Nerding out, making a form for DH for DVC purchase

[twinsouvenirs]

Putting in questions about frequency of use/desire to go to DVC destinations, timeframes for scheduling/cancellation, location preferences, tolerance for flexibility... what other considerations should I add in? The purpose of the form is to concisely determine not only IF we should do DVC (we probably are) but also to help determine how much DVC to buy and where. I will share the form with anyone who wants it once it is done! It isn't going to spit out a result but is intended for use as a 'diagnostic' tool... i.e. looks like we want assured availability during a specific season at these two resorts, but will only go once a year... so maybe we buy the half points we need for that season at each of those resorts to bank/borrow. Or maybe we want to be able to go to either once a year... etc

Ideas welcome!

 

[disneynutz]

After being owners for many years, staying at WDW up to 3 times per year for up to 30 days and owning 6 resorts, I can tell you that you won't know what to do until you do it.

My advice is to buy a contract resale at a resort that you are really interested in. Stay at all of the resorts, different times of the year, learn the DVC system, then decide on which resorts and seasons you really want. It may take a few years but you are on vacation while learning.

We have decided to use VGF and VWL for MK stays and BWV for Epcot/DHS stays. The other resorts are nice and they all have their pluses and minuses but we really don't need to own there. We recently sold 8 contracts and we will probably make more adjustment to our holdings in the future.

Bill

 

[twinsouvenirs]

That's pretty much my plan. I think we'll start while VGF is low and buy points for BWV as soon as the right contract comes up. But I also want to make sure that my DH's opinions are considered--and he is soooo sick of me peppering him with info about this

I am trying to organize it all into a master list of considerations.

So far I have the following relevant considerations:

-

• -Where to own (resort preference and strength of said preference)
• -anticipated Length of desired stay
• -anticipated frequency of stay
• -anticipated times of desired stays
• -desired length of contract (29-51 years)
• -Best Use year
• -Cash v. Financing
• -Direct v. Resale
• -Lump purchase or purchasing points over time
• -Same or staggered use years
• -Size of contracts
• -Cash in hand (initial investment)
• -Importance of small maintenance fees
• -reason for considering purchase
  
  

-

 

[NoleFan]

We stayed @ many WDW resorts prior to buying DVC. Knew our preferences & researched points, banking/borrowing, point charts, and size of resorts for home booking advantage. My husband was not keen on buying until he had a terrible experience staying offsite with my DS 7 during spring break while I was back home sick with the flu. After that, he was sold on buying DVC. He likes WL, Poly, & CR. My DS & I love BC & BW. He got out voted & we bought BCV & BWV. Can try for others @ 7 mos maybe...lol He definitely got tired of hearing about "points" but is now happy for our upcoming trips! Good luck !!

 

[k3chantal]

That's pretty much my plan. I think we'll start while VGF is low and buy points for BWV as soon as the right contract comes up. But I also want to make sure that my DH's opinions are considered--and he is soooo sick of me peppering him with info about this

I am trying to organize it all into a master list of considerations.

So far I have the following relevant considerations:

-

• -Where to own (resort preference and strength of said preference)
• -anticipated Length of desired stay
• -anticipated frequency of stay
• -anticipated times of desired stays
• -desired length of contract (29-51 years)
• -Best Use year
• -Cash v. Financing
• -Direct v. Resale
• -Lump purchase or purchasing points over time
• -Same or staggered use years
• -Size of contracts
• -Cash in hand (initial investment)
• -Importance of small maintenance fees
• -reason for considering purchase
  
  

-

Maintenance fees are or can be larger than you imagine. For instance, 280 points at AKL is about $1500.00+ a year and the fees go up slightly almost every year. So I would rewrite your list to say "ability of being able to pay for maintenance fees every year we own each contract" instead of "importance of small maintenance fees".

Being new to the timeshare world before our purchase, I had no idea that even if you paid for your contract outright (like we did), we would still have fees. I remember, even 6 years later, the annoyed feeling upon learning this. We gladly pay it now (because we have appreciate our membership) but it is still a commitment each year. It keeps 'addontis' at bay for me.

