Just got an SSR tour, have a few questions

[Groucho]

I just returned from an 8-night stay at Pop Century and decided to check out SSR while I was there. I'd ordered a packet of info through the mail about a year ago, so I had the basics, but thought that it'd be nice to see it in person.

It's a good thing we saw it at the end of our trip... it was tough going back to Pop after seeing SSR.

My original plan was to finish paying off my cars (I have two good-sized payments, the first won't go away until three years from now) then consider it. The referral discount is making me wonder if I should pull the trigger earlier. I think I'd be able to afford the 10-year financing now and as I understand it, there's no prepayment penalty so I could pay extra as I have the chance, hopefully paying it all off in maybe five years.

Is this discount really as great as it seems that it might be? The guy who we talked to claimed that this was the biggest discount they've ever given. Is it that good that I should consider buying earlier than planned? (If only I could see in the future and find out if it'll be offered again in a year or two!)

One question I had was, I see some people buying points at multiple resorts. From what I've seen, the only advantage to owning one over the other (other than SSR's later expiration) is that you can book 11 months at your home resort versus 7 for the other. Is that really such a big problem? Are the resorts likely to sell out? I'm more likely to go in the off-season, and might like to check out the other DVC resorts on some trips. If being able to book early is the only difference, then that's no big concern as far as I can see.

Another question... since we just got back (and have a 9-month-old baby!), I'm not sure that we'd be making another trip for a couple years or so. Is there any reason that I can't (or shouldn't) buy now then turn right around and rent out the first year's points for $1,500, which'll pay for the annual dues plus a chunk of the mortgage itself?

Theoretically, it seems like once you have the points paid for, and you won't be taking a trip one year for whatever reason (and don't need to bank for the next year), you should be able to make a profit by renting and using that to pay for the dues? Am I missing something? If I could go that for the first couple years, that'd make the decision a lot easier to make!

Thanks! I'll freely admit that I hope to be talked into this, but then again, it's unlikely to be able to touch the price we paid at Pop plus free park hopper and water parks add-ons. But those SSR rooms were sure nice...

Thanks!

 

[luvindisneyworld]

I just returned from an 8-night stay at Pop Century and decided to check out SSR while I was there. I'd ordered a packet of info through the mail about a year ago, so I had the basics, but thought that it'd be nice to see it in person.

It's a good thing we saw it at the end of our trip... it was tough going back to Pop after seeing SSR.

My original plan was to finish paying off my cars (I have two good-sized payments, the first won't go away until three years from now) then consider it. The referral discount is making me wonder if I should pull the trigger earlier. I think I'd be able to afford the 10-year financing now and as I understand it, there's no prepayment penalty so I could pay extra as I have the chance, hopefully paying it all off in maybe five years.

Is this discount really as great as it seems that it might be? The guy who we talked to claimed that this was the biggest discount they've ever given. Is it that good that I should consider buying earlier than planned? (If only I could see in the future and find out if it'll be offered again in a year or two!)

One question I had was, I see some people buying points at multiple resorts. From what I've seen, the only advantage to owning one over the other (other than SSR's later expiration) is that you can book 11 months at your home resort versus 7 for the other. Is that really such a big problem? Are the resorts likely to sell out? I'm more likely to go in the off-season, and might like to check out the other DVC resorts on some trips. If being able to book early is the only difference, then that's no big concern as far as I can see.

Another question... since we just got back (and have a 9-month-old baby!), I'm not sure that we'd be making another trip for a couple years or so. Is there any reason that I can't (or shouldn't) buy now then turn right around and rent out the first year's points for $1,500, which'll pay for the annual dues plus a chunk of the mortgage itself?

Theoretically, it seems like once you have the points paid for, and you won't be taking a trip one year for whatever reason (and don't need to bank for the next year), you should be able to make a profit by renting and using that to pay for the dues? Am I missing something? If I could go that for the first couple years, that'd make the decision a lot easier to make!

Thanks! I'll freely admit that I hope to be talked into this, but then again, it's unlikely to be able to touch the price we paid at Pop plus free park hopper and water parks add-ons. But those SSR rooms were sure nice...

Thanks!

Hi, i think it is the best discount that has been offered.The 11 month window is the advantage for the resort you pick.If you are flexible you should not have a problem.
yes you can rent out your points for the first couple of years if you like.
I cannot see them offering this incentive again if they do it will be some time.
The price PP is only going to continue to go up.So if you are considering buying that is something to consider.
DVC financing is very easy.
DVC was the best choice we have ever made.We too would like to have waited but DVC is unlike any other so that is what sold us.
Just let me know if you have any other questions.
Misty

 

[Caskbill]

Is this discount really as great as it seems that it might be? The guy who we talked to claimed that this was the biggest discount they've ever given. Is it that good that I should consider buying earlier than planned? (If only I could see in the future and find out if it'll be offered again in a year or two!)

