To DVC or not to DVC? That is the question

[El Tel]

I'm new to the whole DVC thing but the legendary Vernon piqued my interest in it on my last full day at WDW a few weeks ago. Unfortunately I was unable to do the tour of Saratoga Springs - so I haven't had first hand experience of what to expect.

On my return I got the DVD and I got a follow up phone call from DVD tonight to get more info. I'm sure some of my questions will be answered in the info pack being sent, and I know it is a little early to make a decision yet, but I'm trying to weigh up three options:

1) Don't buy into DVC - just do WDW resort holidays every 2-3 years.

2) Buy now whilst the pound is strong against the dollar and DVC prices haven't been increased as a result of the new AKL villas addition. The downside here is that I'd be buying 'blind' except for the info pack and DVD

3) Buy on our next visit (possibly October 2008). The AKL villas will be on sale then, and having just stayed at AKL we would love to have it as our 'home' with the advantages that go with that. Downside is that dollar rate may have dropped and DVC prices will go up. (Has anyone got an idea of how much they typically go up by?).

Any thoughts and advice would be much appreciated.

 

[JudyS]

"To DVC or not to DVC? That is the question"
Ah, yes! Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the stings and arrows of waiting for Room-only discount codes...

I'm on the US side of the pond, but I happened to see this thread. I bought a DVC membership two years ago, and am very happy that I did. Weeknight stays during the off-season are far cheaper than getting the same room for cash, and is often possible to use Disney points for weeknights while paying the usual cash rate, or a discounted cash rate, on weekends.

DVC prices have gone up quite rapidly. If you are interested in the DVC, I'd buy sooner rather than later.

As for your not having seen the rooms, the studios are very similar to a Deluxe Disney hotel room. The larger units are much nicer, with a kitchen, private Jacuzzi, sitting area, etc. I know that some people who are used to staying in condos offsite feel that the DVC units are too small, but that is because land prices offsite are much cheaper. If you plan on staying onsite, DVC units are great. (Also, Old Key West has large DVC units, and they are some of the last DVC rooms to book up.)

If you plan on going every 2-3 years, you should consider buying a smaller number of points, and banking and borrowing points to make one reservation every 2-3 years. Disney won't sell a new owner less than 150 DVC points, but you can buy packages as small as 25 points on the resale market.

 

[Pootle]

What would I do in your situation? - well, I'd be just as unsure as you, and I just love my DVC membership!

When I bought, I'd been often enough to know that I would continue to do this annually even when my son stopped travelling with us and WDW itself was no longer the main attraction - and that has proved to be so. (At this point, timeshare experts might say I should have bought resale off-site for lower cost and lower dues, but I like being on Disney property and using the transport.)

Got to agree that the strength of the pound makes buying in very attractive though.

If you study the US DVC boards - and I would if I were putting down a large chunk of money - you will see that one of the common themes is 'buy where you want to stay' v 'buy SSR for the extra 12 years and you can usually get what you want at 7 months out'. I belong firmly in the first camp, although there are a lot of folk who are very successful with booking at 7 months or the waitlist (but the maths tells you this will get more difficult at the smaller resorts as time goes by).

In a nutshell, if you think staying at AKL will be very important to you, I'd probably wait and save the cash - I don't doubt you could even open a dollar account with one of the major banks if you were so keen to lock into the current exchange rates, or buy forward through one of the currency dealers (such as HIFX).

If you plan on going every 2-3 years, you should consider buying a smaller number of points, and banking and borrowing points to make one reservation every 2-3 years. Disney won't sell a new owner less than 150 DVC points, but you can buy packages as small as 25 points on the resale market.

I met Vernon on my recent trip too; nice chap but I think JudyS gave good advice, especially if you are considering a 'home' other than AKL. (Sorry Vernon as I'm sure you keep your eye on this board )