DVC.....How do I join?

[CourtneysMom]

I hear everyone talk about DVC and Castaway Club how do I go about joining one of these or finding information about them.

I am very much hoping to get my husband to book us another cruise while on our 11/30/03 cruise.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Hi!

DVC = Disney Vacation Club
You'll want to visit the DVC Forum on the DIS: http://disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=28

or the Official DVC site: http://dvc.disney.go.com/disneyvacationclub/home


Castaway Club = a club you are automatically in after your first Disney cruise. It entitles you to such perks as a free gift in your stateroom on upcoming cruises and a Captain's reception onboard during your cruise.

Hope this was helpful!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by CourtneysMom
I hear everyone talk about DVC and Castaway Club how do I go about joining one of these or finding information about them.

Pull out your wallet, and fork over all your loot!

Seriously though, if you are interested in joining DVC I suggest you call and get the free informational video. If you are at WDW, you can stop by one of the DVC kiosks and arrange a tour. I believe DVC usually has a presence on the cruises, as well.

Good luck...

 

[stacy6552]

Call Linda (our DVC guide) at 800-827-7116. She's great.

 

[CourtneysMom]

How would you suggest we buy into this. Either from Disney or from someone with a resale.

I just called Disney I should have some info in the mail in about a week.

Once I get this I may have some more questions.

My first problem will be convincing my husband that it is worth the money. I am a very big Disney lover. Not sure he woudl want to go every year to Disney.... NOw me I would love it

 

[Snowgod]

You should take him to WDW and surprise him with PS for Rose and Crown at Epcot for the last time available before illuminations. After dinner you then take hin to PI at DTD for an evening at the AC. .

 

[tjkraz]

With regard to location, the line you will hear most frequently is "buy where you want to stay". You can book a room at your Home resort 11 months out, but only 7 months out at the other resorts.
The only resort DVC is selling right now is Saratga Springs. You will pay a little more up-front by going through DVC, but note that Saratoga Springs is the only resort that has a 50 year ownership interest. If you opt to go the resale route, you will eventually find a contract that suits your needs at the other DVC resorts, but the contracts only run another 38 years.
The current incentive program for SSR purchases is very attractive, but it expires on 10/31. Don't drag your feet if SSR holds some appeal to you.
With regard to dealing with your husband, the DVC program allows you to trade your points for vacations in many non-Disney locations. This is addresses quite thoroughly in the materials that DVC will send you. Watch the promotioal video with your spouse. It's only about 20 minutes long, but does an excellent job of summarizing all of the vacation options available with the vacation club.

 

[dannyb]

We have 2/3 of our points at Vero Beach and 1/3 at Boardwalk, all bought at resale. We use the VB points (which were much, much cheaper) to book cruises and to book at WDW for times that aren't in high demand. BW is our favorite place at WDW, and we use those points when we need to use the 11-month window. It works very well for us. I wouldn't even think of buying directly from DVC with the savings available on a resale.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by dannyb
I wouldn't even think of buying directly from DVC with the savings available on a resale.

That is a valid argument, but it does lose some steam when you factor in the additional years at Saratoga Springs. SSR contracts include 50 years of ownership, which is 31% longer than the 38 years of ownership that remains at all of the other resorts.

Even if we aren't making regular trips to WDW while in our mid-80s, we view SSR as a purchase that will benefit ourselves, our children and our children's families.

SSR points are currently $79 each. So, if you can find a resale for 31% less (assuming it will pass through ROFR), then go for it.

Again, I think the most important element is to buy where you want to stay. Nobody really knows how demand will impact the ability to book non-Home resorts in 5, 10 or 20 years, so why take the risk.

 

[dannyb]

You make two really good points -- once these resorts are fully sold out, it is going to be harder to get the resort of choice and it will be quite worthwhile to own in the resort where you want to stay.

The longer "life" of SSR is a significant selling point, too. I believe that DVC increased SSR's "life" largely to make it a more attractive sell to existing DVC members.

I don't, however, think it is worth 31% more, because a year's points 50 year's from now is not worth a year's points today. One way to illustrate this would be to give you a choice of two different 50 year memberships, one running from 2004 until 2054. The other choice would run from 2008 - 2058. Most would pick the contract starting right away.

Ok, what if I offered instead a contract running from 2008 - 2063. I just threw in an extra 5 years!

I would venture most people would still pick the contract running right away, simply because they don't value those distant years as much as they value the earlier years. Even those taking that deal would not likely pay 10% more, even though they get 10% more years.

I agree that the extra years have significant value, but I don't think it is 31%. But, hey, I'm no economist! At $79, I agree that SSR is a decent buy for someone who prefers that resort to the others.