Help! Bought and might regret it. Need advice

[lochbox1]

We bought a couple of days ago at SSR when we were vacationing (at VWL-lovely!) and got the price originally quoted of $89.

Now, I asked the kids when they want to go back and they said, Can we try somewhere new?

We normally go different places like NY, MA, TN, and VA. They really like the variety. My 5yr old even said he preferred Chuckie Cheese over WDW and wants to go there instead.

Financially, it is a stretch, but we typically spend about 5k on vacations a year. It just seems tough to justify when we don't (gasp!) care for WDW as much as we should.

What should we do.

 

[Laurabearz]

WDW is so much more than the parks.... with DVC we have taken 'no park' trip and it was one of the best vacations ever. So much to do in the Orlando area and DVC is a great home base.

You didnt mention how many points you signed up for, but perhaps a smaller contract to start...

Keep us posted!

 

[floridafam]

I believe you have 15 days to cancel your transaction, even if you have already put down a deposit.

Make sure you know exactly what you want to do before you call your guide.

Have you made a deposit yet? (if you don't mind me asking)

Remember, your kids may change their minds, too.

Go over everything like buying a smaller contract, etc.

Don't feel bad if you decide to cancel. Only you can make the best decision for yourself.

Good luck and post if you have any other questions.

 

[Guads6]

I wouldn't panick. I was just thinking about our trips to Disney World. And probably after our January trip we won't be going back till at least 2006. My oldest son is graduating from High School in 2005 and he won't be able to miss a lot of school, and I don't do Disney in the summer. We will probably opt to use our points at Hilton Head or do an exchange. We never planned to use all our points on Disney. We are hoping to use points towards a cruise, a safari and a visit to the Rain Forest sometime down the the road. Plus you could always rent your points and use the money towards a trip somewhere else.

 

[Diznut84]

My family routinely goes to WDW 2x per year. After each trip, we go through the same routine. Maybe we should try a little break before our next trip. Perhaps try somewhere new. Three months later, we can't stand the thought of not returning.

JMHO!

 

[TimeforMe]

Originally posted by lochbox1
My 5yr old even said he preferred Chuckie Cheese over WDW and wants to go there instead.

What should we do.

OMG! I cracked up when I read this. I'd say save your $ and take them to Chuck E. Cheese

 

[palmtreegirl]

Sounds like DVC isn't for you, unless you know that you'll want to go back at least every other year.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

WOW I say cancel. My son loves chuck e cheese too but he will chose Disney any day. He actually takes out the photo album of our last trip and looks at it asking to go back. It sounds like DVC may not be right for your family. You can use your points elsewere but maybe a marriot type club is better since it is cheaper and not centered around Disney like DVC is. I defintely would not make this big of a purchase if your son isn't into it. We needed all of us to want it before we purchased.

 

[JudyS]

DVC weeks cost so much that trading one for a week elsewhere is almost never cost-effective.

You can rent out your points, but it is a bit of a hassle. Points rent for about $10, so you'd need to do the math to see if that would even cover your interest, principle, and annual fees. It wil depend a great deal on how you are financing your purchase.

If you want to go stay at the DVC at least once every 3 years, than buying at the DVC makes sense. Otherwise, it really isn't practical. Buying a smaller contract might work for you, but I believe 150 points is the least one can buy directly from Disney. Smaller contracts can be purchased resale, but they can be hard to find (see my other posts!)

If I were you, I'd cancel. Yes, SSR might not be available at $89 a point, but resales at the other resorts will be available for less than that. Although SSR doesn't expire until 12 years after the older DVC contracts, that is so far down the road that it barely matters now.

Although I would feel bad about backing out of a contract offered by a private party (see my other posts!), I'd have no qualms at all about backing out of a developer sale.

I believe that you have 10 (not 15) days to rescind. Send a certified letter saying you cancel; also phone the DVC and ask if there is a form to fill out.

