DVC Direct - Tour worth it?

[sethschroeder]

If your baby is big enough for a stroller, then I would rent a double stroller from one of the local rental places.

There might be a place that actually rents the BabyJogger Double Wide with the carrier attachment. We own one ourself and you can attach the baby carrier directly to the unit and its very solid and built by the company so its not like some 3rd party attachment you think will break.

 

[Sunnyore]

When I was at SSR in March, I took the tour of the CCV and Riviera at the showroom and then visited the SSR grand villa across from it. Then as someone mentioned you can visit the cabins at CCV if you like. Sounds like you already decided which theme you like the best and room structure is less important to you so I don’t think a tour would add much to your decision. I skimmed this thread so I’m not sure if you decided on a uy but that would be something to consider buying earlier to get your 2020 points too if they have it available. Looks like there is rumor price increase again in a few weeks at some of the resorts so I feel even if there is no rush, if you’re ready to buy I would just buy. That rush of ppl trying to buy SSR recently and being waitlisted did not look fun at all. And I bought SSR and BLT blindly because for me location matters the most. Added on Boardwalk after staying there but staying there made me realize it’s not my favorite resort, but the distance to Epcot is awesome.

 

[MomOTwins]

Since it sounds like Wilderness lodge is the big draw for you, perhaps consider touring both BRV and CCV and comparing, bearing in mind BRV will get a major refurb next year, as buying direct at BRV now may save a lot of money but you’ll soon have updated rooms. Frankly we think BRV is nice even without the update.

I do think there is a lot of value in visiting. We did a “resort hopping” trip to stay a couple nights at various dvx resorts to narrow it down. We thought we would love some resorts that turned out not to work for us at all when we actually stayed there. Things do feel very different in person compared to the website and even compared to the cash side of a hotel that also has a dvc wing/

 

[brazzledazzler]

When I was at SSR in March, I took the tour of the CCV and Riviera at the showroom and then visited the SSR grand villa across from it. Then as someone mentioned you can visit the cabins at CCV if you like. Sounds like you already decided which theme you like the best and room structure is less important to you so I don’t think a tour would add much to your decision. I skimmed this thread so I’m not sure if you decided on a uy but that would be something to consider buying earlier to get your 2020 points too if they have it available. Looks like there is rumor price increase again in a few weeks at some of the resorts so I feel even if there is no rush, if you’re ready to buy I would just buy. That rush of ppl trying to buy SSR recently and being waitlisted did not look fun at all. And I bought SSR and BLT blindly because for me location matters the most. Added on Boardwalk after staying there but staying there made me realize it’s not my favorite resort, but the distance to Epcot is awesome.

Firstly, thanks for the heads up on a possible price increase for points. Right now CCV is 225/pt (ugh) ...but we're willing to pay it due to the location.

All the points you make are dead on. We usually only stay 2-4 nights (at most) whenever we travel to Disney, so the size of the room is not as big of a concern. Since my husband and I have toured/dined/visited all the resorts, Wilderness Lodge a few nights a year and the rest somewhere else is perfectly fine by us.

I didn't know about people being waitlisted for SSR, that's surprising. All things to consider as we move forward in the next few weeks. I do think we will wait until we visit in August and confirm our sentiments to make it all official. It's a lot of money after all!

 

[brazzledazzler]

Since it sounds like Wilderness lodge is the big draw for you, perhaps consider touring both BRV and CCV and comparing, bearing in mind BRV will get a major refurb next year, as buying direct at BRV now may save a lot of money but you’ll soon have updated rooms. Frankly we think BRV is nice even without the update.

I do think there is a lot of value in visiting. We did a “resort hopping” trip to stay a couple nights at various dvx resorts to narrow it down. We thought we would love some resorts that turned out not to work for us at all when we actually stayed there. Things do feel very different in person compared to the website and even compared to the cash side of a hotel that also has a dvc wing/

BRV would be my preferred choice...save for the 2042 termination date. We're actually booked to stay at BRV in January 2022. So, we might wait even until then to make the purchase.

I'm looking forward to our upcoming stay at SSR in August, to get a feel for the DVC side of things. My husband and I have only stayed in Moderates, Values, and cash side of Deluxe.

Thanks for your insight!

 

[brazzledazzler]

There might be a place that actually rents the BabyJogger Double Wide with the carrier attachment. We own one ourself and you can attach the baby carrier directly to the unit and its very solid and built by the company so its not like some 3rd party attachment you think will break.

Thanks for the tip, but we have our own double stroller! It's mostly a challenge to entertain a 3-year-old for 90 minutes for a tour that concerns me. I heard there is a kids area and they will watch your child for the tour, I need to find out if that is still the case since COVID.

