DVC for Canadians - Is it worth it??

[jwnandsn]

Could anyone shed some light on the DVC advantage for Canadians? We go to WDW once per year (usually the first two weeks of December). With the cost of staying on site, we have most times rented a pool home (splitting cost with friends). We have stayed on site before and just loved it, can't beat the atmosphere and the magic.
Would love to learn more about DVC, especially with the dollar being so great right now.

Heading down this December, it will be out 19th trip since 1985.

Would appreciate any information,

Thanks,
Sandra

 

[disyady]

We just purchased a small resale 60 pt SSR contract through TSS so we obviously think it's worth it, especially with the dollar at the level it is now. If you plan to vacation at WDW every year or two in deluxe accommodations then it's definitely worth considering. You will find tons of info and wonderful people to answer any and all questions you have on the DVC board here at the DIS. Read everything you can over there and then post any specific questions you have. I think it's the PERFECT time for Canadian Disneyholics to buy now because we are locking in more than 40 years of resort costs at today's exchange rate. Annual dues are payable every January so you have to factor that into your decision. For us it amounts to around $250 US per year at whatever the exchange rate is at that time. It's different for everyone, but for us it was absolutely the right move at the right time. Good luck, keep asking questions and let us know what you decide.

 

[sean-1966]

We love our DVC membership. Bought in 3 years ago and have added points 3 times. Depending on how many you are travelling with DVC could definetly be for you. The first 2 weeks of December, when you travel, are the cheapest amount of points. I would definetly take the tour when you're there. Give them a call now and request the info so you'll be in the know when you get there. Any specific questions PM me.

 

[U2FanHfx]

Hi There,

This will be my first and only warning, BE CAREFUL!!! Once you join, you will be addicted like the rest of us. Add-ons, more than one trip and 'long weekend' trips will follow.

Of course we don't regret a moment! What we do regret is not joining sooner. We could have paid for this two or three times over. We now have 150pts but we are going to add-on another 100pts at Animal Kingdom Villas in October. It's just the two of us so we like to take two trips totaling nearly 4 weeks per year. You need to think about the room size. We don't mind staying in a studio because it's still deluxe and quite big for two people and better than what you will get in other places. That being said, we are staying in a 1 bedroom in October One thing to keep in mind is you don't get daily mousekeeping, but since you have rented a home you don't seem to mind that anyway. The magic never stops at DVC and the grounds are beautiful.

Like the previous poster said, with the exchange rate it has made it right for us! Just look at the price jumps for the hotel rooms this year on-site.

Good luck in your decision!

PS - We bought resale contract for 100pts first then added 50 direct.

Chad

 

[mommylo]

It made sense for us because we have 2 kids, DS8 and DS5. Our DS5 is autistic and needs lots of room to roam around. We stayed at All Stars Music and the roooms were veeeery small. We spent for the trip in July close to $3500 at All Stars for our family of 5(tickets and DDP included). So spending the money upfront and can stay at more comfortable accomodation in the future makes sense for us. The good position of Cdn $ also helps. We bought 3 resales prior to going and purchasing more points at AKV because of the double developer points. It's a lot of points right now, but we also like cruising...Good Luck in your decision making

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

For those of you who said you bought RESALES, did you by them directly through Disney or did you buy them through some other intermediary? (If the latter, are the points cheaper that way?) Thanks.

BobK/Orlando

 

[dsneygirl]

We bought a resale through The Timeshare Store at $77/point. I believe buying through Disney would have been $90+ at the time.

One of the tipping factors for us buying DVC along with larger rooms, great accomodations, themeing etc. Is ease of travel to get there. We can be at the Buffalo airport in 90min and pay on average $150 pp return on SW. That makes frequent travel very affordable.

Also we can travel at off peak times which use less points per night than say Xmas or Easter. Stretching our points further.

 

[U2FanHfx]

We bought ours through the timeshare store as well. They are a great company. I found that by the time you add the fees on a resale that are usually waived by buying Disney direct, they are very close to the same cost.

Just food for thought.

PS - A great guide can make all the difference and ours is terrific, good luck!

Chad

 

[mommylo]

For those of you who said you bought RESALES, did you by them directly through Disney or did you buy them through some other intermediary? (If the latter, are the points cheaper

We got OKW at $75/pt, VWL at $80/pt and SSR at $81/pt. They were cheaper because all 3 contracts were strippped their 2007 points. The upside is I don't have to pay MF until 2008 for all 3. Closing costs are about $450 per transaction. I used Timeshare Store and www.atimeshare.com, both of which I was happy with. My AKV points I got from Disney directly and received double developer points.

 

[disyady]

For those of you who said you bought RESALES, did you by them directly through Disney or did you buy them through some other intermediary? (If the latter, are the points cheaper that way?) Thanks.

BobK/Orlando

Another happy Timeshare Store customer here. Our 60 SSR pts were $82/pt with a credit applied for 08 maintenance fees. We have an August Use Year with 64 pts available for use now (4 from 07 and 60 borrowed from 08). Our next allocation will be 60 pts in Aug 09. Our closing costs were around $350. We went resale because we couldn't afford 160 pts which I believe is the minimum if you become a member directly through Disney. Now that we are members, we can add on as little as 25 pts at a time through Disney. My goal is to have enough pts for a 2 bedroom villa for 5 nights per year as either part of our annual 8 night August family vacation or an additional trip in late April/early May (now that I have discovered Southwest Airlines can fly my family of 5 to Orlando for less than it was costing us to drive!). I am loving my DVC!! Oh, by the way, the Timeshare Closing Company that handles the legal stuff for the Timeshare Store is also first rate (yay Brenda!).

 

[Tiger926]

We love our DVC! We bought 175 points at SSR in May 2004 and just added on 100 points at AKV 2 weeks ago. Both were purchased directly from Disney with different incentives. We put our maintenance fees on our VISA each January as well. We were staying in studios for a minimum of 2 weeks per year, but now have upgraded to a 1 bedroom. We have used our points for DVC resorts, regular resorts and cruises.

Good luck in your decision, Tiger

 

[calgarygary]

I'm going to suggest that before you buy DVC, that you do a lot of research on timeshares and you can start by checking out TUG which has a lot of great information about timeshares. As you have stayed offsite in the past, and if you are only planning full week trips to Orlando, you may want to consider buying offsite resale at a much lower initial investment and also, usually a deeded property verses the DVC right to use.