DVC Second Time Around (maybe)...

[CSCO_KD]

Hi Everyone,

I’m a former DVC owner (BWV). When I moved back to California roughly two years ago, I sold since there wasn’t a DVC property at DL. I also needed that extra cash for a down payment on a house!

Well, now that GCV is open in DL I’m considering taking the plunge again.

I wanted to get some feedback on a purchase strategy. This is what I’m thinking:

Buy HH on resale at roughly $50 to 55 a point.
Upside: Significantly lower cost vs. GCV (roughly $100/pt on resale market).
Downside: Can’t book beyond 7 month window and higher annual fees.

Buy GCV on resale at roughly $100 a point.
Upside: Can book in the 7 to 11 month window and lower annual fees.
Downside: Twice as expensive as HH.

For us, it’s likely that we will not make plans beyond 7 months. I also want a fair amount of points (220 to 250) as I will need at least a 1 bedroom villa possibly two bedrooms. Since there are 6 of us I don’t plan on flying everyone out to DW too often.

So, I’m leaning towards buying a lower cost contact on resale (even with the higher fees). Certainly, I’m concerned about booking GCV inside of the 7 month window since there is a lot less capacity vs the villas at DW.

Is there anything I might be missing? How are the ROFR going for HH?
Any feedback or other options would be welcome.

Thanks,
Blaine

 

[disneynutz]

Buy where you love to stay. The is no guarantee that you will always be allowed to book at resorts other than your home resort.

Bill

 

[CrazyDuck]

Buy where you love to stay. The is no guarantee that you will always be allowed to book at resorts other than your home resort.

Bill

There is no guarantee that you'll even be able to book at your home resort, especially during popular times!

Seriously though (OP).... If you plan on staying at VGC buy there because those rooms will be hard to get at 7 months... Look at it this way.... You say you will probably stay in a 1br unit... At Disney World there are a total of 1490 1br DVC units! The total number of 1br DVC units at Disneyland: 23! You think those aren't going to be hard to book?

Also are you sure you will be able to even use your HHI points to book stays at other DVC resorts? Like disneynutz was alluding to.... DVD has the right to remove a resort from the DVC collection.. I'm not saying that they are going to do that but if the prices on those resorts keep slipping... ya never know what could happen...

 

[CarolMN]

HHI annual fees are higher - have you done the math to see when/if that makes a difference (break even point)?

DVC can be frustrating for those who cannot make plans more than 7 months in advance. GCV is small - only 50 2 bedroom equivalents. You plan to buy a lot of points (relatively). Are you very flexible with unit size and time of year? Of not, you may end up losing points.

I usually do not recommend DVC to anyone who cannot plan more than 7 months in advance most of the time. Given that there is only one DVC in California and you don't think you will visit WDW or HHI very often, my advice is to rethink your purchase. I don't think DVC will be a good value for you.

 

[BigTigger]

I'll echo the above posts and caution buying GCV if you can't decide more than 7 months ahead. The inventory is just too small and will be gone in a flash at the 7 month window opening. Since GCV has opened, we've tried repeatedly to get a 1 BR or 2 BR at the 7 month window without success.

I'd also have you consider the capital cost upfront plus annual maintenance fees for a 220 to 250 point purchase. Say it's 250 for this example - you'll pay $25K upfront plus annual fees of ~$1,250. If your life expectancy of DVC use before life events (kids off to college, etc.) change your vacation habits is less than 10 years, then you should consider just staying concierge at GC and using the capital for something else.