PrePurchase Questions ...

[PensFan]

I have done A LOT of reading and looking into the purchase of DVC

Anywho Im sure these are simple and possibly dumb questions but I want to get some members feedback/advise before actually pulling the trigger!

Okay first off ... I understand the 11/7 month window for booking!

If you book later than expected say only a few months before you decide to go how likely is it that you can get your choice at your home resort let alone a different resort?

and to follow that up how hard is it to get a different resort if you look to book right at that 7 month window?

consider that im more less looking for general park times not thinking about march break, christmas, new years etc...

Secondly ... Housekeeping!?

Cant seem to get a solid answer on this? We have always stayed at the value resorts and get our room cleaned daily, but I think I have read that there is no housekeeping for DVC? or you have to pay extra of something for it! can anyone give me a little clarity!

Third ... OTHER costs?

I'm aware you need to buy your tickets and meal plans IF interested just like when you book any other vacation with Disney but outside of those costs and your YEARLY fee for the points you have is there other random hidden costs that I might not be seeing?


And lastly .... Any advice? or words of wisdom from someone who is part of the DVC that might want to share some knowledge on anything that they figure most people like myself probably overlooked or did not consider!


THANKS!!!

 

[Lynne M]

I'll take the housekeeping question....

When you stayed at a hotel (the value resort), the cost of housekeeping services was borne by the hotel, and passed along to you in your room rate.

DVC is a timeshare, so the cost of housekeeping services is shared by the owners of that particular resort (the annual fee you mentioned goes toward the operational costs of the resort). Right now, when you stay on points as a member, you'd get trash and towel service on day 4 if you're staying 7 or fewer days. If you stay a week or longer, you get a full cleaning on day 4, trash and towel on day 8, then the cycle repeats.

If DVC were to do a full cleaning every day, your annual fees would go through the roof. And many members don't even want housekeeping in their room every day. So, DVC has a pay-as-you go housekeeping service. If you want more frequent cleanings, you pay a fee. That way, only the people who want additional services have to pay for them, those of us who don't want daily cleanings aren't forced to pay for them.

 

[johnsbelt]

I have done A LOT of reading and looking into the purchase of DVC

Anywho Im sure these are simple and possibly dumb questions but I want to get some members feedback/advise before actually pulling the trigger!

Okay first off ... I understand the 11/7 month window for booking!

If you book later than expected say only a few months before you decide to go how likely is it that you can get your choice at your home resort let alone a different resort?

and to follow that up how hard is it to get a different resort if you look to book right at that 7 month window?

consider that im more less looking for general park times not thinking about march break, christmas, new years etc...

Secondly ... Housekeeping!?

Cant seem to get a solid answer on this? We have always stayed at the value resorts and get our room cleaned daily, but I think I have read that there is no housekeeping for DVC? or you have to pay extra of something for it! can anyone give me a little clarity!

Third ... OTHER costs?

I'm aware you need to buy your tickets and meal plans IF interested just like when you book any other vacation with Disney but outside of those costs and your YEARLY fee for the points you have is there other random hidden costs that I might not be seeing?


And lastly .... Any advice? or words of wisdom from someone who is part of the DVC that might want to share some knowledge on anything that they figure most people like myself probably overlooked or did not consider!


THANKS!!!

1st - DVC is structured to be fully rented all of the time (minus any breakage/maint time). That said, there are times when it is very difficult to get into certain resorts (think BCV/BWV/BLT during food and wine and any resort the first 2 weeks of December). Add in "normal" peak times (Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, etc) and there might not be any rooms available at 2-3 months. That said, several people have had luck with wait listing a stay. I haven't tried, so I do not have any experience.

2nd - You get fresh towels and trash removed on Day 4 of your visit. On Day 8 the room gets completely cleaned. Personally we like this as you don't feel like you are keeping housekeeping from doing there job if you aren't feeling well or just want to lounge. (My wife never understood the just chilling. Felt like she had to get out of the room when we were in a studio. Then I suprised her with a 1 Bedroom on our 25th anniv and now she doesn't want anything else. You can guess this resulted in add-on-itus.

3rd - The only thing I owe DVC for now is annual maint fees and anything that we spend when we go down.

Lastly - You either buy where you want to absolutely stay or wouldn't mind staying. It's not worth going if you aren't going to enjoy the trip. Normally my DW isn't high maint, but when we bought DVC, she insisted on BLT. Magic Kingdom is her favorite park and being within walking distance was worth it to me.

Hope this helps,

John

 

[McCrae]

Other costs.

No additional costs from those you have mentioned for staying at a DVC property.

If you want to transfer out of DVC to use a partner resort such as RCI you will pay an Admin fee of $ 95.

