DVC Buyer’s Remorse Update!

[disney11fan]

Thanks for all the advice!

My Dh and I decided to cancel the contract. I sent my fax to DVC this morning.

We also decided that we want DVC but at an Epcot resort. We're trying to contact the Timeshare Store as we have a few questions.

I feel really good about my decision.

Thanks again.

now before you buy anything ...a cooling off period is in order. don't buy or discuss anything for two weeks. then slowing pull out the information review it carefully. if it's right for you and your family you will know it.

 

[eporter66]

We bought into DVC in 2003 and have been very happy with our membership. I was reluctant in the beginning, it was my wife who wanted to join. We were getting ready to have a family, and we both had a love for Disney, so she eventually brok me down. To this point - I have no regrets.

But, it sounds like you have very specific ideas about your membership.

#1 - If you want to stay in the EPCOT resorts, I suggest you buy resale into either Boardwalk or Beach Club. We were able to book the Boardwalk in 2006, but on subsequent visits, there has not been availability for what we are looking for

#2 - We are planners, so using the 11/7 month window is not a big deal for us. We did book one vacation on short notice in February 2008, we were able to get a 1 bedroom at OKW, not sure about other resorts and availability. I know that Boardwalk and Beach Club are very difficult to get in the fall due to the Food & Wine Festival, so I dont think it is limited to the month of December.

Again - I am of the mindset that we are staying in Deluxe accomodations on site. I have favorite resorts, but dont mind where we stay, so I dont get disappointed. I love being at Disney, and the comfort of a 1 or 2 Bedroom makes our stay that much more enjoyable.

I dont blame you for rethinking your purchase, dont settle for less than what you want.

Good Luck

 

[sleepydog25]

Thanks for all the advice!

My Dh and I decided to cancel the contract. I sent my fax to DVC this morning.

We also decided that we want DVC but at an Epcot resort. We're trying to contact the Timeshare Store as we have a few questions.

I feel really good about my decision.

Thanks again.

I, too, think it was a wise choice to cancel that contract. I used TSS for my last purchase and can wholeheartedly recommend them. Just be sure you understand the new rules about resales occurring after March 20. TSS has been above board with that info, so I'm sure they'll help you. Good luck!

 

[Mtnman44]

It sounds like for your needs, you are making a great decision. You will likely save a good chunck of money as well by buying resale.

Thanks for all the advice!

My Dh and I decided to cancel the contract. I sent my fax to DVC this morning.

We also decided that we want DVC but at an Epcot resort. We're trying to contact the Timeshare Store as we have a few questions.

I feel really good about my decision.

Thanks again.

 

[patsal]

Last minute trips are getting harder and harder to do. 2-3 months out I was unable to get anything for early November this year, and last summer I couldn't get what I wanted so I had to do a split stay--my fault since I waited until about 5 months before. Just saying the things your guide seemed to downplay are important and may cause you some serious issues.

 

[disneydenisel]

It's great that you cancelled! You can always change your mind and buy again direct, but at least you have more time to look at all of your options.

I think that timeshares are really for people who plan way in advance. Last minute trips to the EPCOT resorts will be hard to book...maybe a night here, a studio there, maybe a split stay. If you think you can plan at least 7 months out, then you will have a decent shot at those resorts using any points.

We own a few timeshares and have always tried to buy where we want to go, or in most cases, we rent first and then buy , provided we love it as much as we think we will. Why don't you rent BCV or BWV for this year and see what you think? There is no daily maid service and maybe you will find that you like the large hotel experience better?

We own at BCV and love it . Good luck with your decision! Very glad that you cancelled your BLT, since you don't really want to stay there very often.

 

[Subrbnmommy]

That' s good advice. I never thought about renting at a FCC villa. Would be a nice way to try it out.

 

[lesabrowning]

If you are open to where you stay, booking "last minute" trips can be done. We own at AKV but have stayed many places and we have taken several trips booking at the 3-5 month mark. Sure, booking 11 months out is ideal, especially during peak periods, but lots can be found at the 7 month mark and still many at the last minute. (no, not at Thanksgiving, etc...LOL) We have also done RCI exchanges with good luck. I am not sure anyone can predict the ability to get Hawaii at the 7 month point in the first year it is open.... that may be unreasonable. We love AKV but wish we had a contract at BLT... tomorrow is the 7 month mark for our next trip and we are really hoping to change into BLT, a pretty hot property at the moment.

 

[silmarg]

We're trying to contact the Timeshare Store as we have a few questions.

I think you were wise to cancel.

