Open House Tour--hard sell or worth it?

[Deb & Bill]

I agree that they won't drive you around. IMO you can get a pretty good idea what to expect by looking online at recently updated pics (and video on YouTube).

You should be aware that the lobby staff at the "sold out" resorts will help you if they can but they really have no incentive to help (they have no sales function to their job so you are asking them to go over and above. )

And if the resort is full or the staff is busy, they may tell you "no" when you ask to see a villa.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Too many posters come back from the tours not knowing what they bought, what a UY is, the fact that more than the current resort is available and they all think that Disney back dated the sale to give them free extra points.

There are times when buying direct can make sense, the buyer just needs to understand when that is.

Bill

I bolded the most important part of Bill's comment. We hear it all the time that DVC gave them last year's points as an extra part of the sale. What they actually got were the points they were entitled to. If a guest buys directly from DVC in April 2015 and they have a Sept UY, they are getting points from their current UY (Sept 2014) which extends from Sept 1, 2014 until Aug 31, 2015. DVC didn't give them last year's points (2014) as a bonus.

 

[bumbershoot]

too many posters have come back from the tours confused about how DVC works and the DIS board has to explain what the "guides" have made confusing.

Well, the knowledgeable people here would have to explain it anyway even if they hadn't taken the tour, right? No difference.

We are flying into Orlando specifically to tour the DVC resorts. We actually want to visit almost all of them.

I don't think they are going to take you around to the different resorts. I thik they'll show you the model(s) where they have them. If you want to toodle around the other resorts you're going to have to get there on your own, most likely. And you're almost certainly not going to be able to see rooms.

I bolded the most important part of Bill's comment. We hear it all the time that DVC gave them last year's points as an extra part of the sale. What they actually got were the points they were entitled to. If a guest buys directly from DVC in April 2015 and they have a Sept UY, they are getting points from their current UY (Sept 2014) which extends from Sept 1, 2014 until Aug 31, 2015. DVC didn't give them last year's points (2014) as a bonus.

So the one little extra question I have about this is...but what about the dues? When we bought into Bay Lake before it opened, we had points that we could use with caveats. But even once we started paying on the loan, which was a bit after purchase, we didn't pay dues for those months between Feb (our UY) and, I think ,September when we could use those points (I think coinciding with when BL opened? I wish I'd kept notes LOL). So what about the dues part of that math problem? Are we getting *something* even though we aren't getting "extra" points?

 

[Deb & Bill]

...So the one little extra question I have about this is...but what about the dues? When we bought into Bay Lake before it opened, we had points that we could use with caveats. But even once we started paying on the loan, which was a bit after purchase, we didn't pay dues for those months between Feb (our UY) and, I think ,September when we could use those points (I think coinciding with when BL opened? I wish I'd kept notes LOL). So what about the dues part of that math problem? Are we getting *something* even though we aren't getting "extra" points?

You don't pay dues on what you can't use at your home resort. That's what they do at every new resort. Dues are paid on a yearly basis, not on UY.

 

[JimMIA]

So the one little extra question I have about this is...but what about the dues? When we bought into Bay Lake before it opened, we had points that we could use with caveats. But even once we started paying on the loan, which was a bit after purchase, we didn't pay dues for those months between Feb (our UY) and, I think ,September when we could use those points (I think coinciding with when BL opened? I wish I'd kept notes LOL). So what about the dues part of that math problem? Are we getting *something* even though we aren't getting "extra" points?

Dues have nothing to do with points.

Dues cover the operating expenses of the resort for the calendar year. You should have paid dues from September - December -- the portion of the calendar year when you were an owner. You got nothing for nothing.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Dues have nothing to do with points.

Dues cover the operating expenses of the resort for the calendar year. You should have paid dues from September - December -- the portion of the calendar year when you were an owner. You got nothing for nothing.

