Can someone explain DVC to me in easy terms...

[Twinprincesses]

We are a family of 4 that go on a Disney vacation 1 time a year sometimes twice. We are trying to decide if DVC is right for us.

But we are becoming confused.... So if we bought today from Disney we would be getting Animal Kingdom correct??? What exactly does that mean??? Why there? So you buy that one but can stay at anyone??

 

[vandy]

But we are becoming confused.... So if we bought today from Disney we would be getting Animal Kingdom correct???

Yes, Disney is currently selling AKV with incentives (not sure what they currently are). Disney does sell, if available, contracts for the other DVC resorts but they are not advertised, you will need to ask about these. These are at full price and no incentives. Another avenue would be to buy a resale contract from such places as this boards sponsor, The Timeshare Store. You can click on their banner at the top of this page to learn more.

What exactly does that mean??? Why there?

AKV would be your "home" resort. Only members who own at a particular resort can make reservations starting 11 months prior to their vacation with the points that they own at that resort. At the 7 month mark, any DVC member can make a reservation. So it is advantageous to own where you want to stay, and if it is a smaller resort such as BWV, BCV or VWL, then you may need that 11 month window to book your room at various times of the year. If you will never be able to make vacation plans farther out than the 7 month mark, then a home resort may not be as big of a deal.

You also pay annual dues or maint. fees on your home resort. Each resort has a different fee so owning at one resort will be cheaper than another since over the life of your contract, you may be spending more in annual dues than on your original purchase. The fees are given in a per point cost.

So you buy that one but can stay at anyone?

Yes, but you have to wait for the 7 month booking window before you can make your reservation. Again, depending on the time of year you go and the room you are booking, you may not be able to get into a certain resort.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have here. There are many knowledgable owners who are glad to help.

 

[ChelleinNC]

In simple terms:

DVC is a timeshare that allows you to prepay for your vacations for the next 40-50 years (date depends on which resort you buy into).

Accomodations are larger than most standard hotel rooms, 1BR & ups have washer/dryer, full kitchen & whirlpool tub in Master bathroom.

In general, if you go to Disney at least every other year and if you stay in a moderate or deluxe resort then DVC may be a good fit.

 

[Twinprincesses]

Thanks. This is something I am wishing we would have done a couple years ago.

 

[ChelleinNC]

Thanks. This is something I am wishing we would have done a couple years ago.

I think we all feel that way

 

[tksbaskets]

vandy gave a very nice explanation and what ChelleinNC said is very true. It is pre-paying your vacation. We purchased when our twins were 15 after vacationing every other year at Dixie Landings.

We are LOVING our DVC and have never regretted spending the money once. Just got back from a wonderful stay at the Grand Californian. VERY nice digs!

 

[tinkerbellmom1]

What the other posters have said is very true. We first bought in 2005 and added on in 2006. We love that we can use the points at DW in the different hotels or villas, as well as at Disneyland at the hotels and upcoming in the new GC villas.

We've been able to vacation 2 times per year each year we've owned-1 week at DW in a 2br villa and a week at Disneyland at the Grand Californian. Well worth the price of buying when you compare that to paying cash for a stay at either location!

 

[DeblovesPoohbear]

Since you are all explaining everthing is easy terms, what exactly do you
mean by "add on"?
Sorry if it's a dumb question, I am just really studying up on ALL aspects
before we take the plunge
Thanks

 

[Donald is #1]

Since you are all explaining everthing is easy terms, what exactly do you
mean by "add on"?
Sorry if it's a dumb question, I am just really studying up on ALL aspects
before we take the plunge
Thanks

An "add-on" is when you decide to increase the number of points that you have and add-on more points. It can be either at your current home resort or a new resort but will have the same contract number and use year as your current points.

On that line, if you do an add-on at a different resort, then you can only use the points at each resort at 11 months. For example, let's say you have 160 points at AKV and then do an add-on of 50 points at BWV. At 11 months, you can use 160 points at AKV or 50 points at BWV. At 7 months, you can use all 210 points at any resort.

 

[Grandbuddy]

You can also "add-on" by buying points at the same or a different resort, through resale. Unless you are extremely organized, you will want to purchase a contract that has the same use year as your original contract. Then, if you give them the pertinent information, your selling agent and the closing company SHOULD be able to have your new contract added to your existing contract, so that you will never have to worry with transferring points from one contract to another.

(All of this is pretty much automatic if you add on through Disney. Also, if you add on through DVC, there are no closing costs.)

 

[DeblovesPoohbear]

Thanks Guys