Going to buy into DVC, would like some insight

[BubMunkeyBles]

So, I convinced my fiance into buying into DVC in December last night (I'm so convinging ), but now we have to decide where, how many points, and whether to buy the DVC or a resell.... I'm so lost. I've read all the information possible, but still not sure. The resorts I'd look into buying at are the new AKV, BCV and VWL. We can afford to put 3k down (fiance is military so we're by no means rich, especially since I'm in my last year of college). Is it worth it to buy through a reseller if you already lose 10 years of vacations? The prices don't really seem "that" much cheaper to me. I guess I just want opinions. My fiance is 29 and I'm almost 22, we do want a family if that helps at all, but are plannning to add points later. I have grown up at Disney, and with fiance being in the military we get at least 30 days of vacation time a year, so its worth it for us. Any help, wisdom and the like is much appreciated.

 

[kend58]

All real estate (and a DVC ownership is a secured right to use leased interest in real estate) should carry the location location location caveat. The most important factor is make sure you want to vacation where you are buying your points.

Currently buyers have two new resorts (SSR & AKV) with longer life contracts and all of the 2042 resorts (on a more restictive basis DVD has to have points and may not always have them) available direct from DVD.

The buyer also can find resale contracts at pretty much any resort (except AKV) so focus on where you want to own your points.

Then research how many points it will take at that location to provide your desired annual vacation(s) (or your biennial or triennial vacation(s) using banking and borrowing) This will let you know whether direct from DVD or from resale is the way to seek out your points. (i.e. for people who want or need to own less than 160 pts annualy the resale path is the only option)

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and almost everyone has a favorite among the DVC resorts enjoy

Heres a little pd while your contemplating

 

[hellerjw]

The general advice is to buy where you want to stay most, since you get the 11 month booking window at your home resort and some resorts are hard to book at certain times of the year (ex. Epcot resorts during Food & Wine Festival, etc). If you don't have a preference and can be flexible in the times you go your home resorts choice may not really matter.

The best way to determine the number of points you will need is to think about how often you will go, the type of unit (studio, 1BR, etc) you want to stay in, and the time of year you want to go most. Then look at the point charts and see how many points on average it will cost you. This should give you a rough idea of how many points to purchase. There will always be the inevitable add-on down the road so if you want to start out small and slowly grow the number of points you have then that is certainly a viable option.

Some of the benefits of going direct through Disney right now are:

1) Very quick process, you can start using your points about 24 hours after your make your deposit. You don't have to worry about ROFR.
2) Financing is done directly through them and doesn't appear on your credit report
3) You get to take advantage of whatever incentives they are offering at the time (ex. $8/pt discount, double developer points, etc)
4) You can buy into AKV - there currently aren't any AKV resales but this will change over time

Some of the disadvantages of going direct through Disney are:

1) There is a 160pt miminum buy-in for your first contract
2) You may not get the UY you want right away and may have to waitlist for it. If your travel schedule is flexible this is a non-issue, but some people may want specific UYs at a specific resort.

Some of the benefits of going the resale route are:

1) You can buy-in at a lower point count, you aren't forced to buy a minimum of 160pts
2) You can sometimes get a better deal. This really depends on the current incentives Disney is offering, how loaded the resale contract is with points or the lack of existing points, etc.

Some of the disadvantages of going the resale route are:

1) It is a much longer process since you have to deal with a broker, the owner and Disney's ROFR before the sale even goes through, then you have to wait for Disney to add you to their system.
2) You have to find your own financing if you don't pay cash
3) There aren't any AKV resales currently

There is no right or wrong resort. Each buyer will have his or her favorite. The nice thing about DVC is you can try all the resorts, even if you find you favor one the most. You get a 4 month booking advantage at your home resort over those who own at other resorts, which is why you will always hear "buy where you want to stay".

Good luck!

 

[Poppins2000]

Well, we just closed last Sunday, bought direct through DVC so let me give you some highlights.

1. We bought 200 points (Just DH & I), at $104 a point.
2. We had only to put 10% down ($2080)
3. Closing costs were $300 and something which we also paid up front (you could finance those into your total price if you wanted to).
4. We bought in Saratoga Springs for they offered a choice of two great incentives. The first choice was $2000 off of your total price. The second was double points. Since we were buying 200 points, we got an additional 400 points! That's 600 points right off the start! One glitch in the points though, you had to use the 400 within 7 months of your signing date. Since we already had a trip planned for August and another for December, we chose the points! There were also incentives to buy in AKL, but they weren't as good.
5. There is an annual maintenance fee which is based on how many points you purchase. I can't remember the formula but ours will be around $675 for a year.

Hope this info helps!

 

[Deb & Bill]

... Since we were buying 200 points, we got an additional 400 points! That's 600 points right off the start! One glitch in the points though, you had to use the 400 within 7 months of your signing date. Since we already had a trip planned for August and another for December, we chose the points! ...

I hope you were able to get the days you needed for December. That could be tough. August should be doable, though, if you don't have that reservation yet. If you have problems, go through your Guide to see what they can do to assist you in getting Dec.

 

[crisi]

Is it worth it to buy through a reseller if you already lose 10 years of vacations?

