How long does it last??

[MickeyMom2Boys]

I'm looking into the possiblity of buying over the next year or two, but am still trying to work out all the details. When you buy into the DVC you have an intial investment (around $15,000 for 150 points) then annual dues (seem to run somewhere around $1000 per year, depending on where you stay and the number of points). I think I understand that part, but please correct me if I'm wrong.

So my question is how long is your investment good for? Is this a 10 year thing? 20 year? Does it vary?

Also, we are currently a family of 4. I like to stay in the better resorts (LOVE the Wilderness Lodge!). DH and DS (4) are perfectly happy at the All Star resorts. My main consideration is our family is likely to grow to a family of 5 in the next 2 years. That will cut out our options for staying at a value resort, right? It looks to me like we'll be forced to to go at least a moderate resort and stay in a much more expensive villa that will sleep 5 or more. That's where I see the DVC being an advantage to us. We plan to visit Disney once a year. Is my thinking logical here?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Coach81]

Your investment is good for the next 40 - 50 years. Enjoy!

 

[chalee94]

When you buy into the DVC you have an intial investment (around $15,000 for 150 points)

min investment is now 160 pts if you buy direct from DVC. resales can be purchased for whatever number of pts you need...but it takes longer to close.

then annual dues (seem to run somewhere around $1000 per year, depending on where you stay and the number of points).

it depends on where you buy (i.e. "home resort.") here is the current annual dues amount per point:

Year OKW BWV VB VB(sub) HH VWL BCV SSR AKV
2008 4.56 5.04 6.04 4.71 5.16 4.87 4.80 4.21 4.71

there's a historical chart around somewhere, but in short, they tend to go up by around 3-4% per year...but have gone up by more and have even gone down on occasion.

So my question is how long is your investment good for? Is this a 10 year thing? 20 year? Does it vary?

it varies by where you buy ("home resort.")

AKV/OKW (purchased directly ONLY) = expire in 2057
SSR = expire in 2054
BCV/BWV/VWL/HH/VB/OKW (resale) = expire in 2042

so pay attention if you're buying OKW...

Also, we are currently a family of 4. I like to stay in the better resorts (LOVE the Wilderness Lodge!). DH and DS (4) are perfectly happy at the All Star resorts. My main consideration is our family is likely to grow to a family of 5 in the next 2 years. That will cut out our options for staying at a value resort, right? We plan to visit Disney once a year. Is my thinking logical here?

AKV has rooms for 5, without stepping up all the way to a 2BR.

if you plan to visit wdw annually (and staying onsite is worth it to you), i definitely think you are on the right track by researching DVC!

do take your time and search and scan through threads on the DVC forums, though. there is a lot to learn...

 

[pilferk]

I'm looking into the possiblity of buying over the next year or two, but am still trying to work out all the details. When you buy into the DVC you have an intial investment (around $15,000 for 150 points) then annual dues (seem to run somewhere around $1000 per year, depending on where you stay and the number of points). I think I understand that part, but please correct me if I'm wrong.

So my question is how long is your investment good for? Is this a 10 year thing? 20 year? Does it vary?

Also, we are currently a family of 4. I like to stay in the better resorts (LOVE the Wilderness Lodge!). DH and DS (4) are perfectly happy at the All Star resorts. My main consideration is our family is likely to grow to a family of 5 in the next 2 years. That will cut out our options for staying at a value resort, right? It looks to me like we'll be forced to to go at least a moderate resort and stay in a much more expensive villa that will sleep 5 or more. That's where I see the DVC being an advantage to us. We plan to visit Disney once a year. Is my thinking logical here?

Thanks for the help!

The other questions have pretty much been answered, but I'll take a crack at the "family of 5" area, since...well, we're already a family of 5.

Your options, right now, are these, pretty much:

All Star Music Family Suite (which sleeps a cozy 6).

Connecting rooms at the values..or ANY moderate resort. Keep in mind, Disney will tell you that the connecting rooms is a guarantee...but it's not. People may argue this point, and it's a fine one, but the "connecting" part is a request that they do everything they can to satisfy...and they usually do. But NOT always.

A room at Port Orleans:Riverside, with trundle bed, will accomodate 5.

I think ALL the deluxes with the exception of AKL have SOME rooms that will accomodate 5. Most of the deluxes "regular" rooms fit 5 (though it's cozy). I think WL you have to step up to a deluxe room, but I can't remember clearly.

Fort Wilderness Cabins.

One of a number of suites, in varying deluxe resorts, around property. They're pretty pricey, IMHO.

We chose to buy into DVC at AKV, mostly because their 1BR's will sleep 5...so at least while the kids are young, we can save some points by going that route.

 

[Caskbill]

Not mentioned yet is that you can stay in a DVC-Studio (or 1-B/R) with 5 IF the 5th person is a child under 3 years old. (The villas have a portable crib stored in the closets, for this child to use).

So if you won't be a family of 5 for another 2 years, and then don't need to go to a 2-B/R (or AKV 1-B/R) until the youngest reaches 3, you've got maybe 5 years yet where you don't need the larger accommodations.

And when you finally do 'need' them, DVC will really meet your needs.

And once the kids get older, into those pre-teen years and beyond, you're really going to appreciate having those separate bedrooms, separate bathrooms, kitchen facilities, in-room washer/dryer, and so on that come with a 2-B/R villa....

 

[MickeyMom2Boys]

Thanks to everyone for the great tips! The fog is starting to clear now . . .

A couple of people talked about how I won't need the larger accomodations (i.e. the higher points) for about another 5 years. So, if I purchase the DVC this year, do I purchase what I anticipate that I will need 5 years from now, or purchase what I need now and add points later (is that even an option?)?

 

[Grandbuddy]

Thanks to everyone for the great tips! The fog is starting to clear now . . .

A couple of people talked about how I won't need the larger accomodations (i.e. the higher points) for about another 5 years. So, if I purchase the DVC this year, do I purchase what I anticipate that I will need 5 years from now, or purchase what I need now and add points later (is that even an option?)?

And I believe I have seen numerous threads indicating that Member Services will not give you grief over reserving a 1-BR for 5, even if no one is under the age of 3. You have to bring your own aerobed or similar, and provide your own bedding, etc. (If the pullout at SSR is as comfortable as some have indicated, I can see putting all the kids to bed in the "big" bed, and relaxing in the living room until mom and dad's bedtime. Then, either moving kids, or bedding down on the pull-out.)

I hope a moderator will step in if I'm wrong about the 5th person (in reality) not having to be under 5. (I know that's what the literature says, so they could enforce it any time they decided to, I suppose.)

Probably safer to buy AKV for that 5th person, in the long run...start with a studio if you choose...and add points to cover a 1-BR when needed.

 

[chalee94]

So, if I purchase the DVC this year, do I purchase what I anticipate that I will need 5 years from now, or purchase what I need now and add points later (is that even an option?)?

i'd suggest you just purchase what you need for the immediate future. (if that is fewer than 160 pts, resale is your only option. if you need more than 184 pts, you might want to purchase the extra pts over 160 as a separate contract...it's just easier to sell later if you don't need as many points.)

when you need to add-on later, it's usually as easy as a phone call (although some owners of smaller resorts like BCV may have to waitlist for some use year months.)

also note that DVC does not charge closing costs for add-ons. (i suppose that could change at some point, though.)