DVC..more questions

[Nonna]

I just reread some of your responses to my DVC and have some new quesitons. How do I arrange a tour before I go to DW and how long is a tour? Also, someone suggested I buy a resale off these boards. How do I go about doing that and is this always the best way to go as far as $$$ and reliability? Thanks again!

 

[Lisa P.]

One place to look at resales is at the DIS sponsor... look for the timeshare resales banner at the top of these forum pages and click on it. There are other resellers with web pages too and perhaps others can provide some of those links as well. A search of this forum will give you more info. Try searching with "DVC resale" HTH!

 

[yasuern]

We bought our VWL points last dec through Disney at $75./pt - it was very painless and disney pays all closing cost. Plus no worries about if the resale had borrowed pts or owed dues or if we needed to reimburse the seller any dues they (the sellers) had already paid.

That being said - in Sept we closed on a resale for OKW we paid $62/pt - there was/are 155 pts banked from the prevoius year and we did pay all closing cost and we reimbursed the seller all the annual dues they had paid on the pts they had banked since we are now going to us them - although this is always - as is the price negotiable with a resale.
We bought our resale through The Timeshare Store - had no problems and would recommend them - heres the link.
http://www.dvc-resales.com/
When you arrive at WDW most of the resorts I believe have a DVC info desk/kiosk - walk up and say you'd like to schedule a tour and they will set one up - they will also pick you up from were ever you are (we got picked up at AK at the end of the day) and after the presentation they will bring you back to your resort - they make it very easy for you.

Sorry I got lengthy - I am glad we own at VWL - and that at the time was just through Disney - but OKW is AMAZING and resale was the only way to obtain this. Resale is cheaper/pt but make sure you know what you are getting if a contract has all the current and next yrs pts used/borrowed you would not have pts until 2004 - although you can borrow as of 2003. Best advice buy were you are going to stay. If you want to stay at BCV buy BCV. Do not buy VB or HHI if your goal is to stay at WDW. Okay I am done - sorry soo long
You will never regret buying DVC no matter how you obtain it.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Call DVC and take the tour first. Then go see the other DVC resorts or ask your tour guide to take you to see all of them. Then you can make the decision about which resort appeals most to you. We like OKW the best, but you might prefer the BCV, which is the only one Disney is still selling right now. OKW has lower maintenance fees, but is farther from the action. BCV is new, so there isn't likely to be a resale there. Also, OKW will have the most resales available. Resales are generally cheaper than direct from Disney.

 

[Richyams]

A tour would really be the best thing to do of all.

I also agree with Diane that OKW is best, the other resorts are barely even worth looking at as a home resort. I agree that the units at BWV, BCV and VWL are tiny, so small as to not make a comfortable vacation....yet you have the privilidge of paying more points per night, more dues per points and you can't even park in front of your unit.

You will get some that will day that BWV and BCV location make them worth the higher dues, the dramatically higher point schedule and dealing with the tiny rooms, but the rest of us realize that OKW is the best.

Many consider OKW to be the only 'true' DVC resort.

 

[JonHM]

and by 'many', of course - Rich means... himself.

I actually like VWL the best, but they are ALL fabulous and each have their own strengths and weaknesses. You really do need to see all of them to decide which would be the best for you.

That is really what you need to do first before you decide on Disney vs. Resale - decide which home resort you want to buy in to.

 

[paults]

Hey JonHM, I have to agree with Rich about OKW I think that anyone buying in now should buy into OKW, please do. That would just make it easier to get ressies at BWV at 11 months.

Hi Donna, if your not sure then take the tour first. A lot of us bought sight unseen including me and I don't regret it one bit.
If you use a car a lot at DW than OKW will do just fine.

 

[mikesmom]

It just depends on your mood sometimes...

We originally bought BWV from Disney and we were thrilled at our purchase (still are, as a matter of fact!). We've traveled there with the kids . We love being able to walk into 2 parks, to see fireworks from at least 2 parks, and there is always lots of entertainment on the Boardwalk. The teenagers love the activity level.

Now, that being said, we've stayed at OKW just hubby and me and also just with the teenager (and his buddy). The size of the rooms is awesome, the terraces and balconies are very large, and the ambience is really great for true relaxation. We like it so much we're really leaning toward buying a resale there -particularly so the GV is an option next time I'm up to inviting the whole extended family. I'm truly avoiding looking at the resale site - I'm afraid the temptation will be too strong. We're being pretty careful with money until the economy straightens around a bit.

Whichever you choose, you'll be happy you did!

 

[DVCajun]

Originally posted by JonHM
and by 'many', of course - Rich means... himself.

Ditto.

I'm a loyal BWVer and don't even *stay* at OKW unless I'm faced with no other possibility.

Each resort has it's own strong points to offer. Take the tour and make your own decision.

 

[Dean]

I'd suggest you take the tour and see what you can. Talk to the guides and decide if the system is right for you. Then tour the other DVC resorts on your own. There is a 2 BR model unit at BW for BW, BC and WL all I believe. You will then want to tour the resorts themselvs as much as possible. If you decide to buy, do so where you want to stay the most. All other options being equal, OKW resale will be the cheapest for WDW stays. For some, BWV resale is the best and cheapest option. Do not buy VB or HH with the idea of staying at WDW most trips. Resale will be cheaper but not enough to compromise your other wishes. Good luck.

