Buying direct from Disney reasons...worth it?

[agavegirl1]

Okay, I do not go to WDW every year and I like the idea of having my vacation lodging paid for in advance...here's what I am thinking about.

I own vacation homes in the Caribbean that I have put up for sale because, believe it or not, I am tired of going there after 25 trips. Plus, I own them so I pay all the expenses and rent them out through a management company when I am not there. They have not paid for themselves in 12 years. They do not lose money. I make about $10,000 per year.

I have been travelling more to other destinations and tend to go to a Disney resort every two years. I feel if I purchase direct from Disney, I will have enough flexibility to choose a new destination every other year and my home resort the opposite years. However, Disney is not very forthcoming with the number of points necessary for Europe or Tokyo Disney point requirements.

Yes...it is way cheaper to buy DVC in the secondary market but for my purposes, I am substituting a vacation home for access to other worldwide destinations and can only do this if I buy from Disney directly.

Unfortunately for me, BCV would be the DVC option I would choose over any other because of location. The direct from Disney options do not include this as they are all sold and in the resale market only.

I do realize that Disney DVC sales is exactly what one would expect from a
"time share sales team". However, will they really tell me how many points I have to have to go to Europe? The website is so purposely vague.

I have the ability financially and otherwise to wait. However, opinions from those who have used the amenities of buying direct from Disney would be appreciated.

 

[disneynutz]

DVC is best used for stays at DVC resorts. Other destinations tend to be expensive and often difficult to get. There are other timeshare systems that are much cheaper and have a better selection for stays outside of Disney.

Bill

 

[Minniesgal]

I own direct points but I would never use them for Disneyland Paris or Tokyo as the point requirements are ridiculous. Added to that are complexities in booking where you convert DVC points to hotel points so if you cancel you can't use them for DVC. We looked into 1 or 2 nights at DLP recently and we were really shocked I can't actually remember the numbers but it would have been about half of our annual points for one night we would probably get 5 or 6 nights at WDW for that. Same goes for the concierge collection etc you are sitting at between 80 to 100 points per night plus booking fee subject to availability. There is no way I would ever use my points like that. I'm sorry this isn't what you want to hear but the value in DVC is in buying point to use at DVC resorts. We intended on buying to travel once every three years so bought enough points to do that and no more. Ok we have added on since because we decided every other year was better but in my honest opinion it makes no sense to buy more DVC points that you need for your DVC stays. As a general rule of thumb a hotel room at DLP has the point requirement of a DVC 2 bedroom suite or higher.

Subsequent to our direct points we have added on resale twice as we wanted new home resorts we will add on again at VGF and there we have no choice but to go direct.

If you really must buy direct Disney will still sell you BCV at a very high price and after a waiting list. But buy DVC for DVC buy other timeshares for worldwide access DVC isn't useful for that.

Generally if a timeshare is being vague about a specific point there is a good reason

 

[CarolMN]

I have been travelling more to other destinations and tend to go to a Disney resort every two years. I feel if I purchase direct from Disney, I will have enough flexibility to choose a new destination every other year and my home resort the opposite years. However, Disney is not very forthcoming with the number of points necessary for Europe or Tokyo Disney point requirements.

The points required to stay at non-DVC Disney properties in France, Japan and Hong Kong change every year. They take a lot of points and go up every year. Using points for these options is a very expensive way to enjoy them. For example:

2013 Point Chart for Disneyland Paris

2014 Point Chart for Disneyland Paris

Let me know if you want to see the charts for Tokyo or Hong Kong

Yes...it is way cheaper to buy DVC in the secondary market but for my purposes, I am substituting a vacation home for access to other worldwide destinations and can only do this if I buy from Disney directly.......

This is not true. Even resale points may be used for a trade via RCI or the Buena Vista Trading Company.

RCI Nightly and Weekly Exchanges
RCI Signature Selections

BVTC Club Cordial
BVTC Club Intrawest

Truthfully, DVC is not a good economic choice for you if you plan to mostly use it for anything other than a stay at one of the DVC resorts (located in WDW, Disneyland, Vero Beach, Hilton Head Island or Hawaii).

 

[JimMIA]

With your vacationing pattern, I would not buy DVC...or I would buy a small contract, just enough to get the stay you want every other year with banking and borrowing. I would not use DVC outside the DVC system.

Outside of WDW DVC is very, very limited. The "collections" you mentioned carry very high points costs. In most situations, you'd be ahead just paying cash.

You can use your points to exchange via RCI, but you only have indirect access to about 600 of the more than 3,200 RCI resorts worldwide...including very few in Europe. (I have never heard of a DVCer actually getting an RCI reservation in Europe). And whatever the value of RCI to you, resale points also can be used for RCI.

The other thing to remember about those other options is that none of them are guaranteed to any owner -- direct or resale. They could change or go away at any time.

