Deciding to buy - It's hard!

[disney-super-mom]

I've been going back and forth a hundred times about this.

I've crunched the numbers and re-crunched them multiple times.

Where to buy?..What to buy?..How much?..How will we pay for it?..Oh, I think this could be the one. Yeah, this resale could be the one for us...oh boy!

Then I start to worry if it makes sense or not. Then I start to think about airfares and annual dues and whatnot. Then I start to back-peddle about my reasons for buying into DVC in the first place. That seems to last for about an hour or so, and then I get all excited about buying again after reading some great report or thread here on the boards. I read about what a great deal it is and how everyone is so glad they bought DVC, and I start looking at some of the great photos some of you have posted of the resorts and WDW...

...and then the cycle start all over again!

Did this happen to any of you? If it did, how long can I expect this to last?LOL

 

[Rozzie]

we were going so much, and staying at Deluxe resorts. The money we were throwing at CRO just seemed to go further if we threw it at DVC. There are extra expenses, especially APs and airfare. The major one is addonitis.

Everybody's decision is different. Good luck with yours. It is hard, but we don't regret it one bit.

 

[lovinthemouse]

I had second thoughts several times. Now I am so happy that we bought in. It is a tough decision. What is best for you and your family. Good luck!!

 

[byoung]

15% off now.

 

[bongo59]

I've been going back and forth a hundred times about this.

I've crunched the numbers and re-crunched them multiple times.

Where to buy?..What to buy?..How much?..How will we pay for it?..Oh, I think this could be the one. Yeah, this resale could be the one for us...oh boy!

Then I start to worry if it makes sense or not. Then I start to think about airfares and annual dues and whatnot. Then I start to back-peddle about my reasons for buying into DVC in the first place. That seems to last for about an hour or so, and then I get all excited about buying again after reading some great report or thread here on the boards. I read about what a great deal it is and how everyone is so glad they bought DVC, and I start looking at some of the great photos some of you have posted of the resorts and WDW...

...and then the cycle start all over again!

Did this happen to any of you? If it did, how long can I expect this to last?LOL

..........if it is taking you that long than i can tell you it is not for you..................simple as that. I have been in since the beginning and the only universal things i know about DVC..........you never have enough points and you can never go too much.

 

[Jen D]

I'm going through the same thing. Everytime I struggle with doing it, I go through the same ups and downs... I spend hours out of the day plotting and planning, points and resorts and banking and borrowing, and thinking we HAVE to do this and NOW is the time and it is time to take the plunge. But then occasionally, sometimes in bed at night, or on the treadmill, or something, it hits me out of the blue, in what feels like a moment of clarity: "This is insane. Why would I even consider doing such a thing? This is a ridiculous commitment to make. I don't know what I was thinking."

But before I know it I'm back to the state of being ready to do it.

I really don't know what we're going to do. I have all the information I need. But still can't decide.

 

[disney-super-mom]

..........if it is taking you that long than i can tell you it is not for you..................simple as that. I have been in since the beginning and the only universal things i know about DVC..........you never have enough points and you can never go too much.

How long did it take you to decide?

We've been thinking about it for a few weeks now, but keep going back and forth about it. I'm sure once we sell our travel trailer and free up some cash, it'll make the decision a little easier - I'm hoping!

 

[gottagodisney]

Disney -super Mom-

I think the same things as you! We have not bought in yet...not in a position to do so at the moment. I have been looking at these boards for about 1 1/2 years and go back and forth on these points all of the time.

So far we don't go every year as a family because we have had some other major things come our way and finances have not allowed. I am trying to plan for the future though, and it seems as though buying into DVC makes MOST sense for those of us who have not spent loads of money on Disney accomodations already (ie: few trips) but would like to go many times in the future.

It's nice to know someone out there thinks and questions like me. Not much help here for an answer - just a soul sister

 

[disney-super-mom]

I'm going through the same thing. Everytime I struggle with doing it, I go through the same ups and downs... I spend hours out of the day plotting and planning, points and resorts and banking and borrowing, and thinking we HAVE to do this and NOW is the time and it is time to take the plunge. But then occasionally, sometimes in bed at night, or on the treadmill, or something, it hits me out of the blue, in what feels like a moment of clarity: "This is insane. Why would I even consider doing such a thing? This is a ridiculous commitment to make. I don't know what I was thinking."