We've been members since 1993 and I think it's the largest discount they've ever offered. And it ends fairly soon. Don't know if you can expect more in the future or not.

One question I had was, I see some people buying points at multiple resorts. From what I've seen, the only advantage to owning one over the other (other than SSR's later expiration) is that you can book 11 months at your home resort versus 7 for the other. Is that really such a big problem? Are the resorts likely to sell out? I'm more likely to go in the off-season, and might like to check out the other DVC resorts on some trips. If being able to book early is the only difference, then that's no big concern as far as I can see.

The advantage of owning other resorts is so a member can book those resorts at more difficult times. Even with smaller contracts, by banking/borrowing, a person can have enough points every 3rd year to book at a 'home resort'. Some things are absolutely impossible without the home resort advantage. Example: A Studio, standard view, at BWV for New Year's Eve. Those are probably all gone within a few hours right at the 1st day of the 11-month window.

Also keep in mind that off-season for WDW is not necessarily off-season for DVC. Certain times, such as the 1st two weeks in December, are lower attendance for WDW, and have an extremely high demand for DVC members, due to the lower point costs, lower crowds, and the holiday decorations are all up. An example where DVC-off-season and WDW off-season are similar would be for example September dates.

Another question... since we just got back (and have a 9-month-old baby!), I'm not sure that we'd be making another trip for a couple years or so. Is there any reason that I can't (or shouldn't) buy now then turn right around and rent out the first year's points for $1,500, which'll pay for the annual dues plus a chunk of the mortgage itself?

Theoretically, it seems like once you have the points paid for, and you won't be taking a trip one year for whatever reason (and don't need to bank for the next year), you should be able to make a profit by renting and using that to pay for the dues? Am I missing something? If I could go that for the first couple years, that'd make the decision a lot easier to make!

You can certainly do that, but keep in mind that renting points might not be as simple as you think. Also, if you rent points, the income from those points is taxable so you don't get to keep the full rental price yourself. You might take a look at the Rent/Trade board and see what goes on over there.

You could also bank the points and have them available for next year.

 

[Groucho]

I'm not too worried about getting a specific room for the fireworks, etc - of course, that could change in the future... but I think the extra 12 years can easily make up for that. I'm in my early (OK, almost mid!) 30s and my wife is in her mid 20s so we will have many more trips ahead of us and those 12 years will probably come in handy.

I do know a member already so I think I'm all set on having a referral. I'm still reading through the referral page so I haven't yet figured out if they also get a spiff or not; if they do, I can probably arrange to split it with them, otherwise maybe I'll go with one of the PMs.

 

[jennypenny]

Another question... since we just got back (and have a 9-month-old baby!), I'm not sure that we'd be making another trip for a couple years or so. Is there any reason that I can't (or shouldn't) buy now then turn right around and rent out the first year's points for $1,500, which'll pay for the annual dues plus a chunk of the mortgage itself?

Theoretically, it seems like once you have the points paid for, and you won't be taking a trip one year for whatever reason (and don't need to bank for the next year), you should be able to make a profit by renting and using that to pay for the dues? Am I missing something? If I could go that for the first couple years, that'd make the decision a lot easier to make!

There's a flaw in your reasoning that I feel obligated to tell you. Once you purchase the points, you start thinking of all kinds of reasons to visit WDW. And once you start visiting more than 8 days per year, you start thinking what a great deal the annual pass discount is with DVC. And once you have AP's, you think "why shouldn't we sqeeze in another trip? After all, the room and park passes are already paid for . . ."

It's a slippery slope, my friend. But I'm definitley enjoying the ride. And we frequently say we should have joined when we first started looking and points were only $58. We've never looked back.

And we thought the current deal was so good we just added on.

Jenny

 

[PinkTink63]

I just returned from an 8-night stay at Pop Century and decided to check out SSR while I was there. I'd ordered a packet of info through the mail about a year ago, so I had the basics, but thought that it'd be nice to see it in person.

It's a good thing we saw it at the end of our trip... it was tough going back to Pop after seeing SSR.

My original plan was to finish paying off my cars (I have two good-sized payments, the first won't go away until three years from now) then consider it. The referral discount is making me wonder if I should pull the trigger earlier. I think I'd be able to afford the 10-year financing now and as I understand it, there's no prepayment penalty so I could pay extra as I have the chance, hopefully paying it all off in maybe five years.

Is this discount really as great as it seems that it might be? The guy who we talked to claimed that this was the biggest discount they've ever given. Is it that good that I should consider buying earlier than planned? (If only I could see in the future and find out if it'll be offered again in a year or two!)