The DVC tour is not an unpleasant experience. There is little or no pressure and the sales personnel are reasonably forthcoming about the program. They will not usually tell you blatant lies, but don't expect them to mention any weaknesses of the system -- that's not their job. Do your own research.

 

[bakerworld]

We're not big travelers nor do we need new experiences. We like DVC because we enjoy returning to the same places - we like familiarity. Epcot's showcase gives us the flavor of Europe without the plane ride - ditto the resorts like Animal Kingdom, Wilderness Lodge and the Polynesian Lobby.

 

[twinsouvenirs]

you can buy BCV direct, you will just be on a waitlist.

 

[Sandisw]

As mentioned, the value of DVC is to use them at DVC resorts, either at WDW, Disneyland, Hilton Head, Vero Beach or Aulani.

With your wanting to travel, buying what you want at BCV to use for those trips, and looking for other options that will better serve you might be a good option.

However, as mentioned, if you want to have BCV, tell Disney that is what you want and while you will pay more, only you can decide if it is really worth it in terms of spending all of that extra money for those world wide travel. For some, even given the high point cost, it is.

I believe that Disney will be honest in terms of what the points needed will be. Remember, however, that none of those point cost options are restricted like with DVC resorts.

The total number of points at any home resort can not change. They can be readjusted like a few years ago when weekends became a bit cheaper and weekdays more expensive to even out demand. But, if you look at stays for a weeks time, during most seasons, the cost for most of the rooms sizes changed by a few points either way--maybe no more than 10 to 15 or so (don't know exact numbers--just going on memory).

However, all those other options, like cruises, etc. can go up with no limit so what it costs today to cruise may be quite a bit more down the road. Keep that in mind.

From all I have read, DVC may not be the best timeshare for a one size fits all model. I have always said that on the rare occasion I want to cruise, I might still use points, even though it could be cheaper paying cash, but I own DVC to use for DVC.

Good luck!

 

[spruce]

We've used our points for both dcl and dl Paris. Also dl California, a hotel stay in nyc and every dvc in Florida. Sometimes, cash wise, it was easier to use points for the outside dvc trips. It was not cheaper but the vacation budget was tied up in dvc so using points did not create a double expense.
Last year we did 11 days in Europe, some Rome, some Paris. We paid cash except for 2 nights at dl Paris, there we used points. We were saving points for a 19 person trip to dw so didn't rent. With the ease of point rentals now, we are thinking of renting our points to fund a trip to Europe planned for next year.
Now our direct points were bough between 62 and 75 dollars each. With points at 130, 150 & 165, it would be really expensive to buy dvc today and very hard to get point value over anything other then a dvc resort which puts you into the resale market for your best savings unless you wanted vgf. Just my 2 cents.

 

[agavegirl1]

Thank you for this wealth of honest information. So now, I am thinking, I should buy enough points at an Epcot Resort (BCV preferably) for an every other year stay of about a week using banking/borrowing in the resale market if possible. I should stick a bunch of cash from the condo sale into a savings account for other destinations.

DVC definately has a payback for Disney domestic travel but doesn't seem worth it (based on points needed) for worldwide destinations. I am also going back to look at Fairfield/Windham which is the original plan I thought about. This would give me the option of Bonnet Creek every other year.

Gee I love the DIS! Ask and ye shall receive

 

[JimMIA]

Thank you for this wealth of honest information. So now, I am thinking, I should buy enough points at an Epcot Resort (BCV preferably) for an every other year stay of about a week using banking/borrowing in the resale market if possible. I should stick a bunch of cash from the condo sale into a savings account for other destinations.

DVC definately has a payback for Disney domestic travel but doesn't seem worth it (based on points needed) for worldwide destinations. I am also going back to look at Fairfield/Windham which is the original plan I thought about. This would give me the option of Bonnet Creek every other year.

Gee I love the DIS! Ask and ye shall receive

I didn't want to take you off track earlier, but if you want to buy a timeshare to use in multiple locations, Wyndham is definitely one to consider.

But ONLY purchasing resale! You can purchase Wyndham contracts very cheaply (like $1) on eBay and other places, so buying direct is really crazy with Wyndham.

Wyndham offers about 90 resorts in 26 states in the US, plus FULL individual RCI membership included in your MFs. So you have a ton of choices within the system plus ALL of RCI, plus the cash specials in RCI. The TUG Wyndham forum is the best place to research Wyndham: http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=47

Wyndham is not the only other option -- Hilton, Marriott, Bluegreen, et al are also out there.

 

[JimMIA]

If you do buy Wyndham, take a look at Glacier Canyon at Wisconsin Dells. Right in your backyard, and GC is one of the few Wyndham destinations where you will need home resort booking (13 months). I think you'll pay higher MFs there than some places, but if you want to stay there in the summer you will need the booking advantage.

You can get Bonnet Creek pretty easily with any Wyndham points. Big resort in an overbuilt area, easy to get.

