? for all those potential DVC buyers out there

[DizGirl20]

Help! I would love to hear from anyone who is considering buying into DVC right now...

I can not stop thinking about buying into DVC, but is anyone else out there who is mulling this over (i.e. obsessing about it!) nervous about the commitment in lieu of the ecomony? My husband has a great, stable job... we are pretty sure. I am in nursing school and will graduate next year, so I'm certain I'll have a good future career. We are in our early 40's and our girls are 8 & 11. I know now is the "time to buy". But I recently read a post a few days ago that said (something to this effect) -> how can you buy into DVC when people are losing their jobs? I can't stop thinking about that comment.

Anyhow, just looking for your feedback and I guess a little sympathy to my plight! Thanks...

 

[stopher1]

We just added-on more points, despite the economy. Not quite the same as purchasing brand new, but still, it's more money out the door...oh well, we're investing in our family's future vacations and relaxation and LOL are "stimulating" our ability to enjoy more times together as a family.

 

[Opie100]

The reason jobs are lost is that people stop spending money - and as a result the economy shrinks. Spending is going to be a key driver to get us out of this mess. And your girls aren't getting any younger. Now is the time to create lasting memories before they are out of the house - and vacations are part of my favorite memories growing up.

I'm not a DVC owner yet, but I plan to change that once the initial cost is at or under 25% of my savings.

 

[dvc at last !]

We just added-on more points, despite the economy. Not quite the same as purchasing brand new, but still, it's more money out the door...oh well, we're investing in our family's future vacations and relaxation.

ditto !

Also great family memories !

 

[Crystal_27]

We just bought into DVC this month, after mulling the issue over in our heads for years. As an aside, I am glad we waited to buy into BLT - it's perfect for us!

Our bottom line is that DH and I both love Disney, we are both gainfully employed, and we make solid financial decisions so we can afford the associated costs, even if one of us lost our jobs. I don't think that buying into DVC is spitting in the face of those less fortunate than DH and I at all. And, frankly, the type of post that you mentioned is quite unfair and judgmental. Again, DH and I make very solid financial decisions and, financially, given that Disney is our only vacation destination, DVC will end up being a cost savings for us in XX amount of trips.

But, good luck with your decision!!! Make sure to look at all of your options, whether it be direct through Disney or resale.

 

[hopare]

I am currently thinking about buying also. I have been researching for about a year now by reading posts and talking with current DVC owners. I believe DVC is right for us, I still need to convince my husband though. I hear what you are saying about the economy being the way it is but you should not feel guilty for feeling like you CAN do this. There is no guarantee in life, the possibility Is always there for your husband to lose his job. Just as the possibility is there for a house fire, or a tragic injury or sickness etc. Life happens, don't put your life on hold waiting for what if's! If you feel you are ready and if you feel DVC is right for you then do it. Life is too short and we could be waiting for a long time for this economy to turn around.

Basically I feel it is a personal choice and we are all in different situations so only you can decide what to do! I am waiting, not because of the economy (my husband also has a"secure"job and I too am in health care. But we are waiting because fiinancially I want to be in a better place, we have a few big ticket item that we have to take care of before we buy into DVC and a little debt to pay down. I am hoping we will be able to join around this time next year. Not to mention I want my husband to be on board 100%.

Congratulations on graduating from nursing school!

 

[Cmbar]

Getting ready to buy, Yes obsessing about it as well. Our obsession however is WHICH resort to buy, not if we will buy. That being said we have been looking at buying DVC for many years and we have gotten to a place where we can comfortably pay for it with cash. My husband's company is in mutual funds, so the thought of his job being in jeopardy is a consideration, however, we believe that give us more of a reason to buy now when we can. We will at least have a trip to Disney every year and our trips with our kids are priceless to us.

Please don't let someone's comment about buying DVC when others are losing their jobs affect your decision. I truly am praying for those friends of ours who have lost their jobs, but I agree with a previous poster that the economy will be hurt further if all of us just stop buying for fear of the "what ifs". Good luck on your decision.

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

We just bought in October. Not worrying too much about our jobs - it doesn't do any good anyway. We should have bought earlier. I keep thinking about how much $ it would have saved us just in the last 3 years! I don't think there is ever a perfect time to buy. I would say go ahead and bite the bullet. You won't be sorry.

 

[wildernessDad]

During times like these, a lot of people panic unnecessarily. It appears that you have nothing to worry about in your family, so I would not let people lay guilt trips on you. If you want to purchase DVC, and it's right for you, then go for it after you have studied these boards.

