DVC: To do it all again

[nickspace]

I really can't say that I have any regrets because I bought what I could afford at the time. I didn't want to finance so I stuck to my budget at bought my first contract at SSR and my second one at HHI with cash. My SSR contract of 160 points gave us a good base of points to use anywhere while my recent 150 points at HHI was purchased to stay specifically at HHI. Getting in HHI in the summer at the 7 month window can be near impossible so having that 11 month window is key.

The only thing I understand differently now is the lower cost of paying cash for some trips or some nights. I have found that the cash option if often a better deal than using points considering the cost of purchasing the points, the maintenance fees, and even the rental value of points. If I were to do it again I would almost want a minimal amount of points to get my foot in the door and then invest the money I spend on DVC and use that invested money to pay cash when we wanted a DVC vacation. But oh well... its only money.

 

[JimMIA]

Just remember, you were new once too. There is a lot to learn and it is a logical question.

Yes, we were all new once, and most of us asked a lot of basic questions and found a lot of knowledge and help here. You will find that people here are willing to spend an enormous amount of time answering simple questions (and more difficult ones). In fact, people here spend a lot of time answering the same basic questions over and over and over...and nobody minds doing that.

But it is disheartening to see questions asked by people who have ALREADY purchased that tell you they were completely clueless when they made their purchase decision. Sometimes, the questions reveal that DVC was really a bad purchase for their family, and they would have known that if they'd done even a minimal amount of research.

 

[ransom]

If it had it all to do over again, I wouldn't change a thing. Well, maybe I'd get an Oct use year instead of Dec, but that's a minor thing, really.

 

[photobob]

I wouldn't change the decision to buy, but i probably would buy a resale at BWV had i known that was a possibility.

 

[kikiq]

The only thing we would change is breaking our contract into two 100 pt contracts. We were fortunate to get an incredible deal for SSR with matching developer points. We are considering adding on BWV in order to stay there for F & W. Still thinking about GCV add on, but if I can book my birthday at 7 months, then maybe not.

 

[dvcnewgirl]

I would not change anything. I researched on this board a lot before i bought. I started with HHI 80 points which is what I could afford cash. I did not go with the buy where you want to stay philosophy because I wanted more points for my limited budget. Since then I have fallen in love.. with HHI. It is such a great vacation. So I guess I lucked out. I am a teacher and would never head to WDW during spring break or summer so HHI is great for us. ( When I fist bought I was not working.. this wonderful economy has led me back to work). So I am VERY happy with my contract. I did add on with Disney 50 points at BWV which I really enjoy as well. I am usually behind on points (borrowing) but I have never had a trip I could not take so I guess that it OK.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

We wish we would have bought in sooner...like on honeymoon in 1993 when they gave you free park passes. We are happy with the 170 we have now - can't afford more...but hope to add on in the future like a previous poster..after orthodontics and college We got spoiled by a 1 B and now have..for the first time.. borrowed points to be able to stay in one for Easter Week. One day we will add on, but for now we borrow.

 

[amyngary]

...I can't think of anything we would change. We just bought in Feb. of 2009. While we officially bought on our last trip (4th year in a row to go to WDW), we immediately came home and researched on these boards to find out how to change things before we signed (UY and splitting to smaller contracts).

Thanks to all of you for providing so much great information. We are heading to our home resort BLT on Dec. 1 for 4 nights before going on our free cruise. Right now, I think we have the right number of points (210), but I suspect it would be easy to be bitten by the bug after taking a few trips... we'll see.

 

[Goofy DVC]

Wouldn't change a thing. Bought in 93 and our membership has pretty much gone as planned.
If I had to change one thing it would have been to SLOW down during those early years. At times, we rushed around as if WDW wasn't going to be there next year. Live and learn.

 

[katmittens]

We bought a resale at OKW in I think 2001 at 63.00 a point and our only regret is we which we purchased sooner. For many years we debated and we always needed something else, finally when we did we were thrilled. We love our DVC and have been lucky in staying at alot of other places, VWL at Christmas, Vero Beach, Beach Club and OKW, and now in Oct we will be at AKV. So far no problem booking at times at 7 months. So I hope that continues since now it is harder to plan too far out since our kids are older (jobs and college) but DH and I are looking forward to our trip in OCT, alone and then with the kids in Jan at VWL for NY. Can't wait.