Interested DVC...Where to start?

[Deb & Bill]

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.

No, it doesn't make a difference. You just have to have the points when you want to book for the date of your stay.

 

[disneynutz]

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

Can 2 separate reservations from 2 different people be linked?

Bill

 

[Deb & Bill]

Can 2 separate reservations from 2 different people be linked?

Bill

Yes. Both members have to ask to have them linked.

 

[southerngirl528]

I would not transfer the points. I would do as suggested and have each party book the agreed number of nights individually, then make certain all names of all party members are on both rez's and both members will need to request the reservations be linked together. Having MS link the rez's will enormously increase the chances that you will be in the same villa for the entire stay (both rez's). They can't ever guarantee it, but if you have them linked, it is to everyone's advantage, resort included, to keep you in the same room. And why use up each members' 1 time/yr transfer and all the hassle when it is simpler to do as described?

And also to reiterate what was said by other posters, your use year beginning has little to no influence on when you can book. Just remember 7/11. Seven months out for DVC resorts you do NOT own, and 11 months out for your home resort.

 

[skier_pete]

For the last few weeks I have been looking into buying DVC and perusing the internet/boards pretty heavily. We stayed DVC in 2010 by renting points and saw the pros and cons of it. At the time I thought buying into DVC (through Disney) was not a sound investment, but discovering resale points has changed my mind. I do NOT own points yet, but here is my opinion.

You should only buy DVC if the following apply:
1) You like Disney enough to go at least once a year to maybe every other year.
2) You vastly prefer staying on property AND staying at moderates or deluxes and you have the money to do so.
3) You can regularly schedule your vacations at a minimum of seven months in advance and preferably 11 months in advance. (Last minute and DVC don't go great together unless it's 1 or 2 nights.)
4) You would be 100% satisfied with staying at the resort at which you own points, because sometimes that's all you will be able to get with that long in advanced booking.
5) You don't mind not having maid service in your room. (This is sort of a hidden piece, but it's odd to be staying in such a nice resort and not get the high quality service.)
6) You don't care about trading points outside the DVC family of resorts. Anyplace else is a sucker's bet.
7) Once you spend the initial money, you better understand that you continue to have to pay maintenance fees, and these fees will continually rise. DVC will never be paid off.
8) The biggest thing to me - you have to foresee that you will want to continue stays at Disney World (on property moderate/deluxe) for at LEAST the next 10 years or more. The advantage to owning DVC is not today. When buying resale, the advantage is out about 10-12 years. (It's closer to 20 years if you buy DVC new from Disney.)

If only a few of these items apply to you, it might be wiser to RENT DVC points.

My DW and I have had long discussions on this, and while I am not quite ready to buy, we've basically decided to do so. We have been to WDW 7 times in the last 7 years, plus 2 trips to DLR. We feel we meet all the criteria above. Our biggest hesitancy is actually we have been able to take advantahge of Free Dining many times, and the cost there is a huge benefit over DVC, but as our children get older and Free Dining dates restrict, this seems to be not as applicable for our future. I am looking to 15 years from now, when we are retired and (likely) still want to go to Disney World - DVC will make it much more affordable THEN, but not NOW. Do we take the THEN for the NOW?

 

[1oldguitarman]

Greetings, Skier Pete, and good comments!

You mentioned that the Free Dining that WDW offers for on-stays is becoming less of an issue for you. Yes, you'll lose those times when WDW will give free Dining Plans during the few off-season times (and those are shrinking).

BUT, in case you weren't aware: DVC members are allowed to purchase the Tables In Wonderland dining discount cards. For $100, they provide a 20% discount for parties up to 10 people, no menu exclusions (i.e., ALCOHOL, appetizers, desserts...anything on the menu, which is a big difference from the Dining Plans). They'll be valid for a year from date of purchase plus to the end of the expiration month (the month you purchased it). We usually purchase the Tables early in a month, it'll last until the same month-end the following year. Originally, many people used these cards and then tipped rather poorly or based on the discounted amount, and servers were getting hit with lower tips, so now, Disney applies an 18% gratuity. Still, you end up approx. 2% less than the total bill, and now your server has been taken care of. As with anything, run your numbers, but if you stay on property many days and dine in some of the finer restaurants, it can reap a good savings. We typically break even within our first week ... multiple trips in the year start adding up our savings. (Check the web site ... there are a few block-out dates, July 4, New Years Eve, etc., but not many ... and practically all table-service restaurants are included, very few counter-service except for Flame Tree and Pizzafari).

Best!
1oldguitarman

 

[that's nice]

Can 2 separate reservations from 2 different people be linked?

Bill

Yes. Both members have to ask to have them linked.

This is great to know. I didn't realize this.

 

[Loftin716]

Thank you all so much for the wonderful information! It seems at least for now it is more economical for us to not do DVC. We plan to do a tour on our June trip just to see and maybe rent some points it do a night at the deluxe level on a future trip. At this point with 2 children, value is the way for us. I am very excited for our AOA stay in June! again, I truly appreciate all the information!

