need info/advice on purchase ASAP, thanks

[jvincent16]

Hello, new member here. just returned from disneyland and attended a DVC meeting/tour. currently we are being offered a membership at SSR for the going rate of $101/point, $4.12/point annual dues for 07, 10%down, 10.75%APR fixed, 1098form if financed through them, 1500.00 dollars towards down payment as current promotion and two premium annual passports (359 value). we have untill wed. midnight to buy with current promotion. my questions to all of you:

1) is this a good deal or should i buy used? i know non DVC "timeshares" depreciate alot after purchase which makes for extrememly cheap used timeshares for buyers in my position. do DVC memberships also depreciate alot and where can i find a reputable dealer/broker?
2) are there any advantages to buying new besides being able to take advantage of the full 47years, and the 1098 tax benefit?
3) any cons towards owning a DVC verses a non DVC membership "timeshare."
4) how hard is it to resell if we decide it is not for us and again, how much would we lose from depreciation?
5) can we sell points, where/how and if we can, how hard is it to sell points?
ANY AND ALL INFO very much appreciated!! thanks to all that reply and if you would like to add anything else about a purchase or just your experience with your DVC membership I would love to hear it. THANKS AGAIN!!!!!

 

[boysmom5150]

Let my start by saying I dont know much --but we bought VWL as a resale as we didnt want SSR which was all DVC was offering at the time we purchased. (DVC didnt have any points at VWL for the use year we wanted). We purchased through timeshare store and everything was quick,easy,seamless.It couldnt have gone better. You can buy/sell through them-take a look at their website. You can rent points out and there is a board for that here. Good luck-for us it was a no-brainer but there is alot to consider.

 

[jvincent16]

thanks boysmom. can i ask why you didnt want SSR?

 

[vandy]

Hello, new member here. just returned from disneyland and attended a DVC meeting/tour. currently we are being offered a membership at SSR for the going rate of $101/point, $4.12/point annual dues for 07, 10%down, 10.75%APR fixed, 1098form if financed through them, 1500.00 dollars towards down payment as current promotion and two premium annual passports (359 value). we have untill wed. midnight to buy with current promotion. my questions to all of you:

1) is this a good deal or should i buy used? i know non DVC "timeshares" depreciate alot after purchase which makes for extrememly cheap used timeshares for buyers in my position. do DVC memberships also depreciate alot and where can i find a reputable dealer/broker?
2) are there any advantages to buying new besides being able to take advantage of the full 47years, and the 1098 tax benefit?
3) any cons towards owning a DVC verses a non DVC membership "timeshare."
4) how hard is it to resell if we decide it is not for us and again, how much would we lose from depreciation?
5) can we sell points, where/how and if we can, how hard is it to sell points?
ANY AND ALL INFO very much appreciated!! thanks to all that reply and if you would like to add anything else about a purchase or just your experience with your DVC membership I would love to hear it. THANKS AGAIN!!!!!

1. DVC timeshares have actually appreciated over time, but don't buy for that reason. Buy because you are going to use it. The economy changes and DVCs value is in the supply and demand. Plus, there will come a point they won't appreciate - when they get closer to their expiration year. As far as reputable brokers, you are on such a site, the Timeshare Store. Click on their banner to get their listings.
2. Buying through Disney gives you a faster close and you can actually make reservations right away with your guides help. Buying resale can take several weeks to close and need to pass Disneys ROFR (right of first refusal). Closing costs will be higher buying resale, but a lower price per point can easily offset that.
3. One con may be that it does cost more than some, but you get much more flexibility - any room, any time, any resort so long as you have the points.
4. What you get for resale will depend on how long you own the contract. With future development, SSR and AKV will likely appreciate as more people wish to buy DVC, but maybe not at the new resorts rate.
5. You can rent or transfer your points if you can't use them. Search this board for tons of info on that. I suggest if you purchase new through Disney, buy in multiple contracts such as one base 150 point SSR contract (soon to be 160 pt minimum on 3/5) and any additional 25 or 50 point add-ons. If you decide to sell some off in the future, then you can sell the smaller add-ons and not one big contract.