It's hard to convince resale brokers of this though. They will usually ask for dues reimbursement on all points still available on the contract. Best you can hope is for work the difference in to the sales price.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

If you want to toodle around the other resorts you're going to have to get there on your own, most likely. And you're almost certainly not going to be able to see rooms.

I'm not sure if they still have them, but in 2013 I toured rooms in both Animal Kingdom Jambo House and Kidani. We were staying in a value studio, and I wanted to know what the non-value rooms were like. They had models in both resorts set up. Complete with fake view out the slider and everything. I'm not sure what's available at the other resorts.

 

[Kaigler]

Well we will just creative with the bus system.

AK resorts are definitely on the list. I've watched countless YouTube tours but there's nothing like actually being in the space to make up your mind. Hopefully they will have something available we can see.

I'm really leaning towards Poly. I feel it has the best mix of theming and location in all of WDW.

 

[JimMIA]

It's hard to convince resale brokers of this though. They will usually ask for dues reimbursement on all points still available on the contract. Best you can hope is for work the difference in to the sales price.

Right, all that stuff is negotiable, but the default in resale is either to pay MFs on the points you're getting or having the dues thrown in as a deal sweetener. The way DVC does it is actually technically the right way, but in a resale, everything is negotiable.

 

[freediverdude]

I will chime in, since I recently purchased, that the guide did make it seem as though I was getting the 2014 points for free. Then when I found out when the dues were starting, and started researching why I was paying dues this year, lol, then it became obvious that they were charging me for prorated dues based on how long I owned the 2014 points. So really no I was not getting them for free. Now it's true I'm not paying for the whole year's worth of dues, so I guess you could say that in a way I'm getting a partial year's worth free, but it does look like they dated the dues all the way back to the date when I called them to purchase/sign the paperwork, not just the closing date. So even though it didn't close until mid-June, I'm paying the dues from late April-Dec for those 2014 points. Also they seem to have made the first loan payment much higher than the other payments, not sure what that's all about.

Edited to add: Also the guide made a point about getting 51 sets of points if you purchase this year, so I guess from Dec. 2014 to Dec. 2065 then would be 51 sets (although the contract ends in Jan. 2066 so I guess you'd only have 60 days to use the last set unless you borrowed them lol).

 

[Kaigler]

I will chime in, since I recently purchased, that the guide did make it seem as though I was getting the 2014 points for free. Then when I found out when the dues were starting, and started researching why I was paying dues this year, lol, then it became obvious that they were charging me for prorated dues based on how long I owned the 2014 points. So really no I was not getting them for free. Now it's true I'm not paying for the whole year's worth of dues, so I guess you could say that in a way I'm getting a partial year's worth free, but it does look like they dated the dues all the way back to the date when I called them to purchase/sign the paperwork, not just the closing date. So even though it didn't close until mid-June, I'm paying the dues from late April-Dec for those 2014 points. Also they seem to have made the first loan payment much higher than the other payments, not sure what that's all about.

Edited to add: Also the guide made a point about getting 51 sets of points if you purchase this year, so I guess from Dec. 2014 to Dec. 2065 then would be 51 sets (although the contract ends in Jan. 2066 so I guess you'd only have 60 days to use the last set unless you borrowed them lol).

Did you go through the whole tour experience on property? Another question..if you got your 2014 points, so you now have 2014 and 2015 (depending on use year)...does that mean you have to use those 2014 points this year?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Did you go through the whole tour experience on property? Another question..if you got your 2014 points, so you now have 2014 and 2015 (depending on use year)...does that mean you have to use those 2014 points this year?

The 2014 points are current points for the Dec UY. They can be banked into the 2015 UY if wanted. Usually the banking deadline would be July 31st but one benefit of direct purchase is that they will allow banking even if past the normal deadline. So for example I'd the PP had not bought until Nov they still would have received the current 2014 points and would have been allowed to bank.

