HELP...How does DVC work?

[princssdisnygina]

hello everyone! I am a frequent Disney traveller from cruises to DL and WDW every year. I am interested in becoming a DVC member but don't know what it intails. first off...
1. Can someone explain costs? I know it is different for different things but I just want to know how it starts. Is it based on credit, is it cash out of my pocket, and how much? Then, how much per month or year?
2. What are the pros and cons? I am sure there are some downfalls to it, can you explain?
3. I want to make sure it is worth my money and time.

Anything will help! Thanks.
Gina

 

[JeffPort]

A great resource for me when I was first considering DVC was this synopsis:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/dtp/dvc/2_Program/what_is_DVC.htm

In addition, the "DVC FAQ's" at the top of this site is another great place to start.

 

[Granny]

The two links indicated by JeffPort will get you started in determining whether DVC is right for you. I'll take a stab at some of your questions.

1. Can someone explain costs? I know it is different for different things but I just want to know how it starts. Is it based on credit, is it cash out of my pocket, and how much? Then, how much per month or year?

You pay for your points one time...currently about $95 a point I think. You can pay for that through Disney financing or your own financing. Then you pay dues each year, which currently are about $4 a point.

Dues can rise over time...they've been going up 3-5% each year since I joined.

2. What are the pros and cons? I am sure there are some downfalls to it, can you explain?

The pros are that you can stay on-site at WDW in better accommodations than the basic resort rooms, at an affordable price. In our case, we can afford a two bedroom suite that we could not afford in any other manner.

The cons are: DVC only makes sense if you plan on visiting WDW at least every other year for the next 38-50 years. It is not a great value if your primary purpose is to trade it out to other timeshares across the country or world.

Dues keep coming each year. And they can go up a bit.

3. I want to make sure it is worth my money and time.

Our advice is pretty simple here. Research the rules of the Vacation Club to make sure you understand how it works.

If you think it makes financial sense, figure out which DVC resort you would most like to stay at....that's where you should buy. If it's not a DVC resort being sold by Disney, then you can go to the DVC resale market and get a contract for points where you really want to call "home".

Come back here, and ask specific questions and you'll get plenty of advice.

One final note...DVC is a great vacation investment for most of the people you will find here. But it is definitely not for everyone. Take the time to do the research, and you'll be a smarter and better satisfied buyer if you decide to go with DVC.

Good luck with your decision!

Anything will help! Thanks.
Gina [/B][/QUOTE]

 

[DebbieB]

If you want to buy SSR direct from Disney, the current price is $95 per point. Minimum points to buy 150. So you're looking at $14,250 min to start before maintenance fees. They offer a credit for selling back your first year points, I'm not sure if it's currently $5 or $10 per point.

Resales are available in the $65 - $75 per point range:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/timeshare/dvclisting.cfm

Price is negotiable between you and the current owner.

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

We purchased a month ago and they were having a special on SSR for $90/pt.

Everyone says the same thing regarding DVC: "I should have done it sooner".

 

[princssdisnygina]

I haven't checked out the links yet, but from what I am getting, you can purchase so many points? Is there a minimum to buy? I assume you have to have so many points to stay at certain places. How does this work for the DCL? Do I have to specify where I want to stay or can I just buy points and do that later? I do go to WDW an average of 1-2 times per year and sometimes there is a cruise with it. This is all so confusing.

Gina

 

[Granny]

The minimum purchase to begin is 150 points.

This is all so confusing.

That's why we gave you those links. You really need to check them out. I guarantee they will bring up information that you would otherwise never think to ask here.

 

[starwood]

If you buy through a resale there is no minimum purchase. We just bought our first points - 100 at OKW.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Just be aware that if you buy the smaller point contracts, you will not have the full flexibility of DVC. Most II trades will require at least 160 points for a 1 bedroom in prime time.

 

[princssdisnygina]

Ok, it is starting to make sense. I have another question though. Is buying these points a one time things or is it every year? I did check out the websites but they didn't really help with my questions. I don't want to get in over my head and not be able to afford it. I assume you lose the points when you use them and then you have to rebuy them again? Or are these points renewed every year?

Thanks for all of your help.

Gina

 

[wtpclc]

The points are added to your account yearly on day 1 of your use year. The only annual fee (besides any from financing the original costs) is the maintenance fee.

 

[snoopyandpooh]

Hi, I am new too. If you buy , say 200 points with use year of June, you will get 200 points every June.

 

[poohj80]

Originally posted by princssdisnygina
Ok, it is starting to make sense. I have another question though. Is buying these points a one time things or is it every year?

You pay for the points once (the $95/pt quoted above) but you pay an annual maintenance fee which is based on the number of points you own.

 

[wtpclc]

Originally posted by snoopyandpooh
Hi, I am new too. If you buy , say 200 points with use year of June, you will get 200 points every June.

Yes, June 1 every year you would get 200 points.

 

[idratherbeinwdw]

I found this very helpful when I first became interested in DVC:

http://allearsnet.com/acc/dvc.htm

 

[princssdisnygina]

Ok, I get it now! It sounds like it would definitely be something worth investing in for me. So the more money I spend on points the better room I get? Or, the more points I buy the better rooms? This is something I will be doing in the near future! As long as I can use it for the Disney Cruise Line and/or other things! Thanks to everyone for your help. If there is any other advice you can share that would be great!

Thanks, Gina

 

[poohj80]

Originally posted by princssdisnygina
So the more money I spend on points the better room I get? Or, the more points I buy the better rooms?

The number of points a given room requires depends on the size of the room, which location, and what time of year. Friday and Saturday nights are always more than weeknights which is why a lot of DVCers vacation Sunday-Thursday or maybe pay cash for weekend nights.

 

[RichAyers]

DVC was a great choice for us, but it sounds like you still need a little more knowledge about it before you buy. It sounds like it would be a great fit based on the way you currently vacation, but read up!! There is a lot to learn about it!

Good Luck

Rich Ayers

 

[offtheice]

Originally posted by Montana Disney Fan
We purchased a month ago and they were having a special on SSR for $90/pt.

Everyone says the same thing regarding DVC: "I should have done it sooner".

well i just signed up for $85/pt at ssr and gave back my first yr pts which disney used towards my down payment. I already have a plan trip ,using my buds points at the boardwalk next april from suntothur ,then will use my pts either at the same resort if I can or go over to the ssr from fri to mon..