Exactly what are we talking about here?

[persimmondeb]

We are planning to buy resale, hopefully within the next year or two.
Direct is really not an option, because we need to keep costs way down, and we truly only need fifty or sixty points. Exactly how restrictive are the new rules?

I know I can't use my points for things like DCL, and I know we would not be entitled to things like discounts on bike rentals. Can I still purchase meal plans? Rent my points? Make reservations on the same windows?

 

[jscottnc]

Yes, you can purchase meal plans, rent your points and make reservations on the same windows. Unless you are a REALLY big spender, you will still come out ahead purchasing resale as opposed to direct.

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

You definitely lose:
1. Annual Pass discounts
2. Restaurant and merchandise discounts
3. Access to DVC members only parties and events
4. Occasional park tickets discounts (discounts not all that good)

Definitely keep:
1. Home resort reservation window
2. Other DVC resort reservation window
3. Access to Top of the world lounge while staying at Bay Lake Towers.

Unclear:
1. Pool hopping
2. Access to Epcot Member Lounge
3. Access to Top of the world lounge when staying at non-BLT resort (consensus points towards keeping this perk)
4. Random benefits like when they gave out free tickets to the After Hours Party last week (most likely you would lose this, but unclear how often this will actually happen)

 

[persimmondeb]

Yes, you can purchase meal plans, rent your points and make reservations on the same windows. Unless you are a REALLY big spender, you will still come out ahead purchasing resale as opposed to direct.

Thanks.

I thought so, but was having some trouble finding it clearly spelled out anywhere.

The changes are a little frustrating, but particularly with the point amount we want, we really do need to do it that way.

The thing that really annoys me is that we were very close to buying resale in '10, and had the bright idea to go to a DVC presentation before we did. Not only did we emerge not wanting to buy direct, our surprisingly high-pressure saleslady persuaded us that it was just not for people like us.

 

[disneynutz]

Important to note that perks and discounts are not guaranteed and they can change or go away as Disney sees fit.

Bill

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

Thanks.

I thought so, but was having some trouble finding it clearly spelled out anywhere.

The changes are a little frustrating, but particularly with the point amount we want, we really do need to do it that way.

The thing that really annoys me is that we were very close to buying resale in '10, and had the bright idea to go to a DVC presentation before we did. Not only did we emerge not wanting to buy direct, our surprisingly high-pressure saleslady persuaded us that it was just not for people like us.

Don't beat yourself up about it. Usually if you are on the fence, especially with timeshares, it's usually better not to buy. Buying stuff just because you might regret not having it later is an easy way to end up with a lot of debt. Better to wait until you're absolutely sure, even if it costs a bit more. The perks aren't a big deal IMO.

 

[suebeelin]

Thanks.

I thought so, but was having some trouble finding it clearly spelled out anywhere.

The changes are a little frustrating, but particularly with the point amount we want, we really do need to do it that way.

The thing that really annoys me is that we were very close to buying resale in '10, and had the bright idea to go to a DVC presentation before we did. Not only did we emerge not wanting to buy direct, our surprisingly high-pressure saleslady persuaded us that it was just not for people like us.

I've also had a very negative reaction to the sales people!! I was definitely buying resale afte getting very upset during our first presentation in 2010. The guy was really obnoxious, with veiled challenges on whether we could indeed afford dvc, whether something was wrong with us for not buying immediately, etc.

I was so pissed I knew he would never get a red cent in commission out of me. I turned around and bought all our resales in cash. Guess he was trying to challenge us so that we would prove him wrong... We did. On the resale market.

 

[persimmondeb]

Don't beat yourself up about it. Usually if you are on the fence, especially with timeshares, it's usually better not to buy. Buying stuff just because you might regret not having it later is an easy way to end up with a lot of debt. Better to wait until you're absolutely sure, even if it costs a bit more. The perks aren't a big deal IMO.

We really weren't sure, but we did wish we had stayed away from that presentation. Not only was she far more high-pressure than we expected (and very, very determined that we should finance at least 150 points, no matter what we said about paying cash and buying fewer points), we left feeling like it might be nice for people with more money, regular work schedules, and kids who were following predictable life trajectories, but was not meant for us. She was just really not listening.

It was a decent hard close, but she had no groundwork to back it up, and she seemed to be pitching to a completely imaginary family.

 

[suebeelin]

We really weren't sure, but we did wish we had stayed away from that presentation. Not only was she far more high-pressure than we expected (and very, very determined that we should finance at least 150 points, no matter what we said about paying cash and buying fewer points), we left feeling like it might be nice for people with more money, regular work schedules, and kids who were following predictable life trajectories, but was not meant for us. She was just really not listening.

It was a decent hard close, but she had no groundwork to back it up, and she seemed to be pitching to a completely imaginary family.

