DVC vs. other timeshares in the area. Somebody HELP me!!

[Dreamfinder2]

People, we are going to take the plunge in the next couple of weeks ... SOMEWHERE. I'm an unrepentant WDW nut, but I've also been browsing other Timeshare store properties, and there's some pretty doggone good deals out there. Question: before you bought at DVC, did you look at other properties in the area? Discounting the availability of transportation, and "owning the magic," what ultimately tipped the scales in the DVC favor? (Understand that in our case we lived in the area for several years, that we're open to visiting other parks occasionally, we drive our own vehicle, etc.) Other than bottom line considerations, what settled it for you?

I almost feel that I'm betraying a friend for even considering such heresy as purchasing another property. I'm afraid I'd regret it forever if I didn't do Disney.

Or maybe I should just get a life.

...naaah.

Remembering when ... there was a Golf Resort.

 

[kem330]

Besides the fact that we go at least every other year and refuse to stay off property, the point system is what sold us. It is so flexible. I like that we don't have to pick a specific time. The exchanges are good and what timeshare has this kind of resale value?

 

[Richyams]

We spent a few nights at Marriot's Grande Vista??? I think that is what it was called. We had one of those offers in the mail, three mights for a cheap amount. We took it.

The Villas were tiny compared to OKW, they may have even been smaller then BWV units. More than that though, was the odd set up and appointments. The master bath was huge. But it was all empty space. The shower stall was only about average sized. The jacquizi was actually in the master bedroom. Our unit had a counter across from it and two sinks in the master bath. The unit we saw on the tour had one sinke near the jacquizi and one on the master bath.

The units were akward. The set ups varied. The grounds were attractive, but there really wan't much to do. There were no activities at that we saw at all.

The worst part was driving back after a day at the parks. It wasn't that far, but you definitely felt as if you were leaving WDW every day.

From what I remember, the trading opportunities seemed better, but more costly. There were no trades at all with no cost. In DVC we can go between resorts with no cost. The bottom line was very similar. I believe Marriot worked out to a bit more expensive, both up front and in dues...I am not sure about dues, but the upfront was definitely more.

"From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs", Karl Marx,This has failed every time it has been tried, why do we still have liberals?

 

[dianeschlicht]

We looked at other timeshares too, the cheaper cost was intriguing, but there was no comparison to staying in the magic. We stayed at OKW studio to check it out, and there was no turning back. We HAD to do DVC!

Disneydiane

 

[jctwizzer]

We think it boils down to "the magic" and the economics. We bought at Old Key West first. Then for about half that cost, added a week at Marriott's Cypress Harbour. Then, on a wild hair, bought a week at Vistana off of ebay for about 20% of what OKW cost. They are all nice places, but only at OKW do we feel at "home." The others have organized activities, are close to WDW, and the facilities are fine. There's just a better feeling at OKW. With all those units, we go to Orlando quarterly....or have traded the lower priced places for other timeshares. Being retired helps. For us, these are all prepaid vacations, each with its place in our plans. You will have to weigh the various factors. Summing, if we could only have one place, and economics was not a factor, we would stay with OKW.

 

[DVCDAVE]

Besides being on property, there are three big factors in our mind.
1) It seems that when you want to do an exchange, it is easier to exchange out of Disney to go somewhere else, as more people are willing to exchnage in to Disney than out of Disney.
2) Resale. Should you ever need to sell, it is encourging that Disney has an interest in supporting the market through their right of first refusal.
3) the point system adds the 'magic' by creating a flexible system. We are not locked in to a week, which may be convienant today, but may not be 5 years from now.

WDW:
76,77,78,87,FW
92,Offsite
95 POL
96(2), GF,Offsite
97,GF
98,99,00,FW
8/00 DVC member @ BWV
3/01 BWV, FW
3/01 DVC member @ WLV
11/01 BWV !

 

[janiejo]

We actually bought through Fairfield before we bought DVC. We bought the Fairfield knowing we would NEVER stay in one of their five properties in Orlando because we have always stayed on property and couldn't see doing it any other way. In fact, our kids asked as we discussed buying into the Fairfield properties if this meant we would never again stay on Disney. We assured them that would not be the case. Well, two years later it finally sunk in we should buy at BWV too - we were spending so much to stay at the hotels we would already have paid for the points at BWV. We enjoy Fairfield, but I have to say, they are a lot more hassle to deal with than DVC. I won't even go into banking points - just say DVC is SO liberal when it comes to banking, canceling a reservation, etc. compared to the folks at Fairfield. If you are wanting to go to Disney, DVC is the way to go. If you are wanting to vacation other places more than Disney, you might want to consider another company. We love Disney and will never regret owning at BWV. But, we also love to travel and the Fairfield is great for going other places. Hope this helps!

