put a deposit down and feeling...meh.

[RCM]

my husband and i are having a hard time figuring out how you calculate when you break even..how do you know you broke even at SSR? did you just base it on how much you would have paid to book regularly online for the rooms?

also, what is ROFR and TSS?

thanks!



you're right - our guide wasn't sitting there talking about the cons! that's why we still are researching! the contract is not final and the deposit is refundable. i think i got nervous after reading the thread "are you disappointed?" - there definitely are people who are unhappy!

also, not sure if he is right but our guide told us that disney won't be offering free dining or buy 4/get 3 in the future...hmmm...



ah, good to know i'm not the only one!

thing is, we probably wouldn't stay deluxe if it weren't for dvc. that's really where we're still thinking about the pros/cons.

that being said, we have no doubts that we will go to disney at least every year, maybe twice, so why wouldn't we pre-pay for the vacations?

i guess everyone buys APs?

Well this June with the 3/2bdrm condos for 6 nights would have cost me $9,000 if I had to pay cash. We could never do that realisticly. The Moderate hotels(1 room ) will cost over $1000.00 for a week. The prices of moderate rooms will only go up and our points will not cost us except for our fees that are nowhere near the cost of a vacation.

TTS......is The Timeshare Store that is advertised here. Maybe you should look at the list of resales. They are less expensive then going directly through Disney but does take longer and Disney has the right to buy the contract back before you (ROFR) so you would loose out and have to look for another contract.

 

[kenny]

thing is, we've always stayed at moderate resorts and have been able to get deals (buy 4, get 3). so a little part of me still thinks that maybe the dvc isn't worth it. but the long term makes it seem like it is!

We were similar. We have stayed deluxe (Poly, CR) but generally stayed at CBR.

From a break even stand point, pp's are correct that it will take us "longer" to break even (although we still will). However, I look at it from the stand point of what I now get for my money.

An example I have posted in other threads is that we are staying at BLT 1BR MKV in 2 weeks. The rack rate for our trip is approx 5K. Yes with specials/deals we could save some but you can't count on them. As Disney stated a few months back, they are going to start cutting back the discounts (I think next year, but may not remember article correctly).

If I calculate what it cost us is dues for our 300pts (SSR/BLT) and what the cost of the points were (divided by the lenght of the contract), the money DVC cost me in 2010 would be equivalent to a 10 night stay at CBR. We are staying in March 10 nights and Nov 7 nights both at BLT.

So for the same $$ I get 17 nights instead of 10 and at BLT in a 1BR as opposed to CBR.

We loved CBR but realized as the kids got older we would be more cramped. After staying in a DVC 1 BR it is no comparision. The space and amenities at DVC resorts let's you vacation in a completely different manner.

 

[newyorkmike]

how small should we break down the contracts? we plan on purchasing the smallest pts - 160.

Hi fellow NYer! My wife and I live in Mineola and shop at Roosevelt field all the time!

We just bought 250 points on February 6. Our salesman advised that we could split the points between two equal contracts of 125 points. When we received our package in the mail, it was for a single contract for 250 points. When I called the quality assurance customer service number indicated on the contract, I was advised by the customer service rep that for a DVC member's initial contract, the minimum contract amount had to be 160 points and could not be split below that. So, we could split our contract into a 160 and a 90, but not two 125s (We ultimately decided to split it 175 and 75). We were told that the 160 minimum does not apply to any subsequent add-on contracts.

So in your case, since you are buying in at 160, I do not believe that you will be able to split that contract.

We had similar reservations about whether this was the right time to buy in, particularly with the 4/3 offers and 35-40% off PIN codes that have been out there for the past two years. However, when we looked at the long-term cost benefit analysis and savings in 10, 20 or 30 years, it is a completely reasonable time, particularly with the current incentives. The 4/3 and PIN code promotions will not be around forever, and when they are gone, so might the great DVC incentives!

 

[ToddyLu]

We purchased 210 points at AKV in a financed deal last year direct from Disney. We had already booked a trip at Pop on a pin code but when the guide said he could get us 2 SV studios...well heck how could we pass it up. We bought our points for $93 with Disney's Discount and a member referral. It was easy to finance and we do Disney every year so we knew we were going back. We had a spectacular trip, the room, the animals, we didn't mind actually relaxing at the resort. In the past we have kinda hated having to trek back to the room at Pop...stuck in there, amenities a mile away and nothing to really see. DVC changed that whole experience.

