Suggestions for experiencing DVC for a non-member

[Mousewerks]

Hi everyone,
I'm seriously looking at the DVC but am not yet sure what our vacation patterns will be. We are planning a WDW trip in October of next year and would like to take advantage of any tours we could take while there. So, what would you suggest? Simply go and take the DVC tour and perhaps visit a couple of resorts where we have an interest? Or should we attempt to rent some points to get more of a feel for what it's like as an owner (and perhaps take the DVC tour as well) ?

I'm torn between the two options and to complicate matters, renting points will probably be cheaper than CRO. So, I welcome any and all advice.

Nate

 

[Blahnde]

Hi everyone,
I'm seriously looking at the DVC but am not yet sure what our vacation patterns will be. We are planning a WDW trip in October of next year and would like to take advantage of any tours we could take while there. So, what would you suggest? Simply go and take the DVC tour and perhaps visit a couple of resorts where we have an interest? Or should we attempt to rent some points to get more of a feel for what it's like as an owner (and perhaps take the DVC tour as well) ?

I'm torn between the two options and to complicate matters, renting points will probably be cheaper than CRO. So, I welcome any and all advice.

Nate

I think if you are considering renting points, it is a great way to have a pre-buying DVC experience. Not only will you learn some ins and outs from the reservation process, but you will get to test out the accomodations at a better price, usually. Having said that, some people do not like the risk, and that is okay, too. I personally think the risk is very low, but you have to be comfortable with it, not me.

Regardless, you should definitely take the tour. Most guides are low key so a DVC tour is not your typical timeshare presentation. The one piece of advice I would give is to get a referral before signing up for a tour. Once you go on your own you cannot go back and give someone a referral or get the referral benefits (if being offered.)

Blahnde

 

[CraftyMouse]

I would also rent points. I think it's a great way to experience the DVC accommodations (and, perhaps, get hooked on them!) without actually making the commitment to buy or paying the cash rate through CRO. If you have an idea of which resort you'd like to have as your home resort I'd try to rent points and stay there. Then you can visit other resorts if you wish, to get a feel for each of them.

 

[Mousewerks]

I think if you are considering renting points, it is a great way to have a pre-buying DVC experience. Not only will you learn some ins and outs from the reservation process, but you will get to test out the accomodations at a better price, usually. Having said that, some people do not like the risk, and that is okay, too. I personally think the risk is very low, but you have to be comfortable with it, not me.

Regardless, you should definitely take the tour. Most guides are low key so a DVC tour is not your typical timeshare presentation. The one piece of advice I would give is to get a referral before signing up for a tour. Once you go on your own you cannot go back and give someone a referral or get the referral benefits (if being offered.)

Blahnde

Thanks for the advice. I don't think I'm eligible for a referral however due to the fact that I already have a Dream book and I think I have a guide assigned to me. I tend to take a VERY long look at things so I'm not sure I would be ready to buy at that point anyway, especially now that I know about the resale market.