Should we wait or...HELP!!

[slavike]

My mom has been a DVC member since day 1..1991 $48 dollar a point 998 points, it makes me sick. (She didn't start out with that many, she's increased as they have let her)Talk about a frickin' great investment. The woman has foresight.

I am one of 5 girls, in fact the youngest. We all have to fight now for the points, when my mom hasn't used them for some adventure or trips of her own.

So... I am sick of fighting and the DH and I have decided to collect the change from the couch cushions and buy our own. Should I wait for the Magic Kingdom Tower, Hawaii (although we live on the East Coast and getting to Hawaii is a Once every 5 year thing for us) or Just Get in while the gettin' good when we go down there in September.

1 thing, I HATE SSR. I just don't like the layout at all, it's not for me. I have kids, and everything is so far away from each other. Now, I have only been there to visit my mom when we have all been down there but staying at different resorts and I was stunned by how far everything is from the meat and potatoes of the resort, I just didn't like it AT all, it's pretty, but it's just not for me.

Thanks!!!

 

[CarolA]

Well if you really "hate" SSR then you need to think long and hard about buying in Hawaii. That's going to have you booking WDW at 7 months. The two easiest resorts to get then are SSR and OKW (which I think is MORE spread out then SSR)

If resort choice is a make or break then buy where you want to stay and book 11 months out.

 

[slavike]

If resort choice is a make or break then buy where you want to stay and book 11 months out.

Here's a question that my mom was unsure of. She rarely stays at here home resort (she was originally OKW then BW and I don't even know where she is now?) She uses her points to stay at the other non-DVC resorts most of the time.

Will I be able to do this right away or do I have to wait a certain amount of time? Is there a calculator anywhere that let's me know where the points ranges are to do this? This is what we are really more interested in, we really don't care about the villa's too much, we want to be able to do what my mother does.

 

[hellerjw]

You don't have any special booking privileges (11 month "home resort" privilege, etc) when booking at the cash resorts. It is just a matter of availability. Some of the negatives to staying at the non-DVC resorts is the much higher point costs for smaller accomodations and the $95 booking fee. You will probably find it much more cost effective to pay cash. If you plan to trade-out to cash resorts or non-DVC locations exclusively then DVC is not the best choice for you.

Like any other "trade out" you lose a lot of the value of your points when you book at a non-DVC resort. They have to negotiate prices with the cash resorts each year and the point costs generally go up each year as a result. You will probably find that you can get a 2-BR DVC unit for the same point cost as a standard deluxe hotel room. No comparison in my opinion.

The ability to trade out is there, but not a very good point value compared to staying at a DVC resort.

 

[slavike]

Thanks!

I know that in order to use the plan packages for family trips my mother will go off DVC alot. She is fortunate to be able to do so. It's just with the rising cost of going to disney, we would love to be able to lock in a good rate. We go so often it seems silly not to. My DH is almost forcing my hand on this because it's good investment.

But at the same time, I have to say that when we do stay at DVC, I am often disappointed with the upkeep of the rooms in these hotels. BW and BC for instance I feel are often very shabby looking, compared to the non-DVC hotel rooms at disney. Then there is the addition of the Four Seasons developement that I know I am going to want to stay at. Plan packages with all the recreation and food paid for already so I don't have think about it when I am down there.

Ughhh see, now that I think about it I am even more on the fence.

 

[TenThousandVolts]

It doesn't sound like a great fit for you. Your mom can stay at non-dvc Disney resorts and come out ahead- even with the fee- because she paid so little for her points. That won't be the case for you. If yo do buy-in- maybe waiting for Kingdom Towers would be your best bet- it will be hotel style and the rooms will be brand new so they should be nice.

 

[jdvm]

I would try out the various DVC resorts and see if you fall in love with any of them...and if you do, buy that resort, either from Disney or resale.

John