Considering purchasing DVC..Questions

[fam4jc]

HI. We just got back from the Poly and Dolphin. With the amount of money we spent and with as frequently we want to go (dd 5, dd 7, DH & myself) I am seriously thinking about saving up for our next trip and buying a DVC instead of using that money for another 10 day stay. What do you think? Is it really worth it? I like the idea of paying for my vacations ahead of time. Ensures that we get to go!

1. Is the resale of DVC a good way to purchase? It looked like there were some that were considerable less than direct through disney.

2. What are the extra discounts on other things you get as a DVC member? examples please

3. If you want to stay, lets say at AKL during value season, how many points? What about the cruise?

4. Do you like the resorts? Are they more like a delux or moderate WDW property?

5. The DVC guy in Epcot told me that many DVC owners bring in extra air beds ect to accomodate more people than bed space available. Is this true? could we get a studio and put someone on a cot?

Thanks for your help. I am sure that I will have lots more questions as I keep saving and saving. I won't be able to pay cash for all of it, but I want to put atleast 1/2 down and get it paid of quickly.

 

[Dean]

It really depends on your situation and how you will use it. You should play with the numbers. DVC rarely saves people money, what it usually does is give them a nicer vacation for the same amount. Of course it depends on how you use and if you eat in a lot. If you're looking at a week with 2 weekends, using DVC alone will not save you much or anything. For other situations, it can be a better deal than the moderates.

 

[rchristiansen]

Originally posted by Dean
It really depends on your situation and how you will use it. You should play with the numbers. DVC rarely saves people money, what it usually does is give them a nicer vacation for the same amount.

I've decide to be put on a waitlist for a low number of points for a resale and add points as I can. I've decide to purchase because I know I will be disapointed if I go to Disney and not stay in Deluxe accomodations...I feel that If I'm going to Disney I want to spoil myself. Also like the OP said I've give WDW so much of my money already, that it seems silly not to buy into DVC.

 

[wtpclc]

My best recommendation is to call DVC and request teh video and the detailed information. This will tell you all of the points for everything and I believe tell you about the extra discounts. Make sure that you tell them you want the points info too, not just the video!

That will also allow you to do some cost comparisons, get room layouts, etc. Also, go through the posts on this board. That will answer a great deal of your questions. I'll try to answer some of the easier ones, though.

1. If you want anything but SSR, you have to go re-sale. SSR goes to 2054 instead of 2042 like the others, though. Re-sale can be a little cheaper, but you do not have to pay closing costs if you go direct through Disney, though.

2. 10 to 20 % off at various WDW restaurants, 10% of LOS passess are examples. The info from DVC will have a ll the specifics.

3. See the info. It depends on what kind of room, the villas or teh lodge...

4. You're asking the DVC owners. If we didn't like the resorts, we wouldn't have bought. Generally, they are like the deluxe rooms, but even the smallest room has a mini-fridge and a microwave in the "kitchen" area. So, better IMHO.

5. There are maximum occupancies on all rooms. This info should be in the literature.

That should get you started. After you read teh literature, you will likely have a lot more questions.

Ask away!

 

[JeffPort]

1.) Resale is certainly cheaper and it provides you with an avenue to obtain priority "home resort" status at one of the dual-use resorts that are situated near the theme parks (Boardwalk, Beach Club, or Wilderness Lodge). Everyone has their preference, but I'm surmizing that with the ages of your kids, you'll prefer to be in close proximity to the theme parks, rather than close to Downtown Disney. The only primary drawbacks are: (a) financing can be tricky with a resale, and (b) your contract will expire in 2042 instead of 2054. If you opt for a resale, wait for a good contract that contains banked points and all current year points. That will ensure you a good value for your purchase.

2.) The biggest DVC discount for our family is the reduced food costs precipitated by the ability to prepare some meals in our "apartment." DVC does have some 10% off discounts at a few restaurants as well as the Disney Store. The only ticket discount is for the Ultimate Park Hopper, which is usually the most expensive park admittance option. Park Hoppers acquired through ticket brokers usually offer better value than the UPH.

3.) Generally speaking, using the DVC points to obtain a standard hotel room at DisneyWorld is significantly more than reserving an equivalent studio at a DVC resort. For example, a Savannah view at the AKL will run you about 35 points a night Sun-Thur and 65 points on Fri-Sat nights. Still, that option is available to you if you so desire. The DCL point charts are extremely steep and only seem to make sense for persons who have a great deal of annual points and would otherwise not be using them. Most on these boards would agree that you are usually better off paying cash for your reservation on DCL.

4.) The Boardwalk is our resort and we love it. The accommodations are very nice, the pool is pleasant, and the location is ideal. The Beach Club is very similar, but with the added benefit of the Stormalong Bay pool. We haven't seen the other resorts.

5.) I'm not going to touch this one other than to say that a blowup mattress would fit in the 1 or 2 bedroom units, but would be nearly impossible to lay out in a studio with both queens also in use. Keep in mind that part of the uniqueness of DVC is the ability to enjoy the added space. Once you have a taste of a 1 or 2-bedroom unit, you won't want to go back.

Best wishes on your decision.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by fam4jc
1. Is the resale of DVC a good way to purchase? It looked like there were some that were considerable less than direct through disney.

No problems with resales. Just be aware that you need to come up with the cash at closing. You can finance on your own if you wish. No credit cards.

The main reson for the disparity in price now is that ownership most of the DVC resorts ends in 2042. At SSR (the only resort DVC is selling direct) ownership runs until 2054.

2. What are the extra discounts on other things you get as a DVC member? examples please

Many of them overlap with the AP holder discounts. We get 15% off on tours, discounts on meals at some restaurants, 10% off on the length-of-stay pass, etc. But discounts are NOT guaranteed in our agreements and may go away at any time.

A forum search should uncover posts that list the discounts in greater detail.

3. If you want to stay, lets say at AKL during value season, how many points? What about the cruise?

You can use the point calculator on this site to get point amounts for some of those different options. Generally speaking, you will pay 2-3x as many points at a non-DVC property for a comparable room at a DVC property.

4. Do you like the resorts? Are they more like a delux or moderate WDW property?

Deluxe all the way. Three of the DVC resorts (BWV, VWL and BCV) are components of existing Deluxe resorts. Guests have access to all of the same amenities.

5. The DVC guy in Epcot told me that many DVC owners bring in extra air beds ect to accomodate more people than bed space available. Is this true? could we get a studio and put someone on a cot?

You can do that, but you do want to adhere to the occupancy limits of the rooms Studios and 1Bs allow four + one child under 3. 2Bs accommodate eight plus a child under 3. Grand Villas are twelve plus one under 3.