Are the non Orlando DVC's a value to by into or not?

[webcs]

I am newly interested in the DVC program and looking around at the prices of the resorts for resale the non Orlando resorts seem to be going for a huge discount.

Am I right that the ONLY difference is where the home resort is located, is that the only difference. Are all DVC owners entitled to reserve during "normal windows" at all of the resorts.

That being said, is there any reason to NOT take the discount and do this. ??

 

[Lynne M]

If you're primarily looking to stay at WDW, then VB and HH are not a good bet.

First..while the buy in cost may be lower for VB and HH, the maintenance fees are higher. Over the life of the contract, whatever you save on the purchase price will be more than offset by the higher fees.

Second...you can book at your home resort at 11 months out. You can book all other DVC resorts at 7 months out. That 4-month advantage can be incredibly important at certain times of year. If you buy at VB or HH, you'll likely find your choices somewhat limited at WDW at the 7-month window.

 

[bczang]

I agree. If you want to guarantee a stay at WDW you need to buy in WDW. If you just want to get into DVC and love HHI or VBR and would be happy staying there then buy there, but think about the maintenance fees. The thing I see people say on these boards over and over again is "buy where you want to stay".

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I am newly interested in the DVC program and looking around at the prices of the resorts for resale the non Orlando resorts seem to be going for a huge discount.

Am I right that the ONLY difference is where the home resort is located, is that the only difference. Are all DVC owners entitled to reserve during "normal windows" at all of the resorts.

That being said, is there any reason to NOT take the discount and do this. ??

The home resort booking window is 11 months. The non-home resort booking window is 7 months.

At 7 months, there are usually -- but not always -- still reservations to be had at one or more DVC resorts at WDW. However, some room types (especially 3BR Grand Villas and BWV standard view villas) are only available at 7 months if you're very lucky. Also, your selection may be limited to villa sizes and resorts that would not be your first choice.

It's best to buy where you want to stay most often.

That said, for someone who would gladly stay at any DVC resort at WDW (and wants to try them all over time), buying at any DVC resort at WDW is not so bad. You can book at 11 months. Then you can change at 7 months if you would prefer a different resort and if it's still available. If it's not available, you can keep the reservation you made at your home resort.

DVC Vero Beach and DVC Hilton Head Island are great resorts for people wishing to stay at those resorts regularly. But if you book Vero Beach of HHI at 11 months and then try to change to WDW at 7 months, you could run into a situation where you can't get anything at WDW.

Also, consider the expiration date of the DVC resort.

Finally, be sure to consider the annual fees in your math. Higher annual fees each year can quickly wipe out any up-front savings.

 

[Chuck S]

And that 11 month window will become increasingly important if DVC adds several offsite resorts in the coming years.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I will say that the Hilton Head resort is a lot of fun!

I also agree, IF you 100% want to go to WDW, don't buy at HH or VB. Plus, the winter rates at HHI are so discounted, that you'd pay more in maintenance fees than "off the rack."

 

[madcoco]

The thing I see people say on these boards over and over again is "buy where you want to stay".

True indeed imho.

 

[webcs]

Thanks for the insight guys, I'm shocked this topic is not covered more on teh DVC websites. Would seem to be a pretty standard question.

Truely though: is that accurate though (beyond the smartness of the buy) is the only difference that window. I just want to be clear that that is the only difference and that all other rights are equal.

As far as the yearly fees go, my worry is there that disney can at any moment raise the rates anyway. That is one thing I must say that is pretty unattractive as oppose to timeshares (even though timeshares stink), is that Disney have the right to raise those rates at any time for any reason. It would have been more attractive if there was at least some kind of DVC input or member board on increases.

thanks

 

[Chuck S]

Are you talking about the annual dues, or the points per night?

Both do have caps. Dues are limited to 15% annual increase by FL law, DVC has historically been far below that, except at VB, where the resort was never completed to the original specs, thus the costs were now divided by fewer members. But, DVC could still not increase dues more than 15%, and had to subsidize existing contracts.

As far as points charts, Disney can reallocate points, but where some seasons or rooms type may go up, others have to come down. The TOTAL points on the chart for the year at any given DVC resort can not increase.

 

[DebbieB]

Be aware that although unlikely there are provisions in the contract for DVC to sell off resorts, in which case your ownership would only apply at your home resort. I doubt that they would sell off the WDW resorts, but VB or HH could be. VB and HH are also in prime hurricane areas. If destroyed, DVC could elect not to rebuild and just distribute insurance proceeds, which would terminate your membership. Again unlikely, but it could happen. VB and HH have 2042 expirations, another consideration.

