My family is considering buying into DVC, specifically HH. We have 4 children, ranging in age from 18 to 8. While we have been to WDW 3 times and enjoy, we're not fanatics. We never have been to HH yet and would probably enjoy it. But, we also want flexibility to go elsewhere. Do the economics warrant buying into DVC? If you don't visit WDW all that often, does that detract from the economics. We'll also be using a 2 bedroom for awhile. How many points should we buy? What's the profile of people staying at the HH property? Older? Younger? Would appreciate feedback.
Considering HH
- Thread starter djschaff
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badeacon
DIS Veteran
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- Jun 5, 2000
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We have been members at HH since 1996 and have 2 girls now 12&14. They have loved going to HH and infact at times prefer it over WDW. We usually go in july and have also been at thanksgiving several times.Just yesterday i made Ressies for 2br in july15-19 2002 so they can take friends.pool is heated so can swim at Thanksgiving. Very laidback and restful. Would highly recommend for children.If any specific questions please ask.
We just returned from HH (our first trip there) and it was all but to ourselves. There were as many older retired couples vacationing there as there were younger families! I thought that was neat.
We were interested in buying into DVC and I would NEVER EVER say anything bad about anything Disney does - it is all first rate all the way but it was something we decided against. Financially we were able to do it especially when they're running the Magical Beginning Program - it was only going to cost us $500 down and $206 a month for 10 years. I wouldn't think of purchasing anything less than 200 points which is the price above. And know that 200 points isn't going to go very far if you need or want larger accommodations and travel out of value season.
We were almost going to do it because we absolutely LOVED the cruise vacation a year ago but to do that would cost more than 200 points and although you can bank and borrow, plus they really suck the points if you stay over the weekend. The DVC lady we spoke with said you're better off staying six nights instead of seven almost every time. This didn't make sense to us. When you pay $2400+ a year you expect to be able to spend a whole week someplace?!! The exchange program only offers the best of the best which was a nice selling point but you again have to really watch those points!
We have a timeshare already and know a little about the exchange system/floating time, etc. Disney just wasn't right for us this time but maybe in the future we'll still do it.
PS they are building two more ships and another v club as we speak!
Hope I've helped.
Dawn
We were interested in buying into DVC and I would NEVER EVER say anything bad about anything Disney does - it is all first rate all the way but it was something we decided against. Financially we were able to do it especially when they're running the Magical Beginning Program - it was only going to cost us $500 down and $206 a month for 10 years. I wouldn't think of purchasing anything less than 200 points which is the price above. And know that 200 points isn't going to go very far if you need or want larger accommodations and travel out of value season.
We were almost going to do it because we absolutely LOVED the cruise vacation a year ago but to do that would cost more than 200 points and although you can bank and borrow, plus they really suck the points if you stay over the weekend. The DVC lady we spoke with said you're better off staying six nights instead of seven almost every time. This didn't make sense to us. When you pay $2400+ a year you expect to be able to spend a whole week someplace?!! The exchange program only offers the best of the best which was a nice selling point but you again have to really watch those points!
We have a timeshare already and know a little about the exchange system/floating time, etc. Disney just wasn't right for us this time but maybe in the future we'll still do it.
PS they are building two more ships and another v club as we speak!
Hope I've helped.
Dawn
badeacon
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2000
- Messages
- 773
DVC makes sense depending on why you want to join. If you want to use it to visit WDW frequently then you need to buy at WDW. HH is fun enough to stand on its own and should not be bought as a way to go WDW. My family really enjoys HH and you still get Disney quality which is much better than other timeshares. Referring to mistakes we made prior to buying DVC.
You still feel Magic at HH but different experioence Hope this helps some.
You still feel Magic at HH but different experioence Hope this helps some.
If you primarily going to HH then DVC may not be for you. You can use your other timeshare and trade into many of the HH timeshare resorts. DVC HH is pretty point expensive and with a short season for kids. We have stayed there in early June and the pool was swarming with little kids. We were the older couple. That said, we do like HH DVC and have just added points there to bring us to 100 pts. We have our major points at OKW.
