Toying with the idea of taking a DVC tour...what should we know?

[Little E]

In the last few months, my DH and I have started talking about purchasing DVC. We have visited WDW and stayed on property seven times since 2011 with our DSs. While we have stayed at values, mods, and deluxes and have had great experiences with them all, we really love the deluxe resorts. It's hard not to think about the fact that the cost of these trips combined may have already potentially paid for a DVC investment.

I have started carefully reading the Dis threads about DVC, and I recognize that many folks feel that resale is the way to go. It seems far more cost effective this way. We have a June 2017 trip planned, and we are toying with the idea of taking a DVC tour while we are there, just to add to our DVC research. If we do decide to do this, what are things we need to ask our guide? What are things we need to avoid saying to our guide, especially if we decide down the road to purchase DVC resale? Are there certain days of the week or times of the day that are better to take tours?

Also, I'm curious to know if there are DVC properties that make more sense to purchase retail rather than resale?

This is equal parts scary and exciting to us; any information anyone has as we continue our research would be awesome! Thank you, in advance!

 

[disneynutz]

Expect an emotional overview where the guide becomes your best friend and conveniences you to buy now. They will be low key, tell you that you will get an additional years worth of points, (which you are actually buying), they will answer questions but not tell you any negatives or facts that would make you think about not buying. Resale to guides is like taking money from their family's mouths. If you don't buy during the tour (sales pitch), the guide will probably tell you that you have 3 days to ink the deal, (not true).

I give you a 50% odds that you will buy while there.

You have 10 days after signing the contract to cancel without penalty.

Bill

 

[sndral]

I'd ask why Copper Creek's, the new resort, maintenance fees are set so high.
Realize that while your annual out of pocket cost to vacation at WDW goes down once you own DVC, it still costs to use those points. There's travel costs to get there. Annual maintenace fees whether you go or not. And the ever increasing cost of tickets and dinning.

 

[disneynutz]

I don't know if cost do go down. DVC owners tend to vacation at Disney more after buying.

Bill

 

[disneynutz]

I'd ask why Copper Creek's, the new resort, maintenance fees are set so high.
Realize that while your annual out of pocket cost to vacation at WDW goes down once you own DVC, it still costs to use those points. There's travel costs to get there. Annual maintenance fees whether you go or not. And the ever increasing cost of tickets and dinning.

Improvements to the resort and the current direction of the County Tax Appraiser results in higher anticipated property taxes. All DVC resorts are having an increased valuation.

Bill

 

[sndral]

Improvements to the resort and the current direction of the County Tax Appraiser results in higher anticipated property taxes. All DVC resorts are having an increased valuation.

Bill

Bill, I know the proffered reasons, I'm just curious about how the guides will explain the relatively high MFs

 

[disneynutz]

Bill, I know the proffered reasons, I'm just curious about how the guides will explain the relatively high MFs

They have been telling buyers that property tax is the reason and that Disney doesn't have a say in how much the tax will be.

Bill

 

[_auroraborealis_]

That may even be true.

I would say if you tour, have a blood oath with your spouse NOT TO BUY during the tour. If the consideration can't hold up to 3 days consideration, it's an emotional decision.

Do not say the word "resale" to the guide, or, if you do, do it knowing that what happens next will tell you what kind of guide your tour guide is -- honest, or if they're going to exaggerate and lie. You only know the difference if you've done due diligence BFEORE the tour, mind you. The guide you don't want to deal with will tell you about rumors that resale will ONLY be able to book their home resorts, be put in queue behind "real" members, can't go to Top of the World, pay more in dues, or any number of other things that are not true. The honest guides (and there are a couple, yet) will admit that if you aren't buying CCV, Poly or a small contract, direct is insane.

 

[Little E]

Thank you so much, everyone. If we decide to do the tour, which we haven't yet, I'll ask about the Copper Creek maintenance fees and I'll report back. Thanks, also, for the other issues to be mindful of...I really appreciate as much info as possible before we face a tour guide.

My DH and I are nowhere near ready to buy, so I'm not too worried about the pressure sales tactics. I like to think I'm a formidable opponent. I actually love taking on car sales people, when it's time to buy a car. I sort of like to eat them for breakfast...it makes my hubby sweat to go to a car dealership with me, because I do my homework and I just don't put up with a lot of BS. (And he's the attorney that negotiates deals for a living!)

I know I need to do a lot more research and ask more questions (which is why I love the Disboards so much!) before we even consider taking on the commitment of DVC. Your knowledge and info is greatly appreciated!

Please...let me know if you think of anything else I should consider if we decide to take a tour. Our trip isn't until June, so we've got lots of time!

Thank you!!

 

[MouseOfCards]

Make sure to mention "resale" a few times. Then you'll know if those smiles are real.

 

[Little E]

Bbbaahahahahahahaaa....I love it, MouseOfCards! If we do tour, I definitely plan to drop the word "resale", and see what happens next. My poor hubby may have to bring along some popcorn, and just sit back and watch the tour guide and I square off.

