DVC / Worth It???

[Lorelai]

As someone who has dreamed of buying into DVC for quite a few years, I can no longer resisit.

Can anyone tell me about how much they pay per point for BCV? Is the price per point the same for each of the DVC resorts, or does it vary by location?

Also, I know there are point charts, but what about price charts?

Any info appreciated!

 

[sorcerermick]

Hey there! I myself am a DVC member and I own points at three different resorts (BCV, OKW, and SS) For my family, DVC was just perfect. It really depends on your travle style, how flexible your plans can be, and how often you travel to the World. I would definitely recommend popping over to the DVC boards here on the DIS because the folks there are a treasure trove of information. Even more info than I can give you.

As for pricing, I think the current offer is about $90 per point at SS with a new 50 year contract. The other DVC resorts have 37 years left on their contracts. Of course, they can also be purchased for slightly less through resales too. Do some reading on the DVC boards...lots of great people there who I'm sure, can tell you much more.

Hope to "welcome you home" sometime, as a DVC member.

 

[Lorelai]

Wow, SorcererMick - You are an excellent source of information! Thank you, thank you!

May I ask, of your three properties (BCV, OKW & SS) which do you like best?

We were thinking of BCV because we love the proximity to Epcot. Also, with three kiddies, that pool is a real draw!

Thanks again!

 

[sorcerermick]

I have to tell you, each has their own pro's and con's.

OKW because of it's laid back atmosphere, and real "spread out" resort feel. It tends to be very quiet and relaxing, although I have not been there since they installed the new slide at the main pool. There are also 3 quiet pools spread throughout the resort though.

BCV is awesome for its location. You just can't beat walking into Epcot or taking a short boat ride to Disney Studios. And of course, Stormalong Bay!

SS have not stayed at yet, so i couldn't answer you on that one, but I have read wonderful reviews.

We like to switch around. We have even stayed in the WLV once and loved its proximity to the MK, and we've also traded into Carribean Beach simply because we missed the resort, even though it didn't offer the same amenitites as a regular DVC room. The program is so flexible, we love it. Eventually we hope to hit all the resorts. In fact, this month we'll be spending 4 days in AKL and then moving to BCV for the remainder. If you are headed to the World soon, I do recommend taking the tour one morning. It should only take you an hour or so, start to finish. You could also order the DVC DVD from Disney. Of course, the best source on info though is the actual owners ourselves over at the DVC boards.

 

[Dodie]

You should post this question on the DVC board here, or do a search there. This question gets asked a lot there and there have been some very good answers.

 

[unixadm]

Read my thread Doing the Math - The Real Cost/Savings of DVC

We purchased 200 points at the end of last year, then added another 120 this year.

Every person has to weigh out the costs/benefits themselves.....if you like luxurious resorts and spend lots of $$ on vacations, it will be worth it. If you are a Bargain Benny and always stay at the cheapest place, or get the cheapest rates, then you will not save any money using DVC.

 

[spiceycat]

DVC has some resaler contracts too. but they won't even mention them until you tell them that you DON'T like SSR.

they are also in the $90's with not type of rebate - I think???

you are better off going resale.

BCV is the highest price in the resale market. all the DVC resorts use to be the same price in the resale market. but a ton of people want BCV. So it resales for higher.

If you want BCV go find a contract now!!! If you want just the excess to Epcot and Studios I would go with a BWV contract. They are easily to get and you would be paying much less.

I own at VWL, OKW and BWV. I also got a contract at BCV but decided that the budget couldn't handle it. My mistake.... You can use your points and ask for BCV. I have twice. but not doing really popular times. Popular times for DVC members not WDW. These times are Dec 1-14 and the food/wine festavial at Epcot. Others have say it is hard trade during Spring Break.

I have owned since 93 and I still love it.

I also own some other timeshares and have stayed in several timeshare in the area. Nothing can compare with DVC - the staff, the environment, the buses (love the buses no driving unless you want too). DVC resorts have lots of wildlife (except for SSR - because it is still under construction).

It is not cheap - but on the whole you get your money's out of it. I certainly have.

Now others will save you can't possible....with DVC you can if while you are paying it off you don't constantly stay in a 2-bedroom when you can get by with a studio. If you stay in the studio then you can rent any points that you don't need. If you stay in the 2-bedroom (unless you got 6 or more in your family) you will find it harder to pay it off. I also cook most of my meals. Well all of them aren't cooked. but I eat in my villa alot. Of course my food allergies make it hard to eat out. but still if you are willing to eat in your villa and take a little smaller accomodations until you pay it off. I hope you will find that pay off is not far - 6 to 10 years for most people.

then you will be paying the annual fees only. the maintence fees are between 70 and 80% of what you would be paying for a DVC villa. (okay I get better result but most don't)

 

[thelionqueen]

We are going to be new DVC'ers as well, and I have done months of researching for our family. The 1st thing I would suggest above everything else, is to take the DVC meeting/tour. This is a huge amount of information about SSR and all the other resorts. You also get a lovely hardbound book with all the point charts and other useful info (besides lots of free stuff for taking the tour).

