DVC make sense if you usu. plan less than 7 months out?

[jenntish]

We're very seriously considering buying DVC... and had a few questions and would love your insight:

1) If we want to buy mainly for 12 years of use and then re-sell, doesn't it make the most sense to buy at SSR?
2) Since we usu. can only plan vacations less than 7 months in advance (due to husband's work/vacation rules), does DVC make sense for us? Or are we going to be shut out of any desirable property every time? (Note: We will want a 1-bedroom everytime).
3) If we think we may be able to plan further in advance if it's a NON-desirable time of year (early March for example), does it make more sense for us?
4) Should we buy all 200 points at SSR (so the re-sale value will be much higher in 12 years or so since there will still be so much time left ont he contract)... or maybe buy 150 at SSR and 150 at BCV or Boardwalk (if that's ideally where we would want to stay)?

I know it's a lot of questions but I'm making myself more confused and would love your expert opinions!!!

Thanks so much.
Jenn

 

[sleepydog25]

1) On the surface, yes, since you do get the extra 12 years on the contract.

2) You may have to take what property you can at 7 months out, but that will mostly depend on when you travel. If you want VWL at Christmas, for example, then you will almost assuredly be out of luck as it is hard to get during the holiday season. On the other hand, if you're willing to be a little flexible, then the 7-month window should be fine. We've managed to get where we want to go using that option every time. The trick is to first make a reservation at your home resort at 11 months, then at 7 months, call the resort you want to see what's available. That way, you will for sure have accomodations.

3) Sure, the further you can plan in advance the more advantageous, but as I mentioned above, it is possible to get into other resorts other than your home at 7 months. With the home resort ressie in hand, you won't have as much stress about accomodations at 7 months. If nothing is open then, you can go on a waitlist--sometimes rooms open up at the last moment.

4) Tough call. The advantage on reselling SSR would be the extra years. However, by buying both there and another resort, you would have the security of the extra years on the one and the flexibility of the 11-month window for a resort you might like better.

All that being said, I assume you realize that if you resell in 12 years (or any number of years for that matter) you might end up taking a loss. There is no guarantee that DVC membership will continue to have the cachet it does now. Who knows how the market for DVC timeshares will play out? So far, the track record has been good and there certainly is reason to be optimistic it will remain so in the future. However, I wouldn't count on recouping the money you spend to buy into DVC come 2018.

Most owners on here caution prospective buyers about looking at DVC membership as anything other than prepaying for excellent accomodations over the next 36-48 years. If you believe that you can get your money's worth via a 1BR suite while visiting WDW, Vero Beach, and HHI or through exchanges (or cash rentals) to other locales over the next 12 years, then take the plunge. On the other hand, if you're planning to use your DVC membership only occasionally during those 12 years then sell it and come out ahead, I'd be very cautious about tying up funds. At least, that's my take. Only you can decide if it's right for your situation. Good luck with the decision!

 

[LisaS]

4) Should we buy all 200 points at SSR (so the re-sale value will be much higher in 12 years or so since there will still be so much time left ont he contract)... or maybe buy 150 at SSR and 150 at BCV or Boardwalk (if that's ideally where we would want to stay)?

Just be aware that you cannot combine points from different resorts when making a reservation 11-8 months out. In your scenario, you could use your 150 SSR points to book at SSR at 11-8 months out and your 150 BCV points to book at BCV at 11-8 months out. At 7 months out, you could combine your SSR and BCV points and have 300 points to book at any resort. I just wanted to mention this because it is often a point of confusion when people are first looking into DVC.

 

[CarolMN]

If you don't consider SSR a "desirable property" and usually plan less than 7 months ahead of time, do not buy DVC. You will just end up frustrated.

There is a lot of competition to get spots in the smaller DVC resorts (VWL, BCV & BWV) at the 7 month mark. As the number of DVC members continues to increase, the competition will increase. Sometimes you will get lucky at 7 months and sometimes you will not. IMHO, you will spend most vacations at SSR or OKW. If that is not going to be OK with you, do not buy DVC.

Do not buy DVC thinkin gthat you will be able to sell it later and get your money back. That may happen, but it may not. DVC is a prepaid vacation plan and should not be considered an investment. If Disney decides to stop supporting resale prices (via its ROFR), resale prices will decrease.


Buy DVC because you love Disney and want to spend vacations there.

Best wishes -

 

[mikesmom]

I generally agree with the previous posters but would like to add a suggestion that you do a little more homework. For instance, we've watched many people get blindsided the first time out when they can't get reservations for early December,, or October, saying "But that's not a busy time of year!".
You mentioned that March was a non-desirable time. That can depend on Easter and Spring breaks. The Spring breaks are pretty much rolling anymore (can't count on them being at Easter) and DVC can get busy, although not impossible, Easter week, of course, needs pre planning.

 

[jade1]

Just be aware that you cannot combine points from different resorts when making a reservation 11-8 months out. In your scenario, you could use your 150 SSR points to book at SSR at 11-8 months out and your 150 BCV points to book at BCV at 11-8 months out. At 7 months out, you could combine your SSR and BCV points and have 300 points to book at any resort. I just wanted to mention this because it is often a point of confusion when people are first looking into DVC.

Although you could bank and borrow giving you 300 at 11 months BWV, then 300 next year 11 months SSR.