Thinking of buying - again!

[rotlex]

I'm giving myself a migraine again.

Seriously though, it must be that time of year. We are once again considering DVC, and I'm going crazy reading all the different info. With that said, I just want to run something by some of the regulars here. I THINK this makes sens now, but need to type it out to make it clear to myself.

OK. We have been traveling to Disney regularly for quite a few years now, and plan on doing so, health and finances permitting, for a long time to come. (Myself, my wife and two children, currently 8 and 2 years old). Some key info on what I'm thinking, and what we do here:

1. We go once per year. Our average stay being 10 nights
2. We stay anything from value, POP, to deluxe. (Deluxe being in the AKL or WL range).
3. We don't need deluxe accommodations, but it's nice if we can.
4. We usually travel during August, end of month\pre-labor day, but would not mind a holiday trip once in a blue moon
5. We always get the DDP, and DO look for discounts, pin codes etc.

Now, with that said, I'm looking at resales. (Probably via the Timeshare store linked form disboards.com). I'm thinking that with our average stay, and time of year for now, 140-160 points in plenty. At least if I'm using the calcs properly.

Couple of quick questions:

1. Best use year to try to get for the August timeframe?
2. If I own say, 160 points, but book something that would be more, say around the holidays, or larger accommodations if traveling with more people, can I pay cash for the balance?
3. Is buying resale from a reputable place really no different than buying direct form Disney? (I know, been asked before, and answer is yet, but hey, this is a bit purchase decision)!
4. Dining plan is available right?
5. Up front costs would be paid by cash, so no financing, or interest costs to factor in.


Lastly, for now I guess, with the little info I put out there, does this make sense to you? I've been toying with this for quite a few years now, and feel that every year, I'm pumping money into vacations, that could have went toward DVC. Granted, I've been getting pretty decent deals, but still. Example, we are heading down for 11 days the end of this month. Staying at AKL, with free dining, for $3200 total. (Pool view room). That seems pretty good to me, but I know it will go up over the years. With that said, we were also very happy at POP last year for $1800 total, same days, with free dining.

Thanks for reading, listening or answering. I'm sorry if some of this is repetitive, but again, I need to type it out sometimes for it to make sense to ME, and input from others is always a big help!

 

[chalee94]

1. Best use year to try to get for the August timeframe?

best to have a UY that starts right before you travel. so august for august trips is ideal...aug also works for nov & dec trips - but a bit risky for july 4th.

2. If I own say, 160 points, but book something that would be more, say around the holidays, or larger accommodations if traveling with more people, can I pay cash for the balance?

you can pay cash for individual nights if available but you can't combine cash and pts to book a single night. the best thing to do is borrow pts that you need, but you can rent pts from DVC directly at 7 months out for up to 24 pts as another option. or try to find another member who will transfer pts to you.

3. Is buying resale from a reputable place really no different than buying direct form Disney? (I know, been asked before, and answer is yet, but hey, this is a bit purchase decision)!

takes longer and you don't get a tote bag, but after the purchase, it is no different.

4. Dining plan is available right?

things could change, but right now - yes. no need to buy a ticket to get the DDP and currently, there is no holiday surcharge for DVCers.

5. Up front costs would be paid by cash, so no financing, or interest costs to factor in.

that's a good plan.

edited to add: in general, it makes sense. if you're happy with the values and like hunting for codes, i wouldn't encourage you to join DVC just to feel like part of the club. i don't know that DVC will save you money.

but if you want nicer onsite accommodations for relatively reasonable prices, have the financial ability and aren't worried about burning out on disney vacations, DVC is a great option.

 

[dadio]

from what I have gleaned here.....
(we are still awaiting rofr from disney)

1. With an Aug. vaca. time frame, most here would lean you towards a UY of a month or two BEFORE you do most of your travelling, that way you can still bank pts. if plans change..

2. don't know about the cash part, but you can alway borrow from next yr's pts....most folks will tell you if you are planning on going every yr, buy a bit more than you will need..then you can bank the extra you don't need..

3. no different...once you close, you are the same as Joe Schmoe that bought on the warm , fuzzy-feeling DVC tour..

4. yeppers...but must be purchased beforehand, AND everyone in your party has to have the plan..no mixing and matching...

5. resale...you gotta come up with the cash..or you might be able to do financing at your home bank,ect......buy direct, disney will finance you

also don't forget to figure in your MF's each yr as well...

hth...

 

[ToddyLu]

I think you will really enjoy the accomodations with DVC. We were going yearly and staying Values, and just decided to finally put the money toward something nice, it has been great so far. We purchased last year at AKV and loved our first trip last fall. You sound like you have made a very thought out and wise choice to buy in. I say go for it.

 

[Jason@dvcstore]

I

Now, with that said, I'm looking at resales. (Probably via the Timeshare store linked form disboards.com).

I think that is a good plan.



Jason

 

[sweetdana]

You can always start with 100 points, use this 2 out of 3 years and go with FD for the the 3rd year. With banking and borrowing no sweat. If you are happy at Values and MOds.. Use DVC as a treat, and you can save some $$. If you are happy pretty much anywhere, go with what ever is the best at the time.

