Questions to help my cousin decide if she wants DVC

[BeckWhy]

Ok, I've read some stuff here or there about the DVC and I don't quite understand it. I just got done reading the Allearsnet.com FAQ on it and I'm still really confused. First off, it says you have to purchase and min of 150 points if you buy through Disney. And the points are $98 a piece. So that means to join you pay $14700? And then the amount of points you choose you will continue to get over the years. Does that mean in year 2 you have to pay another $14700 for the 150 points? Also what happens after you use up all your points in one year, do you buy more? Or how does that work? Also on the allearsnet.com it said that like during a week in July it costs 109 points for a studio. So that means you pay $10682 for a room?

I'm sorry. I am really confused and it doesn't make sense to me right now. And I don't have really specific questions to ask because I am so confused.

 

[Chuck S]

You pay once to buy the points, you pay dues/maintenance fees every year based on the number of points. The price of dues will vary depending on the resort you purchase because actual costs to maintain each resort varies. The average right now is about $4.25 per point per year.

You receive a new allotment of points every year, similar to receiving the same week every year at "old style" timeshares. The difference is, rather than a "set week" you use your points on the days and resorts you chose by spending those points.

 

[BeckWhy]

Does DVC include park tickets or anything?

 

[Chuck S]

No park tickets are included. Currently DVCers receive $100 off annual passes and $125 off premium annual passes to WDW.

 

[Didney Daddy]

You pay the $14,700 upfront to get your 150 points. After that, you are only liable for the maintainence fee's which should be approx. $4-$5 a point or $600-$750 per year.

This purchase will get you 150 points per year to use for vacations. See the points charts for the resorts and time of year to see how many points it will cost you for the dream disney vacation you desire.

This purchase is not an investment. It is a pre-payment of accomodation expenses at DVC properties. It is generally believed that if you stay at premium properties and go to Disney every year or two then over the very long term buying DVC makes good sense.

Further, you are buying points which sort of compels you to vacation at Disney every year or two which many people see as a benefit. There is lots of flexibility in the program but most folks just stick with the premise of going to DVC properties.

However, you are free to rent your points for cash, exchange for cruises etc...

If you love Disney, plan on going a lot and love the quality on-site properties that DVC offers - it is a magical deal. If you only go every now and then and want to exchange regularly to other condo's around the world, there are better deals than DVC.

For us, we love Disney and it has been wonderful being a part of DVC!

 

[rogerram]

Depending on which DVC resort you buy, the dues vary. Vero and BWV are the highest and SSR right now is the least expensive for yearly dues per point.

 

[rogerram]

Beckywhy,
if you have more questions you can pm me and I will be happy to answer them. We all started somewhere with learning how DVC works.
Roger