Help Me Convince Her

[Okh]

We are owners of a timeshare at the Occidental Grand Aruba and we're able to pretty seamlessly swap around within the Occidental/Allegro system y. We're also tied into RCI though we've never actually used it.

This was a GREAT arrangement before we had kids and we could travel at the drop of a hat and party like rockstars whenever we wanted but things have kinda of gone downhill for the chain since and those types of vacations are out now that we have our amazing daughter.

We took our daughter, then 3, on her first Disney vacation last May and on so many levels it was just perfect, so much so that we're returning again in May. So here's the thing - I've got this idea in my head that we should get rid of our place in Aruba (and this absolutely is not an ad) and buy a share with DVC since it's pretty much where our vacation plans will be heading for the next few years anyway.

I've broached the subject with the wife and she's of the opinion that if we sold our Occidental share that we wouldn't get another one and besides, staying at a moderate resort and taking the meal plan is still cheaper than owning a DVC share anyway. I'm really bad at math and plus she's really pretty and I still get just a bit tongue-tied around her so can anyone help me with some talking points for my side of the argument?

Thanks!
Dave

 

[ToddyLu]

Awesome post. I would rent DVC points from a member for your trip in May. Get a one bedroom somewhere. You will have a whirpool and separate shower in the master br, w/d in the unit and a full kitchen. I think she would be able to see the value in it right away. You could pick someplace like BCV or BW or OKW, for that fun vibe. You could get BLT for location and then AKV for an exoctic African vacation. I think that would be the best way to win her over. She will love the convienence and space. That way you do not have to say anything.

 

[chalee94]

might be easier to look into trading through RCI for DVC. go to the RCI website and find the calculator that tells you what your "trade power" is for your timeshare. if it's 25 or higher and you can plan ahead, i'd try to trade for DVC rather than buy at this point. if you can trade and already have a timeshare, it's almost certainly cheaper to do that...

 

[laura-k]

might be easier to look into trading through RCI for DVC. go to the RCI website and find the calculator that tells you what your "trade power" is for your timeshare. if it's 25 or higher and you can plan ahead, i'd try to trade for DVC rather than buy at this point. if you can trade and already have a timeshare, it's almost certainly cheaper to do that...

Thats a great idea
try to get that one bedroom if possible -that is what won me over !
I loved it and trying to add on

 

[KerTggr]

Awesome post. I would rent DVC points from a member for your trip in May. Get a one bedroom somewhere. You will have a whirpool and separate shower in the master br, w/d in the unit and a full kitchen. I think she would be able to see the value in it right away. You could pick someplace like BCV or BW or OKW, for that fun vibe. You could get BLT for location and then AKV for an exoctic African vacation. I think that would be the best way to win her over. She will love the convienence and space. That way you do not have to say anything.

Agreed. Once my family all stayed in a GV, we haven't turned back from DVC. The only exception was Paradise Pier while we were waiting for the V at GC to be done.

 

[jar]

We rented points back in early 2006 for a BWV vacation that helped me succeed in convincing my wife to buy a resale. Not the slightest regret since.

 

[hollis]

Is buying DVC a financially sound decision? Let's do some math. If you buy resale, the average going rate is about $70 per point (it can be higher or lower depending on resort). And the average yearly maintenance fee is about $5 per point. If you rent, the average cost is $10 per point.

Let's say you plan to stay at a DVC resort in the next 14 years.
- Rental cost would be $140 per point ($10 for 14 years).
- Purchase + maintenance would be $140 ($70 + $5 for 14 years).

That is to say, if you plan to stay a minimum of 14 years, it is cheaper to buy than to rent. (This is based on my simplistic math presented here. While it is not most accurate, it should provide you with something to work with.)

If you have a young daughter who loved her first Disney vacation, most likely you will return year after year (that happens to almost all Disney fans). So buying could be a good option.

Well, what if there are some years you can't go due to some unforeseen circumstances? With DVC, you can bank points, or you can rent the points out. What if in the unlikely event that your daughter doesn't like Disney any more after a few years? DVC holds value better than most other timeshares. You likely will be able to get back what you paid for.

Hmm, about your Occidental timeshare? May be you can keep it and still buy into DVC.

 

[My_3_Mi_Princesses]

Well I had trouble convincing my wife to buy in as well. I actually had her past the initial purchase, but the MF is where she was very hesitant. Anyways I pitched buying a small resale enough for a 1br every other year and if we ever wanted more we could rent/transfer points, thus avoiding MF.

Of course I know we will eventually add more points but lets just keep that between us for now

 

[CAMPI1]

We bought when my youngest son was born and it was the best thing we ever did!!! My teenagers countdown from the last day of vacation toward the next year. These memories will be forver and I have plenty of time for my husband I to go lay on a beach or something else, for now we drive to Disney from NY every Febrauary. Great Investment!

 

[phelps]

We bought DVC when our sons were little. We have gotten so many memories and are having a lifetime of fun. You won't regret buying into it. Did you ever think of trading your Aruba property with a Disney Member?

 

[Famvaca]

We have had it for 8 years and have never regretted our decision.

 

[perfectparanoia]

I echo the post about trading into DVC from RCI. I have a coworker who has done this with good results.

If you can't do that, I would suggest trying a 1-br for your next trip to test the waters. If she doesn't like it, there's no point in buying in.

 

[eljefe45]

You gotta keep Wifey happy. Rent points, which in all honesty, is a better deal than owning. You'd still get a nicer room for less money.

One of the main reasons we joined is because of kids. I think you have to have a kitchen, and extra rooms. At regular hotels it is either rent two rooms or pay through the nose for a suite. the kitchen is a big deal. And probably best perk of all is the washer and dryer. It is such a relief to do laundry before I go home and then just unload the bag into my dresser.

 

[Mjasp]

might be easier to look into trading through RCI for DVC. go to the RCI website and find the calculator that tells you what your "trade power" is for your timeshare. if it's 25 or higher and you can plan ahead, i'd try to trade for DVC rather than buy at this point. if you can trade and already have a timeshare, it's almost certainly cheaper to do that...

What does a trade of over 25 get you? Is it a week? Is it a 2BR or studio?

 

[chalee94]

What does a trade of over 25 get you? Is it a week? Is it a 2BR or studio?

25 usually gets you a studio or 1BR.

not very many 2BRs show up in RCI...i think they usually go for a little more.

 

[Mjasp]

Thanks...also are DVC deposits ongoing, or are they deposited once a year?

 

[alldiz]

Here is how you convince her......

Start out in a moderate for 2 nights......Unless you think she will be pissed to pack up.

Then.....pack up call a cab and go to a 1BR at BCV, BWV, BLT, WLV.....wherever you think she would love.

By the end of the week......she will "know"
Good luck
Kerri

 

[chalee94]

Thanks...also are DVC deposits ongoing, or are they deposited once a year?

ongoing.

if you pay for membership at TUG, they have a "sightings" board where other posters post what is and has been available for trades (both of DVC deposits and other timeshares).