 

[5forDiz]

When all feels 'right' about the purchase for you & your DH then go ahead with it but, jmho, if some questions are coming to mind & an uncertainty about doing this now instead of at some point in the future then hold off on it; afterall DVC isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

For our family we knew it was definitely for us from back in the late '90's when we first stayed at OKW as guests of family members but we knew we'd be at least a few years from the situation we wanted to be in to buy into DVC as we wanted to do our DVC'ing by paying cash for the purchase. We also wanted to try out other DVC resorts to see for ourselves what we liked best so we rented points a few times to do that as well before we finally became members. Believe me we often thought we should have justed jumped in sooner then we did but we had a plan and we stuck with it and in the end we don't have any regrets

It's a significant purchase and it pays to really research it well to learn as much as you can & to help determine what resort best suits your family (that is what you should pick as your Home Resort when purchasing your points). If you & your family plan to vacation in deluxe resorts at WDW at least every other year then DVC will probably work well for you. It's a great way to pre-pay for accommodations.

Best wishes on your planning & hope you find that perfect contract real soon

 

[AlexTina]

If you can afford it then buy it. We bought our initial 160 pt. contract last year, when we bought it we knew it wouldn't be our ideal number of points but we didn't want one huge contract and we wanted to keep our options open as far as owning points at other resorts. We love VWL and this past November we stayed at SSR and we loved it there too. We are currently in the market for an add on of several 50 pt. contracts or another 160 pt. contract and are looking at SSR and VWL resales (definately a great time to buy). We aren't really cruisers so the current incentive doesn't really appeal to us, however, if disney offers something else in the near future we may go through them we'll just have to run the numbers and see whether disney or resale works out better. Either way we are adding on in the near future because we have the money and it's in our budget. So go for it if you can afford it!

Tina

 

[Malaguti Ball Clan]

We should be closing any day now!!! We waited too long, If you buy now you may just help out a future mousekeeper who waiting for the call to come to work at disney!!

All kidding aside, My one regret is not buying sooner...I am 43, our youngest is 13, our oldest 21, my wife and I put off this purchase 5 years ago when we left florida (both military) and I have been kicking myself (until now )

We are both retiring from the military in September and moving on to second careers and thought once again "this is not the right time", but honestly when is the right time? I could wait no longer, I wish I could have paid cash, and will for our add on, but if I continued to wait, I would be in a ECV...Good luck and remember we only go around this marble one time, take care. Alex

 

[logan115]

Am getting ready to take the plunge myself. Timing is great for us (me, DW, DS (5) and DD (4 mos)) now, many future vacations with a big chunk of it paid for. And although unfortunate for current owners, the drop in resale prices is giving me the chance to buy more points than I could've a year ago.

Beside, I like to justify it by saying that I'm doing my part to stimulate the economy And I'm even buying American

Chris

 

[swhall]

I also am in the category of "wish we would have bought sooner"
I think of all the money we would have had for something else!!
Just think of your purchase as "job security" for someone at Disney!
Congratulations on nursing school, you should have no trouble finding a job as nurses are in high demand.
Good Luck

 

[nwhitehead1214]

Help! I would love to hear from anyone who is considering buying into DVC right now...

I can not stop thinking about buying into DVC, but is anyone else out there who is mulling this over (i.e. obsessing about it!) nervous about the commitment in lieu of the ecomony? My husband has a great, stable job... we are pretty sure. I am in nursing school and will graduate next year, so I'm certain I'll have a good future career. We are in our early 40's and our girls are 8 & 11. I know now is the "time to buy". But I recently read a post a few days ago that said (something to this effect) -> how can you buy into DVC when people are losing their jobs? I can't stop thinking about that comment.

Anyhow, just looking for your feedback and I guess a little sympathy to my plight! Thanks...

That was me who got called out on the other thread about being unkind when people are losing their jobs. Made me sad as it is a grave assumption to think that as I Christian woman I am not caring for others simply because I am prepaying for vacations that I already take. This actually helps the economy because Disney needs that money up front to continue employing people. It is very much like the stock market. There is nothing unkind about vacationing with your family. It is a blessing. The thread is on DVC Planning, it is "Need DVC buying Advice". We are contemplating whether or not to buy. I just back off when I get ready to make an offer

 

[Brian Noble]

The long term question is an important one, but not necessarily for the reasons you think. Having a change in income is only one risk of long-term ownership. Changes in vacation habits and preferences is another.

For example, I think a few DVCers who buy when their kids are younger don't ask themselves if they'll still be going to WDW when the kids get to be teenagers and would rather be at a park with "real roller coasters" or, better yet, when the kids are out of the house. Not many, but a few.

