Disney Vacation Club

[Jodi1980]

Can someone explain the buying of points, etc? I looked at the DVC board but still don't understand what it all means. Can you stay at Disney resorts for cheaper with points?

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

HARD to explain....do hang out at the DVC board and ask more questions ok?

For a short explanation, the only Disney resorts you can stay at CHEAPER are the Vacation Club resorts. If you stay at the other Disney resorts using your DVC points, you will spend as much or more than you would if you paid cash.

I hope that helps.

Oh also, we looked at DVC ownership as being a BIG savings in the LONG run. Short term, it seems like a lot to spend, and it is. Keep 'long term' in mind if you consider buying into DVC.

 

[allicat]

I agree. Go to the DVC and let one of the long time owners explain.
It really isnt complicated though.You purchase x amount of points at your "home" resort and can use it for a stay at whatever time of year you want.Its not like a timeshare where you get a specific week each year. Depending on the amount of points you have, you can stay at a studio or larger. You can also borrow points from the upcoming year.You dont have to only stay at your home resort, you can stay at the other DVC resorts as well. Or use your points at locations other than Disney.

We love it and are happy with our purchase of DVC!

 

[Jodi1980]

I wouldn't buy into any contract - just wondering about buying points from members?

 

[Dodie]

So, you're not looking to join the DVC, but simply to RENT points from a DVC member for a stay? Go to the DVC Rent/Trade Board. I think there's a FAQ at the top somewhere that explains renting points.

DVC members use points (that they BUY) to reserve vacations. They cannot "sell" you their points, but can "rent" them to you if they aren't going to use them. (In other words, you don't have those points forever. They'll get a new supply next year. You are only renting them from them for one visit by paying them a certain amount per point.)

We have done this before and it worked out wonderfully. (Yes, it was significantly cheaper than it would have been if we had gone directly to VWL to get reservations.) However, you have to be careful and do your homework about the legitimacy of the person from whom you're renting.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Dodie, for a non-DVC member, you did a great job of explaining!

To BUY DVC you are buying a timeshare that allows you to stay on site for the next 40 years. We have owned DVC at OKW for 7 years and think it is the best investment we ever made! We were very anti-timeshare until we bought DVC.

If you are RENTing points, I suggest you do as Dodie says, and visit the DVC rent-trade board here on the DIS. Do NOT try to do this through Ebay or other such places. Be sure you get a good contract with the member renting the points, and be prepared to put down a non-refundable deposit. The member needs some assurances too. You will be best served if you are not trying to get a prime unit in prime time at a short notice. Most DVC members are used to making ressies 11 months out, so ressies get more difficult for those prime times on short notice.

 

[adamak]

Others have explained very well already. Here are my 2 cents....

E.g. Let's say some one has 200 points available at $10 each. (That's the average price). You want to go early Dec. A 1-bedroom a week then will cost you exactly 200 points in Beach Club; or 162 pt for a standard view in Boardwalk, or 160 pts in OldKey West.

You contact the renter. You decide you want to go to Boardwalk. S/he calls member services. If the room is available, the renter make reservation on your behalf, you then send her $1620 (162 pt x $10/pt). It's a deal because regular 1 bedroom a week would have cost you a lot more. The ressie will be under your name, and you can call Disney to verify. When I rent points out, I normally have the confirmation send directly to the rentee.

The catch is that the renter may not be able to get the hotel you want to stay. S/he will normally explain to you before she makes teh ressie. Also, there is really no cancellation, because the renter has to commit the points. If you back down, the renter will have to make sure s/he rents the same amount out within the year.

This is a particularly good thing if you wanna try out DVC before you buy. And it's really a deal for Sun-Thurs stay. Weekend points are too high.