Simple question

[78thrifleman]

We were going to buy 220 points at $120 per point for a total of 26,400. Financing $16,000. Then we realized 220 is not nearly enough.

So, we went on dvcresale.com and found 300 points for $16,500. We'd put $5,000 down and finance the rest... Option 2 is 400 points for $21,000 with $5,000 down.

 

[Dean]

We were going to buy 220 points at $120 per point for a total of 26,400. Financing $16,000. Then we realized 220 is not nearly enough.

So, we went on dvcresale.com and found 300 points for $16,500. We'd put $5,000 down and finance the rest... Option 2 is 400 points for $21,000 with $5,000 down.

You have not provided any info that would help the group give you the feedback you requested as to whether DVC would be worth it in your situation or what your best options would be.

 

[78thrifleman]

OK... here is the long of it (as opposed to the short of it). Between my wife and I, we have been to Disney over 17 times. We got the honeymoon sweet for our, well you know. There is only 1 other thing that we like to do other than Disney, and that is Royal caribbean cruising. we would never go on a Disney cruise.

That being said, there are only 2 things we want to do other than Disney before we have kids... we want to go on a 14 night cruise to Europe and a 9 night cruise to hawaii, both with RCI. We plan on doing 1 in 2011 and 1 in 2012. If we have a second vacation during either or both of those years, it will be toi Disney.

Here's the rub: We DEFINITELY want to stay at the main building of the Contemporary at some point. Obviously, this is not an option with the DVC. Another copnsideration is this: we both used to be OK with flying coach and staying in moderate hotels or junior suites on cruises. However, since getting free upgrades to first class and then paying for it, and after staying in the club level at Wilderness, we have become snobs. Don't get me wrong, we're both down to earth, but I refuse to fly coach anymore, and I only want to stay in deluxe resorts - club level. This also presents a problem, as the only hotels where you can access club level are Grand Floridian and Animal Kingdom (that I know of). Also, a slight problem we have is that of housekeeping. We really don't want to pay the extra money for daily housekeeping, but it wouldn't feel like a vacation if we had to clean up after ourselves.

If we do join, it would be for either 330 or 400 points. So, that being said, do you think that this is right for us or not?

PS - the reason we are so demanding is that I typically work 80-90 hours per week from May - September. I make a good living, but only because I bust my butt during the summer, so when it is time to relax, I want luxury and I want everything taken care of for me. Plus, I'm a police officer, so the less stress during time off, the better.

 

[Dean]

OK... here is the long of it (as opposed to the short of it). Between my wife and I, we have been to Disney over 17 times. We got the honeymoon sweet for our, well you know. There is only 1 other thing that we like to do other than Disney, and that is Royal caribbean cruising. we would never go on a Disney cruise.

That being said, there are only 2 things we want to do other than Disney before we have kids... we want to go on a 14 night cruise to Europe and a 9 night cruise to hawaii, both with RCI. We plan on doing 1 in 2011 and 1 in 2012. If we have a second vacation during either or both of those years, it will be toi Disney.

Here's the rub: We DEFINITELY want to stay at the main building of the Contemporary at some point. Obviously, this is not an option with the DVC. Another copnsideration is this: we both used to be OK with flying coach and staying in moderate hotels or junior suites on cruises. However, since getting free upgrades to first class and then paying for it, and after staying in the club level at Wilderness, we have become snobs. Don't get me wrong, we're both down to earth, but I refuse to fly coach anymore, and I only want to stay in deluxe resorts - club level. This also presents a problem, as the only hotels where you can access club level are Grand Floridian and Animal Kingdom (that I know of). Also, a slight problem we have is that of housekeeping. We really don't want to pay the extra money for daily housekeeping, but it wouldn't feel like a vacation if we had to clean up after ourselves.

If we do join, it would be for either 330 or 400 points. So, that being said, do you think that this is right for us or not?

