Dilemma

[auds35]

Hi,
I visit Orlando every year. I'm based in the U.K. I either stay in off site hotels or on occasions a villa. I would like to consider either buying a condo in the area or buying a disney timeshare. I'm aware of the advantages of buying a property but not too sure about the benefits of buying a timeshare at Disney.

Do I need to pay a sum of money up front as you would if buying a property or do I just buy the points I need each year and if so what other costs do I need to take into consideration?

Thanks!
Audrey

 

[rocketriter]

You buy a number of points up front which are yours until the expiration date (2042 for most of the villas, 2050 for Sarasota Springs). In round figures you'll pay from the low $70s per point (these are US dollars) for most of the resorts bought through resale, ranging up to the low $90s for Sarasota Springs bought through DVC. After that you'll pay yearly dues of a bit more than $4 per point; these can and will be adjusted upward for costs and inflation as the years go by.

Each year you can spend those points on villa accomodations that vary in price according to season, day of the week, location and size. Within certain limitations you can bank some or all of a year's points forward one year and you can borrow some or all of a year's points back one year. Doing so allows you to buy all the points you need, for example, for one comfortable trip per year; alternatively you could buy about 1/3 the points you think you'll need for a comfortable trip, and then take that trip once every 3 years.

If you would normally stay at budget accomodations you probably won't save much money through DVC. But you will save if you normally stay at deluxe on-the-grounds accomodations. These can be very expensive and the equivalent (in fact, better) lodgings available through the DVC are a good deal in comparison.

In the end you should call the sales number listed on the DVC website and talk to a "guide." Most of the guides are very low pressure--at least compared to the rest of the timeshare world--and can help you decide if this is worth your while.

There's a forum on this board for UK DVC members. You might want to check that out.

 

[Dean]

DVC may or may not be a good chocie for you. Here is the type of information I would need to make any reasonable recommendation:

• How long will you be in Orlando?
• When will you go, will it be every year?
• What unit size will you need and will that be consistent?
• Your budget.
• How you stayed on site at Disney or at a DVC resort?
• How much do you know about timeshares.

To editorialize up front. If you would go for a month or less, you would likely do better with timeshares than a Condo. If price is a major factor, you need the same size unit every time, go about the same time every year or need a 3 BR; DVC may not work well for you. Certainly to stay several weeks, DVC would be an expensive option that might be difficult to reserve at times.

Cheapest option, buying a cheap timeshare(s) with low fees and trading in every year. Total upfront cost for four weeks in a 2 BR in the range of $5000 or less and yearly costs as low as $1000 per year total assuming you go with off season or something like South Africa or some of the cheaper points systems.

Second Option - buying in the Orlando area what you need, mostly timeshares. Price using the same restrictions between $20-30K and yearly fees $2000-3000

Third option - just buying DVC, the most expensive option by far. Upfront for a 2 BR for 4 weeks around 1000 points or a little more at $70K resale and $95K through DVC with fees over $4k per year.

Fourth option - combining the above. Maybe buying enough DVC points for 12 days per trip and then buying something cheaper to trade in or stay off property.

If you will not go every year, the principles still apply. You could simply buy other timeshares but half the number and bank using every two years. For points systems, including DVC, you could bank and borrow to use some years but not others. Remember there are other points systems in the area including Starwood, Fairfield, Hilton, Hyatt and Bluegreen to name a few. If you can travel off season and are confortable planning at 45-60 days, you may do well with some of the other points systems as they are much cheaper short notice. Worldmark especially comes to mind.

The only of these options that would not likely require you to move units would be buying the same fixed unit at an off site Orlando timeshare, DVC as long as you're in the same unit size and resort plus a full purchase condo. There is such a thing as a fractional share where you get say 2 or 3 months a year but I'm not aware of any in Orlando, that would actually be the best bet for a month or more if you can find one iin the area you like. You might go to TUG at www.tug2.net to see if anyone knows of any in the area.

 

[rinkwide]

If you never stayed on Disney property before it will be almost impossible to justify the price of DVC. The quality, convenience and theming of the resorts must be experienced to be appreciated.

Maybe it would be a good idea to rent points for your next stay. You could enjoy the intangibles of the Disney timeshare system at a reasonable price and then, when you're ready, make a more informed choice.

 

[auds35]

Hi,
many thanks for taking the time to clear up any confusion. I'm there next month so maybe I'll talk to a guide on site.