DVC ownership
- Thread starter Disdad35
- Start date
We own DVC...YAY!
We took the tour last year, at the time the Cdn$ was - well, not good..so we waited...bought BeachClubVillas in August, didn't do Magical Beginnings.Saratoga Springs had just opened for pre-sales, but we really like the BCV location.
From an "investment" perspective, we quite deliberately choose not to look at ownership from a financial standpoint - it is a prepaid vacation club, and for our lifestyle, one that suits us well.
JMO..
feel free to ask any questions, we'll do our best to help!!
We took the tour last year, at the time the Cdn$ was - well, not good..so we waited...bought BeachClubVillas in August, didn't do Magical Beginnings.Saratoga Springs had just opened for pre-sales, but we really like the BCV location.
From an "investment" perspective, we quite deliberately choose not to look at ownership from a financial standpoint - it is a prepaid vacation club, and for our lifestyle, one that suits us well.
JMO..
feel free to ask any questions, we'll do our best to help!!
With DD getting older and needing to stay in school, kept looking over at the DVC board to get some answers. It made sense. We both like to go to Disney. Unfortunately, in order to go during school vacation periods, well let's just say, definately not value season!
DD likes to go to Downtown and do DisneyQuest. With Saratoga right across the way, it seems to suit us just fine. Will definately find out this coming Halloween when we will be going home for the first time! I finally get to go trick or treating!
Anyway, at the time they were offering $10.00 of per point plus having a December use year, got 2003 points and now our $$ is doing so much better, my payments don't start until March when I will pay it off. It gave me the extra time to watch our $$ grow!
DVC is not for everybody, but when you do Disney as much as we do, yes! I consider it my "Vacation Home!"
Ask any questions, we are here to help!
Scratch
DD likes to go to Downtown and do DisneyQuest. With Saratoga right across the way, it seems to suit us just fine. Will definately find out this coming Halloween when we will be going home for the first time! I finally get to go trick or treating!
Anyway, at the time they were offering $10.00 of per point plus having a December use year, got 2003 points and now our $$ is doing so much better, my payments don't start until March when I will pay it off. It gave me the extra time to watch our $$ grow!
DVC is not for everybody, but when you do Disney as much as we do, yes! I consider it my "Vacation Home!"
Ask any questions, we are here to help!
Scratch
Inga
DIS Veteran
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- Nov 21, 1999
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- 768
In 2002, we used the DIS board to 'buy' points from DVC member and stayed at Old Key West at a very reasonable rate for a 5 day stay(...and it was wonderfull and worked out just fine). It seems there are quite a few members willing to selling their points( at around $10/point) to non-member in exchange to cover their annual fees (running at 3-4%). My question is : why bother making 10's of thousands investment(and interest) when you can buy the points at a very reason rate from a direct owner who has made this investment? From the owner point view this works well in the fact it gives them the option of using the points for a Disney vacation or selling them to cover annual cost. Bottom line is they still need to make those monthly investment payments in addition to the annual costs.
In the late 90's my wife and I, attended the sales pitch for DVC and I saw the value in getting the 1-2 bedroom place at Disney. But the at the end of day, I saw better value in the promotions or choosing the value resorts(i.e. codes, canadian promo, etc) or buying the points directly from an owner for a nicer resort. It was the annual maintenance fee that I found too high and not the investment itself.
Now this is just my option, I sure their are many DVC's in Canada that will state many more values to having ownership. My wife and I are coming up to our 9th trip to a Disney property in under 10 years, so maybe there is a good chance I missing the math somewhere for DVC.
DH of Inga
In the late 90's my wife and I, attended the sales pitch for DVC and I saw the value in getting the 1-2 bedroom place at Disney. But the at the end of day, I saw better value in the promotions or choosing the value resorts(i.e. codes, canadian promo, etc) or buying the points directly from an owner for a nicer resort. It was the annual maintenance fee that I found too high and not the investment itself.