HH DVC is a wonderful resort, not beach front, but with a very nice beach house, pool and gorgeous beach. If you plan to to to WDW every couple of years it might work for you. The 7 month window should get you into a 2 BR at most of the
WDW DVC resorts if you don't try to go in the super busy seasons. The 2 BR are the easist to get at the 7 month window.
Lots of luck in your decision.
HH DVC is a wonderful resort, not beach front, but with a very nice beach house, pool and gorgeous beach. If you plan to to to WDW every couple of years it might work for you. The 7 month window should get you into a 2 BR at most of the
WDW DVC resorts if you don't try to go in the super busy seasons. The 2 BR are the easist to get at the 7 month window.
Lots of luck in your decision.
We just did an add-on at HH. While we have points at WDW, we are not looking to go to DW every year. HH we could do every summer in July which is why we did the add-on there. We will use our points at DW for a big trip every couple of years. We are a family of 4 with a 7 yo and 20 month old. When we were there last summer, our kids LOVED it. My 7 yo doesn't ask to go to DW, he asks when we are going be to HH. It is so unlike DW that it's amazing. We actually relaxed there. HH will become our family tradition vacation. We can't wait until July.
badeacon, we also just made reservations for 7/14-7/20. Maybe we'll see you hanging around the pool or the pier....we'll be the ones chasing the 2 year old. I can't wait!!! It really gives me something to look forward to. As my 7 yo said, he'd pick HH over DW anyday!!
Dean
DIS Veteran<br><a href="http://www.wdwinfo.com/dis
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- Aug 19, 1999
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It sure doesn't sound like DVC will fit your needs. You don't want to go to WDW regularly and haven't been to VB or HH to know if you want to go to those resorts routinely. I sure think timeshares are a great option for families, especially larger ones. Where else can you get 6 people in a room with a kitchen to cut down on expenses.
There are many other timeshare options and some may be better for you. I'd recommend you go to Timeshare Users Group where you can get more info about timeshare in general. DVC is not a good option for trades outside of DVC, there are many cheaper options with more choices out there. Some are points systems and others are fixed units/weeks with all type of in between choices.
There are many other timeshare options and some may be better for you. I'd recommend you go to Timeshare Users Group where you can get more info about timeshare in general. DVC is not a good option for trades outside of DVC, there are many cheaper options with more choices out there. Some are points systems and others are fixed units/weeks with all type of in between choices.
We own at OKW and we have used our pts for Vero, have taken the cruise twice and even had 4 nights in London all on pts.
It is a very flexible concept and we had no problem getting reservations.
I sent you a private message as well so if you click on the pm you can retrieve it.
Good luck with your decision.
Ed
DVC 1994
It is a very flexible concept and we had no problem getting reservations.
I sent you a private message as well so if you click on the pm you can retrieve it.
Good luck with your decision.
Ed
DVC 1994
Dean
DIS Veteran<br><a href="http://www.wdwinfo.com/dis
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Just to address some of the points that HDawnH brings up. The best value of point usage at any DVC resort is a 5 day Sunday to Friday Stay. At HH, a 6 day stay leaving off Sat is pretty close as well. Many did buy to stay 7, 10 or 12 day taking into account the various factors including weekend points costs. The exchanges DVC offers are generally to top choices but not always. They leave off other Orlando options (understandable) and at times are are slow to add new resorts. They also do not usually add resort with low availabilityand are currently limited to II only. While I understand why they might want to limit the limited exchange activity resorts, you'd think that DVC members would have a better change of getting these resorts than many others.
One of the misconceptions is that a DVC member can get anything they want in exchange. DVC does have high exchange power but because of internal exchange priority (Marriott as an example) there are freqently others ahead of you in the exchange process. There are also other timeshares that exchange equally as well as DVC. Using DVC as an II exchange vehicle is an expensive use of points and in many cases it's cheaper to buy another timeshare for exchanging and maybe less DVC points for those that are interested in exchanges on a routine basis.
While the other exchange options (CC, DCL, etc) are interesting and alluring, they are very expensive in points costs as well making it almost always cheaper to buy less DVC points and pay cash for the "exchange" options.
