Buy DVC or NOT Buy DVC?

[Coastie]

I have been researching DVC over the past couple of months and cannot decide wether to buy DVC or find something outside Disney grounds. My major concern is the maintenance fee and taxes based on points which have been around $3.15/pt. I was offered a DVC @ $40,000 with 600 points and the maintenance cost/taxes @ about $160/month. Isn't this pretty high? Can anyone tell me pros on owning vice just making the "normal" reservations consisdering these costs? At these rates I could have some pretty eleaborate vacations within DVC. I would love some insite from DVC owners.

JKM from Northern VA

 

[Olaf]

DVC is for those people who like to go to WDW a lot. You buy in if you're planning on visiting WDW, Vero Beach or Hilton Head every year or every other year.

600 points is a huge chunck. I'd think hard about buying such a big block of points. You'd be better off buying to that amount in 150 point packages. It would make a difference if you wanted to sell them. Not to mention that that price seems a little high for such a big block of points. Maybe it's coming with a lot of banked points? There are people much more knowledgeable than I on buying and selling of points on these boards. I'm sure they'll chime in too.

Let us know what you decide to do.

 

[RobDoc]

Depending on how you plan to utilize your membership, 600 points can go a long ways. Point "cost" will be determined by when you plan to go and what type of unit you will need.

For example- you can reserve a 1BR villa at OKW in Sep. for 160 points per week. 600 points would allow you to stay for almost 4 weeks. The same stay with a cash reservation could be as high as about $9000.

You may well find that a smaller number of points will meet your needs.

If you can offer more details about your Disney vacation habits, it may help to understand your needs more readily.

 

[DVCKaren]

Without knowing your vacation plans, its hard to say. But like Olaf suggested, if you go to disney every year or every other year, DVC is a great bargain. Annual Dues will go up, about 2 - 3% a year on average. however, regular resort rooms tend to increase 6%-10% a year.

600 points is a lot, and you can really take a great vacation with those points, but what about considering buying maybe 200 - 300 points? It then may not seem as such a huge commitment and if you eventually want more points, you can always add on.

 

[invalid_char]

Hi Coastie,

Like you, we are considering buying a large number of DVC points (most likely BCV). I agree that the maintenance costs are high, but then again, you don't have to worry about maintaining the place when you're not there (as you might if you owned a condo. that had lower dues.)

With a large number of points you may be able to rent some of them every year and use that money to cover your maintenance costs. We may end up doing that.

Just an idea.

 

[Richyams]

With that number of points, you can stay in a Grand Villa for two weeks. This unit rents for aroung $1,000 per night. It really is the best way to do WDW, in my opinion....its the only way we have been going since '92.

Now you are getting a $14,000 + room tax vacation each year. I thinik you can see how quickly you will recoup the upfront cost.

 

[Olaf]

Got a nosey question. Are these points all at one resort? If so, which one?

 

[Coastie]

I do not know if all the points are for one resort. We decided that we would get around 250 points @ OKW or Boardwalk. Unfortunately Disney is sold out... but resales are starting to popup at several timeshare sites.

We did decide to check out the resort by going to SOG and staying there for a few days. I see you have been there. Any words of wisdom for a first timer?

 

[Rash]

just wondering - what property is SOG?

 

[Olaf]

Shades of Green is the best resort for the money at WDW, outside of DVC. It used to be a Disney property and was classified as Deluxe resort. The rooms are big and there is a very nice relaxing feeling to the place. I think Deb has some pictures of it at her website at http://www.wdwig.com/contents.htm. Look under resorts.

The only problem with SOG is that you must reserve way ahead of time. We've always put ourselves on the waiting list at about 5 months out and gotten in, but that's always iffy. You can also inquire about the contract quarters rate. These are rooms at Disney hotels at very good prices. Disney sometimes has better offers, you just have to check.

Because we can stay at SOG, we almost didn't buy into DVC. What DVC offers me is a deluxe resort, with all the Disney bells and whistles, kitchen, laundry, and room. As we've gotten older, we seem to want more of those comforts and more relaxing vacations. We'll be staying on points this Sept for the first time. Since we're only going to be there 3 days, we'll probably get a studio. Big visit in a 1 bedroom scheduled for next May/June.

Regardless of where you stay at WDW, be sure and buy your tickets at the SOG ticket office. Much cheaper. They're open until 9:00 pm every night, I think.

Do take the tour. Our guide was terrific. We bought in at VWL and we're thinking of adding on at Beach Club.

Have fun.

 

[normr]

As others pointed out, you really should buy a couple of smaller contracts, and as for buying DVC, if you buy in, you'll make money on your timeshare since points wil probably go up again when BCV opens up.

It's the only timeshare I know of where the value went UP

 

[Diznut84]

First of all, STOP! Make the best purchase of your life ($15) and join the Timeshare Users Group . Read the TUG board for 6 months before buying ANYTHING.

In my opinion, DVC is a great option if staying on grounds is important to you. I pulled out of my DVC purchase almost a year ago and purchased a Southern California summer beach week ($2500 with m/f of $280) and a South Africa timeshare ($400 with m/f of $130). In retrospect, I wish I would have bought DVC AND these other timeshares. It is virtually impossible to exchange into DVC with other timeshares, so if being on grounds is important to you, then DVC is the way to go.

If you don't mind staying off site (experience this before you say "yes"), then you can purchase other timeshares much cheaper that will trade into exceptional properties in the area surrounding WDW. WARNING: YOU WILL HAVE TO LEAVE DISNEY EVERY NIGHT!!!

If you decide to purchase off site, I would strongly recommend against buying in Orlando. With the exception of DVC and perhaps a few other prized weeks, Orlando is a notoriously poor trader because of the enormous number of high quality timeshares in the area. As a result, weeks as cheap as a South Africa week can routinely change into many of the best non-DVC resorts in the area. In addition, some major exchange companies put restrictions on trading back into Orlando if you own there.

Finally, NEVER buy from the dealer (lone exception: DVC). The resale market will virtually always save you 50-70% off the developer price. Go see TUG for more information! It will save you thousands!!