Thinking of buying, questioning if we are too old.

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I think the same questions are applicable, regardless of age.

1) Do you go to Walt Disney World at least once every three years? (Banking and borrowing allow you to defer the use of your points. You can push them back one year or bring them forward one year. However, if you don't travel at least once every three years, some of your points may expire and go unused.)

2) When you stay at Disney, are you looking to stay in deluxe accommodations? (Think hard about this one. If you're perfectly happy in Disney's Moderate or Value resorts, your answer here might be "no.")

3) Are you willing to pay a premium to stay in a Disney-owned property? (Disney isn't the only company to sell timeshares in Orlando, and they're certainly not the cheapest.)

4) When planning a vacation, are you able to commit to a schedule 7-11 months ahead of time? (Home resort bookings are available 11 months in advance of travel. At 7 months, DVC members can book reservations at any DVC resort. In timeshare terms, anything closer to check-in than that would be considered a last-minute booking. Availability goes down the closer you get to the check-in date. Some very popular rooms and times of year book very quickly, and might not even be available at the 7-month point.)

5) Can you afford it? (Are you financially enabled to pay (or finance) the initial buy-in, the annual maintenance fees, and the other expenses associated with regular trips to Walt Disney World such as air travel, rental cars, park tickets, dining, and other miscellaneous expenses?)

If you can answer yes to all of these questions, DVC might be a good fit for you.

 

[disBOBney]

As far as too old, I'm with everyone else, definitely not. I didn't buy until I was 53. I have traveled with friends or family and alone, I tell people Disney is wasted on the young. I too was not a planner particularly for vacations. I seldom took them at all, but when I did they tended to be with only a few months thought. Yes, I have been able to take short notice trips.

One thing I am noticing, as I am thinking about it, is that now that I know I am going to go on vacation this year, next year etc, it is much easier to think about it further out.

With you only being a few hours away, you might find that making shorter 2-3 day trips are very appealing and those are much easier to plan on shorter notice, but some resorts will still be difficult even for short stays. I know there are times I wished I lived closer so I could make an overnight trip to enjoy Disney Springs. If you own it, you undoubtably will find a way to use it that works for you.

 

[asreiter]

We bought our first 300 SSR points when we were in our mid 50s. We added 200 OKW points a few years later. We have enjoyed our trips with our family. Last year we saw the VGF model and fell in love so we sold our 500 points and bought 750 VGF points.

Many people buy a condo at this age to go to in the winter. We bought VGF for the same reason. We like that Disney takes care of everything.

We can stay in a studio for six weeks or a one bedroom for three weeks.

Candy

I LOVE the way you think Candy!! The hubby and I can't wait to spend winters at Disney

 

[Mississippian]

My husband and I are in our mid 50's. We have 2 young grandchildren and a 3rd on the way. We live about 3 hours away from Disney. We loved going there when our children were young and recently went with the 2 grandbabies. We are seriously considering purchasing DVC (still pondering where, but the BLT is high on our list). I am just wondering if we should have invested yrs ago. I guess I am questioning if this is a good plan. Would love to here people's thoughts.

By law DVC ownership is an estate in real property. But in practice I view it as a discount, prepaid vacation plan. I'm 54 and I'm thinking about buying back in.

As things are your tenancy for years will end on the best properties in 2042. You will be in your 80s. Seems like perfect timing to me.

 

[DenLo]

We were 56 and 57 years old at time of purchase. We have finally admitted that we are Disney fanatics! We often stay at WDW with just the two of us, but have also brought family along to enjoy a 4 or 5 night stay. One gathering there were 20 family members and were able to get everyone beds and reserved three 2BRs so everyone would have plenty of space.

But DVC does require advance planning the majority of time. The nature of a timeshare is that the resort will be 98% occupied each night. And DVC resorts are booked well in advanced often at the 11 month or 7 month marks.

 

[heynowirv]

I was 54 and my wife 49 when we bought.Grandchildren are coming along sometime I think. and if not we love it anyway.

 

[BKelly]

Too old, no.

I would like to say something about the 7 mos. guideline. My family and I have been using my parents DVC for years (and are now looking into our own). Our schedules don't allow us to book 11 months or even 7 months in advance- more like 4 to 6. We may not always end up with my favorite resort and view (BWV, boardwalk view.. I LOVE listening to the music at night), but we have always managed to find something. Our favorite time to travel may have something to do with it however.. always the last week of August into the first week of September.

I have enjoyed our experience with DVC to the point I would like to be an owner, myself. I also have three siblings with their own families which means I don't have access to the points as often as I'd like! I can't wait to hear 'welcome home' and know that I am an owner, finally, as well.

Good luck!

 

[bobbiwoz]

We were both in late 50's when we bought 11 years ago. We have enjoyed our membership very much and feel it has been worth it!

 

[Minniesgal]

We bough mid 40s and we are very much looking forward to using our DVC just the two of us when we get to mid 50s and are de coupled from school holidays and hopefully work so we can go for longer. I think it works for all ages and I'd say never too old

 

[jerseygal]

I was 54 and my wife 49 when we bought.Grandchildren are coming along sometime I think. and if not we love it anyway.

That is cute, "grandchildren coming along sometime I think".!
Looking forward to "the right time" for our sons one day! Amen to that!

In the meantime, CAN'T WAIT for our first trip, just DH and me this December!

 

[kenspidey]

That is cute, "grandchildren coming along sometime I think".! Looking forward to "the right time" for our sons one day! Amen to that! In the meantime, CAN'T WAIT for our first trip, just DH and me this December!

Took my daughter and grandson for his first Disney last year after buying our first DVC. 2 bedroom Kidani savanna view..... Really was priceless..... It's really why we bought it In Our 50s. Now we have 4 contracts totaling 350 points...lol

 

[bman388]

Key here is you pretty much HAVE to book these resorts at 11 months if you really want to stay there especially at busy times. Otherwise we have learned to love OKW and SSR.

This is true if you want a 100% guarantee of staying at your preferred resort any time. However, we own at BLT and SSR and with those points we have stayed at BLT, GFV, WLV, AKV, BWV (Boardwalk View), and this March we will be going to Disneyland and staying at VGC. If money is no issue, by all means buy where you want to stay, but if you are looking for a bargain on the resale market, you still have a good chance of staying anywhere you want at the 7month mark.

 

[DeeCee735]

If you are NOT planners, DVC is NOT for you.

I can't say I fully agree with this statement. Disney overall is a vacation destination that requires planning.

Owning DVC will require you to plan ahead to get where you want when you want but you can certainly book a DVC trip within a couple of months if your dates and DVC resort are flexible. I just had a friend get into Saratoga Springs Resort with an RCI trade in within a few months of travel date.

OKW and SSR usually have availability.

As far as being too old, my personal feeling is that you're not too old until you're dead and buried. If you have the energy, the health and the desire, don't hold back...but, that's just me

Best of luck with your decision. Being 3 hours away, for me, would make me want to plan a trip every few months!