Each resort has its own ambiance. SSR is looked at as being farther away from the action and is a bigger resort. You can't walk to Epcot of Disney Studios like you can from BCV or BWV. DTD is the closest thing. Otherwise you need to take a bus or drive. That said, it tends to be quieter and laid back which is what appeals to me. Give me the action at the parks, but give me peace and relaxation at my home. Each resort will have its avid supporters and equally avid haters and you've found a good group of people who will give you their honest opinions on what they like or dislike.

 

[jvincent16]

thanks again vandy. what is your opinion on holding out for AKV? it sounds like it will be a very desirable location to vacation/stay. i ran accross a few posts where people are holding out to buy there instead of SSR. i have never been to WDW so your opinion is appreciated. we also like the busy parks/nightlife but then relaxation away from the park. any other input.
thanks!!!!!!!

 

[jvincent16]

also, where will the akv be located? will they also be farther away from the park like ssr?
thanks

 

[vandy]

thanks again vandy. what is your opinion on holding out for AKV? it sounds like it will be a very desirable location to vacation/stay. i ran accross a few posts where people are holding out to buy there instead of SSR. i have never been to WDW so your opinion is appreciated. we also like the busy parks/nightlife but then relaxation away from the park. any other input.
thanks!!!!!!!

AKV to me is a nice place to visit but.....well you know the rest. AKV will be neat, there is no doubt about it. It just doesn't excite me that much to own there. AKV will cost more per point, last I heard was $104. ALSO: the annual dues will be higher. I have seen $4.62 and $4.64 per point per year. SSR is $4.12. On a basic 160 pt contract that is only $80 more per year but AKV also runs the risk of higher increase with their own animals and savannah. I am sure DVC will try to keep it within close range to the others though.

One thing to think about is the time of year you go and how far you plan ahead. If you can make reservations 11 months in advance, and the resort you like is smaller and more popular so harder to ressie at, then you may want to buy there and have the 11 month window to make ressies. If you can't (like me) and a 7 month window is all you can hope to do, then buy at SSR or a resale and save on the purchase price and Maintenance Fees (dues).

 

[vandy]

also, where will the akv be located? will they also be farther away from the park like ssr?
thanks

They are converting the upper floors in the current regular AK resort to DVC now, and will start to build an addition onto the resort next. the resort is located right next to Animal Kingdom. AKV is next to AK, but away from everything else. There is a map link on the home page of this Disboard that can give you some insight.

I am a little leary of the fact you say you've never been to WDW. DVC is a big purchase and without having been to WDW, I don't know if you really have a grasp on how big this place is. The actual property is larger than many major cities! You may want to visit and take a tour first, and then if you like, look at resales or whatever the current incentive is.

 

[jvincent16]

thanks vandy. do you think it would be to my advantage to hold out for the akv? the current offer is 91/point for the ssr. the only reason i ask is because it seems like alot of people are excited about the akv. thanks again.

 

[jvincent16]

sorry. i just read your previous post. it seems like you had already answered my questions. one last thing. do you have any regrets? wish you would have bought into a different resort or a different company all together? also, have you traveled to a world passport collection hotel and how hard was it to book your reservations for your desired time?
thanks

 

[Chuck S]

Currently, there are two styles of DVC resorts at WDW. OKW and SSR are "condo" style resorts, large DVC resorts sort of a self-contained community. Peaceful and relatively quiet locations for WDW. There is convenient parking near your room, but they are light on Hotel amenities. No valet parking or room service meals. They do offer bell services for luggage, and all other WDW onsite perks, like resort delivery of park purchases, free theme park parking, bus service to the parks, etc.

BCV, VWL & BWV are "Hotel" style DVCs, basically an addition or wing to a freestanding WDW hotel, they do offer more of a "Hotel" feel. Parking is not convenient to your villa, but they do offer free valet parking, and room service dining is available.

It is really a matter of preference. Personally, we often drive to WDW, and I prefer the community theming of the condo style resorts. I don't miss room service, and like having convenient parking near my room.

I haven't heard the specifics of AKV, it may be some type of a hybrid, as some rooms will be in the existing lodge buildings, and others will be a new multistory freestanding structure. They will have full service restaurants, like all WDW DVCs but I don't think anyone has heard if room service or valet parking will be available, as parking will be part of the structure itself. The dues, so far, are higher at AKV compared to SSR.

