So, Sale me on DVC...

[live4christp1]

Looking at info on the DVC's someone please tell me the reasons you decided to purchase. Noticed a lot of people saling points.....is it hard to book your stay. Are you limited to any certain room type, what if you bought in at a 4 person but take guests and need an 8? Looked at the pictures listed and didn't see anything magnificent enough to warrant the price. Is there a maintenance fee involved? Also noticed that most rooms offer one or two sofa sleepers as opposed to one king and a room with 2 queen......sofa sleepers are not very comfortable as has been my recollection. Most other timeshares offer the beds with only one sleeper sofa. Maybe these are better for folks who travel to Orlando more than once per year. Trying to find the advantages and disadvantages......

 

[SoCalKDG]

If you like to visit WDW at least every other year, and normally stay onsite in a moderate or deluxe, then DVC might be for you.

 

[DVC-curious]

A lot of your questions are addressed here.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-vacation-club/faq.shtml

I just started researching on here about a month ago and my family is in the middle of buying into SSR.


Good luck !

 

[cruise-o-matic]

Go check out the resort board now. Read through the posts and there is a lot of discussion about rack rates and waiting for codes ($400 plus for a CR tower room, $111 for a Value Resort, etc.)

With DVC, you don't have to worry about codes. The points you pay today will be the points you pay tomorrow (not necessarily, but DVC cannot charge more points for a certain room/season, without lowering the point cost elsewhere at the resort).

 

[JimC]

Good points provided so far. As to why we purchased. We go to Disney often. Buying into DVC have allowed us to stay in one bedroom villas for the price of a moderate resort room.

You should order the video and take a tour to see if you find it worthwhile for you.

 

[Candace]

I, also, do not love sleeping on sofa beds, but I have occasionally at Boardwalk. It was actually comfortable, and I understand that the new ones which have recently been placed at Old Key West are extremely comfortable. If you absolutely cannot handle a sofabed, however, Old Key West always has 2 queen beds in the 2nd bedroom. It also has the largest rooms. You are never limited to a certain size room, or a certain time of year like other timeshares. That's one of the big selling points of DVC - the flexibility. I have never had a problem getting a room, but I will say that if I want a room during a popular time like Christmas or spring break, then I try to book at 11 months out or close to it. Planning is essential if you want special times of year. Yes, there is a yearly maintenance fee - average is around $4 per point - some resorts more, some less. Disney is an expensive timeshare - but it is Disney, and I feel the Disney history of quality will keep it top quality. I would not have been comfortable buying another timeshare. I have been a member for 11 years and am still very happy that I purchased. Oh, one other thing - the pictures do not do the accomodations justice. You really need to visit and see them firsthand! Keep asking questions - there will be loads of help from the people on these boards. Also, you might look into renting some points for a vacation to get the true feel of DVC. There is a Rent/Trade section on this site here - http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=30&f=29

 

[Deb & Bill]

You have been directed to several good areas to find out what you need. There are thousands of DVC members. They really like it a lot. You will have to sell yourself on it, though.

By the way, the sleeper sofas at SSR are the new memory foam type beds and are excellent to sleep on. Some of the other resorts are also getting these types of mattresses on the sleeper sofa.

As points get higher, it doesn't seem to be as much of a cost saving as a prepaid WDW vacation. You pay up front and get great lodging. The resorts are very well kept and themed. The restaurants are very good. Figure in washers and dryers, full kitchens, jacuzzi tubs, plus all the WDW resort benefits (EMH, transportation, etc) and you have the full package.

 

[Cruelladeville]

Disney is an expensive timeshare. The beauty of it is that DVC retains its value. If you buy for $12,000, and after 5 years you need to sell it, you will get back at least $12,000. Your vacations were the cost of your maintenance fees, which is very cheap. Most of the other timeshares drastically lose their value, even Marriott, which is a lovely resort property. A week at Marriott will cost $20,000 new and they sell on the resale board for $5000-$10,000. Their maintainence fees run about $700 per year, payable in one lump sum. Like most, they have several hidden charges.

Disney's room accommodations are varied. A studio has either two queens, or a queen and a sofa bed. A one bedroom unit has a living room, kitchen, laundry, and a master bedroom with a king bed. The bathroom has a large jacuzzi tub and a sink, and in the 2nd part of the bathroom there is a sink, shower, and toilet. The bathroom will be the size of your bedroom at home! The two bedroom villa has both sets of accommodations together in one unit.

You seem to think that the sales are due to unhappiness with the resorts, and that simply isn't so. Many people buy on a whim, and find they can't afford what they purchased. There are now 83,000 members, so there are relatively few who sell their timeshares. Many of us buy and sell our timeshares--I sold a BCV and bought anOKW because I wanted to spread out my options. I am now thinking of adding another timeshare to the three I currently have.

 

[DrBond007]

Hay, rent some points and check out some of the resorts for yourself. See what you think.

 

[live4christp1]

Okay, we have an extra day so maybe we will stop by and look at some of the resorts. Is the maintenance fee monthly or yearly. And also does this work the same as other timeshares, it is deeded to you and you can leave it for your children to enjoy when you are gone?

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Okay, we have an extra day so maybe we will stop by and look at some of the resorts. Is the maintenance fee monthly or yearly. And also does this work the same as other timeshares, it is deeded to you and you can leave it for your children to enjoy when you are gone?

You will only be able to tour SSR but you will be able to walk around the others. The maintenance fee can be paid all at once or broken down into 12 payments (with no interest added). You can leave it to the kids but DVC does expire in either 2042 or 2054.

HBC

 

[rayelias]

Looking at info on the DVC's someone please tell me the reasons you decided to purchase. Noticed a lot of people saling points

I don't know what your definition of "a lot of people" selling points. There are about 90,000 DVC members. What are there, maybe a couple hundred - even a thousand or two contracts available? Plus, many of the members have multiple contracts.

On the contrary, percentage wise, I submit that a VERY small portion of members are selling.

 

[bongo59]

strongly suggest you do your own due diligence abouty DVC before you make comments about to people who obviously are owners ...............when you have firm concrete questions then ask us, because most of us know just about everything about the program...........asking why should i buy DVC first is like telling Ford, so tell me how to I build an Explorer. I am not trying to be harsh but i think one has to invest sometime doing your own research then come here and ask very specifici questions on points that you are unclear of.............