Ssr - Stop Me I Must Be Crazy

[findbyme]

DECIDED TO MAKE A TRIP FOR A REMAX CONVENTION IN FEBRUARY AND THEN THOUGHT....HEY....LET'S BRING THE DH AND DS'S WITH ME. HAD NO IDEA WHERE WE WOULD STAY....TYPED IN DISNEY AND ENDED UP AT THIS WEBSITE....48 HOURS LATER THINKING OF BUYING SIGHT UNSEEN (MIND YOU NEVER BEEN TO FLORIDA, HUSBAND JUST RETURNED AFTER HELPING FAM DEAL WITH HUR CHARLEY)...


150 POINTS AT SSR PHASE II UNTIL 2054 . IS THIS A GOOD DEAL.....150 POINTS AT 95.00 A POINT FINANCED BY DVC W/10% DOWN 6 MONTHS S.A.C. AND A COMPLIMENTARY 150 POINT VACATION FOR MY FEB TRIP. I THINK CLOSING IS INCLUDED. MAINTENANCE IS 507 YR.

SEEMS LIKE THE GOING RATE AND QUICKLY CONSIDERED RESALE BUT WITH FROR DOESN'T SEEM LIKE I CAN GET A STEAL HERE.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU COULD DO IT OVER AGAIN AND AM I PAYING TOO MUCH? ALSO, WHAT IS BEST MONTH FOR ANNIVERSARY (UY)?

 

[tjkraz]

OK, findbyme, you're scaring me a little bit!!!

Your enthusiasm is wonderful, but are you sure you want to commit $15K (plus annual dues) to Disney when you've never even entered the state?!?!

To answer you're questions, the numbers you quoted are the "going rate" for SSR. No concerns there. There are 5 DVC resorts at Walt Disney World. You would be buying an ownership interest in one of them. SSR is really the only resort that Disney is selling now, but you can buy points at the others on the resale market.

The main reason to buy your points at one resort over another is that you get a 4-month booking advantage at your Home resort. You can book a trip up to 11 months in advance at your Home, but only 7 months ahead at the other DVC resorts. This can be important if you want to stay at one particular resort during a high occupancy time period. The busiest times at DVC resorts are Spring Break and the period from Thanksgiving through the New Year. Two resorts in particular, the Beach Club and Boardwalk, can also be hard to book in October and November due to special events at Epcot (which is right next door.)

With that said, there are a couple of reasons to consider Saratoga Springs. First, it's the easiest resort to buy. As you probably found out today, you could have given your credit card number on the phone to leave a down-payment and you'd be half way to owning points at that resort. SSR is also the only resort to give you a full 50 years worth of ownership. SSR contracts end in 2054, while all of the other resorts' contracts end in 2042.

If you are interested in a resale, you'll probably pay closer to $75-77 per point when all is said and done. But, you get a shorter contract and it can take additional time and energy to close on a resale.

I'd seriously consider waiting until you visit Disney in Feburary to make a decision on DVC. There are other point-based timeshares around if you want the flexibility to use your points around the country. With DVC you can use your ownership toward stays at non-disney resorts and hotels, but not necessarily very wise to do so. Disney is the Cadillac of timeshares with some of the highest maintenance fees in the industry. If you want a timeshare that you can use around the country (or world), it may be worth investigating an option with equal flexibility, but lower annual dues.

Just don't want to see you making a pricey decision that you will regret later.

Regarding your Use Year question, the best UY is one that immediately PRECEEDS your normal travel dates. If you would often vacation in February, a February Use Year would work great. The primary consideration is the window in which you are able to bank your points if they will not be used. You have six months to bank 100% of your points into the next year if you will not use them. So, if you schedule a trip for February and then have to cancel it, you still have until July 31st to decide whether you will use your points later in that year, or if you want to bank them to the next year.

Good luck in your decision, and don't be afraid to ask more questions.

 

[Cora]

Originally posted by findbyme
DECIDED TO MAKE A TRIP FOR A REMAX CONVENTION IN FEBRUARY AND THEN THOUGHT....

Findbyme,
Please don't type in all caps...it means your mad at us and are yelling! Thanks

 

[av8tor]

When considering DVC there are really two main questions.

1. Should I buy DVC? - Most people considering DVC have already been to WDW and possible even stayed at a DVC resort. I am not trying to talk you out of this just make sure you do your research before committing. DVC makes the most sense if you plan to visit at least once a year. DVC is an investment in your family's future vacations, it is not a financial investment. DVC will not save you money but will provide you with better accomodations for the same money. Also, it gives you the opportunity to share "The Majic" with other family and freinds.

2. What resort should I purchase as my home resort? - This is a tuff one, most of the advice you will get here is to decide which resort is most appealing to you and buy there. You have to consider the cost, length of contract, etc. but remember, if you are buying DVC for your family's enjoyment, buy where you will be the happiest. If this leads you to a resale, you can find them with banked points which is the same as the free vacation with the SSR purchase.

Good Luck!

 

[findbyme]

I probably should have mentioned that my DH and I have owned La Cabana Aruba and Divi St Martiin since 91...so not unfamiliar with timeshare. I have found, since the boys came along (4 & 6), less appealing to travel to the Caribbean and want to stay stateside for now. I also have seen the posts for all of those DVC members that stayed somewhere else for so long.

When I moved from Calif to Mass in 89 asked everyone where they lived and where they wanted to live....moved to where they wanted to live (Marblehead) and never looked back.

Admittedly though, I am scaring myself a little, but I am afraid that I might lose the opportunity to buy at SSR if I don't do it now.

 

[Sammie]

I would not worry about not being able to buy into any DVC resort, resales are always available.

