable plan. If it's not workable for around EOY I'd probably not buy unless you can take up points for DL or HI.

Even if you decide to proceed you should likely consider buying small and see how it works for at least 2 trips.

 

[Minniesgal]

We are VGC owners from the UK and we intend to use our points every 4 years. We do this with an August use year. How we do that is we travel close to the end of July and use up the 4th years points in the July 1 use year earlier than the rest of the holiday and use banked and borrowed points in the August. We can do this as we want to stay at other places in California as well so we are not set on exactly certain days we split it up with a couple of nights in San Diego or Santa Monica if we need to. We will always book at 11 months.

If you are going to go to Disneyland regularly I would buy VGC points but only if you can book at 11 months. Something else to think about is a lot of people us included bought DVC so we could have bigger units 1 or 2 bedroom villas for family but if you Bly ever need studios infrequently you might be better off in hotel rooms.