Ok. So we know we want to buy. Now what?

[Mom21]

I am so confused as to the best course of action. We love the Wilderness lodge so think it would be best for us to purchase resale there. How many points do you have and how does it work for you? Do you wish you had more or do you need less? I have heard it is $200 to use your points at another resort other than home resort. is that true? What is considered a good price for resale? How much are maintenance fees?

 

[mydogdrew]

The home resort advantage applies to booking more than seven months in advance. There is no additional cost to book other DVC resorts. You will need to pay to trade outside of DVC and the points required for DCL or non-DVC Disney resorts may not be the best value.

 

[Disneycatlady]

When we purchased our 235 points at OKW back in 1996- we first looked back at our disney vacation habits- when we traveled and how long we stayed- so we could figure out how many points we would need to continue vacationing in the same manner. I never purchased a resale so your question about the $200 may pertain to resales only- When we stay at a different resort- there is no extra $200 fee.

 

[RobDoc]

Maintenance Fees for VWL for 2005 are $4.35 per point.

There is NO fee to reserve at non-home DVC resorts. You may reserve at your home resort 11 months in advance and at other DVC resorts 7 months ahead, but there is no cost to do so. Members may also make reservations at other WDW resorts using points- with no additional cost.

There is a $75 fee to make an exchange thru II and a $95 fee for reservations made thru the Concierge Collection and Disney Cruise Line.

You should look at a point chart to figure out how many points you may want based on the time of year you will likely travel. Many of us have discovered later that our initial purchase was not enough and have added points at the same - or other- resort.

Have fun with your decision.

Enjoy!

 

[tjkraz]

Just be aware that when you go the resale route you need to be prepared to pay cash or secure your own financing (home equity loan?) for the full purchase price of the contract. In addition to the listed price, most resales terms also include the buyer (you) paying closing costs and maintenance on any points currently available. That will typically add about $6-8 per point to your cost. But, in the end you'll certainly save a few dollars per point by going the resale route.

You CAN buy points at VWL direct from DVC, although you may have to wait a few weeks or months until they have them available. The price currently is $92 each (with no additional fees). DVC will finance if you so desire.

Another option to consider would be Saratoga Springs points. Buying into SSR direct through DVC will actually cost you a bit less than the other resorts, and you get the benefit of 12 more years of ownership. But, if your intent is to stay at VWL often, then you're absolutely right to make that your Home resort.

Good luck!

 

[cruise-o-matic]

The Timeshare Store has a nice 210 point contract listed on their site TimeShare DVC Resales

 

[Mom21]

Thanks everyone. Now one more question. Is there a limit on the number of points you can bank? For example if I bought 250 points, could I bank them for 4 years and then take a nice 1000 pt. vacation?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Thanks everyone. Now one more question. Is there a limit on the number of points you can bank? For example if I bought 250 points, could I bank them for 4 years and then take a nice 1000 pt. vacation?

You can bank all your points from one year into the next, and you can borrow all your points for the following year, so the most accumulation of points you could have is 3 years, not 4. Points that are banked into the next year must be used by the end of the year they were banked into.