I'm thinking about a DVC membership.

[albertotahiti]

I'm thinking about purchasing a DVC membership. What made YOU purchase and why? Did you go straight through Disney or did you do resale? What are your thoughts about The Time Share Store? Would you do anything differently if you had to do it all over again? Can an adult get a good night's sleep on the sofa bed in one of the DVC studios? What is your favorite DVC resort?

Thanks for the input!

Brett from Baton Rouge, La.

 

[drusba]

We orginally bought direct from Disney at BWV but that was in 1997 when Disney prices were much lower (in the 60s per point), there was no easy-access internet resale market, and BWV likely had no resales because it had only recently opened. Over the years we have purchased both resale and add-ons from Disney with the last a purchase at AKV from Disney shortly after it went on sale in 2007 and there were no AKV resales. Also, during the 1990s and through about 2007, the variance in new purchase price and resale was not anything near as large as it is now. If I were purchasing as a first time purchaser today, I would be seriously looking at the resale market even without having access to Disney collections including cruise, because price is so much lower than Disney.

We bought because we were and still are always going to Disney and hated staying in hotel rooms which we considered way too small (even the large rooms at GF, Poly and Cont.) and lacking family needed amenities such as a w/d. We thus purchased to assure geting on site a 1 or 2BR every time with the kitchen and w/d; we do not stay in studios because that would be like doing the hotel rooms again. We also orginally purchased at BWV because it had, and still has, the best location on site (at the time of purchase the only WDW alternative was OKW) and has the best view on site if you get like we do the boardwalk view. BWV is still our favorite, followed by AKV. We don't personally stay at OKW or SSR but have a daughter who now owns at OKW because she prefers that resort. Also, we have others to whom we have given trips who prefer SSR if they can get Congress Park (a non-guaranteed request which to date our guests have always gotten).

The sofa beds are not as good as a bed but significantly better than the sofa beds you may find at many hotels.

The Timeshare Store is a sponsor of this site and has seldom been the target of any complaints and has often been complimented on these boards. That is not to say everything always goes perfect with it but your probability of a smooth transaction is fairly high.

 

[Greysword]

Brainwashing, that's why DW agreed Seriously, we bought on our honeymoon, which was DCL 4-night followed by 3 nights at WDW.

We have friends with a Starwood timeshare, so we began researching it (ok, I did and kept feeding her info) while planning the wedding. I requested the DVC propaganda along with the WDW DVD, and we watched them a couple times. We weren't sure about which timeshare, but were sold when our friends used their's to stay at a Sheraton in Portland for our wedding, gave us a wedding eve room at Four Points in Portland, and gave us the three nights at the Swan for our honeymoon.

On the cruise, the default channel was the DVC propaganda info, so that fed our brains for several days. When we got off the Wonder, we decided to check it out. We took the tour that day, talked about it during our stay, and signed before we left on the last day.

The key for us was how much we separately enjoyed Disney and visiting the parks. We knew we wanted to make this our regular vacation destination, so the buy-in was easy. Of course during the planning, I ran a couple spreadsheets to determine the cost of purchase and financing.

We decided to finance our purchase, and we have no regrets. Even though we essentially paid a higher price per point due to that, financing enabled us to start earlier, which we felt was worth the extra cost.

Good luck and enjoy!

- Chris

 

[Pakey]

I purchased my first contract through Disney when Beach Club Villas was offered, back in the 90s. I have since added on through The Timeshare Store. I had a favorable experience with The Timeshare Store.

Why did I buy? At the time, we were going to WDW twice a year and I thought there was no better place to vacation. The love affair lasted about 10 years but the past few years, we find we are not as thrilled going there. The dining had declined and that was our major reason for going. We still go because we own 500 points but we give them to family and friends as much as possible as we prefer to vacation elsewhere now.

Our children are grown, they would tell you that no, the sofa beds are not comfortable enough to sleep on for a week. After a few trips with major complaints about sleeping on those beds, we now make sure every adult gets a real bed.

I have 3 contracts because I have 3 children. The plan was to give each of them one of the contracts but not one of them grew up to be a Disney fan so I will probably sell them at some point. 2/3 of my points are at BCV and 1/3 at SSR. My favorite resort depends on what type of vacation I'm doing. BCV has great location but the villas themselves are not my favorite. If we are going a larger group, I prefer OKW. I love the size of those villas and the patios are great. My overall favorite resort is AKV.

 

[bgraham34]

I first got into DVC with a 50 point resale purchase. I did not want to finance 160 points through Disney because it was more money, the interest and I did not want monthly payments on top of my mortgage. I have since purchase 2x25 point contracts through Disney though.

 

[FLCMpirate82]

Has anyone financed either through Disney or resale? How much did you purchase and how much do you pay per month? DH and I are interested now that we have started going on DCL and the DL but don't have the cash on hand to purchase up front.

Thanks!

 

[htmlkid]

Has anyone financed either through Disney or resale? How much did you purchase and how much do you pay per month? DH and I are interested now that we have started going on DCL and the DL but don't have the cash on hand to purchase up front.

Thanks!

Disneys financing is 11.75% and can go up 1% at their descresion and its over 120 months. Crusing is not the most effective use of points. Cruises tend to be high in points ie 160 or > per person.