The Timeshare Store is an excellent reseller, but there are others out there you should contact as well.

"resales dvc dot com" and "dvcbyresale dot com" should both be considered as they share listings with other DVC resellers (like Fidelity)... so they may have a lot more inventory than Timeshare Store (as they only sell their own listings).

Make sure you understand the "use year" concept. And determine exactly what u want and I bet u can find it at one of these three resellers.

And remember, like any real estate transaction, the price is negotiable.

Good Luck.

 

[bwvBound]

That' s good advice. I never thought about renting at a FCC villa. Would be a nice way to try it out.

I missed the reference. What is an 'FCC villa'? Thx!

 

[Subrbnmommy]

Oops! Typo, meant BCV. That's what happens when I post via Iphone.

 

[MeTink]

I own two contracts at BLT and my stays there have been wonderful. I only wish I had more often. I dont think you will regret your purchase.

 

[zalansky]

We bought DVC back in 2004 and came home and cancelled because I got major buyers remorse. I did tons of research on here and we ended up joining again in 2006...and have added on twice since then! Not resales, direct. DVC very well be something that would be perfect for you but I definitely think you made a good choice in cancelling and giving it more thought. Its not going anywhere!

 

[starbox]

Another for your decision to cancel. If you don't want to stay at BLT consistently, it is NOT WORTH the crazy prices. You'll be so much happier with a resale contract.

We don't own at BLT but have stayed there twice. It was fine, but I'd rather have 80$ish points and an 11 month window at BCV.

 

[Carl'n'Ellie'sDad]

Glad that you thought things through for your family. Good luck in finding another possible way to make DVC work for your family in a more cost-effective way.

 

[disBOBney]

On Jan 20th I booked my first stay, for a stay to begin Feb 28th thru Mar 9. It took some time to find openings and while I did not get the place I wanted for the whole time I did get the time I wanted. I will make a move between resorts while I am there in order to get my stay. But I figure I get to see another resort, no big deal. The CM I spoke to on booking said that Saratoga was the easiest to get into, but was filling fast because of spring break. I am a last minute planner (and I mean it,) and I am still happy. Go for it!

 

[DizBub]

We own at BLT and the only remorse we have is that we can't get there more often. Even added on there. I know the price is hefty but we got extremely good incentives. Other plusses are the longer contract time and a fantastic location. NOTHING compares to the feeling of when you are leaving MK at closing and just turning left and bypassing the sea of humanity trying to get on the monorail, ferries and buses.

That said, you probably did the right thing cancelling and looking at ALL your options. If you can't feel good about it then it's not worth it right now.

 

[Sandisw]

Thanks for all the advice!

My Dh and I decided to cancel the contract. I sent my fax to DVC this morning.

We also decided that we want DVC but at an Epcot resort. We're trying to contact the Timeshare Store as we have a few questions.

I feel really good about my decision.

Thanks again.

I think you made the right decision. When we bought in 2009, we knew we wanted BLT, but at the time, just didn't know how many points, didn't want the rumored 200 point minimum (never happened), so decided to get in to DVC buy buying a small VWL contract, which we assumed would be our 2nd choice resort (it is not).

After closing, and researching, I realized that I just want BLT, even though it cost more so I added on there, and put VWL up for sale only two months later.

I think being comfortable with what you buy is very important. Owning a resort that you don't really want to be at much would lead to a lot of disappointment with your membership down the road. DVC is just too expensive to make those kind of decision.

Good luck in your quest to get one of the Epcot resorts!!!

 

[JenSop]

I agree that canceling was the way to go - but ONLY because you were buying a resort you didn't want to stay at.

From our very first tour, our guide did let us know that the only thing absolutely guaranteed in the long run/distant future is booking at your home resort. So we bought where we knew we'd love to stay forever if it ended up happening that way - AKV!

And seriously, our only regret with DVC is not buying earlier!

If you really do go to Disney every year, think of all the money you could have saved already by being DVC.

And don't buy with the intention of selling later - there's no guarantee what that value will be.

But we are also those people that go to Disney every year, and there's NO way we could afford to stay in these kinds of accommodations without DVC.

DH spent our first year after buying feeling uneasy about it. (We bought on a year where we went to England and skipped Disney.) But once we did our first DVC trip, he was totally won over and said it was the best thing we ever did.

Just remember - if you buy resale, really make sure you understand the new restrictions.

 

[Subrbnmommy]

Thanks for all the advice!! I wanted to share that we decided to purchase a small resale contract at BWV and are currently waiting ROFR.

We both feel good about our decision.