New Members?

[bethrushforth]

Hey!
Newbie here! My Fiance & I are thinking about coming over to Disney World in November and joining DVC. We came over in January and had a meeting with one of the DVC team, we nearly joined then and there but as it was the last day of our holiday we didn't have the money (and our debit cards don't work in US!!).
So we've been planning our savings and weighing up the options when since we got home.
So I would like some opinions on DVC; I know members don't qualify for the free dining plan service Disney do every once in a while (such as now) and also you can't use the points for the honeymoon packages (we are looking to go to Aulani for ours!).
Do you get many benefits or is it just the accomadation?

Thanks!
B x

 

[Havana]

We really like the DVC discount for the AP. There are some restaurant discounts associated with DVC.
All of these are perks and can be taken away/changed at any time.

 

[sleepydog25]

Hey!
Newbie here! My Fiance & I are thinking about coming over to Disney World in November and joining DVC. We came over in January and had a meeting with one of the DVC team, we nearly joined then and there but as it was the last day of our holiday we didn't have the money (and our debit cards don't work in US!!).
So we've been planning our savings and weighing up the options when since we got home.
So I would like some opinions on DVC; I know members don't qualify for the free dining plan service Disney do every once in a while (such as now) and also you can't use the points for the honeymoon packages (we are looking to go to Aulani for ours!).
Do you get many benefits or is it just the accomadation?

Thanks!
B x

DVC only works if you plan to visit at least once every other year for the next 10-20 years. Between paying for the points and the annual maintenance fees, DVC isn't an inexpensive option. Any perks associated with being a DVC member should NOT be considered when making the purchase as those perks can be taken away at any time (and have been in the past, e.g., valet parking). The only thing that DVC does for you is let you "prepay" your accomodations for the life of your contract. That being said, I've been an owner for over six years and have thoroughly enjoyed my ability to get wonderful suites at lovely resorts. Then again, I visit WDW often, have a daughter who loves Disney, and see myself traveling there frequently over the next three decades. However, if you don't think you will make WDW a frequent destination, I don't know if the expense is worth it. Good luck with your decision.

 

[gizzoid]

We love our DVC membership. But it's all about you and how much you will use it. Or rent it! Either way it's a good buy...no regrets here. good luck!!!

 

[LaurenT]

Another happy owner here!
Run the numbers and weigh the finances with the benefits...if you can afford it, then do it!
IF you do decide to join, be sure to have a current members info as a refernece, you'll receive a significant discount that way (and the refering member will get one too).
If you don't have one, just PM me, I'll be happy to be your reference!

 

[bethrushforth]

Thanks guys! We've been doing the maths for a while and looking at whether we can afford it 'cause we really are desperate to do it! We fell in love with Disney and will definatley be going once a year/every other year! And if we don't go there I see us going to another location with DVC!

LaurenT whats that about a reference? I haven't heard of that before? Do you have to physically know the person or is it ok to have met on a forum? If it's all ok then I'll definatley take you up on the offer!!

 

[LaurenT]

Thanks guys! We've been doing the maths for a while and looking at whether we can afford it 'cause we really are desperate to do it! We fell in love with Disney and will definatley be going once a year/every other year! And if we don't go there I see us going to another location with DVC!

LaurenT whats that about a reference? I haven't heard of that before? Do you have to physically know the person or is it ok to have met on a forum? If it's all ok then I'll definatley take you up on the offer!!

You do not have to know them personally..you need to have a name and where they live...preferably a phone number. I actually got to talking to a family on line for Soarin' once and they were looking at DVC - so I recommended taking the tour and gave them my business card to use as a reference..they wound up buying, they got a discount and I got a gift card as a thank you!
When we bought, we were not aware of it either..I happened to mention - just before we started signing things - that my friend Elizabeth was a member....our guide stopped right there - took the information and gave us our discount...I didn't even have her phone number with me.

 

[bethrushforth]

Oh thats fantastic!! Thank you! I'm so glad you told me about that! Whats the discount? Or does it vary? I'll mention this to my sister & her family who are also thinking of joining eventually...they will be able to use us!

 

[LaurenT]

I don't remember the exact number...but it was over $1,000 - we actually had the option between the discount and , I think, a 3 day cruise....but the options may change from time to time...
I'll call my guide tomorrow or Tuesday and find out what the current deal is.

 

[ToddyLu]

our referral source got a $200 gift card in 2009 for our purchase and we got $8 of per point. Win-win for us and them. You can see cost and other info at DVCNews.com.

Just to give you an example (since it was difficult for me to see the monthly cost and find that anywhere without actually calling a Guide). We purchased 210 points at AKV for $93 per point. We financed trough Disney at the preferred rate of 10.75% interest. We had to pay 10% down like everyone. Our monthly mortgage note is around $237 then our MF (maintenance fee) is an extra $80 per month. There is no penalty for paying the loan off early. You can get a 1, 5 or 10 year loan--we opted for the 10 year. SO far no regrets.

