any Canadian DVC-ers?

[connorsmom911]

I took the DVC tour back in 93 on my last family trip with my parents. They were very close to buying, but at the time, DVC couldn't sell to Canadians on-site, plus my mom had to pay a whack in income tax from their business, and by the time they got home, they had talked themselves out of it.

Needless to say, this has been one of those things they have been kicking themselves about ever since. That was the start of their yearly vacation to Florida (although not Disney), and now that the motel they normally stay at has changed hands, they are looking for a change, but still the yearly trip to Fl.

We are taking an impromptu trip to Disney (sister attending a conference at CS that turned into a family trip for my parents, DH, DS and me) and the topic of DVC has resurfaced, but I'll be honest, I know virtually nothing of the nuts and bolts of it. We'll probably take a tour or two when we're there.

Are there any Cdn DVC-ers? How did you go about getting all the info, and how do you like it? Cost? Mntce fees? Pitfalls?

Any info greatly appreciated. Maybe I can help persuade my parents to buy in this time and not live another day with the regret.

Thanks,

Tracey

 

[Quadman]

HI connorsmom911...

YUP

Our family are proud Canadian DVC'ers as of last Month. We had been considering it for the last couple of trips and we decided to bite the bullet this last trip in Aug.

We took the tour and did as we knew we would....we fell in love with the 1 and 2 bdrm villas....

Being from Quebec we had to complete the deal while we were there at WDW.

Current costs are $95 USD/pt with a $10.00/pt rebate or a free vacation stay at WDW.

Financing is 9.75% with a 10% down payment and the $10.00/pt rebate.......

Financing is very easy with Disney and more than super simple with Canadians applying to DVC......you will most likely be approved as long as your willing to put down a down payment regardless of what or who you are... (I'm just mentioning this, since it may or may not be a concern of yours....)

Advice?? - Stop at and DVC stand, make an apt, get picked up at your hotel by the DVC van and ......take the tour..... It will take you about 1.5-3 hours, you'll love what you'll see, you'll get all of your questions answered, AND you and everyone with you will get a free lunch regardless of your decision to buy or not. Also really kewl to see the inside of a Grand Villa to sleep 12.....

(The free lunch is actually a cupon good for a meal at a few food establishments in the parks and at the resorts.....)

Hope this has helped....... There are quite a few Canadian DVC'ers among the board members here......I'm sure others will answer and offer some insight.....

 

[Scratch42]

What Quadman has said.......

Plus go to the DVC Boards. They are very helpful there.

So far we are anticipating our first trip HOME!

Will let you know what we think after our first stay!

Scratch

 

[Susan--Ontario]

Go for it!!

We purchased last March and will make our first trip home in 7 weeks and three days, but whose counting. It was such a simple process. We did everything from here as we had taken the tour in 2002.

The best part for Canadians is that they will put your downpayment, your monthly payments and your yearly dues on a credit card. I buy bonds through payroll deduction and then I have the money to pay the dues when they show up on my statement in January.

The important thing to remember is that it is real estate. It is good for 50 years. If you decide after 10 years that it's not for you anymore (which I personally can't imagine) you can sell it. It is willable so that you can leave it to your family or if there is a year or two (right Darren) when you can't go you can always rent your points out to someone and use the money to pay your dues or your payments.

Some people will argue that it limits your vacation options. Not really, because there are 6 resorts in Florida, Hilton Head, Disneyland, Disney cruises and you can exchange with many, many hotels throughout the world. And if you really wanted to go somewhere else you can rent those points and put the money towards your trip.

Go to the presentation. It is not high pressure at all.

Before you know it you'll be able to go "home" as well with your parents.

We do regret that we didn't purchase in 2002 or earlier but we couldn't see the light. And now that our dollar is in a much better position, the time is right.

Good Luck!!

 

[DarrenSt]

Yup we are. Hey Susan any updates on our discussion at lunch the other day LOL.

 

[MECH8T7]

1. Is there a detailed disclosure document that they provide as part of the marketing materials? Something that contains all the legal stuff and an outline of how the program is structure?

