Another "should I" post

[PAcpl]

Hey all,

My wife and I recently went to Disney for our frist time and we loved it. We are seriously considering joing DVC, but I am still on the fence. I am 99% sure that we are going to do this, but it is a big commitment.

I was planning on waiting until next year to join DVC, but its seems like everyone is suggesting doing it by years end, and now with the "refer a friend" promotion I would be crazy to wait. My wife and I are both 30 and we dont have any kids so I would THINK 150 points should be fine for us. We went to Disney the last week of September and the parks were dead, so this will probably be the week we go in the future. Since it is an off season week, we wont need many points to get a villa for the week.

My main concern is this. This was our first vacation that wasn't a cruise. We are still a big fan of cruising and would like to still go on cruises in the future. But after going to Disney this year we cant wait to go back again! Since this was our first Disney trip it may be that everything was so new to us that we want to go back as much as possible NOW, but will that get old after a while (50 years)? I guess these are personal decisions, and thats one of the things making the final decision so complicated! Are any of you current DVC members ex-cruise junkies?

It also looks like the current promotion allows you to get into SSR for $10 a point or AKL for $8 a point. We both really liked the BW when we were there and would like to stay at a BWV if we were to join DVC. If we were to purchase 150 points @ $8 PP with AKL does this limit us to only that resort? I was under the impression that you can use your points at ANY Disney Resort.

Thanks for any advice you can offer!

Brian

 

[wendyinoc]

I have been on over 20 cruises and I am 34 years old. I am a part time TA so this is part why but I love cruises!! However, I am in the process of buying DVC. Hotels are going to keep going up in price due to damand. Disney is in its own world when it comes to hotels. People will pay top dollar for Disney. How many companys don't have an 800# ? Disney does not need one since people will pay to call them. With the add on of Ca and Hawaii I think its a good choice. I love Disney and live near Disneyland. I am buying this now so I can go in the future when I have kids. Once you have a family its really expensive to go to Disneyword (even as a TA). I booked a relative last year and one week with food (moderate hotel) was $3200 and that did not include air. I am starting with a small contract because I don't plan to use it every year due to cruising. In fact next year will be my first year and I will bank the points due to cruises all ready planned. However 09 here we come!!

 

[Mtnman44]

I would wait until after your next trip. Make sure this is something you want to do every year. Don't fall for the sales pressure. There is no urgency. There is always a promotion. Plus you can buy resale and save even more than what you are "saving" with a promo.

On the other hand, if you are planning another trip and are going to be dumping a ton of money at a WDW hotel, it might be smart to instead use that money on a DVC down payment. If you know you are going to buy, no sense spending that cash on a hotel.

 

[flechette]

I'd suggest perusing the listing of this boards sponser, The Timeshare Store, and consider a smaller point purchase w/ the intention of going every other year.

That way you could plan for 1 year a cruise vaction and the next year a Disney vacation and not feel you have do Disney this year or have to stop cruising~

Best of both Worlds?


Good luck!

Michelle

 

[disneynutz]

I would read, read, read, the DIS. Then I would rent points and stay where I want to buy. True the purchase price of DVC units will continue to increase, but they offer deals every quarter. Everyone seems to think, I have to buy now before the price goes up. If you wait and the price does go up $2 per point, that's only $400 on a 200 point contract. On the other hand if you buy somewhere without testing the resort and the DVC waters, you my buy into a resort that you don't care for, or worse, you may not even end up liking the DVC.

Buy Where You Want To Stay

 

[browniemtb]

Hey all,
It also looks like the current promotion allows you to get into SSR for $10 a point or AKL for $8 a point. We both really liked the BW when we were there and would like to stay at a BWV if we were to join DVC. If we were to purchase 150 points @ $8 PP with AKL does this limit us to only that resort? I was under the impression that you can use your points at ANY Disney Resort.

I guess I don't understand this statement. Are you reffering to the discount off the price...@ $10 or $8 pp? I believe AKV is roughly around $104 pp.... Minimum purchase through Disney now is 160 points. Smaller contract can be purchased resale though. Points can be used at all the Disney resorts, but the best use of the points would be at the DVC resorts themselves. It will take more point to stay at the Polynesian regular room than it would for a 1 bedroom at the BCV.

 

[crisi]

DVC fits people best who choose Disney as a lifestyle. With a single trip under your belt, you really won't have a feel for whether this is merely a flirtation or if you, indeed, are ready to make Disney a lifepartner (or at least a regular date for the next ten years or so - then you can usually resell and recoup your costs). Although its rare to see on this board (which is a Disney lifestyle board), people DO burn out on Disney, find it less charming after a few years, or discover a new great place to vacation - and Disney itself changes over time - and not always for the better.

Take another vacation or two. And when you buy, buy where you most want to stay - if that is the Boardwalk, you should own there. Its a popular resort with its owners, who book it before others can, and its a popular resort with non-owners - who often snap up rooms quickly. That isn't to say you'd never get to stay there, but it may not happen every time or you may have to use the waitlist or have other stress.

