Further changes to resale points

[Paul Ware]

Hi all

I'm taking a gamble and just about to push the buttom on a VB resale contract, with the view to only stay at a WDW resort once the 7 month window opens. The deal I have is good and money has been the motivating factor.

I have however heard that one day Disney may further change the rules and potentially make it harder for owners to do such a transfer.

Have you heard such rumours? Can Disney really change the transfer window rules as it seems to a fundamental part to the DVC system?

Thanks

 

[juncker]

Yes, there are lots of rumors. I'd suggest that you go back into the history of the rumors about the recent changes that DVC made, before they pulled the trigger. I found references to potential resale changes that went years back. When they finally made the change to exclude the parts that they did, most people reacted that it wasn't as bad as expected.

In my opinion, DVC has done what they are going to do, and I wouldn't expect additional changes coming in the near future. If they do, I would anticipate that it wouldn't affect you as you would probably be grandfathered in like they did this time. This is only my opinion (and don't trust me, I still have faith in the Detroit Lions).

Understand what you are buying. If you buy DVC points into a resale resort (such as VB), they could revoke all of your privledges other than your right to stay at Vero Beach. That is the only thing that is guaranteed, everything else is just perks that they can take away whenever they want. I wouldn't buy in unless you are comfortable that they could do that at some point. If you're doing it to stay in Disneyworld, you might want to think about similar properties "in the World". OKW is priced good (and better maint fees). We went with SSR balancing price/point with good maint fees, and a longer contract.

DVC is one of the best rated "Timeshare" companies, and further pulling of perks is only going to hurt them (and their value). I think that we've seen what they plan to do. The real issue was that when someone asked the Disney reps why they should buy direct vs. resale, that they didn't have a good answer. At least now, they can say that you get more buying direct (even though the majority of us would not use those perks).

The only other concern I would have is if you plan to always travel at peak times (Christmas, Easter, ...). Getting resorts in the world at those times could be tough. Other than that, you'll be fine to get good spots at 7 months.

I'd still pull the trigger. I think that it would be a huge surprise if they pulled back perks enough that we couldn't stay at other DVC properties. Worst case in my mind would be that it would be a change similar to the last change where it wouldn't affect you, as they would grandfather you in if you bought now.

Good Luck!

 

[chalee94]

i would not recommend buying VB with the goal of staying at wdw.

you might usually find available villas at the larger onsite resorts like SSR, OKW or AKV but if things are booked up, you risk having points that expire unused. it's not common for things to be completely booked up at 7 months but i'd rather not take that sort of risk.

since VB is on the coast, there is a larger risk of a storm damaging the resort - which means 2 things: 1) the risk of a special assessment (additional maintenance fees to pay for repairs not covered by insurance and 2) inability to trade into the wdw DVC resorts while VB is out of commission.

if aulani turns sour, there is a risk that DVC will spin off their offsite resorts like aulani, HHI and VB. in that case, you would definitely lose the 7 month window and find it much more difficult to trade into wdw resorts.

maintenance fees are also higher at VB. (but i get that the lower upfront prices make it tempting.)

some people are comfortable with a little more risk, but i just wouldn't do it...

 

[Jason@dvcstore]

This is only my opinion (and don't trust me, I still have faith in the Detroit Lions).

Jason

 

[DisDad07]

There are good prices at resale right now, So I always say, buy were you want to stay.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The dues at VB are pretty high, so what you might save in the original purchase, you'll spend in dues pretty quickly.

 

[Dean]

Hi all

I'm taking a gamble and just about to push the buttom on a VB resale contract, with the view to only stay at a WDW resort once the 7 month window opens. The deal I have is good and money has been the motivating factor.

I have however heard that one day Disney may further change the rules and potentially make it harder for owners to do such a transfer.

Have you heard such rumours? Can Disney really change the transfer window rules as it seems to a fundamental part to the DVS system?

Thanks

I don't think you have anything to worry about for timeshare exchange or use within DVC for CURRENT resorts. For future resorts it depends on how they approach it. As noted, VB is definitely a higher dues unless you find a subsidized contract and enough higher to eat up any savings over time compared to say SSR or OKW. Unless you plan to use it part of the time at VB, Personally, I'd want to be under $30 a point to even consider it.

 

[Sandisw]

While I agree that it would be very unlikely that DVC would limit the use of VB points to stay at WDW, they CAN if they remove VB from the "club". Actually, they can do this with any DVC resort.

As mentioned, if your main goal is to stay at WDW, I would buy a WDW resort as at least, you will be on property if you can't trade out someplace else.

 

[Kidanifan08]

Check out the SSR and OKW resales. You surely can get something for a great price and then you will have the 11-month booking window at WDW. In the next 30-40 years, you may want to go during one of the busy holidays, F&W, or even the first week of December (see several active threads about this!), and you will be glad you bought at a location on site.

 

[Paul Ware]

Thanks for your comments everyone, they do seem to be a mixed yet balanced reaction.

As a gambler (not professional mind you) I'm going for it as my offer was at $33 a point, which for me is a bargain. Furthermore I may not even pass ROFR but looking at the records Disney did pass one contract at $35

If it all goes pear shaped, then I'll consider purchasing a "core resort" contract

Paul

 

[paults]

don't do it, buy at WDW

 

[Sandisw]

Thanks for your comments everyone, they do seem to be a mixed yet balanced reaction.

As a gambler (not professional mind you) I'm going for it as my offer was at $33 a point, which for me is a bargain. Furthermore I may not even pass ROFR but looking at the records Disney did pass one contract at $35

If it all goes pear shaped, then I'll consider purchasing a "core resort" contract

Paul

Good luck! Let us know how it goes!!!

 

[karana]

You can always get something at SSR. Don't fret about getting on property, I would worry more about the hurricanes. That is why I didn't buy VB even though the thought of "owning" something on the beach was tempting.

Good Luck!

 

[XGrumpy1]

I would not like paying the high dues at VB each year.