Feedback needed for potential DVC member

[luckyman_apd]

Thank you all for the feedback! I was looking at the resales last night and you all are right about getting about 100 pts with the money we have. What are some companies you suggest to rent from?

If we did do resale say on BLT which they say is selling out quickly on a small amount of pts now does that hold our spot? Can we add on directly through Disney or resale in the future?

If you google DVC resale the first 3 results are all companies that were recommended to me. Timeshare store, Shontell Crawford at DVC by resale, and another one that is not allowed to mentioned here. It will be x'ed out. Not sure why. We bought from the one that had a contract we were looking for.

As far as BLT selling out quickly? I was told that a year ago while down there. I don't put a ton of stock in it. I believe it's a sales pitch hoping to make you hurry on your decision. We were told it would be sold out by the end of the summer. Here we are in January and they are still selling it. It could be reaching capacity soon, but don't let that make you rush your decision. We bought BLT though resale. 125 points. We bought there because my wife likes the monorail and proximity to the MK and monorail to Epcot....the only parks she likes. We WILL stay at other resorts, but this is her preferred spot. Me, I like a bigger resort with a good pool and bar for summertime trips, but I won't complain about the proximity to the MK either.

 

[DopeysGal82]

We are brand new members as well. Late 20's, no kids.

One thing I would think about is you say you're planning to stay in 1 and 2BRs, but you are going to buy 75-100 points. You would not be able to afford a week in a 1BR at your home resort (AKL) with those points. You'd be looking at travelling every other year if you stay in a 1BR. If you have to travel during summer and school vacations, you'll need even more points, and may be looking at every 3rd year. If you still want to go every year, will you then be paying cash for those ressies on top of your dues and payments for your DVC? You can do a week in some studios for 75-100 points, but for hoe long will your family be happy in a studio as DC grow?

When you add it all up, dues, interest, etc, unless you are staying deluxe, it will take more than 5-7 trips to pay off, plus you're paying those dues for 40+ years.

I know you said you would plan to visit WDW every year for the near term future, but it also sounds like a lot is up in the air.

DVC will still be there later.

Also, our guide made it seem like getting the 2011 points was a huge perk for buying right away, but after reading the boards I can see it is just what I was entitled to anyway since we're still in the 2011 UY.

We went against the advice here and did buy direct and we did finance. I feel better knowing that I DID do the research and crunched the numbers 100 different ways, and went into it knowing exactly what we are and are not purchasing for our hard earned money.

 

[luckyman_apd]

How much smaller are Studio's compared to a normal hotel room? Everyone speaks as though they are unbearable. But without a DVC membership, what kind of room would you be staying in otherwise? I think the true luxury of it is that you can get 1 br and still pay equal or less than moderate rooms over the years. But if you are comfortable with studio's, you can stay for double the nights than you can in a 1 br.

Also, being a military family, once a year you can use the military discount on park tickets. Believe me, it is a HUGE discount. My Father in law is retired from the navy and when we travelled with our in laws, he got us 4 day park hoppers for $138. The trip before that was 5 day park hoppers for $125! My mother in law usually drives me crazy but for that price, hey I could put up with her!

 

[crisi]

DVC is a very expensive luxury.

and kids an expensive responsibility.

Why yes, I just put another $1000 into the kids' college funds....how could you tell?

 

[Deb & Bill]

and kids an expensive responsibility.

Why yes, I just put another $1000 into the kids' college funds....how could you tell?

Hah! I just wrote the $1000 rent check for one month in an apartment, plus $3300 for tuitiion. Cheaper than what I paid last semester (out of state) - $15,000.

How much smaller are Studio's compared to a normal hotel room?

The BLT studio is the smallest on WDW property. They used most of the space in putting in a "cool" sliding door on the bathroom that didn't latch. OKW is the largest and has a nice big bathroom, plus plenty of space in the sleeping area (two queen beds instead of the queen bed and double sleeper sofa like most of the studios).

Does Disney allow an infant in the 1 br with a pack n play? In our budget to rent would be a 1 br that sleeps 5. Family that is going consists of myself, husband, mom, dad, 2 yearold and a 5 month old.

You would be a family of five plus one under the age of three. The two year old counts towards occupancy, but the 5 month old baby will not.

 

[princesspooh323]

We are about to join DVC. Like you, we have 2 boys, but ours are 3 and 8, and we love going to Disney. We def. prefer the deluxe resorts, which do cost a bit more. There is something to be said for paying off your debt, but there is also something to be said for investing in quality family time. If you know you will continue going to Disney and will likely be staying in the deluxe resorts then it is a great purchase.

 

[dbs1228]

I would try to rent points for mid April, I see full availability to AKV & OKW the other resort you can try is BLT which all accommodate 5 in a 1 bedroom along with an infant in a pack n play.

 

[Sandisw]

How much smaller are Studio's compared to a normal hotel room? Everyone speaks as though they are unbearable. But without a DVC membership, what kind of room would you be staying in otherwise? I think the true luxury of it is that you can get 1 br and still pay equal or less than moderate rooms over the years. But if you are comfortable with studio's, you can stay for double the nights than you can in a 1 br.

Also, being a military family, once a year you can use the military discount on park tickets. Believe me, it is a HUGE discount. My Father in law is retired from the navy and when we travelled with our in laws, he got us 4 day park hoppers for $138. The trip before that was 5 day park hoppers for $125! My mother in law usually drives me crazy but for that price, hey I could put up with her!

With the exception of the BLT studio (which is smaller than the rest), the other studios I have stayed in were comparable to staying in a hotel room with my family of 5--although, have only done 3 or 4 in a studio.

I agree with you that getting larger rooms was a big draw for us and we didn't necessarily look at saving money but rather spending about the same but having much more space.

However, if I really wanted to conserve points and do more trips, then I would not hesitate to do studios.

 

[quinnc19]

I would recommend a 1-bedroom for the upcoming trip with your parents, but you should be okay in a studio when it's just your immediate family (at least for a while). It can be harder to find small contracts for the EPCOT resorts but I just signed a contract for 80 BWV points for 58 a point. Good luck with your decision!

 

[crackerjack21]

you mention you are military - why would you consider dvc when you can stay at the Shades of Green for the same cost as a Disney moderate and sometimes less when they run specials? You could rent 2 rooms and still come out ahead. It's right off the monorail, you can't beat the location the rooms are the same size as any deluxe resort, plus you don't have to get a loan to enjoy a nice vacation.