Thinking DVC might be right for us. Have several questions...

[fifthdimensiondweller]

So after our last visit which ended yesterday my husband and I were talking about DVC and decided it is probably a good fit for us. We probably won't buy for about 3-4 years simply because we are newlyweds and want to get other big purchases such as a house taken care of and pay off some student loans. However, I am a big planner and budgeter and am planning to start putting small amounts of money away now and would like the input of DVC members as to where I should buy, how many point, etc. Let me tell you a little about us:

We are two newlyweds ages 24. We had APs last year and currently travel to WDW or DLR (usually WDW) at least once a year, often more. We also enjoy Disney Cruises and will be going to Disney's Hilton Head Resort for the first time in February. While we used to stay mostly in value or moderate categories, we have recently decided that with a plan to start a family soon, we will want more space, to be closer to dining and the parks, etc. This is one of the main reasons we've decided DVC will likely save us money in the long run.

We like Table Service and Signature meals, so being close to these or having some at our resort would be ideal.

Other than that, I'm honestly not sure what would be the best fit for us. When I looked online out of curiosity a month or two ago, I found that the website only showed options to buy at the Polynesian and Aulani. Would we be able to purchase elsewhere? We would prefer to buy directly from Disney so we can make sure to get all of the benefits.

How many point should we buy? On a typical trip we stay about 5 nights.

What are some benefits to membership at different places? Do different home resorts cost different amounts? (For example, would a buy in at the Polynesian cost less than a buy in at Old Key West?)

Is there any extra benefit to your home resort other than getting to book at 11 months?

I'm sorry if some of these questions are dumb, I just don't know anything about this yet! : ) Im sure I'm going to have a lot of questions as time goes on and i start saving money and researching!

Based on all of this info, what do you think would be right for us?

Also, for anyone who saved for your buy in ahead of time rather than financing it, how much did you put aside a month and for how long? Thanks!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

When I looked online out of curiosity a month or two ago, I found that the website only showed options to buy at the Polynesian and Aulani.

Disney is selling these resorts. Other resorts are sold out. Disney may sell you points for another resort, but at a premium rate. There is a lively resale market for other resorts with better pricing than Disney will offer for sold-through resorts.

We would prefer to buy directly from Disney so we can make sure to get all of the benefits.

As stated, buying any other resort direct from Disney you will pay an additional $30-80 per point (not a typo) for the privilege. The "benefits" are rarely worth that, and can be changed at any time. We typically recommend people buy the resort they love resale, then add 25 points direct via Disney to get the discount benefits as available.

How many point should we buy? On a typical trip we stay about 5 nights.

Depends on what resort you want to stay at, in what season. Consider when you would wish to travel, how many times per year, and unit size. A Lake View Studio at Poly takes many more points than a Studio at, say, Animal Kingdom.

What are some benefits to membership at different places?

11 month access to book at those places. This can be critical for certain room types and resorts year-round, and for almost any resort during DVC high season, which runs from late September through the January marathon, and, to a lesser extent, many holidays and runDisney events.

Do different home resorts cost different amounts? (For example, would a buy in at the Polynesian cost less than a buy in at Old Key West?)

If you buy direct, the costs will be similar per point, but you will be looking at variance in contract length. Resale, you can save a lot buying at a resort like OKW or Saratoga.

Based on all of this info, what do you think would be right for us?

There isn't enough information to tell you this right now. You're still too far out in the process to know.

Things you will need to learn:

• 11/7 month windows
• Banking/Borrowing rules
• The cost of annual dues
• Return to Use for each resort
• What room types you need now
• Future plans
• What "benefits" exist aside from the 11/7 month real estate interest that is the only guarantee of a DVC contract

 

[fifthdimensiondweller]

thanks so much for all your help!

 

[Julylady]

I agree about looking into the resale market. The perks offered through Disney aren't nearly good enough to outweigh the huge difference in cost. I suspect as a young couple you are thinking you would most likely stay in a studio unit. However, if your family grows over time you might be looking at a 1-2 bedroom to give you some privacy as well as a full kitchen and a washer/dryer. If you were to buy direct from Disney now, you would need to buy at Poly which only has studios. It would be a real waste of money to pay Poly costs for points and turn around as use them at Animal Kingdom or Beach Club because you want a larger unit. Also, rent points and actually stay in a DVC unit before you make the purchase. Staying in a DVC room is not the same as staying in a regular hotel room, even at the same property. For some people its a good different, for others its not. No daily housekeeping, no daily coffee/soap/towel refills, no free dining, no "specials."

 

[Matty B13]

You can save almost 40% over the Disney price per point if you buy resale. If you can handle the 3 month wait it is a great savings.

 

[Tardisblue]

We would prefer to buy directly from Disney so we can make sure to get all of the benefits.

As others will point out, benefits can and have been taken away at any time for any reason. Don't make this the main reason in your decision making. We purchased BWV this year from the resale market and saved over $12K compared to buying those same points directly from Disney. It would literally be impossible for me to try to recover the cost difference in the 26 years I have remaining on this contract. Now, if I felt I had to have all the benefits of being a full fledged DVC member I can still buy a 25 point contract directly as an add-on but even still I don't see how the additional cost is worth it at this point.

Do as much research as you can before buying - there is a lot of information. The bullet points that @_auroraborealis_ pointed out above are a great starting point.

 

[Dean]

So after our last visit which ended yesterday my husband and I were talking about DVC and decided it is probably a good fit for us. We probably won't buy for about 3-4 years simply because we are newlyweds and want to get other big purchases such as a house taken care of and pay off some student loans. However, I am a big planner and budgeter and am planning to start putting small amounts of money away now and would like the input of DVC members as to where I should buy, how many point, etc. Let me tell you a little about us:

We are two newlyweds ages 24. We had APs last year and currently travel to WDW or DLR (usually WDW) at least once a year, often more. We also enjoy Disney Cruises and will be going to Disney's Hilton Head Resort for the first time in February. While we used to stay mostly in value or moderate categories, we have recently decided that with a plan to start a family soon, we will want more space, to be closer to dining and the parks, etc. This is one of the main reasons we've decided DVC will likely save us money in the long run.

We like Table Service and Signature meals, so being close to these or having some at our resort would be ideal.

Other than that, I'm honestly not sure what would be the best fit for us. When I looked online out of curiosity a month or two ago, I found that the website only showed options to buy at the Polynesian and Aulani. Would we be able to purchase elsewhere? We would prefer to buy directly from Disney so we can make sure to get all of the benefits.

How many point should we buy? On a typical trip we stay about 5 nights.

What are some benefits to membership at different places? Do different home resorts cost different amounts? (For example, would a buy in at the Polynesian cost less than a buy in at Old Key West?)

Is there any extra benefit to your home resort other than getting to book at 11 months?

I'm sorry if some of these questions are dumb, I just don't know anything about this yet! : ) Im sure I'm going to have a lot of questions as time goes on and i start saving money and researching!

Based on all of this info, what do you think would be right for us?

Also, for anyone who saved for your buy in ahead of time rather than financing it, how much did you put aside a month and for how long? Thanks!

Just spend enough time and effort so you understand what you're really getting and what you're not. To buy direct for the benefits is like saying you want to pay thousands of $$$ for a discount that might be taken away. The ONLY benefits with using from a $$$ standpoint are the discounts, not DCL or other cash type exchanges. IMO the current standard is to buy resale and do a retail add on of say 25 points. I'd only buy direct if what you want otherwise isn't much of a savings, namely Poly. My view is to pay cash for a luxury item. For those that can afford and it's important to, they should be able to get there within a couple of years.