DVC owners, general questions

[TommyTutone]

Now that we have a son, I mentioned in passing about the DVC to the wife and she expressed a bit of interest. We very much enjoy Disney of course, but we have also enjoyed our vacations at an all-inclusive at Negril in Jamaica as well as a 10-day cruise we took a few years back. For those who have purchased the DVC:

- How many points did you buy? We would be looking (next year for example) seven days at a deluxe resort, preferably with concierge.

- Without being too specific as I imagine it varies year to year and based on the number of points bought, how much does it normally cost for a point? I gather that you buy a set number of points and you are allocated that number each year for the next 45 or so years.

- If you want to plan a vacation that uses more points, can you buy the extra on a one-time basis or simply pay the difference (a 140 point vacation when you own 130 points for example)?

- How often do you take advantage of offsite hotels? We live near Hilton Head and enjoy it, but would also like to take advantage of hotels/resorts elsewhere in the country and around the world. Even staying at an onsite hotel at EuroDisney or Disney Tokyo would appeal to us. Do you have any experiences with these offsite locations?

- Do you have any regrets? I assume that if we don't use or rent out our points in a year, they are wasted, as opposed to being rolled over. I don't want to feel 'trapped' in a limited number of vacation opportunities or to have to go to Disney each year (like I said, we love it, but also enjoy other places).

- How difficult is it to sell or rent out points if we don't use them for a given year? I want to make sure it is not too painful in the off chance we wouldn't use them.

- Lastly, is there a resource that answers most of these questions already? I didn't see anything on the Disney site beyond generalities and before I drop what sounds like $16,000, I would want to know as much as possible.

Thanks all!

 

[lark]

The DVC has its own forum here on the DIS boards. You'll get all you need to know and more over there. You should repost over there -- you'll get lots of answers.

Here are some general, simple answers. You get the same number of points each year. You're assigned a month and your account is credited with the number of points you bought every year on that month.

If you need more points in a particular year than you have, you can either "rent" points from another member or you can borrow some of your next year's points -- up to one year in advance. I'm pretty sure you can't buy points from disney for just one year.

When you trade with disney points, you don't really get great value at other hotels. It trades through one of the big exchange companies, but the points don't go as far as you think they should. If you're buying DVC primarily to trade, it's a bad deal. There are far better timeshare deals out there, and other points-based exchange companies, for which you can do a lot better. My advice -- if you're thinking of using your points like 50/50 some for disney some for trading, don't do it. Pay cash when you go to disney and look into other timeshare trading options for every other year vacations -- RCI points is a great way to get into timeshare trading at a cheap entry price, but you really really really need to research it fully before you do it. It's very complicated, but much better trading value than DVC. Others will disagree with this sentiment, but my very strong view is that DVC has its best value if used around 75 to 100 percent of the time to visit disney properties.

Points for the disney onsite resorts cost about $80 to $90 a point, depending on how you acquire them. You can buy them resale. There is a great promotion right now if you want to buy at Saratoga Springs. Get a DVC member to "refer" you and it works out great both for you and the member.

All points are tied to a particular "home" resort. Your home resort matters, because you get a 4 month window in which only people who own at that resort can make reservations there.

There is no concierge, so that part of your post is confusing. Perhaps you're thinking that DVC points can be used at all the WDW resorts? They can't. (Well, they technically can, but you'd be better off paying cash.) You use your points only at the DVC resorts, of which there are currently 5 on site.

You do lose your points if you don't use them, except that you can bank them one year ahead. It's pretty easy to rent out your points and get at least double your maintenance fees for that year back, and often a little more.

 

[snyderla]

If you purchase directly from Disney, minimum purchase for first time is 150. You can add on fewer points after that. It's really easy to rent from or to others on the Dis boards Rent/Trade board. I rented my first DVC stay and that convinced me I wanted to be an owner. I believe it was $80 per oint when we bought. You can buy resales cheaper, but unless you buy SSR, they expire in 2042. Saratoga Spring Resort & Spa expire in 2050, if I remember correctly???
As far as using your points, you can bank points you won't be using the current use year and you can borrow points from the next use year. There is a Q & A section on this site that is very good. Also, if you get to WDW before deciding to purchase, you can see a DVC Guide and they will answer any questions. They are not pushy at all. We took our tour 3 years before we bought. I haven't ever used points to stay off site, but we probably will at some point. Good Luck in your research and I hope you are guided to make the best decision for your family.

Lori

 

[TommyTutone]

Thanks for your answers. I normally don't go beyond the 'Disney for Families' when scrolling for the forums and did not notice the DVC-specific board. I'll look at their FAQs and read some posts for awhile. It sounds like the DVC may not be for us, but what you talked about above has been VERY helpful and I appreciate it!

 

[erikthewise]

Ditto, post on DVC board.
Just a couple observations. It doesn't matter how often you go other places. What matters (among other factors) is how often you plan to go to Disney. If you plan to go at least once a year and stay onsite, DVC is worth considering.

If you do decide to join, start with a small contract of 150-250 points. You can always buy more later. And smaller contracts are easier to sell if that becomes necessary.

 

[lovinthemouse]

We just closed on our 160 points in October. The only regret we have was not doing it sooner. You do have the option of using II to book travel in other areas of the country or world. I am not sure how "user friendly" it is. But it is an option. Good luck with your decision.

 

[littlestar]

If you travel a lot of other places, check out the timeshare users group www.tug2.net

They have a lot of information on timesharing in general.

