Still on the fence...what is it really like?

[las3888]

We just got back from WDW and went to the BW sales center for the 2nd time now. I don't have any questions for you experts about how the plan works...we understand that well enough. I just really want to know what your thoughts are on a couple points specifically:

1 - We were thinking of buying VB points really only because of the incentives - our main thought is to mostly stay at either BCV or BWV for the most part - LOVE the Boardwalk location. We might stay a time or two at HH or VB every once in a great while, but the majority of our trips would hopefully be to the Boardwalk area. If we bought VB points, would we really have a hard time with availability? Currently it is just DH and myself - no kids at the moment. We typically go 3 times a year - mostly off-season, maybe in May, Sept, Oct, or Nov. We normally don't book until 3 mos in advance. For now, we mostly would like to book a studio. Is this raising any red flags with people? We just don't want to run into availability problems.

2 - Has anybody bought through the Timeshare Store? We have watched sales on that web site for some time now...our Disney salesperson led us to believe that Disney has 30 days to kind of 'nix' the deal and buy back the package themselves. Does that really happen? Typically what are closing costs or any other additional costs running people who buy (we would be looking for no more than 150 points). Are there any other negatives from buying from the Timeshare Store?

We have been on the fence about buying DVC for years...we have some great friends who I know are really happy with it...I think we are sold on the concept, but just afraid that we will not get what we wanted with availability etc...thoughts?

 

[eva]

If you are really planning on staying in the BW area you should probably buy there. You will find that you will be able to get accomodations at 3 months only occasionally and probably not in the BW area. May might not be a problem, but November and October are tough with DVC. WDW may not be too busy, but DVC is a bit more busy during this time period. The Food and Wine Festival is very popular with DVC members. If you don't want to find yourself on the waitlist all the time you might find that you will need to make your reservations earlier than 3 months. For May you can probaly get OKW at 3 months out. Also, Disney does buy back points if the asking price is too low. I'm not sure where the cut off is right now. But you can still save money by buying a resell if you can find one that suits your needs. You will likely pay a about the same or a bit more than what you are paying at Vero.

 

[Dumbo]

>>1 - We were thinking of buying VB points really only because of the incentives - <<

The reason the incentives are so good is because nobody is buying there. Vero Beach resort opened on Oct. 1, 1995. They have been selling this resort for over 7 years now. And it is no where near selling out.

Do not buy off-site to stay at a WDW DVC resort. You will be disappointed at trying to make reservations at the 7 month window for BWV's and BCV's.


Dumbo

 

[TIdoublegaER]

Don't buy VB if you plan to mainly stay at WDW. Any initial savings will be quickly eaten up by the higher dues (VB has the highest dues of any resort). Both BCV and BWV are extremely popular due to their location. The one common theme on this board is buy where you want to stay the most. If you plan on staying either at BCV or BWV most of the time, then by all means own at either of those resorts. DH and I bought our OKW resale from a Timeshare Store and had no problems. While Disney has the right of first refusal on any resale, unless the price per point is extremely low they will not exercise it. Good Luck!

 

[Cruelladeville]

Buy where you want to stay, that is, if you want to stay at BWV then that's where you should buy. It is the most popular of the resorts, due to the location. For DVC members, Fall is the busiest time of the year, and ressies are the most difficult to get because the cost of the rooms--the amount of pts it takes to rent the room--is the cheapest. Since DVC is different from the regular resorts, and our pt schedules are set up according to the typical reservation patterns at the regular resorts, DVC is busy when the regular resorts aren't. In the fall is the Food and Wine thing at Epcot, and the PGA golf thing in October, and the members golf thing is in the fall sometime, too. In other words, Sept. to December is usually full at all the DVC resorts.

