Put Yourself in my Shoes

[izzinmac]

Brand new here - spend most of my time over at the DCL forum. In the past I totally blew off DVC for me! Maybe I've been wrong. I do want to reconsider.

Background-I've been around disney since the 50's at DL, and later at WDW. I'm past commando style visits. Live in central Florida-which is why I disregarded DVC in the past. On the surface it didn't make sense for a local to belong.
My wife and I live in Melbourne-soon moving to Harmony near St Cloud.
7 kids - all grown. 4 DD live in the area with 4 grandkids. All under 3.
Other three live outside the area with 3 more grandkids. I retire in August. Between now and then, sell a house, buy a house, move, and then in August do the 14 day Panama Canal cruise. So if I do anything with DVC it will be after August. We have Fla Resident seasonal Passes. Our current WDW experience is to visit for a few hours and head for home.

One thing we liked to do in the past was to take a weekend and go to one of the onsite hotels just to enjoy the surroundings. Maybe visit a park, maybe not. And that is the genesis for interest in DVC.

If I join, I would do it to accomplish the following. This is where I need your advice as experts. Feel free to blast me where I don't make sense.

I would join to take advantage of my free time while retired. I envision my wife and I going to a DVC location sometime between Sunday and Thursday. No weekends. Probably 2-3 days at a time. Very flexible on dates. May take a grandchild or two on occasion. Would very seldom make a long range plan on visiting, and would stay away from peak seasons. Probably do most visits in Studio accomodations.

So here are my questions. Feel free to comment on anything I haven't asked.

1. Is it feasable to make reservations on short notice if it is during the week, my dates are flexible, and my locations are flexible? For example, could I call today and be likely to get a place to stay during the week anytime in the next few weeks at any location? Can I even ask that way?

2. If the answer to 1 is yes, is there any advantage to selecting a particular home resort. Since I would almost never use the early reservation option, what difference does it make? Shouldn't I get the max # of points for my dollars spent vs picking a specific home resort? Why not Vero?

3. Buy from Disney or resale?

4. If I decide yes, how long from decision to closing?

5. Average closing costs?

I have more questions, but this will give me a starting point. no use going on if the answer to #1 is no. If it is yes, watch out...more to come!

Thanks in advance. And please, be brutally frank. my pride can stand "No" more than my wallet can!

Bob

 

[dizplanner]

I would join to take advantage of my free time while retired. I envision my wife and I going to a DVC location sometime between Sunday and Thursday. No weekends. Probably 2-3 days at a time. Very flexible on dates. May take a grandchild or two on occasion. Would very seldom make a long range plan on visiting, and would stay away from peak seasons. Probably do most visits in Studio accomodations.

So here are my questions. Feel free to comment on anything I haven't asked.

1. Is it feasable to make reservations on short notice if it is during the week, my dates are flexible, and my locations are flexible? For example, could I call today and be likely to get a place to stay during the week anytime in the next few weeks at any location? Can I even ask that way?

Can't really help you here - I'm pretty new myself and have only made one reservation so far and it was at the 11 month window. There are probably some cancellations at 31 days, because after that date the points go into a holding account if cancelled and are less flexible to use. I do know that some of the slowest times for WDW are some of the busiest for DVC (like early December).

2. If the answer to 1 is yes, is there any advantage to selecting a particular home resort. Since I would almost never use the early reservation option, what difference does it make? Shouldn't I get the max # of points for my dollars spent vs picking a specific home resort? Why not Vero?

Since you will almost always be booking after the 7 month window, there is no advantage of one resort over another. I would go with the least expansive, but look at both buy-in cost and annual fees. I wouldn't buy VB because their annual fees are high and they might get hit with an assessment from the hurricanes. HH or OKW might be good choices.

3. Buy from Disney or resale?

If you don't need financing from Disney, I would buy resale and save some money. (I did )

4. If I decide yes, how long from decision to closing?

For my contact, it took about 6 weeks, made first offer on Nov 1, closed on Dec 6 and was in Disney's system on Dec 15. Disney only took a week to review for ROFR - can take up to 30 days. But getting into the system took 9 days - normally is 3 to 5 days (person to does transfers was on vacation and had to get caught up). Also my sellers were pretty quick to reply and get the papers back. You could have a delay here if they aren't. So, I would guess 6 to 12 weeks.

5. Average closing costs?

I paid $450 which seems to be about average if you go though a broker and use the escrow company they like. This does include title search and insurance. I think if you go bare bones, you might be able to get by with $300 (but I don't think this includes title insurance and I don't know if you can do this if you are not dealing with a private party).

I just don't know if DVC would work for you. It is really set up for making reservation in advance. However, you are flexible about when and where, so I think it could work - you just may not be able to get a room every time you try.

