Pondering DVC...

[Skjhjb]

We are headed to the World in May - can't wait!

I'm very tempted to get DH to attend a DVC tour (my friend was just back and had one) to hear more about it.

But as I ponder - is there a chart somewhere out there that would point me in the right direction regarding how many points would be desirable for our family of 5?

Our kids are almost 13, 16 & 18 - I can see DH and I travelling alone sometimes, but with all our kids still in school (the oldest still has 4 or 5 years of University to do) we would take them quite often as well.

Don't even know if it is remotely affordable - but just wondering what kind of points we would need, which places are best for a family of 5 (even tho Beach Club keeps drawing my eye).

Thanks so much!

 

[chalee94]

But as I ponder - is there a chart somewhere out there that would point me in the right direction regarding how many points would be desirable for our family of 5?

you would need at least a 1BR. only AKV, BLT and OKW have sleeper chairs in the 1BRs that would sleep 5. AKV and BLT 1BRs also have 2 bathrooms, so that's positive.

there are point charts linked above that show how many pts you would need for a 1BR or 2BR villa at different resorts for different times of the year.

Don't even know if it is remotely affordable - but just wondering what kind of points we would need, which places are best for a family of 5 (even tho Beach Club keeps drawing my eye).

keep in mind that BCV contracts expire in 2042 and that while BCV 1BRs will currently allow 5, you would need to provide your own air mattress or whatever for the 5th person.

in general, you'd probably be more comfortable in 2BR villas with 3 teens/adult-sized kids.

also, i would skip the DVC tour as the information here is better. (i.e. no one here gets paid if you buy so the advice covers negatives as well as positives.)

 

[MiramarQE]

also, i would skip the DVC tour as the information here is better. (i.e. no one here gets paid if you buy so the advice covers negatives as well as positives.)

Don't skip the tour! Take the free ice cream!

Seriously - the Disney "guides" (parentheses used as they are real estate sales professionals - and you don't JOIN DVC you BUY A TIMESHARE) (as a way of disclosure - we just closed on 175 BWV after YEARS of "pondering") will press for the immediate sale - but it will give you a chance to see the models ask them questions (then compare what they say to what you see here) and get whatever the day's deal is (we've gotten a couple of the multi-use fast passes back in the old paper fast pass days - don't know what they're using as an incentive now - but it will help make up for the time you lose in the presentation)

Try it first - we rented points a couple of times to try our target resort (BWV) - it's relatively inexpensive (at least, compared to the CRO rate for the DVC rooms) and it will give you a more accurate feel for how the timeshare experience differs from the deluxe resort experience.

 

[Smile&Nod]

The number of points you will need depends on how long and how often you want to go. I bought BCV and got 250 points because we always get a one bedroom villa in January and stay 8 nights - it always takes us 228 points. The extra 22 can add up to either an extra short trip one year or getting a two bedroom on occasion.

If you want to do that same trip but every two years you can get by with a smaller contract - say 125 points. If you want to go every three years even less.

Use the points charts to figure when you will most likely go and how often to determine the number of points.

Also consider resale if you truly want to use the points for DVC properties - much cheaper and you can buy smaller contracts to get your foot in the door.

 

[Skjhjb]

we've gotten a couple of the multi-use fast passes back in the old paper fast pass days - don't know what they're using as an incentive now - but it will help make up for the time you lose in the presentation

My friend who just got back says they did it in part for the "incentive" (two years ago it was fastpasses for her as well) - this time around it was a $15 Disney gift card for every member of the family (even their 10 month old!)

I've been looking at point charts and thinking - no way is this affordable - we'd need over 300+ points for our family to be comfortable and in the months we like to go. For us it would be May so the girls could be done school and before my wedding cake season kicks into high gear.

Then I realized, we'd never go every year - more like every other year, so even 150-200 points would be more like 300-400 each time we went.

LOTS to ponder - and even still, it would probably be a couple years before we could afford a monthly payment (possibly after our mortgage renewal next year and one of our vehicles being paid off)...but SO tugging at the travel gene!

