Do You Have to Buy 150 to Start?

[Flora Fan]

I am considering buying points at OKW. I am not a part of the DVC group as yet... I was just wondering though, if purchasing from a third party, like the TimeShare Store, do I have to buy 150 to start? Does Disney monitor this?

All advice is welcome.

 

[RobDoc]

The 150 point minimum is only for new purchases direct from DVC. Resales may be found as low as 25 points, although the small contracts may command a higher cost and also may attract Disney's interest regarding ROFR.

I'd contact a resale broker, like The Timeshare Store and let them know what you are looking for.

Good luck!

 

[crisi]

You can buy a smaller resale contract through a reseller, however, Disney has first right of purchase (right of first refusal), and recent history is that they are buying back the small contracts - some believe in an attempt to keep small owners out.

 

[byoung]

Gpo get your points and join.

 

[mikayla73]

If you buy from Disney, I believe that is the least amount you can purchase initially. Once you are a DVC member, you can purchase add-ons for less points.

There are resale contracts with less points available from The Timeshare Store (the sponser of this board) and other places. However, Disney has ROFR and they have to pass that before you can purchase them. I bought from Disney so I can't comment on buying resale.

 

[MIDisFan]

I'd contact a resale broker, like The Timeshare Store and let them know what you are looking for.

Good luck!

Very sound advice!!

Small contracts usually sell fast. Most of the ones I have seen on TTS have sales pending the same day they are listed.

 

[dvc-NE]

You can buy a smaller resale contract through a reseller, however, Disney has first right of purchase (right of first refusal), and recent history is that they are buying back the small contracts - some believe in an attempt to keep small owners out.

I agree to a point, Crisi. I just recently sold my 100 pt add on contract at SSR to new owners at $80 per point. Disney waived their right and I suspect they don't want any SSR inventory back. Potential new owners might want to look to look at SSR resales if they only want to start out with a low amount of points.

 

[minniemomof3]

We bought a 70 point contract through resale. We were on a waiting list for a few weeks before the right contract came up. You will need to go on a waiting list and be prepared to act very quickly once a contract becomes available, most small point contracts are snatched up before they ever make it to the website.

 

[Flora Fan]

Thanks everyone. This has been a huge help. I sure do appreciate all the advice as it will help us to make the best decision for us.


Since my husband and I both work for the school system we would only be traveling during the "high traffic" times. It looks like we would need a major amount of points to be able to travel once a year for a week or so. I'm looking at OKW as our home resort. I really want to get to WDW for a short trip to go and experience OKW.

 

[rchristiansen]

We purchased a resale contract in 2004 of 100 points. You can buy less than the 150 if you do resale because people sell are selling their "Add-on" points. In 2004, I believe those 100 points, at Old Key West was about $7500 with closing costs. We are in a perpetual state of borrowing points, using the next year's points to pay for this year's vacations. That doesn't bother me. I look at it this way: "How many points to I have available to me at this point in time." Since 2004 we have stayed:

5 Nights in a 1 Bedroom Preferred view at the Boardwalk over Columbus Day in October.
6 nights in a 1 Bedroom at OKW Week after Labor Day in Sept.
In 1 1/2 weeks: 6 nights in a Studio at VWL (and an extra paid night in cash using the DVC member discount) Over Columbus Day in October 2006
In May 2007: I have a reservation for 6 nights in a 2 bedroom in May at OKW (and an extra night on cash with the discount). Random Week in May

Also, the maintenace dues are less too because I have less points. I pay around $35/month for dues.

 

[lisaviolet]

I agree to a point, Crisi. I just recently sold my 100 pt add on contract at SSR to new owners at $80 per point. Disney waived their right and I suspect they don't want any SSR inventory back. Potential new owners might want to look to look at SSR resales if they only want to start out with a low amount of points.

Disney bought back an SSR contract I was selling last month. It was a 128 point contract. The potential owners were going to pay $81. I was suprised.

Good luck to the OP. Hopefully, you will nab something soon when you decide. There are positive stories on the "ROFR" thread.