Is DVC right for me?

[brick1983]

I have lurked on this board for three years and read many posts about the benefits of ownining DVC. I just can't convince myself to take the plunge. You advice on my situation would be appreciated.

My family, which includes myself, DW,DD18, and DD15 have vacationed at Disneyworld at least once a year for the past 6 years. We usually stay at a moderate. Due to my wife's job, we are unable to book until about 6 months out, so the eleven month home resort booking window would be useless to us. Our favorite resort is WL. With the kids getting older, I can see our trips becoming less frequent, although I think we would still visit at least every other year(possibly with the girl's (boy)friends as our guests) so a two bedroom would be needed. Also, in the future, I would love to be able to take the girls and thier future families to Disney and continue our tradtion.

So, should I buy or not? If I do buy, would the home resort make a difference since we would not be able to book at 11 months? I was thinking maybe SSR or OKW and hope for availability at 6 months at VWL. If not, we would not be disappointed staying at either of the others.

Also, how difficult is it to book at SSR or OKW at 6 months?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[YourEveryDayAdam]

It would largely depend on what time of year you want to go. If you avoid holidays, all of december, etc. you should be fine most of the time with 6 month availability as long as you are flexible with resort, view, etc. You'll likely be staying mostly at SSR, OKW and AKV.

I was able to get a 1 bedroom at SSR with about 3 months notice and they had "plenty of availability" in early june.

 

[arthur06]

If you see trips becoming less frequent, then maybe look for a smaller contract resale. Then you could bank and/or borrow for and EOY type trip.

 

[SamSam]

Everyone is different, but Dh and I found that we not only went as often after we were 'empty nesters', we actually went more often and stayed longer.
We didn't purchase until we are kids were out of the nest; our only regret is that we didn't become owners years earlier.

 

[rentayenta]

We stayed at OKW and AKV with friends this trip, took the tour, and bought at SSR. We liked SSR better than the other two (BLT and AKV) being offered. If the 11 month window is not an option for you then I would buy the cheapest.

I like the idea of perhaps buying a smaller contract or buying the minimum 160 points from Disney.

I say go for it but of course, this is a Disney site.

If you know you are going to take a trip at least every other year and need a 2 bedroom than it seems like a no-brainer unless you plan on getting 2 attached rooms at a mod which is an option. Just remember if you have gone during Free Dining that's not available for us DVCers. Lots to consider but from the info given, I would buy.

 

[bookwormde]

I agree a small (100pt range) resale contract would be a good “test”. Even though you do not think an 11-month reservation will work for you if you really like WL (and VWL) I would buy there for the extra $10-15/pt. That way you can always make a “guess” as to when you want to go at 11 months and book VWL and change it as needed as you have more information.

bookwormde