 

[bongo59]

ok.........i have been a DVCer since 1991.........i would first tell you getting last minute ressies is easy at some places.......like OKW even on one day notice.........i would recommend buying a resale at the BCV since you have grandkids they will love SAB.........and you cant pool hop in their...........and you will easily be able to rent or resell this contract because it is the smallest most desirable resort........VWL is smaller but not nearly as popular..........in your case the home resort does not matter as long as it is a WDW resort..........the closing cost are minimal........about 250 per 100 points.........if you have the money to pay it do a resale.......if your a SS retiree use disney to finance..........time to close well i have done six resales..........it depends upon what type of the yr you close and what resort your buying...........some will take as few as 3 weeks others can go out two months...............hope that helps

 

[LIFERBABE]

I think it could very well work for you, if you are that flexible.

I agree with dizplanner, I would not buy VB if you are looking for the lowest costs and dont need the priority booking window to stay there.

I would definitely look at OKW and SSR for the onsites as they OKW will be the lowest dues and SSR second. They are also the largest so you will most likely end up staying there with such short notice stays, so no point in paying extra to maintain VWL, BCV or BWV.

Many people will book their ressie at the 8-11 month window and then either switch resorts or cancel as their penalty period nears. As long as you are not travelling during peak times you should find something and the waitlist will most likely be your best friend. You are so close, if they have availability you can just take it, so the flexibility will work great for you.

I would purchase a small resale contract. I dont have experience in that area, but others will help with that.

I think if I lived that close to WDW, I would still want to own DVC for some of the reasons you listed. It's like a country club membership but more fun!

Remember you dont have to own BCV to stay there, just based on availability at the 7 month or less which you will always fall under, so I personally wouldnt pay the extra dues to own there.

 

[cruise-o-matic]

1. I called about 2 weeks ago to see if there were any DVC rooms this week and was told ALL DVC units were taken. But this may be a popular time for DVC since the point costs are lowest. I think others have had good luck at last minute ressies.

2. Unless you plan to make ressies between 11-7 months, there is no home resort advantage.

The positives for Vero is that there are several contracts available with banked points and they are by far the lowest price per point. But you need to weigh those against the downsides: highest maintenance fees, so your point costs savings now will vanish after a few years; VB may get socked with a special assessment from last year's hurricanes; and if you plan to resale, will there be a demand for VB.

I also would not recommend you buy BCV (way high priced), BWV or VWL since you are not planning to use the home resort booking advantage.

That leaves OKW and HH. OKW has the lowest fees but HH has a lower point cost and 3rd lowest fees. If you are patient, you should be able to find one of these with banked points.

3. If you buy from Disney, you cannot use your points until your building opens (but you can book your vacation now for any date after that). Disney also has easy financing or you could pay with Visa. Closing is less of a hassle and no ROFR. With resale, you will need to pay with certified funds.

4. If you go resale, expect at least 6-8 weeks minimum before you are on the DVC system. It takes about 2-3 weeks for the ROFR process alone.

5. Closing costs can be as little as $250 with TimeshareTransfer or up to around $500. TT just does the basic stuff and offers other services a la carte. You also need to figure in $200 transfer fee and maintenance fees which are negotiable between buyer in seller. It is more likely to pass ROFR if the buyer pays maintenance fees. (Direct from Disney, there are no closing costs or transfer fee, plus you do not pay maintenace fees until your building opens.)

 

[bongo59]

cruise number one was not true..........because i booked BCV two fridays ago on one day notice...........

 

[izzinmac]

Wow - lots of good info. And some new questions.

Someone mentioned the penalty for cancellations within 31 days of ressies. It is a safe assumption then that most cancellations would be shortly before the 31 day cutoff and my best chance for short notice ressies would be in that same timeframe? That would be doable for me!

I didn't think of the Vero hurricane issue. i work in Vero and am well aware of the damage in the area. i know they were closed for a while. Thanks.

Describe the waitlist. Someone said it could be my best friend!

"If your a SS retiree, use Disney to finance" ??. I will start SS but have two other pensions and savings. My plan is to pay off at closing. Any reason not to if I have the finances?

I think that's it for now. Sure feels different going from a "Veteran" on the cruise board to a "rookie" over here. Any cruise questions??? Thanks
Bob

 

[bongo59]

i think you'll find we are cruise experts too.........i have done disney cruise 6 times and am a member of carnival's vacation club too!!! Buy a resale dont worry about cancellation because since your local you can easily use those distressed points fast because you dotn have to travl to WDW and the waitlist scares some but it usually works for most folks...........MS tries like heck to give every DVCer their wishes.............i have used the wait list several times and never been rebuffed

 

[LIFERBABE]

The waitlist is an option when you cant find availability when you call Member Services. You can add your name to the waitlist and as cancellations occur and they match your requests, they will call you and offer you the opening, unless you tell them you want automatic confirmation. With auto confirm, they will find a match for your dates and resort and book it.

Imagine your success rate, if you are willing to stay at any of the 5 onsite DVC's that can string a ressie of 3 or 4 days together in a studio on short notice. I think you would have great success other than Premier season.

Once you are within 31 days you have to renew your waitlist requests and at the 7 day mark you would have to call each day to check availability as the waitlist will be dropped.