 

[agavegirl1]

If you do buy Wyndham, take a look at Glacier Canyon at Wisconsin Dells. Right in your backyard, and GC is one of the few Wyndham destinations where you will need home resort booking (13 months). I think you'll pay higher MFs there than some places, but if you want to stay there in the summer you will need the booking advantage.

You can get Bonnet Creek pretty easily with any Wyndham points. Big resort in an overbuilt area, easy to get.

Glacier Canyon is where I initially heard about the program. I am divorced and used to own at Glacier Canyon. Sold for settlement purposes. It would definately be a possibility again. I have also looked at Hilton as I am an HHonors member.

I am really torn since I prefer staying onsite when at Disney. Really prefer it! It's going to take some soul searching.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Glacier Canyon is where I initially heard about the program. I am divorced and used to own at Glacier Canyon. Sold for settlement purposes. It would definately be a possibility again. I have also looked at Hilton as I am an HHonors member.

I am really torn since I prefer staying onsite when at Disney. Really prefer it! It's going to take some soul searching.

Then, buy just enough points at Disney to cover your needs at Disney.

The other recommendations here sound good too!

Do know that the differences in buying direct and through resale is in using the Disney and Concierge collections. That means resale purchases keep you from taking a Disney cruise, staying at DLP or Tokyo Disney, etc. You can't stay at the moderate resorts or the Polynesian on points either. It also keeps your from staying in very upscale hotels in places like Washington DC, San Francisco, Asheville NC, etc. Those choices are all point eaters anyway.

Resale purchasers can stay at any DVC resort including all DVCs at WDW and at Grand Californian at DL resort, plus Hilton Head, Vero Beach, and HAWAII. You can still make RCI exchanges and BVTC exchanges.

Good luck with you decision.

 

[JimMIA]

Glacier Canyon is where I initially heard about the program. I am divorced and used to own at Glacier Canyon. Sold for settlement purposes. It would definately be a possibility again. I have also looked at Hilton as I am an HHonors member.

I am really torn since I prefer staying onsite when at Disney. Really prefer it! It's going to take some soul searching.

I would not exclude buying DVC, but I would exclude it for exchanges outside the DVC system. LOTS of folks use DVC exclusively for WDW stays and own other timeshares for non-WDW vacationing.

I would not buy any timeshare where I was going to be disappointed staying. If BCV is what you really want, that's what I'd buy.

Depending on how few points you buy, you may prefer to purchase direct just because it's hard to find small contracts on the resale market. If you have to go on a waitlist for direct, I'd hedge my bets by waitlisting and looking for resale simultaneously.

It is of course possible to exchange into DVC using Wyndham/RCI. Many Wyndham owners report good success, but I think a BCV exchange would be very unlikely. If you really want to stay onsite, I would not bank on exchanging in.

 

[Dean]

I would ONLY buy DVC to stay at DVC resorts. If one wants Orlando and other options all in one, DVC is not the best. I'd look at Wyndham, Marriott, Bluegreen, Starwood, Worldmark, Hilton or others. Wyndham might give you the most/best non DVC options, Bluegreen will give you a better chance of exchanging in to DVC, Marriott/Hilton/Starwood will give you better resort quality options.

I'm unclear why you thought you could only buy DVC direct based on your vacation home situation. If you're thinking of a 1031 exchange, I'm pretty sure that wouldn't work with DVC in any way.

 

[agavegirl1]

Thanks to everyone for all the information. I am researching all kinds of options now. I don't intend to "pull the trigger" on this until next spring or so. I have lots of research to do. Meanwhile, I have decided that for my next WDW vacation, I will try to rent points to see if I like the amenities (ie: kitchen, laundry etc) enough as well as decor, etc.

I'm an accountant by trade so every potential decision requires a spreadsheet. And every decision requires a pro and con T-table.

I am so glad that members of DIS have pointed me to a wealth of valuable information.

I requested information from DVC and got a call today. However, I am a hard sell and only wanted the points charts and someone I can ask questions. He sent them via email today.

Thanks again!

 

[ELMC]

Thanks to everyone for all the information. I am researching all kinds of options now. I don't intend to "pull the trigger" on this until next spring or so. I have lots of research to do. Meanwhile, I have decided that for my next WDW vacation, I will try to rent points to see if I like the amenities (ie: kitchen, laundry etc) enough as well as decor, etc.

I'm an accountant by trade so every potential decision requires a spreadsheet. And every decision requires a pro and con T-table.

I am so glad that members of DIS have pointed me to a wealth of valuable information.

I requested information from DVC and got a call today. However, I am a hard sell and only wanted the points charts and someone I can ask questions. He sent them via email today.

Thanks again!

You will find that most of the items on the pro side are immeasurable and most of the items on the con side are financial and easily quantified. This might make it difficult to buy with your background/mentality. One thing I might consider is looking at resale, which brings the financials more into line and gives you a much lower risk level with regards to your exit strategy should you decide that you no longer need/want to own DVC. In the end it may come down to answering two simple questions. Can I truly afford this and do I want it? Good luck with your research.