Any advice???

[WDWmom08]

I am certain that the DVC is they way to go but I was hoping I could get some answers to a few questions.

While I am comfortable that the DVC is a good value for us when you stay at a DVC resort what about the other vacation options? Does it ever make sense to stay in the Disney Collection – the point increase is double the DVC rate for the GF right?

What about the Disney cruise – do those points ever work out? I read an article that said you actually pay more for the cruise using points than if you paid cash.

I would love to go on an Adventures by Disney vacation but buying a 200 pt contract won’t ever get you there will it?

How do you choose a home resort? While I love the location of the BCV I don’t like the fact that it doesn’t have any grand villas. It also doesn’t seem to make sense to me to buy in a resort that is 10+ years old. Do they get renovated regularly?

I know there is an incentive now for the SSR are there any trends to discounts offered? Is any particular time of the year better to buy than another?

Any info is appreciated. We just got back from WDW and I got a card in the mail about the DVC – We miss you, too. Oh I am so ready but I have a house on the market so I know if I call Disney to get answers I will wind up buying into something I am not ready for just yet. But I want to get all my ducks in a row because as soon as that house is gone – DVC here we come.

 

[Disney_Villain]

As for your question about the Disney Collection, I can give an option on the DL and DLP hotels:

The Disneyland hotels go for $300 - $400 a night (after state taxes). I view my use of 164 points for 7 nights stay (at PP or the DL hotel) as a MUCH better option than paying cash. The same goes for the Paris Disneyland hotels now, where the same 165'ish points can get me one of those for a week (the cash price in Euros - converted to USD - comes out to similar to the DL hotels).

While I am comfortable that the DVC is a good value for us when you stay at a DVC resort what about the other vacation options? Does it ever make sense to stay in the Disney Collection – the point increase is double the DVC rate for the GF right?

 

[MrDVC]

I will never use points for a cruise. Its just not a wise use of points. Your points will last much longer toward hotel rooms/villas.

 

[tidefan]

I will never use points for a cruise. Its just not a wise use of points. Your points will last much longer toward hotel rooms/villas.

Myself, DW, and DD4 did the 7-night Eastern for 327 points this past January. If you can go in the DCL value season, the points aren't quite as bad as the other times of year, however, that's about the only time that it is comparable. We came out to about $9 per point, which I didn't think was too bad. Definitely wasn't worth the extra hassle to rent to try to get an extra $300...

Plus, we used developers points for it...

 

[chalee94]

yeah, typically DVC is a good (weekend nights) to great (weekday nights) deal when staying at DVC resorts. trading out is usually not as good a deal.

How do you choose a home resort? While I love the location of the BCV I don’t like the fact that it doesn’t have any grand villas. It also doesn’t seem to make sense to me to buy in a resort that is 10+ years old. Do they get renovated regularly?

1) BUY WHERE YOU WANT TO STAY (or at least where you don't mind staying). if you buy SSR expecting to book VWL for christmas every year, you will probably be disappointed. (this assumes you can book 8-11 months in advance and use your home resort window...otherwise, just buy the cheapest pts.)

for some of us older folks, 34 years remaining on resorts like BCV is all we expect to use anyway. if you can benefit from the extra years at AKV or SSR, then that is also a consideration.

while there is always a risk that you'll get a room where the previous occupants misused it or that is otherwise nearly due for renovation, DVC does maintain their resorts on a regular basis to avoid a revolt by the members (and to enable CRO to continue selling rooms at the DVC resorts as well.) regular maintenance and periodic renovation is built into the annual dues/maintenance fees.

2) location is huge. walking to epcot during food&wine is why lots of people buy BCV and BWV. and if DVC finally announces BLT on the monorail, i'm betting it'll be tough to book at 7 months for many years...

3) cost is a factor for some who are just happy to be at wdw: look at upfront cost + annual dues + pts per night.

I know there is an incentive now for the SSR are there any trends to discounts offered? Is any particular time of the year better to buy than another?

when SSR sells out, DVC will stop offering incentives for it (although they will continue ROFRing points to resell.) time of year is a nonfactor, but the economic downturn does seem to be producing slightly better deals lately IMO.

 

[disneynutz]

I am certain that the DVC is they way to go but I was hoping I could get some answers to a few questions.

While I am comfortable that the DVC is a good value for us when you stay at a DVC resort what about the other vacation options? Does it ever make sense to stay in the Disney Collection – the point increase is double the DVC rate for the GF right?

What about the Disney cruise – do those points ever work out? I read an article that said you actually pay more for the cruise using points than if you paid cash.

I would love to go on an Adventures by Disney vacation but buying a 200 pt contract won’t ever get you there will it?

How do you choose a home resort? While I love the location of the BCV I don’t like the fact that it doesn’t have any grand villas. It also doesn’t seem to make sense to me to buy in a resort that is 10+ years old. Do they get renovated regularly?

