Direct vs. resale vs. non-Disney timeshare

[MichiganDVC]

Hi everyone! A relative recently asked advice about buying DVC. They want to get 140 points for $20,000 direct from Disney. When I suggested looking into resale, they responded that they want to be able to use the points to go "all around the world."

Here are my questions:
1. If they are getting the points to "go all around the world," perhaps they should look at another timeshare like Marriott or something? Isn't DVC best when you are 50% of the time or more using your points at DVC??

2. Are DVC points a good use of points for the Disney collections?

3. What can 140 points really get you outside of DVC?

They have a family of four: two boys ages 16 and 12.

TIA!!

 

[JimMIA]

They have a family of four: two boys ages 16 and 12.

I moved this because it should set alarm bells going off and I wanted to address it first.

Two boys, 16 and 12. So in two years, the older one will be in or looking at college and the younger one will be in high school. Think their priorities might change???

The obvious issue here is that anybody's timeshare is a long-term financial obligation. If you are looking at big changes in two years, and additional big changes another four years later, you'd better seriously consider this kind of long-term financial commitment to vacation lodging which might become irrelevant.

Better think that one through before they start figuring out what to buy.

Here are my questions:
1. Isn't DVC best when you are 50% of the time or more using your points at DVC??

No. DVC is best when you use your points 100% of the time for DVC stays. Anything else gives you less value. And not only less value for your points -- it gives you less value than you would probably get by paying cash for the same lodgings.

2. Are DVC points a good use of points for the Disney collections?

No. Very high points costs -- which is why some of us think DVC did resale buyers a FAVOR by taking them away.

3. What can 140 points really get you outside of DVC?

Not much. Check the Disney Collection points costs and the RCI points grid to see.

 

[chalee94]

yeah, i agree with Jim across the board.

it may have changed but i think you need 160 pts for a week in a 1BR most of the time with RCI. 140 pts definitely won't get you much...

 

[abdgeek]

Hi everyone! A relative recently asked advice about buying DVC. They want to get 140 points for $20,000 direct from Disney. When I suggested looking into resale, they responded that they want to be able to use the points to go "all around the world."

Here are my questions:
1. If they are getting the points to "go all around the world," perhaps they should look at another timeshare like Marriott or something? Isn't DVC best when you are 50% of the time or more using your points at DVC??

2. Are DVC points a good use of points for the Disney collections?

3. What can 140 points really get you outside of DVC?

They have a family of four: two boys ages 16 and 12.

TIA!!

Your topic is a much debated subject among DVC owners, but definitely one that your relatives need to get a grip on before they buy DVC be it direct or resale. Since I am probably one of the few DVC owners who actually uses their DVC membership to "go all around the world" with Disney, I will give you my take on that concept. Keep in mind that everyone has their own opinion and your relatives should first decide how they want to travel and then not worry about what anyone else does.

When I bought DVC direct from Disney, I did it to travel everywhere Disney traveled(cruises, ABD, WDW, DL, etc.) not just to go to WDW every year. I started off with 160 points and soon realized that was not going to be enough points for what I wanted to do. I have since added on and am happy with what I have, but you can always have more points. I also travel solo, so anytime I do DCL or ABD I have to pay the single supplement. I have used DVC to do the following: Concierge Collection--Grove Park Inn; RCI--4 exchanges: Hawaii(2), Las Vegas, and Aruba; DCL--6 cruises: 2 Med Cruises, Western Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Alaska, Mexican Riviera; ABD--3 trips: Med Cruise add-on, NYC, Italy Signature, Australia(next year).

There are numerous people who rent out their points and then pay cash to do DCL or ABD. I don't and have never had the inclination to do so. Your relatives will have to decide if they want to do that, pay OOP, or use their points in the years they do those types of trips. You do need a good amount of points to do those types of trips and 140 is probably not going to be enough even if you use three years worth of points. As an OP said, you usually need 160 points for a one week stay with RCI in a one bedroom. I would definitely suggest that your relatives speak with a DVC rep to get information before they make their decision about direct vs resale. If they buy resale, they won't be able to use their points to do ABD or DCL.

Below are some links(I hope they work) to the 2014 ABD/DCL point charts so that they can see what 140 points will get them. They can also visit the Adventures by Disney and DCL websites to see what the actual costs of these itineraries are.

http://advc.disney.go.com/media/dvc...DisneyCollection_DisneyMagic_Carib_123013.pdf

http://advc.disney.go.com/media/dvc...2014/ABD/2014PointsChart_ABDNorway_102113.pdf

Since your relatives have school age children, they will probably be traveling during high peak times which require more points--even if you're staying at WDW. They will need to keep that in mind as well. I hope this information helps.

 

[JimMIA]

1. If they are getting the points to "go all around the world," perhaps they should look at another timeshare like Marriott or something?

Before I answer this, I want to reiterate that the FIRST thing they need to decide is whether the long-term financial obligation of ANY timeshare is the best plan for their family. It works for many, but it's not for everyone.

If their primary goal is to "go all around the world," and IF they think timesharing is the best way to do that -- then I would say, yes, buying something other than DVC would be a better alternative...for three reasons:

1. Cost -- You can buy other timeshares on eBay for as little as $1, often with free closing vs. the $20,000 they are expecting (which I think we've already established would not give them enough points for what they want to do). Also, the annual costs of most other systems are lower than DVC.
2. Better "internal" systems -- Most other systems will offer many more resorts in many more locations than DVC, which only has 12 resorts in 5 locations. That means they will have access to dozens of resorts within that internal system without having to exchange out.
3. Better exchanging capabilities -- The ability to use your timeshare ownership outside that internal system is certainly not unique to DVC. Every timeshare system I know of has similar features, and every one I know of does it better than DVC. DVC has recently improved their exchange access, but it is still somewhat less than other RCI-affiliated systems offer. More important, none of that is guaranteed and it could change or go away at any time. Also, DVC owners don't have individual RCI accounts -- which means they miss out on some really significant benefits of RCI.

My suggestion to your relative is to first answer the long-term commitment timeshare question. Then, go to other websites like the Timeshare Users Group (www.tug2.com ) and start an extensive research project to see which system will fit their needs best.