Now this is just my option, I sure their are many DVC's in Canada that will state many more values to having ownership. My wife and I are coming up to our 9th trip to a Disney property in under 10 years, so maybe there is a good chance I missing the math somewhere for DVC.
DH of Inga
MikeJ
Retrait is finally here...
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- Aug 18, 1999
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- 871
There are a large number of people on this board (other than those who have already responded) who are DVC owners, us included. You're correct - DVC isn't for everyone. If you don't
a) visit WDW at least every other year
b) prefer staying onsite
c) feel confined by a standard hotel room at a Value resort
then DVC may not be the best value for your money. DVC is expensive compared to other timeshares, but there are "magical" intangibles, if you will, for which people are willing to pay the extra money (including us). We're also at a point where we enjoy having the opportunity to spread out when we're on vacation. We just don't derive the same enjoyment from a room at the All-Stars as we do in a 1BR at OKW. And the full kitchen at the DVC resorts provides a measure of value in that we can eat a good breakfast in the room and avoid the costs of eating "out" for all our meals.
Inga's DH makes a good point about renting (not buying) DVC points, but if they're on their 9th trip there then they've paid $90/point to rent all that time (assuming 9 trips at $10/pt). If they had purchased at DVC 10 years ago, they would have paid maybe $52/pt at OKW. Add 10 years worth of maintenance fees (at an average of $3.50/year for 10 years) brings their total cost up to $87/pt for the same time period.
In short, it all comes down to your own personal situation - which obviously you will know better than any of us. I would hope.
- Mike
a) visit WDW at least every other year
b) prefer staying onsite
c) feel confined by a standard hotel room at a Value resort
then DVC may not be the best value for your money. DVC is expensive compared to other timeshares, but there are "magical" intangibles, if you will, for which people are willing to pay the extra money (including us). We're also at a point where we enjoy having the opportunity to spread out when we're on vacation. We just don't derive the same enjoyment from a room at the All-Stars as we do in a 1BR at OKW. And the full kitchen at the DVC resorts provides a measure of value in that we can eat a good breakfast in the room and avoid the costs of eating "out" for all our meals.
Inga's DH makes a good point about renting (not buying) DVC points, but if they're on their 9th trip there then they've paid $90/point to rent all that time (assuming 9 trips at $10/pt). If they had purchased at DVC 10 years ago, they would have paid maybe $52/pt at OKW. Add 10 years worth of maintenance fees (at an average of $3.50/year for 10 years) brings their total cost up to $87/pt for the same time period.
In short, it all comes down to your own personal situation - which obviously you will know better than any of us. I would hope.
- Mike
among the Canadian DVC owners.
We find that it gets us going on a vacation away regularly, in much nicer accommodations than we we otherwise spring for.
And, we took advantage of the flexibility of the program and had some special trips with the grandparents last year.
We find that it gets us going on a vacation away regularly, in much nicer accommodations than we we otherwise spring for.
And, we took advantage of the flexibility of the program and had some special trips with the grandparents last year.
With a December use year is good for spring/summer vacations. Which we mainly take. But still gives me the option of late fall but without the option of being able to cancel a trip. Like I would want to!LOL You get your points every year at the same time and basically each quarter you have the option of banking before you use. (saving points)
I mainly took it because of the incentive of $10.00 off per point, no interest differed payment until March. Plus first dibs on booking our first trip "HOME"!
With DD at that age where taking her out of school is becoming an issue, this allows us to book trips during school vacation time without paying the overinflated prices.
MikeJ, do I still understand it!LOL
All's I know is that it gives me a lot more options, no waiting for discounts, and I get a place where I don't have to worry about getting a decent cup of coffee before I get dressed!~ I can make it myself and let DD sleep in and not drag her out with me!
Clear as Mud Right!
Scratch
I mainly took it because of the incentive of $10.00 off per point, no interest differed payment until March. Plus first dibs on booking our first trip "HOME"!
With DD at that age where taking her out of school is becoming an issue, this allows us to book trips during school vacation time without paying the overinflated prices.