But before I know it I'm back to the state of being ready to do it.

I really don't know what we're going to do. I have all the information I need. But still can't decide.

Yes, that's exactly what I'm going through too! You described it perfectly.

If Disney was smart, they'd invite people like us to a "Teetering on the DVC Edge" party with the champagne glasses overflowing. Lord knows how many DVC points I'd walk out with then! LOL

 

[lisaviolet]

Hi,

Well, personally in some ways I think it should be a difficult decision. It's a big purchase!!!!

We waited about ten years. Ten years?!?!?!

And you know what I am glad we did. I knew that we were not financially ready and I certainly didn't want it to turn from "dream come true" to "financial stress" in ten seconds flat. During this time I am sure that we could have financed but I thought that financing plus the maintenance would have been overwhelming for our circumstances. Exchange rate as well....I know it is all relative. It's just difficult to see a large payout. However, there are many DVCers who feel differently and would never wait to pay upfront. A lot of people say they wish they had bought earlier. Waiting has only made it sweeter for us. So there are so many stories. And all are valid. Everyone is diffferent.

Now I've discovered that adding on is a disease. I have become a complete hypocrite. Always said I'd buy the minimum and that's it. I am now considering financing an add-on and I can't believe it. All of sudden I am willing to consider financing. Who knows what we'll do....just that I am having so much fun that 150 points that we have...well I am starting to dream.

Also, DVC was not a money saver for us. In the sense of comparing what we paid in the past I mean. We always stayed at Values and quite frankly ate salmon from a can for breakfast!!! Not joking. So not everyone is in the same financial arena. It's good to hear many different stories.

This spring we had three deaths within two months. Besides mourning it kind of had the "really life can be friggin' short". And having the money for the minimum and just saying we are just not going to complain and fret about the maintenance (my parents and sister pay 1600 Cdn every summer maintenance on their trailers....so I just had to look at it as that kind of bill).

Am I happy? Oh my gosh.....yes. I honestly thought I would miss the Values. Not yet!! And I just was down at SSR for the second time. I got a $49 flight from Buffalo...thanks SW and booked three weeks before I left. I know it is a mind game but not having to "pay" for the stay made this decision easier to just take off. And I went solo. My first WDW solo trip. I had a fantastic trip. Felt like an imposter at SSR....but by the end I just felt spoiled!!!!

Boy that is a novel. And by the way people on this board made the decision so much easier.

Best of luck to you whatever you choose.

Lisa

 

[debbie in Seattle]

I've sent you a PM

 

[lisareniff]

So far we don't go every year as a family because we have had some other major things come our way and finances have not allowed. I am trying to plan for the future though, and it seems as though buying into DVC makes MOST sense for those of us who have not spent loads of money on Disney accomodations already (ie: few trips) but would like to go many times in the future.

That is how we felt. We bought DVC without even stepping foot in WDW for 15-20 years. Why? We knew we were going to go every 2 years or so for the next 15 years. We like to go to FL in the winter and now had kids. We would stay in deluxe resorts and wanted multi-room accomadations (but did not want to pay Disney prices for it). We also had some extra money in the bank and had all the saving for X taken care of. Now I wouldn't recommend buying without seeing. It was very stressful the first visit and it needed to go right. Luckily it did and we really did maximize our investment by doing this. We also thought the worse that could happen was that we sell the points and loose a little money. Actually with BCV we would be making money - just a little.

It is a tough decision. We happened to be in a financial place when we bought that made it easier. (and we are still happy we bought) However if the same decision to pay for the initial purchase price was to be made today, we would not be buying. Right now our extra money is being used to remodel our house. When that is done and we recover financially we may get a VB resale, but as this project goes on my chances are gettting smaller and smaller!!

I would suggest stepping away from the boards for a few days. Get some big pictures prespective. Decide if you want to spend this money on WDW vacations and that you want to do that for a while into the future.

Good luck!!

