So Many Questions....

[momtwo3]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could help me. My husband and I returned yesterday from touring Saratoga Springs and our considering joining dvc. I have so many questions, 1. Why do you have to buy at Saratoga Springs if you can use your points all over? 2.Can anyone give me positive or negative feedback so I can make a decision. I was told I have 72 hours for some incentive program they have. sorry so long thank you

 

[PamOKW]

When you purchase from Disney you have to buy what they are selling....all other DVC resorts are sold-out, only Saratoga Springs is available. (There are cases where Disney gets some points at the other resorts but they generally sell them to existing members who are looking to increase the number they own).

If you buy on the resale market, you can buy points from any of the resorts.

I think most people are happy with their DVC decision. Keep reading these boards and asking questions.

 

[Silos]

At this point in time SSR is the newest resort and is the one that is not sold out. It is my understanding that SSR is offering a $10 discount per point and that is rumored to last until the end of February. You can go on a waitlist with DVC for the other resorts but that could take awhile. Another choice is to go resale and all of the resorts should be available through resale.

 

[rinkwide]

...Why do you have to buy at Saratoga Springs?

You don't. Click on the link at the top of this page and discover the wonderful world of resale.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We bought DVC on our first trip to WDW after we saw the DVC channel on the TV. We have added on four times because we love it so much. We have 500 points and think it was the best thing we ever did. We go twice a year and spend most of our disposable income on WDW and DVC. We are not saving anything over all. But we stay in wonderful accomodations. We love the atmosphere. We have a small family (only three of us), so we can fit in a one bedroom or studio. But we often bring family along.

There are a lot of companies that resell DVC points. You can sometimes get them for less than what Disney is selling them for, but you have to pay closing costs and find your own financing. If you buy from Disney, they will provide financing and there are no closing costs. One of the resale companies is a sponsor on this board. Give them a call to see if they might have something you might like.

If you buy, make sure you buy where you really want to stay. If you can only go at certain times, you may need the 11 month advantage to get the resort you want (it would have to be your home resort to get that advantage).

Check out the FAQs at the top. Read the boards a bit and ask more questions if you need help.

If you really want another DVC resort, Disney sometimes has points to offer for sale from buying back points (see ROFR). Ask your guide if they have other resorts available if you really want it. But you probably won't get the incentive. That's only on SSR. (it's a nice resort, plus you have it until 2054, not 2042 like the rest of the DVC resorts).

 

[RAD]

That was one of the shortest 'long' post that I've seen in a while.

Anyway, as Pam mentioned, only SSR is now available for sale. DVC is allowed to sell only so many points at each property, else you end up like Jim and Tammy Baker who sold sooooo many shares in their hotel that it was way oversubscribed. By limiting the points it makes it easier for folks to get reservations.

The general rule of thumb is if you go to WDW every 1 or 2 years, and like to stay at deluxe resorts then DVC is usually a good deal. While Disney raises the rates on their hotels one or more times per year DVC stays the same. They may raise the number of points needed for a certain room at a certain time of year, but then they need to reduce the points somewhere else. The only thing dollar wise that will go up is the annual maintenance and real estate taxes. DVC says they can't increase more then 15% in a single year, but in my experience it's usually only a couple of percent increase, one year it went down.

In our case, DW and I could shoot ourselves for not joining earlier then we did.

 

[iankh]

I just bought a 200 point ($76 a point) contract at VWL (Villas at Wilderness Lodge) from the link at the top of this screen. I will be closing in a couple of weeks. It was a very simple process. I opted for this because I decided that I wanted VWL as my home resort.

Things to be aware of with a resale is that you will have to pay closing costs. For my contract I in the end with closing costs it comes out to $79.5 a point.

 

[idratherbeinwdw]

I read the replies sort of quickly, but I don't think anyone mentioned this:Yes, you can use your points "all over" but only to a certain degree. The resort you buy your points at is your Home Resort. When you book reservations using your DVC points you can book at your Home Resort 11 months in advance. You can book at other DVC resorts using those points, but only 7 months in advance. Many people on this board use the mantra "Buy where you want to stay". If you LOVE BWV (or any other sold out resort) it's better to buy a resale, because you'll be just about guaranteed to get a ressie there if you plan ahead, since you have the 11 month advantage. At 7 months you might get what you want at a non-Home resort, you might not. For example standard view rooms at BWV can be difficult to get at 7 months, particularly at busy times. And DVC busy times do not always jive with WDW in general busy times. ie, WDW is not particularly busy, but DVC Epcot resorts (BVC and BWV) are usually very busy during food and wine festival in the Fall.

If you really don't care where you stay look for a good deal on a resale, preferably one with banked points or at least all the points in the use year still available. Be aware that dues vary from resort to resort--you may pay less per point but end up paying more in the long run at a resort that has higher dues.

Good luck in your decision!

 

[jmminarik]

1. Why do you have to buy at Saratoga Springs if you can use your points all over?

As mentioned SSR is the only resort Disney is selling to new members. Our memberships are specifically a long term lease of a percentage of a certain unit at a certain resort.

Disney just makes that all but meaningless by using a point based system. I've no idea what 'units' of which we own a part at OKW, VB and VWL nor do I really care...when we stay at these resorts the room we get is based on what's available, not which unit we actually own.

-Joe

 

[Pluto4Pres]

One other difference is the length of the long term lease. Points will expire at all resorts built prior to SSR in 38 years. SSR points expire in 50 years. (Or is it 37 & 49 now?) The 12 extra years may not be that important to you, but it does partly explain why SSR points are more expensive.