My second thought is that Vero has the highest maintenance fees of any resort, at $4.17 per pt. BWV is $3.92 per pt. If you were only buying one pt, it's not much but you are buying 150 or more pts, and you have to pay the difference every year. After a few years of that, Vero will become a more expensive investment, despite the incentive. On the resale board there are many contracts in the $65-$72 price range, and many have points currently available. Even with closing costs of about $400, you still come out ahead, because you didn't have to give away any pts to get the savings. Those pts mean money, if you can't use them, bank them, or rent them, so the money is in your pocket. The Timeshare is an excellent place to buy resales, they are good people there, but there are several others that are good too, such as Shontell, who now has her own business. She is one of the main reasons why the Timeshare Store has such a good rep, since she used to work there. For their email addresses, check other posts on this site, or do a search. Dean had them listed in one of his posts about a week ago.

 

[las3888]

I am really glad I asked the question...our Disney salesperson really led us to believe we would have no problems booking BCV or BWV with VB as our home resort since we go off peak most of the time. It really is nice having you experts around!!!

So I am now convinced that if we buy, we should buy BCV new from Disney or BWV used from the Timeshare Store...

My question now is, do I really have to book 11 mos in advance to get dates I want in May, Sep, Oct, and Nov? We have a hard time with work schedules, etc. to plan that far in advance. I am not even sure we can book 7 mos in advance in some cases.

Also, how are the waitlists? Have you found that you can still get in eventually? If you are waitlisted for say BWV and that is your home resort, will you get priority over those waitlisted for BWV also whose home resort might be somewhere else like OKW?

Thanks much for your responses!

 

[Richyams]

Your DVC sales person lied to you, plain and simple. I would call and ask for another DVC guide because this one is a liar.

Oct and November are not going to be easy, the other months probably will be. DVC is best suited for hose that are able to plan ahead.

Did your guide tell the the other famous lie?

Did he tell you, "'''Dues vary, VB is highest now, but it was lowest once" ?

While VB dues were lowest once, it was because of a developer subsidy, a subsidy that ended when they slashed the original plans for the resort. The resort is only a shadow of its original plans because of poor sales. I bet they forgot to add the part about the dismal sales causing them to slash the size of the resort.

I am dissapointed each and every time I hear of DVC sales staff lying to people. You can see another thread here about someone wishing to get rid of their VB points because they found them so difficult to use.

There is one reason and one reason only for VB having the highest MB incentive, they can't sell those points. The only sales they do get are those that wish to stay there, its a beautiful resort and this is a perfectly proper reason to buy there and a good decision, they also get people that fall prey to their lies.

Sorry, but while VB is a beautiful resort, its is a mistake to buy there if you plan to stay mostly at WDW and DVC should be ashamed of themselves for pro,oting the resort with lies. I think they are guilty of criminal fraud with their lies.

 

[Cruelladeville]

The waitlist is first come first served, so home resort makes no difference. You really need to consider changing your patterns if you become a DVC member, because at 2 months you will be competing with everyone including nonmembers. At 3-4 months out, you may get the nights you want, but you may have to stay at a resort that is not your home resort. The 11 month window is a very important benefit because you are guaranteed, almost, of getting what you want at your home resort, but at 7 months you begin competing with all 60,000 DVC members for the rooms at your home resort, as well as all the other DVC resorts. There are some rooms to be had at 3 months, but not many, and you may have to take a 2 bedroom when you wanted a studio, or you will have to take 2 studios at opposite sides of the resort, when you really wanted a 2 bedroom so the family could be together. Also, consider whether or not you often change plans at the last minute--remember your points go into holding 30 days before arrival, so last minute changing is no a good idea.

DVC is wonderful, and a cheaper alternative to the cost of the regular resorts, but your pattern of making ressies does have an impact on whether or not DVC is right for you, as well as how flexible you are willing to be if you are unable to get a room when and where you want to be. If you can be flexible, DVC can work out very well for you.

 

[las3888]

Thanks again for your responses...

We're not sure if this is for us because of having to book so far out in advance...it may or may not work for us. I think if we do it, we would like to purchase a small package (at least for starters) of maybe 50-100 points used. Do you know if we are allowed to do that? I know Disney's minimum is 150...if we buy through the used market, is there some kind of restriction that we can't buy a package with say only 70 points?

Also, another hesitation is that we love many resorts at WDW. We love the CR and the Poly, also just stayed at the AKL and enjoyed that. While we really do love the Boardwalk area, we feel that we will never stay at some of the other resorts ever again. I know the points are high a night to do that...do people really use their points to book at the other resorts?

