NEED HELP DVC DECISION! Time is of the essence!

[rocketman1321]

Hello, I hope I am posting this in the right place. I am thinking about doing DVC. Given that my wife and I like to go to Disney at least once a year (more if we could), I think that DVC is right for us. I have crunched the numbers and looked at all the options. Given the current specials, I believe that I would be purchasing 100 pts at SSR for $99/pt. We would also be able to have last years 100 pts and our UY is Sept.

So here is the situation. We are currently reserved at POR from March 12-19 and got a great deal. We will be there for 8 days with the dining package and got 50% off and will be paying about $1200. When we decided we were going to go in march, I started to put appropriate funds aside to pay for this vacation.

Now the problem...

I got a call a few days ago from DVC and they explained the current offer to me as listed above. I started thinking and the lady explained to me that if I were to buy in, I would be able to use my points for this trip in a week! She called and put a room on hold at SSR for the time we are going. I know this seems simple but hear me out. I have put asside enough money to pay for this vacation, not two vacations. So here it is, I have until tomorrow to decide if I want to do DVC OR stay with my current reservations. Although the DVC is a little bit more, about 350 with dining package, I am prepared to put the funds out for this. I am worried about just throwing the 1200 at this trip I am scheduled for and not seeing any return on it. The reason I am worried is because when I really think about it, I would rather own at AKV than SSR. However, we both did like SSR a lot but I am thinking that down the road I am going to be more interested in AKV (ie. when we have kids).

Someone please just tell me what to do! I cant keep on going back and forth, it is driving me nuts! Thanks for any help!

 

[backyardponder]

Hello, I hope I am posting this in the right place. I am thinking about doing DVC. Given that my wife and I like to go to Disney at least once a year (more if we could), I think that DVC is right for us. I have crunched the numbers and looked at all the options. Given the current specials, I believe that I would be purchasing 100 pts at SSR for $99/pt. We would also be able to have last years 100 pts and our UY is Sept.

So here is the situation. We are currently reserved at POR from March 12-19 and got a great deal. We will be there for 8 days with the dining package and got 50% off and will be paying about $1200. When we decided we were going to go in march, I started to put appropriate funds aside to pay for this vacation.

Now the problem...

I got a call a few days ago from DVC and they explained the current offer to me as listed above. I started thinking and the lady explained to me that if I were to buy in, I would be able to use my points for this trip in a week! She called and put a room on hold at SSR for the time we are going. I know this seems simple but hear me out. I have put asside enough money to pay for this vacation, not two vacations. So here it is, I have until tomorrow to decide if I want to do DVC OR stay with my current reservations. Although the DVC is a little bit more, about 350 with dining package, I am prepared to put the funds out for this. I am worried about just throwing the 1200 at this trip I am scheduled for and not seeing any return on it. The reason I am worried is because when I really think about it, I would rather own at AKV than SSR. However, we both did like SSR a lot but I am thinking that down the road I am going to be more interested in AKV (ie. when we have kids).

Someone please just tell me what to do! I cant keep on going back and forth, it is driving me nuts! Thanks for any help!

First of all, welcome to the boards.

Nobody can tell you what to do. It sounds like you have a lot of thoughts going on in your mind. $99 per point for a resort you may not want doesn't sound like a good idea to me. You should buy at the resort you really want to stay at.

Are you aware that resale prices for SSR appear to be $65 per point? If you haven't looked at resale, I'd suggest you check out the web site of these boards' sponsor, TSS. There's also other resale companies out there that specialize in DVC.

Take a breath...don't jump into something you might regret. You sound young...you have time. Make sure you can afford this in the long run as well. 100 points will cost you about $500 per year in dues.

Good luck with your decision.

John

 

[Sandisw]

If I were you, I would buy AKV if that is where you really want to own. Even if this trip ends up at SSR (due to availability), you would be able to book AKV the next time around since you will have time.

We went through this when we bought and decided it was worth buying BLT, even though we could have bought SSR on the resale market for about $5000 less. In the end, we realized that spending a few hundred extra per year (over the course of the contract) was well worth owning the resort we knew we would love.