 

[freediverdude]

Did you go through the whole tour experience on property? Another question..if you got your 2014 points, so you now have 2014 and 2015 (depending on use year)...does that mean you have to use those 2014 points this year?

Yes, they took me to Saratoga Springs, where they first offered me refreshments in a waiting room for a few minutes, then sat me in a small room with a TV monitor and the guide explained the whole program. Then the guide took me outside and walked me over to the building with all the models. At least as of late April the models they had at that location were Aulani, Grand Floridian 1 bedroom unit, and two connecting Polynesian studios. Those were the ones I saw.

Then as we walked back it was time to tell him if I wanted to purchase that day or not, and I said I had to think about it for a couple of days (called him two days later to purchase after thinking some more and running the numbers more and investigating). Since I wasn't purchasing on the spot (he seemed disappointed poor thing lol), he took me back to the sales room and gave me a bag with all the sales materials in it, and then took me to the ice cream parlor there, and I got ice cream and free anytime fast passes loaded onto my magicband (I did not have an appointment and was picked up from the kiosk at the Studios- boy that guy working the Studios kiosk is good, lol). They then had a van ready to take me back to the Studios or wherever I wanted to go inside Disney. The van drivers were both very nice people who owned themselves and could answer questions.

As to the question about the points, yes, I received 2014 use year points, and since my use year is December, I either had to use the points by November 30th or bank them (you can bank points by a certain time if you know you won't use them for this year). Actually I got very lucky and there happened to open up a few nights in Sept. for the Poly, so I'm using the points. I think I got very lucky though. I saw the availability myself online, it wasn't the guide using a one time pixie dust thing.

 

[mort1331]

I hate to burst everyones bubble here but they will drive you around to see each resort. If you call ahead yourself, like the pp mentioned this was the purpose of his trip. And he told them specifically that is why, they will take the time and show you the different resorts and rooms that they can. Based on availability. I can speak from my own experience. This might be outside the norm, but they will always try to please.
This is also why my wife wanted this purchase, they made the time and effort and we have experienced this more then once with both CMs and sales people.

 

[bumbershoot]

You don't pay dues on what you can't use at your home resort. That's what they do at every new resort. Dues are paid on a yearly basis, not on UY.

Thanks for the answer.

I hate to burst everyones bubble here but they will drive you around to see each resort. If you call ahead yourself, like the pp mentioned this was the purpose of his trip. And he told them specifically that is why, they will take the time and show you the different resorts and rooms that they can. Based on availability. I can speak from my own experience. This might be outside the norm, but they will always try to please.

Based on availability.

In your experience.

It might be outside the norm.

Wouldn't it be more of a bubble burst to expect YOUR experience and find out they can't do it? Isn't it better to expect that it won't happen and to maybe find out that it can? Isn't that better than "oh it totally can be done" then find out that it can't on the day you can do it?

 

[mort1331]

Thanks for the answer.



Based on availability.

In your experience.

It might be outside the norm.

Wouldn't it be more of a bubble burst to expect YOUR experience and find out they can't do it? Isn't it better to expect that it won't happen and to maybe find out that it can? Isn't that better than "oh it totally can be done" then find out that it can't on the day you can do it?

That's why you call ahead and find out. If it wasn't then we would not have gone to the presentation.

 

[DisneyGirlFlorida]

As someone who just bought direct and is buying resale, here are my thoughts, some of which has already been mentioned.

Read the boards here, just google DVC purchase and anything you can think of related to DVC. Sleep on it. Let the questions come and search out the answers. Educate yourself on DVC first. Learn the ins and outs of UY, banking/borrowing, booking, renting points, etc. Look at point charts and determine how many points you think you'll need per year. Read about each resort to determine WHERE you want your home resort to be. Think about your family's vacation needs not only in the next 3-5 years, but 10-15-20 years. Analyze your financial situation, keeping in mind you're going to be spending a few hundred each year in maintenance fees. Consider the difference in maintenance fees per resort. Can you afford those maintenance fees for the next 40-50 years? THEN Go on the tour, get your ice cream and fast passes, listen to the sales pitch, and enjoy the experience, it's worth it! You won't get a hard sell, AND if you are knowledgable and well-informed about DVC before the tour, your emotions will not be as high and you will be able to make a clearer, well informed decision.

