Interested DVC...Where to start?

[Loftin716]

My husband has been trying to get me to go along with buying into DVC but all I hear in the back of mind is "timeshares are bad!" So, we currently have our next trip booked for June and it seems Disney may become at minimum a yearly thing for us. Just wondering where the best forum to start would be. I want to see if this would be something that would be worth it for my family and I. Thanks in advance!

April 2013- All Star Music

 

[DizBub]

My husband has been trying to get me to go along with buying into DVC but all I hear in the back of mind is "timeshares are bad!" So, we currently have our next trip booked for June and it seems Disney may become at minimum a yearly thing for us. Just wondering where the best forum to start would be. I want to see if this would be something that would be worth it for my family and I. Thanks in advance!

April 2013- All Star Music

Well, start here. Read as much as you can and ask lots of questions.

We always heard that timeshares are bad and you can't sell them. DVC is not a typical timeshare in that you can sell if you ever need to. There is a large secondary market.

DVC works best if you want to stay at DVC resorts. You will get a lot of advice here to buy resale but there are some (IMO insignificant) restrictions on resale contracts.

I would advise you to take the tour on your next trip. You will see some villas and get good info on how DVC works. I would use this info as doing your homework. Unless you must own at the new Villas at Grand Floridian there is no real reason to buy direct from Disney. Buying resale can and will save you thousands and you can still be owners with the same basic entitlements.

With DVC you can get larger villas, 1 and 2 bedrooms with kitchens and washers and dryers. Studios have kitchenettes and the resort provides free laundry facilities if you need it.

There are yearly dues or MFs so don't forget to consider that in your figures.

Good luck!

 

[zavandor]

The first thing to consider is if you are really going to Disney every year, or at least every other year for the next 10-20 years. DVC is a long-term prepaid vacation, and savings start only after many years (7-10 years if you buy resale, maybe never if you buy direct and finance).

Second thing is: are you happy with Value hotels or do you plan to stay in deluxes? DVC won't save you a penny, but will cost you more if you compare it to value hotels.

 

[deltanut]

Read, educate yourself, trust your decision, and have a ton of patience. In the end, you'll save thousands and be "home"

 

[Nabas]

The following article is a good place to start:

http://www.mousesavers.com/other-disney-vacations/disney-vacation-club/

 

[chalee94]

here's some good information with links to even more information:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3041038

 

[MiramarQE]

All of the above - and TRY it - you can either rent points (may be a bit difficult based on resort availability and the timing of your June trip) or check room availability through WDW (expensive).

We debated DVC for years - then finally last year we rented points (know the limitations - once you rent, likely can't cancel as you can with a WDW reservation) at BWV.

We just closed 2 weeks ago on BWV - but we visited all the WDW resorts just to get a feel for what we really wanted (had really been doing this for years) - we knew we wanted easy access to as many parks as possible (hate the buses - GFV, BLT, BCV or BWV), resale prices (good-bye GFV) and at least some rooms with good views and SAB is not that important to us (good-bye BCV). We didn't like the "feel" of the theme at BLT - so we stayed at BWVs on rented points - and bought there (we're here now).

If you think you want the space of a 1 br (we do) try it - you already know what a hotel room feels like! If you can't rent at the resort you think you want we recommend trying the room type you want where ever (SSR is a nice place - we've never been to OKW). You may be able to split-stay and try a couple of resorts.

 

[JWG]

here's some good information with links to even more information:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3041038

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2823943

Both of these links are good places to start doing research.

 

[abner1776]

When you are at WDW in June arrange for a tour with a DVC salesperson. You can set that up before you go down and set it up for a convenient time for the two of you so you won't be rushed.

Remember that the salesperson is working on a commission so she/he is interested in having you buy what she/he is selling which is what Disney is pushing at that time but that does not mean you MUST purchase that resort. If the salesperson is pushing BLT but you really like BWV, hold you ground and insist on BWV. There is no such thing as a "sold out" resort...that term exists only in the saleperson's vernacular, not in reality.

Check out all of the DVC resorts and buy where you want to stay. Don't settle for SSR if you really love BCV just because the points are cheaper.

...and above all when looking to buy DVC...KNOW YOUR TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP.

Your initial purchase price may only be 30% or less of your eventual total cost of ownership.

 

[disneynutz]

Cancel your next reservation and rent a DVC reservation from an owner. Start reading a couple of months worth of threads here on the DIS.