2. Did any of you consider purchasing "resale" and, if so, what was the analysis? (For example, if you're not keen on having Saratoga as your home resort)

3. Is there any benefit to making the commitment shortly after their marketing presentation?

4. What types of discounts (if any) /availabilty do DVC members get on rooms at the regular resorts?

5. Can you apply your points towards rooms at the Deluxe resorts?

6. When you use your points for rooms at the regular resort hotels or a Disney cruise, do you get real "value" doing this? (i.e., Is it essentially like converting your points to a cash equivalent and getting a GOOD deal on the cruise or WDW accomodations or does it end up being an expensive way to use the points). What about the non-Disney hotels?

7. Can you attend the presentation without your spouse and, if not, will they make arrangements to watch your kids? (I'm not keen on getting a sitter while we are at the resort to attend a sales pitch)

8. Does DVC reward existing members for referring new members to the program? Hey, we don't know anybody that's a member and I'm not sure we're even interested, but if we can get somebody else a reward for "referring" us, we'd be glad to do it. (I was just over at the DVC website and I in the process of making an on-line request for the promotional materials and the request is as a consequence of a referral by another DVC member)

 

[Susan--Ontario]

Questions..
1. Is there a detailed disclosure document that they provide as part of the marketing materials? Something that contains all the legal stuff and an outline of how the program is structure?

I can't recall anything about this.

2. Did any of you consider purchasing "resale" and, if so, what was the analysis? (For example, if you're not keen on having Saratoga as your home resort)

We did consider buying resale but Saratoga is 50 years verses 37 years. Once you factor in closing costs and admin costs on resale it may not be a good deal. The other thing is that Disney has First right of Refusal (ROFR) on any resale going on. If the price is too low you won't get it anyway.

3. Is there any benefit to making the commitment shortly after their marketing presentation?

Often they offer a discount at their presentation. Sometimes they will honour it later. We were told that the special at that time was limited and they didn't know when it would end. That is true. We did get a rebate when we finally purchased two years after our presentation. Ontario is the only province where you can purchase DVC from home. I think it has to do with the travel insurance industry but I'm not sure.

4. What types of discounts (if any) /availabilty do DVC members get on rooms at the regular resorts?

Nothing at the moment. DVC is like a condo and is a separate corporation from Disney World. We do get other perks though such as discounts on restaurants, 10% off at Disney store, etc.

5. Can you apply your points towards rooms at the Deluxe resorts?

Yes, you can use your points at any of the Disney resorts. The best way to do this is to rent your points out and use the money and codes to get a better deal at the hotels, but you can use points to stay at any of the disney resorts (maybe not All Stars though)

6. When you use your points for rooms at the regular resort hotels or a Disney cruise, do you get real "value" doing this? (i.e., Is it essentially like converting your points to a cash equivalent and getting a GOOD deal on the cruise or WDW accomodations or does it end up being an expensive way to use the points). What about the non-Disney hotels?

See above. Non Disney hotels you'd have to also rent out your points and use the revenue to pay for the hotels.

7. Can you attend the presentation without your spouse and, if not, will they make arrangements to watch your kids? (I'm not keen on getting a sitter while we are at the resort to attend a sales pitch)

They have a great care center there. My DS was 7 at the time and throughout the rest of the vacation he wanted to go back to the centre so he could play Ninetendo. (I guess he was in withdrawl after a week without it)

8. Does DVC reward existing members for referring new members to the program? Hey, we don't know anybody that's a member and I'm not sure we're even interested, but if we can get somebody else a reward for "referring" us, we'd be glad to do it. (I was just over at the DVC website and I in the process of making an on-line request for the promotional materials and the request is as a consequence of a referral by another DVC member)

As a member I've never been told of a referral fee being offered to me. If my sisters ever decide to by they'd better use me as a referral.

More questions?? Ask away.

 

[mbb]

Originally posted by MECH8T7
1. Is there a detailed disclosure document that they provide as part of the marketing materials? Something that contains all the legal stuff and an outline of how the program is structure?

Yes.
To get one with the "basic" info package, you'd probably have to 'special request' it.
Once you've made your deposit, you have ample time to review the PAGES of legalese.

2. Did any of you consider purchasing "resale" and, if so, what was the analysis? (For example, if you're not keen on having Saratoga as your home resort)

Yes.
But we wanted BCV for our home resort. It's one of the smallest resorts, and we wanted the 11mos window advantage there.

