And So It Begins!

[DrTomorrow]

Greetings!

My name is Erick, and (along with my DW Marie) I'm just taking the first step towards DVC membership. I was sharing with her all the anger on the AP Discount threads and I mentioned that some folks were choosing DVC as an alternative, when all of a sudden she said "maybe we should look into that." Well, as our twosome's resident Disney researcher, I started in quickly. I've read the DIS DVC FAQ (wow, a "Whole New World" of acronyms), the stuff on mouseplanet (brian bennett's work) and a few others. Now I'm going through the threads in this forum - and stressing out my neurons.

We're pretty sure that a Saratoga setting is what we want - I know the pros and cons of DVC vs. resale, and I know our comfort level. We already have an FTP trip in October, so we figure we'll drop by then and take a look.

I know that I'm only the 18,392th newbie to wonder through here, eyes all a-glaze with a stunned look on his face. But I do have one big question regarding our planned visit. How exactly should we proceed, assuming we want to go through DVC and talk to someone about Saratoga during our Oct trip? (and how can we maximize any offers/benefits/goodies we might qualify for, since we'll probably buy anyway?) Seriously, we just started talking seriously last night (we've been tossing it about for a while), so I have no idea if we should call, make an appt, just show up, or what. In fact, where do you go to talk to DVC Guides?

OK, that's more than one question but I will appreciate very much any guidance along those lines. And if you feel the urge to share with me / warn me / cheer me on - well, that's fine and dandy too!

So thanks for your time and patience, and maybe, some day, I'll be getting some of the "Welcome Home's" I see on this board.

Erick

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Hi, DrTomorrow. From your post count, I can see you are not new to the DIS, but I would like to welcome you to our corner of the boards!

Anyway, the process is simple. Just stop by any one of those kiosks you see at the parks, or in the resorts. They will be very happy to arrange a tour with a DVC guide. They will even send the DVC van to pick up you and your family at your resort.

Please feel free to ask more questions!

 

[RobDoc]

Welcome to the DVC Board!

For starters, call 1-800-800-9100 and request the free video and information packet. You will be assigned a guide.

If you have a trip to WDW planned soon, definitely set up a tour at the sales center. You can do this in advance (same number as above) or you can schedule it once onsite- at any resort or in any park.

Plan at least an hour for the tour- it's fun and interesting and low key.

In the meantime, if you have any other questions, please ask away!

Enjoy the experience!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I should add that the DVC tour is not one of those high pressure sales things. There is actually no pressure at all, as the tour is just to show you the models, and explain how the program works.

Good luck!...

 

[kem330]

Definitely make an appointment and take the time to check out all the resorts! They are each unique and have their own strong points. They don't have much in the way of incentives other than the prepurchase discount of $10 off /point or the use of developer points. You might get a certificate for lunch- thats what they used to give, not sure what it is now. The Sales center is on the Boardwalk near the Big River Grille. I really like my guide Susie Farnsworth, but I'm sure you'll hear a lot of other recomendations as well. Have fun!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Plan at least an hour for the tour- it's fun and interesting and low key.

I would allow more time than that. Your DVC Guide won't keep you any longer, and it is very low key and definitely no pressure, but once you get there and see the models, you will want to walk through them more than once and then you will ask more questions and you really won't want to leave and then you will be wishing you were already members and could stay the night.

Seriously, leave a little more time in your day for your tour and your visit with your Guide. You will be glad you did. Kinda sounds like you have pretty much made up your mind already, anyway.

 

[ncligs]

Hi Eric

It looks like you have done your homework about DVC. You can request a certain guide even if you don't have one when you call the number Doc gave you. You will get a lot of guides recomended from this post......just go with the one you feel comfortable talking to.
Our guide is Marc Turner........very professional,prompt,returns calls, no pressure,etc. We have had him for 5 years and he has been with DVC since 1992.

 

[marksniles]

Stupid questrion but what's a FTP trip?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by marksniles
Stupid questrion but what's a FTP trip?

I was guessing Fairy Tale Package.

 

[Granny]

I don't think I"ve seen this, but whatever resort you are staying at during your FTP trip....well, DVC has a nice van that would love to come by and take you over to the offices and models.

