Misc DVC questons

[Snowie]

Hi. I am seriously considering buying in to DVC likely at AKV. I am pretty familiar with WDW in general and have been trying to do my homework on DVC but have a lot of detailed questions. Here are a few:
1) Is there a link to the officil Disney DVC rules so that I can get some of the gory details myself?
2)How does the size of the studios compare to other standard rooms at the resort?
3) Are there any connecting studios.
4) I assume that you CAN rent multiple studios at one time?
5) It seems that a lot of DVCers go for higher level (1 or 2 bedrooms). Are there a lot of studios and how do they compare with the others for availability. i.e. are they in short supply for the demand?
5) I think I hear that when you buy resale that you get everything fom Disney that you would get if you bought from them. Does that include all types of initial literature etc.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Hi. I am seriously considering buying in to DVC likely at AKV. I am pretty familiar with WDW in general and have been trying to do my homework on DVC but have a lot of detailed questions. Here are a few:
1) Is there a link to the officil Disney DVC rules so that I can get some of the gory details myself?
If you are talking about the booking rules etc., the POS statement is pretty long and involved, but reading here on this board will bring you most of the details you need.
2)How does the size of the studios compare to other standard rooms at the resort?
Most studios are larger than a hotel room with the exception of the "value" rooms in Jambo house at AKV. That being said, if you are only interested in a "hotel room", then DVC might not be the best value for you. Timeshares are really best served to those needing and wanting full suite style accommodations with kitchens, laundry areas, and the amenities of a suite.
3) Are there any connecting studios.No.
4) I assume that you CAN rent multiple studios at one time?Yes, you can book as many units of any size that you have the points to cover. DVC sells points, not individual units, so it is extremely flexible.
5) It seems that a lot of DVCers go for higher level (1 or 2 bedrooms). Are there a lot of studios and how do they compare with the others for availability. i.e. are they in short supply for the demand?Studios are the second bedrooms of a 2 bedroom. The 1 bedroom is also the other "half" of a 2 bedroom lock off unit. Some resorts have a few dedicated studios, but for the most part, studios and 3 beddroom villas will be the first to book up.
5) I think I hear that when you buy resale that you get everything fom Disney that you would get if you bought from them. Does that include all types of initial literature etc.It should, but it is dependant on the original owner transfering it on to you.

I have answered most questions in the body of your post, but I wanted to add that you need to think of DVC as a timeshare with a twist. The beauty of DVC is that you can own as many or as few points as you choose to buy (fewer than the minumum if you buy a resale contract), and you get all the same benefits. You will need to study the point charts and plan on what number of points will likely suit your needs. Bear in mind that these can and do change a bit, but there is never a huge difference made in point charges.

If you buy at a particular resort, it should be because you want the 11 month booking advantage there. If you don't care which resort you stay at, but will stay wherever there is availability, then choose the resort with the lowest maintenance fees. Remember that purchase price will not be the biggest expense of buying DVC....the maintenance fees will be your biggest cost over the life of the contract.

 

[DisneyWalker44]

1) Is there a link to the officil Disney DVC rules so that I can get some of the gory details myself?

I don't believe the "gory details" are on line. You get that after you agree to buy, before you actually sign. But I bet they will send it out ahead of time.

The studios are roughly the same size as standard room. VWL studios are a bit larger than WL rooms; BLT studios are a bit smaller than BLT rooms. Etc.

You can rent as many stuidos as you have points for. None connect, not will the guarantee the rooms will even be near each other. They do try and put rooms near, and usually do an OK job.

The number of 1BR, studios, etc. vary by resort. But as a general rule, studios and 2BR book first, 1BR are the leftovers. But the differences are small. The only units that really have a difference are the grand villas, which go fast.

All the rules are the same for resale buyers as retais. But I wouldn't say you get the same stuff. Disney is pretty sloppy sending out paperwork to resale buyers - if you want something, you may have to ask for it. And if Disney is giving away totebags, they don't send those to resale.

 

[wdrl]

Hi. I am seriously considering buying in to DVC likely at AKV. I am pretty familiar with WDW in general and have been trying to do my homework on DVC but have a lot of detailed questions.
1) Is there a link to the officil Disney DVC rules so that I can get some of the gory details myself?

A lot of the "gory" details about DVC ownership and operation are contained in the Declaration of Condominium for each DVC resort. For the resorts located at WDW, Disney files the Declarations with the Orange County Comptroller's (OCC) office. These are public records and can be viewed and downloaded from the OCC site. Here is a link that should get you directly to the Declaration for AKV: https://officialrecords.occompt.com/recorder/eagleweb/downloads/myPdf.pdf?&parent=DOCC28657952

If you have difficulty accessing this site, PM me and I'll give you some assistance.

I find that virtually every question a person has about DVC can be addressed on the disboards. There are many very informative members who can not only tell you how DVC works and explain the process, but can also give you tips and tricks to maximize your ownership. At the same time, I found it useful to read the Declaration and to know some of the "gory" details. For example, one big advantage of DVC is that we can bank and borrow points. But as the Declaration points out, Disney can suspend banking and/or borrowing. It has never happened, but Disney would be within its legal right to do it.

