DVC beginner questions- I need to talk my DH into this!

[lazydazy8]

Hi... I am considering DVC. I know NOTHING about it, except you make a payment each month and then get to stay at a DVC section at WDW.

Here is what I am thinking... is it worth us doing DVC, ya think?

I would like to go bi-yearly, for the next 10 years. Do the points we buy carry over to each year? Like, let's say we don't go for two years in a row, can we stay somewhere nicer since we saved up the points on the third year?

Do we have our "home" resort that we choose? Can we decide to stay somewhere else?

Do we get any perk for signing up while we are there (I remember on our honeymoon, they'd "apply" our current trip into the payment or something like that...)

I know these are basic basic questions. If I am too out of the loop with these questions, I can wait until I get there this weekend and inquire.... I just wanted to open up discussion with my DH and try to talk him into this!!

 

[Chuck S]

DVC is a timeshare, so there are limitations on housekeepig and towel services.

As far as point usage, using a three year cycle, you can have 3 years worth of points available in the "middle" year. For instance, say you have 150 point contract and want to use 450 points for vacationing every three years. You can bank a maximimum of one years worth of points, and borrow one years worth of points. Year 1...received 150 pionts, bank those to year 2. Year 2, you receive 150 points + 150 banked points from year 1, and you can borrow 150 points from year 3, for a total of 450 points. In year 3, you will receive no points, since you already borrowed and used them in year 2. Year 4, the cycle starts again, banking to year 5. Year 5 you have 150 points + 150 banked from year 4 and 150 borrowed from year 6. Year 6 no points because they were borrowed into year 5.

 

[LisaS]

Hi... I am considering DVC. I know NOTHING about it, except you make a payment each month and then get to stay at a DVC section at WDW.

As Chuck said, DVC is a timeshare. If you purchase directly from Disney, you pay somewhere between $86 to $95 per point to buy in, depending on which resort you decide to buy. Minimum buy-in is 150 points. (The $86/pt is for SSR with a referral from a current member and is a limited time offer.) Some of this initial amount can be financed. Then you pay dues every year that range from $4-$5 per point depending on the resort you own. You can also purchase on the resale market. It's a bit cheaper doing so, unless you are interested in purchasing BCV which tends to cost a bit more on the resale market (because you have to get on a waiting list to purchase BCV through Disney).

Here is what I am thinking... is it worth us doing DVC, ya think?

If you go to Disney at least every other year and stay in deluxe resorts, then it's worthwhile to look into DVC.

Do we have our "home" resort that we choose? Can we decide to stay somewhere else?

Your "home" resort is the resort that you purchase. You can book a stay at your home resort starting 11 months prior to your checkout date. You can stay at any DVC resort, subject to availability. You can book at non-home resorts at 7 months from your checkout date.

Do we get any perk for signing up while we are there (I remember on our honeymoon, they'd "apply" our current trip into the payment or something like that...)

I have read about people getting their current stay credited towards their purchase, but I don't know whether or not they still do this. Haven't seen any recent posts about it. The only recent perk I can recall was a free annual pass, but I don't know if they are still doing that.

I know these are basic basic questions. If I am too out of the loop with these questions, I can wait until I get there this weekend and inquire.... I just wanted to open up discussion with my DH and try to talk him into this!!

There is a thread here somewhere for those considering buying into DVC. If I can find it (the new search function just doesn't work as well for me as the old one did!) I will post a link to it.

Good luck!

 

[phorsenuf]

I sent you a PM with my guides name and number. He's great and can help you with any questions.
Best wishes!

 

[LisaS]

Here is a link to the "Advice for prospective DVC buyers" thread I mentioned in my post: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=778634 It's a long thread, but contains a lot of useful discussion for those considering DVC.