Close to purchasing, have a few questions

[jenfur]

Okay, I was contacted after requesting a DVD and they sent a great package. DH is on board and we are ever so close buying BLT. DH does want to see it before we buy, plus with this year's trip and Christmas, Jan/Feb would be better down payment/closing cost wise. But- I have few questions

1. I received a chart that offers gift card points that can be used toward the down payment AND I have heard that you can apply the $5 per point discount to the down payment. Which is accurate or can you do both?

2. How bad does your credit have to be to get the 30% or 50% down payment requirement?

3. How long does the whole buying process take? I want to own by March because I need a 2 BR in Dec.

4. The weekend points look mighty high. Do most people suck it up and spend points on the weekend or stay at another resort and Fri & Sat? I really can't decide. Maybe stay elsewhere for now and buy more points later?

5. The perks...Okay, can you get the dining plan while staying at DVC? If I bought AP and used it to get a discount at another resort, can I get the dining plan without buying another ticket? Are any of the DVC discounts and perks valid if you are not staying at a DVC for that particular trip?

6. Can you pay for daily maid service? Anyone know how much?

 

[5forDiz]

Can answer a few :

- Don't know on the financing what your down payment would be ( sorry, never explored this option since all our DVC'ing we've paid cash )

Heard it does vary depending on your credit history, etc. but also have heard Disney is a bit more 'forgiving' than other sources you may use to finance.

- On direct purchase through Disney you are technically ' in system ' upon down payment I believe. Process direct through Disney is virtually immediate.

On a resale purchase it will usually take minimum of 6 weeks.

Also you mention a March purchase in order to get a December reservation - that could prove to be difficult because December is a popular travel time and most members book their home resort for December stays using their 11 month advantage ( so often much availability is booked up in January for the upcoming December )

-Disney Dining Plan I believe is going up to $40 per adult per day in 2009 and must be booked for every day of your reservation and for all people listed on the reservation (includes 1 table service meal, 1 counter serve & 1 snack per person per day; tip is not included). You must notify MS at least 48 hours before your check-in date that you want DDP but you can pay for it when you check-in.

- Upon check-in, as a member you will be given "perks" booklet - it will list what is currently available to members - could be dining and shopping discounts, discounts to some tours, etc. These things are subject to change.

- Not sure what the current purchase incentives are for a direct purchase through Disney - be sure you understand what you are being told the incentives are and you might want to weigh that against purchasing via the resale market.

- Many members stay on Friday and Saturday nights using points because they have enough points and don't want to change resorts. Many switch to another resort to save points on Friday and Saturday night's. You can book a cash reservation through MS for a DVC resort for Friday and Saturday night and have it linked to your points reservation to avoid changing rooms but that is subject to availability. Sometimes 25% discount is available on cash reservation for DVC room through MS but this is also subject to availability - it is not always offered.

- You can pay for daily housekeeping service; not sure of the cost but you have to give 24 hours notice and it varies depending on the size of the DVC unit you are staying in ( think its somewhere around $30 and up per day )

 

[Castillo Mom]

I believe it is $25 for the additional maid service per day.

 

[Blahnde]

Also you mention a March purchase in order to get a December reservation - that could prove to be difficult because December is a popular travel time and most members book their home resort for December stays using their 11 month advantage ( so often much availability is booked up in January for the upcoming December )

The earliest BLT owners are able to book at BLT is March 1st. BLT owners will have 2 weeks of "owner only" reservations and then all other owners will have a chance to make BLT reservations. Of course, at that point non-owners will still only have the 7 month booking window which means they can book September 2009 and the first 2 weeks of October 2009, not the holidays. I suspect that this is what "jenfur" was referring to.