It is disappointing to be lied to by the DVC salespeople. I have to admit that we asked about the incentives - she really didn't come out and push it. We told her up-front that we liked the Boardwalk area, so most of her sales pitch was geared for the Beach Club. However, once we saw the incentives for VB, we leaned in that direction, and she made it sound like we wouldn't have a problem booking in off-peak times. She wasn't steering us toward VB, but she wasn't exactly steering us away either. Oh well...glad I didn't buy that minute and am doing some research now...

 

[johde]

Yes, If you buy resale you can buy any size contract as your primary contract. My only contract is a 60 point OKW contract. It may be a good idea for you to buy a smaller contract (enough for one vacation), then continue to book at other resorts for your other vacations.
The only thing is that small resales normally go quickly and never make it to the web site. Most of the contracts on the web sites are ones they couldn't sell from their call sheets. I would call or e-mail (or both) all of the resale agents and let them know what you are interested in buying and get on their call sheets.
Also, closing costs are around $375 even for this small of a contract so you need to factor that into the price. But since Disney won't sell you this size contract directly saving per point is not the primary concern.
Also remember that when you buy resale you can offer less than the seller is asking. Most brokers will tell you if you are bidding low enough that Disney might buy back the contract.

 

[Dean]

See this thread Where they bought VB with the same idea you started this thread with, it should put the final nail in the coffin for that idea. Your best and cheapest bet to stay at BW area will be a BW resale. Your best and cheapest bet for making reservations at 3 months out will be buying OKW. If you can see yourself making reseration more than 7 months out, I'd buy BW resale. If you're certain that you cannot until 7 months or less (3 months you said), I'd buy OKW which has the cheapest dues, one of the cheaper costs resale and more availability.

Regardless, I'd recommend you making reservations at the 11 months window and then changing them if you need to. If nothing else, give an educated guess when you might go and reserve it.

 

[kem330]

Another resale agent : atimeshare.com (we used Jaki Apetz from here and were very happy) Closing costs are around $450- $500.

 

[WOW]

We have been DVC Members (OKW) since 94 and for the last 5 years we aren't able to book too far in advance, so I know where you are coming from. Our kids are now 23 and 24 and have jobs, (sort of---that's another issue) - so it has become increasingly harder to book too far in advance. However, we have been very lucky, and have always been able to book late. We almost always stay at OKW, which is the largest resort, but we also booked one summer last minute at Boardwalk--which was where we wanted to stay that visit. We even extended our stay at the very last minute and it was no problem. I know it is a hard decision so you must really think it through to see it it works for you. We were also very leary, at first we bought the minimum, which was 190 points and kept adding on--we now own 600 points!!! No Regrets!!!!!!!! Good luck with your decision.

 

[Shontell_Crawford]

I thought I might add my .02, although you have already been given very good advice.

Vero is not my choice for buying simply because the dues are highest there.

As for other resorts, go for the best deal you can find, regardless, based on your reservation habits.

I too, typically only travel with 2-4 people and NEVER make reservations more than a couple of months in advance. I bought HH resale and have always been able to get something in Orlando....which is why I have never been to my home resort of HH!

Based on your time of year and the waitlist option, I don't think you should be too concerned. If you notice on the boards, people are always thrilled about the waitlist coming through. Since Disney doesn't penalize anyone until 30 days prior to their check in, people make reservations, then cancel right before the 30 day deadline.

Don't talk yourself (or let anyone else) out of buying if you come to Disney every year right now. DVC will save you money if you are a frequent visitor and like the DVC resorts.....and the system works. I've been involved with it too long to tell you otherwise.

Good luck with your decision and your purchase!

Kind regards,
Shontell

 

[LisaR]

I know this is not going to be the popular answer but..........if you don't plan on using the 11 month window or even the 7 month window (from the sounds of your posts), then, in my opinion, it does not make any difference where you purchase. would look for the best deal.

