Checking out DVC during our 2/15 trip?

[Susiequsie60]

Hi there. My husband and I are taking a trip to WDW the first week in February 2015. For some reason, I've gotten it in my head that we should check out the entire DVC option. Not sure if it's something that can work for us, but I definitely want to see what it's all about.

Is there a way to set-up some type of tour/info session once we get there? I'm sure that there is, but in all honesty it's not something I've ever considered before so I've never really paid attention. If I'm going to invest the time during my vacation, I'd like to make it worth my while. In other words, I know that with most time-share type sessions, they offer something as an incentive to get people to attend. Does DVC do something like this? I don't mean incentives when you buy; I mean incentives for actually going to a session. (I also understand that these aren't like information sessions in the regular sense - am I correct that you sort of meet one-on-one with a guide?)

I want to be clear: I have a genuine interest in the program. My husband and I have vacationed at WDW about 10 times over the past 25 years of our marriage. We went last February for the first time on our own, and it was actually the best vacation ever! I'm now starting to think retirement, grandkids, etc. Call me crazy, but a WDW vacation every year is sounding awfully sweet! I don't want to hear about DVC just to get something from Disney. I'm just wanting to know if anything is offered (even if it's just a Mickey Pop!!!)

Also, can someone direct me to the correct board or thread where I can see discussions about the pros and cons of owning DVC?

Thanks ~

 

[ncdj2013]

Yes there are DVC booths set up all over the world and yes there are tours/presentations available to attend. There is an incentive such as FP, gift card etc. Not sure what it will be.

 

[Msmithmd]

The four DVC discussion boards here are about your best source of objective information. By all means go on the tour when you visit. But by all means don't buy anything. Spend at least six months researching and make an informed decision.

Especially look at the prices of the direct versus resale market, understand the differences, and don't spend twice as much as you need to,
if you do decide to buy into the timeshare.

First, most important lesson to make sure that you grasp: DVC is a timeshare that has nice properties with great locations. It is not Mickey Mouse, pixie dust, or any such thing. A whole lot of people get carried away by the emotion and buy in without stepping back and considering this truth.

Members who come to these boards most disappointed in their purchase seem to be those who didn't understand what they were (and what they were not) buying. Those who understand precisely what they are purchasing seem to be very satisfied with most aspects of ownership. So take the time to get a firm grasp of the product before committing tens of thousands of dollars.

Have a great trip.

 

[Susiequsie60]

The four DVC discussion boards here are about your best source of objective information. By all means go on the tour when you visit. But by all means don't buy anything. Spend at least six months researching and make an informed decision.

Especially look at the prices of the direct versus resale market, understand the differences, and don't spend twice as much as you need to,
if you do decide to buy into the timeshare.

First, most important lesson to make sure that you grasp: DVC is a timeshare that has nice properties with great locations. It is not Mickey Mouse, pixie dust, or any such thing. A whole lot of people get carried away by the emotion and buy in without stepping back and considering this truth.

Members who come to these boards most disappointed in their purchase seem to be those who didn't understand what they were (and what they were not) buying. Those who understand precisely what they are purchasing seem to be very satisfied with most aspects of ownership. So take the time to get a firm grasp of the product before committing tens of thousands of dollars.

Have a great trip.

Thank you so much for the great answer. Believe me, even if I would let myself get carried away in the moment when we're at WDW (which could happen,) my husband would never go for it - thankfully. He's much more rational than I am, and not nearly so needy for "instant gratification!" I think I'm going to use the next 2 months until the trip doing some preliminary research.

 

[dsnydaddy]

On our last trip we spent a day just touring the various DVC resorts to get a feel for them. (on our own) We did go into the DVC welcome center at the Boardwalk Villas. But we didn't do a formal sit down with them. On our last Disney Cruise we did do the sit down with the DVC people. It is worth it to do from an informational standpoint. I was able to see the point charts (esp. the DCL point chart) and that told me a lot about what I needed. I also got an idea from them what Disney was willing to do for me (not really a lot it turned out) I got back to my stateroom and began crunching the numbers that they gave me and compared them to resale and then made my decision. I'd agree with the previous poster though. Do not make the purchase at that time. I've found the incentives to be somewhat lacking for the risk that you are taking in an impulsive decision. Better to come home and think for a while and compare your options before making a final decision. If you do decide to buy direct and you have a Disney Cruise planned, the incentives are somewhat better on the ship.

 

[disneynutz]

Thank you so much for the great answer. Believe me, even if I would let myself get carried away in the moment when we're at WDW (which could happen,) my husband would never go for it - thankfully. He's much more rational than I am, and not nearly so needy for "instant gratification!" I think I'm going to use the next 2 months until the trip doing some preliminary research.

I would guess that most who buy direct didn't intend to do so during their vacation.

The tour is a sales session, your guide a timeshare sales person. They will make their offer for you to purchase good for 3 days which gives you a mental reason to buy while there. They will give you drink, cookies, gifts, and scents in the air and they will be your best friend.

DVC is a discounted room and possibility a discount on admission media and/or other discounts on shopping or food. The discounts change and are not guaranteed.

DVC makes financial sense for some but not for others, you are smart to start your learning sessions now, prior to your vacation. There are reasons why so many contracts are sold on the resale market, someone is selling contracts that they thought they would probably keep forever.

Bill

 

[Chiomaca]

I got a mailer a few weeks prior to my last trip to DLR. They offered a $50 gift card and gave us three Fast Passes for each member of the party, which was a good deal for our group of seven.

I hadn't been to a timeshare pitch before, but everyone else in the group had, and remarked at how low pressure the DVC Guide was compared to others. I think that had an impact on my brother's decision to go for it. I'd sort of already made up my mind by then, although I had always planned to go resale.

 

[ToddyLu]

Besides pouring over the DVC forums here...which are awesome at answering the same questions asked different ways, you can also use the DVC Guide by Pass Porter and DVCNews.com.

The guide from Pass porter was about $10 several years ago when we purchased and was an easy read. DVCNews will give you current direct pricing and will answer many of your basic questions to get you started. You can see all the point charts and get an idea of how many points you need to see how much your membership may cost direct.

If you are interested in saving lots of money and purchasing resale just do a google search and there are four main resale companies, the most popular being The Timeshare Store, an official sponsor of the DIS and Fidelity "partner" resaler with Disney (or it used to be), then there are two other popular companies.