PS - the reason we are so demanding is that I typically work 80-90 hours per week from May - September. I make a good living, but only because I bust my butt during the summer, so when it is time to relax, I want luxury and I want everything taken care of for me. Plus, I'm a police officer, so the less stress during time off, the better.

As posted it doesn't seem to me that DVC is a good choice for you even if it would save you money because you're set on housekeeping and set on choices that DVC wouldn't provide very well. The cruise options don't matter because DVC is not a reasonable option to buy for such anyway. If you want to look at the dollars related to possible savings, you can do that and it would vary by time of year, LOS & usual party size.

Reading between the lines I also wonder if you'd be happy having to plan 7-11 months out and possibly not getting what you want. I love DVC and think it's right in some way for quite a few people who enjoy staying on property, it just doesn't seem to fit your desires at this time.

Having said that you may want to still consider it as once you get the hang of it and figure out what you get for what you're giving up, you may still find it a good option. I'd suggest you consider either renting from a member or through CRO and giving it a try. Even if you just bought less points and used them for part of your trips you might be far better off than you are now.

 

[78thrifleman]

I have no problem booking 7-11 months out. I typically do this anyway. But, why would we not get what we want if we book out that early??

In other words, say we book club level at Polynesian 11 months ahead. WHy would we not be guaranteed that if we book it?

 

[78thrifleman]

PS... what is the purpose of Disney not allowing you to book Concierge collection withing the last 4 months of your year?

 

[Dean]

I have no problem booking 7-11 months out. I typically do this anyway. But, why would we not get what we want if we book out that early??

In other words, say we book club level at Polynesian 11 months ahead. WHy would we not be guaranteed that if we book it?

Buying DVC to use for non DVC options would be foolish. It would almost certainly cost you more in the long run, add a layer of complexity to reservations and is an option that could be eliminated at any time.

PS... what is the purpose of Disney not allowing you to book Concierge collection withing the last 4 months of your year?

For non DVC options they have to take those points and rent out DVC rooms to recoup the money. They need time to successfully do so.

 

[78thrifleman]

I am starting to get very discouraged at this point

 

[eporter66]

We have had some great vacations as a family, our DD6 looks forward to going every year. My wife & I still get excited booking, planning, and spending a week every year at WDW. Using our DVC membership, we have been able to bring family down to WDW on vacation.

Up to this point - yes, it has been worth it for us.

 

[maciec]

PS - the reason we are so demanding is that I typically work 80-90 hours per week from May - September. I make a good living, but only because I bust my butt during the summer, so when it is time to relax, I want luxury and I want everything taken care of for me. Plus, I'm a police officer, so the less stress during time off, the better.

Gee, could you be my dh? What resort town do you work in? I feel your pain because we've been living the life for the past 18 years. Throw 2 kids in the mix and oh what fun. Summer is not a fun time for us either. DVC has forced us to take vacations and to leave the job behind. We have 300 points between 2 different resorts and have found that to be plenty for us to stay in a 2 bedroom unit every October for a week. When do you like to vacation? There is another officer in our department that also owns 300 points and they take multiple vacations a year. You can make this work if it's something that you really want. You can still stay concierge. And yes, you can still fly first class. We do, all 4 of us, and we don't get comp'd. You sound like a great example of someone who should try before they buy.

 

[homercrispy]

my wife would be interested in marrying you.
if you buy DVC, you have to be flexible.

You are not going to get the room that you want, on the day that you want, in the resort that you want. You have to remember that there are a thousand other people requesting that same day.

when we call disney, we say that we want to go for a week in February or March, and take it from there.

I don't see this as being a good fit for you.

 

[Mom B]

Absolutely! For us it is definitely "worth it." Our dreams of our DVC vacations keep us going through the long dreary and often stressful months of work and the daily routine. We always have something to look forward to (and we usually go in January so it helps break up the long Minnesota winters!) For us, it worked best to start out with a small-ish (100 pt) contract and then add on as we could, that way we could pay cash and aren't dealing with payments other than the yearly maintenance fees. We've done mostly resale contracts but also did a small add-on thru Disney, which also worked well. The down side is that it's created a little of a Disney obsession, but as long as we keep the rest of life in perspective, it's okay!

