Confused about the whole thing....help please!

[Adistar]

So just for future reference ( when I can convince hubby its a GREAT idea to buy into DVC) How does it all really work? I understand the points allowance etc to a certain degree, but what I'm really unsure about is start up costs?

Is it a certain amt to buy into DVC? Or does it vary based on how many points you buy? Do you stick with the same amt of points each year unless you decide to buy more? Basically what I'm interested in knowing is basic first time costs, and then approx how much in dues to you pay per year?


Thanks all knowing DIS'ers, I look forward to hearing your advice. I would love to be able to travel to disney more than once every 4-5 years and I think DVC is the way to go!

 

[Sandisw]

You can buy in through Disney or find a DVC contract via the resale market.

If you go through Disney, there is a minimum # of points to buy. Depending on the resort you want as your home resort, depends on the price you will pay.

Right now, for BLT and VGC, you must get at least 160 points and will pay somewhere in the vicinity of $17,000 (give or take depending on incentives).

If you want AKV or SSR, they are letting new buyers in with only 100 points, or around $11,000 (give or take depending on incentives).

Your home resort is the place where your points are owned. The advantage is that you can book reservations at this resort between 7 and 11 months of travel. If you want to book at one of the other DVC resorts, you can't do so until the 7 month mark.

Dues are different at each resort. BLT and VGC have the lowest and they go up from there. They start around $4.00 per point and go up from there.

For example, BLT for 2010 is around $3.78/ppt. If you own 200 points, it would be just under $800 per year. These tend to go up, on average 3 - 4% a year.

 

[Adistar]

You can buy in through Disney or find a DVC contract via the resale market.

If you go through Disney, there is a minimum # of points to buy. Depending on the resort you want as your home resort, depends on the price you will pay.

Right now, for BLT and VGC, you must get at least 160 points and will pay somewhere in the vicinity of $17,000 (give or take depending on incentives).

If you want AKV or SSR, they are letting new buyers in with only 100 points, or around $11,000 (give or take depending on incentives).

Your home resort is the place where your points are owned. The advantage is that you can book reservations at this resort between 7 and 11 months of travel. If you want to book at one of the other DVC resorts, you can't do so until the 7 month mark.

Dues are different at each resort. BLT and VGC have the lowest and they go up from there. They start around $4.00 per point and go up from there.

For example, BLT for 2010 is around $3.78/ppt. If you own 200 points, it would be just under $800 per year. These tend to go up, on average 3 - 4% a year.

Thanks! This is exactly what I wanted to know. Do you have any idea about how much it is to buy into BCV or WLV?

 

[Sandisw]

Thanks! This is exactly what I wanted to know. Do you have any idea about how much it is to buy into BCV or WLV?

Right now, through Disney, it is (I believe), $106/ppt. If you don't need to finance, you will save a lot going resale for these two resorts. While financing is available through resale, it may not be quite as easy as Disney.

VWL is currently going for about $80.00 per point and BCV closer to $85.00. Depending on the # of points you buy, it could add up.

I have bought and sold through the board sponsor, The Timeshare Store, and they are wonderful! They are even great if you just want more information about the resale costs, etc.

Good luck!!

 

[chalee94]

here are some links for further research:

here is a link to historical annual dues per point for the different DVC resorts.


is DVC for me?

here is a thread for more info about choosing a home resort.

and if you are ready for slightly more advanced information:

here is a thread for understanding use year.

for pricing/buying information:

here is a thread for understanding the general differences between buying resale and direct.

here is (usually accurate) current pricing for contracts purchased directly.

there is a link above for resale listings.

you might also want to read the thread on the point chart reallocations on the DVC-misc board...

 

[Crystal_27]

Basically what I'm interested in knowing is basic first time costs, and then approx how much in dues to you pay per year?

Just to give you a sense of "real world" numbers, we bought 220 points at BLT and paid right at $21,400 with closing costs. Our annual dues for 2010 were right at $800. DVC certainly is not cheap BUT, by my calculations, I think that we will break even right about when Disney says we will - - in 6-7 trips. I will also tell you that without DVC there is *no way* that we would be taking the trips that we are planning on taking in the next several years. For example, this year, we are spending 14 days at Disney over Christmas, and, before DVC, we would have *never* been able to stomach spending $6,000+ for accommodations alone. It took us a long time to finally decide to buy into DVC (mainly because we like to stay on the monorail and, before BLT, that wasn't possible with DVC) but now that we have taken the plunge, I can't imagine doing Disney any other way. Best of luck with your decision.

