I just heard the pitch.

[TBLJason]

Hello everyone. I found this site in doing my research about the DVC, so I wanted to get some pros opinions on the offer that was made.

I went over to Disney today for the Mission Space passholder preview, and after we went to the DVC open house.

They told me today was the first day they were selling the Saratoga Springs Resort.

The promotion they were running was $89 per point. They would either give you a $10 per point credit applied to your down payment, or 100 points that can be used between now and December. In my personal situation, there is no way I could possibly use the 100 points before the end of the year (and they are not bankable), so I'm looking at the $10 per point credit.

We will have to finance part of the deal, but there will be no payments or interest due until April. That will give me time to pay some of it off without dealing with the 9.75 interest rate.

Any thoughts on how this offer compares to other promotions that they have run in the past? Also, how does that cost per point rate among what is on the market?

Thanks in advance.

Jason

 

[CarolA]

Well if this is true go with the 10 dollars! Let's see most DVC resorts are already fully booked for December so if you wanted to use your DVC points at a DVC resort your options are Sept, Oct. or November (and figure Thanksgiving is out!) I find this is pretty useless.

 

[PamOKW]

I'm assuming this would be your first purchase. Did they give you a minimum number of points that you had to buy?

 

[Richyams]

I would pass on SSR. It has the same tiny rooms as BCV, BWV without the premium location. OKW resales will save you money upfront, give you much larger and more comfortable accomodations, allow you to park in front of your unit and cost less in points and dues.

SSR is a poor deal in my opinion.

 

[TBLJason]

Thanks for the replys...

Yes it would be my first purchase. The minimum points that you had to buy was 150. They really pushed the 160. Which seems logical because some of the getaway packages cost a max of 160 points.

Rich...Maybe my logic is flawed here, but the importance of the quality of the accomidations for my home resort is pretty far down on my list. With my personal situation, I live in Tampa and will be doing several two or three day trips as opposed to a one week stay type deal. We also tend not to book very far in advance, so I figured we would end up staying at a variety of the DVC properities.

I looked at some of the re-sellers...Are there any hidden costs? (closing costs, etc.) Are there any advantages to buying direct from Disney? (other than the Mouse paying for closing costs)

Do you guys think this promotion is comparable to other promotions they have run in the past? It would feel a lot better on spending the money knowing that there is not a better offer that will be thrown out there in a couple of months. My thinking is that because they just started selling the SSR, that this might be there "deepest discount."

Thanks again.

Jason

 

[5infam]

As far as resale hidden costs go, there are 2 things to consider. First is closing costs. If you are looking at 150 points, it would run around $425 (less points less cost, more points more cost). Also, on a resale that has current use year points available, you may have to pay the full maintenance costs for the full year (this is also negotiable).

Also, Disney has ROFR (right of first refusal) on all resales which means that they may buy it out from under you (they do this sometimes to keep resale costs up so buying direct from Disney is not too far out of the ballpark).

Finally, since time frame doesn't seem to be a big issue for you (since you said you weren't travelling again this year) keep in mind that resales take about 2 months to close, before you can use your points.

BTW, did they give you a points schedule for SSR, and if so, can you post it?

 

[fkj2]

It would seem the 100 points would be a better deal than the $10 per point but you're right about limited availability between now and the end of the year. Your only other option is to use the points to exchange out or in the Dis Resorts.

If you're seriously considering buying, maybe you'd be better off to negotiate a future time use with the guide; consider it a deal breaker, if say, you could use the points up until next June.

 

[Chuck S]

The $10 per point discount has been sort of standard for many years, Disney really doesn't offer any other specials. I'd take the $10 vs. the points to use by December. And yes, if you plan to book short term, since you live nearby, you need to be flexible as far as which resort, etc. Not that short window booking aren't possible, just don't be too concerned about which resort is available.

Resale you do have to pay closing costs that you'd avoid buying direct. I've also heard a few, not many, reports that the points available are not always as represented by the seller.

