Family of 6 & FL resident ...is it worth it for us?

[NewYorkMom]

Hi there!

My husband and I have done one of those DVC tours a few years ago, but it didn't make sense for us to do at the time and didn't see the savings. We now live in FL (not close to Orlando), and we are wondering if it is now. In the past, we go for 8-10 days and stay in a moderate. We have driven it this year and it's not too bad of a drive so would most likely go for long weekends and possibly still do the longer stays once a year.

Is it cheaper to purchase directly with DVC or to buy from a reseller? Are there any benefits besides cost doing one or the other?

 

[mickeyman]

Hi there!

My husband and I have done one of those DVC tours a few years ago, but it didn't make sense for us to do at the time and didn't see the savings. We now live in FL (not close to Orlando), and we are wondering if it is now. In the past, we go for 8-10 days and stay in a moderate. We have driven it this year and it's not too bad of a drive so would most likely go for long weekends and possibly still do the longer stays once a year.

Is it cheaper to purchase directly with DVC or to buy from a reseller? Are there any benefits besides cost doing one or the other?

Buying resale is a huge savings over buying direct. Only real down side is its a longer process to buy resale

 

[NewYorkMom]

Buying resale is a huge savings over buying direct. Only real down side is its a longer process to buy resale

We don't mind waiting, but I'm in the beginning stages of looking how a resale works so any info would be appreciated. We don't want to get scammed or pay more than we should. Is there a rule of thumb on what is considered a good resale amount per point?

 

[LoLaRae]

I started with watching the ROFR thread to see what other people were paying. Also just going to all the resale sites to see what the listings were and figuring out what was going to work best for us.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Realize that points go up on Friday and Saturday nights. So long weekends may use up your points more quickly. And you still probably need to book those stays seven to eleven months out. If you try to get a short timeframe reservation, you may be disappointed most of the time. Especially from late Sept into early January (until after the marathon). You'll need to book a two bedroom villa with six and two bedroom villas and studios usually book up first.

 

[NewYorkMom]

Realize that points go up on Friday and Saturday nights. So long weekends may use up your points more quickly. And you still probably need to book those stays seven to eleven months out. If you try to get a short timeframe reservation, you may be disappointed most of the time. Especially from late Sept into early January (until after the marathon). You'll need to book a two bedroom villa with six and two bedroom villas and studios usually book up first.

Where would be an accurate place to go to find out how many points we would need as a family? Since it sounds like we would need a 2 bedroom villa, I'm sure that's a lot more points and would need to know if it'll even be affordable for us. Right now our children are still young, but once our youngest is out of a crib, we would definitely need more room. Thanks!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Where would be an accurate place to go to find out how many points we would need as a family? Since it sounds like we would need a 2 bedroom villa, I'm sure that's a lot more points and would need to know if it'll even be affordable for us. Right now our children are still young, but once our youngest is out of a crib, we would definitely need more room. Thanks!

At the top of this page, you'll see DVC. Click on that and it will take you to a page with information about DVC including point requirements for the various resorts.

 

[Dean]

Hi there!

My husband and I have done one of those DVC tours a few years ago, but it didn't make sense for us to do at the time and didn't see the savings. We now live in FL (not close to Orlando), and we are wondering if it is now. In the past, we go for 8-10 days and stay in a moderate. We have driven it this year and it's not too bad of a drive so would most likely go for long weekends and possibly still do the longer stays once a year.

Is it cheaper to purchase directly with DVC or to buy from a reseller? Are there any benefits besides cost doing one or the other?

The ONLY reasonble question of resale vs retail is price. Of course some things are not available for both.

Compared to 2 rooms in a moderate it will likely make financial sense for SSR or the like but not for something like VGF for 2 studios or a 2 BR. Assuming you can plan ahead at least 7 months, value on property stays enough to pay significantly more (as it seems you do) and afford the purchase.

 

[NewYorkMom]

The ONLY reasonble question of resale vs retail is price. Of course some things are not available for both.

Compared to 2 rooms in a moderate it will likely make financial sense for SSR or the like but not for something like VGF for 2 studios or a 2 BR. Assuming you can plan ahead at least 7 months, value on property stays enough to pay significantly more (as it seems you do) and afford the purchase.

