Pros and Cons to waiting to buy DVC

[angiepangie8]

What are the pros and cons to waiting to buy into DVC?

I am interested in buying into AKV. However, I currently have just paid to rent points from an owner and have a reservation for June 2008. Now I have been thinking maybe I should've just bought. But, DH would like to see before buying and since this is our first family Disney trip, he wants us to decide if this something we will do every other year. We have a 7yr old and a 5 yr old so I know they wouldn't be opposed. DH can't as of now see us going quite so often, but I know there are other locations ~ Hawaii is definitely of interest to me.

(Also, now that we are putting up the expense for this family trip it may be a while before we can save up the funds for the DVC downpayment. ~so maybe we should've just went 4 it~ I hate second guessing myself!)

Any words of wisdom?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Since you have already rented the points for next summer, that is water under the bridge and money that you can't get back for a downpayment. I would stick with your original plan, which is to go and enjoy Disney for your first trip. If you see yourself returning often, then DVC is right for you. Many of us who are DVC owners like multiple trips to WDW a year, and also like staying on-site for the convenience. I'm not sure I would buy a timeshare in a location I didn't know about.

Think of timeshare ownership as a prepaid vacation property. You buy the property (time), and then you visit it on a regular basis. When we first looked into DVC (in 1994), we had NO timeshare experience at all. We went through the tour, and then toured a few other timeshares before making a decision. It didn't take us long to figure out that if we wanted to be in Disney, we needed to buy in Disney. We have used it once in a trade to Hawaii, and while I think the value for that week's trade was good, I probably would never use my DVC to trade for other domestic type exhanges. I'd want something exotic for the value if I trade out.

Disney World is such a complete "world" unto itself. That attention to detail and complete immersion into a fantasy reality is what brings us back again and again. Owning DVC makes us feel like we own a part of that "world". My point is, that you haven't yet had your first WDW trip. There is no way you know if you will like it. My best advice to you is to spend all of your energy right now planning that first trip in GREAT detail. Plan you park visits with the information you find on these boards and in the guide books ( I reccomend the Unofficial Guide). Get your dining reservations set, and learn as much as you can about the 4 parks so you can enjoy them to their fullest. Then, after that trip, if you had the best time you could imagine, sit down and look at your budget. If a downpayment and annual dues is something you can handle, it might be a good plan for you.

One thing about your statement bothers me a little. You said "...now that we are putting up the expense for this family trip it may be a while before we can save up the funds for the DVC downpayment." If saving for one trip on rented points (significantly cheaper than reserving through Disney) is a difficult task to fit into your budget, then owning DVC will be more difficult. While it's true that you will be "prepaying" your accommodations for the next 50 years, you will NOT be prepaying the rest of the vacation expenses. There will still be park tickets, airfares, dining costs, maintenance fees, etc, etc. You need to be sure THOSE expenses are worth it in addition to the initial outlay of funds.

 

[crisi]

I'd never recommend anyone buy DVC unless they are committed to a "Disney Lifestyle Choice" And while it has worked out for some, making the Disney Lifestyle Choice before going to WDW is a little like an arranged marriage.

There are people who hate Disney. There are people who get there and decide "this really isn't for us." There are people who think its too expensive, too crowded, too dated, too hokey, the weather in Florida is too hot, too cold or too rainy (depending on the season), too commercial. Whatever magic is felt by Disney fans - they just don't "get" - and in some cases they don't get it because they've gotten an unmagical Disney trip (they happen - a rude cast member, rude other guests, a broken favorite ride, a looked forward to meal that didn't meet expectations). Hopefully, you won't be one of them, but its possible.

Also, your oldest is seven. We bought when our kids were 2 and 3 - for every other year trips. My oldest is now almost nine - and for our family, Disney is already on the downswing in terms of appeal. It doesn't work that way for everyone.

Don't buy to trade. If what you are interested in is vacationing using timeshare exchanges, go to TCNUG and read over there. DVC is a VERY EXPENSIVE timeshare for doing anything other than staying on Disney property.

 

[browniemtb]

Diane and Crisi had excellant responses. I'd go along with what they explained.

Go on your Disney trip, your first if I am reading correctly, and see if its a magical place for you and your family. Think about being there at least every other year and the expense that may hold. Even when you take a year off there are still dues that will have to be paid and if you take a loan for the purchase, that monthly charge as well. If you decide, "Hey this is for us", take the DVC tour and sit down and crunch the numbers. Make sure it fits within your family budget......as the others have said, even though you have a place to stay you still need to think about transportation, tickets, food, souveneirs, and on and on. Mickey tends to have an invisible hand in your pocket at all times, but we love the guy.

Now the tough part, the only thing I see happening because of waiting is price. We waited almost 6 years before we finally purchased. I wanted to make sure we had it in our budget to pull the trigger. Even though we travel to Disney quite often, DVC is a commitment.....dues and such. Disney tends to raise the per point price yearly but at the same time comes up with some fabulous promotions that kind of negates some of the increases.