Another good source of information is at dvcnews.com. This site has a primer on DVC ownership and is a good introduction to DVC.

Good luck!

 

[Snowie]

Thanks for the feedback. I am not sure of the concept that you need to use the larger accomocations to make the DVC a good decision. There was a link that showed the DVC would even beat the cost of moderates and break even on the value resorts over the life of the contact. I am seriously weighing whether we might not be better off getting another home resort and taking our chances with the 7 month booking. I totally agree about the maintenace being a major factor. I would add that it would be wise to consider the construction of the bldg. Even though the current maintenace cost for a wood frame building may be low, in the long run a concrete bldg like BLT might wind up with the lower cost 20-30 yrs from now.

Bottom line is that our main line of thought is that we have more money now before we retire than we will have after. We will be taking kids and grandkids and are lookiing at it as prepaying for future vacations (maintenace aside). We don't need elaborate lodging. I understand the the studios have a kitchenette. Right? I assume this means a micro, small fridge and a small sink. That's all we need for breakfast and snacks. I think bunk per bunk multiple studios are more cost effective than the larger rooms. I would definitely prefer 2 beds than a bed ad a sleeper sofa but we will have a lot of kids to sleep on the sofa. If I could buy into a timeshare that just provid standard hotel rooms I would consider that.

Sorry about the rambling but we are mostly looking for a place to sleep on the grounds and best I can tell the DVC is still a good value. A shortage of studies would be my biggest concern andmight drive me to buy at AKV to use the 11 month window.

 

[chalee94]

We will be taking kids and grandkids and are lookiing at it as prepaying for future vacations (maintenace aside). We don't need elaborate lodging. I understand the the studios have a kitchenette. Right? I assume this means a micro, small fridge and a small sink.

looking at it as prepaying for lodging is the right way to go.

yes, the studios have microwaves, small fridges and a small sink. studios at OKW are the only studios that have 2 real queen sized beds instead of 1 queen and 1 sofabed.

Sorry about the rambling but we are mostly looking for a place to sleep on the grounds and best I can tell the DVC is still a good value. A shortage of studies would be my biggest concern andmight drive me to buy at AKV to use the 11 month window.

DVC is a good value, even if you are comparing it to onsite hotel rooms when looking at current weeknight costs. for full weeks, it definitely can't compete with value rooms (especially discounted value rooms.)

the point charts have changed slightly for 2010, with weeknights starting to cost slightly more (and the weekends being slightly cheaper). don't be surprised if the weeknights continue to get a little more expensive and the weeknight/weekend differences are evened out a little.

if you are looking at AKV's value rooms, they can be kind of cramped for more than 2 adults, IMO. but if you can book at least 10-11 months out, i'd recommend owning at AKV if you want to book them on a regular basis.

 

[Coach81]

If you want 100% available access most of the time.. then you may want to consider either SSR, OKW, or AKV. All are very big, and have plenty of studios and 1 / 2 bedrooms for you to use.

Good luck with your decison.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you are considering buying DVC to stay only in studios, you are wasting your money. DVC is not about saving money; it's about getting nicer lodging at a prepaid price. You will never break even on DVC versus staying in a value resort. The dues alone will cost more than you will pay for a value resort. And the dues continue to go up.

BLT has the highest point requirement for any DVC resort.

If you are only looking at a place to sleep at night, spend your money on a value resort.

 

[Dean]

The best dollar value is in studios, the worst is the 1 BR and 3 BR units. You can chose to avail yourself of those savings and/or better accommodations at a controlled price, the choice is yours. Often people buy looking at the studios and end up in larger units.

As for the paperwork, you can get everything important directly from DVC as a retail buyer including all applicable POS booklets and the Member Guidebook. Some of the rest is on the website.

 

[toniosmom]

I bought the minimum and thought me and my DS4 would never need anything more than a studio. Once I tried a 1BR, I was sold. It was wonderful having a full kitchen and laundry in the suite.

I believe all studios have a queen size bed and sofa bed. The only studios with 2 beds are at OKW. If that's important to you, then you may do best with an OKW resale.

 

[Dean]

I believe all studios have a queen size bed and sofa bed. The only studios with 2 beds are at OKW. If that's important to you, then you may do best with an OKW resale.

Plus the Inn rooms at VB have 2 queens. The pull out is a love seat (reg sized bed) and not a full sized sofa (queen bed) in the all other studios.

 

[DisneyWalker44]

BLT has the highest point requirement for any DVC resort.

For another 5 days or so.

 

[DenLo]

BLT has the highest point requirement for any DVC resort.

For another 5 days or so.

I was wondering if someone would note VGC's points! I guess BLT will have to be qualified with an "highest points at WDW". Then I expect when Ko Olina in Hawaii opens then VGC will probably lose the "highest points" label.