Need Help!

[wilki32]

This will be our 5th trip to WDW and definately won't be our last! We have seen the DVC stands, adverts on the websites and this discussion forum. I know there are pages that you can read why you should join DVC but I would rather someone who is in it to tell me why this is a good idea.
I know absolutely nothing about it, I see rental points? So please explain it if you could in simple terms.
We go, as you can see the ticker , next Tuesday and would probably like to make an informed descision.
Thanks in anticipation

 

[jjpenguin]

Hi there,

I recommend you check out the FAQ which is on the US DVC forum.

Basically it is a timeshare, but with points, not weeks. You buy a number of points (minimum is 150 I think) and you can use them as you wish, so you can have a small unit for 2 for 2 weeks or a larger 1 br unit for a week...for example.

The recommendation everyone on the US boards has is to only use it if you go to Disney at least once every 2 years, I think we over here in Europe are more into the idea of exchanging and going other places once in a while!

We bought a resale of 220 points 5 years ago and have now recouped our initial investment (have been to Disney 5 years for about 2 weeks each year staying in 1br villa's and studio's, to pay cash for the same accomodation would have cost us the same as our investment) so now we are just paying maintenance costs! Which for us are about $850 a year.

For us it is a way of getting premium accomodation for a budget price. And once you've stayed in a 1 br appartment with Jacuzzi - on site.. you don't want to go back.
We have also used our points at Vero Beach, Hilton Head and Disneyland and Disneyland Paris.
I'm going to send my cousin to Disneyworld as a wedding present using points and last year I did an impromptu solo trip using points. Just cost me the airfare and some spending money.

Have a great holiday, go to one of the stands and book a tour (it's not a hard sell I understand) and go and read the US DVC boards!

Aruna

 

[wilki32]

Thanks Aruna
So I take it points mean prizes, I will have another look at the FAQs but I have the attention spell of a knat!

 

[mark&sue]

Do the tour of Saratoga Springs. We did it and bought there and then.

We bought a year ago and have not stopped smiling


Susan

 

[susieh]

short description from my perspective:-

You buy points (we bought 220 initially)
You get that number at the start of every year (our use-year is April so we get a new 220 point allocation each April)
You can use them from April 1st to March 31st of that use year
You can bank them to use the following year
You can borrow from the year ahead
You can only book to stay from 11months before yr check out date (home resort) or 7 months (other DVC resorts)
The points have to be available at the time of your stay not when you book (eg i have booked for June 2006 and have used my 2006 and 2007 points to do so)
The number of points needed depends on time of year, days of the week and size of accommodation
Once you have paid for your one-off purchase there is an additional annual maintenance cost (for us it was about £500 this year) which is paid in January

Hope this helps

 

[wilki32]

I think it will be a good idea to have a chat with the people but how many points do you use on average for the holiday?

 

[Miffy2003]

It really varies, Anthony (sorry I know that doesn't help much!) depending on when you travel and what size accommodation you use, and whether you stay for weekends or check out to conserve points.

Best thing to do is to check out Caskbill's planner which breaks out all the point costs per resort & accommodation size. If you can't find it by doing a search I'll look it out for you

Last trip we used 232 points for 12 nights in a studio at BWV & 5 nights in a studio at SSR. We checked out for one weekend to save points and stayed at AKL. This was in August when the points costs are in the middle, cost wise.

 

[Bexx]

Here's the link to Caskbill's planner - it's a very useful program and great fun too. And the FAQ that got me drawn into this whole DVC business is here!!!

Our home resort is Old Key West - the biggest villas for the lowest points!!! But you can't buy this resort from Disney, only resale - but that's not a big hassle if you definitely want to stay at a certain resort.

I'm so happy I bought into DVC - we had a wonderful visit to OKW last February. The accomodation (there and at the other DVC resorts) is fabulous, and if you stay in a one or two bedroom villa you have every convenience you could ever need, and you're "living" on Disney property!!!

 

[wilki32]

Thanks again
I suppose the decision is how many times I think we'll come to Disney over the next few years. I take it everyone here feels its good value otherwise you wouldn't have bought into it, I think it looks expensive as a one off cost but then I guess the saving is made over the years.
Thanks for the links Bexx that was good but I really need to get to know the abreviations for the hotels.
Miffy that sounded like a fantastic holiday.

 

[Bexx]

These are the abbreviations used on the DIS

OKW is Old Key West
BWV is Boardwalk Villas
VWL is Villas at Wilderness Lodge
BCV is Beach Club Villas
SSR is Saratoga Springs (Resort?)

and the offsite resorts are - VB for Vero Beach and HHI for Hilton Head Island (I think)!!

 

[wilki32]

Thanks Bexx
Worked out one of them but felt a bit stupid asking! Only just learnt the abr. for the parks