Secondly, I would weigh your needs. Do you travel mainly on or off season? If you travel mainly during the high season (summer, Christmas, etc) then you would definitely want to buy at the resort you plan on staying at. We always travel off season, so it wasn't that big of a deal to buy where we want to stay (because it is much easier to get ressies for off season).

Here is what it took me a VERY long time to figure out...after 7 months, points are points. Which means, if you make reservations at 7 months out or less, the points you own are good and worth the same at every DVC resort. If you want to make a ressie for let's say Christmas at Boardwalk, and you own at Boardwalk, then you could make that ressie 11 months out. That is the basic explanation. In my instance, points are points, so I wanted to get the most amount of points for my money.

We are waiting for ROFR info. for a contract at Old Key West. This is where we are probably going to stay anyway, but the annual dues are very low (2nd lowest) and they are the only resort that has 2 queen beds (important to me). So instead of paying $85-$90 per point for BWV, BCV or SSR, our contract was for $74.

Hope that explains it a little better, hope you got the info. you need. The DVC tour will greatly expand your knowledge, and I recommend it highly whether buying from Disney or resale.
Enjoy!!

 

[Anniegirl]

We went resale and paid $85/pp (just closed on Tuesday). This is the location we wanted. SSR is $90/pp with incentives adn an extra 12 years longer in contract but frankly I'll be 74 when our contract expires, DH will be 78, can't imagine we'd need an additional 12 years. The more DVCers join the harder it will be to book the smaller resorts (BCV, BWV, VWL) so seriously thinking about buying where you want to stay. Do check the DVC boards, tons of info there! Check out the "Current DVC Resales" link on top of this page. Welcome aboard

 

[unixadm]

We went resale and paid $85/pp (just closed on Tuesday). This is the location we wanted. SSR is $90/pp with incentives adn an extra 12 years longer in contract but frankly I'll be 74 when our contract expires, DH will be 78, can't imagine we'd need an additional 12 years.

I was originally thinking the same thing...I'll be 76 in 2042...and 88 in 2054.....but my kids will be using it, and their kids at that point.

I originally got 200 points, then added 120. I will probably add another 80 points at some time, then when we get much older, give 200 points to each of our sons.

 

[T.E. Yeary]

Lorelai- As the Official Sponsor of the DISboards, I want to personally invite you to call or E-Mail our office and speak with our agents about any questions you or any of your friends and relatives may have concerning a DVC purchase.

Most of our agents are Disney trained and own DVC packages themselves. They will be happy to answer all your questions.

The smaller point packages go very quickly as you have probably heard. You need to contact our office, tell the agent what you are looking for, and they will contact you as soon as one comes available. We do NOT require a deposit, so you've got nothing to lose.

Yes, you can save money! Some save a little, some save alot. It all depends on the individual package you want. You always have the option of submitting an offer. The seller can say yes, no, or counter offer. Everything is negotiable, including closing costs and annual dues.

We do have financing available so be sure to ask about it.

The money you save on your DVC Resale purchase can be used to lavish on your family, when you take your first "magical" trip home.

When you feel comfortable, that's the time to purchase and not before. There is NO pressure!

In the past 11 years we have helped over 4,000 DVC sellers transfer their property to nice people like yourself.

Disney tells us that in 2004 they processed 1,200 Resales. The Timeshare Store, Inc. was responsible for 900 of them.

It is a good feeling for those that do choose to purchase through the Resale market that they are helping a fellow DVC member. We never know when any of us will be faced with the decision to sell.
We would really appreciate your doing business with us.

When you're in Orlando, stop by our office and let's have a cup of coffee.

Sincerely,
Thomas E. Yeary (Tom)
Owner/Broker
The Timeshare Store, Inc.

www.dvc-resales.com
1-800-550-6493 US & Canada
407-239-8899

Hours: Mon-Fri 9am to 9pm EST
Sat 9am to 6pm
Sun 10am to 6pm

This following thread will let you know what others think about our services:
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=831367

 

[senecabeach]

Lorelai...

Hello fellow N.Jersian!!!

The biggest bang for your buck right now and immediate gratification (like making ressies within 2 weeks )will be the incentives Disney is offering @ SSR. The price IS the price IS the price.
Financing thru Disney is 9.5% (even with borderline credit).
Beware hidden costs from resellers..then ROFR..then the wait, the wait.


E-mail me so we can possibly talk further
senecabeach@comcast.net

 

[DisFlan]

We bought BWV through The Timeshare Store (see T.E. Yeary, above) for $75 a point. We couldn't be happier and would use TTS again in a heartbeat. We have years of enjoyment to look forward to.