 

[LauraS]

We never looked at any other Orlando timeshares because we'd never want to stay off-site. The on-site vs. off-site timeshare argument comes up time and time again. Well, for us there was and never will be any comparison with the DVC because it's on-site. We don't tell people when we're leaving for vacation that we're heading down to Orlando. We tell them that we're going to Walt Disney World. There is a big difference for us. Traveling off-site every single day of a vacation to get back to your accommodations would change the whole flavor of our wonderful on-site journeys.

Honestly, we wouldn't have cared what these other timeshares looked like, how much cheaper they are, or how big the units were. They're all located off-site and we would never want to stay anywhere but on-site. For us that was the only consideration.

Laura

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Y'all are a tremedous help! Keep 'em coming! I might just 'fess up and say that we've looked at a Marriott property -- a 2 BR with 1250 sq. ft. which is not insignificant in size, and has plenty of amenities. You are locked into a "season," even though there are 17 or 18 weeks to play with. You're there for a week; no long weekends! And it is mucho less expensive. It is deeded to you and your heirs forever.

I could sit around and rationalize all day. I do have a legitimate job, and this is keeping me from it. Nothing but Disney is Disney, obvously, and I should be ashamed of myself for considering otherwise. My Scots-Irish blood is just making me think conservatively, I guess.

Let me hear from a couple more of you. Be honest!

Remembering when -- the Top of the World was a dinner show.

 

[ckr]

Biggest reason for us was the no fee trading. We already owned a fixed week timeshare and traded it trough RCI. However, there are lots of hidden costs with RCI. The per year membership fee, the per trade fee, the guest certificate fee to send a friend/relative, etc. And the fees have gone up significantly since we joined in 1993.

We went to Orlando in the fall of 1998 and stayed at 2 weeks at 2 very nice resorts. Our goal was to buy something in Orlando for Thanksgiving week so that we could use it ourselves without having to pay RCI. We stayed first week at Cypress Pointe. The sales presentation was VERY VERY high pressure to the point that I threatened (very quietly and calmly) that if they did not release us right now (after 2 1/2 hours -- all of which we had been saying no thanks), I would make sure that everyone in that room also left without buying! Anyways, they were selling the Club Sunterra product. The resort we own at is a fixed week Sunterra property and they really wanted us to convert to the Club (a points based system). But I was leary of points based since you are never GUARANTEED a reservation -- it's all first come first serve. (True with DVC as well.) You have to TRUST that the management company doesn't oversell and that the points structure is stable, etc., etc. And after this presentation, I felt sure that Club Sunterra was not a management group I would trust to do the right thing.

Next we stayed at Silver Lakes. Liked this resort even more, but initially declined the sales tour because of our earlier bad experience at Cypress Pointe. (By the way, they took our decline very well. Did not pester us at all. If we were to look again at an off-site Orlando property, I'd take a look at Silver Lakes. We did a tour at Vistana in 1995 and they were also very respectful, so we'd give them a look as well.) But because we didn't tour, I don't know Silver Lake's set up.

We decided to look at DVC on a whim actually. The grandparents wanted the girls for the day all to themselves and we were free to do whatever we wanted. We of course ended up at DD (my favorite place) and the guy at the kiosk said they could take us over to the boardwalk for a look. We'd never been there and loved it immediately. But we were really only there to view "how the other half live" since we were certain that DVC was too expensive for us. We were floored to find out that we could get 200 points. And with the MB and the much lower interest rates than the other timeshares offered, we could pay about the same per month for DVC as we did for our other. And we could go for longer if we chose low seasons (which we prefer) and a studio (all we need -- family of 4), and the maintenance is included in the monthly payment, and you can exchange without paying a yearly membership to RCI or an exchange fee, and we could send our parents if we wanted without paying a fee.... You get the picture. We asked if we could think about it and our guide said no problem. He gave us all the info and said that the price quote was valid for 30days.