Good luck.

 

[disney-super-mom]

If you buy into SSR (Saratoga Springs Resort) which is WDW's newest DVC resort, the timeshare contract expires in 2054. All the other DVC resorts timeshare contracts expire in 2042.

As far as using points to book other vacations (not WDW), I asked the same question recently and was told using DVC points to book through II (Interval International) was easy and painless. I was also told that they went to Hawaii the first week of May, and a one week stay in a one bedroom/2 bathroom suite was 160 points.

Booking a 1 bedroom for a week through II (Interval International) would cost in DVD points:

124 - low season
144 - mid season
160 - high season

I was told that Hawaii is always in the high season.

Now, this is what I've been told, so I can't confirm if those II point values I gave you are correct or not, but maybe someone else with more DVC experience than myself can confirm or correct my post.

Hope I helped a little and good luck!

 

[Chuck S]

I'll try to answer your concerns:

- How many points did you buy? We would be looking (next year for example) seven days at a deluxe resort, preferably with concierge.

We initially purchased 230 points, that was the minimum at the time.. and have added on to total of 345. However, using points at non-DVC Disney hotels for concierge is not a good use of points. DVC points are best used at DVC villas, which do not offer concierge services. If you travel based on luxury perks and amenities, DVC may not be best for you. DVC in many ways is like a standard timeshare, but with more flexiblity. If your plans do include a Disney trip every other year or so, and you don't HAVE to have concierge services to be comfortable, a small DVC contract may be right.

- Without being too specific as I imagine it varies year to year and based on the number of points bought, how much does it normally cost for a point? I gather that you buy a set number of points and you are allocated that number each year for the next 45 or so years.

The per point intitial cost of approx. $95 prior to any promotional discounts, is only paid once for the life of your contract (until 2042 or 2054, depending on the resort you purchase). Annual dues are currently averaging about $4 per point, but vary from resort to resort.

- If you want to plan a vacation that uses more points, can you buy the extra on a one-time basis or simply pay the difference (a 140 point vacation when you own 130 points for example)?[/quote}

You can not do a "one time use" purchase of points from Disney...the options are to rent the needed points from another member -or- pay cash for additional nights. You can not "mix points and cash for any particular night, but can use for points for 5 nights (or whatever) and pay cash for other nights. It will require seperate reservations.

- How often do you take advantage of offsite hotels? We live near Hilton Head and enjoy it, but would also like to take advantage of hotels/resorts elsewhere in the country and around the world. Even staying at an onsite hotel at EuroDisney or Disney Tokyo would appeal to us. Do you have any experiences with these offsite locations?

Personally, I have only used my points at DVC resorts, but Disney does point usage at Disneyland Paris and Disneyland in California.

- Do you have any regrets? I assume that if we don't use or rent out our points in a year, they are wasted, as opposed to being rolled over. I don't want to feel 'trapped' in a limited number of vacation opportunities or to have to go to Disney each year (like I said, we love it, but also enjoy other places).

Points can be banked for one year or borrowed ahead one year, giving you a maximum of 3 years worth of points available. Once banked or borrowed, the transaction can not be "undone."

- How difficult is it to sell or rent out points if we don't use them for a given year? I want to make sure it is not too painful in the off chance we wouldn't use them.

I haven't rented points, but many people do so without a lot of trouble. I recommend a contract spelling ot the rights and responsibilities of both parties.

- Lastly, is there a resource that answers most of these questions already? I didn't see anything on the Disney site beyond generalities and before I drop what sounds like $16,000, I would want to know as much as possible.

Thanks all!

Try looking here: DVC frequently Asked Questions

 

[jackmac]

In terms of not having enough points for a particular DVC vacation, the best option is to do some nights cash and some nights points, with a linked reservation. Friday and Saturday nights "cost" twice the number of points that Sunday thru Thursday does. Many people pay cash for a Friday or Saturday night, you can also get a 20% discount on the cash price. Or some people travel to cheaper Disney accomodations for these nights. Disney will transfer your bags for you. I met one woman last January that spends the winter at Disney, she is at Boardwalk Sunday thru Thursday and then goes to a holiday inn for Friday and Saturday night. Not my idea of a good time, but it works for her.

Personally, we bought 270 points. We usually go down on a Sunday and return on a Saturday. That way we only have 1 night of very expensive points. This past month I got a good deal at POR for the night before we were to check into the Beach Club. With the difference in airfare and taking Magical Express it worked out to a free night. You can also get different accomodations. When my wife and I go we get a studio, when we bring the kids (theyre older) we get a 1 bedroom. I find this to be a hugh advantage with DVC. I've been able to stretch my points out to cover a family vacation and a trip with just my wife and myself.

DVC has worked out well for us. My wife was not for it initally, but now she loves it and looks forward to going down to Florida. It's allowed us to have more vacation time than we would have otherwise had.

 

[RobDoc]

Based on some of the questions, DVC may not be the best for your family. DVC points are normally most cost effective when used at DVC resorts. Using points for non-DVC onsite reservations is a very costly way to use the points.

If you will usually go to WDW every 2 years, DVC can be a great means to enjoy great accommodations at DVC resorts. If you prefer staying at other resorts most of the time, you may be better off just enjoying those resorts on the same basis you now enjoy. If you haven't yet stayed in a 1 or 2BR villa at a DVC resort, you might try that before making any decisions though- you may find that you enjoy the experience.

Good luck with your decision.