Understand that you are buying a discounted room but locking yourself into expensive Disney vacations for years to come.

Bill

 

[crisi]

Know yourself....

Understand the reasons motivating you to buy in. If you are doing it purely for savings, know that it takes a certain type of traveler (someone who needs to stay on site and is already staying Deluxe or needs to fit more than five in a room) and a certain amount of discipline (not take friends or extra trips, continue to utilize studios rather than suddenly moving to one bedrooms) to manage to save money. For the rest of us, it turns out its more about VALUE rather than savings.

Know the program - compare it to knowing yourself. Discovering that availability is a big deal after you buy, when you know that you never bother to book at trip more than three months out is a recipe for disappointment - you'd need to change your patterns.

Also understand its a long term commitment. Disney park passes went up quite a bit this year - and some DVCers who didn't plan on big annual increases are finding their vacation budgets pinched by the increased cost over the years. Airfare can get more expensive (or if you drive, gas). Food gets more expensive. You are controlling the cost of your accommodations at least a little this way (dues will go up, but since they are a smaller amount than the cost of a hotel room, usually not as much dollar wise as the cost of the hotel) - but you still need to spend quite a bit for time at Disney and those costs usually go up.

 

[Deb & Bill]

All you are ultimately guaranteed is staying at DVC resorts with your DVC points. Everything else is just a perk and could be changed at any time.

For example, when we bought into DVC 1997, they were trading with RCI, but quickly it became II. A few years ago the exchange company became again RCI.

Before March 21, 2011, members, whether resale or direct purchasers, could book the Disney Collection, World Passport Collection and Concierge Collection. After March 21, 2011, that changed. Only direct and grandfathered in members could now book Disney Collection and Concierge Collection.

Until just recently, Disney Collection did not include any resort that had a DVC element at the resort, like BWI, BC, WL, etc. and no value resorts. Now it includes all deluxe and moderate resorts, and AoA. But those reservation require a lot of points.

So things change. Point requirements can be modified, but they cannot increase or decrease over the total number of points at the resort unless they remove villas or add villas to the resort. They added villas to SSR with the Treehouse Villas and at OKW with Bldg 62, 63 and 64. Some savanna view villas at AKV were recategorized as standard because the view of the savanna was somewhat obstructed. So points were modified over the year. At BLT, some theme park view villas were recategorized as standard because they saw more parking lot than theme park.

Things change. And annual member fees go up every year, usually about 3-6%. But they can go up to 15% a year.

 

[Loftin716]

WOW! Thank you all so much! This is great information! The "knowing myself" part is really sinking in. (I'm pretty satisfied at the value level now, but will I always?) We are staying at AOA this trip in a family suite ( there is only 4 of us, but we like the space). The space aspect of DVC is appealing. I will talk to my husband about all this and have him read up as well. I see a lot of pros but also cons at this point. Taking a tour this trip seems like a great idea. Thanks again!

April 2013- All Star Music

 

[1oldguitarman]

I'm fairly new to these boards, myself ... but you will quickly see there are a lot of seasoned veterans giving good advice.

My comments are:
1) You CAN overthink this, just like people on the WDW buses with Birnbaum Disney Guidebooks all yellow-Post-It-Noted to death. There truly are a lot of arms and legs to the DVC ownership experience and it can become overwhelming. If your PRIMARY goal is to be able to experience regular WDW vacations (or other Disney locales) for years to come, DVC might be perfect for you
2) We have purchased points directly from DVC AND through resale, depending on what our needs were for that particular sale ... we believe we got the value we wanted with either purchase. If it's strictly a money issue, resale is your best route if you can forgo having a home resort at the latest-and-greatest resort
3) I suggest setting up a tour with DVC for your next vacation ... we have NEVER felt pressure from the DVC reps. Yes, they work on commission, but the DVC talk is not the high-pressure timeshare sales talk that make most people run in terror. They often provide a perq or two if you go. You can wait till you check in to your resort and simply walk up to the DVC sales desk (every resort has them) and arrange it
4) If you're not planning a big purchase at VGF, go resale and SMALL point quantity (remember, during the off seasons, you can stay 7 nights in a studio with savanna view at Animal Kingdom for 102 points, all the way down to 69 points for value view. With time, if you realize you want more, simply buy more. Plus, selling small-point contracts is easier than a really big, expensive one
5) If you purchase small through resale, and a few years down the road realize it's not your cup of tea, sell it off

We bought in 2001, 200 points at VWL direct (through DVC, the VWL was under construction, we LOVE the Lodge and it was the only way to get in). We thought it would give us exactly what we needed for the future. Since then, we've added 100 BCV, 150 AKV, 200 BWV and just received a "Passed" on ROFR for 160 more AKV points. We're both retired and have discovered that WDW is THE place for us, whether with our grown kids and grandkids or simply the two of us. Since our first resort stay in 1997, we've now logged 366 nights on property ... it never gets old to us

May your decision bring you joys and wonderful memories!

