About to take the DVC plunge, what should we know?

[Fargoman2]

Having just completed our eighth annual "once-in-a-lifetime" trip to WDW, we have finally admitted that we are addicted to the Disney kool-aid and will always be going back.

So...during this trip we did the DVC Open House thing as we did several years ago. This time, we decided that we are ready to make the plunge. We signed up "provisionally" before we left the World this weekend to take advantage of the incentives currently being offered.

But we have a ton of questions before making this "official." I'm sure these are deadly repetitive questions for you all, but please offer your informed responses to the following:

1. How can you best determine the point level to purchase? Should you "maximize" your initial purchase to save from future point cost increases?

2. How much do point costs tend to escalate each year? For example, what did 160 points cost 5 years ago?

3. What are the "hidden" costs of membership? I know about maintenance fees but what else is there? Do we pay room/villa taxes for each stay?

4. How is the level of lodging quality outside the Disney family of properties? What are the "hidden" costs there?

5. Dumb question--in what increments can you buy points if you are "short" for a stay?

6. Is the overall "service"/treatment you receive as a DVC member as stellar as they claim? How so or not so?

7. Can you ever "sell" your timeshare?

8. What else should we know before diving in?


Please share any of your personal experiences as to how your membership has played out. Has it been "worth it" to you? Would you change anything about how you use/create your membership? Biggest pros, biggest cons?

We're just starving for informed perspective.

Thanks in advance for any replies!

 

[Kmango]

1. How can you best determine the point level to purchase? Should you "maximize" your initial purchase to save from future point cost increases?

Figure out what you think you'll use, and buy that much. And maybe a few more, if you can afford to, because you will probably find yourself coming up with more ways to use them than previously planned.

2. How much do point costs tend to escalate each year? For example, what did 160 points cost 5 years ago?

I'm not sure how much, exactly, prices have changed over the past few years. It hasn't been enough to justify buying points as a hedge, though. That being said, if the prices do go up, you can always buy add-ons on the resale market at a lower price.

3. What are the "hidden" costs of membership? I know about maintenance fees but what else is there? Do we pay room/villa taxes for each stay?

If you exchange your points to use them for accomodations through the Concierge Collection, II, BVTC, non-DVC resorts, Disney Cruise, etc, there's a $95 exchange fee. As for room/villa taxes, you own the room, so there's no extra fee.

4. How is the level of lodging quality outside the Disney family of properties? What are the "hidden" costs there?

We've used points for accomodations at the Regency and Shelburn-Murray Hill hotels in NYC. Both were of excellent quality. At both of those hotels, we stayed in suites that were similar to DVC accomodations. This is one of those circumstances that involves the $95 exchange fee. Also, the cancellation rules can be a little funny.

5. Dumb question--in what increments can you buy points if you are "short" for a stay?

Do you mean renting points from another owner, or do you mean purchasing additional points from Disney?

6. Is the overall "service"/treatment you receive as a DVC member as stellar as they claim? How so or not so?

Yes. Everytime I walk into a DVC resort and hear "Welcome Home" it makes me smile. The good people of Member Services are incredibly helpful, as are the CMs at the DVC properties.

7. Can you ever "sell" your timeshare?

Yes. There are a number of venues that will help you sell your contract. If you know you won't be using your points, you can also rent them to someone else on a temporary basis, while still retaining your ownership interest.

My family has owned DVC for 17 years and it has been a wonderful thing for us.

 

[dizney4us]

1. How can you best determine the point level to purchase? Should you "maximize" your initial purchase to save from future point cost increases?

-That depends on how often you want to go and what type of accomodations you want to stay in. We bought 180 points at SSR originally because that gave us a 2br villa during April vacation every year for 5 nights.
We since added another 150 at BWV, beause we like ot go more often and bring lots of family.

2. How much do point costs tend to escalate each year? For example, what did 160 points cost 5 years ago?

-I think there is a chart on this board that tracks the price per point over the years. I know in February of 2007 we paid 91.00 per point, right before they jumped up a few dollars. That was with a $10 off per point promo.

3. What are the "hidden" costs of membership? I know about maintenance fees but what else is there? Do we pay room/villa taxes for each stay?

-maintenance fees cover the taxes. there are no hidden fees that I know of, but of course you'll have to have money for passes and food, but if you go as often as you say, you'd be buying that anyway!

4. How is the level of lodging quality outside the Disney family of properties? What are the "hidden" costs there?

-never stayed, can't say.

5. Dumb question--in what increments can you buy points if you are "short" for a stay?

Through Disney it's 25 paying cash or 50 if you finance. This would be an add on. you cannot buy a few points on an ocassional basis.

6. Is the overall "service"/treatment you receive as a DVC member as stellar as they claim? How so or not so?

So far we have been happy. You will not get daily mousekeeping, rather a trash and towel service on day 4 and a full cleaning on day 8. I really thought this was going to bother me, but it doesn't. We actually ended up liking that no one comes in the room. we throw the bed together in the AM, and head off! in exchange we now get a washer/dryer, full kitchen, microwave, etc.....we prefer this

7. Can you ever "sell" your timeshare?

Yes, many have sold their DVC or bought resales through the sponsor of this board...the time share store.