DVC HH is a nice resort but it is not for everyone. In terms of a resort at HH, it is among the top 3 resorts on HH but there are tons of resorts in a better location. The Barony and Grande Ocean (Marriott) are certainly comparable as a resort and any resort on or right at the beach and any resort in Seapines are in a better location. That's not to say that the location is bad, right by Shelter Cove is convenient but not for beach access and the bike riding is much better for the resorts in Seapines as well as few others. I see DVC HH as a main resort ownership being best for those that must be at a Disney resort, those that want to stay length of stays other than 6 or 7 days, those who want different unit sizes routinely and those that want to go only part of the time by having enough points for say every 2 or 3 years and those that just love the resort (and there are many in this scenario). I have stayed there and enjoyed it but there are at least 7 resorts that I'd prefer to stay for a week on HH.
For those that are set on going to HH most every year and staying a week, need a 2 or 3 BR, want to exchange periodically (say every 3-4 years or more), those that want to be on the beach and those that don't want to go to WDW routinely; other timeshares MIGHT be a better choice. Those that travel off season are also better off with other timeshare choices. For those that enjoy staying at DVC-HH and that's what they want, that's fine, they should do what makes them and their family happy.
This is not meant as a slight to DVC or DVC-HH, it's just a dose of reality that there are other choices and that for many, those other choices might be better.
One of the misconceptions is that a DVC member can get anything they want in exchange. DVC does have high exchange power but because of internal exchange priority (Marriott as an example) there are freqently others ahead of you in the exchange process. There are also other timeshares that exchange equally as well as DVC. Using DVC as an II exchange vehicle is an expensive use of points and in many cases it's cheaper to buy another timeshare for exchanging and maybe less DVC points for those that are interested in exchanges on a routine basis.
While the other exchange options (CC, DCL, etc) are interesting and alluring, they are very expensive in points costs as well making it almost always cheaper to buy less DVC points and pay cash for the "exchange" options.
DVC HH is a nice resort but it is not for everyone. In terms of a resort at HH, it is among the top 3 resorts on HH but there are tons of resorts in a better location. The Barony and Grande Ocean (Marriott) are certainly comparable as a resort and any resort on or right at the beach and any resort in Seapines are in a better location. That's not to say that the location is bad, right by Shelter Cove is convenient but not for beach access and the bike riding is much better for the resorts in Seapines as well as few others. I see DVC HH as a main resort ownership being best for those that must be at a Disney resort, those that want to stay length of stays other than 6 or 7 days, those who want different unit sizes routinely and those that want to go only part of the time by having enough points for say every 2 or 3 years and those that just love the resort (and there are many in this scenario). I have stayed there and enjoyed it but there are at least 7 resorts that I'd prefer to stay for a week on HH.
For those that are set on going to HH most every year and staying a week, need a 2 or 3 BR, want to exchange periodically (say every 3-4 years or more), those that want to be on the beach and those that don't want to go to WDW routinely; other timeshares MIGHT be a better choice. Those that travel off season are also better off with other timeshare choices. For those that enjoy staying at DVC-HH and that's what they want, that's fine, they should do what makes them and their family happy.
This is not meant as a slight to DVC or DVC-HH, it's just a dose of reality that there are other choices and that for many, those other choices might be better.
While I think HH is a first class resort and I'm REALLY looking forward to spending Xmas there this year I am certain that I wouldn't buy into HH DVC. IF I wanted to buy a timeshare in the HH area ( which is an unlikely IF) I would do a lot more research into the other offerings in the area that IMHO would offer better value. It is possible that if you were looking to use your points to visit WDW every three or fouir years that DVC's links with WDW or ( as Dean says) the flexibility of DVC's points system may win out after looking at all the other offerings.
I hope that doesn't sound a negative for DVC, in Orlando I think the "extras" of being on site and the unique position DVC has gives it an edge over it's other "timeshare" rivals, IMHO away from WDW that edge is lost and I think it is a much more difficult choice to argue for DVC.