 

[2tink4u]

You know, you have alot of options with your points. I don't think it will get cheaper, you don't have to rush. YOu are without children giving you the ability to travel off season. Get the information mailed to you from disney the dvd and the book. We own a timeshare and we travel all the time 3weeks a year and love it. We own outside of Disney and are planning to buy DVC because we love Disney and love staying on property. If you loved it your first trip, well you haven't even scratched the surface. If you get into it and research it, it becomes a passion. Don't be put off, just do the research and your questions for these lovely and knowledgeable people will be more specific. You own points, in your home resort you can make a reservation 11 mos prior to trip, however you can reserve any resort, but not until 7mos out, after owners have reserved and your availability is whatever is left.
I'm so glad you love it!!!
Happy Hopping

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

You've been bitten by the Disney magic!!!

We have 180 points and always have enough for 6 nights at the BW (most of the time in a Standard view room -which are less points) during the peak weeks. I'd suggest you start with the least amount you need and then you can always do an add on if you feel you need more.

If you really love to cruise you can cruise one week and then go to Disney another week. Once the DVC purchase is paid off, you only have to come up with the dues every year, which will leave money left over to cruise. So don't look at it as Disney vs Cruises. Or if you can't do both you could buy an even smaller contact and alternate between cruising and Disney. My dh and I did that for years and now that we have kids we haven't been on a cruise in 12 years !

We bought into DVC because we wanted nice accomadations on vacation. The stay before we bought we stayed at the All Stars and boy what a difference the deluxe hotels make in extending the magic to 24 hours a day. We bought into the boardwalk two years ago site unseen. But we just love it there. There is so much to do after the parks close-which is nice when you go in a slow season when the parks close early. However, if you do buy into the BW the contact is only for 36 or 37 more years so you are paying alot and you are not getting 50 years as if you bought into the AKV or SSR. But due to the location of the BW (walking distance to both MGM & Epcot) it was worth the price to us.

DVC is really an investment in yourselves. Once you decide you want to make the commitement and spend the money it really becomes "why didn't I do this sooner" or "why did I analyze it so much"

But the finally thought is don't do it until you are absolutely sure you want to do it because it is a commitement. Not only do you have to pay for the dues every year, but you also need to travel to Disney, buy park tickets, etc.

Will Disney get old for you? It will take awhile for the magic to wear off, but when it does the magic always comes back. Last year we went 3 times within a year and by the end of the 3rd trip I didn't want to think about Disney-- But now I'm all excited again to be going back in 3 months!!!

Good luck!!!

 

[mikesmom]

It also looks like the current promotion allows you to get into SSR for $10 a point or AKL for $8 a point

Uh, no, that is the discount. It's over $100/point to buy into DVC. Hope you just mispoke!

 

[PAcpl]

Thank you all so much for the help. I was trying to find one post to quote, but they were all so helpful I couldn't. After this trip I have been telling people how Disney doesn't miss a beat. No matter what they do they go above and beyond the mark. They make people want to be a part of their "lifestyle" and brag to everyone else about it! I never understood that until we went. Everyone from the guests to the crew members did everything they could do to make this little fantasy world amazing. Guests came up to us out of nowhere and asked if we would like them to take a picture of us. I mean it was just surreal and easy to get addicted to.

I have to keep reminding myself that we have time and there is NO pressure to buy now! As I read about everyone else living the lifestyle I feel like we are the only fools that are missing out on this and we need to book today! So in actuality my lack of patience is all of your faults! I called DVC Resales today and the person who helped me (Jason) really made me see the whole picture. He really laid out the point system well and made a few suggestions. He is mailing out some literature for me to read up on. I also have the DVC book and DVD coming so im sure that will be helpful.

The $8-$10 per point blemish was my fault. I left out a little word like DISCOUNT. I know Disney is a magical place, but I don't expect it to be THAT magical!

I think at this point I am just going to do research and convince myself that I wont make a decision until we get back from our next vacation which will be a cruise. As much as we loved Disney we (I) want a RELAXING vacation to recoup! This being our first time to Disney we tried to get as much done as we could in 7 days and we paid for it! We had a blast and I wouldn't change a thing, but by day 7 we were hurting!

Thank you all again for the help, it is invaluable.

Brian

 

[robinb]

DVC fits people best who choose Disney as a lifestyle. With a single trip under your belt, you really won't have a feel for whether this is merely a flirtation or if you, indeed, are ready to make Disney a lifepartner (or at least a regular date for the next ten years or so - then you can usually resell and recoup your costs). Although its rare to see on this board (which is a Disney lifestyle board), people DO burn out on Disney, find it less charming after a few years, or discover a new great place to vacation - and Disney itself changes over time - and not always for the better.

I would normally agree with you ... but my DH and I bought after our "Disney First Date" at All Star Music. Yes, we had only stayed at a VALUE resort before we bought into DVC and we were childless and in our mid-30's. We were not your average DVC demographic, LOL!

OP, if you like the cruising experience might I suggest Animal Kingdom Villas? If you KNOW that you will travel 11-months in advance you would be able to book a Concierge villa which will include all the pampering that you are used to on a cruise. No other DVC resort currently offers a Concierge level.