As we spent some time thinking about it, we brought the girls back over to the boardwalk to look around one evening. I drank that great coffee from the coffee cart. The kids and dad had a piece of pizza. As it was holiday time, there was a strolling brass band playing carols. We saw a dad playing catch with his little boy while mom was spread out on a blanket with the baby in the little grassy area behind the bike rental. Just seemed so homey. We loved it and bought the next day. Only regret is that we can't yet afford more points. Although we can VERY COMFORTABLY stay in a BWV sutdio (Yes, Rich, we can! he he!), I foresee the days when the girls are older and want to bring friends along and we'll need the 2BR. But that's the great part of the flexibility of it. Even if we can't afford more points by then, we can go for a shorter stay or a different season, etc.

So after all this rambling, have I answered any of your questions. If not, sorrry, it's just so fun to reminisce about "when we first bought DVC" -- it's like having your first child! he he! It has really changed how we view vacationing, AND WDW. We no longer feel we have to see everything this trip and we notice the little Disney touches a lot more. We know we have 41 more years to go back!!

Good Luck on your decision.

 

[KyBill]

I think there are a few short reasons.
1. It is Disney and is on site. We can leave a theme park, come back to OKW, relaxed for a couple hours, get back in the car and go to Calif Grill or Flying fish, valet park, enjoy a great meal and then back to OKW in 10 or 12 minutes.
2. The flexibility of the point system. We stayed in a 1 BR in Oct for 5 nights. A 1 BR in Jan for 3 nights, and a 2 BR 2 weeks ago for 5 nights. Will be back in Oct for the Wine and Food Festival for 3 nights in a 1 BR. All at OKW. Also have stayed on points at HH and BWV all on points made at the 7 month window.
3. We don't plan to sell and have only owned for three years but if we do, the resell value at this time when the points go to $75 in June, would return 80 to 90% of our investment. I expect this to be 100% within two years. Our average point cost is about $63.
4. And to repeat it is Disney World. The #1 vacation destination on the planet and getting better each year.

 

[ripleysmom]

We took the Silver Lake Resort tour. The units were very nice and just what I was looking for, spacious with a kitchen to cook in. The sales guy was not overly pressuring and he did not bring over a sales manager. We actually considered buying there and asked to take the materials home, the said they would give us 24 hours. When we got to the parks later DH talked me into touring DVC. Well one look at the 1 BR unit convinced me. It too has the full kitchen, W/D, but with all the magic of Disney bundled into the price. Actually the price of the unit at Silver Lake was a little higher than 200 points at DVC, the interest rate was much higher and it was not tax deductible.

I have since found out through these boards that buying a timeshare in Orlando is not always the best thing to do. It is much harder to trade out of Orlando than it is to trade into Orlando, except for DVC members. In fact, I have read where members were able to trade out into bigger accommodations for the equivalent of studio points, that is how tradeable DVC is.

Also if you purchase DVC you can use your points to take a cruise (as we are doing in a week WooHoo) or to stay at some of the other Disney properties. I know I wouldn't pay to stay at the GF but now through DVC it can become one of my vacation destinations.

Kimberly-Lucas and Ripley's Mom

 

[chris1gill]

This is a fairly simple questions to answer

1. You won't catch us wasting an hour a day driving back & forth to the parks & then having to park....
2. You won't find us staying in a second rate resort..... In a second rate location....
3. Resale Value - You won't find another timeshare that you can sell & actually break even or make money....
4. Flexibility - we can go whenever we want, however we want, and in any size unit we want...
5. Price - It's much less expensive than renting the villa's by cash, which is what we always did!! The Villa's at BW & OKW are by far the best accomodations on property IMHO....

That's about all I can think of right now, but I know there is more!

 

[familyfun86]

We were on our first disney vacation in 94 with our then 4 year son when we looked at DVC. We had been staying at CBR and were already "Hooked". We were able to but in at $62 a point and got free park passes so for us it seemed ideal. 7 years later and now a family of 5 it is a godsend. We have always stayed at OKW and for us it is a good fit. We enjoyed the more relaxed feel and it provides for good downtime from the parks with our brood. The flexibility of the points has been great for us. we are a military family and often our plans change due to work commitments. We have confidence that Disney will keep the maintenance up on the resorts and we would not have to worry about the resort declining. We have had lots of wonderful vacations and have never regretted it.