 

[chalee94]

If you book later than expected say only a few months before you decide to go how likely is it that you can get your choice at your home resort let alone a different resort?

a few months before you decide to go is extremely last minute in timeshare terms.

think of it like this: what if DVC was one room and 12 people bought in for 1 month each? it works great if everyone wants a different month. if 3 or 4 owners decide they all want to go in december, there is competition...first one to book gets it and the others are disappointed. and if none of the 12 want to go in february, then someone winds up with nothing at all available. DVC similarly sells only enough pts for all owners to have something to book...but demand for different periods can make last minute trips a bit iffy.

nothing is impossible if you are lucky, but if you wait till the last minute, SSR (likely a 1BR) will probably be your only choice, if anything. (i was looking for a 2 night stay in november a few weeks ago and noticed i was shut out and nothing was available (not even SSR), for example.)

and to follow that up how hard is it to get a different resort if you look to book right at that 7 month window?

depends on the resort and the time of year. during food and wine at epcot, trying to book BWV and BCV is very difficult. during december, booking VWL is tough at 7 months out...but booking VWL at 7 months for a february stay is much easier.

i should also add that booking the morning the 7 month window opens is different in some cases than booking a few days after the 7 month window opens...

Cant seem to get a solid answer on this? We have always stayed at the value resorts and get our room cleaned daily, but I think I have read that there is no housekeeping for DVC? or you have to pay extra of something for it! can anyone give me a little clarity!

it's a timeshare, not a hotel. this is a big thing to wrap your head around before buying in.

if the timeshare villa gets cleaned, the owners are paying for it (not disney). so in most timeshares, even the higher-end brands like marriott, there is no housekeeping at all. DVC has elected an every fourth day model to get some type of housekeeping - and if you want more, you would be expected to pay for it yourself. (like if you want made beds or the trash taken out or some light vacuuming done, DVC is your "home-away-from-home" so you are responsible to do it yourself.)

Third ... OTHER costs?

I'm aware you need to buy your tickets and meal plans IF interested just like when you book any other vacation with Disney but outside of those costs and your YEARLY fee for the points you have is there other random hidden costs that I might not be seeing?

you have the upfront costs to buy into the contract and you have the annual dues (that go up pretty much every year).

but again, it's a timeshare, so if a storm causes unusual damage to the resort's structure or roof, there is a risk of a "special assessment" that would be charged to the resort's owners to pay for repairs.

with that said, no DVC resort in history has ever been charged with this kind of "special assessment" - VB was allegedly close a few years ago after a big storm but it all worked out. (it's a small risk but something you should be aware of, IMO.)

 

[PensFan]

Thanks for the information so far!

Is there anywhere you can find the cost of the housekeeping services? as it is something I am interested in if moving forward.

as for the last minute planning ... that's totally not me but I just like to know what its like when the time comes if ever! so its something I need to consider!

Lastly ... if anyone reads this being its not in my original post ... CANCELLATIONS!

How does that work? I never thought of this and stumbled upon a thread talking about 4 months or when your usage year is?? not sure I follow that! I hope i would NEVER have to cancel a Disney trip but things do happen so I'd love to know more about that!

 

[disneynutz]

My suggestion is that you buy a resale contract at SSR. Try the DVC on for a couple of years and learn the system. If it works for you buy a contract at your favorite resort, if it doesn't sell and walk away.

Experience is the best teacher.

Bill

 

[chalee94]

Is there anywhere you can find the cost of the housekeeping services? as it is something I am interested in if moving forward.

Housekeeping

Trash & Towel Service
For stays of seven or less nights, Trash & Towel Service is provided on day four, regardless of whether you're using Member-discounted cash, Vacation Points or a combination of both.

With Trash & Towel service, Housekeeping will:

•Empty trash and replace liners in trash bins.
•Provide fresh bathroom linens.
•Replace shampoo, facial soap and bath soap.
•Replenish facial tissues, paper towels and toilet paper.
•Replenish coffee, sugar, cream and sweeteners.
•Replenish dishwashing liquid, dishwashing detergent, sponges and laundry detergent as needed in one-, two- and three-bedroom Vacation Homes.

Full Cleaning Service
For stays of eight or more nights, Full Cleaning Service is provided on day four and Trash & Towel Service is provided on day eight. After that, the cycle begins again on day 12, regardless of whether you're using Member-discounted cash, Vacation Points or a combination of both. With Full Cleaning service, Housekeeping will provide everything included with the Trash & Towel Service, plus:

•Change the bed linens.
•Vacuum and dust the Vacation Home.
•Clean the bathroom(s).
•Clean the kitchen/kitchenette and wash the dishes.

