Is it worth it for me? Help?

[gharter]

It sounds like you still have alot of questions to answer before deciding to buy or not. If you have kids in jr or high school, traveling will become worse before it gets better unless you want to go in the summer.
I would suggest reading through all of the information in the sticky area about DVC. It was very helpful before we decide to buy.
As others have said, either buy where you want to stay or buy where you don't mind staying. Depending on the time of year, booking at 7 months can be difficult to nearly impossible.
Look at resale. Its much cheaper than direct, even if you lose a few perks.

 

[dawz1026]

WOW So much to take in. I am not thrilled with the views on that side of BCV nor do I like cleaning my room. If in fact I was entitled to food discount and ticket discount it would make the decision easier. Ugh lots to think about. Wish I had done it years ago! Again thank you all!

 

[dawz1026]

How do I find out of their is availability BCV for this Nov? Do I have to call or is it online? Thinking of buying in if I can use my room money as down payment for my next trip.

 

[Marionnette]

How do I find out of their is availability BCV for this Nov? Do I have to call or is it online? Thinking of buying in if I can use my room money as down payment for my next trip.

YOU really can't unless you're an owner. You cannot use the Members' website and you cannot call Member Services to check availability. FWIW, November is extremely popular with DVC members and we are well within the 7 month booking window for non-home resorts. Without even checking, I would put your chances at nearly zero by the time you find the right contract and close on it.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

YOU really can't unless you're an owner. You cannot use the Members' website and you cannot call Member Services to check availability. FWIW, November is extremely popular with DVC members and we are well within the 7 month booking window for non-home resorts. Without even checking, I would put your chances at nearly zero by the time you find the right contract and close on it.

They're basically zero now.

 

[Deb & Bill]

You can't plan on getting anything less than seven months out during Fall Frenzy, especially the Epcot resorts.

 

[dawz1026]

Wow bummer. It seems even if I did buy into it the time of year we always go will be a battle getting a room. Do they gauantee a room if it’s a home resort?

 

[Marionnette]

Wow bummer. It seems even if I did buy into it the time of year we always go will be a battle getting a room. Do they gauantee a room if it’s a home resort?

No. No booking guarantees unless you purchase a fixed week.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Wow bummer. It seems even if I did buy into it the time of year we always go will be a battle getting a room. Do they gauantee a room if it’s a home resort?

No, there is never a guarantee you will get a villa. Odds are usually with you if you book right at 11 months out, but even that might be tough for some like AKV Concierge Villas or GFV studios.

And, yep, forgot about guaranteed weeks (21 year owner when they didn't have them).

 

[Debbie Jean]

Wow bummer. It seems even if I did buy into it the time of year we always go will be a battle getting a room. Do they gauantee a room if it’s a home resort?

No. Unless you buy a guaranteed week contract which Disney has sold more recently at newer resorts, i.e, not BCV

You will be competing with all other owners at the 11 month mark. Units for November, part of “fall frenzy” which is the busiest time of year for DVC, especially at the Epcot resorts, opened last December. These units were gone almost immediately.

This is a given. When you own DVC you need to understand the product and how it works.

 

[dawz1026]

Thanks so much for the quick responses. A lot to think about for sure!

 

[crisi]

Thanks so much for the quick responses. A lot to think about for sure!

I'm reading between the lines in your posts, and I could be wrong, but I think you will be disappointed in owning a timeshare. It sounds to me that you enjoy a hotel. And while both provides a room and a shower, timeshares are different beasts.

I own DVC and have been content with it, but I prefer a hotel. I like having my room cleaned and bed made, I like getting real beds and frequent room refreshes so it doesn't look like six years of families with children have stayed in the room before me (which is what has happened). I like the option of calling up and getting a room for three weeks from now, or calling for a year from now for any resort I want - and not just my home resort. I like having the option of concierge....

But I've been a very content DVC owner because DVC has made it affordable to have my kids sleep in a different room and have us spread out a bit. So its a trade I've been willing to make, but if you are willing to make the same trade, understand what you are giving up - because you will be making some compromises.

 

[10CJ]

Have you ever rented points before? You might want to try that first and see how you like it.

If you started the resale process now you might have points in time to book for next Nov. Some of that would just depend on how long it takes to find a contact you like and if you pass ROFR.

 

[motherof5]

1. If you buy CCV looking to stay only at BCV you will end up greatly disappointed. Buy only where you want to stay to avoid that disappointment.

2. Direct buyers can buy the Florida Gold Annual Pass. Less available dates, but cheaper than the normal AP price.

3. You can buy into TiW. Direct purchasers get some discounts in some places as well.

4. Yes, but the dates have to be available.

5. Look at Poly and GFV. They both have studios with 3 sleeping surfaces. BCV does not, even in their 1 bedrooms.

Can direct owners buy the FL annual weekday pass? I did the annual pass last year and it expires in Dec coming again in Feb and if did just the weekday pass I would be interested since only going possibly twice for 2019.

 

[crisi]

Can direct owners buy the FL annual weekday pass? I did the annual pass last year and it expires in Dec coming again in Feb and if did just the weekday pass I would be interested since only going possibly twice for 2019.

No, DVC owners do not qualify for Florida resident discounts (unless they are also Florida residents, of course).

 

[Deb & Bill]

Can direct owners buy the FL annual weekday pass? I did the annual pass last year and it expires in Dec coming again in Feb and if did just the weekday pass I would be interested since only going possibly twice for 2019.

The best you can do is the Gold pass or buy length of stay tickets.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Since this thread started with a discussion of BCV, it is worth explicitly noting that there is no such thing as a fixed week contract at BCV.

 

[motherof5]

The best you can do is the Gold pass or buy length of stay tickets.

Are length of stay tickets cheaper for DVC members?

 

[Marionnette]

Are length of stay tickets cheaper for DVC members?

No. There currently are no discounts for multi-day tickets. The only discounts currently available are for the Gold, Platinum and Platinum Plus APs.

 

[motherof5]

No. There currently are no discounts for multi-day tickets. The only discounts currently available are for the Gold, Platinum and Platinum Plus APs.

Okay. Thanks