Thinking about DVC

[budbeerlady]

Do they change every year the amount of points to stay in the studios, bedrooms accourding to seasons? I am thinking of a small 75 point purchase as we can stay during slow season during the week and dont need to have a 1 or 2 bedroom. But my concern is that in a couple of years I would have to keep buying more points to stay.

Also is there any "hidden" fees? It seems almost too good to be true that once you purchase you only pay whatever the amount is per point each year. Are there ressie fees and what not? Thanks for the help!!!!

 

[rugelus]

DVC cannot increase the total number of points needed to secure accomodations. In other words the point cost cannot go up.

However...

DVC can change the points required for specific days and weeks. If the first week of December suddenly became popular DVC could increase the number of points needed to stay during that period BUT they would have to lower points needed in another week.

There will always be value weeks and peek weeks. The good news is that if you buy enough points for two weeks you will always be able to get two weeks a year.....you may need to adjust the dates you go.

There are no hidden fees. If you want daily cleaning that costs extra, making a reservation in a non-DVC resort or Disney Collection Resort will incur a fee but if you use DVC resorts....nothing! None of the fees you get are "hidden" only items you choose to incur.

I have left the resort with nothing on my bill, no fees, taxes, add-ons...nothing.

Hope this helps and best wishes!

 

[JimC]

The points for the DVC resorts do not change. Points my be reallocated (this was done once in 1996) but the total number of points must not change -- ie whatever they raise one place they must lower some place else.

However, points for any other use of your points are negotiated annually and usually go up.

The only ongoig costs within the DVC resorts and other Disney resorts are the annual dues. There are some trade fees outside the those resorts. DCL and the other collections have trade fees associated with them. But those are about on par with other timeshares.

 

[crisi]

The other thing your post brings to mind....

The minimum purchase for a first time contract is 150 points. To get 75 you will need to find a 75 point resale. Small resales are hard to find and usually go for a premium. The best bet is to call all the brokers you can find and get on their lists - small resales often don't even hit their web sites. Be prepared to pay more per point for the small contract than you would if you were buying 150 points.

 

[byoung]

Good luck and maybe a Welcome Home soon.

 

[Disney Doll]

They are pretty upfront about their costs. If you book into one of the affiiliated time share properties (ie.- Intervale) there is a $75 fee, and a higher per night point cost than if you stay at a DVC property. If you want daily housekeeping there is an additional fee dependent upon the size of the unit you are in, if you want extra towels, there is an additional fee. The dues tend to increase by a slight percentage most years, although there have been a couple of years when the dues have actually gone down slighty too.

All in all, I'd say no hidden fees, and very few "extra" fees, especially when I think of stories I have heard about other folks' and their timeshare purchases that are not DVC.

As far as point amounts...75 is tough, cuz It'll be a resale add-on probaly, since the minimum buy-in though Disney itself is 150. That small amount will be a higher per point cost most likely, and pretty tough to find. I would agree with the poster who advised you to speak directly with the timeshare resale brokers to let them know that you are interested in that small of a contract.

I would add that DH & I have owned DVC since 1997, & it is a purchase that we have never regretted.

Best of luck and hopefully we will welcome you home soon!!!!