 

[Lynne M]

As far as the yearly fees go, my worry is there that disney can at any moment raise the rates anyway. That is one thing I must say that is pretty unattractive as oppose to timeshares (even though timeshares stink), is that Disney have the right to raise those rates at any time for any reason. It would have been more attractive if there was at least some kind of DVC input or member board on increases.

thanks

DVC is a timeshare. And Disney can't just raise the maintenance fees on a whim. There are very specific expenses that are paid for by the fees (housekeeping, member services, taxes, etc) , and the fees go up as much as is required to cover those expenses. Timeshares in FL are heavily regulated.

But, think of this: Disney can and does raise resort room rates on a whim. Every year.

 

[PIERCEDRN]

Thanks for the insight guys, I'm shocked this topic is not covered more on teh DVC websites. Would seem to be a pretty standard question.

Truely though: is that accurate though (beyond the smartness of the buy) is the only difference that window. I just want to be clear that that is the only difference and that all other rights are equal.

As far as the yearly fees go, my worry is there that disney can at any moment raise the rates anyway. That is one thing I must say that is pretty unattractive as oppose to timeshares (even though timeshares stink), is that Disney have the right to raise those rates at any time for any reason. It would have been more attractive if there was at least some kind of DVC input or member board on increases.

thanks

MFs and contract length were the points that tipped the scales for us. VB is cheap in the beginning but your savings get eaten up fast by MF's. HH was a medium between VB price and MFs, but the shorter 2042 contract cut its bargain value for us, OKW same. The cheapest long term points we saw were SSR, with low fees, lots of owners to spread them over, medium initial cost and the 2054 end date.
I did NOT buy where I wanted to stay, but got the best bargain in my mind. We have had great luck with switching resorts at the 7 month window with only 2 waitlist days out of 27 booked so far. If the 7 month window floods...I will sell off SSR and buy my favorite AKV. Until then, I will try to switch.

That being said I still would only buy into VB or HH if you really liked it there, as the "bargain" factor will be short lived for a young person like me who will see 2042.

 

[Dean]

Thanks for the insight guys, I'm shocked this topic is not covered more on teh DVC websites. Would seem to be a pretty standard question.

Truely though: is that accurate though (beyond the smartness of the buy) is the only difference that window. I just want to be clear that that is the only difference and that all other rights are equal.

As far as the yearly fees go, my worry is there that disney can at any moment raise the rates anyway. That is one thing I must say that is pretty unattractive as oppose to timeshares (even though timeshares stink), is that Disney have the right to raise those rates at any time for any reason. It would have been more attractive if there was at least some kind of DVC input or member board on increases.

thanks

Both HH and VB are great resorts. The only differences are the inherent fees, possibly earlier termination (2042 vs up to 2057) and the fact you're locked in to the 7 mo window as far was WDW is concerned. I personally wouldn't buy there are my main ownership unless I intended to visit that resort regularly even without the cost issues. Having said that, most people who plan, learn the system, reserve exactly 7 months out and are not concerned about which resort they get at WDW, will likely be successful for most times of the year. As the system conts to grow, this will change (either up or down depending on the specifics of the resort in questions).

 

[dvcnewgirl]

Both HH and VB are great resorts. The only differences are the inherent fees, possibly earlier termination (2042 vs up to 2057) and the fact you're locked in to the 7 mo window as far was WDW is concerned. I personally wouldn't buy there are my main ownership unless I intended to visit that resort regularly even without the cost issues. Having said that, most people who plan, learn the system, reserve exactly 7 months out and are not concerned about which resort they get at WDW, will likely be successful for most times of the year. As the system conts to grow, this will change (either up or down depending on the specifics of the resort in questions).

I totally agree. My initial purchase was at HHI, because I wanted to pay cash and that was what I could afford. I have only stayed at HHI one night. ( Although I would love to go more). I added on at BWV to get the 11 month advantage for December. I am currently adding on at VB same reason. Wanted more points and have a limited budget. I know the MF are higher but it is only 50 points and I have no problem paying my MF's I just do not have a large hunk of cash to lay down right now. I have always been able to get into WDW at the 7 month window ( have not tried in December) with no issue because I am flexible with where I stay. Good Luck!

 

[Dean]

I totally agree. My initial purchase was at HHI, because I wanted to pay cash and that was what I could afford. I have only stayed at HHI one night. ( Although I would love to go more). I added on at BWV to get the 11 month advantage for December. I am currently adding on at VB same reason. Wanted more points and have a limited budget. I know the MF are higher but it is only 50 points and I have no problem paying my MF's I just do not have a large hunk of cash to lay down right now. I have always been able to get into WDW at the 7 month window ( have not tried in December) with no issue because I am flexible with where I stay. Good Luck!

The one risk I had intended to add is that there is an inherent risk that these 2 resorts could go away in the DVC system compared to the others. There is a minimal chance that DVC could divest themselves of these resorts though I don't expect that. There is a more measurable risk from hurricanes and that one might get hit with a special assessment or simply not have the resort rebuilt.