I love my DVC and I LOVEEE my 1 bed rooms.. AND I love getting FD at FQ for the at 5-6 days and follow it up with 4-6 nights in a 1 bedroom too.

You get discount on AP with DVC, and can do a discounted room only all the time, with no pin codes. If you buy AP, getting a 50 point contract pays for your discount on the AP alone, and you get a few free nights.

I do not think it has to be 1 way or the other.. though I am a minority I think. I dont mind the FQ at all.. In fact the QS, and bus location, and even the boat to DTD I actually like more than SSR. I use free dining, I use pin codes, I use my DVC and I rent on short notice too..

SSR right now, under 2$ a point per year (Resale at about 65$), plus 5$ for MF right now is a steal for a sometimes upgrade.. You may love it and buy more too.. who knows.

 

[rotlex]

Thanks all for the quick replies and opinions. (Love this place).

With a little more thinking, after a few of those quick answers here, I think we'll be ready for a decision this year. We leave for our next trip on the 22nd of this month, and come back Sept. 3rd. After getting the Disney feeling again, I think we are really leaning toward a purchase sometime this fall.

I need to do a little more figuring, the initial outlay of cash is really the only concern for me at this point, but things just keep pointing to this being right for us. Sure, I don't mind values, but as my kids are getting bigger, rooms seem to be getting smaller as well. I'm anxious to see how we fare in a few weeks at AKL, as we have never stayed there before.

Thanks - again!

 

[rotlex]

I think that is a good plan.



Jason

Hehe, I'm sure. Really though, this is most likely the way we'll be going, if\when we make the buy!

 

[DenLo]

You have been getting good deals at WDW in recent months (years?), however, there is no guarantee that your next vacation you'll get free dining or a 40% discount on a room. If the economy improves discounts will stop because Disney will be able to fill the hotel rooms without them.

By becoming a DVC member you are spending money now to get you a villa later. That's it, a deluxe villa, nothing else.

But I know for the next 20 or 30 years I'll stay at WDW in a deluxe villa. (Maybe someone else in the family will be able to stay there the last 20 years of the contract, but it won't be me.) I won't have to worry about whether there will be a discount for a room or free dining, just to be able to afford to go to WDW. I'll have a villa and I know I have pay for all of the other expenses, food (dining), souvenirs, tickets or an annual pass, transportation to WDW, souvenirs, tours or entertainment, plus my annual dues for the DVC.

 

[Coach81]

Sounds like you just need to DIVE IN... do it.. you won't regret it...

 

[lark]

I'm not sure I would do it if I were you. At 160 points, you're only going to be able to get studios and not at all the resorts. 10 days in a DVC studio with no housekeeping might be a bit difficult when the "little" ones are 14 and 8.

Even resale you're looking at a cash outlay of at least $11,000 plus about $600 to $800 per year in dues, depending on where you buy. If you were to use that money simply to pay for vacations at moderates, it would take you a long long way for many years. While it's true that codes and stuff might dry up, they certainly show no signs of doing so in the near future.

I think two of the best aspects of DVC are more space and the ability to use the full kitchen. If the dining plan is your thing and you would only have enough points for studio stays at the DVC resorts that require the fewest points for long trips, those two advantages don't really make much of a difference. If it were me, I'd bank my $11,000 for future vacations, save the $800 a year in dues and spend it instead on exactly the resort I want when I want it, and think about DVC when I'm ready to move to 1 BRs and get the points I need for that.

Just $.02.

 

[KingRat]

If getting a holiday vacation in the future is important, choosing a home resort is a big consideration.

 

[TiaMaria]

Steve,

I think you have answered all your own questions! I understand the hesitation, however - it's a pretty good chunk of change. I went through this same hesitation 2 years ago when we bought. My only regret, as so many others here will tell you, is that I didn't buy in sooner.

My advice is:

1) Buy where you love and want to stay most often. Visit some of the resorts on your trip this month to get a feel - not just for the rooms, but the resorts and their amenities such as pools, restaurants, Community Hall, arcade, interaction between CM's and guests. This doesn't mean you can't stay at all the other properties, it just means that if you need your 11 month window to get what you want, when you want it - that you will not feel you have to "settle" for a resort that you are not fond of.

2) Make sure you are buying enough points to cover the room type you want for the times you will travel. Example: Our stay at AKV last month in a dedicated, 2 bedroom savannah view was 440 points for 10 nights. My sister and I combine our points for 5 of us to be able to spread out. We also like to take at least one other 5 night DVC vacation in the spring or fall each year - sometimes both. We both started out with a 250 point original purchase and each added on another 200 points a year later. We have some leftover points that we used for our extended family to join us this summer. We try not to have to borrow from the next year if possible. You may be different. My point is make sure you make your initial buy-in for enough points to suit the way you like to travel.

3) Don't forget to use the "Perks" that come with membership. You will get a pamphlet when you check in each time that outlines what perks are current. Never forget to ask when dining or souvenier shopping if there is a DVC discount also. We used the DVC discount to buy Premium Annual Passes. Makes sense for our family. Most places give AP discounts of 10-20% more often than DVC discounts.

I'm sure that if you use part of your upcoming vacation as a "reconnaissance mission" that you will be super-excited and ready to pull that trigger once you return home.

Good luck - enjoy!