Options. Want your opinions.

[Carl]

I visited the BCV open house while I was there last week. I was tempted to purchase - but didn't. What tempted me was the incentive to get $5 off per point. However, that incentive was only good until I left the property. Due to the fact that I don't like to make snap decisions and I was pretty disgusted with the trip in general, I decided not to purchase while I was there.

I'm still not sure I want to purchase at all, but do have some questions I wish answered before I make my final decision.
One factor is that I'm getting a little burned out on WDW. I found myself saying, "Do I really want to ride this attraction this visit again?" Because of that, I am not sure that I will want to make one or more trips there per year over the next 10 years. If Disney starts constructing more new attractions (and I don't mean like the new ones at MK and AK,) I might have a renewed interest. So, other that the fact of whether or not I really want to keep up the kind of attendance I have been at WDW, here are the factors I want help on from those of you who are DVC owners.

Would I be better off purchasing a resale of a BWV rather than a new BCV (especially since I have lost the $5 per point incentive? What should I expect to pay? The BCV was $75 per point. Minimum purchase was 150 points to equal $11,250. The yearly dues would be $565.22. Since I (Might) not want to make trips every year, just how easy is it to sell the points to someone? By the same token, just how easy is it to purchase the points from someone. In other words, if I decided NOT to purchase, how easy would it be for me to find someone to sell me points to use each year that I decide to go? (I usually go in November or May.) What advantage is there to purchasing rather than just "renting" points from someone each year that I wish to go? Well, obviously, if it is difficult to find people willing to sell the points, the biggest advantage would be a more sure opportunity of getting the booking. And while on that subject, just how difficult is it to find days available in November and May (if I were an owner?)

One last question. If you all tell me that I would be BEST off purchasing the BCV - what is the likelihood that I can talk the salesman into going ahead and giving the incentive to me even though I have now left the property?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

Keep in mind that if you buy a minimum contract, you could bank and borrow your 150pts and travel to WDW every third year or so. Also, Hilton Head and Vero Beach do give you some off site vacations within the DVC program. We also plan on staying at DVC but visiting other non WDW parks, sea world etc. The park passes at Disney can realy add up to a lot of $$$. Good Luck!!

 

[loribell]

I'm not sure why the salesman told you the incentive was only good if you bought right then. I believe it is only a special finance rate they give you that is only good for a short period of time. I may be mistaken but I believe the incentive would still be available to you. It is available to anyone.

Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

Lori

 

[CaptainMidnight]

My understanding was that the $5 off was good until June. I don't think that opportunity was lost when you walked off the property, and I hate to hear of the "hard sell" like that.

I understand your feelings about spending every year's vacation at WDW. Another option may be Vero Beach DVC. And, you may even want to consider another timeshare that more closely meets your needs. Check out the timeshare users group at:
http://www.tug2.net/
You can get lots of great information there.

Good luck with your decisions.

 

[NCRedding]

I experienced something similar with my purchase. I went to a presentation on board the magic, but wanted more info and a chance to think prior to making such a committment. After lots of thought, I wanted to buy at HH. When I called the guide I met on the ship, she said I couldn't get the $13 Magical Beginnings because I had toured and didn't buy. After posting on these boards, I was given the name of a guide at HH (thanks again to those who helped) I called that guide who had me call back to the first guide, who, after hearing I was getting ready to buy resale if I couldn't get incentive, "discovered" I wasn't actually in the system, and "gave" me the incentive. It left an unpleasant taste in my mouth, but not so much that I didn't buy.

 

[Peterd]

Capt., we heard the same thing in Feb. that it was good until June 1st. I called again when I got back for a few friends, and they said the same thing, good until June.
I'm not sure if they still offer the old, "we'll take a certain amount of what you're paying for your' stay now, towards your downpayment. Then, once you leave, you would lose that option".
I have 3 friends waiting for Ny to allow the sale of BCV here, hoping it's before June.

 

[Terry S]

It is really a shame that you came accross a guide that used strong arm tactics, most DVC guides I have run accross as well as most I have heard of on these boards do not do this type of thing. Unless the rules have changed recently the only thing that there is a limit to would be the special Disney Finanace rate (1% lower) and even with that you get 30 days after your tour to make a decision and still get the rate. As far as the $5 off incentive goes, you should be able to get that unitl they are no longer offering that to anyone, new purchase or add-on, which we are being told could be pulled at anytime since the sales are good. But as of today, you should be able to pick up the phone and get BCV at $70 per point with the $5 off incentive. On June 2nd the price will be going up to $80 per point.

