Buying DVC - A few questions and advice

[kniquy]

I disagree:

I was just mentioning this option for discounts if an after April resale purchaser would be interested in some sort of discount. If they are not permitted the same discounts as other DVC members there is nothing to compare to. They are not given any DVC discounts nor deals on AP. I don't even believe they even entitled to any sort of deal on TiW? So buying direct is not the only way to obtain some discounts.

 

[MrInfinity]

I think you're in the same boat as us... thinking about it for years... we do the math every year or two, and until recently it's always been better to rent on the hotel side. But once you outgrow the 5-person limit, DVC starts to look more appealing... So we just bought in! Waiting on ROFR now.

UY... If you would go Aug-Dec, then an Aug UY is ideal. June UY is good if you like the summer months. It comes down to when else you might go. After Aug-Dec, are you more likely to go in Jan-Mar or Jun-July? That will tell you if Aug UY or June UY is better for you. You should look at a few consecutive months that you don't see ever going, and pick right after that for your UY. And it's not that big of a deal really, it only affects your ability to bank after cancelling a stay late in your UY.

And don't overbuy. We bought in w enough to go every 2-3 years, so we aren't oversaturating ourselves w the same place every year. You can always do extra trips by paying cash for hotel rooms... or top off your points later, or even pick another home resort to buy into! You mentioned AKL and BCV both... so leave yourself the option to buy into some of the other one later, whichever you don't buy now.

As for DH, I would not plan to transfer your points out to another timeshare. That'd be a big waste of expensive points on some place cheaper. One situation we both agree we won't be in is sitting on points we can't / don't want to use. There will always be a friend / family to rent them to if we don't go, or just sell them for a year on the open market and make a little money back.

 

[Princesses and Pirates]

I think you're in the same boat as us... thinking about it for years... we do the math every year or two, and until recently it's always been better to rent on the hotel side. But once you outgrow the 5-person limit, DVC starts to look more appealing... So we just bought in! Waiting for ROFR now.

UY... If you would go Aug-Dec, then an Aug UY is ideal. June UY is good if you like the summer months. It comes down to when else you might go. After Aug-Dec, are you more likely to go in Jan-Mar or Jun-July? That will tell you if Aug UY or June UY is better for you. You should look at a few consecutive months that you don't see ever going, and pick right after that for your UY. And it's not that big of a deal really, it only affects your ability to bank after cancelling a stay late in your UY.

And don't overbuy. We bought in w enough to go every 2-3 years, so we aren't oversaturating ourselves w the same place every year. You can always do extra trips by paying cash for hotel rooms... or top off your points later, or even pick another home resort to buy into! You mentioned AKL and BCV both... so leave yourself the option to buy into some of the other one later, whichever you don't buy now.

As for DH, I would not plan to transfer your points out to another timeshare. That'd be a big waste of expensive points on some place cheaper. One situation we both agree we won't be in is sitting on points we can't / don't want to use. There will always be a friend / family to rent them to if we don't go, or just sell / transfer them for a year on the open market and make a little money back on the investment.

Yes, the real kicker was the 2 grand more the room cost this trip than it did the last trip (same room category paid for)! Granted the time span was 5 years - the economy was worse 5 years ago, the room discount was higher back then and I'm not counting the price difference between being upgraded to a savannah view (family of the day 5 years ago) to a standard view this time around (although we did end up with a partial savannah view this time in our standard). That was an eye opener for sure!

Am now considering fewer points to go every two to three years to start with. If we decide we want to go more often then look in to another purchase. Still thinking AKV (and little longer contract time) because we love that and can try for something else at 7 months if we want but won't be disappointed if we can't get anywhere else. The fewer points will allow for travel to other places (cash wise) and be easier to rent out if needed. We have family that we believe would be interested in renting at some point but are not opposed to the general public if it comes to that.

Don't see us traveling much in spring or early summer. Working in construction/consulting - that is the busy season and hard to get away. So end of summer, early fall or winter fits our work schedules much better. At least until retirement, lol! And by then we may have caught the add on bug and have another contract with a different UY to help with other travel to Disney during our old 'busy' time. You never know!

 

[supersnoop]

. They are not given any DVC discounts nor deals on AP. I don't even believe they even entitled to any sort of deal on TiW?

I don't believe this to be true. The restriction is on "certain" discounts, but there's been no list provided to detail those "certain" discounts. Only the AP restriction has been confirmed. And, since many of those discounts are offered by third-party operators, Disney would have no involvement in restricting them. Also, I don't expect Disney to train each cashier on the difference between a pre- and post- 4/4 membership card. I suspect all those dining and merchandise discounts will still be in place, as well as the availability of the TiW card. The only "certain" discounts that I expect to be restricted will be the temporary, "special event" type discounts.

 

[kniquy]

If we decide we want to go more often then look in to another purchase

Another thing to consider is that if you really wanted to go on an off year and you are out of points you do have the option to receive a transfer of points from another member. There is a whole rent/transfer board. I recently did this and it was a very smooth transaction. You are limited to one transfer in/out per UY and there is an element of risk because it involves money exchange and waiting for the other member to do their part in transferring the points. This can work out to be less expensive than a cash reservation or rental DVC and you are in control of the reservation.

 

[Princesses and Pirates]

If traveling the 3rd or 4th week of August would August be okay for use year or should stick with June?

