Need Direction

[Dori's Twin]

Where is the best place to post questions I have regarding DVC ownership?
I tried a search under "pro's and con's" in this forum and haven't had any results.

We are a family of 5. DH would like to own and we're considering a resale at BWV or BC with 300 points. We need a 2BR villa since my kids are older and we can only visit WDW during the peak seasons. I have a current point chart and that isn't enough points for your typical spring break time frame. During these busy times we like to stay longer, at least a 6/7 night stay.

DH thinks we should visit WDW every other year and use the points at the other vacation spots in the program.

I get the feeling it's hard to book during peak seasons, and our 300 points will not be enough should we want to use them outside of WDW. Our problem is we need two hotel rooms wherever we stay.

Any suggestions as to how to figure out if DVC is right for us? I have all the information from DVC and understand the basics, but that doesn't seem to be helping.

DT

 

[browniemtb]

All good questions. First off BWV and BC are great resorts. 300 points is a fare amount and when banked/borrowed can get you the vacation you expect. The other thing is that you may want to look at a 1 bedroom and studio or two studios when you travel with you older children. Point wise I think this may be less then a 2 bedroom at peak times. Using points outside of the DVC system, as some will say, not a good value for your points. But we bought in not only for Disney but also the ability to trade. We figure we own the points so why not use them. As far as booking, at your home resort you can book at 11 months out. So if you plan ahead there really shouldn't be a major problem getting what you would like at your home resort. 7 months in can be tricky during the busy times. The general rule of thumb for owning is.....buy where you want to stay, plan ahead, DVC is great if you travel to WDW every year, every other year, and in some cases every third year. Third year in your possible purchase gives you 900 points to use by banking and borrowing. Good luck....
Brownie

 

[TenThousandVolts]

If you plan on going to WDW every other year- I suggest buying half the number of points you need for each trip and with banking you will have the right amount.

Using your DVC points for other desinations can be difficult to do (especially at Spring Break at peak times). Also generally won't get a big bang for your buck using your points that way.

Good luck!

 

[Dori's Twin]

Brownie: Interesting point you make.
It didn't regester that I could book 2 studio's.

Therefore, according to the point chart, two studio rooms during a "Premier" stay is 312 points. Which means I would need to skip a year or borrow 12 points.

If I skip a year, then I have 600 points to work with and I could then reserve the 2BR suite (426) and apply the balance to the next year.

It looks like we would have to skip a year in order to bank enough points for the accomodations we are accustomed to.

I appreciate the response and hope my inquiry's aren't too annoying.

DT

 

[Dori's Twin]

I've read that using your points outside of WDW isn't the best way to use points. How do I run some scenario's to see for myself?

Ten: Yes, it would make sense to purchase less points and skip a year. I could purchase 250 points as opposed to 300 and save some $.

Bottom line: DVC members don't really use their points to go to Australia, Africa, Mexico, etc....? The brochure makes it sound like it's very feasible to use points effectively towards these alternate destinations.

Thanks for the input.
DT

 

[tomandrobin]

Your point usage numbers are dead on for Spring Break week, which is the week before and after Easter each year. Those two weeks and Christmas thru New Years week are the most expensive, point wise. If you were going during the summer, when kids are out of school, the studio is 111 and the 2 bedroom is 306 for the week.

If you are going every other year, buy only enough points for that usage. Its always easier to add more points. Also, try to buy smaller point packages, they are easier to resell later if you no longer want to be members. As stated above, the best use for DVC points is at Disney. You can use them for other trips, but I would not use them 50% of the time to trade outside of Disney.

 

[browniemtb]

I've read that using your points outside of WDW isn't the best way to use points. How do I run some scenario's to see for myself?

Ten: Yes, it would make sense to purchase less points and skip a year. I could purchase 250 points as opposed to 300 and save some $.

Bottom line: DVC members don't really use their points to go to Australia, Africa, Mexico, etc....? The brochure makes it sound like it's very feasible to use points effectively towards these alternate destinations.

Thanks for the input.
DT

Some trades, according to the book, are worthy. For instance there are some resorts all over the world that only require 270 points for a week stay in a two bedroom or was it a one bedroom. I believe this is part of the World Passport Collection. To me, that is a fair trade. Just sit down and think how you may travel, then buy what you feel you may use in points that is how we did it.

Never feel posting questions is a bother. This sight and the owners that post are very helpful.