MikeJ, do I still understand it!LOL
All's I know is that it gives me a lot more options, no waiting for discounts, and I get a place where I don't have to worry about getting a decent cup of coffee before I get dressed!~ I can make it myself and let DD sleep in and not drag her out with me!
Clear as Mud Right!
Scratch
DSNY FN
<font color=darkcoral>DVC is the place for me<br><
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We are also DVC owners and it has been the best vacation investment we could have ever made. We try and go every year and it was getting quite expensive but with DVC it has minimized our Disney cost for a trip. When you go dow take a tour you will be suprised at how easy they make it to become a member or just walk away no pressure at all not like most time share presentations. Once you join you can become a member of an elite club hehehe not really elite but a very happy vacationing bunch of people. My inlaws are also members they are members @ Vero Beach.
MikeJ
Retrait is finally here...
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- Aug 18, 1999
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- 871
The DVC "Use Year" is simply the date on which your new points are added to your account. If you own 150 points and your use year is December, your points are added to your account on December 1 and available for use through the following November 30 - assuming you do no banking or borrowing of points.
Normally, use year is not particularly important, but if you're someone whose plans can change a lot, you want to select a use year appropriate to your situation. For example, if you vacation a lot in the fall (to hit the Epcot Food & Wine Festival) then a December use year would not be appropriate for you. Why, you may ask. (Go ahead. Ask. I can wait. ) If you cancel a reservation less than 30 days prior to arrival, your points go into a holding account and must be used by the end of the current use year. So if you have to cancel a reservation for late October and the points go into holding, you must use them before December 1 or they're gone - they can't be banked. If, however, you have a September use year and you cancel your October reservation at the last minute, you have until the following September 1 to use your points, which gives you a lot more flexibility to rebook your vacation. A worst case scenario would be to have a December use year and have to cancel a trip over US Thanksgiving. If your points go into holding you'd have less than a week to use them before they vanish.
Janet's correct - if they vacation a lot in the spring and summer, then a December use year is entirely appropriate for their situation. And yes, you understand it.
There are other subtleties with use year, but that's the big one.
- Mike
Normally, use year is not particularly important, but if you're someone whose plans can change a lot, you want to select a use year appropriate to your situation. For example, if you vacation a lot in the fall (to hit the Epcot Food & Wine Festival) then a December use year would not be appropriate for you. Why, you may ask. (Go ahead. Ask. I can wait.
) If you cancel a reservation less than 30 days prior to arrival, your points go into a holding account and must be used by the end of the current use year. So if you have to cancel a reservation for late October and the points go into holding, you must use them before December 1 or they're gone - they can't be banked. If, however, you have a September use year and you cancel your October reservation at the last minute, you have until the following September 1 to use your points, which gives you a lot more flexibility to rebook your vacation. A worst case scenario would be to have a December use year and have to cancel a trip over US Thanksgiving. If your points go into holding you'd have less than a week to use them before they vanish.Janet's correct - if they vacation a lot in the spring and summer, then a December use year is entirely appropriate for their situation. And yes, you understand it.
There are other subtleties with use year, but that's the big one.
- Mike
MikeJ, my husband and I are still continplating this purshase (this would be year 3 now) and I still can't grasp the "use month" 100%...I am a little slow when it comes to this...so for example if we travel in the months of March and April primarily should we be buying a May use month? I think I am confused by the 11 month and out booking.....so if they deposit your points in your account May 1 2004 then that would mean that you had until May 1 2005 to use them so therefore booking March 1 2005 would be 10 months out and you'd stand a better chance of securing your booking correct? But that would also mean that you'd be in the dilemma of the 30 day cancellation and consiquent rebook or lose the points...right....aargh. I just need someone to tell me which month to buy in and hold my hand while I do it!!!Also since the dollar is up I am planning on putting the entire purchase on my line of credit so that I avoid the fluctuations in the dollar which would effect my monthly payments.I'll just pay my maintenance fee on my credit card.We too have plateau'd as far as what we expect in a WDW holiday after 6 stays.We seem to need a little more down time as well so this sounds like the logical next step for us.
MikeJ
Retrait is finally here...
