DVC Members -- If you had to do it all over again ...

[Popovich]

1) Absolutey, one of the best decisions we've ever made.
2) Happy with our two contracts, same use year: 200 pts and 250 pts. However, would have split them between two different resorts if we were to do it over. We are now going to sell our 200 BWV points and buy at another resort.
3) We bought resale through Jaki at the timeshare store (I think, I get the two primary resale places confused) We financed with a HE loan and paid off early. We were very happy buying through resale. Would do it again.
4) We bought at our first trip when our kids were 3 & 4. We've been every year since (3 years now).

I can't express how happy we are with our purchase.

G

 

[drakethib]

1. Would you join DVC?
2. Would you buy more points upfront? less?
3. Would you buy from Disney or via resale?

Thanks for your answers. I am heavily considering joining DVC, but I'm not sure I should. We do go at least once a year (as you can see in my sig).

I can get into SS for $90/point but I see Vero Beach resales for $62. I know some of the negatives are -- closing costs, higher maintenance costs per year, contract ending 10+ years earlier, etc.

Thanks for any insight into DVC!!

Gregg

1. YEs
2. Happy with what I bought (Paid cash for DVC and added when we coudl afford it)
3.Resales but do a price comparision of both.
4. Should have bought sooner.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

If we had to do it all over again, we would have still purchased SSR, but we would have purchased at least 20 or 30 points more.

 

[Disney Doll]

1. Yes I would join DVC again
2. I would buy as many points as I could comfortably afford. I would buy these points in smaller size contracts (150-200 points) rather than buying a big lump contract of say...450 points.
3. I would buy resale if I had a viable way of paying for my points other than with a loan. The benefit of buying form Disney is that they will give you a loan for your purchase. If you buy resale, you have to come up with another method of payment...cash, credit card, home equity loans, refinancing current home with $$ built in to the refi amount to cover the DVC cost seem to be the big 4 that I have heard about.

Personal story...bought our 1st contract from DVC...200 points at OKW. Took a 10 year loan through Disney because it had the smallest monthly payment. Figured we could always pay more on it when possible, but in months when finances might become "tight" all we had to pay was the low monthly payment. Fortunately, most months we were able to pay more on it, so we had it paid off in 3 or 4 years. Bought a 2nd contract via resale through The Timeshare Store...230 points again at OKW. Paid cash for this one. So, we have a total of 430 points broken up into 2 contracts. If, God forbid we had to sell the DVC, it is our feeling that it would be easier to sell a smaller contract than a larger one. Using a sale price per point of $80 (for argument's sake) it is much easier to sell a 200 point contract for $16K and a 230 point contract for $18,400, than it is to sell a 430 point contract for $34,400.

 

[Gregg]

I think we're going to start small -- with 150 points via Disney and via loan (which I'll orobably pay off in 2-3 years). I'll then add to this soon after with another 100 to 150 point contract via resale or Disney.]

I'm still not sure if it's a good idea to have a contract at one respost (SSR) and one at another ... anyone give more insight on this? It seems that some think it's good to do as you have 2 11-month windows while other don't like the hassle of 2 contracts with different use years and resorts to manage.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm still not sure if it's a good idea to have a contract at one respost (SSR) and one at another ... anyone give more insight on this? It seems that some think it's good to do as you have 2 11-month windows while other don't like the hassle of 2 contracts with different use years and resorts to manage.

We have 2 WDW contracts, BWV and VWL, and off site VB and we're happy. I do plan 11-8 months ahead. We've made our May and June '06 ressies already. Our 3 "homes" allow us to book ahead where we want to be. We have bought and added on from Disney as well as 2 resales, and we have always bought March use year, it is not a hassle. At 7 months, I have tried and succeeded to change from BWV (BW view) to BCV twice (4 night total). I do want to add 1 BCV night to our June '06 trip. If it ever came to be that we couldn't change to BCV for a night or two at 7 months out, we will go on a waitlist to purchase 25 points there. I like BCV, but not for an extended stay. I'd rather pay Saturday night points than buy more points at this time.

We've stayed at and liked SSR and OKW, but I like my homes more.

Bobbi

 

[Pig Pen]

1. Would you join DVC?
2. Would you buy more points upfront? less?
3. Would you buy from Disney or via resale?

Thanks for your answers. I am heavily considering joining DVC, but I'm not sure I should. We do go at least once a year (as you can see in my sig).

I can get into SS for $90/point but I see Vero Beach resales for $62. I know some of the negatives are -- closing costs, higher maintenance costs per year, contract ending 10+ years earlier, etc.

Thanks for any insight into DVC!!

Gregg

I didn't read all the responses so if any of this is repeated, forgive me.

1. Would I join DVC again? Yes....but I wish I had known about DVC earlier!
2. Would I buy more points upfront? No, I couldn't afford any more at the time.
3. Would I buy resale or thru Disney? There are good deals available via resale, so if you are comfortable doing it, go for it. I found Disney very easy to deal with. I may consider a resale for an add-on if I ever come into some cash!

 

[geffric]

1. Would I join DVC again?
2. Would I buy more points upfront? .
3. Would I buy resale or thru Disney? !

Yes
Yes I iniatially bought 190 points in '93. Then added on later, would have bought 2 contracts each 150 points at OKW at the time we purchased.
Resale or DVC.. At the time we bought, i don;t think there was a resale market.

 

[hbg4]

1. Would you join DVC?
I joined the DVC 2 and 1/2 yrs ago. That was when I was ready. If I had bought sooner I probably would have been visiting more often earlier.

2. Would you buy more points upfront? less?
I have 330 points. Mainly for me and my DD. But occaisionally we have an extra person with us.
I initially bought 210 points at the BCV, 6 months later 130 points at BWV and 1 1/2 yrs later 110 points at SSR. I'm glad I got these points distributed at they are. Only downfall is having to pay a higher cash value for these points at a later date.

3. Would you buy from Disney or via resale?
All my points have been bought directly with Disney. There are benefits such as the reduction in cost for not using the points until your upcoming use year.
Two free annual passes for the parks, and low interest rates and no closing costs.

 

[Safari Queen]

1. Would you join DVC? Yes, but much sooner!
2. Would you buy more points upfront? less? We have 150 at BWV (resale) and 165 at SSR (through DVC, first purchase) and it's the right number. I'd love more but can't afford more fees.
3. Would you buy from Disney or via resale? Either way. Both were good experiences. I'd love more BWV points if I can ever afford them.

 

[AOPI57]

Best decision we ever made.
Would have bought sooner- I wanted to buy when DVc first opened- My DH didn't want to. We didn't join until 2000.

Definitely should have bought more points in the beginning- we started with 170 but now have 320 and could use more!