Lol. Maybe back then they had major incentives to get you to finance? I thought the guy was more about challenging us so that my hubby would get all male ego and prove him wrong by buying direct. Maybe he was also trying to get us to finance.

Wasn't gonna happen. Idiot was all male bravado with my then fiancée. The sales guy was a putz. He didn't realize that I was the breadwinner, not med school hubby, and he should have been speaking to me. That annoyed me further bc the sakes guy treated me in a, shall we say, sexist manner?

Regardless, maybe you dodged a bullet. The restrictions aren't really that big of a deal except for the AP discount. The discounts for food and merchandise has only saved maybe $100-200 over the last 5 years.

You also saved 5 yrs of vacation money .

What resort are you most interested in?

Another thought-- if you rented, it would take 13-15yrs before you break even. If you bought, it might take 7-8yrs. The plus side about buying is (and it's a big if) the resale market is healthy, you would recoup some of the principal. Good luck!

 

[persimmondeb]

Lol. Maybe back then they had major incentives to get you to finance? I thought the guy was more about challenging us so that my hubby would get all male ego and prove him wrong by buying direct. Maybe he was also trying to get us to finance.

Wasn't gonna happen. Idiot was all male bravado with my then fiancée. The sales guy was a putz. He didn't realize that I was the breadwinner, not med school hubby, and he should have been speaking to me. That annoyed me further bc the sakes guy treated me in a, shall we say, sexist manner?

Regardless, maybe you dodged a bullet. The restrictions aren't really that big of a deal except for the AP discount. The discounts for food and merchandise has only saved maybe $100-200 over the last 5 years.

You also saved 5 yrs of vacation money .

What resort are you most interested in?

Another thought-- if you rented, it would take 13-15yrs before you break even. If you bought, it might take 7-8yrs. The plus side about buying is (and it's a big if) the resale market is healthy, you would recoup some of the principal. Good luck!

Yes, she tried to pitch to my husband too, who wasn't the person with the checkbook and pretty much regarded it as my decision (we do have a fairly traditional head-of-household arrangement, but he's my spouse, not my keeper).

Usually there is an incentive for salespeople to push financing, but a smart one won't do it at the expense of the sale. At that time my full-time job was on commission, and my husband was dependent on wildly varying amounts of overtime. So with that kind of feast and famine income stream, you may spend it when you have it, but monthly bills should be kept LOW. Not listening.

We're looking at Hilton Head, at least partly to keep that investment low. We like Vero, but the dues are high. I'm not that worried about the reservation windows for other resorts because we pretty much never book anything even seven months out, let alone eleven, and we're never going to be looking for anything except a studio or one-bedroom at relatively low-demand times. We're also pretty flexible, and not every trip is necessarily going to involve park tickets.

 

[suebeelin]

Unless you want to stay at hhi, and will use your home resort advantage, look at Saratoga seriously.

Over the life of the contract SSR is the most cost effective with lowest dues. It's appx $20 more per point but dues much more stable and lower (Appx $1.50pp). It also has more years left (2057 vs 2042), meaning it'll hold its resale value longer, so when you or if you resell, you'll recoup more of the principal.

Although, if you ever want to trade your hh points, you'll get takes on the 11mo mark for summer reservations!!

 

[persimmondeb]

Unless you want to stay at hhi, and will use your home resort advantage, look at Saratoga seriously.

Over the life of the contract SSR is the most cost effective with lowest dues. It's appx $20 more per point but dues much more stable and lower (Appx $1.50pp). It also has more years left (2057 vs 2042), meaning it'll hold its resale value longer, so when you or if you resell, you'll recoup more of the principal.

Although, if you ever want to trade your hh points, you'll get takes on the 11mo mark for summer reservations!!

The 2057, which I had not realized, would make it a much better deal. Now, I'll either be gone or in the nursing home, but my kid will be 62, which would be pretty good timing.

We likely would stay at HH, but probably not most of the time, and not at times when we'd need that advantage. Although honestly, we mostly vacation during the school year, at non-holiday times, so the windows really haven't been a major part of my calculation.

And I do like SSR.

Thanks!

 

[Sammie]

You definitely lose:
1. Annual Pass discounts
2. Restaurant and merchandise discounts
3. Access to DVC members only parties and events
4. Occasional park tickets discounts (discounts not all that good)

Definitely keep:
1. Home resort reservation window
2. Other DVC resort reservation window
3. Access to Top of the world lounge while staying at Bay Lake Towers.

Unclear:
1. Pool hopping
2. Access to Epcot Member Lounge
3. Access to Top of the world lounge when staying at non-BLT resort (consensus points towards keeping this perk)
4. Random benefits like when they gave out free tickets to the After Hours Party last week (most likely you would lose this, but unclear how often this will actually happen)

Since Pool hopping, access to member lounge and TOWL all require a DVC member card, I would think this would be lost also. Of course I wouldn't think any of these would be a deal breaker over saving money.