 

[ToddyLu]

Also people mean well here on the boards, but they can sometimes seem negative. You have to decide for yourself how your experience affects you...don't put too much on others opinions. I come here for clarification on rules and policies mostly and sometimes to pass along a word or two about what we have experienced. So take others opinions here with a grain of salt, including mine.

 

[dumbo_buddy]

thank you ALL for your input. i can't tell you how much i appreciate you taking the time to respond to me. it's nice "hearing" everyone's experience.

i still think 160 pts for us is fine for the time being. like most of you said though, the way we vacation may change once our son gets older (and if dh has his way, we have another baby ). in that case, perhaps we may take only one vacation per year and do a one bedroom. or, maybe we'll buy more points.

i feel like the bottom line is really the fact that we KNOW we will be going to disney AT LEAST once a year. with the points, we could most likely be able to go twice a year (studio during value times) which is great. since we know we want to go every year, why not pre pay for our rooms?

 

[dumbo_buddy]

Hi fellow NYer! My wife and I live in Mineola and shop at Roosevelt field all the time!

We just bought 250 points on February 6. Our salesman advised that we could split the points between two equal contracts of 125 points. When we received our package in the mail, it was for a single contract for 250 points. When I called the quality assurance customer service number indicated on the contract, I was advised by the customer service rep that for a DVC member's initial contract, the minimum contract amount had to be 160 points and could not be split below that. So, we could split our contract into a 160 and a 90, but not two 125s (We ultimately decided to split it 175 and 75). We were told that the 160 minimum does not apply to any subsequent add-on contracts.

So in your case, since you are buying in at 160, I do not believe that you will be able to split that contract.

We had similar reservations about whether this was the right time to buy in, particularly with the 4/3 offers and 35-40% off PIN codes that have been out there for the past two years. However, when we looked at the long-term cost benefit analysis and savings in 10, 20 or 30 years, it is a completely reasonable time, particularly with the current incentives. The 4/3 and PIN code promotions will not be around forever, and when they are gone, so might the great DVC incentives!

hi neighbor! we actually live right next to the throgs neck bridge on the water there so it is so easy to get to the RF mall. dh is from queens so he had been there tons of times. it is HUGE! have you been to the doorway to dreams that disney has there? it's really something else. i wonder how many other places they have like that in the country.

our guide told us that the deals would not be around long and most likely not even next year.

 

[realfam]

We purchased our first DVC contract in 2007 on DCL (sight unseen). We waited 10 months until our first visit (10 months of questioning ourselves to whether or not we did the right thing). After our first visit (which was an SSR and AKV stay) we couldn't have been happier with our choice. Since then we have done an add on because we didn't buy enough points the first time. We now have plenty and have able to take my inlaws with us.

I promise you that after you have finshed your first stay as a member you will not regret your purchase. You'll be counting down the days until the next visit just like the rest of us. And think of what a great thing your giving your kids.

We are purchasing DVC this year BLT, 100 points, and like you we have always stayed at the moderates, Caribbean Beach to be exact. We've been going twice a year for the last three years now, using the various deals, 4/3, 40%, and free dining.

The way my numbers played out with DVC we will be paying the same, even with the discounts, for the deluxe now that we did with the moderate. Same studio mind you, those 1 bedrooms are nice but point heavy!! Also after looking at the whole deal we realize going with the Annual Pass also makes sense as long as you do two trips. Hopefully we'll try to squeeze in three trips May 2010, Oct 2010, and Apr 2011. The only real loss we see with DVC deal wise is the free dining, but since we only have points for one trip a year we can always do the other cash. Also now that we'll have APs we'll get the Tables in Wonderland card as well.

If you have the cash available and know you will be making the trek to Disney I think DVC is a sound idea, I just wish we wouldv'e pulled the trigger sooner.

 

[cpdwiz]

first off, let me say that i haven't read through many of the posts here in the DVC area but plan to spend all my free time today doing so! i love the dis boards and always get great info from the people on here

dh and i went to the doorway to dreams DVC storefront at the roosevelt field mall on long island yesterday. we spoke with several CMs there but mostly Rob was our guide. we spent almost 3 hours with him! we saw the model studio and one bedroom of BLT (by the way, the one bedroom is bigger than my whole house here in the bronx! sad!)

dh and i decided to put the $500 deposit down and will receive the contracts in two days. i was up most of the night (partly due to my 8 month old teething) thinking about dvc. i'm incredibly nervous about it. we really love disney. we plan on going every year. we'd like to go more than once! for now we feel that a studio is plenty big for the two of us and our son. with that, we could basically do a 6 night stay at BLT and another 6 night stay at OKW with the 160 pts we decided on. that's pretty great! (we go during january/sept)

thing is, we've always stayed at moderate resorts and have been able to get deals (buy 4, get 3). so a little part of me still thinks that maybe the dvc isn't worth it. but the long term makes it seem like it is!

