Advice needed, thinking about joining SSR

[momtotanmanandraerae]

at the minimum 150 point level. That's the most I feel comfortable with financially for now. I like the idea of locking in the current points charts for the future and figure I can always add points later. Is there any downside to my thinking? If I add additional points later, will my points chart always be the same as at the time I joined? Am I looking at this right that the big benefit of joining DVC is 10-15 years from now when I''ll be able to vacation at "todays" prices? Thanks in advance

 

[phorsenuf]

at the minimum 150 point level. That's the most I feel comfortable with financially for now. I like the idea of locking in the current points charts for the future and figure I can always add points later. Is there any downside to my thinking? If I add additional points later, will my points chart always be the same as at the time I joined? Am I looking at this right that the big benefit of joining DVC is 10-15 years from now when I''ll be able to vacation at "todays" prices? Thanks in advance

We bought in last year during the friends and family promotion and haven't looked back. Our kids are older but we so look forward to taking then and future grandchildren some day. Shortly after DH and I bought in just the two of us went down for a nice vacation without the kids and had a blast. It's not something we would have done if we didn't own there.

We were going to buy the 150 point minimum but at the last minute decided to do 210 based on how we thought we may vacation now and in the future. We did one contract of 150 and one of 60. We split it so if down the line things changed whether financially or vacation habits we could sell off the smaller and keep the bigger one. It was that eggs in all one basket thought.

The friends and family promotion is what got us to finally buy and probably buy more than what we would have done to start. It was too good of a deal to pass up. I know down the line we will probably buy more points.
I sent you a PM about it in case you weren't aware of it.

We looked at other timeshares but nothing compared to DVC. It was the best decision ever for us.

 

[mikron]

Its a good start, you will find after using your dvc membership to vacation you should have bought more. 150 points don't go far unless you stay in a studio at okw.

 

[Parkhopper13]

I agree with your logic. I think you are off to a good start. If you will be vacationing in WDW anyway, this will help you lock in prices for down the line. Enjoy!!

 

[Mtnman44]

The points chart for booking rooms will always be the same (basically) even if you don't buy at all for another 20 years. However, the market value of the contracts will likely increase. Adding on SSR points in 5 years may be $110. After the contracts reach the mid point in terms of expiration, I wouldn't be suprised if they started to decline dramatically. By 2030, there should be some very good deals on contracts for OKW, BCC, BWV, and VWL, perfect for people entering into retirement and only plan on disney trips for the next 10 or 15 years.

 

[Mtnman44]

Yes, you are basically right but don't forget the maintanence fees will increase over time with inflation or other cost increases. However, you will always be at around 1/3 of the cost of a typical Deluxe room at the time of the vacation plus you will have a much better room if you have a 1BR or bigger. For example, maint fees on 150 at SSR right now are 600 per year so for a week in a 2 BR at SSR you will use around 240 pints or about 960 in maint fee expense. You would easily spend $350 or more per night for a room like this which is $2,450. In the year 2020, maint fees on those points might be $1,500 but the cost of a deluxe room like that could easily be $600 per night or more so you see how it goes. Your cost of ownership will increase a little over time but you have in a sense "locked in" a large chunk of you vacation expense at Disney for the next 4 decades.

at the minimum 150 point level. That's the most I feel comfortable with financially for now. I like the idea of locking in the current points charts for the future and figure I can always add points later. Is there any downside to my thinking? If I add additional points later, will my points chart always be the same as at the time I joined? Am I looking at this right that the big benefit of joining DVC is 10-15 years from now when I''ll be able to vacation at "todays" prices? Thanks in advance

 

[Chuck S]

Uhhh, point charts can change. They did at OKW in 1996. They can increase one season and decrease another. The only thing that can not change is the TOTAL number of points needed throughout the chart. They can even make all days equal for every day of the year.

When you purchase has no bearing, if a point chart changes, it changes for everyone.

Here is the original OKW point chart, using 69 points for a studio in adventure season, compared to 80 points now.

Original OKW point chart

 

[Didney Daddy]

We started with a small contract and now have 600 points. Start small and as finances allow and your knowledge increases, you will catch the add on itis the rest of us developed. Having said that, we have reached our number and are now finally fully satisfied.

 

[dumbo71]

Are you finacing those 150 or paying cash? If you are financing those points I'd say skip the DVC . Timeshares SHOULD be a luxury purchase not just a way to vacation at WDW.

Make no mistake, even with the pre-paid trips to WDW it still isn't cheap. Airfare, food, rental car, park tickets, souvenirs, etc.

Good luck with this decision. I'm sure I'll be flamed for daring to question buying DVC. Honestly unless I was wealthy I'd never have considered a DVC purchase.

Consider me the dissenting voice on this.

Rent, rent, rent.

 

[tkd lisa]

I have to differ with the person who said that 150 points isn't enough. That's my contract, and I'm able to stay 5 days at BWV (standard view, weekday only) for 110 points in Spring Break, which leaves me enough points for a couple nights of F&W festival in a studio somewhere and one night each for a birthday celebration. Now I realize most people come for a longer period of time, since they aren't an hour away, but if you come for longer, you may end up doing 2 trips in 3 years, which would give you enough to do a one bedroom for a week, just about anywhere except peak seasons.

Go with your comfort level and enjoy!

 

[Saratoga_Dan]

"That's the most I feel comfortable with financially for now."

You have already provided yourself with the best advice.