DisFlan

 

[Lorelai]

I would like to thank everyone who replied to this thread. All of the information received was extremely valuable - so many of my questions & concerns were addressed. It is not often that you find so many well informed people who are so generous with their time and information. That's why I love these DIS Boards - friendly, sincere comunication about The Happiest Place On Earth.

And by the way - I can't wait to buy into DVC and be surrounded by others who share in the joy & magic of Disney!

 

[slk537]

I'd like to add my "yes" to the question...we own at SSR and although we have yet to stay there (have tried OKW, VWL and BCV), we have been so happy with our purchase.

Lorelei - you have so much flexibility, you just can't imagine. And as to the "worth it" question...here's an example:

We decided to take advantage of the free dining and do a surprise trip in Sept for DS's birthday. We booked 5 nights in a standard room at WL on cash. $1290. As we got closer and closer to the 45 day mark when the balance was due (today, as a matter of fact), we began to question spending that kind of money when we have another trip coming up in November. So we looked at our points and our numbers and did some math. And now? We had the choice of a 1br at VWL or a room at the Poly. We debated it and now we're staying at the Polynesian for five nights in September and that $1290 will not only cover what was "free" dining, but also the rental car and spending money that would have come on top of the package price. DVC is allowing us to spend 5 nights at the Poly and then in November we'll be at AKL for 2 nights, followed by a 1BR at VWL for 9 nights. All on points.

Way worth it to us.

 

[Granny]

May I ask, of your three properties (BCV, OKW & SS) which do you like best?

We were thinking of BCV because we love the proximity to Epcot. Also, with three kiddies, that pool is a real draw!

Just remember, you would be purchasing a time share with a right to use length of 37-49 years. So I'm not sure basing your purchase location on your three children's likes right now is a good strategy.

Go for the one that you and your spouse think you will like the best over the next few decades, and that should be included in your decision more heavily than SAB.

Of course, this is just my opinion. YMMV.

 

[Dorisk3]

As a lone dissenter here, my only fear with such high costs of DVC- can you possibly forsee a time in your life when you might get tired of going to Disney? Don't get me wrong, there are worse things you could do with your money- but there's something about that yearly fee that really bugs me. How galling is that going to be to pay for in 10 years, when you've already gone 15 times and starting to wonder what else there is to do in this whole great world-or what else you could do with an extra $1500 + a year. You could go down once a year until you got sick of it and still not equal what it would cost you down the road. I'm sorry if I sounded negative, I just wanted to give an opposing point of view.
Best of luck making your decision!

 

[rinkwide]

...You could go down once a year until you got sick of it and still not equal what it would cost you down the road...

The scenario you describe, while technically possible, is highly unlikely. DVC is unique due to extremely high demand on the resale market and the upward pricing pressure of ROFR. If you tire of the program you can simply cash-out with little risk of losing significant money. This is one of the key points that allowed me to purchase with complete confidence.

Example: The points I purchased less than two years ago for $35,000 can be sold today for over $43,000 (in a blink).

Naysayers will argue (misguidedly, in my opinion) that past performance is not indicative of future results. Of course, price increases won't continue forever but you can be reasonably certain that the demand for DVC, especially the Epcot Resorts, will wane quite slowly.

Yes, it's a big investment but not a particularly risky one.

 

[nono]

As far as being older and enjoying DVC, more and more financial planners are now using age 95 as an end of life when planning retirement finances. Sooooo, I'm planning on using my full 50 years on my SSR contract!!!!

We've also decided to "beef up" our DVC expenditure by adding more points via resale to maximize our next 37 years, which we figure will be our most "energetic" travel years.

Everybody's life plan is different. I love to read about everyone's decisions pro or con, as it shows how DVC can be so right for many, but not all.

 

[jonestavern]

As a lone dissenter here, my only fear with such high costs of DVC- can you possibly forsee a time in your life when you might get tired of going to Disney?

Hi we're new DVC owners & one of the big selling pts for us was the location flexibility of the program. There are spots all over the US & the world to use DVC pts do take the tour & get the HB book, which will list all options available. If you decide to fill out paperwork there will be a spot to list a reference, be sure to place the name of one of yr DVC aquaintences as they will receive some Disney Dollars. We used DH's friend at work.
We like DVC because it 'forces' us to take a vacation. DH is a real 'type A' personality, who hadn't had more than a 3 day vacation in years.--& few of those! He really loves WDW & it has been the only way he will take some much needed 'down' time. I can't tell you how much DH & I enjoy planing every detail--actually we are starting plans for 2007! We get nicer accommodations then we customarily would use, while we can still re-visit some of our favs (CBR).
Good Luck & perhaps we'll see you at Home!

Jean