You're taking a great approach to this big decision. If you have questions before you go, feel free to ask them here. I know that when I purchased, it was a huge help to already know many of the ins and outs of the point system, banking, borrowing, use year, etc so my discussions with my Guide went very quickly and smoothly.

Good luck!

Edit note: Oops, I see that Maistre Gracey had already mentioned the courtesy van in the first response on this thread! Have a great trip and enjoy your visit to the models.

 

[spruce]

DVC may offer a discounted mortgage rate if you buy within x number of days from your tour. This is a one shot offer and if you choose to by 2 years from now, you've missed your window for this lower rate.......spruce

 

[JimC]

You have gotten very good replys so far so I will just add my welcome to the DVC boards! It is a great place to hang out.

Our guide is Byron. He is a classic gentleman. Very patient, returns calls promptly. Highly recommended.

Good luck!

 

[TwirlerGirl]

Welcome to the DVC Board!

When we purchased, like you, I had done as much research before arriving as I could and was hopeful that DH would be convinced after the tour. We were staying off property at DD because there where no rooms available on property that Sept. I mention this because it became a factor in our decision to buy. We took the tour and loved the layout and size of the rooms at OKW. He also liked BWV's but the hotel was so busy and noisey at the time we visited he felt it was just to much overload for us. DH who was unhappy with our hotel, long waits for bus to parks and the lure of DVC discounts (very good at the time) said - go for it. One hr touring, 1+ hr filling out paper work, lunch on DVC while we waited and back to finish up paper work. We spent about 2 1/2 hrs there but it was worth it. Things might go faster now and we had a new guide. So if you are planning on purchasing while you are there, set aside enough time so you feel comfortable with your plans for the day.

By the way, DH still thinks this is the best purchase we've made in the last 6 yrs and thinks I'm brilliant for finding it.

I'm sure we'll be telling you "Welcome Home" very soon.

Sandy

 

[dvc_john]

You might want to keep in mind that the $10/point off promotion for Saratoga Springs is currently scheduled to end October 31.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Well, I seems as if the DVC board is even friendlier than the other DIS boards; thanks so much for the advice and assistance.

DW and I are going to let this percolate around in our heads over the Labor Day weekend (translation: we just have to accept what we already know we're going to do ) then start the process.

And yes, FTP is the Fairy Tale Package; as you can see somewhere down below, we leave in just five weeks. As you know, planning a Disney trip is like juggling - you've always got a lot of balls in the air. Well, I made the mistake of telling my wife that I think I had the FTP trip under control; so she decided to toss in a few (a lot!) more balls with this DVC suggestion!

But with all your help and advice - and the zillions of bits of DVC info on the Internet - I think it'll turn out just fine. Now, anybody know anything about something called "CRT"?

Erick

 

[RobDoc]

CRT is a Cathode Ray Tube.....except over on the Restaurants Board where they can give you some information about Cinderella's Royal Table.

Enjoy! (...and good luck getting that PS for Cindy's!)

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

Before you go, be sure to spend a lot of time pouring over the points charts from all the resorts you'ld likely stay at, and review you vacation habits. That way, you'll have a good idea of the exact point package you'ld like to start with (key words there are...start with). Then, buy about 10-15% more than you think you'll need.

While at the Poly you will fine tune the art of "talking points".

Good Luck!

 

[jdkdorn]

I have heard of situations in the past where they will take money off the cost according to how much your are spending on your current trip. This hasn't been offered in a while, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

We just bought in Feb and are very happy with our purchase. As you can see from my countdown I will be enjoying the Wonderful World of Disney in little over 1 day. This is our first trip home, so I will write all about it when I return.

Judy

 

[Loubon]

Make an appointment in advance because my guide just told me on some days they've had to turn people away the response has been so good.

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by jdkdorn
I have heard of situations in the past where they will take money off the cost according to how much your are spending on your current trip. This hasn't been offered in a while, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

That program was the precursor to Magical Beginnnings. While it doesn't hurt to ask, DVC isn't currently offering MB at SSR- only the $10 credit or the Developer Points.