I don't know how much more AKV is through Disney, but I would think not enough of a difference to make me choose a resort I didn't want.

Now, here is something else to throw at you. AKV can be bought on the resale market for the high 70's, low 80's. You could probably get an AKV contract this way for less than what you will pay Disney for SSR. So, even if you end up still going on cash, what you would save going resale over direct could make it worth it. For example, if you buy AKV 100 points and up paying $85/ppt. That is around $8500. Even adding in the $1200 for the cash reservation you currently have, it puts it under the $9900 you are spending to buy SSR direct.

Of course, you may have to wait to find a contract you like, but if you are going in March and don't plan to go to Disney for at least another year, you have time to find yourself a great deal via resale. Now, if you don't want to do resale and just want to go direct, then I would spend the extra few thousand and get myself my first choice resort.

Good luck!

 

[dbs1228]

Before you decide to buy look at resale and weigh out your options! SSR is selling for 60.00 a point and some contracts through Fidelty, TSS and others are loaded. I called on a 120 point contract today 62.50 a point (negotiable of course) and another 150 point contract with all 2010 points for 68.00.

There are also many contracts at AKL selling in the low 80.00's that have loaded contracts! Buy where you want to stay, trust me you will want that 11 month booking window if not now sometime down the road for those special vacations! We bought BLT and paid a premium because when we travel with our teens we WANT to be there, bought SSR points (resale) when we travel without kids or with friends and we are flexible where we stay.

Sandisw is correct you could buy resale now or later, pay for your cash ressie and still SAVE money.

 

[DisDad07]

I have always heard Buy where you what to stay. I own at AK and OKW, and have stayed at SSR and BCV and will be at BLT in July. All the resorts are nice in their own way. Some you can walk to the parks, some you can take boats, and others you just have to use the bus. AK is heavily themed but its like a whole different world. You can buy resale and same money, but you will not get the points in time for your March vacation. If you buy through DVC, you will have to decide how many points you will need. Each resort has different points for the type of room you want and the season you wish to stay. Good Luck.

 

[mjc2003]

As several others have already said, you could buy AKV in the $75 range via resale (I think the last few sales to go through were around $75), or SSR for $60ish. This means you would close after your trip, so you'd pay cash for your current trip; but the current trip plus the resale savings would still come out to less than the $9900.
Plus, since your trip is so soon you could theoretically go down and do another run through both locations to confirm your decision.

One seemingly inarguable consensus among DVC vets is, "Buy where you want to stay". Don't settle. It sounds as if you are buying SSR simply b/c of the price. If so, I think most would tell you to reconsider.

 

[rocketman1321]

So I have to say, the responses are so much help! I appreciate everyone giving me thier input for sure! As far as resale goes, I would love to buy resale however, I would have to wait for about a month to save up for the downpayment and then find a place to finance and all that. By the time I was ready to buy resale disney will be putting in new restrictions on resale and that is something that I have to consider. I would not even think twice about it if Disney was not being so crappy about the resale market. I wish this was not the case.
So I would either be buying SSR for $990 down or I would buy AKV for $1200 down which cuts into the vacation allotment a bit more and the payments and such are about $20 more a month (I know thats not much). I am just thinking that why would I pay more to vacation at disney when I could book at AKV with SSR as home resort? Is it really impossible to get booked outside of Home resort at the 7 month mark?

 

[Kidanifan08]

I agree with others -- you should own where you want to stay. The 11-month booking window is important, especially for the busier times of the year. We own at Kidani, and love it. We have stayed at SSR, which was bery nice, but the style of the resort was not for us. Since you will be there soon, take a half of a day to check out some of the DVC resorts taht you are interested in. You can tour models of Kidani and BLT at the DVC sales center, and I suspect you could get a tour of any of the other resorts if you asked. For us, as appealing as the location of BLT is, the style of the rooms was not for us. Without seeing the rooms, I might have naturally chosen BLT based on the location. You really should see before you buy.

The other important thing to do is to really study the points charts closely. You should make sure that the number of points you purchase is going to meet your needs for at least the next 10-15 years. If having a family is in the plans, you may need a larger room and more points for the vacations you plan in the future. 100 points may only get you into a studio during most of the year, and those rooms need to be booked far in advance, since there are limited numbers and they book up fast.