Blahnde

 

[chalee94]

daily maid service rates:

Additional Full Cleaning Rates:
Studio/Inn Room - $30.00 per day requested
One-Bedroom - $45.00 per day requested
Two-Bedroom - $60.00 per day requested
Three-Bedroom - $75.00 per day requested

Additional Trash & Towel Rates:
Studio/Inn Room - $15.00 per day requested
One-Bedroom - $20.00 per day requested
Two-Bedroom - $25.00 per day requested
Three-Bedroom - $35.00 per day requested

Note: Rates are subject to change

 

[5forDiz]

The earliest BLT owners are able to book at BLT is March 1st. BLT owners will have 2 weeks of "owner only" reservations and then all other owners will have a chance to make BLT reservations. Of course, at that point non-owners will still only have the 7 month booking window which means all they can do is book the first 2 weeks of September 2009, not the holidays. I suspect that this is what "jenfur" was referring to.

Blahnde

Guess so. I began to read too much into her first paragraph regarding having a downpayment by January or February - figured they might somehow miss when reservations first open in March for BLT owners.

(Wouldn't mid-March for reservations opening up to non-owners take them up to first 2 weeks of October 2009 ?)

 

[Blahnde]

Okay, I was contacted after requesting a DVD and they sent a great package. DH is on board and we are ever so close buying BLT. DH does want to see it before we buy, plus with this year's trip and Christmas, Jan/Feb would be better down payment/closing cost wise. But- I have few questions

1. I received a chart that offers gift card points that can be used toward the down payment AND I have heard that you can apply the $5 per point discount to the down payment. Which is accurate or can you do both?

I do not believe that the gift cards are offered for BLT purchases. My understanding is that the only incentive for BLT points is $5 per point which I know can be used to offset the deposit on add-on purchases, but I am not sure if it can be used to offset the deposit for a new purchase. I could be wrong, but I think the gift cards are for AKV purchases only.

2. How bad does your credit have to be to get the 30% or 50% down payment requirement?

I do not know this one, sorry.

3. How long does the whole buying process take? I want to own by March because I need a 2 BR in Dec.

Once your downpayment clears, the points will appear in your account and reservations may be made. However, with the "free for all" of reservations as of March 1st, I would not wait beyond mid-February to start your paperwork or you may find yourself out in the cold come the beginning of March.

4. The weekend points look mighty high. Do most people suck it up and spend points on the weekend or stay at another resort and Fri & Sat? I really can't decide. Maybe stay elsewhere for now and buy more points later?

There are lots and lots of threads about this topic and I will not regurgitate all those opinions. Some buy enough not to worry about it, some scrimp and save by staying off-site, some only do Sunday - Thursday stays ... you have to do what works for you. I will comment that most believe that the BLT point chart has the LEAST amount of discrepancy betweeen weekday and weekend point values. So if you don't like what you see for BLT, take a deep breath before looking at the other DVC Resort charts.

5. The perks...Okay, can you get the dining plan while staying at DVC? If I bought AP and used it to get a discount at another resort, can I get the dining plan without buying another ticket? Are any of the DVC discounts and perks valid if you are not staying at a DVC for that particular trip?

Yes, you can add the dining plan. For 2009 there are 3 different plans and you can search the board to find the details and pricing. DVC Members do get a discount on WDW and Disneyland Annual Passes for themselves and anyone who lives in their home, but there are no other ticket discounts. Unlike Disney packages, tickets and dining are not tied together. My understanding is that your "perks" are tied to being a DVC Member, regardless of whether you are staying on property. However, many people confuse the various "perks" since they are Annual Passholders, DVC Members, and/or are staying on property. Each of these have their own "perks" and some overlap.

6. Can you pay for daily maid service? Anyone know how much?

Yes you can, and "chalee94" has given you pricing.

Blahnde

 

[5forDiz]

daily maid service rates:

WOW! $60 per day for 2 bedroom !!

Never requested extra cleaning service & at these rates don't think we ever will !

 

[Blahnde]

(Wouldn't mid-March for reservations opening up to non-owners take them up to first 2 weeks of October 2009 ?)

You are right! So non-owners will be able to book September and the first 2 weeks of October. Thanks for the correction!

Blahnde

 

[5forDiz]

You are right! So non-owners will be able to book September and the first 2 weeks of October. Thanks for the correction!

Blahnde

Actually my mind is running in too many directions today !!
I was starting to think they were going to limit non-owners to less than 7 months during initial booking period.

Very sound advice you gave to op about not waiting past
mid-Feb. if they're hoping to make reservation comes March.