One thing I have picked up from these boards is that if you do buy resale, Disney will still give you a big "Welcome Home" and treat you the same as everyone else. So don't think you have to buy from Disney to get all the benefits.

Keep plugging away at the boards for more detail. You'll learn many new things like - "What's an ROFR?" Your post is a very common for this board and there is a lot of great advice to be found. You are off to a good start by doing this research. Good luck!

 

[bcvillastwo]

1. Why do you have to buy at Saratoga Springs if you can use your points all over?

First, this question applies not only to Saratoga Springs but also the other DVC resorts (those sold via resale as well as those you may be able to buy through Disney). When you purchase DVC points you don't just buy the points you actually acquire an interest in a specific piece of real estate for a specific period of time. In effect under the DVC system you are leasing that piece of property for a stated period of years.

With respect the issue of points usage. In the DVC scheme of things the advange of owning a real estate interest at one property over another is has to do with the 11 month vs. 7 month booking window that others have described. The 11 month window can be important if you anticipate traveling at peak time periods and if you want to stay in certain resorts other than Saratoga Springs. For instance, if you think you might like to go the DVC Wilderness Lodge Villas at Christmas if you own at one of the other resorts you would have to wait until the 7 month window which could mean you would not be able to make a Christmas time reservation at DVC's Wilderness Lodge (although from what I have seen on the boards you can "waitlist" and the waitlist often comes through but this isn't something you should count on).

So, if you think you would prefer staying at one of the other DVC on-site or off-site properties you may want to consider having your name put on the waitlist to buy through Disney or consider buying a resale. Only you can determine which resort you prefer and what you expect your travel habits to be now and in the future. I say put some real thought into this because if you don't you could be disappointed with having to deal with the 7 month window. On the other hand, if you are likely to travel at off peak times, or you are very flexible then it seems to me that most people claim that they eventually get what they want by using the waitlist approach. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

2.Can anyone give me positive or negative feedback so I can make a decision.

Wow, that is a loaded question and it could take some time to answer fully. First, don't make an impulse buy, really think about this and make sure you and your spouse are in agreement. Second, don't put yourself in debt if you can't afford the extra debt. Third, if you are already going to Disney once a year and you are staying on property in a moderate or better resort DVC could (I stress could) be a good deal for you in terms of upgraded accommodatons. Remember while you may indeed save on the cost of your accomodations you may find youself actually spending more because you can visit WDW more often. Fourth, if you don't really love the WDW experience well DCV may not be for you.

In our case, we really love the WDW experience and we were going at least once a year staying in moderate or better resorts. It took us 3 years to decide the get into DVC. We have no regrets over waiting, it was the best decision we could have made but of course this worked for us and I am in no way suggesting that this is the best approach for anyone else. I can't think of any negatives at this point and we've owned for 3 years and taken about 8 trips over that period. We've stayed at BCV, HH, WLV, and BWV and each has a different charm plus we liked them all. We have a preference but it's not important for this discussion.

You will find that most people who post on these boards have a very positive attitude about DVC. Yes, there are some who have gripes from time to time (housekeeping has been a recurring issue from time to time). Read the boards, ask questions, think about it and hash it out with the spouse. If you do these things you are likely to choose wisely.

3. I was told I have 72 hours for some incentive program they have.

We were told the same thing when we first got interested but when we finally decided to buy we still were able to take advantage of the incentives. But, there is no guarantee that the incentives they are offering now will be in place should you decide to wait. Still, if you feel like you've read enough, discussed your individual situation thoroughly then by all means act within the 72 hours.

 

[dianeschlicht]

3. I was told I have 72 hours for some incentive program they have.

I think that refers to the special interest rate and discount.

 

[tjkraz]

I was told I have 72 hours for some incentive program they have. sorry so long thank you

Even if you haven't made a firm decision in those 72 hours, it might make sense to give a verbal commitment to DVC (along with a $500 deposit) to secure the incentive. DVC will send you the formal paperwork to complete. Until you have completed and notarized the paperwork and gone through a 14-day waiting period, you can still back out at any time and get a full refund on your $500 deposit.

I wouldn't necessarily count on being able to get the incentive reinstated after the 72 hour time limit has expired. You will get stories here from folks who have been successful and others who have not. Guess it depends on how much you really want to battle with DVC down the road.

IMO, there's zero risk involved in starting the process while the incentive is still available, and then taking another couple of weeks to decide whether to complete the paperwork or call and cancel.

 

[beccasmom]

We purchased DVC early on (1992) and have never regretted it. It is good advice to purchase where you think you would be happiest - OKW is our home resort (and was the only resort available when we bought) and we do indeed love it. We met some folks last week who bought at SSR, but never stay there....they really like OKW. So, although they may have no trouble at certain times of the year in getting a reservation, for busier times it may be more problematic.

As for visiting WDW more often, that is often true. We will be visiting twice this year, but airfares were low, so we took advantage of that. Most times for us it is only once a year . So transportation should be figured into your decision as well as park ticket prices (park tickets were included in our purchase for 8 years - you better believe that sealed the deal! ).

If you love WDW, I believe it is a great deal. We had formerly stayed at the Contemporary and then at the moderates. It was becoming way too costly for us, figuring in the fact that even fixing a simple breakfast in the room was not that simple. Now we enjoy coffee on the porch every morning at OKW and if we want to get a doggie bag at a restaurant, no problems heating it up a day later. It's been a great experience for us.....best of luck in making your decision!