If your the type of vacationer that likes to relax and enjoys a quiet moment in your room, SSR would be a good choice for you. If you like having something going on (think Vegas, sort of) then a hotel style or AKV would be a good choice.

BWV and BCV have a walking path to Epcot and MGM studios. VWL is connected to MK by boat. AKV will be connected by bus to all parks, like OWK and SSR. There will be no walking path to Animal Kingdom Park, just as there is no path to Animal Kingdom Park from the existing Animal Kingdom Lodge. AKV will be farther from EPCOT and MK than SSR.

Remember, WDW is roughly the size of Manhattan...huge in area compared to what you are used to at Disneyland.

 

[jvincent16]

thank you chuck. good info. if i go the disney route it looks like i will probably purchase ssr minimum of 150 through disney and then possibly some extra points at akv later on. the only question now is, do i purchase a dvc or a timeshare with a different company?????

 

[jvincent16]

one more thing chuck. i asked vandy the same question. what has your experience been with trading your dvc for a world passport hotel? was it difficult to get the days you wanted?

 

[vandy]

sorry. i just read your previous post. it seems like you had already answered my questions. one last thing. do you have any regrets? wish you would have bought into a different resort or a different company all together? also, have you traveled to a world passport collection hotel and how hard was it to book your reservations for your desired time?
thanks

I bought DVC only for the pupose of future vacations at Disney World. I have no desire for the world passport collection so I do not know that much about it. I have read several posts that state your points will go farther at DVC than in the passport collection. I've booked at SSR in early June when school is out and have not had a problem at the 5-6 month window for a 2BR. I have no regrets right now, but I firmly believe if I end up falling out of love with DVC, I can probably sell it 10 years from now and at least get my initial investment back. I also had no desire to buy anything off-site. If I was to own, I wanted the perks of being on-site.

 

[Slakk]

also, where will the akv be located? will they also be farther away from the park like ssr?
thanks

AKV is by AKL and AK (lots of AKs!) You cannot walk to AK from AKV/AKL so it has no direct park access and it is the furthest resort from the other three parks. AKV has the animals and the theming is wonderful!

SSR has one of the best spas in the country and is adjacent to DTD. We love DTD so for us it is great. The other thing I like about SSR is that you can walk to DTD and hop a bus to any resort which comes in handy if you have ADR at a resort.

The only real plus that AKV has over SSR is the conceirge rooms which IMHO are pretty cool and no one is going to get them at the 7 month mark unless they are really lucky.

I love SSR but if I were purchasing now and could afford the extra cost I would probably go with AKV. Saying that I was going to buy AKV points to add on but instead bought more VWL. We have stayed at all of the DVC but OKW (just have not made it yet) and SSR and VWL are our favorites.

But the best part about DVC is all of the resorts are lovely and if I get *stuck* with BWV (my personal least favorite) it is still better than anywhere else in the world!!!

 

[Chuck S]

one more thing chuck. i asked vandy the same question. what has your experience been with trading your dvc for a world passport hotel? was it difficult to get the days you wanted?

I haven't traded to a World Passport hotel, we've always stayed at OKW for 30+ vacations.

 

[jvincent16]

thanks again for all the input!

 

[barlitz]

We just got back from SSR tonight and I thought I would read through some posts, In our opinion SSR is the best resort in WDW, We loved it we actually toured the Carasoul area which was supposed to be turned over to DVC today!! If it met DVC's approval. We stayed in Congress Park with a view of DTD. The new pool at the Carasoul is great with a kids interactive area. There are so many things to do, The resort itself has tons of activities for both adults and kids. We also own at the AKL, but I know SSR will be our favorite, we 've already decided on another trip in June.

 

[barlitz]

Check That... I meant Grandstand.

 

[boysmom5150]

thanks boysmom. can i ask why you didnt want SSR?

Simply for location. We have 1 and 4yr old and wanted to be as close to MK and monorail as possible. With the WL having boat transportation to MK that was our major purchasing decision(not to mention we also love the lodge)From the MK we can get the monorail to resorts/epcot from there. We often stay at GF and like the dining options there. It just limits busses we need to take. Not sure if you have small child/children but you need to fold the stroller to get on buses and if there is no seating avail that is hard to do holding a child and a stroller for each adult. We experienced that in Oct and it was not fun at all.At WL boat and on monorail you just wheel the stollers on. Good luck!!