A few questions about DVC

[TomD]

I am trying to convince the wife to get a timeshare because IMO it just makes sense. Esp since our trips to Disney seem to be occuring more frequently. We have booked our 2nd trip in 2 yrs.

1. As I understand it it is best to buy when we r going to use it. We would be either usung it in April on the kids vacation or in Dec again on their vacation. Any feedback on which month we should go for?


2. Which way to buy resale or straight from the resort?


3. Do the fees go up every yr or once you buy are the maintanience fees locked in also.



If anyone has any suggestions or I have overlooked something please let me know

We will be there at Xmas and considering doing the DVC tour

 

[DVCconvert]

#1
Well, just like staying on property and paying cash, April will be more "expensive" point - wise to visit (meaning you'll need more points to stay a week in similar rooms in April than in say the first 2 weeks of December). So that is one consideration.

The "Use Year" isn't a make it or break it deal, however, alot of people try to have their Use Year (UY) in or just before a month in which they are likely to stay on site. That way, should you have to reschudule you have more time to do so.

As an example, lets say your UY is May, and you vaca in April. As far out as June you could make ressies at your home resort for the following April, but, if a week before you leave for say a vacation starting April 15th, you can't make it - you lose the points as you're out of the banking window entirely.

#2
You should buy a contract based at the Resort of your choice. Currently Disney is only offering sales at SSR. If you want a 'sold out' resort, you'll have to buy resale. In many ways it's a better deal I think.

#3
Your ownership contract in theory could allow Disney to increase MF's by as much as 15% per year. However, historical reality is that MF's have not moved much, and in one instarnce they went down. I wouldn't expect them never to go up, but so far this has not be volitile.

If you are reasonably sure you will be visiting WDW regularly this is a good deal.

HTH

 

[ceejay13]

DVConvert said it all well.

1) We absolutely love the first couple of weeks of December to visit the world. Low DVC points and the resort is at it's finest. Having said that, we just this week booked our first DVC vacation in April. I do have to say it was definetely more points than we are used to. In the 4 1/2 years we have owned we have always tried for October, December, January or February.

2) Again I would buy where you think you want to stay most. If that's SSR then buy from Disney otherwise a resale is your best bet. We bought our 1st contract sight unseen and they only had BWV points available so that is where we bought. I love it there and wish we would have bought sooner. We just returned, however, from our 3rd OKW stay and love it there as well. After spending years on these boards I certainly wouldn't be afraid of a resale.

3) As to the dues issue, they can fluctuate and for us have gone down 2 years and increased the other 2 years and are different for each of the resorts. We own at the BWV and BCV. This fluctuation isn't much, however. I am told VB owners pay the highest dues. Again, however, I don't think it is significantly higher. This hasn't been an issue for us at all.

4) Our only regret, we didn't do it a lot sooner. We have loved every minute of our ownership. The advice is that if you are going to visit a minimum of every other year, then it is definetely worth exploring.

 

[TomD]

Thanks for the replies. Hopefully I can convince my wife

 

[LeftCoaster]

"Honey, I've been thinking that since we're starting to go to WDW every year now, we should probably buy into the Disney Vacation CLub. I've looked into all the information and analyzed it and it just makes sense for us to do this. And haven't you been asking me to start making sense?"

Try that.

 

[bears163]

sorry to post on your thread but i have a question. besides the 10% down is there any other expense before your first payment if finacing through dvc

 

[sleepydog25]

Your downpayment is the only expense required prior to starting payments when the contract closes. In the case of SSR points, that closing won't take place until March '05, with payments starting in May, though I think our yearly mnx fees will be billed at closing.