 

[Gizmo74]

We just took the tour this past March and bought direct at Poly. We did the tour on a previous trip so already heard their pitch before and knew what to expect going again. I did use the tour on one of my 1/2 days and had them pick us up at the park. We also got three fast passes for each of us which was nice. Since they knew it was our second tour they sent in the closer. We kinda knew deep down we were going to buy that day.

We wanted to buy Poly so buying direct was right for us. Poly on resale still has higher cost and by the time we added the DVC incentives it brought down the price.

The first tour was very informative and we learned a lot. I would recommend taking the tour at SSR vs Disney Springs. They have models you can tour at SSR.

The guides are good and know what to say. I am surprised we didn't buy the first time we went but in the end it worked out for us.

They will also drive you back to your resort and have child care when you are on the tour.

 

[MouseOfCards]

We just took the tour this past March and bought direct at Poly. We did the tour on a previous trip so already heard their pitch before and knew what to expect going again. I did use the tour on one of my 1/2 days and had them pick us up at the park. We also got three fast passes for each of us which was nice. Since they knew it was our second tour they sent in the closer. We kinda knew deep down we were going to buy that day.

Just wondering what the closer looked like. Was he holding an orange and kept saying it's not personal?

 

[Little E]

Thank you, Gizmo74. I had no idea what to expect in terms of what happened on a "tour". If we go, I will definitely ask to go to SSR. We were not sure how to get to a tour, so I'm glad to know they can pick you up from the park and drop you off at your resort. I'm curious...how long did the actual tour take? My boys will be almost 16 and 13 at the time of our trip, and they have no interest in missing out on riding rides. I know they won't want to come, or if they do, they won't want it to drag on forever.

 

[Gizmo74]

Thank you, Gizmo74. I had no idea what to expect in terms of what happened on a "tour". If we go, I will definitely ask to go to SSR. We were not sure how to get to a tour, so I'm glad to know they can pick you up from the park and drop you off at your resort. I'm curious...how long did the actual tour take? My boys will be almost 16 and 13 at the time of our trip, and they have no interest in missing out on riding rides. I know they won't want to come, or if they do, they won't want it to drag on forever.

My kids are 11 and 9 so the child care was boring for them. They did like the ice cream at the end. The tour lasted 90 minutes or so. It was the end of the day so we were in no hurry. We used the fast passes on our last park day and it was great. They make it Very easy to take the tour so take advantage of that. I chose at end of day so they picked us up at Epcot. We were staying at SSR so getting back to our room wasn't a big deal but they still drove us back to our building. We actually scheduled the tour while we were at Epcot.

 

[Gizmo74]

Just wondering what the closer looked like. Was he holding an orange and kept saying it's not personal?

No, oranges. I think our guide knew we were going to buy. No pressure on his side.

 

[Little E]

Gizmo74, what were you glad you asked when you took your first tour? Were there things you had wished you had asked, especially on that first tour?

 

[Gizmo74]

Gizmo74, what were you glad you asked when you took your first tour? Were there things you had wished you had asked, especially on that first tour?

Sorry, don't recall any questions I asked or should have. It was when BLT was new. My husband was ready to buy but I wasn't ready at that time. Looking back, we should have bought because we love BLT. At that time, buying resale had no restrictions so that it what we should have done. It is such a big purchase that I needed to feel comfortable. Of course, we kept on going to Disney World, Disney Land, Aluani and Disney Land Paris after the first tour. So we would have gotten our money's worth if we bought back then.

Anyways, the first tour was very informative especially with me knowing some going in. They do a great job explaining how to bank/borrow and how to use your points. On the second tour they start off with a five minute movie that warms up your heart. I forgot to mention, along with fast passes we also got a gift card.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

There are several places to do the tour. You can do it at SSR, BLT, BWV, Poly, Aulani (duh), etc. SSR is the only one with multiple models of Poly, Copper Creek, and perhaps Aulani. I do not think there are any models (yet) at Copper Creek. At the others, you will see models of that resort, which are not officially for sale, but might be available if you ask.
We did ours at BLT because we had a brunch at contemporary on our last day and a late flight.
The presentation was pleasant and low key, and we liked the models at BLT. The only subtle pressure that they gave was to note that VGF was close to selling out. So I said that I really liked what I was hearing, but no way could we make a decision without seeing VGF. So we hopped into a van and went to see the models at VGF. We loved it, but even then, I wanted to go home and crunch the numbers, and do some google-fu, which led me to the DIS. The Guide had no problem with this and said to call her when we were ready.
It is best to make an appointment. You can go without an appointment, but you risk waiting for them to finish with those who did make an appointment.

 

[hamilkm]

Just wanted to give an answer to the Copper Creek dues question. We took a tour as current members and actually added on a small contract at CC. I asked about the dues and our guide told us that it was because of changes coming to mousekeeping. She acted like there would be more housekeeping at CC possibly (she didn't give any details like more days per week or what). I also mentioned thinking about buying my next contract resale and she admitted it was cheaper but warned us to be careful not to get a contract with points stripped or that was late on dues.