Can I time it right?

[Reaperskip]

I am Planning a trip to disney world in the first week of December 2012.

Is it possible( or worthwhile) to buy a DVC re-sale for approximately 1/2 the points that I need, (which also has 2 years worth of points available) at one of the cheaper resorts.

If it is possible, it sounds like I can buy a DVC for approximately the same cost as renting a room at the resort....am I missing something?

Anyone know someone that can help accomplish this?

 

[DannysMom]

Even a "quick" resale transaction will take about 2 months from offer to ability to make reservations. That combined, with the fact that the first week of December is one of THE most in demand weeks in DVC reservations, means that IMO, you are about 6 months too late to have any kind of prayer of making this work for this year. Sorry. Buying now, you could certainly be able to make it work for December 2013.

 

[Reaperskip]

Ok, thanks. Is it beneficial to rent points or am i just better off booking a regular room?

 

[CarolMN]

The first week of December is among the weeks that sell out very quickly for the WDW DVC resorts. It is highly unlikely that any space remains at this point - you may be able to find a night or two if you are willing to take any size unit and don't mind changing resorts. Most members book 11 months in advance for this week and after the 7 month window opens, any remaining space goes very quickly.

I agree with DannysMom - you're too late for this year. Take some time to do more research on DVC and then if you find DVC makes sense for you, you have plenty of time to buy and book for December 2013.

 

[DannysMom]

Check the rent trade board, but I think that folks looking for the beginning of December are being told "no availability". I think for a trip this December you are better off booking through CRO.

 

[Dean]

I am Planning a trip to disney world in the first week of December 2012.

Is it possible( or worthwhile) to buy a DVC re-sale for approximately 1/2 the points that I need, (which also has 2 years worth of points available) at one of the cheaper resorts.

If it is possible, it sounds like I can buy a DVC for approximately the same cost as renting a room at the resort....am I missing something?

Anyone know someone that can help accomplish this?

As noted, almost no chance for this year, however, I wanted to touch on the principle. I don't know what size unit you're looking at but I'll keep it simple and use the example that's most beneficial for buying DVC, that of a studio. Let's assume a studio were 100 points and you bought 50 to use 2 years worth of points for 1 trip for a week and assume the usual closing expenses. You'd pay around $3K purchase but another $400 or so closing and an additional $200 for maint fees. Then next year you wouldn't have any points but will still have the fees of just over $200. That's $3800 for a trip that would have cost you maybe $1200 to rent. Assuming a studio every other years with those points, you'd have fees close to $450 for each trip ignoring increases. Over the long term you'd save money IF everything worked out this way but with timeshares it rarely does. You can double the numbers for a 1 BR and triple them for a 2 BR and be pretty close.

Ok, thanks. Is it beneficial to rent points or am i just better off booking a regular room?

As noted, you may not have a choice but again, I'll deal with the principle. You'll come out cheaper booking through CRO for a value and generally for a moderate and generally cheaper by renting for a studio compared to a deluxe resort. Obviously discounts will often favor the cash room, esp for value and moderate resorts. However, DVC will often give you a significant upgrade in value for a controlled and modest price, esp for a studio or 2 BR compared to 2 cash rooms. It's really hard to make the numbers work for a 1 BR whether renting or as an owner.

 

[Caren90]

It's really hard to make the numbers work for a 1 BR whether renting or as an owner.

Dean, I have heard you say this frequently and I agree, except when you factor in the use of the kitchen. We use one bedrooms and have found that our eat in snacks and meals have saved us a significant amount of money, and enough that we feel it is as cost effective as a studio (we eat in a lot- our preference).

Stephen

 

[Dean]

Dean, I have heard you say this frequently and I agree, except when you factor in the use of the kitchen. We use one bedrooms and have found that our eat in snacks and meals have saved us a significant amount of money, and enough that we feel it is as cost effective as a studio (we eat in a lot- our preference).

Stephen

Then you've also seen me say that there's a difference in savings and value. My original premise stands for several reasons. It seems most people don't take advantage of the kitchen enough (routinely) to garner much savings plus you'd have to discount any dining options you could do in a studio or grilling and only count the difference. Then for a 1 BR, you're only talking a max of 5 people. YMMV, that's why one has to look at their own circumstances to make a final decision.