We have had 2 trips so far using our points for 2-studio savanna views each trip. So if we had paid OOP for those rooms it would have been $14,000 or close to it. This year we have two trips planned each for a least a week so we are now up to $20,000 in rooms if paying cash. So DVC works for us. Plus we got $100 discount off our APs and will have used them for our trip this past Dec, one this May and then in Oct. Three trips of one AP before it expires. So you could do this buy purchasing the AP then traveling again just before it expires to save a bit on tickets.

 

[ToddyLu]

THere is also a huge resale market---know that before you buy direct from Disney--you could save a lot and get the exact same benefits as purchasing direct. Until 3/20/11, then resales will have limitations on the type of trips you can take with those points. If you purchase direct after that date then you have no limitations on the destinations Disney offers. Stay here on these forums and read, read, read--especially the stickies so you know exactly what you are buying and the how the rules apply.

You definitley need to understand UY, banking and borrowing and cancelling a reservation before you purchase. Do not purchase for perks--only as a way to pre pay for your room--as the PP stated.

 

[bethrushforth]

That's great advice guys and we have worked out how often were gonna use it so we know were going to benefit from it
And wow that's ally LaurenT but yeah if you could do that it'd be great. I'm enjoying planning the trip we're taking to do it now! Love every second of planning almost as much as been there!

 

[bethrushforth]

Also just thought I'd mention I'm in the UK will that make any difference to the discounts for knowing a member?

 

[LaurenT]

Also just thought I'd mention I'm in the UK will that make any difference to the discounts for knowing a member?

Being British won't make any difference...I'm pretty sure the last family that bought was from the UK.
I have a call in to my guide (just left him a message now). His name is Robert Shapiro.
I'll let you know when I hear back from him.

 

[JimMIA]

Also just thought I'd mention I'm in the UK will that make any difference to the discounts for knowing a member?

No, doesn't matter. The only time it matters is for the referring member -- some states in the U.S. prohibit paying a reward for referrals on timeshares.

Check the Timeshare Store resale listings however (link at the top right of this page). You'll save 10-50% (maybe more) buying resale.

 

[crabbie1]

No, doesn't matter. The only time it matters is for the referring member -- some states in the U.S. prohibit paying a reward for referrals on timeshares.

Check the Timeshare Store resale listings however (link at the top right of this page). You'll save 10-50% (maybe more) buying resale.

I was looking at this till I saw they do not do the finance option to UK members hence we will have to join direct. Wanted to buy 65 BLT and 120 AKLV. Never mind. We go every year so will be worth it for us.We always rent.

 

[Alex's Mummy]

I was looking at this till I saw they do not do the finance option to UK members hence we will have to join direct. Wanted to buy 65 BLT and 120 AKLV. Never mind. We go every year so will be worth it for us.We always rent.

Is that a new thing that they don't offer finance to UK members? We bought ours through finance in 2008.

 

[crabbie1]

Yes I had a general info email today and it said we only offer finance to US citizens.I emailed the guy back to clarify and he said he regreted this was right. I need to find out about finance through disney now.As I dont have a land line as never used it calls to the US are expensive and if they call me I will get charged as well(I think) Can afford around £175 a month so need to find out how many points for that over the 10 year finance with the aim to pay it off early.

 

[LaurenT]

OK - here's the deal:
Both Bay Lake Towers and Saratoga Springs are in their "sell-out" phase...meaning that they expect them to sell out reasonably soon...
Having a reference for BLT will save you $10 per point (so at least $1,600) AND you'll be able to back date your use year significantly - meaning that you'll probably get double the points to use for your first year!
Having a reference for Saratoga Springs will get you a huge discount....you can buy a contract for $99/point - so you're saving a ton..but I don't think there are any back dated use years....
He confirmed that you will still get these discounts even if you live in the UK.
He also said that he wouldn't wait until Nov...he doesn't think there will be inventory at that point (I asked him waht would happen...he said they still have to finish AKL, and will be selling Hawaii....I asked what happens to WDW? He said they'll be selling the new one...I really tried to find out more, but his lips are sealed!)

 

[Alex's Mummy]

Yes I had a general info email today and it said we only offer finance to US citizens.I emailed the guy back to clarify and he said he regreted this was right. I need to find out about finance through disney now.As I dont have a land line as never used it calls to the US are expensive and if they call me I will get charged as well(I think) Can afford around £175 a month so need to find out how many points for that over the 10 year finance with the aim to pay it off early.

Sorry - i misunderstood. We did finance ours through disney directly. The UK company they use for finance is GE capital. Disney called us right back after we called initially and we didn't pay any international call charges. We bought 250 points and it costs about £130 per month. (bear in mind the dollar was a lot higher in 2008 about $1.70 to the £ when we purchased)

Good luck with it- if you decide to go for it, you won't regret it.