 

[TBLJason]

It looks like I have found the mother load of knowledge here, so I'll keep on going...

As far as the 100 points vs. the $10 per point situation goes...Dollar for dollar it looks like the points are the better deal. In my case, I work for a pro sports organization (Cheap plug...Southeast Division Champion Tampa Bay Lightning and Arena Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Storm) The job keeps my weekends tied up from September through June. So, my only option would be the $10 per point.

I am a little leary of the re-sellers just because my in-laws "sold" us a time share for $1. It was a week in Tierra Verde in December. I am a little occupied during December, so I found a re-sale company and told them to sell it for whatever they could. They gladly took my $400 and I have not heard from them since.

Here are the points for the SSR

Adventure Season...
Studio
Sun-Thurs 11
Fri-Sat 20

1BR
Sun-Thurs 20
Fri-Sat 41

2BR
Sun-Thurs 27
Fri-Sat 54

Grand Villa
Sun-Thurs 67
Fri-Sat 85

Choice Season...
Studio
Sun-Thurs 11
Fri-Sat 21

1BR
Sun-Thurs 22
Fri-Sat 42

2BR
Sun-Thurs 29
Fri-Sat 55

Grand Villa
Sun-Thurs 71
Fri-Sat 86

Dream Season...
Studio
Sun-Thurs 12
Fri-Sat 26

1BR
Sun-Thurs 25
Fri-Sat 50

2BR
Sun-Thurs 31
Fri-Sat 65

Grand Villa
Sun-Thurs 79
Fri-Sat 106

Magic Season...
Studio
Sun-Thurs 13
Fri-Sat 29

1BR
Sun-Thurs 27
Fri-Sat 54

2BR
Sun-Thurs 36
Fri-Sat 68

Grand Villa
Sun-Thurs 97
Fri-Sat 117

Premier Season...
Studio
Sun-Thurs 17
Fri-Sat 39

1BR
Sun-Thurs 36
Fri-Sat 68

2BR
Sun-Thurs 45
Fri-Sat 95

Grand Villa
Sun-Thurs 117
Fri-Sat 142

 

[Disney-Kim]

You didn't give details on the delayed payment on your financing but I think that would be pretty nice. I would take the $10 a point if it helps your financial situation. If not...bank your points and buy as is. [/COLOR]

 

[SamSam]

Just a Thumbs Up here; if you love going to WDW then DVC is a move I don't think you'll regret.
The $10 'rebate' is pretty standard and I don't think you'll get better than that. As far as financing through Disney, it's easy but you might want to check with your own bank to see if you can get a better rate. If your bank will treat it as a mortgage you should see a much better rate. The benefit to Disney financing is no closing cost, so you have to figure that into the equation.

 

[nydizfan]

This guy must work for disney.....

 

[colleen costello]

HI there. We bought under similar conditions at BCV in March 2002. We got a good deal and were lucky we did -- we were clueless! What Disney is offering is called a "presale" -- they are offering a good price on points because you will choose the home resort, Saratoga Springs, sight unseen. In return for doing this, they give you a good "rebate" of $10 per point. In many cases Disney will offer $10 off per point but they will TAKE your first year's points away from you. They call this "Magical Beginnings" but I never thought it seemed very magical to lose your first year's points!

Saratoga is in a location that's not desireable to some. I believe that you will drive to Disney, however, as you live in Florida currently. This makes "location" less relevant. We always drive and we love the Downtown Disney area and do a lot off-site, so the location of both OKW and Saratoga is fine for us.

Richyams is a huge OKW fan, as am I. What he refers to is the size difference between OKW and the other DVC properties. OKW was the first DVC property and when they built it, they did it right -- the rooms are huge. If you typically stay at OKW, then yes, the rooms at all the other DVC's can seem "smallish" but they are by no means cramped. After arguing all afternoon, most folks here will ultimately agree that all the properties have their own pros, cons and unique charms.