 

[tiggerguy2000]

It sounds like you got caught up in the hipe!Dont waste a minute and cancel.Your family dont feel the magic and they got crazy over the wrong mouse.DVC is awesome and im so glad im a member.Next year im going to hawaii and im lovin it.I go 3 times a year and when we return from Disney we cant wait to go back.

tiggerguy2000 :space:

 

[TwingleMum]

Cancel and save your money for Chuckee Cheese. (aren't kids funny!!!)

 

[disneycrazed139]

Agreed--why spend the money if the kids aren't into it? Now if YOU are into that, that might be a different story. Maybe they'll eventually come around to your camp!

 

[JimC]

Sounds like DVC is not right for you. DVC works best for those who come to WDW regularly. At least every other year.

Maybe explore another timeshare (but resale), like Marriott, if you like variety. Dean is one of our timeshare experts on this Board. He can probably give you more on spot advice on that. There is also a timeshare users group at this link:

http://www.tug2.net/

Good luck!

 

[RuthnPaul]

Originally posted by Diznut84
My family routinely goes to WDW 2x per year. After each trip, we go through the same routine. Maybe we should try a little break before our next trip. Perhaps try somewhere new. Three months later, we can't stand the thought of not returning. JMHO!

Even though our family does the same thing after each trip, it took us almost 10 years (!!) to take the plunge -- could have paid for one of the contracts we recently purchased with what we've spent at the WDW resorts!! Oh well, better late than never. Besides, there's no such thing as being too old to love the Magic and the Mouse, is there??

RuthnPaul

 

[Merilyn]

Most will say this isn't a good use of points, but have you checked into the trades you can make. We go to WDW one time a year and then trade to another location for the other week. We have gone to NYC, Washington, CA and we live in TN. They have some nice places in all areas to trade to. I know you can cancel your membership, but I would at least look at the options before you do. You can then make a educated decision about what to do. You may just want a smaller contract and go every other years.

 

[jaysue]

I would cancel if possible - DVC is not the most price efficient way to travel/trade timeshares

With DVC, you are paying a premium for the location and at the end of the day from a financial perspective, it makes the most sense yo use DVC points at DVC properties

On the other hand, if you like WDW, I am not sure if I would bend my whole decision on the current opinion of a 5yr old....

Good Luck

thanks
jaysue

 

[jarestel]

Well, I just polled my 4 granchildren to see if they'd rather go to WDW this summer or to Chuckie Cheese - results Mickey 4, Chuckie 0, LOL!

If you're not sure about DVC, don't do it. Try a few more cash trips and see how it goes and then re-evaluate a DVC purchase. Good luck.

 

[Doug Wolfe]

I sure wouldn't let a 5-year olds desire for Chuckie Cheese result in making my vacation decisions.

You're spending $5,000 a year on vacation. O.K., how much did you spend on SSR?:confused2

Do the math. Are you ahead of the game by holding SSR for another 7 to 8 years to break even? Then, with a 50 year contract, after you break even you have another 42 years of paid vacations?

Take a look at the numerous exchanges offered through DVC if you want to go other places. Yes you can cancel...but try taking some time to do the math.

In the meantime, buy your kid a pizza.

 

[crisi]

Trading is an ok option, but you are limited by available trades - and seriously need a lot of points to trade. On of our future trips is to travel around South Korea - not easy to do from a timeshare trade. There is nothing available through the World Passport or Concierge collection. And your options are limited. Lots of options if you want to ski in Colorado...no options for caving in Kentucky, another planned trip. No options in the Netherlands (my husband's birthplace - so somewhere we need to get to). And the resorts in the collections are subject to change.

It doesn't sound like you've made a great decision for your family. See if you are still in the cancel window and do so. If not, you might want to try renting your points for a few years until you hit the break even point to resell.

 

[anniet]

Originally posted by lochbox1

Now, I asked the kids when they want to go back and they said, Can we try somewhere new?

My 5yr old even said he preferred Chuckie Cheese over WDW and wants to go there instead.

Reason # 2,853,98<font size=18>7</font>

for me NEVER to have children.