I'm a CA resident who won't be visiting WDW very often, should I buy?

[loveelvis]

I have been interested in DVC since I heard the announcement of the new DVC wing being built at the Grand Californian. We often stay there when visiting Disneyland and thought it would be great to own some time there. My most recent phone call with DVC is telling me that when sales open up for Grand Californian it will most likely only be available to current owners. They are having a big opening event over Memorial Day weekend with model rooms available for touring and special buying incentives to commemorate the DVC anniversary. The push is to purchase at Saratoga Springs and then purchase additional points once the Grand Californian begins selling. I am interested but don't believe we would ever get any use out of Saratoga. We will be visiting WDW next March but really don't forsee us ever going again while the kids are still living at home. Does anyone have an opinion on this? DVC said it will probably sell only to current owners, should I hold out? Also, what kind of special incentives could I expect during the selling event. The quoted rate for points is $104, but expected to be less during the Memorial Day wknd.
thanks - Rhiannon

 

[bwvBound]

Rhiannon - Welcome!

We live in San Diego and have owned DVC/SSR since 2004. We visit WDW at least once each year, often twice a year. We'll be using our DVC points at the Grand Californian hotel for the first time to attend the special events over Memorial Day weekend.

Based on last year's incentives and a recent offers made to current owners for small add-on contracts, I'm expecting:

• $10 off per point for new contracts (160 points or more) or add-ons for current members buying 50 or more points.
• Last years points and/or Developers points
• 2 free Annual passes for contracts 160 points or better. (Valid for one year at either WDW or DLR.)
• $500 Member Reward if you hold a Disney VISA
• Free Litho if you hold APs to any Disney park
• ??? Surprise incentive for the weekend???

EDITED to add disclaimer: I'm only guessing on the above ...

 

[bwvBound]

Related threads:

• West Coast DVC'ers--How Many Trips and How Long?, Feb 2008
• CA DVC owners?, Feb 2008
• WEST Coast DVC owners.. sound off, Feb 2007

 

[loveelvis]

Thanks I will check out the additional links as well. Escondido residents here=)

 

[bwvBound]

Two more related threads ... both started by same West Coaster weighing the idea of buying "now" (SSR/AKV) vs waiting for GCV.

• Novice potential DVC'er - is GCV even possible? Or smart for us?, March 2008
• I'm speechless - DH wants to buy into DVC!, April 2008

 

[loveelvis]

Well, it's 11:30pm and I think I've read through each one you sent me...whoo! Lots of info. I wanted to send a message to a few people for "what did you end up doing" questions but I guess I need to be around a little longer to do that.
thanks again =)

 

[Cherta]

Welcome to the DIS boards!

Sorry if I've missed this, but have you been to WDW before? If not, then I highly recommend NOT buying at WDW sight unseen. Let me give you a little background on why I say this....

Just this past March while on vacation at WDW, I toured Saratoga Springs and ended up purchasing DVC while there. I specifically told my guide that I didn't want to stay at Saratoga (beautiful resort, but too far away from the parks for my taste) and wanted to use the points to stay at either BCV or BWV. Well, I got the standard "points are points, so just switch your reservation at the 7 month mark" response, so I signed on the dotted line....

After I returned home, I started doing a little research. I quickly realized that it wouldn't be so simple to get what I wanted at the 7 month mark and that I should buy where I want to stay (thanks Disboards!), so I canceled my contract and bought BWV on the resale market. When this contract closes, I plan on adding on at both GCV and KTV...

I know that I will not "Founding members" status when GCV goes on sale, but a least I'll be in the system, and more importantly, I'm not "stuck" (using that term loosely) with 160 points at a home resort that I have no intention of ever staying at....

Sorry for the rambling-hope this helps!

 

[wendyinoc]

I live in Ca and have 7 nights planned ( SSR and AKV) and a 3 day cruise to cover the weekend ( High Points). I only have 65 points. I borrowed from next year 24. I don't plan to go next year. I would buy used and work your way up. I plan to buy more when Hawaii opens up.

 

[nunzia]

We will only visit WDW occasionally. Bought a very small resale at OKW to be in the system for when GCV come available. That may be something to consider. Then, if you choose to, you can sell your re-sale, or just visit WDW every three years or so.

 

[bethy]

Two more related threads ... both started by same West Coaster weighing the idea of buying "now" (SSR/AKV) vs waiting for GCV.

• Novice potential DVC'er - is GCV even possible? Or smart for us?, March 2008
• I'm speechless - DH wants to buy into DVC!, April 2008

These were my threads and so I figured I'd update. I cannot thank the DVC'ers here enough for their input. After plenty of pressure from our guide in DLR that "points are points" we decided to play chicken with the DVC train. We're going to take our chances on being able to buy in at GVC one way or another. I figure that just by being a member of this board my chances are better than much of the general public. I'll call my guide as soon as GVC goes on sale to Founding members and then again on the day it goes on sale to the public. I'll buy 160 points instantly.

I'm still mulling over the idea of buying a small contract in the meantime but DH has gotten cold feet a bit as he is prone to do. So I'm biding my time. I kinda figure GVC might go onsale for the Memorial day weekend thing and so if that's the case we wouldn't have time to buy resale and get into the "system" at this point anyway.

