Buy Into DVC on DCL Cruise?

[disneymath]

So, I was reading another thread about current incentives for buying DVC on a DCL cruise and it got me to thinking ... since I'm not in a hurry to buy into DVC could I save money by making my initial purchase on our upcoming DCL Alaska cruise as opposed to buying in before? (I realize I would save on the dues, because I would be putting off when I had to start paying them, but I'm thinking more of buy-in incentives such as $$off per point etc.)

Can you become a member on the ship or does it only work for add-ons? Are the incentives typically better than what is offered "on land"?

f we buy in, it will be at BLT ... the one downfall I see is that there is a slight chance that resort will not be in active sales during our cruise next August.

 

[disneynutz]

You can buy as a new member on the cruise and Disney will be selling BLT for a couple of years and longer.

Bill

 

[Rob S.]

Typically the incentives offered on a cruise are a few dollars per point better than on land. By waiting until next August, you do take the risk of another price increase. You would, as you mentioned, save big $ on annual dues.

 

[csharpwv]

That's a tough question - YES - you will save money on the cost per point next August.
However - will the price per point go up between now and then and really make the discount a 'wash'? The chances are high.

Disney raises the price per point almost every year if not every year.

Is there a better approach to save money? The resale market.

If you take a look at the current price per point - and take a look at the current resale prices - you'll see that there is significant savings on the resale market - especially on larger contracts.

We bought out first two contracts directly through DVC due to the incentives that were being offered then (Developer Points and $$$ Off per point on the first purchase - and Free 7 Night Cruise and $$$ off per point on the 2nd purchase) then we bought our 3rd contract on the resale market at a price lower than what DVC was offering with no incentives on a contract that small.

There aren't a LOT of BLT contract on the market right now - but its definitely worth taking a look!

If you have questions- ask away!

 

[JimMIA]

I didn't count them, but The Timeshare Store has 20-25 BLT resale contracts...and you only need one. With resale prices running $10-20 cheaper for BLT depending on how many points you buy, I'd sure take a look at that option.

OKW or SSR are even better options, possibly approaching HALF the price of BLT, and certainly 30% or more less.

I can't think of an HONEST dollars and cents justification for purchasing direct -- at any resort or for any number of points -- right now unless you just can't find the size contract you want.

If you MUST finance between almost 11% and 15% - and have NO other options - that would raise a whole bunch of questions in my mind.

 

[disneymath]

That's a tough question - YES - you will save money on the cost per point next August.
However - will the price per point go up between now and then and really make the discount a 'wash'? The chances are high.

Disney raises the price per point almost every year if not every year.

Thanks for the heads up on the likely annual price increase. It's definitely something to keep in mind. I think those things usually get announced even here on the DIS, so I should be able to make my move early and beat any price increases if it comes to that.

I didn't count them, but The Timeshare Store has 20-25 BLT resale contracts...and you only need one. With resale prices running $10-20 cheaper for BLT depending on how many points you buy, I'd sure take a look at that option.

OKW or SSR are even better options, possibly approaching HALF the price of BLT, and certainly 30% or more less.

I can't think of an HONEST dollars and cents justification for purchasing direct -- at any resort or for any number of points -- right now unless you just can't find the size contract you want.

If you MUST finance between almost 11% and 15% - and have NO other options - that would raise a whole bunch of questions in my mind.

I have been looking at the TSS BLT listings - but I haven't seen much for my desired UY or points range. That said, my gut is telling me to go with Disney direct. (And that was before I read the rumour about resales no having the same perks as direct-buys and the resulting speculation that came along with it.) Maybe it's the whole notion of purchasing foreign real estate - or maybe it's just me.

I'm not sure where your financing comment is coming from ... I have NO intention of ever financing a DVC purchase.

 

[JimMIA]

(And that was before I read the rumour about resales no having the same perks as direct-buys and the resulting speculation that came along with it.)

None of that stuff is going to happen -- just a DVC timeshare salesman lying and a bunch of speculation because of it.

I'm not sure where your financing comment is coming from ... I have NO intention of ever financing a DVC purchase.

Obviously, none of us know your personal financial situation, but the availability of financing is one of the main reasons people purchase direct. There are a lot of new buyers who have no choice.

 

[disneymath]

None of that stuff is going to happen -- just a DVC timeshare salesman lying and a bunch of speculation because of it.Obviously, none of us know your personal financial situation, but the availability of financing is one of the main reasons people purchase direct. There are a lot of new buyers who have no choice.

While I'm not overly concerned about it happening - it just added another layer to my inclination to go direct ... at least for that initial buy-in. As for the financing, I realize now your comment was made more in the general sense as opposed to my specific situation. I realize that some people have no option but to finance and in those cases your advice definitely makes sense.

 

[thepops]

Now, what WILL be interesting is the conversation that some folks might be having when thinking about buying points on the cruise during a time that DCL/DVC is saying you can no longer use points for cruises (or at least until Sept. 2011)!

 

[speicher46]

Yes you can buy into Disney Vacation Club on your cruise. My sons both did this a few years ago and they usually have some pretty good incentives.

 

[speicher46]

Yes I agree it will be interesting to see what is said about using DVC points for a cruise in 2011. Hopefully all of this will be explained in the near future.

 

[disneymath]

Now, what WILL be interesting is the conversation that some folks might be having when thinking about buying points on the cruise during a time that DCL/DVC is saying you can no longer use points for cruises (or at least until Sept. 2011)!

Yes, that could be an interesting experience ...

Yes you can buy into Disney Vacation Club on your cruise. My sons both did this a few years ago and they usually have some pretty good incentives.

Thanks!

Yes I agree it will be interesting to see what is said about using DVC points for a cruise in 2011. Hopefully all of this will be explained in the near future.

... with our cruise being near the end of August - and approaching the end of the current DVC/DCL occupancy issue dates - hopefully things will have been sorted out! (And hopefully, the DCL availalbility issue won't have extended far past the end of Sept. 2011.)