DVC to purchase at????

[dudspizza]

I have been reading people saying buy at the resort you want to stay at, but I really want to try many DVC destinations (OKW, VWL, BW, BC/YC, SSR).

Would it be smart to buy a resale like Hilton Head or Vero Beach since they are cheaper, then book at the 7 month mark at one of the Disney DVC's? Money is an object, yet DVC really appeals to me.

Would I be stuck not being able to get a room at a Disney DVC if I have points at HH or VB? We mainly travel during June, July, and August since we are both teachers.

Thanks for your insight.

Duds

 

[tjkraz]

Vero beach isn't a great choice unless you intend to use your points there. The maintenance fees are about $1 per point higher than other resorts. Whatever you save on the initial purchase will be made up in higher maintenance fees pretty quickly.

Hilton Head is a good choice if you intend to use it. It can be hard to get into during the summer months, and that 11-month booking advantage is valuable.

But if neither of those is a real attractive option, I'd suggest a resort at WDW. That always gives you one destination you can book at 11 months so that you can start looking for airfare deals, and so on. If you really want to stay elsewhere, just call at 7 months and try to rebook. At least you know you have the room at your Home if you can't get the other resort you want.

As far as price goes, your best bets are either Old Key West or Saratoga Springs. You'll pay a little more for SSR, but its contracts run 12 years longer than any of the other properties. These two both have the lowest maintenance fees on-site.

We were in the same boat as you--we didn't have a real strong resort preference and were attracted by the 12 extra years at SSR. Now having stayed at 4 of the 5 resorts on-site, SSR is entrenched as our favorite. Never would have thought that going in. Just goes to show you really can't always make a decision like that based upon photos and resort descriptions.

Good luck.

 

[dudspizza]

Very well put, thanks.

Is Disney still selling at SSR? IF so, where do I go to check into the costs?

Duds

 

[tjkraz]

Is Disney still selling at SSR? IF so, where do I go to check into the costs?

Yup. Costs work like this:

Base price is $95 per point. If you need points to use immediately, that's the price you pay. If you are willing to defer until later in 2005 (not sure exactly when), they will take $10 off bringing you down to $85.

If you go with the $95 option, you'll have to put at least 20% down. With the $85 option, the discount applies to your down-payment, and you'll only have to come up with 10%.

Of course, if you have the cash (or credit) to pay for the entire purchase, take a look at the resale market. You'll certainly save some money, although it will take a bit more time and effort to find a contract to your liking.

If you want to get direct through DVC, send me a PM and I'll give you the name of our Guide (salesperson.) We bought about 18 months ago and had a great experience. No pressure to buy...very informative...couldn't have been happier with the process.

Good luck.

 

[tjkraz]

dupe post

 

[jekjones1558]

dudspizza,
Good luck in your decision making, from another Minnesota teacher (just retired and LOVING DVC!) Wish we had checked into DVC many years ago instead of paying each time to stay onsite.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Would it be smart to buy a resale like Hilton Head or Vero Beach since they are cheaper, then book at the 7 month mark at one of the Disney DVC's? Money is an object, yet DVC really appeals to me.

TJK has given great advice, I just want to reiterate the idea that if you want to visit WDW, you should buy one of the on-site resorts. That way you will always be guaranteed a room, when you want to go.

The great thing about being in education is that you pretty much already know when you can travel next year and the best use of DVC is for those who can plan ahead. It sounds like DVC will work well for you.

HBC

 

[tonyhoop]

I found out yesterday that if you buy at SSR before feb 28th they will double your points the first year. Also, there will be a new promotion after the 28th. Also buy SSR its an absolutely faboulous resort.

 

[TammyAlphabet]

Tony, what is this I read about doubling your points the first year??? This is news to me. Tell us more...

 

[AJKMOM]

Wanted to say that I was able to get a 2br in August at Hilton Head at 7 months. I was also able to get a 1br in Vero Beach at the 7 month window.

We traded our BWV points for these 2 last year. We did love HH, and will by going to VB in 2 weeks.

 

[tjkraz]

Tony, what is this I read about doubling your points the first year??? This is news to me. Tell us more...

It's the same old promotion they've been running for 6 months. Some guides must be marketing it a bit differently since we're now into 2005.

If you pay the $95 price point, you get a set of Developer's Points to use immediately, and you'll get another set when your Use Year begins later in '05. For example, if you buy 150 with an August UY, you get 150 now and 150 in August.

To get the $85 price, you forego the Developer's Points and simply get the first set in August.

I'm curious to see what they will come up with on March 1st. My Guide didn't think they they would necessarily raise the prices right away, so I'm wondering how they will change the deal come 3/1. Could just be the standard Magical Beginnings in which you have to forfeit your 2005 points in order to get the $10 per point credit.