Considering becoming a DVC member

[cantoine]

Hello
My DH and I are considering become DVC members. We understand how it works with the points, however we are unclear of the process in purchasing. We are looking to get information on that. AS well how long is the contract. once we buy to we own forever, can we deed it to our children etc. or is it for a time period 50 years? All information will be helpful. thank you

 

[Nabas]

This is one of the best articles on buying DVC:

http://www.mousesavers.com/other-disney-vacations/disney-vacation-club/

Also, contact The Timeshare Store. They have a brochure on the subject and will walk you through the process.

 

[RobDoc]

Hello
My DH and I are considering become DVC members. We understand how it works with the points, however we are unclear of the process in purchasing. We are looking to get information on that. AS well how long is the contract. once we buy to we own forever, can we deed it to our children etc. or is it for a time period 50 years? All information will be helpful. thank you

The deeded contracts have different expiration dates depending on the resort - many end January 31, 2042, others have later dates (1/31/2054, 2057, 2060, 2061, 2064). You might want to check out the DVC Resource Center found at the top of each DVC discussion forum. That thread has a wealth of information about the DVC resorts.

Yes, your ownership may be deeded to your children or placed in a trust. When DVC began, early buyers at OKW had a full 50 years of ownership, but subsequent resorts all had the same 1/31/42 expiration until SSR opened in 2004 with an expiration of 1/31/54. OKW owners were offered an extension until 2057 (some accepted and paid for that extension and others decided against the extension).

All other resorts since SSR ((AKV, BLT, VGC, ARS and VGF) had about 50 years for those who purchased initially, but since the expiration is the same regardless when the contract was purchased others buy with a diminishing amount of remaining time on their ownership unless extensions are offered.

 

[crisi]

Also think through the idea of "deeding to your children"

What those that have owned for twenty years already have learned is that sometimes our children don't want our DVC. Sometimes they'd like it, but it would be a financial burden for them. Sometimes it works great. Gifting someone a timeshare is like giving them a puppy - they not only have to want it, they have to be willing to take on the ongoing expenses and work (in the case of DVC, no poopy scooping needed - but it isn't free).

You can't split a contract, and you have four children - are they supposed to share?, or will you buy four contracts, one for each of them.

Its nice that deeding to your children is a possibility - but its something that goes in the "nice" column - not something that goes in the "we should base our decisions on this" when your oldest is still in elementary school. Maybe if you were going on retired, your kids were in their twenties, and you were looking at grandkids with a pretty good idea of what the tastes and income of your adult children would be.

 

[DisK]

Yes! Keep in mind they don't just get it for FREE!! They still have to pay yearly for maintenance fees.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Realize, too, that as soon as your youngest is three years old, you'll be in a two bedroom villa. And you still have to pay for park admission, dining and travel. DVC members don't get any free dining or special deals on lodging.

You'll find Vero Beach and Hilton Head Island contracts the cheapest of all resale contracts. But it also means you'll never get to book at WDW sooner than seven months out. And if you go by school holidays, you might have a hard time booking some stays, except for summer months.

Resale contracts are much cheaper than direct from Disney. There are a few minor restrictions on how you can use your points, but ultimately there is no difference - all points can be used to book DVC stays.