 

[Terry S]

My 2 cents.... I don't think anyone has answered you question about how to arrange a tour. You can call a DVC guide, if you want the number for my guide Jim McCoy it is 1-800-827-7140. Take the tour and look at all 4 on-site resorts. Decide which theme you like the best and buy your points at that resort. If you decide you like OKW, BWV or VWL the best, you will have to buy resale. If you like BCV the best you will probably have to buy through Disney.

Okay, so now my opinion. I like BCV the best. I think it has a relaxed atmosphere, bright colors and a great location.

 

[PiazzaM]

I used to sell Timeshare in Las Vegas. I also bought in Las Vegas, a 5 star resort, and I will be staying at OKW in a 2 bedroom villa. I traded in no problem. Well, the only advice I have is with Disney you never own it. Other timeshares, you can will to your childern. Also the maintance fees elsewhere are averaging around $330 - $500 year. And cost is around $7,000 every other year or $15,000 every year. So it is up to you, but inless you plan just to go to Disney every year, well, I would consider taking Timeshare tours elsewhere as well. I know for a fact you don't have to make your descision right then and there. They would like you to, but if you call them back up or revisit, they won't turn away your money. Timeshare is a great idea and once you stay in a home away from home resort, you never will want to go back to a regular hotel room! Happy Hunting!

 

[spiceycat]

You own Disney - you have a deed and you can will it to your children - but it is a lease that expires 2042. (other timeshares also expirey - it between upon what your contract says).

If you don't buy Disney don't buy a timeshare in Orlando or Las Vegas for that matter - too many timeshares and that makes it easy to trade into. Disney is not easy to trade into - a fact that II (interval International) has complainted to Disney about.

go to this site to learn more about timeshares
www.tug.net

I brought another timeshare in Orlando - Westgate and got taken big time - paid $7,000 every odd year and now the annual fee is $639 - almost the same as my OKW - however I have 240 points and can go to WDW multiple times in a year - at Westgate once very odd year.

If you decide you want disney there are several timeshare resalers -

www.atimeshare.com
www.dvc-resales.com
www.timesharesbyresale.com
www.thetimesharewarehouse.com
www.reid4florida.com

buy where you want to stay the most.

 

[Chuck S]

Originally posted by PiazzaM
Also the maintance fees elsewhere are averaging around $330 - $500 year. And cost is around $7,000 every other year or $15,000 every year.

And from Spiceycat
I brought another timeshare in Orlando - Westgate and got taken big time - paid $7,000 every odd year and now the annual fee is $639

So you guys are saying that other timeshares are charging about $15K for a "week", if you buy for "every year", then dues of $600 to $700? Boy, that makes my purchase at OKW in '92 look even better. The only difference is we don't "own" it forever? (Once I'm dead, I won't care...I hope I live until 2042 - I'll be in my mid-80s) . And Spiceycat is right, don't buy into another timeshare, with the intent of trading into a DVC resort on a regular basis - it just will not happen.

 

[Lisa P.]

Just agreeing with Chuck S and Spiceycat... don't buy elsewhere with the expectation of trading in to DVC. There are many gorgeous timeshare resorts just offsite which may traded to easily and cheaply. But DVC is much more limited (has a different owner base, who primarily use, don't trade out, lower supply). If you really want to stay onsite, do so by either renting (via Disney/CRO or a DVC member) or becoming a member yourself.

So you guys are saying that other timeshares are charging about $15K for a "week", if you buy for "every year", then dues of $600 to $700?

That's developer pricing at newer, upscale resorts and those located where labor/construction/marketing costs are very high (like Orlando). Yikes.

Resales at resorts located in areas with lower labor costs are much, much cheaper. $5,000 can easily buy an annual, red, 2BR, Gold Crown, resale week with annual maint fees under $500, including exchange company membership. Our family's points-based timeshare does this. But that one suits our family, as its resorts are located in places that we want to visit. And that's one of the keys to having a good fit with a timeshare selection.

If you bought in 1992, Chuck S, you got a great deal on your DVC!

 

[TCincy]

When my wife and I signed up for a tour at a kiosk in the Contempory we had no intention of buying DVC. Seeing the rooms and doing the math later at home sealed the deal. Plus we love Disney and go at least every other year.

BTW, after the tour they gave us 4 vouchers for full meals good at many locations throughout WDW. Our bill came to $52.00 at Gepetto's in MK and I just handed them my 4 vouchers. Nice side benefit of touring the models.

 

[Shontell_Crawford]

Another general number for DVC is 1-800-800-9100 - they will mail you an information packet to help you understand the program before you take the tour.

While you'll find many opinions on the boards, I agree not to buy an outside timeshare assuming you can trade into DVC. I own both and don't think anything compares to DVC. If you want to stay on Disney property, but the Disney Vacation Club.

Good luck with your decision!

Kind regards,
Shontell