I agree with the others, I would visit then think about it.

 

[Deesknee]

We just bought - passed in June. We have not stayed using our points yet. We have rented at some of the other dvc locations. I wish so badly we had bought when we first looked into it. Not only would we have saved apprx. $8-9K on accomadations. (owning vs. renting.), but we probably would've visited more often and brought more family with us...and as with everything cost of buying goes up with time. My suggestion w/b to look into it a little more perhaps, but do NOT procrastinate. Good luck in whatever decision you make.

by the way, I don't know when you moved to MA, but welcome. I'm born and bred on the South Shore.

 

[AFMom]

Hi there! Never seen a DVC resort and just bought into OKW - so I may not be the most rational person to listen to!!!
Anyway - I believe you could book a stay at any of the DVC properties on cash (whatever is available) and then if you decide to purchase DVC while on your trip, they will allow you to use developer's points towards your current trip. Meeaning you can still not miss out using DVC points on this trip if you decide while you're there you like it.
This may not be 100% accurate - but that is what my guide told me the first time I spoke to her. I would definately call the DVC 800# and ask for specifics and any retrictions before you plan that!
Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[mbb]

No guts, no glory...

You know what your needs are...

Let us know!!

 

[go to mco]

I had a big trip already planned for February, so I bought SSR sight-unseen and took the free vacation deal. I knew I would have spent alot of money and felt, this way I was getting more value for it. Of course I did a ton of board reading and listened to all the experts here! Everyone has their reasons to buy or not buy. I know I feel elated about my purchase.

Good luck whatever you decide.

From a fellow Mass'er!

 

[OneMoreTry]

Originally posted by findbyme
[BTHINKING OF BUYING SIGHT UNSEEN (MIND YOU NEVER BEEN TO FLORIDA, HUSBAND JUST RETURNED AFTER HELPING FAM DEAL WITH HUR CHARLEY)...


[/B]

Slow down.

DO NOT buy DVC sight unseen unless you are of great means and have no need for the money otherwise.

You need to check out WDW. Check out the options for buying resale. Compare prices. You can get less expensive deals at resorts you might prefer.

Are you sure you'll be going to WDW year after year for decades??

Is there another timeshare you might use more in a place you visit more often??

I love DVC but realize it's not for everyone. I've not heard any rumors of upcoming price increases and DVC is always coming up with different deals to entice buyers. There's no hurry.

 

[MagikMom]

Hey Findbyme, I'm a fellow Mass resident too! Since you have never been to Florida/Disney world before, I have a suggestion for you. Why don't you stay for a week in one of the all star resorts first before purchasing DVC. The All Star Resorts are on Disney Property so you will be able to experience the "perks" of being on site without spending alot of money (All Star Resorts are inexpensive and fun for the kids). While you are there, visit all the DVC resorts and see what you think! This way, you'll be able to make an informed decision without spending alot of money first. Good luck!


SSR 2004
BWV 2003
BCV/All Star Sports 2002
All Star Sports 2001

 

[spearenb]

Just a thought....

Rent the points for the first stay. You will experience DVC, you won't be committed to DVC (yet), and you will probably enjoy your stay more then if you went to the All-Star Resorts.

 

[DBBN]

The posters whose advise is to slow down a bit make a good point.

On the other hand I can think of many bad decisions one can make in their lives...buying DVC sight unseen doesn't qualify as one of them.

You've come to the right place for answers. Good luck.

 

[loribell]

Here's a great idea, if I do say so myself! Just hope on down for a quick trip next month and if you like it you can sign all the papers while you are there!

Yep, that's what I would do!!!!

I don't think you will find many people on this board that are unhappy with their decision to buy DVC. Good luck in your decision.

Lori

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Out of everyone who has posted that they bought sight unseen, how many had never been to WDW?! There is a big difference between buying blind after making many visits to the "world" and buying without ever stepping foot in Orlando!

Please slow down and consider a trip down. We are all Disney enthusiasts but not everyone falls in love with the mouse. (I know but we have to be a little more impartial for the OP's sake.) I find it hard to believe that things will change that drastically within a month or so, so please try to take a long weekend or more and make sure that this is a place you want to spend the next 38-50 yrs!

 

[SoCalKDG]

Hmm, you are thinking about doing something I just did....yes, I bought DVC having never been to Florida.

Crazy, maybe.

One thing that I had going for me, and you don't mention, is a love for Disney. I'm close to Disneyland in Southern California, and go at least once a month. I also have a wife and daughter that love the parks just as much as I do.

So ask yourself, do you want to go to WDW at least every other year. If not, then I would wait.

I have read that some people have been able to apply their current room stay(at a Disney Resort) to a DVC purchase while staying there. Don't know if this is true, but you might want to check it out.

 

[MinnieGi]

I would also advise visiting WDW before you jump in and buy DVC. Why DVC is great I think you better know if WDW is the place for you and your family. SSR will be selling for a long time to come so there is no rush to jump in now. Take a trip and see what you think and do the DVC tour and then decide.

Good luck!

 

[MOMO2DK]

from a North of Boston neighbor....
I bought at OKW sight unseen and have no regrets...best vacation decision I have ever made!
Go for it!!!!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

My advice is this: Read everything you can possibly get your hands on before committing $$$ to it. Rent SSR from someone and take a trip. See how you like Disney World and its resorts before spending the cash.

We had several trips to WDW before ever looking at DVC and never stayed DVC or any place other than the Swan/Dolphin until after we actually bought our contract. We have no regrets regarding DVC...the resorts are fabulous!

Best of luck to you..be sure to ask lots of questions.