well anyway, i guess i'm looking for a little convincing that we're going to be happy with the decision. we're thinking of putting $7k down and financing the rest.

by the way, we walked into the doorway to dreams with dh wearing a mickey shirt and mickey socks and my ds wearing a mickey bib. thing is, we didn't even think about it til the CMs pointed it out. disney is just a part of us i guess

When we first went together in 2007, we were HOOKED. We stayed at Pop Century and loved it...We listened to DVC stuff, and realized we probably could not afford it, so our mentality was, who needs bigger rooms...WELL, since winning, I can honestly say, ITS WORTH IT..Even buying into it is worth EVERY PENNY if you can afford it!!! DVC is amazing to us! The way we stay NOW is awesome...To take a hot jacuzzi in your own room, then sleep in a huge, comfortable bed is great...To get up, and want a snack, and walk to a real size fridge in the night and get something is awesome!! To know the kids are safe in their own bedroom is a great feeling..

SO, if you love Disney and you can swing it, its worth EVERY SINGLE CENT in my opinion!!

 

[CarolynMink]

Just wanted to add a little extra twist.

I loved Disney long before DVC. When I had to travel to Orlando for business with a one year old and a three year old, I insisted on a 1B at OKW. (This was a long time ago and years before I joined DVC.) The full kitchen and a washing machine in the room simply were heaven. I still often waver between the studio and the 1B just because of the washer & dryer.

I just love not going home to mounds of laundry -what can I say.

I do not regret purchasing DVC. I just wish there was a cure for addonitis. I am always trying to figure out a way to add on.

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

We didn't purchase until Sept. 2008 but I sure wish we had purchased long before that. Our kids are 24 and 27 now. I keep thinking about how much money we spent just on accomodations. I don't think you will regret it and 160 points should be fine for now - you can always add on more later.

 

[Jaaron2]

Buy in with what you are comfortable with now. We stayed our first two trips at Port Orleans resort and really liked it (we have three boys) and it was a little tight even when they were younger. Since we have bought into DVC we have taken in-laws, aunts, kids friends and have just loved EVERY minute. We started with 200 points and now have 500

Our only regret is not doing it sooner. My wife and I also go alone (we are going for 7 days in three weeks!) DVC is an individual decision, if you love going to Disney you will love DVC! There is no real downside, we dont even look at the numbers. We took two 10 day trips last yoear to BCV and the Boardwalk and one trip alone for a two bedroom was going to cost us over $13,000 just for the room. Our DVC has become our home away from home!

 

[lisaviolet]

first off, let me say that i haven't read through many of the posts here in the DVC area but plan to spend all my free time today doing so! i love the dis boards and always get great info from the people on here

dh and i went to the doorway to dreams DVC storefront at the roosevelt field mall on long island yesterday. we spoke with several CMs there but mostly Rob was our guide. we spent almost 3 hours with him! we saw the model studio and one bedroom of BLT (by the way, the one bedroom is bigger than my whole house here in the bronx! sad!)

dh and i decided to put the $500 deposit down and will receive the contracts in two days. i was up most of the night (partly due to my 8 month old teething) thinking about dvc. i'm incredibly nervous about it. we really love disney. we plan on going every year. we'd like to go more than once! for now we feel that a studio is plenty big for the two of us and our son. with that, we could basically do a 6 night stay at BLT and another 6 night stay at OKW with the 160 pts we decided on. that's pretty great! (we go during january/sept)

thing is, we've always stayed at moderate resorts and have been able to get deals (buy 4, get 3). so a little part of me still thinks that maybe the dvc isn't worth it. but the long term makes it seem like it is!

well anyway, i guess i'm looking for a little convincing that we're going to be happy with the decision. we're thinking of putting $7k down and financing the rest.

by the way, we walked into the doorway to dreams with dh wearing a mickey shirt and mickey socks and my ds wearing a mickey bib. thing is, we didn't even think about it til the CMs pointed it out. disney is just a part of us i guess

I haven't read any of the responses but I laughed at your house comment. I used to walk into an OKW one bedroom on vacation and say "Wow! I've just doubled my living space!!". I so got that. (Downtown 440 sq foot condo)

Anyway I also want to tell you that I stayed at MODs and Values before DVC and I've stayed in both after as well. And you will notice the difference between a studio and a regular room. It's unreal. I "looked" for my private balcony. I "looked" for my couch. I "looked" for my kitchenette. I never thought I would notice the differences because I'm pretty low maintenance but I did.