- Joined
- Aug 18, 1999
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- 871
Wasaga Beach, eh? My in-laws live on a farm just north of Elmvale, so we know that part of the province intimately. 
If you vacation primarily in March and April and are worried if you have to cancel on short notice, then you want your use year to be just before your vacation period, not after. In your case, February or March would be appropriate. Then if you have to cancel you have a much longer time to use the points in your holding account than if you had a May UY.
Use year has no bearing on when you can book your reservation. You can book at your home resort up to 11 months before your checkout date. So if you had a Feb UY and wanted to book a vacation checking out on March 15, 2005, you could book it on April 15, 2004. You don't have the points in your account when you make the booking, but they will be added on Feb 1, 2005 for use with your March 2005 reservation.
We bought our two contracts a few years ago with the dollar trading around US$0.62. Although we've had 4 great vacations in that time (well, three great and one horrible - we all got Norwalk while we were there) including a cruise, i haven't bothered to calculate how much less we'd have paid if we'd bought now. Too depressing. Although maybe it's time for another add-on.
- Mike
If you vacation primarily in March and April and are worried if you have to cancel on short notice, then you want your use year to be just before your vacation period, not after. In your case, February or March would be appropriate. Then if you have to cancel you have a much longer time to use the points in your holding account than if you had a May UY.
Use year has no bearing on when you can book your reservation. You can book at your home resort up to 11 months before your checkout date. So if you had a Feb UY and wanted to book a vacation checking out on March 15, 2005, you could book it on April 15, 2004. You don't have the points in your account when you make the booking, but they will be added on Feb 1, 2005 for use with your March 2005 reservation.
We bought our two contracts a few years ago with the dollar trading around US$0.62. Although we've had 4 great vacations in that time (well, three great and one horrible - we all got Norwalk while we were there) including a cruise, i haven't bothered to calculate how much less we'd have paid if we'd bought now. Too depressing. Although maybe it's time for another add-on.
- Mike
Thanks for the info MikeJ...so you know Wasaga intimately huh....my DH is a copper up here so nothing to rowdy while your visiting okay!!!You've clarified this for me...so my next question is this...on our last tour (LY) the dollar was at 65 cents...major deteriant that's why we got cold feet....because we were visiting in March they wanted us to purchase a March usage....so dose that mean I have to wait until Feb to purchase a Feb usage month?Maybe I should have paid more attention during the tour instead of focusing on the free pin I was gonna get (and immediately trade I might add to the next available cast member) but I think I must have completely gapped out.It doesn't help either when I can't find any of the DVC materials that I was given (I know I put them away...the question is where exactly???...one of my finest Dory/blonde moments).What I find so funny is that we've toured three times in a row now and had the same long suffering representative every time.I feel obligated to buy now cause I am too embarassed to tour again!!!!Anyway we're not going to the world this year cause we really want to purchase one of these and don't want to make any mistakes.What home resort are you at again?We looked at the Beach Club but that is probably sold out by now so that leaves us with Saratoga Springs??Has anyone heard anything about it yet...good bad or indifferent????Talk to you later!!!
I don't think so. We purchased in February/March, and got an October use year. I think, generally, they sell use years for the 'recent' months, not the months in the future - but, it really depends on the inventory they have in stock at the time.
We had a nice deal - in March/02 we received Oct/01 points, which we used right away for a May/02 trip, then got another batch of points in October/02 - didn't have to wait a 'full' year!
HTH, Jeff
jjohns that was a good deal...we toured that year too and it was a tempting offer but the dollar...aaargh.Anyway I was just over at the "Disney news and rumours board" and everyone over there is just tearing up WDW right now on a thread entitled "boycott of WDW in January"....yikes...it's enough to make your blood run cold and it makes me wonder whether or not there will be a WDW in the next 10-15 years let alone 30 for our kids to enjoy with our grandkids....so it makes me wonder if this really is a wise purchase???Maybe it's just sour grapes over there I don't know but it does make you wonder about what the future holds for the company...especially with the animation studio closure?Anyway thanks for the info...much appreciated!!!
http://disneydoc.homestead.com/ssrjan04.html
WebmasterDoc has a great site for pics and everything! He has just posted recent pics from SSR.