You won't do better than the $10 off per point deal, and the delayed payment is a real enticement too. Plus Saratoga points will be yours until 2054! We are thinking of an add-on and I think Disney's incentive is a good one. Dont' fret -- you can take your time and decide. The property won't open til May 2004 and they will offer this "presale" until closer to that date. Research financing options, decide what use year would suit you best (a use year is the month your points are assigned to you each year and is relevant if you tend to travel at the same time each year). Call your guide and ask lots of questions. Check out the resale Boards just to see what's up over there.

Can't wait to say "Welcome Home!"

 

[Dumbo]

Did anybody notice that the Grand Villa points are almost twice as high as Old Key West? And that all points are higher than Boardwalk Villas standard view.


Dumbo

 

[TCPluto]

With SSR you can buy an additional 12 years for 10 dollars more a point than BCV, BWV or many reasles.

Seems like a no brainer, huh?

 

[Caskbill]

Originally posted by Dumbo
Did anybody notice that the Grand Villa points are almost twice as high as Old Key West? And that all points are higher than Boardwalk Villas standard view.


Dumbo

SSR GV points are higher than OKW for weekdays, but SSR GV points for weekends are actually less than OKW. This is true for all five seasons. GV, premier season, weekday/weekend points: SSR 117/142, OKW 66/162, BWV 130/158. In all cases, SSR GV's are fewer points than BWV, for both weekend and weekdays, all seasons.

On a few places SSR points are lower than BWV std view and on others they are the same. EG 1-B/R premier season, BWV std view, weekend = 75 points. SSR = 68 points. (OKW = 73 points). But in most cases they are between the BWV std view rates and the BWV Pref. view rates.

 

[disneyberry]

Originally posted by TBLJason
It looks like I have found the mother load of knowledge here

yes, these boards are without a doubt the mother load of knowledge.
you will find a few members of this board can seem even more knowledgeable than an official DVC Guide!

we bought resale through The Timeshare Store (sponsor of this site), and there is absolutely no reason to be leary of them. they are very professional. i suggest you do lots of reading on these boards, and you will find all the info you need.
when you are informed and ready, you can give the resellers a call to get info about their process.
buying resale can save you some money, but more importantly, you can buy one of the sold-out resorts.

if you don't care where your home resort is (make sure you think this over carefully) then SSR does have that extra 12 years plus the range of financing options.

anyway, just wanted to say welcome to the DISboards, and good luck w/ your decision.

 

[PamOKW]

The only time DVC has offered actual cash rebates is in a pre-opening sale. The $10 is to compensate for the fact that at the moment you are buying nothing until the resort actually opens. It really is like getting $10 off. When they use the Magical Beginnings promotions, you get the $10 (or $15 or $5) but have to give them use of a year's worth of your points. To date, DVC prices have only gone up. I would suspect that this will continue with SSR.

 

[PamOKW]

Jason, I'm asking you more questions than you are asking us, LOL!

Did you see a model? If so, can you try to describe the decor?

Caskbill -- Wow! You've been busy. Thanks for putting together the chart.

 

[TBLJason]

Time for another round of Q & A...

Kim...The jist of the delayed financing is you had to put a minimum of 10% down and no payments or interest until April 1. Not that I plan on financing my financing, but they told me if I put the Down Payment on my Disney Visa, They (Disney Visa) would give me 6 months, with no interest on that. The 100 points are not bankable, and would have to be used by year's end.

Pam...I am not the one with the eye for interior decorating, that would be my wife. I'll give it a shot anyway. The models were at the Boardwalk, and the floorplans were pretty much identical to the Boardwalk model. The decor was sort of rustic (probably not the right word, but it's all I can come up with.). A painting over the couch of the Saratoga Racetrack in what was probably the 20's or 30's. Dark wood furnashings. The lampshade had a sillouette of a horse in it. I have not seen the movie, but it looked like something out of the SeaBiscuit era.

The other question that I have is how about the difficulty of using the points at off site locations? Because I live so close to the park, I can see that I might go to the park a few times a year for a weekend and pay cash. Then use my points for a trip each year to some far away land.

Thanks.

Jason