8. What else should we know before diving in?

If you go often, and you really love disney and don't see that changing, it will be a great deal for you. most will tell you that they wish they had done it sooner, we are in that category. But we've got it now, and we enjoy it so much! we were @ BWV in February, SSR in April, and hubby and I are heading back to SSR in October. As of now....no regrets! good luck to you!

 

[Fargoman2]

Thanks for the earlier replies--very helpful.

Another question, how tough is it to get the resort/accommodations you want? I.e. We will be buying into Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas which open in May 2009.

Assuming we would want to go in August (only time schedules allow), how much competition are we likely to face? Do you often find yourself scrambling for other properties that might be your 2nd, 3rd or 4th choices?

 

[javamom]

Having just completed our eighth annual "once-in-a-lifetime" trip to WDW, we have finally admitted that we are addicted to the Disney kool-aid and will always be going back.

LOL Welcome to the club. We came to this conclusion after 2 trips and were about to book yet another. Decided to stop lying to ourselves and just buy.

1. How can you best determine the point level to purchase? Should you "maximize" your initial purchase to save from future point cost increases?

Well, this is such a subjective thing. It seems; however, that many end up wishing that they had bought more points. I think that is because as you learn to use your points smore, you think of more ways that you want to use them.

2. How much do point costs tend to escalate each year? For example, what did 160 points cost 5 years ago?

Can't really help you there, but I have read some posts were I believe that they bought in when the point were 66.00 each. There are speculations that some of the new properties will be in the 140-180 mark, but that is rumour only.

3. What are the "hidden" costs of membership? I know about maintenance fees but what else is there? Do we pay room/villa taxes for each stay?

No room taxes. A far as hidden costs are concerned, see answer to question 1. All those other trips will impact your pocket book!

There is a small booking fee for booking anything other than a DVC resort, such as other Disney (NON-DVC) properties in the Disney Collection, Concierge Collection, World Passport, Disney Cruise Line, and II trades as well (I think?).
You will not get daily Mousekeeping unless you want to pay extra. Otherwise, you will get a Trash and Towel service on day 4 and full clean on day 8 for your stay.

4. How is the level of lodging quality outside the Disney family of properties? What are the "hidden" costs there?

Can't help you there, haven't used that yet.

5. Dumb question--in what increments can you buy points if you are "short" for a stay?

As I recall, you can buy as few as 25 points from Disney if you pay cash. If you finance through Disney, it's a 50 point minimum.

6. Is the overall "service"/treatment you receive as a DVC member as stellar as they claim? How so or not so?

In my experience, there isn't any real differences in service. You have good Castmembers, you have some bad ones, or maybe you have someone having a bad day. No different than any other Disney resort. I have never had any bad experiences with DVC castmembers, but I am sure there are those that have.

It is really nice to hear "Welcome Home" from your DVC resort though!

7. Can you ever "sell" your timeshare?

Sure you can. You can "sell" it back to Disney, but you will likely get more for it if you list it with a reseller (like our board sponsor) The Timeshare Store or others out there.

8. What else should we know before diving in?

Study the charts, think about how you will want to use your points over the years (not just right now), and learn how the banking and borrowing works. Think about the ways that having this will make your trips even better than before. You may realize that you might travel more!

Please share any of your personal experiences as to how your membership has played out. Has it been "worth it" to you? Would you change anything about how you use/create your membership? Biggest pros, biggest cons?

We knew it was worth it, the moment we walked into our room. No more crowding ourselves. Walking into the kitchen to grab a snack, or a glass of wine to enjoy on the balcony is heavenly. Tossing a load of two of clothes into the washer means no stinky clothes pile, and always a fresh outfit without having to pack your whole closet.

Knowing that there will be a lifetime of trips, means that you don't have to try to cram everything into each trip. Stop and enjoy yourself! The more you do, the more you will want to share it with others!

 

[javamom]

Thanks for the earlier replies--very helpful.

Another question, how tough is it to get the resort/accommodations you want? I.e. We will be buying into Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas which open in May 2009.

Assuming we would want to go in August (only time schedules allow), how much competition are we likely to face? Do you often find yourself scrambling for other properties that might be your 2nd, 3rd or 4th choices?

You can book 11-months out at your home resort and 7-months out at any other DVC resort. I can't say that everyone always gets their first choice at these windows. I can tell you that I was able to get my first choice (which was a Boardwalk view room and there aren't a ton of those views) at the 8-month window.

If you are normally booking at 2 months or so, you may have to accept whatever is available depending upon what season you are talking about. It is not uncommon for nothing to be available on that short of notice at peak times. It is not unheard of for someone to actaully get something at the last minute too. So, sorry that isn't very helpful. The answer is that it "depends."