 

[sethschroeder]

3-year-old for 90 minutes for a tour that concerns me.

I wouldn't do that. Instead you walk up to the DVC desk in the main lobby, ask to see the room they have to show, and they walk you through. It should only take 10-15 mins and you are on with your day. You will spend more time in the resort gift shop than going on the tour. I know why you were saying you would avoid it.

You might just need to say you either are already members or working with a guide but just seeing all the resorts quick to get ideas of where to stay in the future.

If the guides are busy showing rooms to others might be the only reason it takes a little longer but at that point you can walk around the lobby area, go see the pool area, or grab a snack from the QS at the resort.

 

[sethschroeder]

We usually only stay 2-4 nights (at most) whenever we travel to Disney, so the size of the room is not as big of a concern.

I would just say CCV only sleeps 4 in Studios/1BR if for whatever reason you end up with 3 kids plus the 2 of you then you would not be able to stay in anything but a 2BR if that matters.

 

[brazzledazzler]

I would just say CCV only sleeps 4 in Studios/1BR if for whatever reason you end up with 3 kids plus the 2 of you then you would not be able to stay in anything but a 2BR if that matters.

I totally see your point!
However, I just had my second kid/FINAL kid in April and we're done. We put off looking into DVC until this point because so many things can change and there are always family factors to consider. But, we're in a good place financially to look at this as a good fit for our family.

I suspect this would be our first contract, and see how it fits with our family's use...maybe buy more points on resale if necessary in the future.

There are so many things to consider when buying into DVC..I've been reading so much on DISboards, websites, and watched every episode of the DVC Show....and I still have questions!

Here are random questions:
- Does it ever get frustrating having to look at your vacation planning 7 months and 11 months out?
- Are there resorts that are a "NEVER"?

I can't find many opinions of anyone being regretful about purchasing DVC... which has me feeling pretty good.

 

[RoseGold]

I can't find many opinions of anyone being regretful about purchasing DVC... which has me feeling pretty good.

Just go look at all the CCV resale listings right now. Plenty of those people are going to be underwater, and have to bring money to the table to close.

But sure, historically DVC isn't hard to get out of, especially if you buy resale.

 

[brazzledazzler]

Just go look at all the CCV resale listings right now. Plenty of those people are going to be underwater, and have to bring money to the table to close.

But sure, historically DVC isn't hard to get out of, especially if you buy resale.

Yes, I can imagine. But, it’s good not to see terrible reviews about DVC experiences.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Yes, I can imagine. But, it’s good not to see terrible reviews about DVC experiences.

They exist but then the people sell and move on.

 

[sethschroeder]

Here are random questions:
- Does it ever get frustrating having to look at your vacation planning 7 months and 11 months out?
- Are there resorts that are a "NEVER"?

Some people have been around a long time so they might have different ideas but for us its nice having something planned to look forward to and countdown towards. Disney also isn't our only trip of the year either so for that quicker planning and travel piece we get that as well.

The only resort I don't really want to stay at is BLT but we will do it likely for a split stay at some point just to do it with Theme Park View.

 

[Lorana]

Just go look at all the CCV resale listings right now. Plenty of those people are going to be underwater, and have to bring money to the table to close.

But sure, historically DVC isn't hard to get out of, especially if you buy resale.

Maybe. But if they’ve had their CCV for a couple of years, they are probably not much underwater. It opened in 2017 at $176/point before incentives.

 

[brazzledazzler]

My family took a quick trip to Disney and did a tour of CCV and RIV. I think it was 100% worth it for us to be solid in our decision.

After creating spreadsheets, listening to the DVC show, and others on YouTube, and reading these boards, it all came down to:

- Room size
- Where we would want to stay now and decades from now
- Transportation

RIV here we come!

 

[achinforsomebacon]

It's definitely very helpful to actually see the rooms in person. And doing them close together keeps both fresh in your mind to be able to mentally compare them. When you're spending this much on something, it makes sense to do as much research as you need to get comfortable with your decision. Congrats on making a decision!

 

[brazzledazzler]

It's definitely very helpful to actually see the rooms in person. And doing them close together keeps both fresh in your mind to be able to mentally compare them. When you're spending this much on something, it makes sense to do as much research as you need to get comfortable with your decision. Congrats on making a decision!

It also helped that we stayed 1 night in Pop Century (so loud, so small…but the Murphy beds are way better) and CCV didn’t feel much bigger. While we didn’t plan for that comparison to matter, in the end it did.

We love the Wilderness Lodge (have a trip there at BRV in January), but it isn’t the best fit for us long-term for our first DVC contract.

(Addonitis might lead us back though!)