 

[ToddyLu]

J I will also tell you that without DVC there is *no way* that we would be taking the trips that we are planning on taking in the next several years. For example, this year, we are spending 14 days at Disney over Christmas, and, before DVC, we would have *never* been able to stomach spending $6,000+ for accommodations alone. It took us a long time to finally decide to buy into DVC (mainly because we like to stay on the monorail and, before BLT, that wasn't possible with DVC) but now that we have taken the plunge, I can't imagine doing Disney any other way. Best of luck with your decision.

DITTO and Amen sista!!

 

[robertdangelo]

If you like BCV... I suggest making that your home resort as it's smaller and often hard to get what you want at 7 month. Good luck!

Bob

 

[JenSop]

It's not as complicated as it first seems.

To buy in, you have an upfront cost. This is based on how many points you are buying. If you buy through Disney, you will have a minimum required point purchase.

Our example:

We bought 160 AKV points in 2007 from Disney. With incentives, etc, the buy in cost came to a little under $16,000. That cost is once and done. That gets us 160 points every year (until the year 2057) that we can do whatever we want with. We can bank and borrow for bigger trips, or take a few smaller trips a year. (Going twice this year: once in BLT studio, once in AKV studio. Doing a Grand Villa in 2012.)

Our dues on those 160 points this time around were: $784.26.

If not for DVC, we wouldn't be able to go as often as we are doing. Plus we can take family and friends with us. Also, we would never be able to stay in Deluxe accomodations without DVC.

But we love going to Disney. Period. DVC lets us do that in a way that we can afford. Especially since I swore never to stay in a value again after our 2006 trip. I could not be happier about the decision to buy in to DVC!

 

[Adistar]

Now would it be stupid of me to just be interested in say a 50 point or so (resale) just so we could take a small trip every other year? We typically try to go non peak weeks (dont like the crowds!) So by my calculations we could do a studio in BCV or WLV etc for under 100 points. Would that work? To be able to bank points and use 100 every 2 years instead of 50 every year?

And if we did that could we decide to add on later? We always like to stay deluxe when we go, and at about 80 pp at WLV thats about 4000.....which is less than 2 Deluxe stays for us. (BCV for us in may is costing about 1800, and we spent closer to 2500 our last trip in 06)


Am I totally over thinking this? Or am I even on the right track haha?

 

[Sandisw]

Now would it be stupid of me to just be interested in say a 50 point or so (resale) just so we could take a small trip every other year? We typically try to go non peak weeks (dont like the crowds!) So by my calculations we could do a studio in BCV or WLV etc for under 100 points. Would that work? To be able to bank points and use 100 every 2 years instead of 50 every year?

And if we did that could we decide to add on later? We always like to stay deluxe when we go, and at about 80 pp at WLV thats about 4000.....which is less than 2 Deluxe stays for us. (BCV for us in may is costing about 1800, and we spent closer to 2500 our last trip in 06)


Am I totally over thinking this? Or am I even on the right track haha?

That is exactly the way that many start out. I did last year. I bought a 50 point VWL contract resale. I wanted BLT, but at the time, they said they were raising the minimum to 200 and I just couldn't commit to that amount.

So, I bought my 2nd choice resort and figured I would add on at BLT within a year.

Of course, they never raised the minimum and I added on within a week of closing. I now own everything at BLT (sold the VWL contract a few months later).

If you love BCV and think a small contract will work, at least in the short term, go that route. Once a member, you can add on more BCV points direct through Disney. You can start with as little as 25 points, cash, or 50 points, financed. With sold out resorts, like BCV, you might have to wait a bit for the points (if they don't have your UY as adding on with Disney always yields the same one), but from what I have read, that typically doesn't take tremendously long.

But, having bought in to my 2nd favorite only to realize I really wanted my 1st, I can say, IMO, is that you should NOT buy in at BLT if that is really not where your heart lies. I loved being able to book my entire trip at BLT for next summer at 11 months, instead of havig to book some nights there and the rest at VWL and then hoping that there would still be rooms left at BLT at the 7 month mark.

Good luck!