Personally, I like the location of SSR. It's proximity to DTD is what I really like. DD is in the Pre-teen years and DisneyQuest is ok with her. I figured even if we go down, we will still be in the thick of things even if we don't go into the parks! We are also close to to other attractions in the Orlando area, ie, Premier Outlet Mall!
It's always advised to buy where you would like to stay. You can always buy a resale. Timeshare is a sponsor of the board.
When we were there in August, I was only LOOKING! DD was the one that kept telling them we're buying!LOL
It's a personal decision and it's not for everybody. What's happening at Disney right now, well, I don't think we are getting the whole story.
Good Luck with whatever you decide!
Hi Mike!
I am so glad I still understand!
Scratch
WebmasterDoc has a great site for pics and everything! He has just posted recent pics from SSR.
Personally, I like the location of SSR. It's proximity to DTD is what I really like. DD is in the Pre-teen years and DisneyQuest is ok with her. I figured even if we go down, we will still be in the thick of things even if we don't go into the parks! We are also close to to other attractions in the Orlando area, ie, Premier Outlet Mall!
It's always advised to buy where you would like to stay. You can always buy a resale. Timeshare is a sponsor of the board.
When we were there in August, I was only LOOKING! DD was the one that kept telling them we're buying!LOL
It's a personal decision and it's not for everybody. What's happening at Disney right now, well, I don't think we are getting the whole story.
Good Luck with whatever you decide!
Hi Mike!
I am so glad I still understand!Scratch
MikeJ
Retrait is finally here...
- Joined
- Aug 18, 1999
- Messages
- 871
Interesting. It's the proximity of DTD to SSR that would keep me from owning at SSR. It's the same reason I wouldn't own at BWV - it's a bit of a circus atmosphere which is not what I'm necessarily looking for when I'm on vacation. Both our contracts are at OKW, and I really enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of that particular resort. Now the beauty of DVC is you can try out the other resorts (depending on availability, of course) for a change, should you desire.
If you haven't already, you should cruise on over to the DVC discussion board. The mantra there is "buy where you want to stay" because of the extra 4-month booking window you have at your home resort. And don't feel limited to Disney's offerings. We bought both our contracts through Jaki Apetz at A Timeshare Broker both both transactions were flawless. The Timeshare Store (the sponsor of the DVC board) also has an outstanding reputation. The benefits to buying a resale are (a) choice of resort, (b) choice of use year, and (c) generally lower cost - depending on inventory, needless to say. The only real benefit to buying from Disney is that they'll pick up the closing costs themselves. For a resale you're on the hook for those ($400-$500, depending on the contract).
- Mike
If you haven't already, you should cruise on over to the DVC discussion board. The mantra there is "buy where you want to stay" because of the extra 4-month booking window you have at your home resort. And don't feel limited to Disney's offerings. We bought both our contracts through Jaki Apetz at A Timeshare Broker both both transactions were flawless. The Timeshare Store (the sponsor of the DVC board) also has an outstanding reputation. The benefits to buying a resale are (a) choice of resort, (b) choice of use year, and (c) generally lower cost - depending on inventory, needless to say. The only real benefit to buying from Disney is that they'll pick up the closing costs themselves. For a resale you're on the hook for those ($400-$500, depending on the contract).