Pay As You Play
With Pay As You Play service, you'll be provided with the following amenities free of charge at the start of your stay. After that, you may purchase more for the following fees:

•Toiletries Package, $5.00 - 1 facial soap, 1 bath soap, 1 shampoo, 1 conditioner, 1 shower gel
•Coffee Package, $3.00 - 1 package of coffee, 8 sugars, 8 creamers, 8 artificial sweeteners
•Towel Package, $6.00 - 4 bath towels, 2 hand towels, 4 washcloths, 1 bath mat
•Laundry Detergent (only in One-, Two-, and Three-bedroom Vacation Homes), $1.00 - 1 box

Additional Full Cleaning Rates:

•Studio/Inn Room - $30.00 per day requested
•One-Bedroom - $45.00 per day requested
•Two-Bedroom - $60.00 per day requested
•Three-Bedroom - $75.00 per day requested

Additional Trash & Towel Rates:

•Studio/Inn Room - $15.00 per day requested
•One-Bedroom - $20.00 per day requested
•Two-Bedroom - $25.00 per day requested
•Three-Bedroom - $35.00 per day requested

Room Change Fees:
Room change fee will apply for Member requested room changes after check-in for a different view or room location.

•Deluxe Studio - $30
•One-Bedroom Villa - $45
•Two-Bedroom Villa - $60
•Three-Bedroom Grand Villa - $75

Note: Rates are subject to change

Lastly ... if anyone reads this being its not in my original post ... CANCELLATIONS!

How does that work? I never thought of this and stumbled upon a thread talking about 4 months or when your usage year is?? not sure I follow that! I hope i would NEVER have to cancel a Disney trip but things do happen so I'd love to know more about that!

borrowing from a moderator:

If you cancel 31 days or more from the arrival date, the points are returned to the use year without penalty. But they'd fall under normal banking borrowing rules, so if your cancellation was within 4 months of the end of your use year, the points would have to be used by the end of the use year.

If you cancel 30 days or less from arrival, points go into holding status, they must be used to make reservations for arrival 60 days or less days, and must be used by the end of the use year or they are lost.

If you cancel the day of arrival, points are considered used, and are lost.

 

[chalee94]

you may want to bookmark the "Understanding Use Year" thread here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1942668

when dealing with your UY, throw out the calendar - my UY is october so my "use year" has new year's day on oct 1 and ends on sept 30.

 

[PensFan]

My suggestion is that you buy a resale contract at SSR. Try the DVC on for a couple of years and learn the system. If it works for you buy a contract at your favorite resort, if it doesn't sell and walk away.

Experience is the best teacher.

Bill

Why SSR? We were more looking into resale of AK

 

[DizBub]

You have gotten great advice so far.

Just wanted to jump in to assure you that there are no hidden, lurking costs with DVC. This is the one thing that worried us before we took the plunge, that they would nickel and dime us to death. It's been 5 years and other than the dues going up slightly each year, nothing.

Oh yeah, one other thing......this DVC thing tends to become addictive. It's called "add-on-itis" and left unchecked, can become very expensive.

 

[disneynutz]

Why SSR? We were more looking into resale of AK

AKV would be fine also, take a look at the point and dues costs. IMO each resort has it's pluses and minuses, most of which you won't fully realize until you stay there a couple of times.

For us, AKV is a dark large resort. You won't always get the best animal views and the resort is remote from everything. It's hot and sometimes it smells. The resort staff is stricter than others, they don't like moving you and if you enter a room then ask to be moved, they will charge you a cleaning fee.

Other resorts seem to be more flexible.

Bill

 

[Dean]

I have done A LOT of reading and looking into the purchase of DVC

Anywho Im sure these are simple and possibly dumb questions but I want to get some members feedback/advise before actually pulling the trigger!

Okay first off ... I understand the 11/7 month window for booking!

If you book later than expected say only a few months before you decide to go how likely is it that you can get your choice at your home resort let alone a different resort?

and to follow that up how hard is it to get a different resort if you look to book right at that 7 month window?

consider that im more less looking for general park times not thinking about march break, christmas, new years etc...

Secondly ... Housekeeping!?

Cant seem to get a solid answer on this? We have always stayed at the value resorts and get our room cleaned daily, but I think I have read that there is no housekeeping for DVC? or you have to pay extra of something for it! can anyone give me a little clarity!

Third ... OTHER costs?

I'm aware you need to buy your tickets and meal plans IF interested just like when you book any other vacation with Disney but outside of those costs and your YEARLY fee for the points you have is there other random hidden costs that I might not be seeing?


And lastly .... Any advice? or words of wisdom from someone who is part of the DVC that might want to share some knowledge on anything that they figure most people like myself probably overlooked or did not consider!