 

[Misty89]

Help! I would love to hear from anyone who is considering buying into DVC right now...

I can not stop thinking about buying into DVC, but is anyone else out there who is mulling this over (i.e. obsessing about it!) nervous about the commitment in lieu of the ecomony? My husband has a great, stable job... we are pretty sure. I am in nursing school and will graduate next year, so I'm certain I'll have a good future career. We are in our early 40's and our girls are 8 & 11. I know now is the "time to buy". But I recently read a post a few days ago that said (something to this effect) -> how can you buy into DVC when people are losing their jobs? I can't stop thinking about that comment.

Anyhow, just looking for your feedback and I guess a little sympathy to my plight! Thanks...

Count me in as obsessing over DVC.
I want to become an owner so bad, i can taste it. It kills me that i cannot buy now when things are 'hot", i would really like to get in on the great deals ( Sorry to those who misfortune is getting things this way) I only hope that once we are ready, ( July 2010) the prices will not be through the roof.
But i have to stay level headed and not forget that i really cannot take out a loan for DVC while i have a auto loan open. I have one year until i get that paid off ( my Only monthly debt, beside utility bills)
Yes, i am going to finance, i will save up $ for a downpayment, but i know it will take longer than i want it to to save up all $$. with all of my obesessing, i have decided i am not waiting anylonger than 2 years to buy.
ETA: we visit WDW every 4-5 years, and we just returned froma trip in February so it will be right on course if we buy in 16mths, and take our first trip "Home" in 3 -5 years.
I want to have a good amount paid off before we travel the first time.( funny goal thing i have)
ETAA: if things would turn around faster than i want them, i would love to buy in before July 2010, then i can take my DD ( who will have just gradutaed high school ) on a girls only trip
mabye i should make that my new goal??


Tina

 

[stopher1]

The long term question is an important one, but not necessarily for the reasons you think. Having a change in income is only one risk of long-term ownership. Changes in vacation habits and preferences is another.

For example, I think a few DVCers who buy when their kids are younger don't ask themselves if they'll still be going to WDW when the kids get to be teenagers and would rather be at a park with "real roller coasters" or, better yet, when the kids are out of the house. Not many, but a few.

These are good points to consider. For us - DW & I were going to Disney parks long before children entered our personal equation, and definitely foresee ourselves doing so after ours leave our house for college and their own endeavors. Plus then we'll get the added benefit of becoming "favorite grandparents" (unless the future in-laws are DVC members too! ). Friends of ours who are DVC relish in being the favorite aunt & uncle... we haven't taken any extended family along with us...yet - but are discussing the real possibility for a couple of years from now. I'm already the "theme park uncle", always taking my nephews along to this or that theme park when we're together - and as far as the teenager issue and "real rollercoasters" - as I've told my own sons, there will be opportunities to do those too... dad loves coasters, and yes, there is life outside of Disney parks!

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Before the econmic times took a downturn, I was struggling with buying in, and if it would be a good move for us. Here's what DH and I discussed long and hard:

1) As long as DH and I have jobs, we'll be taking a family vacation (fact).
2) We were taking trips every year to WDW, and felt this would continue (fact).
3) We would spend more than the buy-in price on a car that lasts for 10 years (yes, we keep our cars! ), and significantly depreciates the day you drive it off the lot. This will give us vacations for our lifetime.
4) Would the MFs be comfortable for us?
5) If we would ever decide to sell, is DVC retaining some value?

After discussing, purchasing DVC was a great move for us. It won't be for everyone, but it was for us.

As for the economy...
When people STOP spending, it hurts us, too. When we stop going to Disney, they have to cut back, which means jobs. They are a HUGE employer in the Orlando area, and in the United States. Our maintenance fees help pay the salaries of folks who run and clean the DVC resorts. Another thing people may not be thinking about is that people may be selling their DVC contracts because of a job loss or financial hardship. Someone in a financially stable situation would really be helping them out by purchasing their contract.

Only you know your situation, and what's right and comfortable for you. People don't know your finances, they don't know if/what you give to your church and local community, what you donate (of your personal belongings and your time), etc.

Wishing you the best with your decision! It's one of the best decisions we've ever made for our family.

 

[christa112]

Add me to the obsessing list.

We vacationed in Sept and got the tour of SSR while there. I look at my DVC book on a weekly basis. I am hoping to purchase this year sometime. We are coming into a bit of money from an inheritance and we are going to pay off all of our bills, which will free up some money to purchase the DVC.

Like another posted commented is the decision to decide which resort to buy into. I really love AKL, WL and the Treehouses. Eventually I would love to stay in each resort at least once just to say we have.