- Mike
Scratch 42 thanks for that link....fabulous pictures....on the "official" DVC site they still only show alot of "artists renderings" which is Ok but not nearly as good as these.Are you concerned about the amount of construction still going on? It looks like there's still alot ahead as well looking at the site map.I like the atmosphere at Down Town Disney as well.....my dd is 10 soon to be 11...a tween if you will...and i think that would appeal to her as well. Like MikeJ I like my peace and quiet too though (then why the heck am I buying a Disney property????) but I am also big on theme.I still remember the very first DVC tour I took...it was for the Boardwalk...I was so struck by it that I never really got over it...it seemed so different and amazing to me...weird I realize but let's just say it made an impression.I know that SS is themed after turn of the century Florida (blurb on there site)but i am wondering about the actual theme??Does it translate???No doubt it is beautiful but unfortunately my last tour they were still trying to sell out the Beach Club and they said very little about the SS release. i really liked the beach Club also but they outside spaces were so limited and Kind of cramped although the sand bottom pool was really cool.I haven't heard much about Wilderness Lodge either....but I really didn't like the rooms (looks kinda like your typical Muskoka cottage/Blue commercial) not really my bag I guess.I have travel over to the DVC board as well...very informative...and yes everyone stresses that you should buy were you like to stay....lots of booking complaints though too...that's a little alarming...more so if your trying to stay at any of the other DVc properties.I think my biggest challenge here is to pick a property.I've never toured OKW although people seem to love it and Mike i tried the resale site...lots of people unloading massive amounts of points on there!!!!!What about use years...it's 45 right...if you buy a resale that was purchase 8 years ago that means you only have it for the next 37 years.Does this affect the point price???Just curious!!!Thanks again guys.....I am getting somewhere I think!!!
SSR is based on an Upstate New York Resort. The construction does not bother me 'cause I have 50 years to enjoy!
With resales, yes I believe they deduct the years from the contract. If you are undecided which DVC, good excuse to make a trip just to check them out!
Regarding all the problems, can't comment 'cause we are still waiting for our first trip home! I think the biggest problem is that we here can get the information sooner than new CM's that are working at MS! As for mousekeeping, et al, I will report back but I am sure there will be others that are going sooner than we are so I will be looking out for their comments!
Scratch
With resales, yes I believe they deduct the years from the contract. If you are undecided which DVC, good excuse to make a trip just to check them out!
Regarding all the problems, can't comment 'cause we are still waiting for our first trip home! I think the biggest problem is that we here can get the information sooner than new CM's that are working at MS! As for mousekeeping, et al, I will report back but I am sure there will be others that are going sooner than we are so I will be looking out for their comments!
Scratch
We usually have booked @ the 7 month point (not usually booking at our home resort), with no problem. We usually travel at the less busy times of year - May and October - but we did manage to get space within 7 months in the middle of December (which is a tough DVC time because of the low points requirement).
Our specific experience:
- In Mar/2001, we booked an OKW 1-bedroom for May/2001. No problems with the short notice.
- In Oct/2002, we booked an OKW 2-bedroom for May/2002. No problems booking @ 7 months.
- In Mar/2002, we booked an OKW 2-bedroom for Oct/2002. No problems booking @ 7 months.
- In May/2002, we booked an OKW 2-bedroom for Dec/2002. No problems booking @ 7 months. We also went on the wait-list for both a BWV 2-bedroom and a BCV 2-bedroom for part of that stay since there was no 2-bedroom space available @ 7months. We waitlisted for all the nights we needed (as opposed to waitlisting for each night separately) - the BWV space eventually came through at the end of October.
- In Mar/2003, we booked an OKW 2-bedroom for Oct/2002. No problems booking @ 7 months.
- In Jun/2003 we booked at our BWV home resort (first time using the 11month window) a Standard View 1 Bedroom for May/2004. Booked this day-by-day (I was told that Standards are very hard to come by). Probably didn't have to do day-by-day... there was still Std View space when I called back about a month later.
- In Oct/2003, we booked a BWV studio for May/2004. No problems booking @ 7 months.
The leases (and hence, the DVC ownership interest) on the OKW, BWV, WLV and BCV properties expire in 2042. For SSR, the lease runs until 2050. No 'rebate' for lost years... I wish! No affect on the point price in the resale market - at least, not yet. At some point, the number of remaining years won't be high enough to justify the point price, but probably not for quite a while - the 'payback' on a DVC investment is generally accepted to be 10 years (give or take a few depending on what you're comparing against), so it probably won't affect price per point until the late 201x's or 202x's.
My thoughts, anyway...
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