Sensitive question

[crisi]

We bought at $63. And I wouldn't rent from strangers - I'd rent now that I'm a DVC member and I can have points transferred into my account. The VERY SLIGHT risk that I show up to a cancelled reservation is too much for me.

Plus I've locked in my fixed costs - dues change, but a 3-5% raise at $4 a point on 150 points is less than a 3-5% raise in room rates on $300 a night. And who knows what will happen to rental rates over the next ten years.

I also have NO INTEREST in staying at SSR (which I'm sure is a lovely resort and is just not to our taste) and suspect that rooms at BWV/BCV and VWL will go for a premium over time.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . What am I missing? . . .

1) You aren't missing anything.
2) You are pretty close to being right on the money.

 

[bsusanmb]

I have rented points in the past. The first time I was burned badly on ebay. I lost $800 and more than 25 people were burned also by the same scam artist.
I rented a second time from someone on the DIS boards, and it was a wonderful experience - I was able to stay at VWL and BCV and see what this DVC was all about.
What I don't like about renting points is the uncertainty of getting the dates I want and hoping that I would get someone to rent me points at a good rate.
I just bought 250 points at SSR and believe this was a good decision, as I take 3-4 vacations a year to WDW.
I feel like I am now a "real" DVC member, with the ability to make my own ressies and check dates myself without all the hassle.
I don't think I will ever regret my decision.

 

[SueOKW]

I agree with Dean. Just having an account for points to be transferred into makes renting feel more secure. I've rented quite a few times when I'm short on points - - every time but one I've had the points put into my account. The one time I didn't I admit to having felt a little nervous. However, that transaction was just fine.

So, while Rusty says you are right on the mark, and I agree with him too - Dean's suggestion is the best solution to worry-free renting.

 

[tjcj]

When I did all the math over the life of the contract every point costs me about $6.00(includes paying off a loan and dues/increase for the life of the contract).
So what does that realy mean??
We are going to BWV in a 2 bedroom boardwalk view for 3 nights this month (mon-thurs) for 90pts, so a real cost to me is $540 for all 3 nights vice $900 if I had rented points from someone.

But the bottom line is not price per point. We own the best vactaion club in the world that continues to add vacation value to me every year. New resorts, new discounts, new special events and great service. Nothing else comes close.

We waited about 8 years before we finally made our purchase. The timing has to be right for you to make the call as well.

Browse this board for other posts about the cost of a contract, people are great about posting real information on this site!!!
Good luck!!

 

[Cinderella]

I am much the same as the others - renting points would be too scary for me - unless they were transferred into my own member account.

To me, the lump sum for each contract is paid for within five or six years - eg. I get the value of that money back in that time, I don't pay for my points over that time. I just added on 250 points with half down and will pay the remainder off in a few months. From then on, all i am paying is dues and this works out much cheaper than rack rates, plus i get to stay in a villa, which is v important with a growing family - and i hate staying off site. Even some of the exchanges are good value for me -not as good as dvc resorts, but still great value for the dues i am paying for them.

 

[roadtripper]

girth posted:
"A big reason we purchased was to make Disney a priority. If we rented every year, there would be way too many pressing reasons to skip it this year. My dw is way too practical. Owning means we have made a commitment to vacation regularly. Not everyone will need a reason like that, but I mention it to point out that some reasons to purchase rather than rent are somewhat intangible."

I totally agree! In 2002, we rented points at OKW for our first Disney trip, and I was gearing myself up to make the big pitch to DH about why we should buy DVC. Then, when I did the math, I asked myself the same questions as the OP. My DH is the practical one, but HE was the one who said (on Day 2 of our trip) "We should really buy into DVC." The intangibles were what sold us. The mental health benefits of always having a trip planned (or 2 or 3 LOL) keep us going during the cold New England winters. Good luck with your decision!

 

[icydog]

I have to answer from the perspective of one who actually does rent points to others. To this gentleman I would say, rent points initially to see if you like our resorts. Then buy something resale, even a small contract gets you all the same benefits I have with a lot of points. I used to say to buy OKW because you can get it cheaply. But if you really want a cheap alternative, and plan to vacation in Sept, from Sun- Thursday night, then I would say buy Vero or HH. I had no choice when I first came in, no Vero Beach then, but now I know my way around. Either of these two resorts are an excellent way to get your feet wet. Please understand that the maintenance fees are higher with these two resorts, but if you have a small contract, the impact will be only slighthly more than for the WDW resorts.

Don't shoot me folks! It is the truth. If he wants to vacation less expensively, in real off times, then he should buy a small VB contract. If he needs more points now and then, he can rent some points and transfer them in as needed.

 

[Hibernians]

In addition to some of the points made previously -

1. committment to WDW and family vacations.
2.Peace of mind from owning/controlling points.
3. special discounts/perks for DVC members.

I would also think that for many people this is an emotional purchase; People like the idea of belonging to Disney and feel a great sense of pride/happiness in actually owning a very small piece of WDW for the next 49 years or so. You're also joining a special club (maybe 90,000 people is not very exclusive) but its still pretty special. Of course these are things you can't add up in a calculator but I think for some people (my family included) they are contributing factors.

 

[Dean]

I would also think that for many people this is an emotional purchase; People like the idea of belonging to Disney and feel a great sense of pride/happiness in actually owning a very small piece of WDW for the next 49 years or so. You're also joining a special club (maybe 90,000 people is not very exclusive) but its still pretty special. Of course these are things you can't add up in a calculator but I think for some people (my family included) they are contributing factors.

There is no doubt in my mind that this is true. In some cases where the facts and financial evaluation don't support it and that includes many posts I've seen on this BBS over the years. And that is people's right of course.