Good luck with your choices
I hope that doesn't sound a negative for DVC, in Orlando I think the "extras" of being on site and the unique position DVC has gives it an edge over it's other "timeshare" rivals, IMHO away from WDW that edge is lost and I think it is a much more difficult choice to argue for DVC.
Good luck with your choices
I own at HH and can give input on that AFTER I get over the fact your screen name is an embodiment of my maiden name. Email me at dskivett@hmmg.com to discuss!
When I first read your question, I started composing an answer in my mind.
But then I saw that Dean had already said everything I meant to say.
Make sure you love HHI before you consider buying there. Our family DOES love it and we recently bought a $7500 Marriott July timeshare week. But even though we love it, there are other places we want to visit. We are going to our first exchange in June to Williamsburg. My deposit with II earned me a bonus week certificate that I will try to use for an Orlando Marriott timeshare for spring break.
Some people find HHI boring and expensive and stuffy.
If you want to be at WDW frequently, then DVC makes sense. Otherwise, you might explore other timeshare options. I agree that with 4 kids, timeshares are a good idea.
It's true that you can trade into II resorts but a prime week costs 280 points (I think... can't find my tour chart). The maintenance fee on that rivals Hawaii.
Spend some time on the TUG that Dean mentioned. There are message boards with lots of archives.
But then I saw that Dean had already said everything I meant to say.
Make sure you love HHI before you consider buying there. Our family DOES love it and we recently bought a $7500 Marriott July timeshare week. But even though we love it, there are other places we want to visit. We are going to our first exchange in June to Williamsburg. My deposit with II earned me a bonus week certificate that I will try to use for an Orlando Marriott timeshare for spring break.
Some people find HHI boring and expensive and stuffy.
If you want to be at WDW frequently, then DVC makes sense. Otherwise, you might explore other timeshare options. I agree that with 4 kids, timeshares are a good idea.
It's true that you can trade into II resorts but a prime week costs 280 points (I think... can't find my tour chart). The maintenance fee on that rivals Hawaii.
Spend some time on the TUG that Dean mentioned. There are message boards with lots of archives.
baileybrad
and Casey, too!
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2000
- Messages
- 1,084
HH-DVC is our home resort. We bought a resale for $54 a point 2 years ago. We visit WDW about 1 to every 2 visits to HH. We will need the 11 month window for HH when the oldest starts school. We have no interest in exchanging. We enjoy the flexibility of the point system that DVC allows. We also do some short visits to WDW combining with Daytona Beach vacations. The point flexibility works great for that. The lack of a beachside resort at HHI with DVC is not a big deal to us. The beach at HHI is not the big driver for us. The ambiance of the resort with its beautiful trees and the like is what makes it so special to us. You feel like you are a million miles from everything but can be at the beach in 2 minutes. Explore all options but please realize that the HH-DVC resort doesn't have to take a backseat to any other resort. It is a great place to experience a wonderful family vacation.
Hi,
My home resort is HH DVC. As a frequent visitor to HH I agree with Dean in that the Marriott Hotels are on par to HHDVC and are located in more desirable areas (beachfront). That being said, I still bought into HH DVC because we enjoy going to WDW every other year and staying on site in *any* DVC resort available. I think that flexibility is the key when purchasing off site and still wishing to stay on site at WDW. We are happy with whatever we get at WDW. We really don't have a preference and love them all. We've already stayed in a studio at OKW in June 2001 and are going in January 2002 to BWV in a one bedroom.
Good luck with whatever you purchase.
Mary
My home resort is HH DVC. As a frequent visitor to HH I agree with Dean in that the Marriott Hotels are on par to HHDVC and are located in more desirable areas (beachfront). That being said, I still bought into HH DVC because we enjoy going to WDW every other year and staying on site in *any* DVC resort available. I think that flexibility is the key when purchasing off site and still wishing to stay on site at WDW. We are happy with whatever we get at WDW. We really don't have a preference and love them all. We've already stayed in a studio at OKW in June 2001 and are going in January 2002 to BWV in a one bedroom.
Good luck with whatever you purchase.
Mary
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