DVC: To do it all again

[pinnocchiosdad]

If I knew then what I know now I would have done things diferently. If buying today I would by a resale at OKW for around $58 per point and take my luck at the 7 month mark. (I recently got a 1br BLT at the 6 month mark). I fully understand that newer resorts are dated for 50 years but I am ok with that. This is JMHO.

 

[chalee94]

i would agree.

i am very happy staying at OKW. if i have the opportunity to stay somewhere else at 7 months out, then i like to try the different resorts. but if i get "stuck" at OKW, i'm still very happy.

 

[DeeCee735]

I have to say, we had our pens ready to sign on the dotted line for a 50 point add on at AKV. We just couldn't do it. Even with the discount from the LI event, making it $99 a point, we couldn't do it.

We originally paid $65 a point for our largest contract back in 2000 at BWV (and have used it at OKW and LOVED IT enough to go back there again and again ). We added on in 25 point increments, four times, and the highest we paid was $89.00 for the last 25 point contract. To us, that was high enough!

I've got my eyes on the resale market for that "perfect" add on. If it shows itself, I'm jumping on it. If not, we've done quite well with our 285 points all this time, so getting more isn't a must. Right price, right contract....if it comes our way it was meant to be, if not......oh well, I've already got my next three trips booked!!! So we've got nothing to worry about there

We are in a perpetual state of borrowing, but that's okay, cause we'll be in our 80's when our contracts expire, and our kids will be in their 50's. God willing we'll be healthy and finanically good enough to be able to enjoy every year in WDW from now til then. What a great life it is!!

 

[DebbieB]

My only DVC regret is that I bought my 250 BWV points in one contract. I wish I would have broke it up into 150 and 100. If I had done that, I would sell the 100 and buy 100 points at GCV. I love having the boardwalk view so I need the 11 month window for that so I would keep the 150 there.

 

[gkrykewy]

If we were starting fresh today, I would also be buying resale (probably at AKV, but possibly at SSR given the price differential). We have had great success getting our choice of resorts at 7 months.

That said, for small add-ons it's less of a slam dunk. We did a 50-point AKV add-on this spring, and direct was a better deal than resale after considering resale closing costs and the inclusion of 2008 points with our direct purchase.

 

[Coach81]

We bought SSR via resale.. and we are thrilled with our 150pts so far.. we do see another 50 points in the horizon.. but for now we are very happy with our decision.

 

[MaryPA]

We really did 'beat this around' for a whole year before deciding. We struggled with Saratoga [not there this anything wrong with this resort]. Then we found resales. We went with Boardwalk for 170 and have never regretted it a second. We listened to everyone on the Dis who said buy where you want to stay - and we did. Of course we know we can stay at other resorts - but since we are pre planners - we can take advantage of the 11 month window and book there and if we wish - change at 7 month if there is availability.

We are considering an add on in the future.

Yes - we would do it all again! Sooner if we could.

 

[crisi]

If you don't care about the extra years, and you are content with "anywhere on property," and are willing to go the resale route (which is a good route, just can be more fussing than just writing Disney a check) OKW continues to be a great value. So is SSR via the resale market (and you get the extra years if you care). BWV has been - we bought for only about $2 more a point than an equilvenent OKW contract back in 2002.

But resale values have been really low this year - just before the economy went upside down, there was very little savings between buying direct and resale. I don't know if the differential will hold, but even if it doesn't, in March of 2008 buying direct made a LOT more financial sense than it does right now.

 

[JimMIA]

I don't think there is any right or wrong way to buy DVC, but I sure wish people would do a LOT more research and really understand what they are buying. I think far too many people buy DVC impulsively just because they can finance it, and a lot of them are paying for that now.

To me, home resort depends on your vacationing style and what you REALLY consider important. Some owners would absolutely DIE if they couldn't get a ressie at their preferred home resort. If they can and will book prior to 7 months in the future, home resort will be more important to them than what they pay.

We bought our original contract resale, and then an add-on direct because there was a good promotion going. We can book 11 months out, but typically book <7 months unless we're going in December. Like some others, we'll try other resorts, but we're happy as clams at OKW -- it's our favorite resort.

