Thinking about DVC, Need advice

[Yakety76]

My wife and I are seriously considering buying into the DVC. We have two small children(1.5 and 3) and live in Idaho. I would like any advice or pointers that anyone could give me before I make my final decision. Thanks in advance!!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you plan to go to WDW or DL at least once a year, it could be worth it. We in the process of selling off some of our contracts because prices continue to go up and that includes the monthly dues. It will take a longer time to justify the purchase with points going for over $100 a point now.

Don't buy DVC with the plan on trading out and using it for other places. You'll want to use it primarily for Disney travel.

 

[2tink4u]

My husband and I also are investigating this. We have figured it from all side and would start saving significant money after 5-6 years with a 17k to 20k purchase. You can buy directly from Disney the prices are higher than resale, but you have instant access to the system and no waiting for the contract to pass or not pass right of first refusal (ROFR). Also if you buy the two current properties AK or SSR there are per point discounts and developer points and if you have a disney visa and use it for down payment you get a 500 credit. These resort have a 50year ownership. The sold out resorts like BC or BW can be bought thru disney also however the price is a little higher and their ownership is about 35 years left. There are tons of threads to obtain info. The best way to go is get all the info from Disney first. Second, choose where you would like to own. Either based on points how many per night, location, or favorite. Then figure how many points you need based on size of unit you feel comfortable with, time of travel, number of trips in a three year period. Then add a little extra in case of problems like losing a few points one year or wanting to stay an extra night and so fourth. Then divide those points by 3 years and thats how many you would like to have. Then you probably want to regroup, cause maybe you don't want to spend that much and figure what you can live with. Then get the info. from the resale people. You'll atleast have all the valuable info. We do not prefer the two resorts currently available, only because their park access is limited to the buses only and we don't usually rent a car. However, if you buy 225 points from disney at current resorts and have a name of someone who currently owns that you've spoke with you get 160 developer points to use in one year. Also, if you buy before the end of the year you'll get 2007 points also, with little 2007 fees as they will be prorated. Walking in with a significant amount of points will reduce the time it takes to get to the savings and allow your family to take an extra trip or even a cruise. A bonus extra special thing for the expense. 225 purchase points in 07, 160 developer points and 225 08 points will give you 610 points in 08 and 225 you can borrow from 09 should you choose. Your points are also worth 10$ a point if you choose to sell some to offset your cost. However, this is only available before the end of the year and I don't believe you can sell the developer points. If you prefer to travel to disney yearly there are other savings and such and it becomes incredibly less expensive to do so with the DVC purchase. Happy Hopping

 

[Otootles]

Don't buy DVC with the plan on trading out and using it for other places. You'll want to use it primarily for Disney travel.[/QUOTE]



When I took the tour one of the things that my guide emphasized was using DVC at non DVC locations. I also found this to be a benefit. Please tell me why you would not consider it beneficial....Thanks

 

[rsinj]

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[crisi]

Also, outside options are subject to change. There are some nice options, but there may not be an option where you want to go. And availability can be tricky.

Remember that the initial point cost is only part of the cost. You will have yearly dues. Airfare from Idaho. Park tickets. Food. Souvieniers. You are making a committment to go to Disney World regularly and spend all this money - and even with DVC, Disney from Idaho with a family of four is unlikely to be a cheap vacation.

 

[Yakety76]

Thanks for the input so far. I understand the cost of travel to FL is not cheap. Are there any ticket discounts DVC members recieve for park admission? We are only planning on going to Disney parks every other year if we join DVC, what are your thoughts on this?

 

[jarestel]

Are there any ticket discounts DVC members recieve for park admission? We are only planning on going to Disney parks every other year if we join DVC, what are your thoughts on this?

At this point in time, the only DVC discount is for Annual Passes. This could change at any time so it's best not to base purchase decisions on perks that are not a permanent part of the program.

Good luck!

 

[crisi]

Thanks for the input so far. I understand the cost of travel to FL is not cheap. Are there any ticket discounts DVC members recieve for park admission? We are only planning on going to Disney parks every other year if we join DVC, what are your thoughts on this?

We do the every other year thing (generally - we went this year and family circumstances have us going back next - but its a family reunion trip with a drama filled backstory). I think it works very well. It does mean that the minimum purchase is a little heavy if you are only going for a week and don't intend to go high season - we end up in a two bedroom every other year for a week and don't quite use all our points. You can buy fewer points resale. Or you can use your points in your "off year" to do something else, but we find its a better deal to use cash for our off year vacations.