 

[Missyrose]

I'm with Bill, it doesn't need to be that complicated. The things you need to figure out are:

Where you want to stay
When you typically travel
What size villa you'd like

Compare all those to the other options for Disney lodging (discounts through CRO, renting points, staying offsite, etc.)

Things to understand about buying DVC:

It's a timeshare, plain and simple
Timeshares are inherently less flexible than other options
DVC works best when you can plan 7-11 months out
Banking/Borrowing
MFs

 

[twinsouvenirs]

OK here is the preliminary form!

Feel free to use. It should spit the results back at you in summary.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/13rYxACRTa_fTPw9aGdV0fZOqyQF-s7davY6pFM8LpsM/viewform

 

[mrsdrake625]

OK here is the preliminary form!

Feel free to use. It should spit the results back at you in summary.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/13rYxACRTa_fTPw9aGdV0fZOqyQF-s7davY6pFM8LpsM/viewform

Nope, no summary. But it was fun to use.

 

[twinsouvenirs]

If anyone else completes it and wants their individual results be sure to put in a name or nickname and I can copy them to you.

 

[cajunprincess]

Like it! I think it could help my DH a lot!

 

[twinsouvenirs]

I just had my DH do it and it totally clarified his positions for me so I think I'll be able to make a better plan. Fortunately we are on the same page about a lot of things!

 

[ELMC]

OK here is the preliminary form!

Feel free to use. It should spit the results back at you in summary.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/13rYxACRTa_fTPw9aGdV0fZOqyQF-s7davY6pFM8LpsM/viewform

While this is pretty cool, and I thank you for sharing, do you think that perhaps, just maybe, you are over thinking this just a tad?

My advice is sort of like Bill's. Buy a resale contract (cash not financed) at a resort you like at a good price. Try it out for a few years and then see what changes you need to make (up to and including jettisoning the contract). Make those changes. Done.

If there's one mantra that gets repeated here time and time again, it's that DVC changes the way you vacation in a way that you cannot predict. I think trying to plan for that is not possible and is most likely going to cause paralysis by analysis.

 

[twinsouvenirs]

LOL... this worked! My husband has agreed!

 

[ELMC]

LOL... this worked! My husband has agreed!

Oh I didn't realize that it was a tool of persuasion. Well done then!

 

[Deb & Bill]

You left off a few options.

How stable is your income? Could there possibly be a loss of income in the near future? Would a change in your income change your decision on purchasing a timeshare?

Would the inability to rent out your points change your decision?

How far out do you plan your vacations? Can you plan 11 months out? Can you only plan less than three months out? If you get stuck at the same resort, year after year because you can't plan out very far, would that change your decision?

How do you feel about giving a bunch of your hard earned money every month to the mouse? Whether you use the timeshare or not because you only planned on going every other or every third year?

 

[twinsouvenirs]

all good points!

there are questions about resort variety & booking windows-- the money part/job parts would underlie any major purchase.

Just out of curiosity... has DVC threatened to take away the right to rent points? Could they?

 

[disneynutz]

all good points!

there are questions about resort variety & booking windows-- the money part/job parts would underlie any major purchase.

Just out of curiosity... has DVC threatened to take away the right to rent points? Could they?

They haven't but they could.

The only thing guaranteed with ownership is your right to book at your home resort.

Bill

 

[Deb & Bill]

all good points!

there are questions about resort variety & booking windows-- the money part/job parts would underlie any major purchase.

Just out of curiosity... has DVC threatened to take away the right to rent points? Could they?

I've heard their lawyers have shut down a few members. And they have changed the rules in the past to make it more difficult, but all the big ones changed their operations to not be affected by the rule change.

 

[Msmithmd]

Just did the "survey". Very interesting when you complete it and click "check prior responses" now that there are twenty respondents. Pie charts and everything. Cool!

 

[twinsouvenirs]

awesome

It was a very clarifying survey for me--and it also made me realized my DH was expecting to stay in 1 BRs, not studios, from the get go, so a gradual buy in will not let him see the value. If you want your results let me know--just tell me what name/nickname you completed the survey under!