3. Is there any benefit to making the commitment shortly after their marketing presentation?

Not that I'm aware of . You;ll get meal vouchers, for $50 or so...but no additional financial incentives. Some Guides may tell you that there is a 72 hour deadline, but that may be a "fence tipper". Of course, price/point and interest rates can change at any time...

4. What types of discounts (if any) /availabilty do DVC members get on rooms at the regular resorts?

I think it's 20percent off rack rate at Home Away from Home Resorts only. And only through Member Services. Better rates using codes from CRO.

5. Can you apply your points towards rooms at the Deluxe resorts?

Yes, but very expensive point wise.
You can also use points for cruises


6. When you use your points for rooms at the regular resort hotels or a Disney cruise, do you get real "value" doing this? (i.e., Is it essentially like converting your points to a cash equivalent and getting a GOOD deal on the cruise or WDW accomodations or does it end up being an expensive way to use the points). What about the non-Disney hotels?

Varying opinions here...check DVC Boards


7. Can you attend the presentation without your spouse and, if not, will they make arrangements to watch your kids? (I'm not keen on getting a sitter while we are at the resort to attend a sales pitch)

Yes. ...to the kid's Club use.Fun!

Not sure about the spouse.

8. Does DVC reward existing members for referring new members to the program? Hey, we don't know anybody that's a member and I'm not sure we're even interested, but if we can get somebody else a reward for "referring" us, we'd be glad to do it. (I was just over at the DVC website and I in the process of making an on-line request for the promotional materials and the request is as a consequence of a referral by another DVC member)

No referral bonuses for Canadians;(

 

[MECH8T7]

Thanks for the detailed responses. (Had thought about posting them to the DVC board but, since connorsmom911 started the topic, thought it was a chance to make sure that I wouldn't be missing anything Canadian-specific in the responses.)

 

[DarrenSt]

There is a referal bonus that is paid out mind you only some states recieve it and I was told that Ontario doesn't allow it either as we should have had numerous bonuses but were not entitled to it de to where we live.

 

[Smurf]

Have been a member since 1992 - would not regret it for a moment!!!

 

[Louise-Montreal]

Have been a member sonce 2000 and have never regretted the decision. It is great and we love it!!!!!!!!!

 

[Belle2002]

Originally posted by MECH8T7
6. When you use your points for rooms at the regular resort hotels or a Disney cruise, do you get real "value" doing this? (i.e., Is it essentially like converting your points to a cash equivalent and getting a GOOD deal on the cruise or WDW accomodations or does it end up being an expensive way to use the points). What about the non-Disney hotels?

My parents are DVC members, they bought four years ago, and they purchased the minimum 150 points per year. In 2002, we went on our first DVC vacation, we stayed at the Beach Club Villas for a week, did a 4 day Disney Cruise (in which they had a deal for DVC members and we got a cabin upgrade) and then we spent 4 days at Disney's Vero Beach resort. In a nut shell, when we figured out what this vacation would have cost (and we travelled off season!) My parents DVC membership had already paid for itself in one vacation!! not to mention when my parents bought , the exchange rate was MUCH higher than now. We are now using points to spend a couple of nights at the Disneyland Hotel. Although it's using 50 points for 2 nights, the other day when we tried to book additional nights that we would pay for, the rates were between $245 and $265 U.S. per night, so I think we are getting a great deal with our points!!

 

[MikeyNS]

I think one of the benefits of DVC that we're going to enjoy as a couple is that it "forces" us to take a wicked vacation every year or two. We purchased 180pts at SSR in February and we're taking our first trip in 5 weeks. WHOOO!

The other thing we're going to enjoy is bringing friends/family down with us who would not normally be able to afford staying in Disney, or who have never been to Disney before. Our first stay is going to be in a 2 bedroom and we have 3 family members + 2 friends who are going to stay, none of which have been to Disney before. Now how much fun are we going to have!? LOTS AND LOTS!

Yay DVC!

 

[barb45]

Same as a lot of the other posters. We bought in 2001 and only wish we had done it sooner. Absolutely love it. Don't be afraid of the presentation - it's not high pressure like some of the other timeshares. Disney makes it so easy too.