 

[byoung]

Renters on ebay have been charging more for a long time now. Most on the DIS bd want to be fare. $10 is a fare price.

 

[icydog]

Renters on ebay have been charging more for a long time now. Most on the DIS bd want to be fare. $10 is a fare price.

I think the fare at $10 a point is not fair to those who are renting out their points.
I think the fare of $10 a point is only fair to those wishing to rent points.

I actually think $15 or $16 a point is fair! But then again, nobody asked me.

 

[Hibernians]

One other benefit to joining that I forgot to mention. This deed is transferabble; meaning you can pass it on to your children or any family member or friend. This was another selling point to us. Knowing that our family will always have this 2nd home; its a nice thing to count on.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

We are new to DVC, actually waiting to close. I have been reading on these threads about renting points, transferring points, etc. Please help with a couple of questions?

1. Can you rent points to add on to yours? How do you include them with yours with your ressie?

2. How do you transfer? I thought I read that the DVC does not want you to rent points out and then transfer?

3. If you rent points, does it have to be at the owner's home resort?

4. If you lack a few points for the days you want this year, but don't want to borrow, can you pay the difference in cash? Would that make sense?

Thanks for your help!

 

[icydog]

I will try to help you. My answers will be below your questions in BLUE.


1. Can you rent points to add on to yours? How do you include them with yours with your ressie?

First you find someone from whom to rent points. Then when you agree on a price she can then transfer the points into your account.

2. How do you transfer? I thought I read that the DVC does not want you to rent points out and then transfer?

I'm not sure what you mean about DVC not wanting you to rent out your points and then transfer. There is no stipulation that I know of that says that. I have been renting my points out for 2 years now with no problems so far. I have not yet been interested in transferring points into someone else account but there should not be any problem with doing so. In fact this year I will need more points, so I plan to rent some from someone else and have her transfer those points into my acccount.

3. If you rent points, does it have to be at the owner's home resort?

No it doesn't. I own at OKW, BCV and Vero. I routinely rent points for the VWL, BWV and SSR. Just be aware that when you rent points out for another resort in which you have no ownership contracts you will have to wait until 7 months from the guests check out date to make the reservation

4. If you lack a few points for the days you want this year, but don't want to borrow, can you pay the difference in cash? Would that make sense?

You can always pay for a cash day. You even get a discount. I think it is 25% off of the rack rate. If you have an annual Pass, and there is a nice discount for DVC owners on that too, you may be able to reserve a room at the Annual Pass rate which can be significantly lower than the DVC rate. Hopefull they won't have to change your room. I have never heard of them making you do that until I read ONE post here on the dis in which the resort made them move. Believe me that is not normal!

Thanks for your help!

I hope this answers your questions. If you have specific questions about DVC and how it works (or the best way to make it work for you) send me an email at icydog@comcast.net and I will be glad to help you. In fact that goes for anyone with questions, I will try my best to help you.Marylyn

 

[Disney Doll]

I think I'm rational, LOL, and I think the same way! It does feel very different to have a monthly bill versus saving for a vacation, even though we still have to buy airplane tickets and park tickets... I don't know, it just feels different somehow. Go figure! LOL.

I feel the same way. We generally like to stay in at least a moderate, and if possible a deluxe, depending on the price. I am making no negative comment on the Value resorts...they are just not where DH & I would choose to stay. Therefore, our accomodations cost is higher.

We feel, especially now that our initial investment is paid off and all we have is about $1600/year dues payment, that it is well worthwhile to have the ability to stay in a deluxe-level accomodation all the time, and for a lot more than a week. If you look at the cost of a deluxe regular hotel room, about the cheapest you'll ever generally get one for is $200-$250/night. Maybe once in a blue moon there will be some wild discount, but on average, I doubt that you'll do any better than $200/night. If you take a 7 night trip, that's $1400. I paid $1600, and in 2005, I stayed for a total of 13 days...5 in a Grand Villa at OKW and 8 in a 2BR at OKW...not too shabby, especially the grand villa, which is amazing!!!! And I had points left over to bank, which has enabled me to stay in a 2BR this year at the BWV during the F&W Fest, and we will be leaving tomorrow for a grand villa at OKW again. In 2004, I probably spent a total of 21 days at WDW at various points throughout the year, always in a 1BR or larger, and all for $1600 for the year. That's about $80/night for 21 nights.

To me, it's easier to build the dues payment into my monthly bills than to bust my "tush" to try and save up for accomodations, airfare and tickets. Yeah, I still have to buy tickets and airfare, but saving for 2 costly things is a heck of a lot easier than saving for 3 costly things.

If you plan on going to WDW at least every other year, the DVC is something to really research. DH is in real estate, and he researched it to death before we bought. He really couldn't find a negative about the program, if you were going to go at least every other year. About the only thing could be money lost to DVC payments that you could be investing, but I prefer to enjoy some of life now rather than save it all for retirement. I know too many people who lived their whole life working toward and waiting for retirement, only to die shortly after they retired. Our theory is moderation and balance in everything. We save for retirement through various vehicles, we bought the number of DVC points we could comfortably afford.

To me, renting points is more for folks who may not go often, but when they do go, may need a larger space due to the # of folks in their travelling party. It's a relatively cost-effective way of getting a larger unit at a reasonable enough proice. In our case, Disney is almost like our second home, so we go often, and don't want to be dependent on the rental market to determine our vacations.

 

[icydog]

I love that I own one of the most desired timeshares in the World. It just makes me proud. Look I'm beaming now!

 

[gppnj]

Another benefit to owning: For me at least, my membership goes beyond my accommodations while staying at Walt Disney World. There's an intangible benefit to knowing that I own a tiny piece of such a wonderful place, and I enjoy that even when I'm not there.