Good luck and call now to get the DVC DVD and book........

Brownie

 

[nderh2o]

We waited for 2 years prior to joining last month. We discovered DVC when we (me, DW, DS5, DD3, DD1) visited WDW in May 2005 and stayed in a 1BR at OKW using one of those coveted discount codes (can't seem to find them anymore - business must be good for the mouse). This was my 1st trip to Disney and I found it to be a totally immersive experience and one during which I was completely able to disconnect from the outside world - just what I needed. When we got home, I decided that if I ever go back, it will be in a suite or villa (or at a minimum 2 connecting rooms). After crunching #s from home I talyed to a guide (this is where my rambling ends)...
June 2005 cost per point at SSR w/discount = approx $82/point (this may have included selling back that year's points - can't remember)
June 2007 cost per point at SSR w/discount = approx $94/point
Even with all of the research, we still to a 9 night trip to POR in June 2007 before deciding to join - I wanted to be absolutely sure this was for us.
Bottom line is that prices will most certainly go up but I suspect when compared to inflation, the amount won't be as drastic as you may think. I certainly would not recommend stretching your family budget to do this.

 

[Ratpack]

We just bought in and it is great for us. The best point mentioned so far is only look at DVC if you plan to go to Disney a lot. We go 1-3 times a year so it made sense to us. Also, we live 2 hrs from the Hilton Head resort so we can also make use of that resort as well. I have heard mention that Disneymay be expanding into other areas like they did with HH and VB but that is down the road and still to be seen. While you are down there, make the most of this vacation, and then the family can decide if they would go often. Every other year would be my minimum requirement to buy. Then you can bank points the off years and have a really long vacation the other years. And also as mentioned, this is only the accomidations portion of the trip, so the other parts still come into play. But you may find as we have that you can go to WDW and not go to a park. There are so many things to do around there that you can have a fun relaxing vacation on site without the parks. We plan to do that at Christmas, other than MVMCP, we will just enjoy DTD, AKV and other places.

One thing you may want to do while down there if you can fit it into your plans, is take the tour. You will learn a lot and actually see the different accomidations. No pressure to buy then, just info.

 

[angiepangie8]

Thank you all such good advice.
As far as the $ situation ~The 2BDRM Savannah View at AKV is $2400. My mom wanted to come too and is splitting the costs with us. The $ put towards that would've been the $ we put towards a 10% downpayment. But now we will need to wait to build back up Vacation $.

It probably was the right call to wait. It's easy to get caught up in all of the excitement and the idea of staying at such beautiful places for years to come. We need to experience it firsthand.

It's funny the different opinions on the best ages for children to go to Disney. My MIL convinced me for years that the kids were too young. Now at 5 and 7 they are definitely excited about going, but in a few years I don't see my son who is the 7yr old getting as excited to see the different characters. However, it could still be a great vacation spot ~ it's just different things would be of interest.

 

[browniemtb]

angie, I agree with the comment about kids ages. I feel that once they can associate a character on tv, like Mickey, I think the excitement of seeing them in person is there. At what age does this happen??? All I can say we started bringing my oldest down at age 2 and her face lit up everytime we entered the Magic Kingdom. Now my, now middle child, will not believe we are in Florida until she sees the Castle. Now we have a new little one.....his first trip will probably be before the age of 1. But one must remember that Disney World is for kids of all ages, I to love being in that environment.

Brownie

 

[dianeschlicht]

(snip)It's funny the different opinions on the best ages for children to go to Disney. My MIL convinced me for years that the kids were too young. Now at 5 and 7 they are definitely excited about going, but in a few years I don't see my son who is the 7yr old getting as excited to see the different characters. However, it could still be a great vacation spot ~ it's just different things would be of interest.

I think the perception that Disney is just characters is part of that. We first took our family when the oldest was 14 and the youngest was 8. The older one still "doesn't get it", and she is now pushing 40. The youngest one LOVED Epcot that first trip (studious type), and it is still his very favorite park now as an adult. I think the ages of their first trips did make a difference there. Both of them were beyond the character phase, but both enjoyed different things, and continue to. As time has passed, we spend very little time in the Magic Kingdom anymore. Now we spend the bulk of our park time at Animal Kingdom, Epcot and the Studios with AK and Epcot getting the most of it. That's kind of the beauty of WDW...SOmething for everyone!

 

[angiepangie8]

(snip) Disney tends to raise the per point price yearly but at the same time comes up with some fabulous promotions that kind of negates some of the increases.

Good luck and call now to get the DVC DVD and book........

Brownie

(snip) One thing you may want to do while down there if you can fit it into your plans, is take the tour. You will learn a lot and actually see the different accomidations. No pressure to buy then, just info.

