glad we didnt fall into the pressuer of signing after our tour at the BCV

[RobDoc]

OKW opened on October 1, 1991. Pricing at that time was $51 per point. I have purchased resales at OKW as low as $50 per point, but would think that some may have been sold for even less several years ago.

It sounds like OKW can commonly be purchased at this time in the $66-70 range per point. It is selling directly thru DVC at $84 per point, but also offers the Magical Beginnings incentive- currently at $10 per point (but, you will forfeit one year's use of points).

The sponsor of this site is <a href="http://www.dvc-resales.com">The Timeshare Store</a> and they have many listings on their website for most all DVC resorts.

Enjoy!

 

[joepoe]

Originally posted by MikeScott8
...
But don't get me wrong, I know DVC is not right for everybody. So good luck in any future resales you go for.

Mike

I'm with you Mike.
I think the original poster has made the choice that DVC is not for them, and though I do not agree with the numbers they quoted, I do agree it does cost money. It is an investment in family vacations that some of us gladly made and we certainly do not regret it. It is just not right for everybody, especially if you try to do it on a shoestring.

 

[crisi]

Call the DVC resellers and ask them to keep an eye out for the contract you are interested in....A lot of times the small contacts - especially if you are looking for less than 100 points, don't even show up on the web sites.

 

[wdw47]

thank you we called The Time Share Store and someone there was very helpfull we asked them to let us know about all 50 point or less contracts that become available as purchasing contracts at $3,000.00 or less every few years makes sense to us just wondering if we should keep all our contracts at the same location or if multiple locations would be alright we look forward to purchasing our first resale ty

 

[littlestar]

Hi.

It's a big decision, that's for sure. But here's how 150 points (at first) worked out for us (keep in mind we have kids that we like to give some nights to):

All Studios (standard view at BWV):
With 150 points we were doing 6 nights at BWV in September
giving our kids 5 nights (sun through Thurs) at BWV in September
And then 5 nights again at OKW (our January winter trip)

That's 16 nights a year. If you take what you figured at $250 a night, that's $4,000 worth of rooms for just one year. We LOVE our DVC. For $600 worth of dues, that ain't bad! We figured to break even pretty quick at that rate of rooms against what we paid. And studios are MUCH better than regular hotel rooms. You have a mini fridge, microwave, coffee pot, toaster, and sink.

We added on more points in our first year because we get a lot out of it. If you want Disney and you want onsite and deluxe, it's pretty much a nobrainer for us. Especially with liking to give our kids 5 nights (sun through thurs) in studios. We couldn't do that without our DVC membership. I don't think Disney will make the dues outrageous. After all, they WANT you there to spend money. The state of Florida does have a 15% cap on an annual increase in one year. But, l don't look for that to happen. I think Disney wants to make sure our families are there buying merchandise, going to the parks, and eating in the restaurants!

Good luck if you decide to do it and I'll keep my fingers crossed for a great resale for you!

 

[wdw47]

looks like we found a way that will work for us just wondering how many nights a 50 point intial purchase will get us we are really excited about making our first resale purchase it seems to us at least purchasing small point resales might be the way to go and just build on a intial purchase thanks everyone this has proved to be a very informative site we knew the posters were all great informative DVC owners

 

[PamOKW]

While it's possible to purchase additional small contracts with different Use Years, I think you'll find it easier to keep track of things if you try to stick with the same Use Year for additional purchases -- at least until you reach the 150 point ownership. Just something to keep in the back of your mind.

As to what 50 points will buy -- which resort and what time of year make a big difference. I would also not plan on staying a Friday or Saturday night since the minimum for that at WDW is 20 points per night.

January, September and early to mid-December are the cheapest time at Disney. Studios are 8 per night at OKW, 9 per night for BWV Standard, 11 per night at SSR and 12 per night for BWV Preferred, BCV and VWL. If you bank and/or borrow you can use up to 150 points for one year's trip(s) but then won't be able to travel for a year. Someone gave you an example of what 150 points can get.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

wdw47, if I may, I have one follow up question for you...
The thread title suggests that you received sales pressure during your DVC tour. Could you expound on this a little? I have never known the DVC sales staff to use high pressure tactics, and I am curious as to what you experienced.

Thanx...

MG

 

[crisi]

Call more resellers. Do a google search on DVC resales. We bought ours through Jaki at www.atimeshare.com - but there are others (and other people will possibly stop in to post them). The more resellers that have your name and requirements, the faster something is likely to appear that meets your needs.

Granted, this will put you in a non-negotiating position - but you aren't in one for a small contract unless you are buying Vero Beach anyway.

 

[bongo59]

well let me give a real perspective.......we bought two weeks after OKW opened.....it has paid for it self in about 2 yrs.....we started out with a 250 point contract I was just married ain 1990 at 25 yrs old......we now have two kids one son who has been to disney properties 37 times in his life and a three yr old daughter who has been 15 times already........she will catch up to big brother quick at theis pace...........and we now have 1500 points......on a spread sheet we have figured out that with all the disney vacations we have taken since 1990 through 2003 we would have spent over 400 000 dolllars if we went the rack rate......tix not included....we all have lifetime passes to get in any disney park ever!!!! that one perk alone is 1000 off everytime we go........ we have saved over 250,000 dollars by my estimation.......and i think its more based upon all the hoppers we never ever have to buy again.......the DVC is the best investment/vacation deal ever invented as far as we are concerned.......we have been to alaska, hawaii, africa, europe and asia all on disney......cost us nothing.....just the airfare.....and we ususally get the airfare at auction on skyauction.com for pennies on the dollar.......DVC is the BOMB

 

[LoveToDisney]

All right...it wasn't fair to gloat that you have lifetime passes. Wouldn't we all like to be in your place! Some of us didn't know about DVC back then to get that perk. Enjoy your visits and spend LOTS of money on other things to make up for not needing those expensive entrance tickets. We all wish we were in your place!

