Stone Cold Newbie Seeks Help

[Acesjohn]

This is a little scattershot, as we're just figuring this out -- so ty in advance for your patience ... We're about to call DVC (like tomorrow) .... and trying to figure out the best thing to do.

A friend and I have decided to do this -- We are about to call DVC; We looked first at re-sale, but there seems to be no advantage to resale for the properties we're interested in, as the price is close to retail. Or are we wrong?

My sister and her husband are also thinking of doing it.

None of us have kids, though we do have nieces and nephews....

can an unmarried couple buy together as Joint Tenants with Rights of Survivorship? How about a brother and sister?

We're Epcot junkies --- should we do Beach Club Villas or Boardwalk VIllas? We live in South Florida and would like to get the most NIGHTS for our buck at WDW ---

Is it even still possible to buy from DVC in these properties? Or are they sold out and we need to buy resale?

We don't need the major holidays ---- we can go summers, spring fall .... weekends are a little better, but sometimes we can go weekdays. A studio is fine with us. Family usually travels in 2s, tho sometimes 4s ...

Does your calendar month really matter much?

Is there a way to buy Boardwalk or Beach Club ( with the 2042 lease) and then add Saratoga with the longer lease?

We're thinking of starting with 250 or 300 points .... and then adding -- is there any smart way to break it down?

If you were us, how would you proceed?

Are we asking the right questions? What should we be asking? THinking?

Thanks so much for any help you can give.

We're like ready.

Thanks.

Acesjohn

 

[Acesjohn]

I don't know if there are any special programs relative to occupation or anything but among us we have a college student, a high school teacher, a nurse, a lawyer and a college professor ---- do they ahave special deals for any of those groups?

 

[DVCLiz]

This is a little scattershot, as we're just figuring this out -- so ty in advance for your patience ... We're about to call DVC (like tomorrow) .... and trying to figure out the best thing to do.

A friend and I have decided to do this -- We are about to call DVC; We looked first at re-sale, but there seems to be no advantage to resale for the properties we're interested in, as the price is close to retail. Or are we wrong?

My sister and her husband are also thinking of doing it.

None of us have kids, though we do have nieces and nephews....

can an unmarried couple buy together as Joint Tenants with Rights of Survivorship? How about a brother and sister?

We're Epcot junkies --- should we do Beach Club Villas or Boardwalk VIllas? We live in South Florida and would like to get the most NIGHTS for our buck at WDW ---

Is it even still possible to buy from DVC in these properties? Or are they sold out and we need to buy resale?

We don't need the major holidays ---- we can go summers, spring fall .... weekends are a little better, but sometimes we can go weekdays. A studio is fine with us. Family usually travels in 2s, tho sometimes 4s ...

Does your calendar month really matter much?

Is there a way to buy Boardwalk or Beach Club ( with the 2042 lease) and then add Saratoga with the longer lease?

We're thinking of starting with 250 or 300 points .... and then adding -- is there any smart way to break it down?

If you were us, how would you proceed?

Are we asking the right questions? What should we be asking? THinking?

Thanks so much for any help you can give.

We're like ready.

Thanks.

Acesjohn

Hi, and welcome to the DIS!!

To answer your second post first, I'm not aware of any discounts by profession. There are special rates available for teachers at the Swan/Dolphin, or so I've read, but DVC purchases don't have anything to do with your occupation.

I'll just make a couple of comments here - others can chime in, too!!!

If you are planning to buy 250-300 points, it might be smarter to break them up into 2 contracts of 150 points each. You would have a much easier time selling them later if you needed to for any reason.

You can buy sold out resorts from Disney, but you will have to go on a waiting list and that time can vary depending on what you are waiting for. Some resorts seem to be available more frequently, but the wait can be substantial, especially if you are waiting for a particular use year.

If you are planning mostly weekend trips, be aware that weekend nights are much more "expensive" points-wise than weekdays. Check the top of this page for a snapshot of what points are needed by resort.

Enjoy your planning!!!

 

[CPTJAK]

I'm not a member yet but have a resale at Disney for ROFR currently at BCV.

Resale versus Direct: I think direct for BWV & BCV are $92 or $95 per point not sure on this as the prices just went up.
Based on the post "Anyone made it through...." BWV price resale range from $80 to $85 for >150 points, while BCV range was $85 to $90. remember a lot of times the buyer will pay closing cost that could add another $400 to $600.


Can't answer the unmarried couple hold ...right of survivorship.. question.

In regards to BCV vs BWV here is what I went through:
Both are great resorts,
BWV has advantage of lower points needed for a stay if using standard view,
BCV has nicer pool and if you are at BWV can't use BCV pool if thats important to you,

Calendar month is only important if you travel the sametime every year than it may be wise to have a use year in the same or within a month or two of the time you travel in case you need to cancel and bank your points. Otherwise most posts here will say No.
BCV is likely more difficult to get at peak times than BWV,
BWV is probably available now from Disney, BCV will probably require a waitlist,

You can buy BCV/BWV and then add on Saratoga but BCV/BWV will still expire Jan 31 2042.

If I were you I would spend a lot of time reading posts on this site first. Then I would determine which resort I like the most (assuming of course that after you read everything you still want to buy and not rent). Then I would call the sponser of this site resale company and talk to them on what resort you want and how much you are willing to pay and determine if you want resale or DVC direct and finally I would buy it.

Also If you buy from DVC you can purchase 150 points than add on at 25 point increments I believe (which is an advantage if you want to sell in the future because it appears demand is highest for the small point contracts.)

 

[Boas]

i did the same debate as CPTJAK and ended up w/ BCV Resale (Timeshare Store)... currently closing and awaiting membership number (yeah... almost done).

to me the big difference is time.
1) if you want to start vacationing asap.. then go disney direct
2) if you can wait for a "good deal"... check out resale.

I was all set to go DVC direct, when TSS called w/ a package that was exactly what I wanted (many of the best deals are sold before they are posted... you need to get on their "list" and they will call you).
My deal was:
-- <150 pnts to start (I will add later once I determine my needs, and may just buy add-ons from DVC Direct)
-- BCV property
-- tons of banked points (made the price a real bargin)

For me a few $ / pnt on the initial purchase price didn't mean much since that was the one-time cost. (remember --- assume $90/ pnt * 100 pnts = $9k.... $93 * 100 = $9.3k... approx 3% diff.).

Focus on:
1) where do you want to stay
2) how many points you need (then buy multiple small contracts)
3) how quickly you want / need to complete the transaction
4) do you want to buy all your points at once vs. start w/ one package and then add on (you can buy your initial contract from re-sale and then add on from DVC... min add-on = 25 pnts).
5) Use Year... if you need to book for a specific month (i.e. leverage the 11 mnth option)

Good luck

 

[mikesmom]

Uhh.. guys... don't want to discourage you at ALL as DVC is great, we love being members, BUT... you mention that you want to get the most WDW bang for your buck and then say you mostly will do weekends. The point costs on weekends are much higher than during the week - double in some seasons. You might want to check out the point charts and do the math. I'm not one of those people who check out of DVC on weekends to save points, I just figure a week at a time and it's well worth it. However, if I was prone to ONLY go weekends I would give this at least a 2nd thought, particularly as you are Florida residents and can get the Florida resident discount. Also you say you will mostly do Studios. Again, to me the amenities of a 1 bedroom (full kitchen jacuzze bath, etc) make DVC a better deal. If I was only going to stay in a studio, which to me is equivalent to a regular hotel room, albeit a Deluxe, I would give it a 2nd thought. With these issues, while DVC is fabulous, it may not be the "best bang for the buck".