 

[TroyWDW]

We stayed offsite on our first visit to WDW. We have stayed onsite ever since. I can't imagine why we we stayed offsite the first time, I guess we didn't know any better.

After staying at the Beach Club (our favorite resort) a few times, we became economically aware of the value of joining DVC. I always enjoy reading the economic dissertations from people demonstrating how DVC is a bad investment. They seem to miss the point that you are taking a vacation (i.e. spending money, not investing). I view DVC as a way to get more for my vacation money.

We chose to buy a resale at the Boardwalk due to the location and the premium accomodations. We found a very good deal and I'm glad that we bought 100 points more than we thought we would need.

For us, we find that staying at one of the EPCOT resorts makes our vacation that much more enjoyable. If we stayed offsite, we probably wouldn't go as often. Cheers.

Troy

 

[Stephen]

When we go to WDW, we want to STAY at WDW. We love it there. We've never considered staying anywhere else.

 

[Bennet]

We didn't consider anything but DVC. In fact didn't consider anything but Boardwalk.

We love WDW and most if not all of our points vacations will be there. DVC is making memories in advance.

I would be concerned that any other time share would not hold its value. Disney has a good track record of keeping its resorts up.

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[JohnG]

After buying into a beautiful Time Share on Maui and having it go out of business two weeks after we closed escrow, I swore I would never do it again.

Five years later I got interested enough in DVC to at least investigate it. It took about 30 seconds to recognize the value and for me to realize that with Disney behind it, this was a great - and a safe - investment.

We've owned at BW since 97. I've looked at four or five other Time Shares since then. For all the reasons already stated above, I've come to the opinion that the next investment I make in a time share will be additional DVC points at one of the new ON SITE resorts.

Just one man's opinion!

Oh..........one other point that may appeal to your Scottish blood. By staying on site, we NEVER EVER rent a car. It costs about half as much to take a Town Car to and from BWDVC....we let Disney transportation take us right to the front door of anything we want to do....and by my wife not having easy transport to the outlet malls in Orlando, it saves me HUNDREDS more every trip!

JohnG
Offsite 73,74,75,76,77,79,80, 82
Poly 82,83,85,86
Carribean Beach 87,88,89,90
Beach Club 91,92,93,95,96
Yacht Club 94
ASM 99
BWDVC 97,98,99,2000 (3 Times)

DLand 74,78,84,88,92,94,95,96,98

 

[Dean]

You must decide what's best for you and your family. It really comes down to how you will use the property and how often you will go to Orlando. If your goal is to go to WDW most years, you prefer to stay on property and you would like flexibility in length of stay, time of year and unit size; DVC my be perfect for you regardless of the cost. If you need a 3 BR, can plan what season you will go, want to go for a week at a time and will only spend a portion of your time at WDW; consider another purchase.

You might consider an Orlando purchase outside WDW if you will go to Orlando every year. Otherwise you could consider another timeshare somewhere else, somewhere you might want to go part of the time OR somewhere to use just for trading. For example, you could buy a HH Marriott for say $6K then deposit with II and get a bonus week. With that bonus week you could likely get Orlando basically anytime and still have your deposit to search for other things. Remember that Orlando is EASY to get with anything. Another alternative would be South Africa where you could buy a 1 BR for as little as $1K with 6 years of RCI included and yearly fees much less than $200 per year and then exchange consistently to Orlando. Also remember than other than DVC, Orlando timeshares have relatively low trade power.

Or my favorite is buy a HH summer week and enough DVC points to use about every other year and have the best of both worlds. Or any combination you can think of. Good luck.

Dean

 

[Dumbo]

Dean wrote:

>>>Another alternative would be South Africa where you could buy a 1 BR for as little as $1K with 6 years of RCI included and yearly fees much less than $200 per year and then exchange consistently to Orlando.<<<
--------------------------------------------------

Dean,

I did this last week. Bought from Herb S. I bought a 2 bedroom Loewveld Lodge fixed red week for $1045. Price included closeing costs and 6 years of RCI. Annual maintenance fees are $155. per year. I think this is a nice compliment to my Boardwalk Villas contract. I just couldn't see trading my BWV points for another timeshare week. I think I have the best of both worlds now. I can use my BWV for prime Disney vacations and my South Africa timeshare to play around with in the RCI spacebank.

Dumbo