That depends on what you value and what your plans are. For us, we wouldn't want to spend any years at SSR, much less an extra ten. It is a lovely resort - the pool area is very cool, the public areas are nice - but its far too spread out and out of the way and I don't like the room decor. So I'd rather spend years at a resort I do like than one I don't. But as well, I'm 40 - I'll be in my 70s when our BWV contract expires and we will probably have sold long before that - when our kids (who are now in elementary school) are college age.

And we've discovered we aren't "seven month switchers" - we book "home" eleven months out and we stay "home." Other resorts look appealing, some even more appealing than home - but we have never bothered to try any of them.

 

[BubMunkeyBles]

Thanks for all the help. I was really wanting AKV... So guess we will do that. We are staying at a Disney value resort in December. I have read that the incentives are better at SSR but after staying there with my Grandma it was too... touristy? I dunno. I think i'm gonna go for AKV for now.. We can add more later if we feel. I want 170 points... cuz we want to use points for our 2 week honeymoon May 2008... Probly won't get into AKV because its so new, but thats ok. Thanks!!! I guess I was trying to figure what was cheaper and not what I really wanted... But you guys are right.. Should go for where I want. THANKS!!!! Now I can't wait until December, hehe.

 

[flyerron]

AKV is the most out of the way location, if my memory serves correctly & it does. For young familys or those just starting out SSR & AKV may be the better deals because of the life span of the contracts. Your children will apperciate the park in years to come as adults as well as the grandchildren.The cash discount incentive is a very good way to save money in the long run depending on the financing because of the interest rate. Look at the purchase from an intellegent perspective--not an emotional one.

 

[Wilsonfamily4]

Does anyone know how long the double points incentive may last? Or how long it has been going? We thought we may buy through Disney for SSR if they have that incentive but we just cannot buy until January or February. I know that no one really knows what they may have then but some know the trends. Any help would be appreciated

 

[Flyerfan]

Does anyone know how long the double points incentive may last? Or how long it has been going? We thought we may buy through Disney for SSR if they have that incentive but we just cannot buy until January or February. I know that no one really knows what they may have then but some know the trends. Any help would be appreciated

Yes, I would also like to know this since we will probably not buy until early next year.

 

[BubMunkeyBles]

Thanks... I have been looking into this for a while. I just couldn't decide whether to settle for a home resort I wasn't too fond of or spend a little more for what I wanted. Disney has great transportation (in my opinion) so am not super worried about distance of AKV... and I think when we have kids they will love the animals and the atmosphere (I know my nieces do). Thanks!

AKV is the most out of the way location, if my memory serves correctly & it does. For young familys or those just starting out SSR & AKV may be the better deals because of the life span of the contracts. Your children will apperciate the park in years to come as adults as well as the grandchildren.The cash discount incentive is a very good way to save money in the long run depending on the financing because of the interest rate. Look at the purchase from an intellegent perspective--not an emotional one.

 

[Wilsonfamily4]

Yes, I would also like to know this since we will probably not buy until early next year.

Anyone?
Is that extra points incentive even current? THANKS

 

[Candace]

Anyone?
Is that extra points incentive even current? THANKS

Yes, it is still current as of this afternoon, when I spoke with my guide.

 

[Mickbee]

Thanks for all the help. I was really wanting AKV... So guess we will do that. We are staying at a Disney value resort in December. I have read that the incentives are better at SSR but after staying there with my Grandma it was too... touristy? I dunno. I think i'm gonna go for AKV for now.. We can add more later if we feel. I want 170 points... cuz we want to use points for our 2 week honeymoon May 2008... Probly won't get into AKV because its so new, but thats ok. Thanks!!! I guess I was trying to figure what was cheaper and not what I really wanted... But you guys are right.. Should go for where I want. THANKS!!!! Now I can't wait until December, hehe.

If you really want AKV, buy AKV. In the end the incentives are a little better at SSR ($2.00) per point if you take the $$$. If you factor it over the life of the points (50 yrs), it comes out to be a very small difference.

After joining, call for yout honeymoon dates as it is far enough out that you may get or request.

Best of luck!!!

 

[DVC Grammy]

When you are actually signing up for DVC, it can't hurt to stress to your guide how much you want AKV for your honeymoon in May.
Sometimes, happens. And with a two-week trip, a split-stay is very doable (even if you can only get part of it at the AKV!)

 

[wildernessDad]

Buy where you want to stay. I think that motto will be even more important in the future and you are both young. Why did I not think about DVC when I was your age? ... Oh, you mean because DVC didn't exist when I was your age?

 

[Disney Doll]

Because you are young, I'd probably buy at AKV or SSR, to get the extra 12 years.

Remember, with those points, you'll be able to stay at all the DVC resorts. Now granted, will you be able to get BCV or BWV during the F&W Festival??? Probably not, but in more "regular" times, you'll get in no problem.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Buy where you want to stay. I think that motto will be even more important in the future and you are both young. Why did I not think about DVC when I was your age? ... Oh, you mean because DVC didn't exist when I was your age?

Shoot, WDW didn't even exist when I was her age.

 

[chappler]

Does anyone know if you can rent or transfer the 'double points' or do they have restrictions on the buyer or the potential renter?