why the heck would you buy 400 pts if you are comparing DVC to a week in a hotel room?
I am comparing DVC to a hotel room because that's all I know. When my DH and I have been there in the past, it was just the two of us, then two of us and our 13 month old in a pnp. A hotel room was cramped, but do-able. Next time we go, we will have 2 adults and 2 children. As our family grows, the more our need for space and amenities grows. We are looking at buying 400 points to accommodate a potential 2BR stay eventually.
But honestly, DVC is NOT about saving money - if that is your motivation you'll be disappointed. DVC is about having access to multi room units at affordable prices. Its about being able to project your costs out long term - and lock in a reasonable rate. Its about committing to
Disney vacations (for the good and bad - some people find it nice to have enforced vacations, some find it limiting to own a DVC timeshare - some of us find ourselves with one foot in each discovery). If your object is to do Disney in a way that is cheap and flexible, there are better options than DVC.
To hear that DVC is not about saving money
is disappointing, I'll admit. But am I even breaking even? I realized I'm paying more and getting more, so it's just a matter of reconciling that in my mind.
also, if you don't like booking well in advance (ideally 10-11 months out) or being committed to using all your pts at disney, DVC may not be a good deal.
We have no problem booking well in advance. We are generally not spur-of-the-moment vacationers. I am too much of a planner for that. In fact, our next trip isn't until November of '10, and we're already planning.
Also, until we have a need for all 400 points at WDW, we will probably use some at Hilton Head, if reservations are available. We live close enough that HHI is a short drive, and is a location that we would enjoying using up extra points.
..I would be hesitant about 400 points period, much less in one chunk. If need be, it is much easier to sell smaller contracts. As others have said, check out what a week would cost in a studio for your comparison. I have the huge amount of 150 points and my dues for the year are about 500, but I can work it for many nice stays in studios and by juggling can do some bigger rooms as well.
As your family growns that room at POR might get smaller.
I woud really advise you start with a smaller contract and then see how your points need develop. You can always add on smaller contracts under the same master account later.
This is great advice. I don't think I'm interested in a studio at this point, but I may look into point values for a 1BR week and just start with that number of points. We can always add on. I think my only hesitation with doing that is that I recognize several good resale deals right now, and I hate to pay a ton more per point a few years down the road. That might be a risk we just have to take, though.
Just out of curiosity....what size unit, or length of stay, were you planning to get with your 400 points a year?
If you're really planning to use 400 points every year, then you'll either be staying in a studio for far longer than a week, or staying in a multi-room villa with full kitchen and laundry facilities and a jacuzzi, that in no way compares to the motel rooms at POR. Either way, there's no way a 400-point contract comes out remotely equal to a week's stay at POR, in terms of what you're getting for your money.
I have a 150-point contract at VWL, and with that I can stay in a studio (much superior to the rooms at POR) for roughly 10 weeknights a year. And my per-night cost for that studio is way less than even a discounted room at POR.
I think I've answered your questions above, but we're wanting a 1BR now, and planning to need a 2BR in the future, both for at least a 7/8 night stay. I know we're buying too many points for that right now, but eventually we'll be closer to needing that many points.
But do include the DVC purchase costs and don't just look at maint fees. So you're not really staying 2.5 to 4 times as long for the same expense. Add interest charges if the purchase is financed.
Cash stays are the most flexible of all, not a timeshare, which requires more advance planning and is subject to availability limitations more so than cash stays. If you want to enjoy a 1BR (more space, privacy and a kitchen but no daily housekeeping) for approx. the cost of a moderate hotel room and you don't mind the ongoing commitment, DVC may be for you. It's a substantial enough luxury purchase that if you must finance or if you are unsure, it's probably best to hold off, IMO. HTH.
At this point, financing is the way we would go. After reading these posts, and talking more with my DH, I think we're going to hold off until the first of the year, when paying cash will be a likely option. Unless we find a screaming deal ($65/point at SSR), in which case we would probably buy now and pay the financing off after the first of the year.
Thank you, everyone, for giving me your feedback. It's a lot to consider, and trust me when I tell you that we
are considering it. Agonizing over it, in fact.
