Doing my homework...

[Monny2AE]

I'm just starting to look into DVC and am a little overwhelmed with all the great information on here- but thankful it's available!!! I'm not sure whether to go through Disney or to buy a resale. Any thoughts? Also any recommendations about which resort to buy into would be greatly appreciated.

 

[disneynutz]

You need to spend a lot of time reading here in the boards after the kids go to bed. The more you know, the easier your decision will be.

 

[wdwnut]

Hi: Buy where you want to stay is good advice. The 11 month priority at your home resort is a great guarantee of getting what you really want if you are able to plan that far ahead. Have you stayed at any of the resorts? Each and every DVC resort has its good and bad points, and you will find many enthusiasts as well as "negative" posters on these boards. Another factor is your needs- theming, location, which parks do you enjoy the most, as well as what you can afford. Buying directly from Disney means a higher price per point, but you are in the system almost immediately. Also, if you will be financing and the rates are fairly close between what Disney offers and what you can find at your bank/credit union; Disney financing doesn't seem to appear on many credit reports. Our first 3 contracts were direct from Disney; this last contract is being done via resale. We are still waiting on the title company to get all its information together so we can close. We went via resale for the last one because Disney didn't have any more available points in our use year when we started looking; it also saved us approximately $2900. Read the different " I love **** resort!" threads to give you some ideas of the "pro"s of each resort. It's a personal preference; if you absolutely love a resort, don't let the negative posts steer you away. Ask questions and take your time.

 

[Monny2AE]

Kids are in bed and dh is rolling his eyes at me...I've got lots of questions to answer so I'm off to read the hundreds of posts on here. Couldn't one of you that know all about the DVC just magically pass your knowledge to my uneducated brain!

 

[Donna M]

I send that pixie dust your way.

 

[Sandisw]

Here some of the questions I answered before I bought last month (through resale and an add on at BLT through Disney):

1. What are my travel plans? Do I want to go every year, every other, etc?

2. Do I plan my vacations at certain times or do I go/want to go at different times?

3. Do I plan more than 7 months in advance?

4. What is my favorite park and will easy access to this park be important?

5. Going through resale can save me upfront costs but am I going to be happy with the resorts available?

6. What are the differences in MF at the different resorts?

7. Does the expiration date of the contract outweigh a more expensive point cost at the beginning?

When I bought last month, I knew that I wanted to be at BLT. Walking back and forth to the MK (which is my favorite resort) was important to me and I have held off buying in to DVC until BLT became a reality.

However, the point cost for new members was a little high so I bought a small resale contract at VWL (my 2nd favorite resort) and then did a smaller add on at BLT.

Going through resale, especially if you are happy with any of the DVC resorts, can save you some upfront costs. Some of the SSR contracts right now are a great price and expire in 2054.

However, Disney is also offering deals for new members to get in at AKL with only 100 points and have incentives if you have a member referral (matching developer points or a cruise).

Lots to think about. People on this board are wonderful. If you post some of your questions, you will get lots of responses and opinions!

Good luck and happy planning!

 

[5forDiz]

As others here have said, buy at resort (ie Home Resort) you'd most love to stay at so you will have 11 month priority booking there ( 'technically' ability to book months 11,10,9 & 8 before the checkin date you'd want ) because at 7 months or less you are competeing against all other members for a DVC resort you dont own at. All resorts at WDW are presently showing up on the resale market including BLT ( offsites Hilton Head & Vero Beach as well but that will only get you 7 month or less booking privileges at WDW ) - so it can pay to study the resale market well because often the savings can be significant even though you will pay closing costs/fees on a resale ( average $3 per point depending upon contract size ). Annual Maintenance Fees are next expense to take into consideration & are based on resort that your points are from multiplied by number of pts you own - in 2009 lowest is $3.67 per pt at BLT to more than $6 at Vero Beach. Go to the points charts for each resort you'd consider buying at and calculate # of points you'd need based on season(s) you'd like to travel/number of nights/size villa to get better idea of what you'd need to purchase **be sure to use 2010 points charts as well because there are adjustments made beginning in 2010 for number of points needed for weekday & weekend nights. If you plan to travel every other year you can divide this number in half if you're interested in purchasing less points to get yourself started in DVC (if this is what you plan to do you may only have the option of purchasing a resale contract because I believe on a direct through Disney purchase you must buy 160 pts minimum - but via resale you can buy into DVC with a contract less than that); once you buy into DVC if you at some point decide you'd like more points you can purchase add-on contract(s) direct through Disney for 25 pt minimum with cash or 50 pt minimum with their financing or you can pick up additional contract(s) via resale market too.

Best wishes