We're done buying, and will probably sell our SSR add-on somewhere down the road, but not anytime soon.

 

[crisi]

I don't think there is any right or wrong way to buy DVC, but I sure wish people would do a LOT more research and really understand what they are buying. I think far too many people buy DVC impulsively just because they can finance it, and a lot of them are paying for that now.

There is something particularly disturbing to me about what seems to be a recent spate of "OK, now I'm a DVC member, how do I add Free Dining to my reservation" posts.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I don't know if the differential will hold....

Well, as long as Disney continues to hike it's prices....it will hold.

 

[bakenatj]

There is something particularly disturbing to me about what seems to be a recent spate of "OK, now I'm a DVC member, how do I add Free Dining to my reservation" posts.

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

 

[crisi]

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

But I got the questions that were important to me answered before I spent $10,000. I spent about two months here reading (not posting much) - and reading everything. I searched the internet for other sites that talked about the pros and cons. I talked to current owners.

I have no issues with people who ask before they buy. The question is redundant, we answer it three or four times a week around here, but its always answered patiently. I am disturbed by the people who bought with the expectation this was available.

 

[ACDSNY]

There are two things I'd have done differently. First I should of started with a Fall UY instead of Feb, we've sold most of our Feb points and started a new membership with an Aug UY. Second, I should have waited to purchase VGC, the deals they're having now are light years better than what we received as Founding Members.

 

[schewy]

I initally purchased at SSR. Since my first purchase I have bought additional points, also at SSR. The price is much cheaper than the current promotional offer. I have not looked into the resale market becuase they usually are offering too large amount of points than we needed.
Since my ownership in 2005 I have only stayed one night at SSR. I have stayed at several different resorts wit Wilderness Lodge being my favorite. I have never had trouble booking months out, but I always book on the first day of being months out.

 

[Simba's Mom]

If I knew then what I know now I would have done things diferently. If buying today I would by a resale at OKW for around $58 per point and take my luck at the 7 month mark. (I recently got a 1br BLT at the 6 month mark). I fully understand that newer resorts are dated for 50 years but I am ok with that. This is JMHO.

If we had it to do over again, we'd definitely also have bought resale at OKW. But we didn't know anything about resale. Also, we thought we'd like what Disney was selling at the time. However, after our first stay at OKW, DH decided "This is the resort for me all the time!" and we sold our original purchase and bought resale at OKW because he wanted to own OKW.

 

[TLSnell1981]

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

I'm for grateful to those who have shared their knowledge and expertise on DVC.

Thanks ya'll!!!

 

[fers31]

I'm very happy with my SSR resale purchase last year. When I think of doing an add-on, many other resorts are tempting, but with the lower price and later ending date....SSR calls to me.

 

[bluenosemickey]

I was glad that I bought through Disney the first time and didn't even know about the DIS then. I am such a researcher that I think I would have made myself crazy wondering what to do! Instead, I just closed my eyes and jumped in with both feet, much to my husband's delight!

I never do anything that big without overthinking it until I decide not to.

I have never regretted it for a moment. But now I'm wondering about an add on. I would do SSR resale for the value. We have stayed at 5 of the resorts and loved something at each of them, so I'm fine with the 7mo. lottery.

What I'm wondering about is whether or not I want to commit to the extra maintanence fees. Right now, if we run short on points I look for deals for cash using whatever means possible (AP holder and other discount rates) for the extra days I want to stay. I still like the thrill of the hunt for those deals. We have enjoyed some free dining along with staying DVC. A little of both. Kind of a nice mix.

But I'm wondering if I would be better off just having enough points to do whatever we want with DVC alone and stop the hunting?

Only thing is.... do you ever have enough points? Something tells me (add-onitis) that you never do.

 

[crisi]

Only thing is.... do you ever have enough points? Something tells me (add-onitis) that you never do.

We seem to be unusual for DISers, but we have plenty of points. At this point, perhaps even too many. And we have a small contract.