Smaller point values to get started??

[Viking_53]

My DW and DD (only 9 months, so we want to start her out right) are wanting to get into the DVC family.

We attended a DVC open house last month at SSR to get the full scoop. We were given the opportunity to buy AKV for $16400 (less incentives), but frankly, we weren't ready to put that much money into it.

Now I'm finding smaller point values at other resorts on the resale market. I'm know about the Disney ROFR, but I'm wondering if it's smarter to start out with some of these lower point values, and just start accumulating points.

Is this a good idea? Should I be looking at the same use year for each? Does it matter how many points you have, or do you have full DVC benefits with 30 points? Is it a big deal to add additional points, particularly for different resorts? How would the dues work?

Sorry for all the questions, but I am still confused on how all the points work (and I just found out here about the banking rules for 3-4 months in advance)

Thanks!!

 

[5forDiz]

My DW and DD (only 9 months, so we want to start her out right) are wanting to get into the DVC family.

We attended a DVC open house last month at SSR to get the full scoop. We were given the opportunity to buy AKV for $16400 (less incentives), but frankly, we weren't ready to put that much money into it.

Now I'm finding smaller point values at other resorts on the resale market. I'm know about the Disney ROFR, but I'm wondering if it's smarter to start out with some of these lower point values, and just start accumulating points.

Is this a good idea? Should I be looking at the same use year for each? Does it matter how many points you have, or do you have full DVC benefits with 30 points? Is it a big deal to add additional points, particularly for different resorts? How would the dues work?

Sorry for all the questions, but I am still confused on how all the points work (and I just found out here about the banking rules for 3-4 months in advance)

Thanks!!

Yes purchasing a resale contract that is less than the minimum required on a direct purchase through Disney still gets you full DVC member benefit; nothing about your membership will be flagged or treated in any way different.

Once you are a member you can purchase additional add-on contracts directly through Disney - 25 point minimum purchase, 50 point minimum purchase if you want to finance the add-on through Disney. There are no closing costs for add-on contract(s) purchased through Disney.Disney will get you the same Use Year for your add-on contract(s) that your first contract has.

Trying to buy multiple small via resales can be difficult because most members do want same Use Year month. And also, sometimes buying multiple small resale contracts is not as cost effective as purchasing the add-on contract(s) directly through Disney. This is because you will pay closing costs / fees on each resale contract.

Depending on the Home Resort your contract(s) have Maintenance fees are per point per year and range from approx $3.69 I believe for new DVC at Contemporary up to close to $6 at Vero Beach resort. There are threads here on the DIS that can give you more info on current MFs and history of their change over the years.

Each contract you own can be from a different resort so that resort's MFs would determine how much per point you pay on that contract. Also, points from contracts that have different Home Resorts can't be combined for reservations until 7 month booking window. For the 4 months prior to the 7 month booking window points can only be used to book at the resort they are tied to.

 

[chalee94]

Now I'm finding smaller point values at other resorts on the resale market. I'm know about the Disney ROFR, but I'm wondering if it's smarter to start out with some of these lower point values, and just start accumulating points.

it is certainly an option!

Is this a good idea?

start with a single contract that suits your vacation style and see.

Should I be looking at the same use year for each?

after you have a single contract, you are a full DVC member. you will be able to add-on without paying closing costs. where small contracts are concerned, this means buying direct is often less expensive. add-ons will always have the same UY month.

even if you continue buying resales, i would recommend looking for the same UY month as it makes things easier but it's not absolutely necessary.

Does it matter how many points you have, or do you have full DVC benefits with 30 points?

yep - full benefits.

Is it a big deal to add additional points, particularly for different resorts?

if you have a favorite resort, it's best to buy points there. if you like 2 resorts, buy one contract at each and use banking and borrowing to alternate years staying at each.

just remember: pts from a contract at one resort can NEVER be used to book another resort at 11 months.

How would the dues work?

take the points you have at resort A times the annual dues rate at resort A plus the points you have at resort B times the annual dues rate at resort B. it's really easy to calculate.

annual dues increase history is here:

http://personalpages.tds.net/~rb/DIS/DVC/DVCDuesHistory.htm

 

[Viking_53]

Thanks for the replies.

One question - what does Disney charge you for add-on points? Since there are no closing costs, is it "full retail" value at the time of purchase?

Thanks again!

 

[chalee94]

yep - full retail.

here is the current pricing, for reference.

 

[1-407-WDWJUNKIE]

We started with 50 point resale at BCV and it works great. You don't have to finance much or at all, it is easier to sell a small contract off if you decide DVC is not for you, and you get the full benefits any other member gets.

You can stay in a studio every other year for a week on 50 points (for BCV you have to borrow a couple points from the following stay each year), and if you decide for any reason you don't like DVC you can easily get out with a minimal loss. Though you'll probably end up like us and add on.

Adding on through Disney always gives you the same use year as your initial contract and points can be easily combined. Adding on at resale is trickier, points from two different use years the points cannot be lumped together. Even if you add on through resale with the same use year you have to be very careful all the names on the paperwork/deed appear identical to your first contract or Disney will not be able to combine the contracts after you buy.

What happens if you end up with two different 50 point contracts? You can still book a vacation with both contracts, but each entire day will have to come from one pool of points. So if you wanted 5 weeknights at 14 points a night you would need to book the first three days for 42 points from one contract and the last two days from the second contract for 28 points. Not the end of the world, but life is simpler if you have all your points grouped together.

I hope this helps.