 

[HokieGCC]

WOW! Thank you all so much! This is great information! The "knowing myself" part is really sinking in. (I'm pretty satisfied at the value level now, but will I always?) We are staying at AOA this trip in a family suite ( there is only 4 of us, but we like the space). The space aspect of DVC is appealing. I will talk to my husband about all this and have him read up as well. I see a lot of pros but also cons at this point. Taking a tour this trip seems like a great idea. Thanks again!

April 2013- All Star Music

If you are satisfied with value then you may be fine w/o DVC for a while. DVC will be WAY more expensive than value. If you spend most of your day in the parks then value is probably the way to go. If you enjoy a great resort to hang out in then the Deluxe resorts are much better for that and DVC gives you an advantage (after 7-10 years; maybe). We have been to Disney so many times that we can spend half our time there doing things at the resorts (relaxing etc). With a week trip we might do one "commando park" day, four half days in the parks and one or two days where we don't even deal with a park. I probably would not enjoy that at a Value resort but at the Beach Club or Boardwalk or even Wilderness Lodge it is a wonderful vacation.

So, if you are in the "commando park" phase (as we were years ago) then stick with your Value resorts. When you want to relax more take hard look at DVC. Until then, read and learn as much as you can including renting points to try out the DVC properties.

You might think that Deluxe resorts get better bus service or something like that and I would say if they do it is "barely" and not worth paying 5x the price. However, being able to walk to MK from BLT is huge. Being able to walk to Epcot and Hollywood studios from the Beach Club and Boardwalk is also huge and worth some money. We settled in on the Boardwalk because we only have to deal with the buses when we want to go to the MK and it is our second favorite resort of all. The Beach Club is actually our favorite place of all but most of our vacations will be in January now (not a great pool month) so the extra cost to get access to the Beach Club pool didn't apply.

Obviously our experiences and advice are just that ... "our experiences" and just something for you to consider as Disney is different for each family. Good luck!

Just remember you can go to Disney World whenever you want with or without DVC and never allow pressure to join be the reason to join.

 

[littlestar]

One thing to keep in mind is that for the most part, a timeshare requires advance planning to work well. I have a brother that never knows his work schedule until a few weeks before he can travel. He just left for Cabo yesterday. He was unable to book his Cabo timeshare that he owns so he had to rent instead.

 

[jtwibih]

I'm going to throw a question in here if you guys don't mind so I don't have to start a new thread.
If my wife and I bought 200 points at AKV and our friends bought 200 points at the same place, are we allowed to combine the points for a larger room? Is that the equivalent of a transfer? How does this work?
I know there will be alot of times where we want our own room but the option would be nice.

 

[chukdotcom]

I'm going to throw a question in here if you guys don't mind so I don't have to start a new thread.
If my wife and I bought 200 points at AKV and our friends bought 200 points at the same place, are we allowed to combine the points for a larger room? Is that the equivalent of a transfer? How does this work?
I know there will be alot of times where we want our own room but the option would be nice.

You would have to transfer. That would use up BOTH of your transfers for the year.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'm going to throw a question in here if you guys don't mind so I don't have to start a new thread.
If my wife and I bought 200 points at AKV and our friends bought 200 points at the same place, are we allowed to combine the points for a larger room? Is that the equivalent of a transfer? How does this work?
I know there will be alot of times where we want our own room but the option would be nice.

You would have to transfer. That would use up BOTH of your transfers for the year.

Or you could each book part of the stay and both ask for the two reservations to be linked.

 

[jtwibih]

Ok. One more question.....
If I buy a resale and I get points on June 1 (or any other date for that matter) of every year, does that affect when I can go? For instance I like going in November so if I wanted to book and get exactly what I want, does that hinder anything (if I want to use the 11 month booking). I hope that makes sense.