If you are wanting to stay in August of 2009, then your 11-month window is September of 2008 - or now basically.

Here's a handy tip: go google Caskbill and download his DVC planner. It's great. Only thing is that the booking-by dates are now hosed because of the recent change in the booking policy. It used to be 11-months from your check-out date and now it's 11-months from the check-in date (up to 7 days). Confused yet? Anyway the Planner is great for planning out different scenarios, just remember to adjust those booking-by dates accordingly.

When I call, I have already printed out may choices. Have yet to have needed those choices, but at least I had them at the ready.

 

[Kmango]

Another question, how tough is it to get the resort/accommodations you want? I.e. We will be buying into Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas which open in May 2009.

Assuming we would want to go in August (only time schedules allow), how much competition are we likely to face? Do you often find yourself scrambling for other properties that might be your 2nd, 3rd or 4th choices?

August is a slower time for DVC reservations. If you're planning on staying at AKV most of the time, you should have no problem at all, since it seems like you'll be able to book at 11 months. If you're planning on booking at other resorts, once again, it shouldn't be too bad for reservations in August.

 

[Coach81]

1. How can you best determine the point level to purchase? Should you "maximize" your initial purchase to save from future point cost increases?

We started out with 150 points and we originally planned on going once every 2 years.. HA! Since DVC we are now going twice a year!

2. How much do point costs tend to escalate each year? For example, what did 160 points cost 5 years ago?

Not sure about this one, but I would imagine they will steadily go up as time goes on..

3. What are the "hidden" costs of membership? I know about maintenance fees but what else is there? Do we pay room/villa taxes for each stay?

None that I know of...

4. How is the level of lodging quality outside the Disney family of properties? What are the "hidden" costs there?

Not sure about "outside disney family of properties"?

5. Dumb question--in what increments can you buy points if you are "short" for a stay?

Can't buy points for short stays.. you can add on to your original number of points if you wish.

6. Is the overall "service"/treatment you receive as a DVC member as stellar as they claim? How so or not so?

No complaints here, we feel like royalty everytime we check in!

7. Can you ever "sell" your timeshare?

Sure can.. check the Timeshare Co.

8. What else should we know before diving in?

Your addiction to Disney will become much, much worse!!!


Please share any of your personal experiences as to how your membership has played out. Has it been "worth it" to you? Would you change anything about how you use/create your membership? Biggest pros, biggest cons?

So far (only had for a year now) we absolutely love it, and we think it will be one of the best investments we could have ever made for our family!

We're just starving for informed perspective.

Thanks in advance for any replies![/QUOTE]

You are quite welcome! Good luck with your Decision!

 

[chalee94]

2. How much do point costs tend to escalate each year? For example, what did 160 points cost 5 years ago?

annual dues increase history is here:http://personalpages.tds.net/~rb/DIS/DVC/DVCDuesHistory.htm

historical prices per point:

Pre-Construction - $48 (230 pt. minimum)
Oct. 7, 1991 - OKW Opens $51
Dec. '91 - $51
Jan. '92 -$51 (230 pt. minimum)
Feb. '92 - $51
July-Aug. '92 - $54.50
11/1/92 - $56
May '93 - $56 (210 pt. minimum)
July '93 - $57.50
Jan. '94 - $57.50 (190 pt. minimum)
March '94 - Announce Newport, CA plans
April '94 - $59 Increase in June announced
6/15/94 - $60.50
Nov. '94 - $61.50
7/1/95 - $62.75 October '95 - Vero Opens
March '96 - HHI Opens
May '96 - $62.75
July '96 - BWV Opens
May '97 - $62.75 (150 pt. minimum)
May '98 - $62.75
Fall, 1998 - OKW Sells-out
1998 - Announce WLV
Jan. '99 - $65
Oct. '99 - $65 (notice of OKW selling out added buildings 62, 63, 64)
Mid-May 2000 - $67
June 2000 - $67
Nov. 2000 - WLV Opens (sales start Dec.)
Mid-Jan. 2001 - $72
March 2001 an increase to $75 announced for June
March? 2002 – Begin sales of BCV
June 2002 -- $80 per point
Dec 1, 2002 -- $84 per point (announced early Oct.)
Aug 4, 2003 -- $89 per point (SSR Sales begin with $10 discount = $79) with expiration in 2054.
May, 2004 -- SSR opens.
May, 2004 -- $95 per point @SSR, $89 at other DVC resorts.
June, 2005 -- $98 per point @SSR, $92 at other DVC resorts.
Jan (?), 2006 -- $101 per point @SSR, $95 at other DVC resorts (with some variances at OKW, VB and HH). Incentives are also available lowering the effective purchase price for 150 or more points.
Fall , 2006 --AKV announced.
February 1, 2007 - AKV sales begin for existing members. $101 ($8 incentive discount also available)
March, 2007 -- $104 per point. (160 point minimum) ($8 incentive discount available)
July, 2007 -- Early opening for AKV.