I have talked with a DVC agent (not sure of their title) and he gave me info over the phone, emailed me info., and sent me a hard back "Dream" book. I called him back yesterday and said thanks but that we were going to hold off until after our trip. He didn't really pressure me but, he did say that the price will probably go up and that the incentives he was offering expired at the end of the month. Do you think that they will have different promotions in a year at AKV?

He told me to look him up when I get there. I will if we can get in Orlando a day early or stay a day late, but I don't want it to interfere with our family vacation. A day early if we can would be best ~ maybe we will get free icecream

 

[Deb & Bill]

There are always some sort of incentive to purchase DVC. But since you have already spoken to a DVC Guide, you might not be eligible for any of the new incentives.

If we were looking at purchasing in 2007, I don't think we would based on the price per point. Back in 1997, we paid about $50 per point.

 

[Mtnman44]

Don't feel the pressue, it's just salesmanship. You should NOT buy DVC until you know if WDW trips are going to be a regular thing for your family. Don't worry about the price increases. Maybe Disney's sales price might be $2 per point or so higher by next summer, after your trip but in the grand scheme of things, it doessn't matter. That's only $400 more dollars for a 200 point contract. Plus, there will be some AKVs on the resale market, likely selling for a little less that what disney is selling them for right now.

I have talked with a DVC agent (not sure of their title) and he gave me info over the phone, emailed me info., and sent me a hard back "Dream" book. I called him back yesterday and said thanks but that we were going to hold off until after our trip. He didn't really pressure me but, he did say that the price will probably go up and that the incentives he was offering expired at the end of the month. Do you think that they will have different promotions in a year at AKV?

He told me to look him up when I get there. I will if we can get in Orlando a day early or stay a day late, but I don't want it to interfere with our family vacation. A day early if we can would be best ~ maybe we will get free icecream

 

[Hersheybar417]

We have been going to WDW for years, staying mainly at a deluxe. We took the tour 3 years ago, deciding DVC wasn't right for us at that time. Two years later, we rented points and took a week at BWV. We totally fell in love with everything about DVC. We then came home and called the guide who had taken us on the initial tour and purchased points. But I think it was the point rental that helped us to decide. Kind of like a "try it on for size" deal.

Our two kids are fresh out of college. I thought my DH and I would be going in January as empty-nesters. However, my DD said she could get time off work, so could she go along? Then DS said he could also get off work and could he come along and bring his GF? Had to re-book a 2 BR instead of the 1BR. There go the points! But I'm so thankful they want to go. We are, truly, a Disney family and DVC was the right choice for us, even if we do end up going by ourselves. We'll just stay longer!

 

[Didney Daddy]

Not much to add but just to reiterate the same point. DVC is for people who love all things Disney. THis is a prepaid vacation plan and if you are not SURE you are going to go to Disney at least every other year, then rent and be happy.

We love Disney and it is an incredible part of our families memories and lifestyle. But we had the blessing of always feeling that way so DVC was a natural fit.

 

[vandy]

...but in a few years I don't see my son who is the 7yr old getting as excited to see the different characters.

Your children may wane on their interest in the "Characters", but other interests and likes may replace them. Our oldest finds WDW just as fun as her first trip in 1990 (or '91?). Disney has also grown over the years, adding new attractions and new destinations within the 'World'. Take your planned trip and see if the attraction is there. If you later purchase and the attraction goes away after a few years, you can always resale your contracts.

 

[CarolAnnC]

To the OP - I see you are from Indiana. You may want to consider a drive trip to Chicago where you can view the AKV models at the Doorway to Dreams in Woodfield Mall. They are truly beautiful model homes.

I joined in 1997, having looked at DVC since it opened. My only one regret was that we did not buy in sooner. Good luck!

 

[RLRDA]

It's funny the different opinions on the best ages for children to go to Disney. My MIL convinced me for years that the kids were too young. Now at 5 and 7 they are definitely excited about going, but in a few years I don't see my son who is the 7yr old getting as excited to see the different characters. However, it could still be a great vacation spot ~ it's just different things would be of interest.

It's true that your children won't be into the characters for that long. There is so much more to WDW than just characters, though. As our boys have gotten a little older, they now are looking forward to the roller coasters, the water parks, and some of the more thrilling attractions. They claim they'll want to come with us every time we go. Eventually, I'm sure my DH and I will take trips to WDW by ourselves or with family & friends. Someday, if/when it happens,we'd love to take grandchildren (along w/ our DS's & DDIL's). It seems, to us at least, that there are different stages of DVC.

There's also all of Orlando to explore....as well as Vero Beach DVC. Just because you're staying on property at WDW doesn't mean you can't visit off site tourist destinations.

 

[Ratpack]

There's also all of Orlando to explore....as well as Vero Beach DVC. Just because you're staying on property at WDW doesn't mean you can't visit off site tourist destinations.

We do this all the time. We have annual passes to Sea World and we will go down and stay at Disney and go to Sea World. You still get to enjoy all the non park things.