THEN make your decision to purchase. I would strongly recommend purchasing resale IF and only IF you can wait about 3-4 months before making your first reservation and IF your trip is planned for about 7-11 months from that point. I'm in the process of buying resale. 5/21 it was submitted to Disney for ROFR, 6/15 ROFR was waived. I'm waiting for estoppel now, which I expect to come in another week or two. Then I have to wait for points to be loaded. Since I'm already a member, I hope that will be fast, but if I wasn't a member, that could be another few more weeks. That means I wouldn't be able to make my first reservation until about August. So, keep in mind the timeline if you purchase resale.

I recommend resale for your "big" contract because will pay significantly less (sometimes as much as 30-40% depending on the resort). Other than instant gratification (of which I am guilty of), I see no reason to purchase direct through Disney. As others have mentioned, the restrictions on using points for things such as the cruises, etc., is NOT worth the extra cost of purchasing direct. Cruises cost so many points (300-400 for more than one person) that if you rent those points out @ $11 per point, that almost covers the cash cost of a cruise.

Had I did the tour and sales pitch BEFORE researching about DVC, I probably would have ran away screaming because I would have felt so overwhelmed, not to mention that I would have felt DVC wasn't for me. Here's an example of what I mean. In April, I was at Disney and stopped at the DVC desk in the Continental. The guide gave me a brochure, and I asked a few basic questions such as how much, where can I stay, do they have club level rooms (at the time, I loved club level), etc. She answered yes to all my questions and made it seem like DVC was the answer to all my prayers. I was intrigued, but something told me to hold off. I think it was the vibes I was getting from the sales guide - I felt like she wasn't too knowledgable. The next day, I talked to the sales guide at Poly. I asked him a few more questions, learned a little about points, got his perspective as a member, etc. I took the brochure, but declined the sales tour. I was still intrigued, but VERY confused about how it all worked. The sales guy tried to get me to go on the tour, saying that during the tour, the sales person and I would determine how many points I needed and what I could afford. I declined again, partly due to lack of time, partly due to just not feeling it. Then I came home, did some preliminary research, and decided (at the time) DVC was not for me. Fast forward about a week or two, and I'm making reservations for the upcoming RunDisney events, MNSSHP, etc. I did some quick math on what my stays would cost me, and decided to revisit the DVC topic. I think I spent about 20-30 hours over the course of a week researching, reading, posting questions, reading more, researching more, until I learned as much about DVC as I could and realized it WAS for me and I was ready to make the next step. A few days later (after sleeping and making sure of my decision and a few more posts here about picking a home resort) I submitted an offer on a resale contract.

At that moment I was SO glad I DID NOT purchase direct right away because I would NOT have been as informed as I am now, and wouldn't have known the differences between the resorts, what one to pick, differences in maintenance fees, etc. It felt so good making my purchase decision with 100% confidence and not a single question on my mind. What's more, when I DID (spontaneously) purchase direct (see my other post on that), it felt so empowering going into the DVC sales center and telling my sales guide I know how UY's work, and mousekeeping, and banking/borrowing. I was able to negotiate an 80 point contract at a resort I wanted rather than purchasing Poly or Aluani at 100 points. The sales guide knew in 5 minutes that I was not going to be an easy sell, especially since I told them up front I was considering a resale contract (they didn't know I was in the middle of purchasing resale).

Though I haven't stayed at a DVC resort yet (a week and a half I will!), I have no regrets about my purchase. I attribute that to being a well-informed buyer. Remember, knowledge is power, and you will learn MUCH more on the DisBoards and other websites than you will through the sales guides.