Thinking of buying into DVC

[tinkwishes]

I visit Disney World at least three times a year. I have been looking at this board lately and want to let you all know that I am now sooo interested in DVC. However, I have tons of questions and want opinions.

1.What is the best way for me to decide how many points to buy and where?
2. What are the other discounts DVC members can enjoy? (ex: any ticket or restaurant discounts?)
3. Could I use points to stay at another resort like AK?
4. Are there drawbacks that any of you have experienced?
5. How far in advance do you really have to make your reservations?
Thanks for your help. These boards are so helpful!

 

[Beca]

I visit Disney World at least three times a year. I have been looking at this board lately and want to let you all know that I am now sooo interested in DVC. However, I have tons of questions and want opinions.

1.What is the best way for me to decide how many points to buy and where?

Well, you can read posts about these resorts, visit the accomodations sections of allearsnet.com, go to disneyworld.com website, order the video directly from DVC....or, even better...go for a "touring" visit!!!


2. What are the other discounts DVC members can enjoy? (ex: any ticket or restaurant discounts?)

DVC members get $100 off AP's, and $125 of PAP's. We used to get 10% of LOS passes (not sure how that is changing with MYW tickets). We get various food and touring discounts...these change from time to time. Here's a link to a thread that has the current discounts posted: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=697779&highlight=recreation

And, remember...with the purchase of a discounted AP, you can get a "discounted" DDE which offers 20% disounts on dining at most, if not all WDW restaurants. (Not to mention the other discounts that come with an AP).
3. Could I use points to stay at another resort like AK?

Yes, you could...although it is not really worth it. I would recommend renting out your points and paying cash for AK (hopefully with an AP code).

4. Are there drawbacks that any of you have experienced?
Yes, DVC is addicting, and you never have enough points, or own at enough resorts!!!

5. How far in advance do you really have to make your reservations?
You can make them as far in advance at 11 months, I suggest making them as soon as humanly possible!!

Thanks for your help. These boards are so helpful!

Sorry, I just realized that I "added" to your quote above...just read the stuff in blue...I'm just not too good at this computer stuff!!!

Good luck,



Beca

 

[tjkraz]

1.What is the best way for me to decide how many points to buy and where?

At the top of this page you should see a link to the DVC point calculator. Plug in some dates for a typical trip for your family and you will see how many points would be needed to book such a trip. Note that Sunday through Thursday nights cost less than half the points of a Friday and Saturday night. There are also five different "seasons" with different point values.

3. Could I use points to stay at another resort like AK?

I'm with Beca on this one--buy DVC to stay DVC. But, taking into account the info I posted above regarding those "expensive" weekend stays, many DVCers will pay cash for Friday and Saturday nights and use their points for the weekdays. If you typically visit for a week or more, pay cash to stay a couple of days at AKL, then move over to the DVC resort.

4. Are there drawbacks that any of you have experienced?

You really need to be able to plan long-term...especially if you like staying at one resort over the others.

5. How far in advance do you really have to make your reservations?
Thanks for your help. These boards are so helpful!

Depends a lot on how particular you are. The three smaller resorts will be very difficult to book on short notice year-round.

The two larger resorts will probably have SOME availability the vast majority of the time within 60 days of check-in. At 60 days out, all unreserved DVC rooms are made available to cash-paying guests. I'd say you want to avoid booking less than 60 days out whenever possible.