One question I had was, I see some people buying points at multiple resorts. From what I've seen, the only advantage to owning one over the other (other than SSR's later expiration) is that you can book 11 months at your home resort versus 7 for the other. Is that really such a big problem? Are the resorts likely to sell out? I'm more likely to go in the off-season, and might like to check out the other DVC resorts on some trips. If being able to book early is the only difference, then that's no big concern as far as I can see.

Another question... since we just got back (and have a 9-month-old baby!), I'm not sure that we'd be making another trip for a couple years or so. Is there any reason that I can't (or shouldn't) buy now then turn right around and rent out the first year's points for $1,500, which'll pay for the annual dues plus a chunk of the mortgage itself?

Theoretically, it seems like once you have the points paid for, and you won't be taking a trip one year for whatever reason (and don't need to bank for the next year), you should be able to make a profit by renting and using that to pay for the dues? Am I missing something? If I could go that for the first couple years, that'd make the decision a lot easier to make!

Thanks! I'll freely admit that I hope to be talked into this, but then again, it's unlikely to be able to touch the price we paid at Pop plus free park hopper and water parks add-ons. But those SSR rooms were sure nice...

Thanks!

Just to let you know, we were able to take advantage of this deal and it was the deciding factor of buying now!
We already rented out our points for this year, because we already had vacation plans made for somewhere else. Anyway, it was easy and I rented to 2 people wanting other resorts in May.
Stephanie

 

[lovinthemouse]

We bought after our trip this summer. We toured with 2 days left at Allstar Music. We so did not like having to stay at music anymore. We are so glad we bought in. We got in on a down payment sale, but the one they are running now is somewhat better. Good luck with your decision. Hope to welcome you home soon.

 

[mikesmom]

Everyone one of us here wish we hadn't waited as long as we did (whatever length of time that may be). The points NEVER go down. We bought in about 5 years ago and it cost $67/point. That's a big increase for a few years!

 

[Ms. WDW]

I just took the plunge this afternoon and called our Guide!!

DH and I are taking advantage of the promotion. It just sounded so good and DH and I have been thinking of adding on more points somewhere and looks like SSR will be our "second home".

I can't begin to tell you how exceited I am!! Feels like the first time be became DVC Members!

 

[BROWNSPHAN]

Groucho
I am in the same boat as you for the most part.We are also from Rochester. We were down in the end of Sept and stayed at POR and had the dining plan. The price was great, but there are 5 of us and we will most likely outgrow the small room and only one shower.I didnt get a chance to take the tour while we were in DW. I did get the packet sent recently.I had my two older kids take an online tour and was suprised that they both picked SSR.Did the 360 tour with my son 15 first later with my daughter 12.They never agree on anything if they have a chance.I am almost sure we will buy sometime but wonder if we dont do something by the end of the month the special will not be as good.What did you think of SSR when seeing it in person.Being close to downtown doesnt bother us as when the kids get a little older that is most likely where they might rather be.Any insight would be great.Thanks Greg

 

[jbhaupt]

There's a flaw in your reasoning that I feel obligated to tell you. Once you purchase the points, you start thinking of all kinds of reasons to visit WDW. And once you start visiting more than 8 days per year, you start thinking what a great deal the annual pass discount is with DVC. And once you have AP's, you think "why shouldn't we sqeeze in another trip? After all, the room and park passes are already paid for . . ."

It's a slippery slope, my friend. But I'm definitley enjoying the ride. And we frequently say we should have joined when we first started looking and points were only $58. We've never looked back.

And we thought the current deal was so good we just added on.

Jenny

Jenny,
You are so right...I had to comment on your comment. We started out with a small resale contract (added on two more) and said we'll go everyother year, that did not last one year. We now go 2 times a year and have annual passes. We rent a onebdrm in May when pts are higher and a 2 bdrm in Nov. I am trying to talk DH into a trip at the end of the month..found some great airfares out of LGA, he said we are going in 3 months can the kids miss anymore school?? ha,ha.
Bonnie

 

[JoyCrazy]

How many Points does it take to go on a cruise or one of the other destinations??

 

[Groucho]

What did you think of SSR when seeing it in person.Being close to downtown doesnt bother us as when the kids get a little older that is most likely where they might rather be.Any insight would be great.Thanks Greg

Downtown looks like it'd still be a little bit of a walk - I think people say 5-10 minutes but after a long day of park-walking that can seem like a lot, but avoiding the latenight bus runs would be nice. (Our last night there, a guy vomited on himself on the bus!) Of course, it's probably a closer walk than, say, getting to the American pavilion at Epcot.

The rooms were gorgeous. I haven't seen any of the other DVC rooms so I can't compare, but the different layouts were all nice and roomy, and the ability to have a fridge and a laundry machine would be extremely nice - the fridge as even with the dining plan, we often found ourselves buying breakfast but with a fridge, we could just have cereal... and the laundry as a couple times, our baby's diaper didn't quite do the job and we were stuck just wrapping up the dirty clothes in a plastic bag. It'd also be nice to pack less - it's amazing how much more you need with you bring along a child! And my wife would looooove the big tub!

