Considering DVC Purchase

[ghattem]

My husband and I are considering purchasing a DVC membership some time in the future. We are planning to rent points from someone next year to try out one of the DVC resorts (I like OKW so far). To keep our initial costs low we are considering starting by purchasing a very low number of points (25-50 points) with the intent of only using it every other year. This would allow us to buy using cash only and would give us a chance to try it out and see how often we actually use it. By my calculation even 25 points a year would be enough for us to get a studio for 5 nights every other year (5 nights @ 10pts night). Later we can always buy additional blocks of 25-50 points if we decide we want them. Has anyone tried this strategy? If so what would be the pros and cons of buying in with this strategy.

Also what additional benefits and discounts would we get as DVC members that would help make it worth our while? We know we won't be using annual passes initially so that discount would not be useful to us. What types of discounts are given for cash reservations to members? What about food or other discounts? Also I'd like to know what the discount for Magic Your Way tickets is for DVC members. Most likely we would be purchasing 10-day park hopper passes with the magic plus and no expiration options to save money in the long run.

 

[ccw]

You'll love DVC and I think you are wise to only buy what you can afford. My brother and I ended up buying into DVC together (sort of)about 5 years ago. He paid for a whole bunch (like 350) of Boardwalk points and I bought 80 OKW points because (!1)that was very affordable for me and (2)we like to travel other places so I knew that I could get as much WDW as I needed most years with a small allocation of points. Also, the annual maintenance fees are more modest for me. It has worked great for us, but it also helps that sometimes i "rent" a few of my brother's points for something special (which actually is great for him because he has a hard time using all of his points anyway and he HATES keeping track of it so I help with that) So i do have a back up! We have stayed at OKW, BW, Vero, and HH using my OKW points and think DVC is awesome! We've stayed in studios, 1 and 2 bedroom, and in Nov. will stay in a GRAND VILLA! To maximize the value of my paltry OKW contract I usually can work it out to stay Sun-Thurs, I prefer shorter visits, and i don't mind staying in a studio to conserve points when there are just 4 of us. Of course, going during the lower seasons helps a lot, too. PLUS, I am the queen of borrowing and banking! Have never had a problem with that and, like you, it is rare for us to feel the call to WDW every single year (I would do it but my 4 sons and husband would much rather go elsewhere! Imagine that!) What a nice feeling it is to check out of a Disney resort and have just a few incidental charges on your final bill! Keep us posted!

 

[JimMIA]

You are going to have a difficult time getting 50 or fewer points. You will have to buy resale (Disney has a minimum initial contract of 150 points). You will very rarely find contracts that small available...although someone just got one, so it's not impossible. Once you are in, you can buy add-ons direct with a 25 point minimum (50 if you want Disney financing).

As far as the other benefits, I would not consider those in making your purchase because they are subject to change at any time. Probably the biggest current benefit is the DVC discount on the AP, but you've already said you don't need one.

There is a 10% dining discount (more at a couple of places), but that's not worth considering and is subject to change.

There is currently a 25% discount on cash rooms at DVC properties, but those are subject to availability and may not be an option at all when you happen to be visiting.

There used to be a 10% discount at the Disney Store, but those were recently sold and the discount went away, I believe.

 

[CarolMN]

...(snip).....Also what additional benefits and discounts would we get as DVC members that would help make it worth our while? We know we won't be using annual passes initially so that discount would not be useful to us. What types of discounts are given for cash reservations to members? What about food or other discounts? Also I'd like to know what the discount for Magic Your Way tickets is for DVC members. Most likely we would be purchasing 10-day park hopper passes with the magic plus and no expiration options to save money in the long run.

WHen available, DVC members can get a 25% discount for cash reservations made through Member Services. Cash days are not always available, but weekend nights(Friday and Saturday) are available more frequently than weeknights.

There are no DVC discounts on MYW tickets.

Here is a pretty good list of the current benefits/discounts perks for DVC members:

WDW discounts

The list also includes other types of discounts, so read carefully, LOL.

Keep in mind that the discounts/perks can and do change. They are not guaranteed by contract. It is best not to consider them at all when you are making your purchase decision.