I just think that the fact it looks like they have GVC models opening is a good sign that they don't expect it to sell out THAT quickly.

I still haven't been to WDW and it just isn't in the cards for us to go anytime soon. If I ever go there and decide I like it better there than DLR then I'm sure I'll be able to use my points at OKV which from what I read I think would likely be my preferred resort. There are so many more rooms at WDW that I'm less worried about getting in there than at DLR. Or I can sell my GCV points - yeah right!

I'm going with my instincts on this one. Buying where I can get excited about staying. I figure this a 50 year deal so if I have to ultimately wait an extra year or two to get exactly what I want then oh well! DLR will still be there and we will still get to visit DVC members or not.

 

[bwvBound]

Thanks for the update, bethy. "Patience" ... sounds like a good plan.

 

[loveelvis]

Cherta,
I have been to WDW before but it was in 1990. We only visited Epcot, my fathers exact words were "we've got Disneyland at home, we don't need to see it here too." So it really will be like the first time for all of us. The only resort that has some appeal to me is Beach Club because of the poolside activities for the family. The guide I spoke with said they will be pushing Saratoga at our meeting, so I'm assuming any discounts they offer will only be good for Saratoga and not for a sold out resort. When looking at WDW's future I could definitely get excited about staying in the KTV. I am booked for next March at F.Wilderness only because $1600 a night at contemporary is laughable to us. But as I said in my initial request, I really don't see us making additional trips to Florida. We are more the type who like to try a place out and then move onto somewhere new for the next vacation. We typically only do one big vacation each year so it's important to us that we can expose our kids to as many places as we can before they turn 18 (we are over the half way mark with three out of four children). I thought the selling point that our guide would reel us in on is using our points at other destinations which are not related to Disney... but I've read more than a few people who say that this is either difficult or not worth the expense of the points for some of the destinations/cruises offered. I can see how the points will save someone money on Disney vacations because the nightly room rates are so outrageous for a family of 6 like ours. But in real life we normally would not spend $300 or $400 per night on a room. I'm perfectly content at staying in an Embassy suites for $150 per night. I want the points to use for our stays at Disneyland which we visit about once every 3 months or so. But I don't believe that having a dedicated 160 just for GCV is going to get us very far. We wouldn't be using the points for any week long trips their. Just over a weekend visit, which 160 points probably wouldn't even cover. Let me know what you all think, -Rhiannon =)

 

[Cherta]

Hi Rhiannon,

It sounds like taking your chances with waiting to buy GCV without being a member first is the best route to go for you and your family. It would be a shame to spend all that money for a WDW resort, only to be unhappy with your choice...

I, too, was told that the points could be easily traded for vacation resorts other than Disney, but I'm reading the same things you are (that it's neither easy to do nor is it the best use of points)...nevertheless, I love traveling to WDW and now with my BWV points, I have justification to travel there every year!

As far as the GCV, since I only live 30 minutes away from DL, I'm looking to buy enough points (with some banking and borrowing) to stay in a studio Friday and Saturday during peak season (we probably won't go then, but if we decide to, at least I'll have enough points to cover the stay). Maybe when they release the points charts, you can figure out the minimum number of point (with some banking/borrowing) your family would need to get a 2BR once or twice a year (although I'm afraid I agree with you- 160 pts probably won't go far)...

I'll keep my fingers crossed for both of us!

 

[toocherie]

I bought Saratoga to specifically get Founding Member status for GCV. I did not want to be in the position of having to scramble for points. It was worth it to me to buy SSR first; I haven't been to Florida in over 30 years--I am going for my first trip "home" in November. At the most I can see myself going to Florida every other year. But who knows? I may fall in love with the place this November and decide it's my every year destination. In any event, my plan is to buy a full 160 point allotment at GCV and then decide what to do with Florida. I may sell the Florida interest after buying GCV--I am prepared to take a loss on what I paid for the "option" to buy GCV as a founding member. Or I may keep Florida and use it with friends and family. Or--if there is availability--which I seriously doubt will be the case--I can use my Florida SSR points at the 7-month mark for GCV too.

I do think the points per night for GCV is going to be pretty high . . . . . I also think that once it sells out (which I think will be very quick) Disney will announce plans for another DVC project in Calif. (maybe at DLH since there are rumors they are going to tear down one or more towers? didn't I read that somewhere?)

 

[grizbuzz]

I think that if you really want GCV points, then probably you will be able to get them down the line. And if for some reason GVC does in fact sell out before going to general public, eventually GCV points will be available resale.

However, I question what kind of incentives DVC will offer for GCV sales. If you are interested in getting the developer points, discounts, potential APs (whatever they end up offering for this Memorial Day event), then you probably should go ahead and purchase, cause I don't think Disney will have to offer any incentives to sell GCV points.

I wish GCV were coming up for sale this Memorial Day event, but all sources I've asked indicate no (as does common sense if you look how far Disney is in construction). One can always hope, but...