Having separate sleeping areas would be really nice, too.

I'm definitely leaning towards making the buy... it's only money after all. I'm well aware of the slippery slope but I don't mind that part too much! Whee.... I am going to wait until after talking to my mother, who's a tax preparer and runs an investment club, it would be nice to have the blessing of someone who's got more financial experience of this kind of thing! She and my father also have an Interval Int'l timeshare (in Orlando, that they've never been to) and a condo in Cape Coral and have been to countless timeshare pitches.

 

[crisi]

Everyone one of us here wish we hadn't waited as long as we did (whatever length of time that may be). The points NEVER go down. We bought in about 5 years ago and it cost $67/point. That's a big increase for a few years!

Not me. I bought when the time was right for us. (Well, maybe one trip late). But the previous 8 years when I knew about DVC and didn't buy were a financial roller coaster with a divorce, marriage, a custom house being built, infertility treatments, adoption, and job switch after job switch. Had I bought DVC with my ex husband (and he really wanted to - huge Disney fan), I'd have had to sell it in the divorce. Had I bought it on my honeymoon with my second husband, it would have been an expense we couldn't afford during homebuying, infertility and adoption.

Buy when it makes sense for you. It is a huge financial investment, a large sunk cost - and added to that are the costs of the vacations you'll "need" to take (and yes, you can rent the points, but you'll discover yourself justifying vacation you'd never take if the hotel wasn't "paid for.")

 

[vascubaguy]

I think I would make sure that I'm financially sound enough to make that commitment. If adding on the DVC financing payment (plus the annual dues you'll have to pay), will stretch you kinda thin, I would say wait. Yes, the cost per point is very likely to go up in the coming years. It is also likely that a new DVC will be announced soon. In 1-2 years, you'll likely be able to find SSR contracts for reasonable prices on the resale market.

It's really hard to say, just make sure that if you decide to buy-in that you can afford it. You certainly don't want to regret buying it later because you have to live paycheck to paycheck.

HTH

 

[FANOFDSNY]

Groucho
I am in the same boat as you for the most part.We are also from Rochester. We were down in the end of Sept and stayed at POR and had the dining plan. The price was great, but there are 5 of us and we will most likely outgrow the small room and only one shower.I didnt get a chance to take the tour while we were in DW. I did get the packet sent recently.I had my two older kids take an online tour and was suprised that they both picked SSR.Did the 360 tour with my son 15 first later with my daughter 12.They never agree on anything if they have a chance.I am almost sure we will buy sometime but wonder if we dont do something by the end of the month the special will not be as good.What did you think of SSR when seeing it in person.Being close to downtown doesnt bother us as when the kids get a little older that is most likely where they might rather be.Any insight would be great.Thanks Greg

We toured SSR about a year ago and it is absolutely gorgeous. If you like the online tour, you would love it in person. The Friends and Family deal is awesome and ends Feb. 1st. Not only do you get 15% off but they also give you points for 2005 to bank and use later (you get the same amount you purchase) this makes the deal even more attractive.

 

[Ms. WDW]

I was very surprised when our guide told us about the immediate points and one time banking option.

I'm really looking forward to actually seeing the resort up close. I've never even seen the room layout! I'll have to take that virtual tour.

 

[BROWNSPHAN]

Thanks FANOFDSNY. Might be making this an easier decission,especially with getting the 2005 points for free plus the current promo. Greg

 

[coasterbob]

Thanks FANOFDSNY. Might be making this an easier decission,especially with getting the 2005 points for free plus the current promo. Greg

I just PMed you....Bob

 

[Shawn]

My original plan was to finish paying off my cars (I have two good-sized payments, the first won't go away until three years from now) then consider it. The referral discount is making me wonder if I should pull the trigger earlier. I think I'd be able to afford the 10-year financing

Hi, my two cents is a bit different than the others it seems. While the current deal does seem to be good, I'd caution against getting caught up in the excitement.

DVC is a luxury that should be entered into when it is not a financial stretch -- and preferably paid with at least 50% cash.

You say you already have two good sized auto payments each month. How are your other debts? Are you completely paid off on any outstanding credit card debt? If not, don't even consider buying into DVC until all other credit debt is paid off.

You didn't say if you are renting or if you own a home. If you are renting, do you want to own a home some day? If so, saving money for a down payment on a home is more important for a family than a DVC ownership.

Sincerely wishing you the best. The DVC can be a wonderful experience for a family, but it has to make financial sense. It needs to be thought through with a cool head, not under pressure to buy before the current deal ends.

-Shawn