Brownie

 

[chalee94]

Bottom line: DVC members don't really use their points to go to Australia, Africa, Mexico, etc....? The brochure makes it sound like it's very feasible to use points effectively towards these alternate destinations.

the "pros" will tell you that DVC maint fees are relatively high for a timeshare...so given your plans to go to disney every other year, it's probably a better deal financially to buy 1/2 the DVC points you need for those trips and find a cheaper timeshare for those other (nondisney) vacation years to trade for a mix of other destinations.

i'm not nearly expert enough to recommend whether DVC (or another timeshare) would make a better trader for spring break vacations, but that's the general rule. (it may also be more of a hassle to keep track of 2 separate timeshares than the financial savings are worth to you...as always, YMMV.)

 

[TenThousandVolts]

DVC members don't really use their points to go to Australia, Africa, Mexico, etc....?

No- DVC members really do trade out and use points this way- it is just that it seems that you have to be pretty flexible about where and when you want to travel. Since you need to travel during Spring break- you will need to be flexible with with resort and even which geographic destination you will accept. For example- you probably won't get the Westin in St. John for your week- but if you say- I will take anything in the Caribbean or Mexico- you will have a better chance- but still no guarantees.

Remember when trading to the World Passport collection- there is an exchange fee (currently $75 I think) and you will usually need to travel Saturday to Saturday.

Here is a link where you can browse locations:
http://disney.intervalworld.com/web/cs?a=5

 

[dianeschlicht]

Do you ever in the next 35-50 years see yourself traveling at a different time of year to WDW? IF the answer to that question is "yes", then I would look at the resort you wish to have as your home resort, and take the number of points you will need for a week in a 2 bedroom. Divide that number by 2, and buy that number of points. That will give you less maintenance fees, and enough points for a 2 bedroom stay every other year. As your children grow up, you will learn that your travel habits will likely change. Perhaps you will want to do Thanksgiving week, the week before school starts, or maybe your school has a fall teachers workshop break etc, etc. All of those might result in less points than that high season of Spring break. There are also other ways to conserve points. For example: Stay 6 nights instead of 7. You can still get a weeks worth of fun at WDW, but only have the point cost of one high point weekend night. You might also look at some of the other resorts. NExt time you visit, tour ALL of the DVC resorts. Some (like OKW, SSR and AKV) will have a smaller point requirement. Also remember that your points may be used at ANY DVC resort, no matter what your home resort is, at the 7 month booking window. That, of course, limits your options a bit, but is available.

 

[katdocnorf]

If you are not planning on going every year and just going every other. 300 should do very well. But you also need to ask yourself, "Would you use it for anything else besides going to Disney World?" i.e. Hilton Head Island, Vero Beach, Disney Cruise Line, DisneyLand. Also non-Disney places such as, Hawaii, Bahamas, The plaza in New York, and many more. If you may do anything else you may want to consider if possible getting about 400 point. I get 300 points a year and sometimes it does restrict me. I have a large family and I must get a 2 BR also.

Just to give you some options periodically also. This trip to save points we are staying at Wilderness Cabins for a week Peak Season. Wilderness Cabins sleeps 6. Points spent 240. Cabins are only 1BR but the Bedroom has 1 set of bunk beds and a queen bed. Living room has a murphy bed (Full size). Full kitchen, not a hotel room but a seperate cabin which is nice too. Don't have to worry about someone next to you making a lot of noise.... and it radiating through the walls, or above you, below you, etc.

 

[ZekeKelso]

One of the great things about DVC is the flexibility. There are a few different ways to use that flexibility to stretch points. For example

Instread of a week, stay six nights (either Sat-Fri or Sun-Sat). Knocking out one weekend night really brings the point total down.

Borrow points from the next year. So in 2007, spend 300 2007 points + 50 borrowed 2008 points. In 2008, spend 250 2008 points + 100 borrowed 2009 points. In 2009, spend 200 2009 points + 150 borrowed 2010 points, etc. With 300 points, you can spend 350 points each year, so long as you take 1 out of 7 years off.

 

[mello]

One possibility to consider might be to get enough points for 5-6 nts in a 2br every other year, and then use banking or borrowing, since you're thinking of going every other year anyway. That's what we did - bought 160 pts with the intention of using them every other year or even every 3 years for a bit longer trip. (Of course, we've since added on, but that's another matter lol).

 

[Dori's Twin]

Thanks for the helpful replies.

My family is in a period of change as far as flexibility for family vacations. One is starting a job (my WDW fanatic.) Another is just starting college, and my youngest is in Jr. high. Our habit has been to avoid WDW at peak seasons but that isn't going to be easily accomplished any longer. I personally can't handle the summer heat so summer visits are out. Leaving March and Christmas break the only time to visit which happen to be the most crowded and expensive times to travel.

I'm wondering whether it is difficult to book the exchange locations due to some comments I have read. If I can't easily make a ressie for Turks and Caicos then I don't think this is going to work for me.

