Just purchased DVC Membership, Talk me out of it

[Ukie Mouse]

My family and I just returned from Disney World (4th year in a row), and walked away with DVC papers in hand on our last day. We are from Canada, and we have a young family (daughters with the ages os 12, 3 and 8 months). We bought into BLT.

Wife and I looked at DVC a few times, but decided to take the plunge this year. We have 10 days to cancel our membership, so I ask for all the advice possible and talk me out of doing this.

Thanks,
Ukie Mouse

 

[vicki_c]

In general, the DIS DVC boards are not really the place to talk you out of DVC - most of us like it.

But if you gave a little more information, people here might see things about it that are not a good fit for your family for one reason or another. How often do you plan on going to Disney? How far in advance can you book?

Without any more info to go on, I'd just say that I'm sure you could have saved $$ purchasing through resale than direct from Disney.

 

[JWG]

- Don't think you want to go to Disney every year or other year.
- Want to use the points outside of DVC (Disney Collection, Adventure By Disney, Cruising)
- Want good options to travel other places on a more frequent basis
- $$$

We're all owners so clearly we didn't do a good job of this side of the equation...

 

[Ukie Mouse]

We are a young family of five, have been going to Disney for 4 years in a row and will be returning for a 5th year, and many more years to come. We are from Canada and we look forward to our Florida vacation every year to get a break from the cold and snow.

We can book far in advance, every year before leaving Disney, we took advantage of the bounce back offer so planning far in advance for our family is not an issue.

We live in the province of Manitoba, where law prohibits DVC from selling or contacting us, therefore we needing to make this transaction while in Florida, and buying from a re-seller would run into the same problems.

We purchased 200 points at the BLT.

We figure this is a good fit for our family, but just wnating to get feedback from other members, and what makes them come back every year, what advice can members give.

Cheers,
Ukie Mouse

 

[JWG]

Plan your trips 51 weeks apart so you can buy annual passes every other year for your visit. If not for all family members, just one. Then you can take advantage of passholder discounts, purchase the Tables in Wonderland card for dining discounts, etc.

For example Visit:
12/14 week 2011
12/07 week 2012 (passes already purchased)
12/14 week 2013 (purchase AP)
12/07 week 2014 (passes already purchased)

We've found that visiting 7-8 days every year, an AP pays off if you can get your trips 11 months apart or so.

Also, buy your passes from Undercover Tourise in advance, and use those to upgrade to an AP for additional savings.

 

[DougEMG]

I'm sure you could have saved $$ purchasing through resale than direct from Disney

Have been going to DW and DL just about every year for the last 10+ years, but never bought into DVC till this year. What made me pull the trigger was the resale prices finally made the numbers work out when comparing DVC to what we would normally spend to stay onsite at a moderate.

Having said that I had booked a 2 week trip in Aug during free dining at the CSR before I bought my DVC contract and now I have to decide between keeping that reservation (with free dining) and renting out my DVC points or stay on points and buy food.

 

[bobbiwoz]

If you visited BLT and liked it, and you can afford it, I wouldn't talk you out of it. Welcome Home! BLT's 1 bedroom fits 5 with 2 full baths, I think it's a lovely resort. Best wishes!!!!!

Bobbi

 

[DisDaydreamer]

As others have said.... You're in the wrong forum for being talked out of it... I think you new that though

If you love Disney, and want reliably good accommodations, and you want something that is going to kind of make you regularly take fun vacations... then you got it.

We would never have taken sooo many wonderful trips had we not joined DVC.

We still say... One of our best decisions. Since 1998.

 

[Deb & Bill]

It continually gets more expensive every year. Dues go up each year.

As a family of five, you will eventually not want to stay in a one bedroom and will prefer a two bedroom. BLT requires a whole lot of points for a long stay in a two bedroom villa.

Don't plan on being able to get anything other than DVC with your points. If you want to vacation elsewhere, do a different timeshare than DVC. Or just pay for those vacations as you need them. Better yet, just rent a timeshare or a beach house from another owner.

You don't get special deals with DVC like the Bounceback offer. No free dining. No buy three get two free.

DVC adjusts points a lot now. In the past they only did it once. I'd bet it will be yearly thing now The total number of points for a resort is fixed, as long as they don't add to or subtract from the resort. But the number of points required for a specific night in a specific type villa can go up or down. So the trip you take this year might require more points next year. If 200 just barely gets you what you need this year, you may need 210 or 225 next year. Or you might only use 180 next year.

It's not as fun as it used to be.

 

[DizBub]

Hi, I'm new to this forum and I'd like to extend a "Welcome Neighbor!" to the OP.

We bought BLT in September 2009 with 210 pts and have added on 100 points just a couple weeks ago, both times direct from Disney. Haven't regretted it yet.

Congratulations on your new purchase! Enjoy!!!

 

[CarolAnnC]

Sorry, don't have it in my heart to talk you out of it either, LOL! Welcome home..

 

[tink1969]

Just flew in last night from our 10 day stay at Saratoga.
We purchased 150 points in 2004 and we just purchased 250 pts at Bay Lake Towers.
We are happy about our decision. Our girls are older now and we figure we can now get the 2 bedroom units when on our vacations since they don't really want to share a room with us anymore. Also, looking ahead, the girls can use the points for taking vacations with their own families.

 

[Mom B]

Sounds to me like you made a good decision. Enjoy your purchase! And Welcome Home!!!

 

[briangib]

Buying into DVC has been great for my family. Good luck with your purchase and welcome home.

 

[Ukie Mouse]

Thank you to everyone who posted and gave great advice, thoughts and ideas. Great to be home!

As I mentioned before we bought into BLT with 200 points, and Disney is matching that point value, giving us 400 points to start with.

We are planning our trip for next year already and will need to bank some points, so I'm hoping for more advice and tips on what other members do to get the most of DVC

Ukie Mouse

 

[Ukie Mouse]

Is there a Canadian DVC Thread, cant seem to find one.

Thanks

 

[jimmypenny]

When we purchased in June of this year, we initially went because they were giving free fastpasses and icecream.....we left owners at Saratoga Springs....and haven't regretted it....

We are taking our first trip in May and another in October. We were looking for a way to go to Disney every year, and this made it possible. Welcome home and enjoy!

 

[Ukie Mouse]

Sorry, we bought 200, and on our annivesary date of June 1st, we get another 200 pts giving us 400. I stated Disney matches the 200, which is not correct. So I assume this will be a good level to start with for using in October 2011 and banking the rest.

 

[Lancer]

My advice is, that the only reason for not joining would if it would cause a strain on your financial situation. Other than that, knowing that you are planning to go to Disney for many years to come, do it and do it now. Dont put it off and five years down the road say to yourself we should have done it sooner. I tell people all the time, if I only knew 13 years ago what I know now(that I would be going 1-2 times a year for 13 years and counting) I would have bought then. I purchased 160 pts at AKV just 3 years ago, It could have been paid off by now! The only good thing was that having waited, the AKV became available, which I enjoy. If you go to Disney regularly for atleast the next 7 years or so and would have stayed in deluxe resorts normally, than it will pay for itself along with various discounts in member perks. After you cover that initial buyin cost then for the next 30-40 years you can get $500/night rooms for a week the cost of your annual dues. Thats the way I look at it. Sorry, just cant talk you out of it!

Welcome home to you and your family

 

[Ukie Mouse]

Another strong reason for us doing this now is the Canadian dollar is at par with the US dollar, making it even more attractive.