Help - Lots of add on questions

[DisneyJen]

Hi all...

Dh and I have 150 points that we purchased at BWV in 1998.

In December we went to look at Marriott's Timeshare presentation since we are thinking about either adding more points at DVC or buying into Marriott.

We are leaning at this point toward adding on at DVC (at least I am )

Here are my question ... How much does it cost per point for an add on? What is the minimum number of points? Do you have to buy in multiples of 5 or some other number? Is it more cost effective to buy a resale or add on?

I would ask my guide but we haven't heard from her since we bought site unseen in 1998.

Thanks, in advance, for any help

 

[Chuck S]

The price per point for an add on from Disney is the same as the current sale price for new contracts, currently $75/point. The minimum add-on from Disney is 25 points (unless that has changed), as far as I know no multiples of 5 as long as you buy at least 25 points. Certainly look at resale, but bear in mind, especially for smaller contracts, the closing costs and other fees may boost you above the price direct from Disney. I also think there is a minimum number you have to purchase from Disney if you want to finance an add-on (maybe 50 points). I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong. It has been many years since we added to our membership.

 

[DisneyJen]

Do you know if there are there closing costs associated with an add on direct from Disney?

Many thanks!

 

[ncligs]

Disney Jen,

We just added on 50 pts (VB) and it was $62 pt. Our total was $3,100. So I am sure there were no closing costs added on when you add-on through Disney.

 

[DisneyJen]

That is great DH actually said "hmm..." which means that we may be closer to adding on this year before the price hike

 

[Dean]

Min is 25 but can be 26, 27 and so on. Min is 50 if you finance. Min is 100 to use Magical Beginnings for WDW though I think it's still 50 min for MB at VB/HH.

As to your other choices, what are your goals? I own at Marriott, DVC as well as other timeshares and they all serve different purposes. I use DVC for personal use and rent it easily when I have extra points. I use Marriott's Grande Ocean for personal use and also rent it when I can't use the weeks there. I use Paradise Village, points resort in MX similar to DVC, for both personal use and exchaning. It's flexible, much like DVC, allowing for many options. I use the other Marriott unit for exchanging as it's a "lower price" resort comparatively. I also use the La Cabana, Aruba units for exchanging and renting but have never been there.

If your interested in exchanging, I'd suggest Marriott or another timeshare. If you want to stay on a beach or in a specific area and use the resort every year, I'd buy where you want to go. The lower Marriott properties are the best value for exchanging, especially to other Marriott's. Part of the problem with the top Marriott's is the same as with DVC, that even good trades are frequently a trade down. I would not add on extra points with the goal of exchanging or using for the other points options of DCL, DC, CC, etc.

 

[Chuck S]

Nglics must have used Magical Beginnings and allowed Disney to keep his first use years worth of points, $75/pt - $13 MB buyback = $62/pt.

There are different buy back rates at the WDW resorts, so the net per point paid (assuming you use Magical Beginnings) may be different.

 

[ncligs]

Chuck S,

Yes, we did use Magical Beginnings to get that price.Chuck where is Seguin ? We have relatives in Austin and San Antonio.

 

[Dean]

A note on the MB program. Though not inherently a bad deal, it's a little misleading to simply deduct the buy back price from the price per point. Remember you're losing your points, paying at least 6 months fees on them and raising your price per points per year slightly. For VB, I'd deduct about $5 per point from reimbursement to get a more realisted idea of what the true costs are. It's no different than buying a resale that is stripped of points.

 

[DisneyJen]

We are still trying to answer the quesitons that Dean raises.

My parents own two week in Aruba at Divi through Interval. We have used one of those weeks and have the option to use it when ever.

We vacation at WDW at least once a year, sometimes as many as three, hence my choice to but more DVC pints.

I have been to Vero Beach but am not ready to buy there. I am thinking that Hilton Head might be more our speed but we have yet to see it.

We like Marriott's program but I am not sure where we would buy ... maybe one of the Florida properties that are on the beach.

You all have been so helpful

Thanks