 

[TenThousandVolts]

Now would it be stupid of me to just be interested in say a 50 point or so (resale) just so we could take a small trip every other year? We typically try to go non peak weeks (dont like the crowds!) So by my calculations we could do a studio in BCV or WLV etc for under 100 points. Would that work? To be able to bank points and use 100 every 2 years instead of 50 every year?

And if we did that could we decide to add on later? We always like to stay deluxe when we go, and at about 80 pp at WLV thats about 4000.....which is less than 2 Deluxe stays for us. (BCV for us in may is costing about 1800, and we spent closer to 2500 our last trip in 06)


Am I totally over thinking this? Or am I even on the right track haha?

makes perfect sense- if you are only looking at a week, off-season studio ever other year. I think you would want more like 55-60 points though if you want a full week- I am calculating a week at VWL a minimum of 105- using this year's point chart.

 

[Adistar]

makes perfect sense- if you are only looking at a week, off-season studio ever other year. I think you would want more like 55-60 points though if you want a full week- I am calculating a week at VWL a minimum of 105- using this year's point chart.

Yeah I wasnt actually calculating a full week, I was going off our dates for this years trip which is 5 nights 6 days. But I see what you mean going for the extra points if I wanted to make it a full week, I mean whats a few more points in the long run hehe

 

[Adistar]

That is exactly the way that many start out. I did last year. I bought a 50 point VWL contract resale. I wanted BLT, but at the time, they said they were raising the minimum to 200 and I just couldn't commit to that amount.

So, I bought my 2nd choice resort and figured I would add on at BLT within a year.

Of course, they never raised the minimum and I added on within a week of closing. I now own everything at BLT (sold the VWL contract a few months later).

If you love BCV and think a small contract will work, at least in the short term, go that route. Once a member, you can add on more BCV points direct through Disney. You can start with as little as 25 points, cash, or 50 points, financed. With sold out resorts, like BCV, you might have to wait a bit for the points (if they don't have your UY as adding on with Disney always yields the same one), but from what I have read, that typically doesn't take tremendously long.

But, having bought in to my 2nd favorite only to realize I really wanted my 1st, I can say, IMO, is that you should NOT buy in at BLT if that is really not where your heart lies. I loved being able to book my entire trip at BLT for next summer at 11 months, instead of havig to book some nights there and the rest at VWL and then hoping that there would still be rooms left at BLT at the 7 month mark.

Good luck!

Thanks! Although I'm not sure I love BCV yet haha, we will see in May when we go. The only other deluxe we have stayed at is Wilderness lodge and we loved it there so I contemplated buying in there.....although we only stayed at the actual resort not in the villa part so I would obv want to check that out first before we buy in.

Now I'm a little confused about the adding on, what do you mean by sold out resort and waiting for points? And how long is a typical wait? If we added on it wouldn't be for a few years at least. Every other year to disney is more than enough for our family right now....flying our family of 4 there every year just isnt feasable at this point. We do our big vacations every other year with something driveable on the off years.

 

[DenLo]

Thanks! Although I'm not sure I love BCV yet haha, we will see in May when we go. The only other deluxe we have stayed at is Wilderness lodge and we loved it there so I contemplated buying in there.....although we only stayed at the actual resort not in the villa part so I would obv want to check that out first before we buy in.

Now I'm a little confused about the adding on, what do you mean by sold out resort and waiting for points? And how long is a typical wait? If we added on it wouldn't be for a few years at least. Every other year to disney is more than enough for our family right now....flying our family of 4 there every year just isnt feasable at this point. We do our big vacations every other year with something driveable on the off years.

Perhaps while you are there at BC you should contact a DVC rep at your resort and take a tour. Any details you are fuzzy about the guide will be able to answer your questions. Also someone there could show models of the resorts that are newer and on the market (AKV and BLT). Ask if you could see BCV and perhaps an actual studio at BCV. They may accommodate you if a room is available.

But do post any questions you have here on the DISboards. We love to answer questions.

 

[Sandisw]

Thanks! Although I'm not sure I love BCV yet haha, we will see in May when we go. The only other deluxe we have stayed at is Wilderness lodge and we loved it there so I contemplated buying in there.....although we only stayed at the actual resort not in the villa part so I would obv want to check that out first before we buy in.