You really got a great deal on the POR trip that you have planned! I would go and check things out and be happy that you get a whole week at WDW for $1200 (with food!!).

 

[dbs1228]

I know the TSS does offer financing, I little bit higher then the "preferred rate" DVC offers but check it out. There are a lot of people on the boards that say they have never had a problem booking at 7 months, but there are certain times that can be difficult. Circumstances do change your travel habits and DVC can always change the perks and only allow you to book at your home resort. Doubtful IMO.

My only advise to you at this point do not buy on impulse or under pressure! Go with your gut, and good luck with your decision! DVC will be there and the more research you do the better off you will be.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you were getting the dining plan at POR, your price also included tickets. You wouldn't have any tickets with DVC and you would have to purchase those.

 

[rocketman1321]

Ok so I think I have figured it out. We are going to buy 100pts. at SSR and use it on our vacation and all that jazz. We will be growing as a family some day (within the next 5 years) and in order to take care of the AKV issue, I can buy resale AKV for a great price and since we would use the AKV points only to stay at AKV then it would not matter if Disney restricts us to only Disney resorts! I think this works pretty good in my opinion. That way I am not just throwing 1200 out the door and actually applying it towards my disney ownership! I think this is a good plan. Any ideas?

 

[tidefan]

rocketman,

I think you have a good strategy, as you have a manageable entry point of 100 points. Resale will be of great savings, however, so you should consider that. Now, that being said, you may use your 100 direct points for Disney Collection, so if you add on the future via resale, you can just bank and borrow your direct points for anything in that collection and use the resale points for DVC stays.

As to the "buy where you want to stay" argument. I think that is in the eye of the beholder. Something I have seen quite a bit around here is "buy where you wouldn't mind staying", which, for us, is at any of the DVCs. We own at SSR, but usually stay at OKW to save points (though we prefer SSR slightly). Our favorite stay, however, was in a Treehouse, which you will have 11 months access to at SSR. Personally, I'd like to try all of the locations one day, but I don't have my heart particularly set on one or the other, YMMV. Some folks have to be at a certain resort for a certain time. If you fall into that category, then you definitely should buy "where you want to stay". However, if you don't, I say it makes most sense to purchase the cheapest points, b/c at that point, points are the same regardless of location...

 

[mjc2003]

So I have to say, the responses are so much help! I appreciate everyone giving me thier input for sure! As far as resale goes, I would love to buy resale however, I would have to wait for about a month to save up for the downpayment and then find a place to finance and all that. By the time I was ready to buy resale disney will be putting in new restrictions on resale and that is something that I have to consider.

Financing is a piece of cake, and all the resale vendors provide financing options. Also, did you look at when you actually have to make the initial payment on a resale contract? I know you have to make an initial deposit, but I don't think the actual down payment is due until closing, which could be 2 months away. I'd check on that.
You are talking about a considerable savings. Rushing to do this now is clearly going to cost you money, make sure you don't act impulsively. Doing this to save on this years vacation is saving you $1200; but you are spending more than twice that amount on the direct purchase vs resale. The same exact contract could be had on the resale market for 35% less.

I sense that your lack of flexibility revolves around not having money available besides the $1200 you have set aside for the vacation. Don't assume that the other option won't work just b/c it's a little more legwork. If it's going to save you potentially several thousand dollars, it should be worth the time.

Just my thoughts. Good luck.

 

[Ericandjenng]

We bought BLT when we finally bought in. Direct during a trip. Relatively easy process. Then we decided to add-on. Although I looked through the resales, we went ahead and went direct. I wanted something specific (100 points in 2-50 point contracts) at a different resort with a different UY and it's just so easy.

I called my guide (talked with her associate) on a Monday, called MS the same week either late Tues or Wed (I can't remember) and banked our new points from 2010 into 2011 (it was past the 4 month mark) and then was picked up and taken to the Sales Office on that Saturday when we arrived for our recent trip to sign the papers. I checked everything online today and everything is set-up just like it is supposed to be so we've closed on our add-on. Oh, and yesterday (because we're not going back this year--thinking about a cruise) I called and booked a trip for a rental. Could have booked it before then but waiting on the 7 month window for a particular resort.

