Disney Vacation Club

[Mackysmycat]

If I know NOTHING about this, where is the best forum/thread, ie place to start reading, to learn?

 

[CrazyDuck]

this one:http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=119

 

[Mackysmycat]

Is there an ABC, 123 thread to start with in that forum?

 

[skiingfast]

Is there an ABC, 123 thread to start with in that forum?

Look at the stickies at the top.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Having recently become a DVC member , I was on an information-gathering mission a few months ago. I have attempted a few times to learn about DVC from these boards. To be VERY honest, the stickies on the DVC section are great IF you already understand DVC, but not so much if you know absolutely nothing (as was our case). I had a very difficult time finding information geared towards the true newbie.

This thread was the most useful at explaining it. It's not the easiest link to find on the DVC section so I thought I'd help you out and put it here for you.

Once you get a basic understanding of everything explained on that page, then venture into the other stickies. However, you really need the above linked information as a building block to understand DVC.

I'll attempt to explain the VERY basics:
You are buying a membership in a timeshare. You purchase a certain number of points per year for a certain price per point with a specific location being your "home resort" for a predetermined amount of time. (Ex: 120 points per a year at $130 per point at Bay Lake Towers in WDW for 50 years.)

In addition, there are maintenance fees which are paid for the life of your membership. (These can be paid monthly or annually and vary depending upon your "home resort.")

So... 120 x $130 = $15,600 + 50 years of annual maintenance fees (which vary depending upon "home resort") You can pay the purchase price ($15,600 in this example) straight out or finance it, with interest of course.

Once you own, you have the right to use your points at your home resort or other resorts (including several 100 worldwide locations NOT Disney). You can use your points each year or "bank" them into the next year to have more points saved up. There are rules on how long you can save points and when you will lose them (which, of course, you don't want to do since you paid for them).

You are buying an ownership right in a real estate property. Therefore, DVC membership is able to be passed on in the event something should happen to the owner, just like a house would be. Also, once you own, if you change your mind, you have to resell your membership.

When you want to stay somewhere using your points, you book using your points (if where you want is available during the dates you want), based upon an exchange rate. (Ex: A DVC studio at AKL may be 23 points per night on week nights and 30 points on a weekend night during a certain time of the year or 18 points per night on a week night and 22 per night on a weekend night during another time of the year. Note: These are NOT real numbers. My chart is nowhere near me right now. These are just fictitious numbers by way of example.) If you need extra points, you can borrow from next year's points. If you have leftover points, you can bank them for next year. There are ALL sorts of rules on borrowing and banking, but this is the basic gist of how it works. In a very small nutshell, that's DVC.

If I can help answer any questions, let me know and I'll give it my best shot - we just figured it all out ourselves... and then took the leap! The link above is a great starting place. Then venture into the rest of the stickies on the DVC section.

HTH,
Dreams

 

[JadeDarkstar]

its a grate thing if you can aford it its bout 1000down an 100+ a month I wish we could an I have tried but it just dont work yet

 

[silmarg]

Disney touts DVC as its "best kept secret"... but the truely best kept secret is buying DVC on the resale market.

Make sure you learn about the resale market in your investigations...

And oh, the DVC tour guides wont be any help on the subject of resales..

 

[Mackysmycat]

Disney Dreams - just what I was looking for. Thanks so much!!

 

[Davids-Coco]

If you are looking at resales though, keep in mind that anything submitted to Disney after March 20th can only be used at DVC resorts and RCI exchange (no other disney hotels - DH, PP, GF, Poly, etc - or on the cruises/adventures by disney). While these options are typically not the most financially saavy use of points, some people do like having the option to use them that way.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Disney Dreams - just what I was looking for. Thanks so much!!

You're welcome. Glad I could help. DH & I were sitting at brunch today discussing, "Sooooo, want to plan a trip with points?" It's gonna be a fun 47 years of membership. hehe

Let me know if I can help any further,
Dreams

 

[nunzia]

Just saying I have no regrets about owning DVC..