Magically Considering DVC

[LCMeyer]

The DH and I are considering DVC. One thing that we can't seem to find (or I can't seem to find) any where is the difference (besides price) from buying direct and buying resale. Clearly, resale saves a ton of money, but are there any other differences?

We're considering BLT or BWV as our home resort. We've been doing the research for about 2 months now and are still trying to get a good grasp on all there is to know about DVC. We're going on our anniversary trip in Feb. and want to talk directly to a guide, but we also want to have done our research too.

Thanks for the insight!

 

[rymahoney]

We are also thinking about it. But want to rent points for atleast 1 stay before deciding.

 

[chitwndan]

I am not saying this "tongue in cheek"

Go google dvc buyers guide.

There are 1/2 a dozen really good articles/write-ups that will give you a good primer.

Members who purchase their Ownership Interest in any DVC Resort from a person or entity other than directly from DVC shall not be able to use the Vacation Points associated with that Ownership Interest for reservations or stays through the Incidental Benefits known as the Adventurer Collection, Concierge Collection, or The Disney Collection.

 

[disneynutz]

The DH and I are considering DVC. One thing that we can't seem to find (or I can't seem to find) any where is the difference (besides price) from buying direct and buying resale. Clearly, resale saves a ton of money, but are there any other differences?

We're considering BLT or BWV as our home resort. We've been doing the research for about 2 months now and are still trying to get a good grasp on all there is to know about DVC. We're going on our anniversary trip in Feb. and want to talk directly to a guide, but we also want to have done our research too.

Thanks for the insight!

There really isn't any magic about it. You are buying a deeded interest in the form of points. You use the points to book a room. The owners pay for all of the resort/room upkeep for the life of the contract.

DVC isn't perfect, there are rules, policies, some perks, and problems. Disney controls everything, as an owner you have zero say.

If you vacation yearly at Disney in a deluxe resort, DVC may save you some money on your room.

Bill

 

[DizBub]

The restrictions on resale points are that you cannot use the for the Disney Collection, Concierge Collection, Adventures by Disney or Disney Cruise Line. Other than that resale buyers have the exact same use of their points as direct buyers.

 

[Dean]

The restrictions on resale points are that you cannot use the for the Disney Collection, Concierge Collection, Adventures by Disney or Disney Cruise Line. Other than that resale buyers have the exact same use of their points as direct buyers.

As noted, no cash type exchanges. Can currently use discounts/perks, RCI and Buena Vista Trading Company. It is subject to change, restrictions could be added retroactively. You lose nothing of value resale, everything you wouldn't be able to use it for costs more buying and using points than just paying cash, usually a lot more.

 

[McCrae]

The timing of when you buy should also be considered when considering resale or going direct.

Early buyers of resorts like BLT paid direct prices that are pretty close to the current resale prices.

The only resort I would consider buying direct now is VGF.

The price difference for buying BLT direct is around 50% higher than resale.... If I were buying BLT again .... Resale would be the route I would go.

 

[chalee94]

resale is cheaper and direct is faster.

for most people, buying resale means you cannot trade DVC points for disney hotels or cruises. as noted, these are a poor deal anyway.

you can still trade out of DVC for other timeshares in the U.S. and the world through RCI, so that option is not lost. (most of those other timeshares can be bought on ebay for $1 and have annual dues about half of DVC...so it's not a great deal to trade out through RCI either.)

buy DVC to use at DVC resorts (including hilton head, vero beach and hawaii).

 

[MJ6987]

There really isn't any magic about it. You are buying a deeded interest in the form of points. You use the points to book a room. The owners pay for all of the resort/room upkeep for the life of the contract.

DVC isn't perfect, there are rules, policies, some perks, and problems. Disney controls everything, as an owner you have zero say.

If you vacation yearly at Disney in a deluxe resort, DVC may save you some money on your room.

Bill

Do you actually still like DVC or have you become disillusioned with it? Just that you seem to be quite negative about it most of the time.

 

[Minniesgal]

resale is cheaper and direct is faster. for most people, buying resale means you cannot trade DVC points for disney hotels or cruises. as noted, these are a poor deal anyway. you can still trade out of DVC for other timeshares in the U.S. and the world through RCI, so that option is not lost. (most of those other timeshares can be bought on ebay for $1 and have annual dues about half of DVC...so it's not a great deal to trade out through RCI either.) buy DVC to use at DVC resorts (including hilton head, vero beach and hawaii).

