Still buying DVC despite potential park changes

[TinkB278]

Hi everyone,

I don’t mean for this post to sound all doom and gloom but I was wondering if anyone was considering DVC pre-COVID that isn’t so sure now? I’m a huge Disney fan and was constantly on thesearch for my perfect DVC contract prior to COVID, and then even when it happened I was hoping to find a deal. Now that some rumored park changes have been going around, it has me questioning whether I want to buy DVC at all. I just don’t know if Disney will be the same Disney I love after this and it makes me hesitant about making such a high cost commitment. Is anyone else feeling the same way? I’m also hoping to hear from others who can make me feel better about the whole situation.

 

[Minniesgal]

Nothing is permanent but personally I would wait and while and see what the new normal we settle to looks like before making a major purchase decision

 

[igrsod]

I agree with the previous poster. I would wait a bit to see where things go. Honestly, there will be changes initially, but Disney will recover and it will be a place that we will love to vacation at again... I have faith in that. Life will be different all around, but Disney will still be magical.

 

[BRVDVC2020]

I understand your concern, but I just bought, and passed ROFR. My thoughts...now is the time to buy because you can get a great deal. I bought 220 points at Boulder Ridge Wilderness Lodge at $88 per point. My feeling is things will definitely get back to a near normal, in time. Once there is a vaccine, it will be like any other disease that you can prevent (predictions are 12-18 months, possibly sooner). I'm in it for the long haul. I'm very confident that in time, I will have zero regrets. Just my opinion Good luck with your decision.

 

[MICKIMINI]

I've seen WDW built from the ground up and many changes over the years - some good and some not so good. Disney will not be the same. Unfortunately, this virus may create changes none of us could foresee but it sure doesn't change my or DH's, or our son and DIL's love for Disney. Just like our personal lives, change happens and you adjust.

We first bought OKW in 1996 and plan to buy one or two more contracts this year or next. Resales prices are falling and there are lots of loaded contracts waiting for new owners. We'll jump when we find the ideal contract(s). We are so ready for a BIG 2021 50th celebration!

It all comes down to love and money - if you have both then go for it.

 

[Nappy1380]

We had a contract pass ROFR just before all of this happened in March and closed last week. I have ZERO remorse but I do have a regret as I could have most likely gotten a better price in a few months!!!

Is Disney going to be different over the next year or 2? Definitely. Is it going to go back to being the Disney everyone knew and (mostly) loved before this, Definitely (IMO). DVC is a long term commitment and you are going to be hard pressed to find a better time to buy than over the next few months. If you have the means and don't pull the trigger now, you could very well be kicking yourself for not doing it.

 

[Brian Noble]

I think there are two ways to think about this. Both hinge on the fact that DVC is a long-term purchase.

One approach: we have no idea what's going to happen, things are uncertain, and so making a multi-year commitment is something we'd rather not do right now.

However, I don't think that's the only way. In the long term, I expect the theme park experience will still be one I fully enjoy---in the worst case, after a vaccine is developed and widely available. That may be a year or two from now, but it will happen. We've decided not to attend "densely crowded" leisure activities---theme parks, sporting events, cruises, etc.---until then. But, after a vaccine is in place, I expect we will go back to all of those things that we enjoy. So, you might be able to get a good deal on a contract right now, and depending on use year bank most of the available points so that you have some extra to play with each year.

How do you choose between those two? Part of it depends on your financial resources and stability. But, I think part of it is also recognizing that things have always been uncertain--current circumstances just make it more obvious. So, I'm not sure uncertainty, by itself, is a reason not to make plans.

 

[80sTerraceCafeFan]

I was considering it - but as this stretches on with no expiry date extensions or clear communication from DVC, I am leaning towards not buying. Seems to me that owners are losing many months of usage resulting in points expiring unused.

 

[CraigInPA]

I am personally bargain shopping the resale market for BLT and VGF. While these may not be entirely usable in the short term (i.e., the next 3-12 months), they will be after that. Disney is not going to walk away from their theme parks, especially the MK.

 

[80sTerraceCafeFan]

I agree that Disney is not going to abandon theme parks or hotels. My concern is cost vs usage options should this flare up again.

For me, the main argument for owning is cost savings for those who like to go often. If they force owners to stick to their point windows w/o flexibility, further spikes/closures occur and you cant use your points - the cost savings could be negated.

 

[ABE4DISNEY]

Seems to me that owners are losing many months of usage resulting in points expiring unused.

I may not be visiting the theme parks for the next year or so, but I will just bank my points or rent to someone who is willing(has less risk of the virus) to go. I don't think I will lose out on my points or at least I don't think I will. Time will tell.