We own at AKV and I'm kind of relieved we bought before GCV was announced. If I'd have known for sure that GVC was just around the corner, we most likely would not have bought AKV. But now I'm glad we have AKV and were able to take a cruise, a stay GCH and a stay at AKV this past year using our incentive points and 2007 points.

I'm planning now to add on another 100 points when GCV sales open (hopefully can get DH to agree) and I have no doubt we will be able to use 260 points a year. If you're like many, you may decide that 160 points isn't enough and you need more. You can never have enough points!

Good luck in your choice. Like I mentioned, I'm glad I didn't have to face this decision when we bought into DVC, as I don't know what I would have done.

 

[bethy]

Thanks everyone for your input! If I had the financial flexibility then I too would by SSR now in order to get priority for a GCV purchase. I think that is smart move for those who can afford it - even with a loss if/when trying to sell the SSR points. In fact I wonder if there will be a flood of those points on the resale market after GCV sales.

Anyway, one more tidbit I remembered for what it's worth. When I spoke to my guide last week about this she said there will be 1 million GCV points. And that if all the current Founding members exercise their option for a 160 pt contract then that will total about 500,000 sold. I'm not sure if this is good news or bad news for us peons further down the pecking order . . .

If GCV does not go on sale on Memorial Day and it looks like it won't for a while (like after Sept) then I might revisit the idea of buying a small OKV contract. I was just reading a thread about the KT at CSR though because their predictions are interesting to me from a GCV POV. They said the current rumors say there will be no priority sale period for regular DVC members. So who knows. In fact from a business perspective I could see how West Coast DVC would be more interested in bringing in totally new DVC members than selling add-ons to exisiting members. Perhaps there is more long term business potetnial there?

I also meant to add that I don't think GCV will need any incentives at all. Plus I already have AP's anyway. But shhhh . . . don't tell DVC that!

 

[Cherta]

Thanks everyone for your input! If I had the financial flexibility then I too would by SSR now in order to get priority for a GCV purchase. I think that is smart move for those who can afford it - even with a loss if/when trying to sell the SSR points. In fact I wonder if there will be a flood of those points on the resale market after GCV sales.

If you look at the current listings on the TSS site alone, there are over 80 SSR listings with only 8 or so marked "sale pending" (I do realize that SSR is one of the larger resorts, so one would expect to see a higher number of resales; however, this list is just from one site AND this is before the sale of GCV. Once the CA buyers have their GCV points, I expect the SSR resale list to grow exponentially).

IMHO, I wouldn't buy SSR just to get into the system (with hopes that I could sell it later). I think that it would be a better move to buy where you want to stay or wouldn't mind staying (whether that be WDW or GCV). I do realize that there are those that like and prefer SSR-for those people, buying now to move to the "front" of the GCV line a no brainer....buying SSR with the intent of selling it off at later date is a very risky "investment" with the potential to be very costly in the end....

Once again, JMHO ....

ETA: This opinion does not apply to those who have extra money burning a hole in their pockets!

 

[nunzia]

I bought Saratoga to specifically get Founding Member status for GCV. I did not want to be in the position of having to scramble for points. It was worth it to me to buy SSR first; I haven't been to Florida in over 30 years--I am going for my first trip "home" in November. At the most I can see myself going to Florida every other year. But who knows? I may fall in love with the place this November and decide it's my every year destination. In any event, my plan is to buy a full 160 point allotment at GCV and then decide what to do with Florida. I may sell the Florida interest after buying GCV--I am prepared to take a loss on what I paid for the "option" to buy GCV as a founding member. Or I may keep Florida and use it with friends and family. Or--if there is availability--which I seriously doubt will be the case--I can use my Florida SSR points at the 7-month mark for GCV too.

I do think the points per night for GCV is going to be pretty high . . . . . I also think that once it sells out (which I think will be very quick) Disney will announce plans for another DVC project in Calif. (maybe at DLH since there are rumors they are going to tear down one or more towers? didn't I read that somewhere?)

I also agree another CA DVC will be coming fairly soon.. I had heard rumors that PP was the hotel being torn down, but who knows. I just hope it isn't at Garden Walk, since isn't that quite aways away?

 

[funatdisney]

IMHO. PP should be torn down. Now Disney did do a great job with this hotel's renovation, but it does not really fit the Disney quality and design very well. Its location has great potential especially with the plans for DCA. One side of PP would be a great viewing for the planned lagoon show. But it will be a long time in coming. I would bet that if GCV sells very very well with West Coast buyers, that PP is not far behind in getting DVC units with the next phase of PP. Again, IMHO.

 

[toocherie]

IMHO. PP should be torn down. Now Disney did do a great job with this hotel's renovation, but it does not really fit the Disney quality and design very well. Its location has great potential especially with the plans for DCA. One side of PP would be a great viewing for the planned lagoon show. But it will be a long time in coming. I would bet that if GCV sells very very well with West Coast buyers, that PP is not far behind in getting DVC units with the next phase of PP. Again, IMHO.

See now, that's what makes the world go round--everyone has a different opinion. I actually prefer the interior of the PP to the DLH--I find the rooms at the DLH to be old and tired looking. Now the grounds of the DLH (and amenities like restaurants, pools, etc.) have the PP beat.