Considering buying in

[P&L@WDW]

So I am considering buying into DVC - I've looked at it for almost 20 years, and thought about it, but never been in a position financially. Now I think I can manage it, but I'm a bit overwhelmed by the options.

I'm in my mid-30's, dating someone who also enjoys Disney. I have a 2.5 year old niece. I usually visit Disney every 2-3 years for 2 weeks at a time. I usually go during free dining, but could easily get away eating less than I do with that plan. I'd love to stay at some of the nicer resorts ,but can't afford their usual rates, and I think DVC would help with that.

Buying direct vs. resale - I can't figure out which is better for me.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Some questions to consider:

1. What size accommodation would you most frequently need?
2. What resort would you most like to stay at most often?

If resort really doesn't matter and you're okay with 7-month windows for most places, resale is going to generally give you more bang for your buck than direct, especially as there are only two resorts being sold direct. As someone currently single-and-dating, it's good to remember that this is a long-term contract, so today's studio might become a need for more space in future tense.

 

[disneynutz]

DVC may save you money for stays at the DVC resorts. Buy resale, plan on using your points every 2 years so you can buy half of what you need. Don't count any perks or other discounts. Realize that there is a disconnect between actually staying in a room and the running of the DVC, website issues, booking issues, CM that may need additional training. Spend a few weeks reading the DVC posts to better understand what you are buying and figure out which resort is your favorite so you can book there at 11 months prior to check in.

 

[Dean]

So I am considering buying into DVC - I've looked at it for almost 20 years, and thought about it, but never been in a position financially. Now I think I can manage it, but I'm a bit overwhelmed by the options.

I'm in my mid-30's, dating someone who also enjoys Disney. I have a 2.5 year old niece. I usually visit Disney every 2-3 years for 2 weeks at a time. I usually go during free dining, but could easily get away eating less than I do with that plan. I'd love to stay at some of the nicer resorts ,but can't afford their usual rates, and I think DVC would help with that.

Buying direct vs. resale - I can't figure out which is better for me.

Resale is going to be cheaper, how much depends on choices. Just spend a few months absorbing the info so you'll understand the choices enough to make the best choice up front. Every 2 years is workable but every 3 years is risky to losing points. If you're saying value or moderate with free dining, DVC likely won't save you any money.

 

[disneynutz]

You can also rent a reservation from a member, that will save you some money, give you an opportunity to experience the deluxe resorts and DVC villas, while you decide if buying DVC is a good fit.

Bill

 

[kniquy]

Definitely buy resale. You mentioned going to WDW and with resale you can take advantage of all the WDW DVC, vero beach, hilton head, CA and Hawaii. You mentioned a girl friend. Make sure this is a purchase in your name only and that you can afford the yearly maintenance fees on your own. There are many stories of people making a purchase with a sig other and then things go south and you have to figure out who gets the DVC. It even happens with married couples as well.

 

[T00dles]

Just make sure you're ok with the limits of resale membership. Some people like to trade out (its not a good deal, but they still do it....to each their own ) so that might effect your decision.

 

[mickeyman]

Just make sure you're ok with the limits of resale membership. Some people like to trade out (its not a good deal, but they still do it....to each their own ) so that might effect your decision.

You can still trade out through RCI even with a resale

 

[Dean]

You can still trade out through RCI even with a resale

BVTC also though it's of limited value (as is RCI). IMO DVC did members a favor with the resale limitations by defining what one is actually buying and forcing them to take stock of the real value (or lack of) of the cash type exchange options.

 

[Brancaneve]

I've known a few people who are thinking of buying new and it seems that they are pushing the NEW NEW resorts (Poly and Aulani) which are at a much higher point value. If you ask, they may have lower cost per point resorts but are pushing the Poly instead. Things may have changed since their inquiry and others may correct me if I'm wrong

 

[P&L@WDW]

Thanks for the input, everyone. All great bits of advice - I'm still very much in the 'thinking about it' phase!

 

[gdrj]

You will get more advice than you want or need.
1- Buy where you want to stay. This will give you the 11 month reservation window vs. 7 month.

2- There are strong reasons to buy secondary market. We bought both our contracts direct. One back in 1998 at BWV the other in 2015 at Poly. For us the Poly is where we wanted to stay and it worked for us. While I understand the math I used is OVER simplified, when we were looking and I looked at the selling price of resale divided by the number of use years left, the cost per year (of the purchase price) for some resorts was similar or in some cases more than buying at Poly. I realize the TOTAL cost I paid is more, AND the accountants here will speak of my flawed thought process, but for me location. location, location was a factor. My flawed math helped me justify my decision.