 

[E2ME2]

I understand your concern, but I just bought, and passed ROFR. My thoughts...now is the time to buy because you can get a great deal. I bought 220 points at Boulder Ridge Wilderness Lodge at $88 per point. My feeling is things will definitely get back to a near normal, in time. Once there is a vaccine, it will be like any other disease that you can prevent (predictions are 12-18 months, possibly sooner). I'm in it for the long haul. I'm very confident that in time, I will have zero regrets. Just my opinion Good luck with your decision.

We had a contract pass ROFR just before all of this happened in March and closed last week. I have ZERO remorse but I do have a regret as I could have most likely gotten a better price in a few months!!!

Is Disney going to be different over the next year or 2? Definitely. Is it going to go back to being the Disney everyone knew and (mostly) loved before this, Definitely (IMO). DVC is a long term commitment and you are going to be hard pressed to find a better time to buy than over the next few months. If you have the means and don't pull the trigger now, you could very well be kicking yourself for not doing it.

We just added on also - Offer made 2/9, ROFR passed 3/6, Deed Recorded 4/20 -- Despite the recent crisis, that hit midway through our transaction, I'm still glad we added on. It fits our long-term snow-birding plans.
Who knows, for the right deal, I could add on even more. I just hope the resorts are open by January of 2021!

 

[DisMomKY]

I’m a little scared to buy right now tbh. We just had 2 100 point contracts we are selling go through ROFR and I’m afraid the buyers will back out so I don’t want to get another one and either lose a deposit or be stuck with 3

 

[MICKIMINI]

I was considering it - but as this stretches on with no expiry date extensions or clear communication from DVC, I am leaning towards not buying. Seems to me that owners are losing many months of usage resulting in points expiring unused.

Unfortunately, some owners are losing points as they have cancellations and are unable to rebook due to UY or unavailability, but not all. It could have happened to any owner since it's a 11 or 7 month planning window using up to three years of points. I'm sorry for those that got caught up in this situation but it isn't a reason not to buy IMHO.

IMHO buying in the near future is a great strategy since prices are dropping. If you plan to visit on a regular basis in future years anyway, it may be your big opportunity to save a bundle. Prices will rise again once things clear up.

The lesson seems to be to use up points annually and/or borrow rather than bank. Even though we used a boatload of points last fall and rented points as well, I was still feeling "overloaded" this winter. I gifted points which were used early March (pure luck) and rented out more points (which I may well regret but that's on another thread). I'll book for next year as soon my 11 month window opens up. In 25 years we've never lost a point and I plan to keep it that way. Like everything in life, there are no guarantees but we find exceptional value in DVC and are willing to take the chance that something like this happens again, however unlikely.

 

[E2ME2]

I am personally bargain shopping the resale market for BLT and VGF. While these may not be entirely usable in the short term (i.e., the next 3-12 months), they will be after that. Disney is not going to walk away from their theme parks, especially the MK.

I have yet to see any bargain basement prices recently, at least not on SSR. The listings I'm seeing are still all very close in price to what my contract was listed for back in February ??

 

[AnnaS]

No one knows when Disney will be back to the way it was. Could be a few months, could be 6 months/18 months.

There will also be a ton of points members will be trying to book. There might be quiet a few points for sale too now/soon. I do notice a longer list of resorts for resale.

Disney will be there for a long time. I would just take a little time and keep looking at the resale sites for a little while. I would not wait for Disney to be back to the "new normal", but I would not rush into right now/these next few weeks/month.

Another thought - there might be some great incentives to buy direct from Disney too down the road.....

Good luck with your search. You see something that is right for you......make an offer.

 

[EM Lawrence]

I was actively researching and made at least one offer before the virus became an issue. At this point I’m waiting to see what happens, both with prices (direct and resale) and with Disney in general. I think there are too many unknowns for me to jump in at this point.

 

[CraigInPA]

I have yet to see any bargain basement prices recently, at least not on SSR. The listings I'm seeing are still all very close in price to what my contract was listed for back in February ??

I haven't seen the kind of bargains I'm looking for, but these are early days. I expect real bargains to begin showing up later this year when members who were on the edge financially are looking at next year's dues payments and banked points because their vacation got wiped out by the virus this year.

 

[ABE4DISNEY]

I have yet to see any bargain basement prices recently, at least not on SSR. The listings I'm seeing are still all very close in price to what my contract was listed for back in February ??

What would be the price to entice you for SSR? Just curious--we are also looking at a small possible add-on.

 

[DVCsloth]

I think there will be a lot of good resale contracts available towards the end of the year. I would not be in any hurry to purchase right now.