Curse you DVC

[java]

Ok so we are not going to disney this year. For the first time in a long time. We can't afford it this year. Dh lost his job in January. He's working nights now- so he can interview during the day. It's some money anyway. But not disney money.

So today I get a buy into DVC and you get a free CRUISE!

 

[Natalie's Mommy]

Ok so we are not going to disney this year. For the first time in a long time. We can't afford it this year. Dh lost his job in January. He's working nights now- so he can interview during the day. It's some money anyway. But not disney money.

So today I get a buy into DVC and you get a free CRUISE!

awww man why cant i get offers like that! for a free cruise i'd totally find the money! that's two vacations for the price of one!

 

[ssawka]

awww man why cant i get offers like that! for a free cruise i'd totally find the money! that's two vacations for the price of one!

Buying into DVC costs a heck of a lot more than one vacation.

 

[taaren]

Ok so we are not going to disney this year. For the first time in a long time. We can't afford it this year. Dh lost his job in January. He's working nights now- so he can interview during the day. It's some money anyway. But not disney money.

So today I get a buy into DVC and you get a free CRUISE!

That offer actually isn't that great if you look at what the cost of buying direct from DVC vs buying resale. Even if you include the price of the cruise, the cost is still a lot higher than what it would be if one bought a contract on the resale market.
I know you're lamenting no Disney this year, and those offers make one sad, but on the off chance that you are considering DVC once you're back on your feet financially, before you purchase direct from Disney, do contemplate resale ...

 

[AZMermaid]

But if you buy resale, you can only stay at DVC properties- no cruises, no Disneyland (except Grand Californian Villas, of which there are only 48 so they can be hard to get- thus the relatively lower point value for DLR hotels), and no foriegn Disney hotels. Granted, many of these are not the best use of points anyway, but it really limits your options.

 

[ssawka]

But if you buy resale, you can only stay at DVC properties- no cruises, no Disneyland (except Grand Californian Villas, of which there are only 48 so they can be hard to get- thus the relatively lower point value for DLR hotels), and no foriegn Disney hotels. Granted, many of these are not the best use of points anyway, but it really limits your options.

Yes, but renting points opens up a lot more options.

 

[mikkishelles]

The cruise isn't really free. You would have two choice in buying; a percentage off the total cost of your Points (the points you purchase at the time of sale), or pay full price for the Points and get the cruise. It all works out to a similar value; however, (and I say this without looking at exact numbers) it would probably be a better deal to take the discount on the points and skip the cruise.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Ok so we are not going to disney this year. For the first time in a long time. We can't afford it this year. Dh lost his job in January. He's working nights now- so he can interview during the day. It's some money anyway. But not disney money.

So today I get a buy into DVC and you get a free CRUISE!

doesn't that figure!

Lets hope that you can get an even better Deal when you guys are up and forging ahead. Sorry to hear about the job loss............. glad he has something to make some $ though...So tough, I hope it gets brighter very soon for you all!

 

[Judique]

But if you buy resale, you can only stay at DVC properties- no cruises, no Disneyland (except Grand Californian Villas, of which there are only 48 so they can be hard to get- thus the relatively lower point value for DLR hotels), and no foriegn Disney hotels. Granted, many of these are not the best use of points anyway, but it really limits your options.

Buy resale - pay 20-50% less over the direct price, and then rent out the points you would want to trade for the cruise,etc. You will pay less for those options - using points directly for them is a waste.

Note that I didn't use the word 'save' - if you buy dvc from any source, you have just purchased a luxury item. If you can afford it, that's really nice! But now, you will have to use, lose or rent out those points every year for the life of your contract.

It works for me, but it does take some effort to keep your new 'toy' from being a waste or a money pit (making 3 more trips a year because you have an ap and dvc <g>.)

 

[mikkishelles]

Buy resale - pay 20-50% less over the direct price, and then rent out the points you would want to trade for the cruise,etc. You will pay less for those options - using points directly for them is a waste.

Note that I didn't use the word 'save' - if you buy dvc from any source, you have just purchased a luxury item. If you can afford it, that's really nice! But now, you will have to use, lose or rent out those points every year for the life of your contract.

It works for me, but it does take some effort to keep your new 'toy' from being a waste or a money pit (making 3 more trips a year because you have an ap and dvc <g>.)

Resale is tricky, though. A potential buyer really needs to do his/her due diligence in research, i.e., has the seller used this year and next year's points? How many years are left on the product from the original purchase agreement divided by asking price? Renting isn't always a guarantee, either. If a resale owner wants to book a cruise, he/she has to hope that the Points will get rented or risk paying out of pocket, etc.

 

[nunzia]

..plus..isn't it a really short cruise? like 3 days? Inside cabin? for a $16,000 investment
and 50 years of MF?? Not such a deal

 

[dvcgirl]

All that the offer would tell me is that Disney is having a tough time selling DVC these days. Disney has always held up far better than the overall timeshare market, but some recent moves, like the changes to the resale market point to trouble.

 

[RachaelA]

Resale is tricky, though. A potential buyer really needs to do his/her due diligence in research, i.e., has the seller used this year and next year's points? How many years are left on the product from the original purchase agreement divided by asking price? Renting isn't always a guarantee, either. If a resale owner wants to book a cruise, he/she has to hope that the Points will get rented or risk paying out of pocket, etc.

Most people rent their points out on the Rent/Trade board within hours. I don't think that should be the real concern if you are willing to do a small amount of work (contract, etc).

 

[mikkishelles]

All that the offer would tell me is that Disney is having a tough time selling DVC these days. Disney has always held up far better than the overall timeshare market, but some recent moves, like the changes to the resale market point to trouble.

DVC always has some sort of promotion going on. The free cruise is not new; it was offered late 2009/ early 2010, as well. I have never seen as straightforward buy, but always some kind of enticement being offered.

 

[dvcgirl]

DVC always has some sort of promotion going on. The free cruise is not new; it was offered late 2009/ early 2010, as well. I have never seen as straightforward buy, but always some kind of enticement being offered.

And by late 2009/early 2010 the overall timeshare market was completely decimated. Seriously, the timeshare market is in huge trouble. It was built almost completely on the use of credit, and when the credit markets dried up....the market for timeshares plummeted. Disney may be weathering that better than others because they have a built-in fan base, but they're not exempt.

I can promise you that there was no "promotion" for DVC back when we purchased in the late 90s.

And the moves that Disney made recently limiting the perks to people who buy resales, that points to difficulty with new sales as well. They never did that before....they didn't have to worry about it.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Ok so we are not going to disney this year. For the first time in a long time. We can't afford it this year. Dh lost his job in January. He's working nights now- so he can interview during the day. It's some money anyway. But not disney money.

So today I get a buy into DVC and you get a free CRUISE!

That's really not such a good deal. You will be limited to when you can use the cruise, for how many, etc. And you will be stuck paying for your DVC initial purchase (and the points are extremely high right now - $140 or $150 per point with a minimum purchase of 100 to 160 points). Plus closing costs, plus annual member fees.

And you still haven't gotten to WDW to use those DVC points, nor have you purchased tickets or food or souveniers. The Kool-aid is not cheap.

Buyer beware. DVC is not cheap and there are tons of resales available right now that could save you in initial costs that would pay for a cruise.