I tried using the financial analysis, but the workbook would not let me change the info to suit what we need. I looked at each resort room layouts as well. We go to Disney once a year and stay at a moderate normally between 8-10 days at a time during adventure/choice seasons. We would like to go more often like for long weekends and such since we are only a drive away.

We are a family of 6 and can get away with "sleep 5" at the moment but once our little one is out of a crib, we would need one to sleep 6 so it looks like we will have to do "sleep 8" since it doesn't look like there's an option for 6 as far as room layout goes. That of course equals to a lot more points.

At this point, the resale market seems to be the route for us, but I can't seem to find a good way to calculate if DVC is right for us.

 

[Dean]

I tried using the financial analysis, but the workbook would not let me change the info to suit what we need. I looked at each resort room layouts as well. We go to Disney once a year and stay at a moderate normally between 8-10 days at a time during adventure/choice seasons. We would like to go more often like for long weekends and such since we are only a drive away.

We are a family of 6 and can get away with "sleep 5" at the moment but once our little one is out of a crib, we would need one to sleep 6 so it looks like we will have to do "sleep 8" since it doesn't look like there's an option for 6 as far as room layout goes. That of course equals to a lot more points.

At this point, the resale market seems to be the route for us, but I can't seem to find a good way to calculate if DVC is right for us.

Look at price and look at value. a 2 BR with kitchen at a nicer resort is more valuable, the question is how much value does it add for you. Start by comparing to what you'd pay now for 2 rooms and compare to what you'd pay for say SSR to get enough points for a 2 BR during the same time frame. The look at what you could rent DVC for privately for the same number of points. If that clearly favors the moderate and the additional cost isn't of sufficient value to you, that's likely all you need to do, just walk away.

The formula I use sounds complicated but it's fairly simple. You'd take the same info as above plus add a third column which accounts for the yearly dues, dues increases and up front cost including the time value of money. I could half of the amount for a resale as short term (money in a money market) and half as long term (in a growth mutual fund) after taxes. That ends up with a rate of return around 4.5-5% on the total and will be less than renting privately for SSR and the like, it might be more for the higher end or higher dues resorts.

Since it sounds like long term you're looking at a fair chunk of points, get enough to do the minimum now and try it out. That way in a few years you'll be able to decide what's best and make a better decision. As written maybe 200-270 at SSR now depending on the contract specifics and try it out. Maybe a different home resort later, maybe even two if things work out.

 

[ldo]

I would just stay in a moderate as long as it works for you or until your youngest is 3 (oldest age you can stay with 6). That involves no financial outlay and you can take advtange of FL rates, free dining, etc. The best value for your family after that will likely be Ft W cabins, which have a full kitchen and sleep 6. There are also suites at AofA and Music, or you could get 2 value rooms--but I think FtW with a full kitchen is a better option/comparison. Compare Ft W cabin price to a 2Br @ DVC. Let's say you can buy SSR resale for $85 a point I use The Timeshare Store (used them 2X to buy/sale, very reputable) to find resale prices, but there are others. For me, I just do simple math of annual fees X # of points needed and add $2 for amortizing the cost (let's say $80 per point over 40 years, to make it easy, so $2 a year). So, if annual fees are around $6+$2 amoritzed fee, you get $8 per point. A 2Br is anywhere from 33-66 points, depending on what season and whether it is a weekend. So, compare the night cost, including taxes, for Ft W cabins with SSR cost. A May weekend would be 42 points a night, so about $640 for the weekend. If Ft W is equal or less, I would try Ft W at least 1X before I even considered buying DVC. good luck. Elaine

 

[Deb & Bill]

I would just stay in a moderate as long as it works for you or until your youngest is 3 (oldest age you can stay with 6). That involves no financial outlay and you can take advtange of FL rates, free dining, etc. ...

To clarify, once the child turns three, they count towards room occupancy. Unless they turn three during your trip. Then you get a free pass until the next check in.

 

[NewYorkMom]

Okay thanks for the info!! Y'all have talked us into waiting a little bit