Thinking about joining...

[TSirgey]

We are currently researching the value of DVC. We just came back from a 10-day trip to WDW and also went the year prior. Next year is our 2006 wedding anniversary and I promised my husband that we would take a romantic trip in May vs. a family vacation.

Is it worth it for us to buy the points early next year and find a romantic timeshare? Does anyone have any ideas for a romantic getaway that is warm and tropical through the club?

Our dd is in private daycare right now and she will be finished next May. 2006 will me MUCH easier for us to afford joining or else I would do it now to get the discount.

Or, do we wait until 2007 and join?

 

[tjkraz]

If the DVC resorts at Vero Beach or Hilton Head are of some interest to you, it might make sense to buy. But if you're asking if you should buy now to use the points to trade into a non-DVC location, that would be a questionable decision since trade values aren't great.

The big advantage to buying now is to save money. If, for example, you are interested in buying SSR direct from DVC, chances are you'll hit at least two, maybe three price increases between now and 2007. There is already a price increase scheduled for June 5th (from $95 per point to $98 per point.) You're also getting fewer years on the contract if you wait. Buy now and you get 49 years. Buy in '07 and get 47 years.

Resale prices tend to be a little lower, but they will also steadily increase (for the time being) as contract durations steadily decline.

You never want to put your finances in jeopardy over a timeshare, but those are some realistic facts.

 

[Granny]

I think most here would agree that DVC membership makes the most financial sense if you plan to stay primarily at DVC resorts with your points.

It is a fairly expensive timeshare to purchase for the purpose of trading out to other non-Disney locations. You pay a premium for the DVC membership, just as you pay more to stay on-site at a WDW resort than you do off-site.

If you think you are primarily going to use the ownership to travel to WDW, then it could make sense. Look at your resort bill for that 10 day stay and imagine that applied to your DVC ownership and annual dues.

If you don't think you would go to WDW again before 2007, personally I would hold off on buying into DVC right now. Remember, there's always the resale market too which could save a little money and reduces the dependency on sales discounts and promotions.

Good luck in your decision.