I thought I had a solution. Take some of the kids for a long weekend to WDW and then do a whole family trip to some of the other locals that require 270 points. I think my college aged son wouldn't mind if we went without him to WDW as long as he can go on another trip. Does this sound nuts? I wouldn't need a 2br for WDW and then I would have enough points for a family vacation somewhere else. But we would not be happy if the hotel selections offered were not at least 4 star accommodations. I don't mean to sound snobbish, I just enjoy a little luxury when on vacation.

With all this said, I get the feeling I'm not approaching this in the correct manner or maybe it's just not a good fit for us.

Again, thanks for the responses.

DT

 

[rinkwide]

...If I can't easily make a ressie for Turks and Caicos...

We wanted to exchange there too but when our request came back all we could get was Bert's on the Pecos (which turned out to be a lovely timeshare near Amarillo).

It's best to only buy DVC points for DVC stays.

 

[Dori's Twin]

Hello again:

Could someone kindly explain to me exactly why exchanging or trading for other locations isn't the best way to use points?

I searched "exchange" and read over and over that it's not the best way to use points, but no explanation that makes sense to me at this point.

My guess is that if I use 270 DVC points at $92/pt for a 2br in Aruba, I've spent $2484.00. What the brochure doesn't tell me is how many nights a 1-week stay is. If 6 nights, that's $414 a night for 2br. If it's actually 7 nights, then the rate is $354.85/night. I did a rate check at the Mariott in Aruba and a 2br in a peak season was quoted at $800/night. If I did this right, then it's a good deal to exchange. Is this how you figure this out?

Hope someone can shine some light on this for me.

Thank you!
DT

 

[RobDoc]

Hello again:

Could someone kindly explain to me exactly why exchanging or trading for other locations isn't the best way to use points?

I searched "exchange" and read over and over that it's not the best way to use points, but no explanation that makes sense to me at this point.

My guess is that if I use 270 DVC points at $92/pt for a 2br in Aruba, I've spent $2484.00. What the brochure doesn't tell me is how many nights a 1-week stay is. If 6 nights, that's $414 a night for 2br. If it's actually 7 nights, then the rate is $354.85/night. I did a rate check at the Mariott in Aruba and a 2br in a peak season was quoted at $800/night. If I did this right, then it's a good deal to exchange. Is this how you figure this out?

Hope someone can shine some light on this for me.

Thank you!
DT

Maybe a better way to state it would be - the best use of DVC points is at DVC resorts - but regardless, the comment is often in the eye of the beholder since many here do find good value in using points for non-DVC options.

However, the example you used above is flawed. 270 DVC points at $92 would be $24,840 - not $2484. ... BUT the purchase price ($92) is only a one-time cost. You will get 270 points annually when your Use Year begins as long as you pay your annual maintenance fee - typically in the $4-5 range at this time.

A "week" is seven days - whether it's at a DVC resort or used in an exchange.

If you look at the point costs needed to stay at other WDW resorts, you will generally find that you could stay in a 1BR DVC villa for about the same cost as a moderate resort room. Using the World Passport Collection is fine, but availability is not always there and many have found that they need to use ongoing searches for up to 2 years and even then may not find exactly what they are looking for.

If your primary interest is exchanging to other locations, there are less costly timeshares - both for purchase and for annual fees - which can accomplish the same objective. If you will be going to WDW at least every other year, DVC can be a cost effective way to enjoy nice accommodations - but if you want to travel to other destinations there are less costly ways to accomplish that goal.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Dori's Twin]

Doc:
Thanks for pointing out my flawed calculation, even though it clearly highlights how challenged I am in figuring this thing out.

I've got more work to do.

DT

 

[Deb & Bill]

Someone mentioned getting two studios. Studios never connect and they could be on different floors or far from each other. A one bedroom and a studio usually require more points than a two bedroom, so you aren't saving anything there. And, again, there is no guarantee that they would connect or be near each other.

With two studios, you are basically getting two hotel rooms with a queen sized bed and a double sleeper sofa. No washer/dryer in the room, no full sized kitchen.

And, as several have mentioned (including rinkwide - but he peppers his comments with TONS of sarcasm and humor - BEWARE ), you get the best use of your points at DVC resorts. When you trade out, you are putting your points in a big pot and seeing if someone who has a location that you want, wants yours at about the same time. So it could be hit or miss and could require a lot of lead time.

DVC requires a lot of planning as short, spur of the moment trips may not happen. They do occasionally, but most of the time, that member just got lucky.

Good luck on making a decision.

 

[flyerron]

I agree with rinkwide. Buy where you want to stay!! That is true for any timeshare purchase but maybe a bit more important at DVC. Trading may seem like a great deal but it is a pain to do with all kinds of uncertainty & waiting to get what you want & maybe not getting it. At DVC when trding into other DVC resorts other than your home maybe tough at times but you will probably get into something on the property.