 

[kristenrice]

We likely would stay at HH, but probably not most of the time, and not at times when we'd need that advantage. Although honestly, we mostly vacation during the school year, at non-holiday times, so the windows really haven't been a major part of my calculation.

And I do like SSR.

Thanks!

During the school year, particularly in the fall, is actually some of the BUSIEST times for DVC and booking at 7-months at WDW can be difficult. When you buy at HHI, you have no option but to wait until 7 months out to secure a resort at WDW. If you purchase at SSR, you could at least book a room there at > 7 months and then try to switch at 7 if anything is left.

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

Since Pool hopping, access to member lounge and TOWL all require a DVC member card, I would think this would be lost also. Of course I wouldn't think any of these would be a deal breaker over saving money.

For TotWL, they will need to figure out a new system for admission (for those staying at BLT anyway). Because it appears to be a Common Element, I dont think they can take access away to resale members staying at BLT who may not have membership card. Some people have reported that you can access the Lounge by using your Magic Band along with some kind of PIN.

Resale members staying elsewhere may not be guaranteed access, but I suspect they will find a way to grant them access because they need people to buy food and drinks there.

 

[persimmondeb]

During the school year, particularly in the fall, is actually some of the BUSIEST times for DVC and booking at 7-months at WDW can be difficult. When you buy at HHI, you have no option but to wait until 7 months out to secure a resort at WDW. If you purchase at SSR, you could at least book a room there at > 7 months and then try to switch at 7 if anything is left.

Is September really that busy? Especially for a 1 bedroom/studio? I'm not going to be fussy about getting a particular resort, although I probably do want to switch them up occasionally, and even seven months is a VERY long time out for me to think about booking something (and the over-selling of the advantage of the eleven month window was one of the things that really made me start thinking it wasn't us). I usually book about 6-10 weeks out, and while I don't expect everything to be available, I'd be cranky if I couldn't get ANYTHING.

I can't imagine going to the trouble of trying to switch an SSR reservation.

 

[kristenrice]

Is September really that busy? Especially for a 1 bedroom/studio? I'm not going to be fussy about getting a particular resort, although I probably do want to switch them up occasionally, and even seven months is a VERY long time out for me to think about booking something (and the over-selling of the advantage of the eleven month window was one of the things that really made me start thinking it wasn't us). I usually book about 6-10 weeks out, and while I don't expect everything to be available, I'd be cranky if I couldn't get ANYTHING.

I can't imagine going to the trouble of trying to switch an SSR reservation.

You may be OK towards the beginning of September, but once F&W festival starts, you may start to run into more difficulty. Otherwise, you should be OK for September...if you like the heat!

Oh, and 1BR's will definitely be easier to get than studios.

 

[Meandnevaeh]

Since Pool hopping, access to member lounge and TOWL all require a DVC member card, I would think this would be lost also. Of course I wouldn't think any of these would be a deal breaker over saving money.

If you buy BLT resale they can not exclude that benefit from you, your dues help pay for it-so that's not a loss perk. They could however change it back to only BLT members can use it, but then they will be back where they started-not making money at the bar there, the whole reason they opened it up to all DVC members. So I'd venture to say, that no matter what, they aren't taking that perk away from resales

 

[suebeelin]

Is September really that busy? Especially for a 1 bedroom/studio? I'm not going to be fussy about getting a particular resort, although I probably do want to switch them up occasionally, and even seven months is a VERY long time out for me to think about booking something (and the over-selling of the advantage of the eleven month window was one of the things that really made me start thinking it wasn't us). I usually book about 6-10 weeks out, and while I don't expect everything to be available, I'd be cranky if I couldn't get ANYTHING.

I can't imagine going to the trouble of trying to switch an SSR reservation.

Booking anywhere less than 3 or 4mo out oftentimes means SSR, or maybe AKL.

Once, we had to book 4mo out. Granted, it was October. However, the choice was either a 1bd SSR or a 2nd AKL. There was just me, DH and our then 3yr old. This was 3 years ago, when things were slightly easier to book.

We decided to blow our points on a HUGE uneccssary 2bd to try out AKL and the 2nd lockoff bed/studio was a complete waste of points at the end of the day. Most times you'll get SSR if you're looking a few months ahead of time.

Hilton head will be tough or almost impossible to get during the summer unless you reserve 7-11mo out.

 

[LAX]

If you buy BLT resale they can not exclude that benefit from you, your dues help pay for it-so that's not a loss perk. They could however change it back to only BLT members can use it, but then they will be back where they started-not making money at the bar there, the whole reason they opened it up to all DVC members. So I'd venture to say, that no matter what, they aren't taking that perk away from resales

Is the Epcot lounge supported by dues pooled from all DVC members, too? If so, I can't see how resale owners can be excluded from accessing it. I think it may have been discussed else where, but any "perks" supported by member dues (either fully or partially) shouldn't be excluded from resale owners.

LAX