 

[sgtdisney]

Did they offer lifetime passes when DVC first opened? We bought in February of 1992 and got passes to the parks until 12/31/1999. I never heard of a lifetime pass benefit. I do agree, buying as early on in the program as we did it has more than paid for itself already.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by bongo59
...we all have lifetime passes to get in any disney park ever!!!!

How does one get lifetime passes?
Is this something you can purchase, or was it a sales promotion thing?

Thanx,
MG

 

[bongo59]

it was offered when DVC was born and discontinued very quickly........but we are proud owners of 4 of these passes and everytime we use them we get big time props from the disney employees.......they are the best perk disney every used

 

[cheyita]

Okay - I'm jealous of the lifetime pass for sure. On the flip side, though, we did get the Bank One Disney card and use that to build up for our park tickets. Hopefully that will continue on for a long time to come.

I just want to back up everyone saying that while we feel like we couldn't live without Disney at this point, several years ago when our finances were different, DVC wouldn't have even been an option. So I wish the best of luck and Pixie Dust to anyone who would like to become members but are struggling to do so!

 

[RoyalCanadian]

Originally posted by cheyita

I just want to back up everyone saying that while we feel like we couldn't live without Disney at this point, several years ago when our finances were different, DVC wouldn't have even been an option. So I wish the best of luck and Pixie Dust to anyone who would like to become members but are struggling to do so!

And let the choir say "Amen." When DW and I made our first visit to WDW in 1997 for the 25th anniversary we saw the DVC booths everywhere and made the same assumption as everyone, "Too expensive. We can't possibly ever afford that." We then broke down and actually checked out the booth near Main St. USA (very convenient to washrooms, as I recall) and took the tour of OKW. We loved the idea from the start, but had to confess that it was indeed something we couldn't afford to do on a young pastor's salary. However, we did see great merit in the opportunities and secretly hoped that one day we could indeed own a part of the magic.

That day has come -- but only at great cost. The fact is we can now afford to pay off our mortgage, max out our retirement savings plans and pay in full the cost of joining DVC only because of what we have inherited from my mother's estate.

And so the info package arrived from our DVC guide yesterday and we figure that 150 points will be more than enough to cover our current Disney Vacation plans. DD4 Charlotte will be able to enjoy this with her children one day -- but we are currently despairing at the hope of having grandchildren because she has decided not to talk to boys anymore.

No, DVC certainly isn't for everyone at every point in their lives. Some will find it much more economical to rent points to fulfill their needs and others will find their own needs met through the Value resorts. While most DVC members can indeed see the economics inherent in being a part of DVC, a cruise over to the Budget Board to read the posts of selling crafts, taking on extra jobs, and eating instant noodles for breakfast and supper so one can afford a Disney Vacation will remind us that we are a privileged few who can afford the initial expense and payments of the DVC membership.

Neil

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I'm glad to see you are aiming for a 50 point contract. Let us say for the sake of argument the cost will be 1/2 of what you would spend at BC in a year. I thought I'd share my methods for making a 150 point contract go a long long way...in fact I was able to give away 70 points last year as a gift because ...I could.

Lets assume your contract only has this year's points on it. You can borrow 50% of next years to get 75 points in total to use. You only need 70 points or less to get a studio for 5 non-weekend nights for any season except premier...(Christmas and Easter/Spring Break). But you say you really want to go for 8 nights! Stay at a Disney hotel with a good rate on Friday and Saturday nights...or pay the cash rate for the Villas. Disney will move your luggage for you if you stay in one of theirs. What I like about this is it gives me the chance to stay in other Disney hotels and see what they are about. Or you can save even more money and stay in a non-Disney hotel...but then you have to arrange for your luggage transfer yourself.

For myself I've figured out I really only needed 100 points to begin with....but if you want to stay in a studio for a week without moving buying a 70 to 80 point contract might work better than a 50 (a week in Magic Season at OKW is 109 elsewhere 134...Saratoga would fall somewhere between).

By banking/borrowing half a years points you can go every other year for a full week most of the year if you have 80 points. Please note that if you are banking all of one year's points and borrowing all of anothers you are only going once every 3 years.

 

[Desperado]

Most people report they didn't feel pressured from the sales tour. You can always consider renting points until you've made up your mind to purchase.

 

[PamOKW]

What a lovely post Neil. I think letting your mother help finance your future family vacations is a wonderful way to keep her memory alive and to honor that memory. I wish you and your family many wonderful years full of happy DVC memories.

 

[Granny]

Neil, I'd like to echo Pam's sentiments. And yes, I feel privilege to have so many things in life (including DVC) that I never imagined I would be able to afford when I was a child. Since, for us, DVC is all about making memories with our children...I can certainly appreciate that you could not have made a better use of the money you inherited. I'm sure Charlotte will have many great memories with her family.

And I'm sure that at some point, she will unfortunately start talking to boys again!