 

[crisi]

I would normally agree with you ... but my DH and I bought after our "Disney First Date" at All Star Music. Yes, we had only stayed at a VALUE resort before we bought into DVC and we were childless and in our mid-30's. We were not your average DVC demographic, LOL!

OP, if you like the cruising experience might I suggest Animal Kingdom Villas? If you KNOW that you will travel 11-months in advance you would be able to book a Concierge villa which will include all the pampering that you are used to on a cruise. No other DVC resort currently offers a Concierge level.

Some people date for only a few months, marry and celebrate a happy 50th wedding anniversary (my husband's aunt and uncle).

Its more common for that not to end so well.

A delay costs a little money. Unfortunately, resale boards are full of people who did not purchase wisely.

I watched my sister do Disney burnout. It isn't that its sad (she's gone wonderful places instead of spending all her vacations with the Mouse) - but it would have been sad had she been a DVCer.

 

[Mr Man]

We recently purchased DVC (back in Sep 2007). We have been visiting WDW twice yearly since 2004. We took our time and researched extensively (to the point of becoming a minor nuisance on this board) . The other websites mentioned are good resources also.

I sometimes wish that I had bought in right away but wanted to be sure that DVC was right for me and mine. It was luckily. Yes, DVC is increasing in asking price. So is everything else (income included hopefully ).

IMO, I wouldn't be concerned that the incentives won't be there......I believe they will. They switch them up frequently. Keep watching this board for updates and you will see what I mean.

My biggest regret right now is that I can only spend two weeks a year at WDW.

Best of luck to you and hope it all works out to your satisfaction.

Regards,

 

[DVC Mike]

My biggest regret right now is that I can only spend two weeks a year at WDW.

Take two add-ons and call me in the morning....

 

[sjdisneywedding]

The $8-$10 per point blemish was my fault. I left out a little word like DISCOUNT. I know Disney is a magical place, but I don't expect it to be THAT magical!

lol

I think at this point I am just going to do research and convince myself that I wont make a decision until we get back from our next vacation which will be a cruise. As much as we loved Disney we (I) want a RELAXING vacation to recoup! This being our first time to Disney we tried to get as much done as we could in 7 days and we paid for it! We had a blast and I wouldn't change a thing, but by day 7 we were hurting!

Thank you all again for the help, it is invaluable.

Brian

we are pretty big cruisers and for us DVC is the perfect compliment to cruising

our last 4 trips have been ones where we cruised first and then spent 4-5 days at WDW(no Disney cruises yet)

with port canaveral right there it makes it easy to get back and forth and Miami is only a few hours away(we have done 3 of the 4 from there)

this gives us plenty of time at WDW and we can plan the cruises out very easily to choose ones arriving back in on a Sun so we dont need to worry about accomodations on the point expensive fri/sat nights

we have also contimplated going the other way with WDW first, problem is alot of the cruises leave on the weekend so you would need to be at WDW on a fri and/or sat

maybe some of those shorter ones leaving on a thursday would work

 

[Mr Man]

Take two add-ons and call me in the morning....

Yes, these add-ons you speak of......they will become part of "The Plan" at some point.

Right now, the main limiter for us is work schedule and the necessity to visit our respective extended families at least once a year. Although if they all purchased DVC...... hmmmm....

 

[ldo]

with a smaller resale, you can bank and borrow points to get a longer, bigger DVC vacation when you need it and with a smaller number of points, you don't "have" to go to Disney even every year.
We like to go to the beach every summer and also love to cruise--but I also love Disney and after staying at SSR this summer, realized that I really wanted the DVC experience (it WAS magical).
With a smaller resale contract, we have enough points to get a 1 BR for Sun-Thur every other year, or a studio every year, or a 2 BR every 2 years. This fits our lifestyle perfectly (for now). And with being able to add on as few as 25 points directly through DVC, we can add on later, if we find that we need more points. Plus, the smaller contract is a lower $$--so you are more likley to be able to pay cash for it.

 

[wildernessDad]

Since you've only been to Disney once, I would wait a while before purchasing DVC. You might have been swept up in the moment, and the moment may fade quickly for you over time. I am not saying it will, but I recommend going back a few times to see if Disney is in your blood.

 

[Coach81]

Here is our story. Wife has gone to Disney her entire life. I didn't go until I was an adult. We went for our first year anniversary, I wasn't crazy about it. Since we had kids my whole attitude has changed. My two boys love the mouse and I am a Disney convert now. My wife and I thought about DVC for several months and did tons of research on it. We decided at first that it was too much for us to afford, then we paid off a few things, we both got raises, and now we are DVC owners!!! We are headed "home" in two months are so, and we now are planning on going to Disney 2 times next year. I ran all the numbers, as I figure it on the 9th trip to Disney we will have "broke even" with the investment and then from then on we will really start seeing the benefits of it. We have 47 or so years to enjoy it, and we can't wait for all the great memories we will make with DVC!!! Good luck in your decision. Crunch your own numbers, do your own research, and make the call.

We went resale for 150 points.