Trying to figure out use year and banking/borrowing if buying a smaller amount of points to vacation every other year (every third year - worse case)......

Thanks!

 

[Princesses and Pirates]

I was just mentioning this option for discounts if an after April resale purchaser would be interested in some sort of discount. If they are not permitted the same discounts as other DVC members there is nothing to compare to. They are not given any DVC discounts nor deals on AP. I don't even believe they even entitled to any sort of deal on TiW? So buying direct is not the only way to obtain some discounts.

TiW discount if direct buy only correct? Or if Florida resident-which we are not......

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

If traveling the 3rd or 4th week of August would August be okay for use year or should stick with June?

Trying to figure out use year and banking/borrowing if buying a smaller amount of points to vacation every other year (every third year - worse case)......

Thanks!

An Aug UY would work well if you will always be traveling in August. If you think you might ever travel earlier in the summer though then June would be better. UY really only comes in to play if you would ever have a last minute cancellation. If you were traveling during the last month or two of your UY you could have a difficult time using the points before they expired. But if you were traveling in the first few months of your UY you would have several months to use or even bank points if that were an option.

Traveling every third year can get tricky as you can end up with stranded points. It's also more important IMO to have the best UY or else you could be looking at losing 3 years if points if you had a last minute cancellation and were at the end of your UY.

TiW discount if direct buy only correct? Or if Florida resident-which we are not......

That seems to be correct except an AP holder can also buy the TIW. Of course with the rising cost of TIW it's requiring more and more spending to make up the purchase cost. I don't think we'll be buying it again unless we have a particular line up of trips where it makes sense.

 

[CarolMN]

TiW discount if direct buy only correct? Or if Florida resident-which we are not......

Annual passholders can also purchase the TiW card - for same price as DVC members ($150). Florida residents pay $175.

 

[BillPA]

Here is a link to UY distribution, it shows how many points have been sold in each UY at the resorts.
Buying in a 'busy' UY may have lower prices, supply and demand. No info to back any of this just a MHO. I would go for a June UY, in a few years you many have to book around the school summer break.
http://dvcnews.com/index.php/dvc-pr...dated-use-year-distribution-charts-april-2014

 

[frank808]

I don't believe this to be true. The restriction is on "certain" discounts, but there's been no list provided to detail those "certain" discounts. Only the AP restriction has been confirmed. And, since many of those discounts are offered by third-party operators, Disney would have no involvement in restricting them. Also, I don't expect Disney to train each cashier on the difference between a pre- and post- 4/4 membership card. I suspect all those dining and merchandise discounts will still be in place, as well as the availability of the TiW card. The only "certain" discounts that I expect to be restricted will be the temporary, "special event" type discounts.

Resale purchase after 4/2016 do not get a membership card. That is how you get your dvc discounts. Don't need to train the cashiers at all. Resale buyers after 4/2016 will not get a membership card without a direct purchase.

 

[disneynutz]

Resale purchase after 4/2016 do not get a membership card. That is how you get your dvc discounts. Don't need to train the cashiers at all. Resale buyers after 4/2016 will not get a membership card without a direct purchase.

Resale purchase after 4/2016 gets a white membership, prior and direct gets a blue one.

Bill

 

[_auroraborealis_]

And that white membership is good for TOTW, we know. Based on the stellar training throughout Disney, I wouldn't be surprised if white cards get discounts.

 

[disneynutz]

And that white membership is good for TOTW, we know. Based on the stellar training throughout Disney, I wouldn't be surprised if white cards get discounts.

Possible but access to TOTW is open to all members because they need to make bar sales, giving discounts takes away from their profit so I expect that discounts will be enforced.

Bill

 

[supersnoop]

Resale purchase after 4/2016 do not get a membership card. That is how you get your dvc discounts. Don't need to train the cashiers at all. Resale buyers after 4/2016 will not get a membership card without a direct purchase.

The rumor that won't die. I don't know where this conjecture began, but it's never been true.

 

[BillPA]

From the member site:
To receive any Membership Extras, purchasers must present a valid Disney Vacation Club Membership Card along with a corresponding valid photo ID. Disney and Concierge Collections options are not available for ownership interests not purchased directly from Disney Vacation Development, Inc. after March 21, 2011, and, effective April 4, 2016, Members who do not purchase an ownership interest directly from Disney Vacation Development Inc. will not have access to Membership Extras.

scroll to the bottom of this page.
https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/discounts-perks-offers/special/download/

 

[Matty B13]

The rumor that won't die. I don't know where this conjecture began, but it's never been true.

Supersnoop I MS about getting a card, we bought after 4/2016 resale, the CM said they wouldn't send me one and that I had to use the digital one and present a printed out copy or screen shot.

 

[Matty B13]

Supersnoop I MS about getting a card, we bought after 4/2016 resale, the CM said they wouldn't send me one and that I had to use the digital one and present a printed out copy or screen shot.

I called MS.....

 

[disneynutz]

The rumor that won't die. I don't know where this conjecture began, but it's never been true.

Doesn't help that Disney changes policy and never releases any published info to the "members". The blue and white card info isn't listed anywhere that I can find other than here on the DIS. If it wasn't for the DIS we wouldn't know half of what we need to know about the DVC/Disney.

Bill

 

[frank808]

Since opinions differ, has anyone that bought resale after 4/4/16 gotten a white membership card? Some say you get one and other says you dont get one. Has anyone gotten one yet? Thanks