 

[chalee94]

Has anyone financed either through Disney or resale? DH and I are interested now that we have started going on DCL and the DL but don't have the cash on hand to purchase up front.

i assume you know that resale purchases can no longer trade for cruises and disney hotels like the GF and poly? (if not, there you go.)

disney financing usually varies from 11.75% to around 15%.

 

[teamtilt]

DO IT! and if you buy thru Disney you can go on cruises...yeah the cruises take up more points but who cares it's your points.

 

[pluto2417]

I became a member in 2008 . went directly through Disney. I called the tour guide I had when I went in 2007. I chose AKV because I love animals. The only thing I would do differently is purchase more points.

 

[albertotahiti]

i assume you know that resale purchases can no longer trade for cruises and disney hotels like the GF and poly? (if not, there you go.)

disney financing usually varies from 11.75% to around 15%.

Yeah, I heard about the cruises, The Disney Collection, and I think you can't use your points to go overeseas too. But, I'm only interested in traveling to WDW, and maybe using the points at other places through RCI.

We'll see what happens!

Brett from Baton Rouge, La.

 

[iluvmickey2]

I would say go for it. We purchased in 1999 at BWV's and when BCV opened we purchase another 200. Now we just purchased 100 at bay lake towers. We got points for last year and this year so we will have 600 points in Dec. Hubby wanted BLT. I did too but didn't tell him until he said yes I want to buy. Only regret More points. We financed through Disney at that time it was 10%. Already paid both off now we need to pay BLT!!! I would say go for it

Monika

 

[Deb & Bill]

Yeah, I heard about the cruises, The Disney Collection, and I think you can't use your points to go overeseas too. But, I'm only interested in traveling to WDW, and maybe using the points at other places through RCI.

We'll see what happens!

Brett from Baton Rouge, La.

If you say you are only interested in using your points for DVC, then I'd say, go for it. But don't plan on using them elsewhere. That can always change and is never guaranteed.

Why did we purchase? We drank the Kool-aid. We stopped drinking about five years ago and started selling off our contracts (we used to have five, we now have three). It gets expensive. Tickets cost, travel costs, DVC only pays for your lodging. And dues keep going up each year.

 

[albertotahiti]

If you say you are only interested in using your points for DVC, then I'd say, go for it. But don't plan on using them elsewhere. That can always change and is never guaranteed.

Why did we purchase? We drank the Kool-aid. We stopped drinking about five years ago and started selling off our contracts (we used to have five, we now have three). It gets expensive. Tickets cost, travel costs, DVC only pays for your lodging. And dues keep going up each year.

What do you think about renting points from a time share company that deals with DVC resales? Good idea? Have you ever done that?

Brett from Baton Rouge, La.

 

[cloudnut220]

I would say go for it. We bought in Oct 2009. My dad has been a DVC member since 1994, so I grew up going to OKW. I'll be honest, I never thought we would have our own membership, but my husband and I love going to WDW so much, when we toured BLT we knew had to be part of it. We financed through Disney for our original purchase and for an add-on.

 

[chalee94]

What do you think about renting points from a time share company that deals with DVC resales? Good idea? Have you ever done that?

i rented from an individual several years ago.

renting is a good idea to try DVC out and see if you are a timeshare person. it is a little more expensive in the long run than buying, but the nice thing is that there is no commitment for the next 30+ years.

if you decide to buy, i would agree that buying DVC for only DVC stays is the best plan. if you want to travel a lot outside of wdw, i'd join TUG and learn about other timeshares for trading purposes, many of which can be had for less than $1000 - some free - with annual maintenance fees around half of DVC's.

 

[Crystal_27]

We purchased at BLT in March, 2009 and bought direct through Disney. We bought after doing a lot of research on the pros and cons of DVC but decided that, because of our typical vacation habits, we could save money (in the long run) by going DVC. And we have. However, the cost of BLT is now almost 150% of what we paid for our points in 2009, so I can't say now that I'd go direct at the going rates. AND, with the restrictions on resale, it is unfortunate that resale isn't a more viable option for those who want more from their vacations (i.e., to cruise, etc.). I'm a very happy DVCer and am grateful that we bought when we did. Given the new restrictions, however, I would say do your research and make sure you know what you are getting into (either way) with both the resale or direct options - there really is now so much more to consider than just the price. Good luck!

 

[FLCMpirate82]

i assume you know that resale purchases can no longer trade for cruises and disney hotels like the GF and poly? (if not, there you go.)

disney financing usually varies from 11.75% to around 15%.

No, I didn't know that resales could not be used on cruises or other resorts. Thanks for the info.

 

[Sir Aaron]

I recently bought direct from Disney. I felt I was able to get enough incentives (referral, developer credits, prepaid visa card, points on CC) to get the total pp to something I could live with when compared to the resale market.

I think if I were going resale, I'd come up with a list of what I wanted or was willing to accept then make very aggressive offers until I got what I wanted.

Ask your guide for the current Disney financing rates. They'll hand you a sheet for whichever resort you like showing the interest rates for those with excellent credit and those without.

 

[New York Digger]

I went threw Disney.. I have horrible credit..I now have 300 points, I go twice a year, pay for the first 2 nites cash , then role into my timeshare points..

Think of the enjoyment , easy with disney , they will practically finance anyone.