This shouldnt be a problem for you, if you are not tied to any date. It's basically like flying stand-by, you show up (you already live at the "airport") and wait for a flight with availability. When a seat opens up you take it because you are readily available to fill that seat. Most people only go to the airport when they have a confirmed ticket, so you will have very little competition for short notice ressies.

The waitlist has always worked for me and last month, I was able to extend our stay during premier season over Christmas and New Years Eve so it can be done. We did drive to WDW, which made us available to take the short
notice ressie because it did come thru right at the 31 day mark and it would have cost quite a bit to change our airline tickets so the more flexible you are, the better short notice ressies will work for you.

 

[bongo59]

bottom line............call up the timeshare store and stop procrastinating..........it is now your time

 

[rsschneck]

I think that's it for now. Sure feels different going from a "Veteran" on the cruise board to a "rookie" over here. Any cruise questions??? Thanks
Bob

I know what your answers are like! No Thanks!


Seems like you are getting all your questions answered. Do you have any more questions?

 

[dizplanner]

No advantage to financing - in fact it will cost you extra. Personally, I would not buy DVC if I had to finance. To me it is a luxury item and I don't get luxuries if I can't pay cash. But that's just me.

So, unless you want Sartoga Springs (there are not many resales yet), I would recommend resale.

 

[RumpleMom]

Would someone please clarify the rule that says something about not being able to book and travel during the last 60 ? days of a use year?

I'm not sure I have the number correct and I'm not home to go look at the book. But this little detail might determine the use year the OP might want to buy, since travel might include grandchildren, I'm thinking of school schedules. This could be important to him.

 

[spiceycat]

60 days before arrival all the unused villas/studios are release to CRO - so unless you like to wait on the phone - try to get your reservation at 62 days...

you have to wait on the phone because MS must call CRO and make sure that they have not rented the room that MS is seeing. I have been on the phone for over 20 minutes trying to make a last minute reservation.

hopeing the new computer system will put an end to this confusion.

the 60 day can't use it - I think does not apply to the DVC resorts. only the Disney Collection (WDW resorts, etc), Concierge Collection and Adventure Collection.

 

[wtpclc]

"You can not book and travel in the last 60 days of your Use Year when using
the Concierge Collection, Disney Collection, Buena Vista Trading Company or Adventurer Collection"

This does not apply to DVC stays. I believe that rule is there because it's a short time period for them to find other takers on the points you trade into them. (The points you give up are given to CRO for cash ressies)

 

[cruise-o-matic]

cruise number one was not true..........because i booked BCV two fridays ago on one day notice...........

All I know is that MS told me "nothing" was available at the time I called.

 

[disworldnum1]

Well to add my two cents worth.First I would decide what location I really would like to be near, the boardwalk area(bcv,bwv) This is closer to Epcot and all the restaurants.Or maybe dtd(ssr,okw).I think OKW would be your best bet for both cost ,maintenence amd last min. ressies.

 

[Pootle]

Your plan sounds good but my only experience of trying to get a late booking was last March when our plans changed. At a week out, we could not get OKW (our preferred choice) and in fact the only thing they had available was BWV for 2 out of the 3 nights we wanted.

Maybe my experience was unusual, but last minute bookings are not always possible as cruise-o-matic suggests.

 

[big cheeser]

Bob - as long time DVC owners who have topped up a couple of times, but always through Disney directly, I can't answer any of your questions about where to buy, but can confirm that this was the best investment we have ever made - we've done both Orlando and California, (concierge level in DL and GC) as well as DCL (x3) and concierge collection swaps into Arizona Biltmore, Boston Harbor, Charleston Place, and Equinox (Manchester, VT) which was the only one we wouldn't go back to. Booking is remarkably easy and we've managed to do concierge at two days notice. Exceptionally friendly service.

Cheers

Allan

 

[disneyberry]

<font face="times" size="+0">Bob, I just wanted to comment that some seasons, you will not be able to find last minute availability so easily.

For example, Oct + Nov during F&W festival is often completely booked, and unless you are willing to pay extra points for a 1bdrm villa or else hop around and stay 1 night at BWV, 1 night at OKW, 1 night at VWL, etc. in some cases it will be very difficult.

The waitlist only works until 7 days before arrival, after that, it is pretty much a crapshoot.

I've also had a lot of trouble booking w/in 1 week of arrival in May, perhaps because of the popularity of the Flower/Garden Festival. That time I asked for any studio at any resort, and they had trouble finding more than single nights. I ended up hopping around between OKW and VWL.

I would imagine if you worded your request like, "Hello, I would like any room, any size unit, at any resort" then you could probably get something for a few nights in a row. Especially if your stay also includes Fridays and Saturdays, since those nights appear to be more open usually.

BTW, Hilton Head has lower dues than Vero, if you're looking to go the off-site route.

Overall, MHO is that your plan may be risky. You will need to be extremely flexible (meaning not limiting yourself to studios), and, you will have to be willing to work hard to get your room. Getting on and juggling multiple waitlists, calling once or twice a day during the last 7 days, etc.</font>