About booking without the 11-month mark...a friend wanted a last minute 2 night stay at AKL for this past weekend. She got in touch with me about 5 weeks before then. Because it was a marathon weekend, I could only definitely get her booked at SSR for one of the nights. I did two waitlists: 1 for the 2nd night at SSR and the other for both nights at AKL. Because it was getting to that 30 day mark, in just days the waitlist for AKL came through.

Honestly, unless you want the Value studio or Club-level at AKL, it seems to be fairly easy to get into. Kidani Village is a large resort.

BTW--I've already got addonitis again. I want another 100 points this time at SSR and then another 100 points at OKW unless they build another new one that I just can't do without. DH just laughs.

 

[CMOORE185]

The only thing I would say, is if you purchase SSR direct make sure you are in for the long haul. SSR does not hold its resale value in the secondary market, and it could get worse come March 20th. If you think you may sell somewhere down the line BLT is the best deal, or BCV resale. If you could work out SSR resale than it is a good deal, especially if you have no great preference in any particular resort. Good luck whatever your decision!

 

[JimMIA]

I think the first thing you need to do is get completely out of the "...TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!!! " mindset.

That is the classic timeshare buyers sucker bet.

Time is NOT of the essence unless you want to purchase a resale with full benefits prior to March 20. And even then, you have plenty of time to do your homework carefully and make a thoughtful decision.

Don't be rushed.

 

[a742246]

My advice.
Go on your POR vacation. Tour all the DVC resorts while there. Look into dvc resales when you come back.

The deal that you got with the dining plan and POR room was a very good deal! Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Lynne M]

I think the first thing you need to do is get completely out of the "...TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!!! " mindset.

That is the classic timeshare buyers sucker bet.

Time is NOT of the essence unless you want to purchase a resale with full benefits prior to March 20. And even then, you have plenty of time to do your homework carefully and make a thoughtful decision.

Don't be rushed.

This.

Jim just gave you the best advice you'll get all day.

Just the title of your message set off alarm bells.....this board is littered with unhappy, frustrated members who felt rushed into a purchase, or who bought without taking the time to fully understand DVC and whether it would work for them, or who chose their home resort because it was cheap or they could get a contract quickly.

DVC will be around for a long time. Take your POR trip, explore the DVC resorts while you're there. Do lots of reading on these boards and elsewhere. Don't spend thousands of dollars on something (and worse, finance something) that you're going to have for the next 30-40 years, and lock yourself into a resort that you really don't like.

So I would either be buying SSR for $990 down or I would buy AKV for $1200 down which cuts into the vacation allotment a bit more and the payments and such are about $20 more a month (I know thats not much). I am just thinking that why would I pay more to vacation at disney when I could book at AKV with SSR as home resort? Is it really impossible to get booked outside of Home resort at the 7 month mark?

Depending on the time of year, yes, it can be difficult to get something outside of your home resort at 7 months. If you like to travel between Thanksgiving and the end of the year, very difficult.

You're talking about a $210 difference in downpayment, and a $20/month difference in payments. Holy cow, I spend more than that on a rental car for one WDW trip. That's nothing compared to the tens of thousands of dollars you will be spending on DVC over the life of the contract. I think it's certainly worth that much to get the resort you really want.

 

[FindingFigment]

If it were me, I would keep the existing reservation especially since you'll take a $200 hit for cancelling. Take the advice above and stay at POR and tour all of the resorts.

I do like your idea though of buying SSR now since it's more affordable and AKV later as your needs grow. But on the other hand, the value rooms at AKV are a great bargain so you would more than make up for any price difference over the years if you chose to utilize that option.

But my biggest concern is the rush. Almost everyone who rushes into a big financial decision takes a big risk of regretting their decision. Now, if you were booked at Deluxe resorts paying full rack rate, I would say DEFINITELY by DVC today because you would save a ton of money in the long run. But $1200 for a package deal at Disney is really marginal and would give you the time you need to make a decision based on facts instead of adrenaline.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[FindingFigment]

duplicate post