THANKS!!!

1. If you can't book routinely by around 7 months, I think buying in is far too risky and a poor choice.
2. Housekeeping is answered but most find they don't miss it nearly as much as they thought they would. One exception tends to be those that want clean towels daily but stay in a studio.
3. Not really hidden costs, DVC is pretty simple that way currently. Assuming you're ONLY using the points for DVC resorts (which is how you should plan) then it's up front including closing and possibly maint fee reimbursements. After that it's yearly dues and the risk (guarantee) of increases which have historically been reasonable but who knows going forward. My opinion is people shouldn't buy a timeshare or luxury purchase if they have consumer debt and/or can't pay cash up front.
4. You simply need to consider risks to the system, resort and your personal situation. Things like if you lost your job, the parks closed, DVC sold off the management to another company, VB or HH especially (but could be any resort) were removed from the system or what if the fees went up 10% per year for a number of years.

Why SSR? We were more looking into resale of AK

SSR will be cheaper and less risky long term for anyone looking to get into the system and try a number of resorts and options and certainly to use mostly at 7 months or less.

 

[chalee94]

2. Housekeeping is answered but most find they don't miss it nearly as much as they thought they would.

agree. on 5 night stays, i'll typically cancel the trash and towel as i prefer not having anyone in the room while i'm gone...

 

[zavandor]

Why SSR? We were more looking into resale of AK

SSR is the best value hands down if you plan to use your points to visit all resorts over time (assuming you are flexible enough with travel dates to be able to do it).
It has a low purchase cost and one of the lowest DVC MF per point.

 

[JimMIA]

If you book later than expected say only a few months before you decide to go how likely is it that you can get your choice at your home resort let alone a different resort?

I think the only way to answer this is to say "it depends."

If booking less than 7 months out would be your typical pattern, then you would have to accept whatever is available...and be okay with that. Most likely, availability will be at one of the larger resorts: SSR, OKW, or AKV.

Obviously, the later you wait, the fewer options you will have. If you are "only a few months" out -- meaning 2-4 months, your chances are definitely reduced.

You will see anecdotal examples of people getting last minute reservations. I've even heard of people landing at MCO and calling from the airport and getting in!

But those are exceptional cases, and you should NOT base a purchase decision on exceptional cases.

Personally, if you can't reliably book more than seven months out, I would not buy anybody's timeshare. Timeshares simply don't work well that way. They work best for people who can reliably plan quite a bit ahead.

I'd look at other options like renting from timeshare owners (either DVC or offsite), available discounts, etc.

 

[PensFan]

Thank you all for the GREAT feedback you have helped me a lot!




now to just convince the wife ...

 

[PensFan]

Another questions ... just about BANKING POINTS.

We tend to currently travel to Disney every 2 years and will most likley keep that up for the next while but when we go we like to stay LONGER .. 10 days 2 weeks in that area ... so anyhow

Im looking at a resale that has points that become available AUG 1st each year BUT we travel LATE AUG and even with DVC we most likely would like to keep that time of travel .. so my concern/question is this ...

when banking points how long do they carry over for? I keep seeing 2 years? but I thought the guy at Disney told me 3 Years?

so here is my EXAMPLE tell me how wrong or right I am please! lol as I just want to make sure that I buy a resale that give me points at the RIGHT time!

So lets just use the year 2000 for simplicity...

Aug 1 2000 - 200 Points
(IF THESE POINTS ARE BANKED THEY MUST BE USED BUY AUG 1st 2003)

Aug 1 2001 - 200 Points
Aug 1 2002 - 200 Points

Using the above giving me the ability to use 600 POINTS in AUG of 2002 OR if desired 800 points IF I wanted to borrow my points from 2003 also?




seems so confusing once you feel like your ready to pull the trigger on a deal ...

 

[JimMIA]

NO. That is incorrect.

When you bank points, you shift them from one Use Year to the next...period. So in your example, your UY 2000 points would be banked into your 2001 UY -- which starts on Aug 1 2001 and extends until July 31, 2002. NOT 2003.

What the timeshare salesman was talking about was a combination of banking AND borrowing. That would go like this, and would give you three years of points to use in Year 2:

Year 1 points -- banked into Year 2
Year 2 points
Year 3 points -- borrowed into Year 2

 

[JimMIA]

Keep in mind that banking and borrowing are irreversible transactions, meaning once you move points to another UY they stay there. There is no such thing as "un-banking" or un-borrowing."

The importance of that is if your plans change, you can't undo the expiration date of the points.

You can, however, deposit banked and borrowed points into RCI prior to expiration and use them there.