 

[Msmithmd]

Loftin- glad you took the time to seek advice from folks who don't get paid to sell you a timeshare.

DVC isn't going anywhere. If in the future you decide to visit more often, or decide the value resorts don't meet your needs- it will still be there.

 

[jpkenyon]

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!

What are the differences? My niece and nephew have each purchased Rosales and use them quite often.. What are the benefits of buying directly?

 

[Deb & Bill]

What are the differences? My niece and nephew have each purchased Rosales and use them quite often.. What are the benefits of buying directly?

The benefits of direct purchase - you get to pay more for your points, you can buy the newest property that isn't showing up as a resale yet, you can use your points more quickly, you can use your points for the Disney Collection (but that just changed in March 2011 and they just changed what you can book just this month).

However, all resales and direct purchase guarantee is booking a DVC resort. Which is the best use of DVC points.

 

[skier_pete]

The benefits of direct purchase - you get to pay more for your points.

A true "benefit" ..... to Disney.

 

[mlayman7]

I am a new member, have yet to even use our first contract, but was also considering getting a small contract at VGF. We would like to stay just every 3 years with this contract in a 1 BR villa and use our larger contract for the other stays, rarely would we want to combine them (of course things can change). What worries me about the VGF is being able to get a room 11 months in advance during the first 2 weeks of December. Anyone know if this would be an issue? I would hate to expect to get a room at my home resort only to find that it is already booked. Has this happened to anyone or think it can happen?

 

[chukdotcom]

I am a new member, have yet to even use our first contract, but was also considering getting a small contract at VGF. We would like to stay just every 3 years with this contract in a 1 BR villa and use our larger contract for the other stays, rarely would we want to combine them (of course things can change). What worries me about the VGF is being able to get a room 11 months in advance during the first 2 weeks of December. Anyone know if this would be an issue? I would hate to expect to get a room at my home resort only to find that it is already booked. Has this happened to anyone or think it can happen?

I think there is a good chance it can happen.

 

[Deb & Bill]

VGF is small resort, but you might have luck as long as you try to book exactly at 11 months out as soon as online booking opens. You might have to walk the reservation, but try booking right at 11 months first.

 

[disneynutz]

I am a new member, have yet to even use our first contract, but was also considering getting a small contract at VGF. We would like to stay just every 3 years with this contract in a 1 BR villa and use our larger contract for the other stays, rarely would we want to combine them (of course things can change). What worries me about the VGF is being able to get a room 11 months in advance during the first 2 weeks of December. Anyone know if this would be an issue? I would hate to expect to get a room at my home resort only to find that it is already booked. Has this happened to anyone or think it can happen?

If you can, stay at the resorts before buying. You may think that you will love a resort but what happens when you love a different resort more and you don't own there. That's what happened to us.

We also bought a VGF fixed week, 1 bedroom lake view contract for the beginning of December.

Bill

 

[mlayman7]

We also bought a VGF fixed week, 1 bedroom lake view contract for the beginning of December.

Is a fixed week contract more expensive? Is there options of a fixed week every other year? Most likely not. Are you not a big fan of the fixed week or the VGF?

 

[disneynutz]

We also bought a VGF fixed week, 1 bedroom lake view contract for the beginning of December.

Is a fixed week contract more expensive? Is there options of a fixed week every other year? Most likely not. Are you not a big fan of the fixed week or the VGF?

To buy a fix week, Disney requires that you buy 10% more points than the week requires.

You get the week every year guaranteed, so we get the same week every year, same room size, same view category without having to make a reservation. If the week is available, you can cancel the fix week and book like normal. You can also cancel the fix week and use the points like any other points at other resorts at 7 months.

We bought a fix week and VGF because we wanted a guaranteed stay and we enjoy the GF, the resort, the amenities, and the location.

Bill

 

[chukdotcom]

To buy a fix week, Disney requires that you buy 10% more points than the week requires.

You get the week every year guaranteed, so we get the same week every year, same room size, same view category without having to make a reservation. If the week is available, you can cancel the fix week and book like normal. You can also cancel the fix week and use the points like any other points at other resorts at 7 months.

We bought a fix week and VGF because we wanted a guaranteed stay and we enjoy the GF, the resort, the amenities, and the location.

Bill

Any idea what happens to that fix week if you were to sell your contract? Does the buyer just get a plain old contract with xxx points, or do they get your fixed week too?

 

[nalajms]

Any idea what happens to that fix week if you were to sell your contract? Does the buyer just get a plain old contract with xxx points, or do they get your fixed week too?

I think they legally have to transfer the fixed week with resale. It'll be interesting to see how much higher these will be compared to regular resale points. I would think Disney will more likely grab them up, especially for sold out weeks like early Dec.