Need Advice - Does this make sense?

[cchron]

While I love Disney, my husband just likes Disney. We would like to visit WDW every other year and go to other vacation spots on the off years. Based upon everything I've read, using points for RCI is really not a good value. So I'm considering buying just 50 points resale at BLT and banking points to use every other year for a fall trip in a studio. This would keep our dues low and get us in the door of DVC to try it out. Does this make sense? Can you join DVC for only 50 points? I know there are minimums through Disney but not sure about buying resale. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Swayhoover90]

You can join DVC with a 50 point contract through resale. Your scenario should work fine if you are mindful of a few things.

1. You can stay in a studio every other year if you stay during Adventure or Choice seasons. You will need to purchase/transfer/rent 3-5 points to make up for your point shortage if you plan on a one week stay.

2. Realize that points may and probably will be reallocated through the course of your contract. So 100 pts may not get you the same stay in the future.

3. Realize also that BLT is one of the highest resorts in regards to the amount of points required for a stay. A the 7 month mark all resorts become open to you based on availability. Those 100 pts will easily get you more nights at other resorts in the right seasons.

 

[KBazzel]

This is exactly what we've done. We just bought 60 AKV points. Our plan is to bank and borrow to use them every 2 or 3 years. We love Disney but we know that we will also want to vacation at other places over the years. My girls love Disney but they also enjoy going to the beach and the mountains. This offered us the chance to get our feet wet and try out DVC (and I'll admit that I already have addonitis but I'm telling myself in a couple years maybe I can buy some points at BCV).

Kira

 

[Sandisw]

That is how we started out as well. We bought VWL to start (50 points) and then added on at BLT.

We ended up selling VWL because we realized we just wanted to own BLT, but it was a great way to get in and start with a small contract.

Plus, once we were members, the points we added on at BLT were a bit cheaper because we qualified for the discounts with smaller contracts.

During the late Spring/early Summer, they were allowing new buyers in with only 50 points through Disney. I don't know if this is still an option but if you know you want BLT, I would at least check to see if you can get it through Disney.

The price might be a bit more, but many of the smaller BLT contracts available via resale seem to be stripped of points until 2012. If you buy direct with Disney, you will start out with 2010 UY points.

Plus, you could end get the UY that fits your travel as ideally, having a UY that falls right before you may typically travel offers you the most flexibility in terms of what to do with points from a cancellation or a change.

In your case, for fall trips, I would probably look for a Sept UY. And, if you buy through Disney and have a Disney Visa, you can put the contract on that and get 6 months, 0% interest.

We just did our newest 30 point add on this way. Instead of having to send the money right now, we get to hold on to it for half the year.

Good luck!

 

[Laurief3]

I would just like to add; I found out this week small packages are easier to sell. If you decide that this is not working out for you you would be able to sell a 50 point package for more than a larger one. People look to add on.

Laurie

 

[vicki_c]

I would just like to add; I found out this week small packages are easier to sell. If you decide that this is not working out for you you would be able to sell a 50 point package for more than a larger one. People look to add on.

Laurie

Hope you're not the person trying to sell 2000 points at OKW on dvcbyresale. Wow - $50 per point - $100K.

Will that ever sell?

 

[ToddyLu]

I think it would sell to a corporation of some kind--or maybe someone looking to snowbird in Orlando. Dang that could get me 2 months at AKV almost.

 

[kerri0616]

I think your idea is perfect...just wish I could convince my husband.

Don't forget that if you are 24 or fewer points short for a vacation, you can "rent" them directly from Disney. I cannot remember the fee per point, but I think it's around $15pp. (So, if you needed 3 points, it would be around $45 to make your stay last 1 week.)

K

 

[palaemon]

Don't forget that if you are 24 or fewer points short for a vacation, you can "rent" them directly from Disney. I cannot remember the fee per point, but I think it's around $15pp. (So, if you needed 3 points, it would be around $45 to make your stay last 1 week.)

K

Unfortunately, that 24-point rental from Disney can only be used once per UY and only at the 7-month window.

 

[adminjedi]

Hope you're not the person trying to sell 2000 points at OKW on dvcbyresale. Wow - $50 per point - $100K.
Will that ever sell?

Gee, that is tempting to make a low ball offer and see if it passes ROFR! Then it would pay to use points on DCL!

 

[Dean]

That does make sense in general terms. I'd suggest you buy a cushion of extra points, around 20% in this situation, and suggest you consider other resorts which will be cheaper up front. I don't expect the maint fee spread to last long term, at least not at the level it is now.

 

[tinker&belle]

Hi Op...wanted to subscribe since we are looking at doing the same thing.

 

[ToddyLu]

So OP what has been your travel pattern to Disney thus far? Do you usually stay in Values, Mods or Deluxe? My DH didn't complain or have any negative comments about DVC after our first stay in a Villa. Although my DH does like to visit Disney yearly--he was happy staying at Values. DVC changed all that and turned my DH into a resort snob.

 

[Sandisw]

Gee, that is tempting to make a low ball offer and see if it passes ROFR! Then it would pay to use points on DCL!

Actually, when we went to the DVC member presentation at TOTWL in August, one of the ideas presented was to look into picking up what they called "network" points. Points at places that were selling for less but with the intention to use them outside DVC, like cruises.

They even mentioned buying OKW from Disney at $90.00/ppt to do this. It was an interesting idea to be presenting to members.

 

[SabresFan]

Hope you're not the person trying to sell 2000 points at OKW on dvcbyresale. Wow - $50 per point - $100K.

Will that ever sell?

If I ever win the Lotto, that contract will sell 24 hours later.

 

[PoohNFriends]

Our 2nd contract is at VGC for only 50 points. At this time we don't think we will be going to DL more than every 2-3 years so it will work well for now. But if you are just looking to try DVC, I would consider renting points to see what staying at BLT is like. Even rent points a couple different times to try out other resorts. That way you don't put the time and money into a contract to find out it doesn't work well for your family.

 

[johnsbelt]

The small 50 pt contract is exactly what we are in the process of doing right now. I found one for BLT that was loaded, bid, accepted, and ROFR in 10 days! From what I've seen on the boards, that has to be a record (ROFR waived on the day you can resind per FL law). The seller was really great because they had their signed contract in before I did (it took me 2 days - DW was gone until Day 2).

The biggest piece of advise is to know what you want and what you want to pay for it and wait. Get on the mailing lists of the resellers and look at them the day they are received! Pounce on them, the day you see them if you are really interested!!!!! Small, loaded contracts go very quickly.

My timeline on the contract we are purchasing: I saw 2 listings I was interested in from a mailing on Thurs (8/26). Fri am (before going to work), noticed on their web site one of them was "sale pending". Called about the remaining one when they opened and made an offer. First offer was rejected. Re-submitted and accepted. Signed the emailed documents on Saturday. Scanned them and emailed them back Saturday afternoon. Called to make sure everything was in order Monday afternoon and was told it was already being sent to Disney for ROFR on Monday, 8/30. Received and email on Monday saying congratulations since Disney had waived ROFR. Now I'm waiting on the closing documents. I think that they may be delayed a few days since my deposit check hasn't even been cashed yet!

We will usually go down for 5 nights (su-th) in a studio every other year (85 pts for lake view). I will be looking for some additional points for a one time suprise for my wife (1 bedroom MK view) for our 25th anniv. a few years from now (I feel like I have add-on-itus already ).

Hope this helps,

John