Best wishe s-

 

[ghattem]

You are going to have a difficult time getting 50 or fewer points. You will have to buy resale (Disney has a minimum initial contract of 150 points). You will very rarely find contracts that small available...although someone just got one, so it's not impossible. Once you are in, you can buy add-ons direct with a 25 point minimum (50 if you want Disney financing).

I've been watching listings at the timeshare store and there appear to be only a handful of these types of listings at any one time. Although it's possible to get these resales I realize it will require some patience on our part. I'm assuming that I may also be able to work with an agent from the timeshare store on this so that they can help us find what we are looking for. Of course on the postive side I'm also assuming that if we ever have to sell (hopefully not) it would also be much easier to sell these small blocks of points.

 

[JimMIA]

I've been watching listings at the timeshare store and there appear to be only a handful of these types of listings at any one time. Although it's possible to get these resales I realize it will require some patience on our part. I'm assuming that I may also be able to work with an agent from the timeshare store on this so that they can help us find what we are looking for. Of course on the postive side I'm also assuming that if we ever have to sell (hopefully not) it would also be much easier to sell these small blocks of points.

Yes. Calling someone from the Timeshare Store is probably a MUST to get a small contract. Figure out what you want, and call them and tell them to put you on their call list. If they get something that meets your needs, they'll call you before they advertise the contract.

You're right, a small contract will be easier to sell.

 

[ghattem]

To maximize the value of my paltry OKW contract I usually can work it out to stay Sun-Thurs, I prefer shorter visits, and i don't mind staying in a studio to conserve points when there are just 4 of us. Of course, going during the lower seasons helps a lot, too. PLUS, I am the queen of borrowing and banking! Have never had a problem with that and, like you, it is rare for us to feel the call to WDW every single year (I would do it but my 4 sons and husband would much rather go elsewhere! Imagine that!) What a nice feeling it is to check out of a Disney resort and have just a few incidental charges on your final bill! Keep us posted!

This is also our plan, stay Sun-Thurs and do lots of banking and borrowing to make the most of the points we purchase. My family would also like to go somewhere else on alternating years (for now). I've even considered eventually buying into a non-Disney timeshare that would be a better deal for doing exchanges in other resorts (since from what I've read here it's not efficient to exchange Disney points). Of course the emphasis on that is eventually since that will likely be a few years, we'll try DVC first.

Since you've stayed at OKW I have a question for you. From the information I've seen it appears that OKW is one of the quieter of the DVC resorts. Is that the case? Also do you have any recommendations for what would be the quieter buildings at OKW. We're planning to rent points from someone to check it out next year before we make our final decision to buy into DVC. We'll likely be looking at renting either a studio or a 1 bedroom.

 

[Y-ASK]

Here is a pretty good thread that talks about the cost and getting a small contract. I added a little extra to the conversation:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=883322

The only missing from this discussion is the closing cost on a re-sale.
Y-ASK

 

[deide71]

I just purchased 50 pts @ ssr through ebay, I had the same thougt you did. I hope it will work out, and may add pts in the future.


Best of luck to you and yours!!!

Deide

 

[ccw]

hi, ghattem...
Lots of issues are controversial about DVC resorts but I don't think many will argue with the assertion that OKW is the quietest of them all! Now, having said that, I will say that even tho the overall resort is quiet, there are some noise issues that i have dealt with in the past. First, if you are staying very close to where the buses pull up, you will hear the brakes...the good thing is you know a bus is on its way, the bad thing is, well, it's pretty annoying after a while! Also, we stayed once in the Millers Road section and had to contend with the traffic noise from Bonnet Creek Pkwy towards the front of the villa AND the sounds from the BACK of the villa of inebriated adult men who were hanging out by the pool at 2 a.m. So, even tho the proximity to and view of the pool served us well during the day, we paid for it in sleepless nights! So now I NEVER ask for a pool view. Most folks on these boards suggest NOT requesting specific buildings and I don't . Just request your preferences about location, proximity to Hosp. House, lower or top floor, view, and (for me the most important) NON-SMOKING!

I think what appeals to me about OKW as much as anything is that it is not hotel-like...i.e. every villa opens to the outside, front and back. No long corridors (as at Boardwalk). Plus the rooms are huge and my family loves golf so to be on the golf course is awfully nice.

Hope it works out for you...I have never had regrets about our DVC purchase.