Now I'm going to go back and read how you're doing with it all.

 

[lisaviolet]

And we waited for ten years and went and dreamt on the BW porch and WL sign year after year and snuck in the OKW workout room just to dream of course . And dreamt and dreamt. Then we had the money together - all of it - and I still had issues pulling the trigger. After ten years of visualizing.

You are not alone.

And I know there are a lot of awful family posts here. But a lot of the joy of the last five years has been "feeling rich" by sharing it with family and friends. Lovely part of it for us.

And to the PP - loved the washer/dryer comment. Understand completely.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

thing is, we've always stayed at moderate resorts and have been able to get deals (buy 4, get 3). so a little part of me still thinks that maybe the dvc isn't worth it. but the long term makes it seem like it is!

well anyway, i guess i'm looking for a little convincing that we're going to be happy with the decision. we're thinking of putting $7k down and financing the rest.

If you are really questioning the value of buying in you really should take a look at resales. You can purchase SSR points thru resale for several thousand $$$$$'s less. And the timeshare store also has some sort of financing available. With 7K down you'd have well more than 1/2 of the points paid for to start with, save on interest as well as the purchase price, and will most likely be able to get a room at BLT - certainly every now and then. SSR resale is kind of like the 4/3 deal of DVC!

 

[Reginak]

We love DVC! It is unbelievable how much we have saved on lodging costs. (Then again, we have spent more because of the extra trips.)


I was nervous too, but we have absolutely NO regrets - other than the wish that we had purchased much sooner and more points.

If you research the boards for regrets you will find that about the only regrets anyone has are:
1. Those who wished that they had purchased sooner.
2. Those who wished that they had purchased more points.
3. Those who regret having to sell because of economic reasons.

I haven't seen anyone who truly regretted their purchase; although, I am sure that there are a few.

Trust me, when I say that you don't have to worry about this.

Regina

 

[dumbo_buddy]

hi all,

thank you so much for your kind words. we are so close to purchasing but are now seriously looking at resales. OKW is going for really cheap! i also found a BCV for $13.9k for the 160pts that we were looking at along with an extra 160 pts that they banked.

i'm still confused on the use year thing and really what the significance of it is. still, the resales just seem so much cheaper now and i'm not really sure how the ROFR will be that big of a problem. then again, what do i know?

anyone know of a good thread listing pros/cons of resale? i mean, so we don't get the tote bag, right? who cares?

 

[Dee77]

Hello! I just sent you a personal message just in case you want some additional advice from a fellow New Yorker.

 

[nunzia]

hi all,

thank you so much for your kind words. we are so close to purchasing but are now seriously looking at resales. OKW is going for really cheap! i also found a BCV for $13.9k for the 160pts that we were looking at along with an extra 160 pts that they banked.

i'm still confused on the use year thing and really what the significance of it is. still, the resales just seem so much cheaper now and i'm not really sure how the ROFR will be that big of a problem. then again, what do i know?

anyone know of a good thread listing pros/cons of resale? i mean, so we don't get the tote bag, right? who cares?

LOL..no tote bag on resale. I think buying OKW would be fine as long as you are fine staying there if nothing else is available at the 7 month mark. Also look into your maintainence fees as that is where your real money goes over time. You can get VB or HH cheap but they aren't on property so you may be locked out and their MFs are high. My focus is staying at DLR and since there is only 1 game in town there I feel like I need VGC points, but if I was going to WDW and didn't mind where I stayed I'd load up on OKW. Their fees aren't so much higher to make a huge difference IMO, and points are pretty cheap to buy as well as low points to stay. If only VGC had that point chart!

 

[dumbo_buddy]

LOL..no tote bag on resale. I think buying OKW would be fine as long as you are fine staying there if nothing else is available at the 7 month mark. Also look into your maintainence fees as that is where your real money goes over time. You can get VB or HH cheap but they aren't on property so you may be locked out and their MFs are high. My focus is staying at DLR and since there is only 1 game in town there I feel like I need VGC points, but if I was going to WDW and didn't mind where I stayed I'd load up on OKW. Their fees aren't so much higher to make a huge difference IMO, and points are pretty cheap to buy as well as low points to stay. If only VGC had that point chart!

exactly! i already know i'm going to be so stingy with my points. i'd rather go 2x a year at OKW than once at BLT or whatever. with the resale it looks like i could potentially get 200 pts at OKW for about $15k. buying next BLT 160 pts is looking to be $18.5k. i mean, hello! that's a huge difference and i LIKE okw!