 

[mikesmom]

There is no way that someone can "sell" you points each time you wish to go. They can "rent" you the points, but then they have to make the ressie for you. Getting your reservation in May or November depends on a few factors. If you are trying to get a reservation at your "home" (where you bought in) you can do so at 11 months out and you're pretty sure to get what you want. On the other hand, if you had bought a resale at OKW and were trying to get a resservation at Boardwalk in November at 7 months out, your chances would be a lot slimmer - thinks get pretty popular there because of the Food & Wine Fest.

Things have been pretty easy this year because of reduced travel, but when travel rates are up it gets a lot harder to rent.

 

[brittsmum1998]

Call back and request a new guide and explain why!! I have never heard that "buy now or loose". I'm sure DVC wouldn't like to hear that either. One of the (many) great things about DVC is that there isn't any pressure tactics. We bought in 1990. Not only did I go alone (DH was back at hotel w/ DD) but I got all the info to take w/ me. There was no pressure at all. We came home read everything then called. Deal was still the same as it had been when we were there. Never ever even a hint of a time constraint. These incentives are good till (thru?) June. We are all pretty much aware of that and DVC doesn't spring too many sales tactic surprises on you which makes that a good thing

 

[RobDoc]

These incentives are good till (thru?) June.

While the current incentive may be good until or thru June or even later, it could also end tomorrow. There are no guarantees for any sales promotion. It could also be raised to $10 per point tomorrow.

The guides may know that it's likely NOT to change at least until the price increase due in June, but the decision to change incentives are not decided by the guides themselves.

Stay Tuned!!

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

We got the same strong arm tactics. We were told that we had to respond immediately or we would forever lose the incentive. ( Yeah Sure!) We met with DVC salesman on a Thursday and were leaving Disney on Saturday but returning on the following Wednesday for 5 days. Our salesman told us we had to decide no later than Sunday( we weren't even in Orlando then) and he had to have the deposit by Sunday by credit card. ( Huhhh!) Well we did decide to buy but I didnt believe any of that salespitch! When we called on Sunday and told him we decided to buy and wanted more points than originally discussed he no longer needed the deposit by phone....we could now wait until we got back to Disney on Wednesday. This was all a big game. They don't want you to go home and think about the purchase. Our salesman didnt like the fact that we weren't buying on the spot. Well, I was going to think about it and we did buyi n to BVC. YEAH!!!! It would have been much nicer without the nonsense

They will give you the incentive...call

 

[LisaR]

Carl,
I will address your concern about being a little burned out on Disney. Obviously, you are the only one that can decide if going to Disney on a regular basis is right for you or not. However, I will share my experience with you:

My first adult trip to Disney (7 years ago) was the worst vacation in my life! I won't go into all the details but most of it was my fault due to my lack of Disney knowledge back then. My dh and I swore that we would NEVER go back to Disney again. Well, six months later, a trip kind of fell into our lap and although it was better then the first trip, it was not great. As time went on, we learned the in's and out's of Disney and continued to go. While we were enjoying ourselves, we were getting burned out. We were always rushing from one attraction to another. We felt like our kids "had" to do and see everything. So while it seemed like the best place to travel with small kids, it wasn't the greatest vacation.

We purchased DVC because it was cheaper in the long run considering the type of accomadations we like. Now we have the greatest vacations! We NEVER rush because we will be back. We rent water mice, ride bikes, tour the different resorts, try different restaurants, etc. We pick and choose what we want to do. We have gone to parks for the entire day when the mood strikes and we have gone for 2 hours and left because we want to. We spent three entire days at OKW at the pool this last time. We BBQ'd by the pool and had a great time. We will be spending 6 nights at Vero Beach this May and hope to get to Hilton Head soon.

Again, DVC is a decision you and your family need to make. It may or may not be right for you. I just wanted to share why it is right for my family. Good Luck!

Lisa

 

[caverill]

I would like to add a couple of comments about "burning out" on Disney.

My DW and I visit Disney for the first time in 1994. Since that time we have been back four more times (the last two as DVC members).

Owning DVC changed the way we vacationed. We no longer rush to the parks and stay until they close or wait in long lines if we don't want two. We relax during our vacation.

On our last trip, we never went to a park until after 10:00 AM and had two days we didn't even go to a park.

Since we know we will be back, we don't feel like we have to do everything. In fact, I think we find more to like at WDW since we take the time to look at things.