I know there is an incentive now for the SSR are there any trends to discounts offered? Is any particular time of the year better to buy than another?

Any info is appreciated. We just got back from WDW and I got a card in the mail about the DVC – We miss you, too. Oh I am so ready but I have a house on the market so I know if I call Disney to get answers I will wind up buying into something I am not ready for just yet. But I want to get all my ducks in a row because as soon as that house is gone – DVC here we come.

You need to invest a few hours, days, weeks, reading everything you can on these boards. Get the DVC DVD from Disney, take the DVC tour and talk to a DVC reseller. Using your DVC points on vacations other than staying at a DVC resort is generally not the best use of points and now DVC charges you a $95 booking fee for the privilege. If you shop around you can find a good discount on the non-DVC Disney resorts using other discounts like the AP discount.

 

[backyardponder]

In picking a resort, try first to decide which parts of DW you like the best. People often talk about location of the resort and that's what they are getting at. If you like being able to walk to Epcot or Holywood Studios, then BWV or BC are probably best for you. If you want easy access to the MK, then BLT or WLV might be best.

If you can, go to DW with a car and visit each of these resorts on your own to get a feel for them. Make sure you walk to the DVC wing if there is a separate wing, such as WLV.

Remember, there is no wrong decision. They are all great!

 

[WDWmom08]

You need to invest a few hours, days, weeks, reading everything you can on these boards. Get the DVC DVD from Disney, take the DVC tour and talk to a DVC reseller. Using your DVC points on vacations other than staying at a DVC resort is generally not the best use of points and now DVC charges you a $95 booking fee for the privilege. If you shop around you can find a good discount on the non-DVC Disney resorts using other discounts like the AP discount.

I was holding off on contacting Disney becasue we are in limbo as far as time frame since our house is on the market and it could be a while. I wasn't sure how aggressive the sales agents were and since I am so ready to do this I didn't know how long I could say no. How critical is the tour? I was hoping to be using our points for our next vacation.

 

[chalee94]

How critical is the tour? I was hoping to be using our points for our next vacation.

the tour is not essential if you know your way around wdw and have read up on DVC threads to understand the risks and benefits of ownerships.

but you should be aware that you would need to buy 6-11 months in advance if you intend to use your pts for your next vacation...there is often very little available on short notice...

 

[disneynutz]

I was holding off on contacting Disney becasue we are in limbo as far as time frame since our house is on the market and it could be a while. I wasn't sure how aggressive the sales agents were and since I am so ready to do this I didn't know how long I could say no. How critical is the tour? I was hoping to be using our points for our next vacation.

The tour is not critical but I think that taking a look makes sense. Sounds like you have some time so that's a good thing. I tried to PM (private message) you but you don' have enough posts yet. Post a few more questions and you might get some help via PMs.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I wouldn't worry about taking the tour then waiting awhile to buy. We took the tour in 1996 and finally bought in 2005! Best of luck -- Suzanne

 

[WDWmom08]

I am also confused about the use year for the year you buy. If you buy in July for a February use year do you immediately get that year's points or do you have to wait until the next year?

 

[shortypots]

I am also confused about the use year for the year you buy. If you buy in July for a February use year do you immediately get that year's points or do you have to wait until the next year?

Depends on if you buy resale or through Disney. If you buy through Disney, you will probably get the points. However, if you buy through resale, you might spend less to get a stripped contract.

Resale vs Disney is really only a consideration for SSR or AKV since those are the only 2 in active sales right now.

I just purchased a month ago and got matching developers points and $96/pt for AKV. We purchased 300 points so we got 300 SSR points, and our 2008 points are maintenance free since the unit isn't open until May 2009. Our 2009 MF's will also be prorated for 8 months since the units will only be open that long.

For all the other resorts, they are technically sold out, so you would have to be put on a waiting list to get them from Disney.

However, rumor has it that BLT will be selling soon.

As for which one you buy, it is your personal opinion as to where you prefer to stay. We bought AKV from Disney because it is a beautiful resort, and my DH loves animals so it was perfect for him.

We recently put in a contract for another 150pts for VWL because we love the lodge at Christmas. 150 pts will get us a 1bd for 6 nights in Dec just about every year.

 

[DVC Mike]

Resale vs Disney is really only a consideration for SSR or AKV since those are the only 2 in active sales right now.

For all the other resorts, they are technically sold out, so you would have to be put on a waiting list to get them from Disney.

You can purchase points at all the DVC resorts direct from Disney. A waiting list is only necessary if Disney doesn't immediately have the points available in your use year. Of the 15 add-ons I've done, I only had to waitlist just once.

 

[WDWmom08]

What are developer points?

I would love to get a written description of all the options; I ordered the DVD from Disney will something like that come with it?