Faster if you buy a current resort not necessarily if you want points at a sold out resort. Resale was quicker for me by several months when I added on at vgc

 

[Deb & Bill]

Do you actually still like DVC or have you become disillusioned with it? Just that you seem to be quite negative about it most of the time.

Bill just isn't blinded by the pixie dust. He's just very practical like many of us long time owners.

I also was going to mention the use of the word "magically". Bill beat me to it.

 

[disneynutz]

Do you actually still like DVC or have you become disillusioned with it? Just that you seem to be quite negative about it most of the time.

I'm a realist. IMO the only thing to like about DVC is the room discount and DVC discounts if you use them.

IMO the magic is Disney and WDW, DL and the other parks. DVC due to possible savings on your room can allow some families to experience Disney more frequently. Other families may see their vacation spending increase significantly.

I am critical of DVC because I don't understand why Disney lets certain things happen. It's as if DVD/DVC is all about selling contracts and not supporting the owners after the sale.

40 minute MS telephone hold time for several months is ridicules.

Getting a room that isn't clean or maintained to expected standards isn't right.

Offering member magic events and charging members more than what they would pay if they booked the same event direct isn't right.

The lack of communications I just don't understand.

Bill

 

[Dean]

Do you actually still like DVC or have you become disillusioned with it? Just that you seem to be quite negative about it most of the time.

I'm reminded of the quote "a pessimist is an optimist with experience". While Bill is a little more negative in some areas than most (I feel including myself), he clearly understands what's going on here and what we do and do not get. DVC is simply a nice timeshare and in reality, other than location and theming, it's really middle of the pack as Orlando resorts go. I know some of those that don't really look at DVC as a timeshare and wouldn't even investigate other timeshares can take that as an affront but they shouldn't. Bill has a recent high end purchase so his money speaks for itself.

 

[k3chantal]

The DH and I are considering DVC. One thing that we can't seem to find (or I can't seem to find) any where is the difference (besides price) from buying direct and buying resale. Clearly, resale saves a ton of money, but are there any other differences?

We're considering BLT or BWV as our home resort. We've been doing the research for about 2 months now and are still trying to get a good grasp on all there is to know about DVC. We're going on our anniversary trip in Feb. and want to talk directly to a guide, but we also want to have done our research too.

Thanks for the insight!

It sounds like you know you are going resale because you are interested in BLT or BWV (can't buy either direct now).

We have direct points.....and are considering purchasing more (would be resale because we would purchase points at the Grand Californian. But we just went to another timeshare and I must admit, I am extremely tempted to go there instead. I feel that I have my feet wet with timeshare purchases from DVC and now have a better understanding of the perks and the downsides, etc of this luxury purchase..... One factor that really stood out for this other timeshare is that you are not stuck waiting for the seven month mark to make a reservation at a different resort other than your home resort. No matter what resort you reserve, it is the same timing. And you can convert your points into hotel stays. I am sure there are negatives with their system; no system is perfect and I drove their sales representative crazy because I kept comparing DVC to them.

So, back to my first impression of your post.....you know where you want to stay....so you do need to buy there so you get to make a reservation 11 months in advance.

And the pixie dust perspective.....yes, we are happy with our DVC purchase. It has so far given us years of wonderful vacations and we look forward to many years more.

But one of the top reasons we are happy because we can use our points for cruises which I can even admit isn't a good reason to buy direct.
And just like any major purchase, there are costs to take care of your purchase and you just need to be aware and prepared to pay for them for as long as you keep your contract. DVC isn't good about explaining the yearly maintenance fees as you sign your contract...... And here's the thing about DVC...not only do you have your annual maintenance fees but you most likely will want to go into the parks when you visit and unless you live close to Orlando, you have airfare too to consider EVERY time you use your points. And you really can't just say that you would spend that anyway because having a contract really does mean you are going back to DW.

 

[Missyrose]

It sounds like you know you are going resale because you are interested in BLT or BWV (can't buy either direct now).

Just wanted to point out that you can buy ANY of the DVC resorts directly through Disney, though Disney will lead you to believe only the resorts being actively sold (VGF currently) are available.

That being said, I would only look at resale for a BLT or BWV contract.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

Unless you want VGF I'd say resale is the way to go. We bought BWV resale over 10 years ago, and now that we are also "realists" about DVC we are going to sell it. I am very glad that we bought resale because we'd probably be taking a loss on it if we hadn't.