Another factor that helped push our decision to purchase DVC was the flexability of the plan. We went VB for two nights our last trip to Florida (it is a wonderful resort) and last year we used our points to stay two nights at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. I doubt we would have stayed at the Grand Hotel if we haven't used points.

Good luck on your decision!

 

[Carl]

No one yet has addressed the option of buying a resale as opposed to buying BCV new.

Lisa, this last trip I did more or less the way you suggested as I was there 8 days. I spent a lot of time in my room, however, because the weather was so bad. I waited until mid afternoon and would go out to one of the restaurants at Epcot. And you are also correct, that the main reason I am still considering the DVC is to possibly go to WDW to just rest and do little in the way of riding the attractions. They are all getting a little old to me now.

 

[chris1gill]

Carl,

I'll address the resale vs. Disney aspect.... First, which resort do you really want to own at? Which one would you go to most often? If you say BWV's you aren't alone.... Resale is the way to go... Right now I've seen the BWV's priced in the low sixties per point, then you add in the closing cost of around 400.00, you're then right around 65.00 per point... There are two sites that are often mentioned here www.atimeshare.com & then one you can click on from the menu above....

As for it getting old... Well, I don't really go for the parks anymore, although they are nice... I go for the rest & relaxation of the resort... We also like SeaWorld an awful lot! Just be sure to pick the resort you like best....

Hope this helps!

 

[LuvnMickey]

Hi,
I'm new to the boards and interested in buying into DVC. I had a similar experience after returning from WDW just two weeks ago. We went to the Open House for the 1st time and were told by our guide that we could only get the $5 incentive for the BCV while we were there.

After 10 years of nearly annual trips to WDW, our older sons suggested they might not want to return to WDW next year. So DH and I decided that DVC probably wasn't for us. Upon returning home, I decided to do some more investigation (thanks for all the info from this board!) and re-thought our decision. I also heard many discussing $5 incentive even if you just call.

I called back to DVC and was told by a sales manager that they could not legally give us the incentive if we had left the grounds. We would have to return to WDW to get it.

While I'm now much more interested in DVC, I am saddened by what appears to be inconsistencies regarding the incentive. I understand your frustration. Any thoughts or suggestions are welcomed.

 

[WDWguru]

The answer could lie in where your home state is located. Some states are very strict when it comes to timeshare sales. Many regulate what types of materials can be sent (some don't even allow DVC to MAIL you any sales materials at ALL). Due to regulations in different states, it may take several months for DVC to legally be able to sell you a new property in your state. I know New York, for instance, it was several months after VWL opened before they could sell to anyone there. One way around this is, if you are at a Disney property - be it in Orlando or HH or Vero - you can purchase while you are there no matter what state you live in. However, once you return home, the laws there apply and you may have to wait for your state to approve sales of the new property. I'm not sure that is the case here, but it certainly would explain a lot. It appears, though few and far between, there is the occasional DVC salesperson who takes a harder approach than the others. It's really too bad as a big reason we even considered DVC in the first place was the low key pitch.

 

[walter69]

just a quick IMHO on 'burnout': my wife and I are WDW junkies, I could prattle on for hours about why, so no problem with us. Our daughter is 9 and now she loves the Magic Kingdom and MGM. In 5 years she'll probably prefer Epcot and the Animal Kingdom. 5 years after that maybe it'll be the Boardwalk and Downtown Disney or even one of the Universal parks. It might not be too long after that that we'll have grandchildren to take to the Magic Kingdom. The point being that there is something for everyone, every age and every mood. If any of the above applies to you, please roll it into your equation. Good luck!

 

[crisi]

LuvnMickey -

Look into a resale. Same contract, lower costs (although you will pay some closing costs). Since you just got back and might not even go next year, you may be able to get a bargain on something where the points for this year have all been used (in which case you probably won't pay any maintenance this year) Unless you have your heart set on BCVs. (Points usually list for between $60 and $65 a point on the resale market)

We requested a phone call from a DVC sales guide about three weeks ago (via their web site) and haven't heard anything. I wonder if they will call before we close on the resale?

 

[LuvnMickey]

crisi--
Thanks for your help but we do have our hearts set on BCV. It's our favorite resort!

I'm quite sure they call sell in MN because the guide checked when we first came into open house. What's weird is that our guide said we could put someone else's name on the deed (like friend or family member) and they could even do it by phone. Then they would have to transfer it to my DH and me. Sounds like a hassle to me.

Just wanted it to be low pressure, no hassle and easy. That's what I expected from Disney. Now deciding if it's worth an extra trip or just bite the bullet and pay the $75 per point.