 

[Dean]

I am starting to get very discouraged at this point

Better to know now what you would and would not be getting. You should ONLY consider buying IF and ONLY IF you plan to use the points really only at DVC resorts.

 

[78thrifleman]

my wife would be interested in marrying you.
if you buy DVC, you have to be flexible.

You are not going to get the room that you want, on the day that you want, in the resort that you want. You have to remember that there are a thousand other people requesting that same day.

when we call disney, we say that we want to go for a week in February or March, and take it from there.

I don't see this as being a good fit for you.

We never really have a date that is set in stone... We have felexibility give or take a week or two.

However, getting the resort that we want IS a requirement for us to be happy. If, over the course of our 30 year ownership, we are shut out of a resort 2 or 3 times, it won't be the end of the world. However, resort preference is paramount for us.

With the dates being flexible, but the resort being important to us, could we make this work?

 

[Sammie]

We never really have a date that is set in stone... We have felexibility give or take a week or two.

However, getting the resort that we want IS a requirement for us to be happy. If, over the course of our 30 year ownership, we are shut out of a resort 2 or 3 times, it won't be the end of the world. However, resort preference is paramount for us.

With the dates being flexible, but the resort being important to us, could we make this work?

If you want daily housekeeping and club level, DVC is not a good match for you.

 

[maciec]

We never really have a date that is set in stone... We have felexibility give or take a week or two.

However, getting the resort that we want IS a requirement for us to be happy. If, over the course of our 30 year ownership, we are shut out of a resort 2 or 3 times, it won't be the end of the world. However, resort preference is paramount for us.

With the dates being flexible, but the resort being important to us, could we make this work?

If resort preference is a must for you then you need to buy where you want to stay. You will get the 11 month booking window and much less of a chance of getting shot down.

 

[78thrifleman]

We have scratched the Vero idea for the time being.

I spent 9 hours today putting different packages together, and I still have 3 resorts left to get through. We're looking to get 300-450 points. We are most likely going to buy on property.

We would love to buy at Bay Lake, but it's way too expensive. The biggest thing on our wishlist is to wake up in a Treehouse villa on Christmas day one year. That being said, Saratoga would be our best bet. My only problem with places like saratoga, Coronado, and Old Key West is that they don't have the Disney "feel" to them that places like the Contemporary and Wilderness and Animal Kingdom do.

This is a very intricate, time-consuming, detail oriented, and at times frustrating process.

 

[Disneywedding2010]

Yes, for us its worth it.

We go to Disney at least once if not twice a year.

I don't like staying at a value resort and like having the extra room. I don't want to feel like I'm in a sardine can on vacation.

Its something that I know I will use every year and when I have children it will be passed onto them.

 

[i*heart*minniemouse]

We would love to buy at Bay Lake, but it's way too expensive. The biggest thing on our wishlist is to wake up in a Treehouse villa on Christmas day one year. That being said, Saratoga would be our best bet. My only problem with places like saratoga, Coronado, and Old Key West is that they don't have the Disney "feel" to them that places like the Contemporary and Wilderness and Animal Kingdom do.

This is a very intricate, time-consuming, detail oriented, and at times frustrating process.

I am sorry you think Saratoga Springs and Old Key West don't have the Disney feel. We, on the other hand, think the opposite. It does have the Disney feel with all the hidden Mickeys and such. It is the best of both worlds, Disney and a relaxing laid back atmosphere!
We have loved all 13 years we have been members and plan to enjoy all the remaining years!!!

 

[Monorail Purple&Gold]

Yes, if meeting these qualifiers:

1) Love Disney!
2) Not a financial hardship.
3) Love Disney!