 

[cavecricket]

I dont know what it matters but I am a middle class citizen 24 years old and I bought 200pts.....Just something I had to do for myself. I was staying at AKL and dropping about 3000.00 every year for my 2 week and 4 day long accomodations. so this just fit for me. plus I have Disney pumping through my veins 24/7 and have no intentions on using my points anywhere else.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

cave - how did you get AKL for 167 a night, every time I look to stay there, the rates are way over 200.00 almost 300 per night!

 

[girth]

Deciding was difficult for us also . There are so many things to consider ! We took about 2 1/2 years to decide, and if we didn't personally know someone who was a member, we would have never considered it at all. We just bought 165 points with the intent to add on later. The points themselves cost about what a used car would cost, that doesn't seem so scary!

Everyone's situation is going to be different. For us, I love to travel while my DW loves to vacation. But DW can always find something more practical to spend our money on . We finally decided to take the DVC plunge because it was a commitment to future good times . Now, getting away, is something we cannot afford NOT to do. We would be wasting our "used car" aka DVC. I want to always have airfare somewhere to pay for, and have vacation expenses (passes, tickets, meals, etc.), so why not "pre-pay" now.

Another deciding factor was how easy it seems to be to sell DVC (for the near term anyway). If we suffered financial reverses and could not afford to keep it, then we can sell it . We might not get every dime back out of it, but we would get something.

Consider your priorities and "let your conscience be your guide"

 

[cavecricket]

cave - how did you get AKL for 167 a night, every time I look to stay there, the rates are way over 200.00 almost 300 per night!

AP discount.....and they honored the off season rate as our first couple of nights were in off season. they also gave us upgrades every year. just lucky I guess!.. but at 3000.00 per year in 5 years my DVC paid for itself!!!!

plus I plan on throwing kids into the mix eventually and this was a great way to enjoy disny with my kids and even grandchildren.

of course I will miss my AKL! :-(

 

[ClarabelleCow]

ah - the benefits of the AP!!! If I could convince my husband to go next fall, I would upgrade our MYW's (we have the 10 day no exp), but we can't plan out because of the "kids" and that pesky inconvenience called school !!!!!

 

[mowog]

We were on and off the fence for about 5 years before buying DVC. We bought resale, 170 points, at BCV as that is where we like to stay. We remember rooms at CR at $75/night and figured we would go everyother year with our points as we didn't want to do just WDW for vacations. After making a spreadsheet up and planning through 2102 (sounds crazy but you'll do it too if you buy) it became apparent that more points were needed, so we are in process of another resale contract.

I think if you bought 150-170 points you could go every year or so like we envisioned and add more as you see how your usage is. You're obviously too far to drive (15 hours for us if we have to) so airfare has to be considered in your equation.

If you're thinking of buying now is probably the best time as the SSR special has dropped prices and fattened the resale list. I feel sorry for those that purchased in the last few years that have a need to sell. Anyone who has been a DVC member for maybe 3 years or longer could probably make a profit on their points, so it's not too much of a gamble if you enjoy WDW for occasional vacations and like the nicer resorts.

 

[littlestar]

We went back and forth on it for about 3 months. Started looking at it in November 2001. Finally bought in February 2002. I would say yes, let's buy, then oh, my gosh, what am I thinking? But I'm very glad we did. 911 had just happened when we were looking and it felt like the sky had fell in on travel in general. So we really had a lot to think about.

But I'm so glad we did it. We added on 60 BCV points on our first trip in March 2002. We liked the membership that much that we added on our first trip as members. Our guide, Betty Prikyl, had a lot of patience with us and that certainly helped. She "held our hand" so to speak. Nice lady.

No regrets - we love it. And we've been able to bring family and make great memories.

 

[joksten2000]

The first time your child looks you in the eye and says this is the best vacation in the whole world it makes the DVC worth every cent. Good wholesome fun for the whole family, and getting points every year makes you take the time to be with your family. No back sliding or excuses that your too busy. You can always cut back and save the few extra bucks to go. We've packed peanut butter and tuna fish, taken Cereal. The time together is what counts. My children are grown, so it was the GK's that spoke to me. Can't begin to tell you what the family time means to me. Plus after I'm gone DVC will live on.