We have a contract at OKW which is our number one favorite. We also have a contract at VB. We use that one for every place else, on and off site. We are very flexible with our dates, we go in the off season and we love every single place where we have stayed. So, as long as we get in someplace, we are happy. If things don't work out for us, I can't blame anyone but ourselves for not planning in advance. So far, everything has always worked out. Although it has always been our goal to book 11 months out, we only do that for our January trip because that is our one "sure thing" trip. Mind you, that is probably the one time of year that we don't need to book in advance! Anyway, the rest of our trips are usually planned 5 months out.

I am not encouraging you or anyone else to purchase somewhere where you don't intend on staying with the hope of getting in elsewhere at 7 months. I am simply saying that if you do not have any intention of using your 11 month window, then it really doesn't matter where you buy.

Lisa

 

[rhodesmpr]

Everyone has already given you excellent advice, , ,but I thought I would share with you our experience with buying a small contract. You asked if it was possible to buy something small as your first and only purchase. We are in the process of buying 50 points at VWL. It was offered with 50 banked points from 02 and 50 points coming in March. Advertised at the timeshare store for $68, we offered $65 which was accepted, and I assume passed the Disney review because we got the Closing Package three days ago. Timeshare Store has been great so far. While the closing cost are higher (per point basis) on such a small contract, it's still coming out less than direct with Disney. We had the cash to buy 50 points outright, but not enough cash to buy 150 points outright. So we figured this gives us the opportunity to test drive DVC, we can always add more points later. Banking and going every two years gives us a 100 points which is enough for the five to six days we need in a studio. I'm sure we will end up adding points, but for now were happy to have the 50 and get started. Timeline on our transaction with the timeshare store so far is:
9/23 made $65 per point offer on $68 advertised price
9/24 offer accepted
9/25 Initial Offer paper work faxed
9/27 Deposit check and signed paper work mailed
10/28 Timeshare Closing Services Inc. mailed closing package
10/30 Closing Package Received
1/2 Certified Check mailed

Cost included:
Settlement or closing fee $189.90
Abstract or Title Search $ 50.00
Title Insurance $60.00
Recording fees (orange county) $12.00
State Tax (orange county) $23.10
Delivery fees $40.00
We did offer to pay the annual dues for the banked points which was an additional $173.85

As has been noted small point contracts don't come up often. I had been watching for some time, and finding one with banked points is even more rare, so I felt very lucky. It was only advertised a short time. I saw it on a Sunday, made the offer on my cell phone driving to work on Monday morning, and it was off the web site the next day. Called and letting them know your interested is a good choice as you might be able to land a contract before it even makes it to a web site.

Very happy with the transaction with the Timeshare Store, and would use them again. Hope this helps. Warm Regards

 

[Luvdisney]

Anyone tell me what it's like to book in mid August? Can you get a studio or a 1 bdr. at the VWL in mid August at the 7 month window?

 

[mikesmom]

Actually, mid August is not too bad. The schools in the South (not just Florida, includes Ok, Texas, etc.) start back to school as early as August 12th. Because of that you've got a whole subset of families NOT going to WDW. If you can stand the heat August is much less crowded.

 

[Mickmse2002]

I am still not convinced that you must "buy where you plan to stay". My first home resort is BWV and I have never stayed there. We have stayed at OKW three times and BCV once, going down again this week for the second stay at BCV. We have never had a problem booking at the 7-month window, always got the dates and unit size we wanted. For the stay coming up this next week at BCV we did have to waitlist but that was mainly because it was a spur of the moment trip, made the plans about 45 days out, but the waitlist did come through.

 

[Firefighter Mickey]

Buy where you plan to stay the most works best if you can plan more than 7 months in advance. If you cannot plan more than 7 months in advance then I don't see how it makes any difference where you buy with the exception of looking at cost factors (such as annual dues).

Vero is a great resort; if it works well for you from a financial perspective, then by all means purchase there - keep in mind though that it does have some of the highest annual dues.

Our main contract is at OKW, but we purchased 70 points at Vero specifically to get the 11 month booking window at the resort (because we do plan more than 1 year in advance, sometimes 2+ years). We're planning on getting a Beach Cottage next October, and we'll need that 11 month advantage.