First -- let me say it's 2am and I'm not usually up this late...so I'll double-check this post in the morning and may amend then...or Tripp and whomever else has DVC, please chip (or chirp) in!
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My guide, Jeff Jarosz: 800/827-1759. He is an official Disney guide and will tell you all about the program. Also ask for the great DREAM book (it's a coffee table type book with all the info). Right now Disney is selling Saratoga Springs and Animal Kingdom primarily, but they also have inventory at the other villas, too.
Remember you can purchase at any and stay at any resort. You just have a 4 month advantage in making your ressie (reservation) at your 'home' villa (11 months in advance you make a ressie at the one you own, then at 7 months prior to your trip you can change to any resort with availability).
You can purchase through Disney or through Resale. Two recommended sites for resales are (note: remove the spaces in the addresses below)
http://www. dvc-resales . com
http://www. dvc by resale . com
You can go to these sites to see what others are offering. The prices are generally cheaper than what Disney can offer but there are some negatives about doing this.
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Am I a Candidate for DVC??
If you can say yes to most/ALL of these questions, then what are you waiting for??!!??
1.
Will you go to Disney every 1-3 years?
Remember you can go anywhere in the world but the best use of your points is through Disney. There are also "extra discounts" that are only useful if you go to Disney, like the 30% discount on Annual Passes...
2.
Do you really only want to stay in Deluxe resorts?
If you only stay in values and are happy, then DVC is not right for you. If you think a room while at Disney is just a place to lay your head and take a shower, then DVC is not right for you (maybe go to All Stars Family Suites or the Cabins in FW)
If you enjoy the luxury of the Deluxe resorts and, more importantly, are used to spending the money for a Deluxe, your timeshare will pay for itself quicker.
3.
Do you need/want the extra space?
Do you want your kids in the same room as yourself?
'Nuff Said
4.
Do you want a kitchen/WD?
In the studio you just have a kitchenette (microwave, dorm fridge, dishwasher) but in the other units you have a FULL kitchen. You could cook all/some of your meals and save tons of money. Personally, we like having the regular refrigerator (say ice!) and toaster and usually ate all our breakfasts in the room. But if we wanted to make some slice and bake cookies or store our "mike's hard lemonade! next to our gazillion bottles of water", we could!
Then there is the free Washer and Dryer in the 1BR+ (not in-room if geting a studio). So besides saving $1/load or whatever it is, you no longer have to plan a day just to do laundry. We'd put a load of wash in and go to the parks. Come back for a nap/swim and put it in the dryer. Less clothes to pack on the plane, more time in the parks.
5.
Can you afford the extra costs? Initial, Maintenance
Fees and costs for tickets, air, etc?
DVC is
definitely worth it if you have the money to pay it up front without borrowing and paying interest. Sell some stock, use your inheritance, etc
(please note I am not a financial planner!!)
Just because you no longer have to pay for a room at Disney again, doesn't mean that you will be saving money overall!! In fact, it can now cost you more! More vacations = more costs.
Your rooms will be free (or just the cost of the annual maintenance fee) but now what about food, air, rental car, tickets, souvenirs, etc?
The costs for annual maintenance fee have also increased. However, we all know the costs for rooms at Disney are also increasing.
Let's say you pay $800 in maintenance fees in one year for about 200 points. Could you get a room at Disney at a Deluxe resort for 8 nights for $800?? I think not!
That room at the Yacht Club would cost $2,500 to 3500+!! Yet you only paid $800. (This isn't an exact math b/c you obviously paid $20K for the initial investment...but over the life of the contract (SSR and AKV contracts expire in less than 50 years) it works out to very inexpensive rates.
6.
Can you plan your vacations in advance?
To use your points, you must plan in advance. There are restrictions about how/when you can "reserve" a room.
Also, if you own Saratoga Springs and want to stay at Beach Club, you can't reserve BC until 7 months in advance. However, if you own SSR and want to stay at SSR, you can reserve it 11 months in advance. If you wait too long to make your vacation, you might not get a room at all.
7.
Can you track/organize your points?
You have to do a bit of planning because your points expire. However, you can borrow next year's allotment of points so you have twice as many points to use this year. But you have to spend a bit of time knowing when your points expire, knowing how many points you'll use for each vacation, etc.
I hope this helps!
And if you do contact DVC or Jeff, please tell them I sent you (I can give you my real name) b/c they usually have a small referral bonus for me!
) I'm just thinking that bloody face-paintings might not go over too well with the crowds. KWIM?