We had though about BLT but for us the studio size was also a factor.

Best of Luck, no matter when and if you move forward.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

You will get more advice than you want or need.
For us the Poly is where we wanted to stay and it worked for us.

There is nothing wrong with buying Poly if you want to stay at the Poly, and understand the weird economics of Poly points. Over time, the 11-month window is likely to become critical, because the bungalows mean there are many more points to be sold at the Poly, but more contracts are likely to be studio-sized than bungalow sized, meaning a greater universe of owners competing for the Poly studios as the resort sells through. It probably won't ever be as pronounced as what happened at VGF, simply because Poly has much better inventory to start with, but for some seasons it won't surprise me if in 5 years, you want to be booking at 8AM on 11 months for some seasons at Poly.

There are people buying Poly (and Aulani) points because they're what's available direct and they don't know about resale (or believe the scare tactics about resale), but they really want to stay elsewhere. That's where buying Poly points becomes a problem.

 

[zavandor]

I'm not so sure what the availability at the Poly will be.
It's true that the imbalance between bingalow and studios may cause availability problems with the studios, however it's also true that if a Poly member wants a unit bigger than a studio and is not appealead by the (point cost of the) bungalows, they have the only choice to book another resort at 7 months. This could open opportunities for other members at 7 months to book the Poly.

If the demand for the Poly bungalow will really be low, DVC might decide (after the resort is sold out, to not affect sales) to reallocate points between bungalows and studios. After that, how many members will prefer a Poly studio to a 1bedroom somewhere else at the same point cost? Or a studio for half the points?

For both reasons combined, I think there are good chances that availability at the Poly will never be a problem, but it's impossible to tell it for sure now.

 

[Dean]

I'm not so sure what the availability at the Poly will be.
It's true that the imbalance between bingalow and studios may cause availability problems with the studios, however it's also true that if a Poly member wants a unit bigger than a studio and is not appealead by the (point cost of the) bungalows, they have the only choice to book another resort at 7 months. This could open opportunities for other members at 7 months to book the Poly.

If the demand for the Poly bungalow will really be low, DVC might decide (after the resort is sold out, to not affect sales) to reallocate points between bungalows and studios. After that, how many members will prefer a Poly studio to a 1bedroom somewhere else at the same point cost? Or a studio for half the points?

For both reasons combined, I think there are good chances that availability at the Poly will never be a problem, but it's impossible to tell it for sure now.

Due to the large numbers, not so rave reviews and high points I suspect availability will generally be good at the 7 month window. If they sell more fixed weeks, that could offer some additional availability though at the current numbers it won't be enough to make a difference.

 

[KingRichard]

Definitely buy resale. You mentioned going to WDW and with resale you can take advantage of all the WDW DVC, vero beach, hilton head, CA and Hawaii. You mentioned a girl friend. Make sure this is a purchase in your name only and that you can afford the yearly maintenance fees on your own. There are many stories of people making a purchase with a sig other and then things go south and you have to figure out who gets the DVC. It even happens with married couples as well.

Good advice! That is how we bought BLT and saved a bundle.

Don't feel bad for them! We helped them out in their time of need.

 

[gdrj]

There are people buying Poly (and Aulani) points because they're what's available direct and they don't know about resale (or believe the scare tactics about resale), but they really want to stay elsewhere. That's where buying Poly points becomes a problem.

Totally agree. I think prior to selling Aulani DVC needs to spell out the booking challenges, especially if member expresses primary desire to visit WDW.

 

[Dean]

Totally agree. I think prior to selling Aulani DVC needs to spell out the booking challenges, especially if member expresses primary desire to visit WDW.

That's not their job, their job is to sell. It's the buyers job to be sure what they're buying fit's their needs.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

That's not their job, their job is to sell. It's the buyers job to be sure what they're buying fit's their needs.

Agree.

If a $20k purchase is a rounding error in your budget, sure, just go for it. For most people, it's not. I think any large purchases should be researched pretty hard!

 

[gdrj]

That's not their job, their job is to sell. It's the buyers job to be sure what they're buying fit's their needs.

I understand and agree, i am one who always says most issues are the buyer not knowing what they are buying. With that said I think that as 7 month window becomes more challenging and if buyers primary vacation is Florida, the chance for misrepresentation grows.