Small Contracts

[Moseymouse]

Hello DISers! I've been reading along and checking for any advice, information, and all of the wonderful tips. I've been to WDW 8 times and DL for the first time last year. Disney has always meant the happiest times of my life. Now that I'm planning for my first trip as an adult, I'm really not sure what's best. I've recently rented my first apartment, and I'm working full time. However, I skipped college to go full time at my job out of high school so I'm looking to start college within the next year or two. While money is tight, I do save enough that any of the below are POSSIBLE, I'm just unsure of what's best. 5 years without WDW is far too long!!

We're definitely going in May 2015 for my best buddy's birthday. It will be his first trip since he was about 6 or 7 y/o. I originally planned to stay at POR, but we both love nature and animals so we changed to POP with a couple nights at AKL. With all of my time on the boards, I've realized that maybe the better option is for me to buy a very small (30-35 point) DVC contract (resale, of course) so between banking and borrowing, we can stay 7 nights at an AKL value studio or cheap point resort. Between college and work, this seems like the better option as I will definitely be back many more times, but not every year until after college and finances are better.

Would it be cheaper with all of the discounts to stay in values until after college and buy a larger contract when I'm able? If I decide to go with DVC now, we've already passed to 11 month window What are the odds of a small contract with available points becoming available at a good/decent price and going through the resale process before the 7 month window (Oct)? I don't mind the home resort so much as I want to stay at each resort at some point to experience everything WDW has to offer (if that's possible! LOL), but I would want a reasonable price for whatever home resort we get. Would any "cheap" rooms (less than 100 points for a week) still be open at 7 months? According to David's DVC calculator, it seems like this would be the AKL studios, OKW, or SSR.

Annual dues aren't much of a factor as I have the Disney Visa and plan to use the reward dollars to pay those. All thoughts and advice are welcome and much appreciated!

 

[disneynutz]

I recommend that you stick with the moderate resorts looking for Disney sales. If you really want to stay DVC, I suggest that you rent a reservation from an existing owner. You should always compare for the best price.

Start your Disney jar and save towards your DVC purchase after school. By then you will know if you still have the Disney bug and you can enjoy your ownership without the pressures of school.

Bill

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Would it be cheaper with all of the discounts to stay in values until after college and buy a larger contract when I'm able?

 

[magicaldisney]

Staying in the values with discounts will always be your cheapest option for visiting WDW. You will have a very hard time finding a small contract like you are looking for. Don't forget that even if you buy a small contract you will still have MFs to pay every year. This just makes the value resorts even more a a deal.

 

[DenLo]

. . . Would it be cheaper with all of the discounts to stay in values until after college and buy a larger contract when I'm able? . . .

Yes, this is very good advice to yourself.

Regarding your reservation at AKL, you might considering renting from a DVC member or even David's Rentals. It might be cheaper than a discounted cash reservation and it will give you an idea of what is like at a DVC resort.

 

[HokieGCC]

I agree with the others.

Here is why:
- DVC "can" save you a some money 8-10 years down the road but that is no certainty. To make the "DVC numbers" work you must compare against Deluxe resorts. Compared with Moderate it's close but I contend Moderate's are less expensive. Compared to "value" DVC is way more expensive.
- At your stage of life getting started there are so many variables ahead of you that if you find yourself with some extra $ stash it away somewhere.
- Finally, regardless if you are DVC or not you can go to DW whenever you want.
- DVC is a REAL luxury. Are the DVC resorts nicer than the value ones? Sure but not 5X nicer; more like 20% nicer.

I like Bill's suggestion. Make a "DVC savings jar" and save for lets say maybe the next 5 years or so and in the meantime make use of those Value or possibly moderate resorts. We stayed at Coronado Springs for multiple DW trips when our kids were young and liked it there very much and have some very fond memories there.