So confused and need your help...

[TinkerBe11]

I am interested in the DVC, however, I just recieved my info packet and have never been so confused about how the whole process works. Can you please answer some of my questions if you have the answers. Your help is appreciated.

1) Is it worth buying into? What are some perks that you get by being a menber?

2) How does the point system work? Do they tell you where you have to stay or can you pick? I know it depends on availability, but are there any villas that get booked all the time?

3) I was told that Animal Kingdom would be my "home." What does that mean? My favorite resort is The Boardwalk and would love to be there. What do they mean by my "home?"

4) I am concered about the financing. How did you handle this? What is the interest like?

 

[Coach81]

I am interested in the DVC, however, I just recieved my info packet and have never been so confused about how the whole process works. Can you please answer some of my questions if you have the answers. Your help is appreciated.

1) Is it worth buying into? What are some perks that you get by being a menber?

YES! If you can afford it! You can't put a price on the memories!!! Discounts on shopping, food, gifts, etc.

2) How does the point system work? Do they tell you where you have to stay or can you pick? I know it depends on availability, but are there any villas that get booked all the time?

You can choose any resort you would like to stay at. If its your home resort (AK) you could book it almost a year in advance! They are all popular.

3) I was told that Animal Kingdom would be my "home." What does that mean? My favorite resort is The Boardwalk and would love to be there. What do they mean by my "home?"

You get an 11 month booking window at your home resort, the rest can be booked at the 7th month window.

4) I am concered about the financing. How did you handle this? What is the interest like?

Depends on who you go to... we got a good rate from our home mortgage company, shop around.

Good luck with your research, and your decision!

 

[crisi]

1) Is it worth buying into? What are some perks that you get by being a menber?

Most people who post here definately think its worth buying into. Don't buy for perks though, they are subject to change and do change.


2) How does the point system work? Do they tell you where you have to stay or can you pick? I know it depends on availability, but are there any villas that get booked all the time?

You can book at your home resort 11 months out - that usually guarantees availability except for a few unit types at a few times of year where there are very few units and a lot of demand (Boardwalk View Grand Villas on New Years Eve). You can book other resorts seven months out - availability depends both on time of year and type of Villa - a Boardwalk standard view room is going to be very unlikely during the first two weeks of December, but likely to be available at seven months for a trip in September.


3) I was told that Animal Kingdom would be my "home." What does that mean? My favorite resort is The Boardwalk and would love to be there. What do they mean by my "home?"

You can purchase BWV direct from Disney or through resale. If you want to be there, the advice most people would give is to buy your points there - particularly if you like the look of those lower point standard view rooms - they do go fast.

4) I am concered about the financing. How did you handle this? What is the interest like?

Disney will provide financing, not sure of the interest rate. I'm a "pay for luxury items with cash" girl.

 

[Disney_Villain]

If you'd like a good staring place to start reading up on all of this, I would recommend DVCNews.com:

DVC For Beginners

http://dvcnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=186&Itemid=160

 

[DebbieB]

I own at BWV (home resort) and will tell you that if you want a standard or boardwalk view, buy your points there. The 11 month window is needed, they can be difficult to get at 7 months.

 

[TinkerBe11]

I own at BWV (home resort) and will tell you that if you want a standard or boardwalk view, buy your points there. The 11 month window is needed, they can be difficult to get at 7 months.

How do I go about owning BWV if they are telling me AK is going to be my home? Do I just request BWV instead?

 

[chalee94]

How do I go about owning BWV if they are telling me AK is going to be my home? Do I just request BWV instead?

yes, the guides are trained to sell AKV and BLT. if you want BWV you have to specify that (sometimes forcefully). if they don't currently have any BWV pts, you may have to waitlist.

but for BWV, you will get a (much) cheaper deal if you look for a resale contract. i would suggest looking for a resale contract that has points available in the 2008/2009 UYs (i.e. is not "stripped.")

edited to add: BTW, if you are young enough to care, you should be aware that BWV expires in 2042 while AKV doesn't expire till 2057.

 

[Tink6666]

If you really want Boardwalk, then check out the re-sales listed with the Timeshare Store people. Here is just one of the recent listing:
Boardwalk Villas�Membership expires 2042� - Annual Dues $5.04 per point�


200 points. December use year. 257 points coming on 12/1/08 (200 + 57 banked points from 2007) and 200 points coming on 12/1/09.� No annual dues until 2009. � �
Closing Costs=$550 Priced at $87/pt ($17400) Ref# BW200-12-1002-rm�

The 10 year financing rate is about 10.99%

Good luck in your decision.

 

[Marciern22]

I LOVE DVC!!!! CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT IT!!!! I have 410 points and my home resort is Saratoga Springs. This year I stayed one night at The Grand Californian in February, then I stayed 2 nights, concierge level, at The Grand Californian in July, then I stayed 2 nights at the Disneyland Hotel Labor Day weekend for the 1/2 marathon, then my 2 kids and I did the Member cruise Sept 21st, but stayed at the Wilderness Lodge the night before. When we got back from the cruise, I had a studio for myself and one for my cousin and her family at Saratoga Springs for 4 nights. If I would have booked this without DVC (I went online and checked) it would have cost over $9,000.00 for this year alone! Instead it is just costing me my monthly payment and dues which is about $6000 for this year and in 8 years when I'm payed off (which will probably be sooner) I'm going to have some even more awesome adventures!!!!

 

[Marciern22]

On all of the DVC boards, why do they keep talking about the new BLT, but not about the beautiful villas they are building at The Grand Californian at DLR? You should see this hotel!! It is GORGEOUS!!!!! In the last 3 years, I have stayed there 9 times!!!!! I can't wait for the villas!

 

[Marciern22]

If you join DVC now, your home resort could be AK villas or the new Bay Lake Tower, but you can stay anywhere you want, you just have a bigger window at your home resort.
No matter where you stay at WDW, you have pool hopping privileges at all other resorts.

 

[Tara]

If you join DVC now, your home resort could be AK villas or the new Bay Lake Tower, but you can stay anywhere you want, you just have a bigger window at your home resort.
No matter where you stay at WDW, you have pool hopping privileges at all other resorts.

Is that still true? I thought that members no longer had hopping privileges at Stormalong Bay?

 

[backyardponder]

If you want BWV, and if you have a few months to wait to close, I urge you to consider resale. There's a nice discussion on how much you save with resale at http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1972262.

You can get some good information on the resale process from The Timeshare Store (TTS) which sponsors these pages. There's a link to their web site at the top of this page.

Good Luck.

 

[crisi]

Is that still true? I thought that members no longer had hopping privileges at Stormalong Bay?

No pool hopping at Storm Along Bay or the pool at AKL. Pool hopping is restricted at certain times of year. Pool hopping is a perk that could be pulled tomorrow (unlikely, but I suspect that it will be pulled one of these days).