The current incentives are:
1. $10 off per point (net $85pp) with first points coming in April 2005. Down payment due at time of contract signing. No accured interest or payments (if financed through
DVC) or maintenance fees due until mid-2005.
OR
2. Pay $95 per point and receive a "free vacation." The free vacation is basically a one-time grant of Developer's Points equal to the number you purchase. These are intended to be your 2004 points.
Given that points typically rent for $10 each, the two promotions are basically equal in value. The Developer's Points need to be used by 9/30/05, so the only real question is whether you have a need for them or not. Also note that if you finance through DVC, you need to put 20% down in order to get the best interest rate. If you choose #1 above, the $10 per point credit is reportedly applied to your down payment. Check with a DVC Guide to confirm.
When members tour the model rooms, they are offered the same promotions noted above. I've never heard (at least in the last 2 years) of anyone being offered an even better offer when touring.
If you are really certain that you want to move forward, I'd do it now. The biggest risk in waiting is that the promotions may change. I don't see the pricing getting any better than this. Under the standard Magical Beginnings program, the member is still responsible for the annual maintenance on points sold back to DVC. That dilutes your savings by about $4 per point. The above promotions are being offered because DVC's sales have exceeded the construction schedule for the resort. They are currently selling points in units that won't open until April '05.
IMO, as we approach 2005, DVC will replace this offer with the standard MB, requiring members to sell back their
2005 points in order to get the discount, while still paying the maintenance.
