Lots of questions about DVC....help!

[teacher21]

hubbie and I are seriously thinking about joining DVC....as a teacher, the only times we can go would be during summer and/or school breaks. Will we have trouble booking during June if we use our 11 month window? Also, we are just 2, so will a studio be enough room for us? Are they about the size of the other Disney rooms? For example, we stayed at WL this year and found the room a good size. Would the Villas at WL be at least that size? Am I understanding the cost that after the financing, we will only be paying the yearly dues? Any help would certainly be appreciated!

 

[Dean]

Since you are not looking to use the 3 BR Grand Villas and are willing to plan 11 months out, you should have NO problems booking. The studio will be fine for 2 until you stay in a larger unit then you won't be able to go back. I don't know the square footage for the rooms you ask about but the studio at VWL should be larger than a standard room at WL. I'm sure someone has the square footage. Once you pay for the initial cost, the only charges are for the dues, which are fairly expensive for timeshares, but a good value for on property at WDW.

 

[ohioMickey]

Wilderness Lodge standard rooms are 340 sq feet.
VWL Studios are 356 sq feet.

Hope that helps.

 

[donald@home]

The studios at the Wilderness Lodge Villas have one bed and a pull out sofa, which makes the studios more spacious than the rooms at the Wilderness Lodge.

 

[RamVA]

Hi, and welcom to the Dis; you will get a lot of information on these boards to help you make your decision. I think you will find that no-one on these boards regrets their decision to join DVC.

When we joined, our children were all still in school, so we knew we would be travelling to WDW in late June, July or August. We bought enough points to accommodate the room we needed during that time of year. I am a horrible planner, and am always making our plans at the last minute--I have gotten our needs met every summer since 1992 and never used the 11th month window--or the 7 month window!!! Usually, my max planning time is 2 months and that's in a good year! There has been the occasional year when it's been 3-4 weeks ahead of time! Yes, a couple of times it was touch and go, and we were on a "wait-list"(just what it sounds like--you're waiting for someone to cancel, so a room opens up)but I have never not gotten what I needed--and those needs have ranged from a studio to a 2-bedroom.

Once your principal is paid, you just have your annual dues. We had it set up from the beginning as an automatic electronic debit from our checking acct. every month, so it's just like another monthly bill, and that way we don't have a huge bill due all at once.

Hope this helps answer some of your concerns!

 

[BobH]

Smallest room at OKW is 376 Sq Ft. Studios here are slightly larger than BW, VWL and Vero - but the rooms have 2 queen beds at OKW vs a Queen Bed and a sleep sofa at the BW and VWL. Just stayed at Vero they have studios and Inn rooms. Inn Rooms also have 2 Queen beds. I find the studios and inn rooms to be a bit larger than a standard hotel room plus you get a small under the counter refrigerator and kitchen area. Ask a guide for the literature and you can see what you are getting.

Addition: maintenance costs are $3 to $4 per point. I pay $60 per month ($720 yr). I find that if I had paid cash for the rooms and not joined DVC I would spend at least half of what I pay in annual maintenance fees in room taxes. Not paying tax on your rooms is a hidden benefit to the DVC.

 

[kewlteacher]

My DW is also a teacher. The only times that we can go is late June, July and August. We had no problem getting rooms inside both the 11 month and 7 month windows at BWV and VB. We are staying 10 days and 9 nights. The worst part for us is that this time of the year the per night point values are at their highest and the points do add up fast. We currently have 222 points and are looking to add-on 50 points when we are there in about three weeks. When you finally do say yes, it will be the best decision you ever made. Good Luck!!


Brian, Melissa and Morgan inkbounc

 

[prncssjas]

Teacher21: Good luck making your decision. Like everyone else, I don't regret buying DVC and you will find that MS is very helpful in getting you the kind of room you need and when you'll need it. DVC is truly the best way to vacation but hey, maybe I am a little biased.... Hope to welcome you home soon!