 

[disneynutz]

DVC Guides are highly trained to close sales, if you don't buy during the sales pitch, you will walk away saying that the Guide is your friend, no pressure, and they offered you a deal that you had trouble passing up including free points from last year.

The gift that you are given for the tour seems to be dependent on how the Guide rates you as a potential buyer. We have sent friends and family in for the tour and the ones that stood their ground and told the Guide from the start that the would not be buying ended up with an ice cream cone or nothing.

Another family that showed an interest received ice cream, and a gift card.

I suggest that you do your own homework and not risk the emotional buy. DVC is a pre-paid timeshare, nothing more.

Bill

 

[gibbow]

I'm a younger buying of points. I graduated college last May, and luckily landed a job in my field. I purchased a small contract of 50 points at BLT as I have always loved the CR and do enjoy the atmosphere and scenery of BLT. Also, the 11month booking window, MK proximity, and Monorail at the CR were factored into my decision. Also, while it may just be for now, BLT has lower annual maintenance fees than some of the other resorts. While I plan to go every 2-3 years, if I cannot, I will give them to my siblings or parents for a vacation..they will not go to waste. And if, in the future, I am able to afford more points and feel that they would go to good use...I can always purchase more.

I have always loved Disney and continue to do so. I spent over a year really looking into DVC, and reading through, lurker in, and asking questions in these threads. There are many great threads full of advice from people like @disneynutz above. Head their advice, but remember everyone has their own opinions and while some people may hate something about the DVC resorts or such, others may love it.

There are so many aspects of purchasing DVC points which I overlooked in the beginning. Including that, it is not only the points you buy up front, but annual maintenance fees, and then on top of those, the food, travel, ticket, and extra costs that accompany every trip to Disney.

I highly recommend reading some threads and doing your homework..not only is it fun to read more and more about Disney, but if you can let go of your emotions and just read everything as is, such as limited mousekeeping...you can truly make the most informed decision.

As far as resorts, I suggest renting some points for an upcoming trip, and take some time to visit some of the resorts. During my last visit in May, I stayed at SSR, and during our MK day, walked over to BLT in the middle of the day and were able to walk around and at least take in the scenery of the resort before eating at The Wave. We did a tour, and were offered the free ice cream and such and also got gift cards, which we used for a quick-service lunch at the theme parks. I feel like the boards have more useful and better information than what the tour will offer, but with the tour you can get the current incentives, as well as a quick tour of a room or two.

Remember, buying DVC points, you are basically committing to take a pretty expensive vacation at least every three years for the next few decades.

 

[disneynutz]

I'm a younger buying of points. I graduated college last May, and luckily landed a job in my field. I purchased a small contract of 50 points at BLT as I have always loved the CR and do enjoy the atmosphere and scenery of BLT. Also, the 11month booking window, MK proximity, and Monorail at the CR were factored into my decision. Also, while it may just be for now, BLT has lower annual maintenance fees than some of the other resorts. While I plan to go every 2-3 years, if I cannot, I will give them to my siblings or parents for a vacation..they will not go to waste. And if, in the future, I am able to afford more points and feel that they would go to good use...I can always purchase more.

I have always loved Disney and continue to do so. I spent over a year really looking into DVC, and reading through, lurker in, and asking questions in these threads. There are many great threads full of advice from people like @disneynutz above. Head their advice, but remember everyone has their own opinions and while some people may hate something about the DVC resorts or such, others may love it.

There are so many aspects of purchasing DVC points which I overlooked in the beginning. Including that, it is not only the points you buy up front, but annual maintenance fees, and then on top of those, the food, travel, ticket, and extra costs that accompany every trip to Disney.

I highly recommend reading some threads and doing your homework..not only is it fun to read more and more about Disney, but if you can let go of your emotions and just read everything as is, such as limited mousekeeping...you can truly make the most informed decision.

As far as resorts, I suggest renting some points for an upcoming trip, and take some time to visit some of the resorts. During my last visit in May, I stayed at SSR, and during our MK day, walked over to BLT in the middle of the day and were able to walk around and at least take in the scenery of the resort before eating at The Wave. We did a tour, and were offered the free ice cream and such and also got gift cards, which we used for a quick-service lunch at the theme parks. I feel like the boards have more useful and better information than what the tour will offer, but with the tour you can get the current incentives, as well as a quick tour of a room or two.

