DVC questions...

[hemosprius]

Alright, so I'm looking to buy into the DVC, probably via a resale. I would be travelling with 3 people (including myself) and we would probably want to stay in 1 bedroom villas because we have a timeshare somewhere else with a 2 bedroom villa so it would be weird and not vacation-feeling for us to stay in a room without a full kitchen, separate bedroom, ect. I have a lot of questions, so hopefully I can straighten some of them out here.

Question #1: It looks to be that there is only one bed in the villa, but the website says they all sleep 4 to 5 people. Is there a pull out bed I'm not aware of? Can I get two beds instead of one?

Question #2: Would I be allowed to bring extra people on vacation with me, or would there be an extra cost? Not too many people to the point where everyone can't fit in the room, but would I be allowed to bring a friend along our family vacation?

Question #3: When banking your points, do you have to bank all of the points from that year or can you just bank the ones you don't use?

Question #4: Do I get discounts on park tickets, or do I have to pay full price?

Question #5: When you stay at a resort other than your home resort, do you have to pay a small fee, or is it just like staying at your home resort?

Question #6: Can I rent points from other people so I can take more than 1 vacation in a year?

Question #7: Can I buy more points later on?

Question #8: If I bought through a resale, would I be able to use the points for a cruise?

Thank you, if you can help me!

 

[erionm]

Question #1: It looks to be that there is only one bed in the villa, but the website says they all sleep 4 to 5 people. Is there a pull out bed I'm not aware of? Can I get two beds instead of one?

All 1-bedroom Villas have a sleeper sofa, some also have a sleeper chair.

Question #2: Would I be allowed to bring extra people on vacation with me, or would there be an extra cost? Not too many people to the point where everyone can't fit in the room, but would I be allowed to bring a friend along our family vacation?

DVC does not charge extra for additional people. As long as you don't exceed the occupancy limit of the unit, you can list them on the reservation.

Question #3: When banking your points, do you have to bank all of the points from that year or can you just bank the ones you don't use?

You can bank any or all of your bankable points at any time during the first 8 months of the UY. You can also bank multiple times as long as you have bankable points.

Question #4: Do I get discounts on park tickets, or do I have to pay full price?

No discounts on daily theme park admission (Magic Your Way tickets). Members do save on Annual Passes and there are discounts on daily Water Park tickets.

Question #5: When you stay at a resort other than your home resort, do you have to pay a small fee, or is it just like staying at your home resort?

There are no fees to stay at any of the DVC Resorts, even if it's not your home resort. Outside of the DVC Resorts, there is a $95 transaction and possibly cleaning fees (nightly RCI exchanges).

Question #6: Can I rent points from other people so I can take more than 1 vacation in a year?

Yes. You would not be able to combined them with your points for a single night unless you had them transferred into your account.

Question #7: Can I buy more points later on?

Yes. If you purchase the same UY, they can be added to your existing membership. If a different UY, it would be a new membership.

Question #8: If I bought through a resale, would I be able to use the points for a cruise?

No. Resale purchases made after 3/21/2011 can't be used for cruises.

 

[disneynutz]

Question #1: It looks to be that there is only one bed in the villa, but the website says they all sleep 4 to 5 people. Is there a pull out bed I'm not aware of? Can I get two beds instead of one?
Pull out and maybe a sleeper chair or small murphy bed.

Question #2: Would I be allowed to bring extra people on vacation with me, or would there be an extra cost? Not too many people to the point where everyone can't fit in the room, but would I be allowed to bring a friend along our family vacation?
Max based on published occupancy.

Question #3: When banking your points, do you have to bank all of the points from that year or can you just bank the ones you don't use?
You can bank and borrow partial allotment.

Question #4: Do I get discounts on park tickets, or do I have to pay full price?
Current discount on annual pass only.

Question #5: When you stay at a resort other than your home resort, do you have to pay a small fee, or is it just like staying at your home resort?
No fee but can't book until 7 months before check in.

Question #6: Can I rent points from other people so I can take more than 1 vacation in a year?
Yes

Question #7: Can I buy more points later on?
Yes

Question #8: If I bought through a resale, would I be able to use the points for a cruise?
No but why would you want to pay such a high price, better deal is to pay cash.

Bill

 

[hemosprius]

Thank you guys! Another question: why are points for Vero Beach so cheap? If I buy there, do I ever have to stay there, or can I just go wherever I please?

 

[DisK]

Thank you guys! Another question: why are points for Vero Beach so cheap? If I buy there, do I ever have to stay there, or can I just go wherever I please?

They're cheap because the dues are outrageously high. Don't buy there unless you want to stay there.

 

[CarolMN]

Thank you guys! Another question: why are points for Vero Beach so cheap? If I buy there, do I ever have to stay there, or can I just go wherever I please?

You do not have to ever stay there. However, you can only use those points to book elsewhere 7 months or less prior to arrival. Sometimes, availability is limited at that point. For WDW, if you do not care which resort you book, there will almost always be something at SSR.

As mentioned the annual dues are high for VB. Be sure to do the math for a break even point before you purchase. Also remember, that low buy in will also mean less back if you decide to sell.

 

[Cboyfanjoe]

Don't be afraid to buy vero if the price is right for your budget. I've been a dvc member since 1998 BWV & HHI. I just purchased 150 pts at vero for $7500 ($8000 w closing costs) and the savings I am getting from the purchase price is more then making up for the higher MFs. I was looking at all the resorts which expire in 2042 because I wanted to stay consistent w my current points and vero, even w high MFs, saved me $$ for at least the next 10-12 years. Now I had cash on hand so I didn't have to figure in the interest if financing, but if u do have to finance u would save $$ for even a longer period because you would have to finance more and pay more interest for the other resorts. As far as booking, 7 months out is almost always enough time to get the resort you want. I've been going to DW every year since 1998, a lot of times twice a year and rarely booked outside of 7 months and always got what I wanted. The only time I've ever had an issue was when plans changed and/or reservations were made on short notice (2 months or less). I just stayed in BLT over spring break and that was booked at 7 months w no problem. Vero might not be the best choice for you, but don't b scared off by the high MFs, do the math first then decide! Go online and find a dvc dues chart to figure it out.

 

[nalajms]

Another problem with VB is that there will likely be damage if a hurricane gets near it or even just passes by on the Atlantic. Any damage will result in an increase in dues. Not sure what will happen if a really bad one hits. With a 2042 expiration, there's a very high probability of hurricane damage happening at some point in the future.

 

[zavandor]

Thank you guys! Another question: why are points for Vero Beach so cheap? If I buy there, do I ever have to stay there, or can I just go wherever I please?

Vero is cheaper to buy in, but has much higher MF.

SSR buy in: $70 - $75 per point
VB buy in: $45 - $50 per point

SSR MF: $4.91
VB: $7.75

With a difference of $25 per point to buy in and 2,84 in MF, it will take 9 years to make up for the difference, then in the long run you'll pay much more for Vero. And Vero expires earlier.