Now I'm a little confused about the adding on, what do you mean by sold out resort and waiting for points? And how long is a typical wait? If we added on it wouldn't be for a few years at least. Every other year to disney is more than enough for our family right now....flying our family of 4 there every year just isnt feasable at this point. We do our big vacations every other year with something driveable on the off years.

When you call Disney to add on points, if the resort is one not in active sales (OKW, BWV, VWL, BCV, HH, and VB), they can only sell you points if they have some to sell you (ie: points taken back through ROFR, defaults, etc.).

For example, if I called today and wanted to add on at BCV, they would have to have June UY points in order for me to do it (since that is my current UY). If they didn't have them immediately available, I would have to wait until they got them "in stock".

 

[Adistar]

When you call Disney to add on points, if the resort is one not in active sales (OKW, BWV, VWL, BCV, HH, and VB), they can only sell you points if they have some to sell you (ie: points taken back through ROFR, defaults, etc.).

For example, if I called today and wanted to add on at BCV, they would have to have June UY points in order for me to do it (since that is my current UY). If they didn't have them immediately available, I would have to wait until they got them "in stock".

Ahhh Ok I got it! Now if they aren't in active sales does that mean you can't buy into there thru disney? Only thru resale?


And my other question (they keep popping into my head haha) If one year we decided we wanted to go all out and take a vacation that is beyond our points allowance how do you go about doing that? Do you have to buy into more points right then and there or can you pay OOP? Just for example say we wanted to extend our normal bi-annual trip by a few nights, or stay in a 1 bdrm vs a studio? That would obviously put us over our points allowance, even with banking points or borrowing points.

 

[Sandisw]

Ahhh Ok I got it! Now if they aren't in active sales does that mean you can't buy into there thru disney? Only thru resale?


And my other question (they keep popping into my head haha) If one year we decided we wanted to go all out and take a vacation that is beyond our points allowance how do you go about doing that? Do you have to buy into more points right then and there or can you pay OOP? Just for example say we wanted to extend our normal bi-annual trip by a few nights, or stay in a 1 bdrm vs a studio? That would obviously put us over our points allowance, even with banking points or borrowing points.

No, you can buy any resort through Disney. But if the resort has already been "sold out", then they may or may not have points readily available. Even in those cases, you will still be able to buy through Disney, but may have to wait a bit (ie: a few weeks or so).

Right now, BLT, AKV, SSR, and VGC are still in active sales. That means if you call today, they will have points for you to buy immediately.

However, VWL and BCV are not so if you call today and say you want to buy in at those resorts, they have to check to see if they have points in the UY that you want and/or need. If they do, you can buy immediately. If not, then they will put you on a list and contact you as soon as they get some more. As I said, everything that I have read, if you do have to wait, it is usually a short time period.

Sorry to have confused you about this.

When you own DVC, you can take a trip and use up to 3 years of points, using banking and borrowing. For example, with a 50 point contract, you would have up to 150 points to use for one trip. Banked points from the UY prior, current UY points, and ones borrowed from the next UY. You can also try to add on additional nights for cash (but these are not always available). What you can't do is pay for a single night with both points and cash.

Sometimes, members who are a bit short will also seek a transfer of points into their membership from another member. This way, you have the points you need for the trip.

 

[TenThousandVolts]

Yeah I wasnt actually calculating a full week, I was going off our dates for this years trip which is 5 nights 6 days. But I see what you mean going for the extra points if I wanted to make it a full week, I mean whats a few more points in the long run hehe

I think you are on the right track- start small and addon if needed.
Still- Go for the few extra pointsat buy- the points values can fluctuate a bit from year to year as dvc has the right to shift around point values- so next year it could cost a few points more or less than the same trip last year.

 

[Adistar]

Sorry to have confused you about this.

When you own DVC, you can take a trip and use up to 3 years of points, using banking and borrowing. For example, with a 50 point contract, you would have up to 150 points to use for one trip. Banked points from the UY prior, current UY points, and ones borrowed from the next UY. You can also try to add on additional nights for cash (but these are not always available). What you can't do is pay for a single night with both points and cash.

Sometimes, members who are a bit short will also seek a transfer of points into their membership from another member. This way, you have the points you need for the trip.

Oh ok I didn't realize you could use that many at one time. When you say pay for extra nights in cash, you mean you can add on like a night or two and pay rack rate....but you cant say pay half a night in points and the remainder in cash? I just want to make sure I understand.