 

[RLCarmichael]

I'm in real estate and generally have a POOR opinion of timeshares. But Disney has the most important thing...LOCATION. Want to trade for another location, no problem because people WANT Disney.

DO NOT think of DVC as an investment, except in yourself. It does hold it's value much better than other timeshares. (I have bought weeks for a cheap as $1.00 on ebay!)

There is a good promotion going on right now with substancial discount ($8-10) plus bonus points for a trip. EMail or PM me and I'll send you information.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Don't buy DVC with the plan on trading out and using it for other places. You'll want to use it primarily for Disney travel.

When I took the tour one of the things that my guide emphasized was using DVC at non DVC locations. I also found this to be a benefit. Please tell me why you would not consider it beneficial....Thanks

It's not that easy to trade out. You may have to get put on a list and wait for a year or two. It's not like calling MS and getting a reservation at OKW for next month or next spring. Plus there is a $95 fee for every trade out that you do. For West Coasters, they may want to wait to purchase DVC GCV or at least use their points there for some of their stays.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

225 purchase points in 07, 160 developer points and 225 08 points will give you 610 points in 08 and 225 you can borrow from 09 should you choose.

Don't forget that you can buy a Dec UY @ SSR and still get 225 '06 pts as well (that would be immediately banked into '07)!

225 '06 pts
225 '07 pts
225 '08 pts
160 Dev. pts
-----------
835 pts !!!

Also, with the Disney Visa promo you'd receive the 500 bonus rewards, plus another 211 (which would be the normal 1%) if you charged the whole thing to your card.

This really is a great incentive for anyone that is looking to buy right now. Just make sure you get a referral from an existing member to qualify for the extra points (the guides will not mention this -- you have to ask about it).

 

[Snow Shoe]

To me it's a no brainer. If you plan on making Disney World your primary vaction spot at least every other year, then seriously consider DVC. If Disney is a every fourth-fifth year vacation spot then DVC is not for you.

Our first visit was 1986, "off property" and we had a great time. Then we started visiting every year "staying on property". Room prices kept creaping yearly. We had heard of DVC and so finally in April, 98' we looked at BWV and feel in love with it. We couldn't sign the papers fast enough. Yes maintance fees and taxes have gone up every year, but so has the ones on our house. DVC has allowed us to stay on property at a wonderfully beautiful resort, without worring about room cost. Again without all of the math that sometimes I feel gets in the way, it boils down to this to me, DVC is a great buy if Disney is going to be your vacation spot.

All of the kids are gone now, and we are still planning yearly vacations to Disney/BWV. Frankly I'm retiring at the end of January, and I've already made ressies for a big WDW/DL multi week vacation in June using DVC.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

DH and I got sick of paying about $2,500+ tax every time we went to Dis, which is quite a bit. We live in Columbus, OH, so it's a hike (about 17 hours). For us, it seemed like a smart decision and we haven't regreted our purchase. In fact, we went to BWV in late July and we have ressies for SSR in March. Can't wait!!!

As for trading out, my BIL and SIL have been members since 1993. They have traded out many times and have stayed in wonderful locations and places...Hawaii, Aruba, Spain, Europe, Cancun, etc. I would say that they felt that the resorts they traded out for were as nice or nicer than Disney's (i.e., Marriott) and because they travel in the summer, most of the exchanges were in the 230 - 250 range for a 2-BR. I do think Dis is a better value, but I know we will trade, as we won't go to Dis every year. I just like knowing that I have a couple of really nice vacations paid for until 2042 and if I ever decide to sell, I won't take a beating. With Right of First Refusal, Dis will buy back the contract if the price is too low. You see contracts getting purchased back by Dis all of the time on the ROFR thread.

Best of luck with your decision!!!

 

[Yakety76]

Another question i had was in regards to points depreciating. Will 160 points now be worth the same in 10 years? I mean as far as getting the same type of room and such. Please let me know your thoughts.

 

[crisi]

Another question i had was in regards to points depreciating. Will 160 points now be worth the same in 10 years? I mean as far as getting the same type of room and such. Please let me know your thoughts.

Yes, with a few caveats.

Disney can reallocate. Its unlikely to happen, but they can. That means that if it currently takes 8 points to book a studio at one time of year and 12 at a different time of year, they could make it 9 and 11. Overall, the points sold for the resort stay the same, though.

This is ONLY true of DVC resorts. Trade options, staying at a non-DVC resort, cruising - those points can change from year to year (and generally do, and generally go up). Also, future resorts may have different point schedules.