Remember, buying DVC points, you are basically committing to take a pretty expensive vacation at least every three years for the next few decades.

BLT currently has some low dues but since being taken off the active sales list, the annual dues increase for BLT has been above 6% which is high. Hopefully we will see the increases come back down to the 3% range soon.

Bill

 

[nkereina]

LOTS to ponder - and even still, it would probably be a couple years before we could afford a monthly payment (possibly after our mortgage renewal next year and one of our vehicles being paid off)...but SO tugging at the travel gene!

One thing you will deduce from this board is that most people find financing the cost of DVC to be counter-intuitive. Most people pay the lump sum cost with cash, leaving only annual dues as a monthly payment if they opt to break up the annual dues monthly rather than paying them all at the start of the year. Paying the lump sum in cash obviously saves you the interest costs, which can be exorbitant. Many people consider using home equity loans/lines of credit to purchase but that means putting your house up for essentially a guaranteed vacation, which also seems counter-intuitive.

A relative of mine purchased about 200 points direct at BLT and financed through Disney, and has a monthly payment of almost $300 for the next 10 years.

I work at a bank so I have no qualms about financing things, but even I have decided to put money away every month while we mull this over some more, and by the time we decide what to do, we should have enough to pay cash on a decent resale contract.

 

[DizBub]

I would suggest you take the tour. You will get very good information about DVC and how it works (take notes) and it's low pressure.

Just so you know, you can buy the older sold out resorts, they just won't tell you that unless you ask. They will be trying to sell VGF, Aulani and maybe even AKV. The "classic" resorts are a bit cheaper but still very expensive compared to resale. If you buy a sold out resort direct there will most likely be a waitlist.

We went to speak to a guide a couple of years ago about adding-on at BCV. He told us they didn't have our UY available. We left the preview center, called a resale broker and put in an offer for BCV with a Feb UY.

I would suggest a minimum of 150-160 points at BCV. That would get you a 2 bedroom for a week every other year at a low time. Dues in 2014 at 160 points at BCV are $921.37. Dues can be paid in a lump sum or monthly with a debit from your checking account.

 

[Deb & Bill]

One thing you will deduce from this board is that most people find financing the cost of DVC to be counter-intuitive. ...A relative of mine purchased about 200 points direct at BLT and financed through Disney, and has a monthly payment of almost $300 for the next 10 years. ....

There was a post a week or so ago from a member who had been paying for five years, still had five years to go and couldn't make it. They were wondering how to get out of the contract without ruining their credit if I recall correctly. The price they would have to sell at (and still pay the real estate commission) was nearly what it was selling direct and they might still have to come to the table with money to pay it off.

 

[Skjhjb]

Thanks everybody - you've all given great advice and lots of things for me to think about!

 

[HokieGCC]

I have come to appreciate the experience you can gain from this board. DVC can be a HUGE cost if you are not cautious. So here are my recommendations:

- Read read read. Learn about use year, yearly fees, 11 and 7 month booking windows, the resorts themselves, busy times, points per night per room per resort, costs, and member benefits. If you are still interested then,
- Rent points to try it out and determine if you like a particular resort or don't care.
- Okay to visit a guide at DVC but stay strong at a minimum for the first visit. No matter what offer they have for you resale is more affordable so be comfortable walking away. If still interested then,
- Compare resale verses buying direct from Disney. Typically the benefit of buying direct is how quickly you get your contract. The benefit of resale is you will pay about half +/- for the points.
- Don't feel rushed. You can go to Disney whenever you want w/o DVC and you will be way better off once you understand everything.
- Don't borrow money to fund DVC.

 

[nabi]

There was a post a week or so ago from a member who had been paying for five years, still had five years to go and couldn't make it. They were wondering how to get out of the contract without ruining their credit if I recall correctly. The price they would have to sell at (and still pay the real estate commission) was nearly what it was selling direct and they might still have to come to the table with money to pay it off.

theres an animal kingdom listing for $170 pp....I would figure they are owing money on it...a small one too.