Vacation Club?

[suemac]

We are on the Vacation Club fence. Any possitive and negitive input regarding weather or not to take the leap?
Also: Resale DVC vs through Disney?
General Background;
We will be down about every other year, have a family of 5 (so we have needed the 2 BDRM condo the last few trips)

 

[Terry S]

Sounds like you are a perfect candidate for the Disney Vacation Club. General rule of thumb is if you plan on going to WDW at least every other year. There is a DVC board here with tons of information and lots of helpful people to answer all your questions. This will probably get moved there, but if it doesn't you should post your question there.

As far as resale or direct through disney goes. We went direct because BCV had just become available and that was the resort we wanted. Disney is actively selling Saratogo Springs Resort right now. If you want another resort you will most likely have to go Resale. (I have heard that Disney is selling some points for other resorts so it doesn't hurt to ask a guide) I am not very patient so I don't know if I could do a resale since you have to make an offer that gets accepted and then go through a ROFR process that can take a few weeks. I would be nervous during that process. With Disney you pretty much know right away and they have financing too!

 

[TLinden16]

I'm going to move this over to the DVC boards so all the great folks over there can answer all your questions.

 

[Dean]

As long as you don't expect to trade out much or at all and don't plan mostly long weekends, DVC sounds like a great fit for your needs.

 

[lisareniff]

You might want to post this on the DVC board. They have a lot of good information and advice.

We have been DVC members for almost 2 years with only one trip under our belts. We decided to join for the better (multi-room) accommodations for the price. We also plan on only going down everyother year in a 2 bedroom.

I believe, if you would be going to WDW at least every other year (maybe every three with extra planning) staying in deluxe accommodations onsite and can foresee doing this into the future then it maybe a good choice for you.

As far as resale vs. Disney.... If you plan to go down during busy DVC times, which you might having children in school, you first want to consider which resort you would most want to say. The home resort advantage for booking can be important during popular times. In the end, the amount you pay for the initial purchase price is small compared to the yearly dues. So, try not to get too hung up on the price difference, but decide where you would like to vacation (and where you would not!). Then go shopping!

 

[lisareniff]

Terry S and Dean, you guys are quick!!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

If you have been staying in the 2Br's on site for your last two trips anyways and paying Disney rates, you should buy into DVC. For a family of 5 or 6, nothing beats DVC, especially if you travel to WDW every year or two.

If you can afford to finance on your own and/or want a resort other than SSR, then a resale is the way to go. By doing resale, you can choose which resort you want at a lesser price but also have to find a way to pay for it.

HBC

 

[Doug Wolfe]

DVC is the best thing I have ever done.

I not only look forward to great vacations...I enjoy planning them. Headed to Hilton Head in May...and I am already deciding which restaurants to hit.

For many years I simply did not take a vacation. Now I make time for myself and family, and have never regretted it for a single moment. I have a family of 5 and 300 points, I get a 2-bedroom each time I go. Good luck in your decision.

 

[Caskbill]

Regarding resale vs direct from Disney, be sure to consider that SSR goes to 2054 while all the other resorts' contracts expire in 2042. If that extra 12 years is important to you then you might have to go direct with Disney. (There may be some SSR resales out there but probably not many)

 

[suemac]

You are all awsome ! I did not know there was a DVC forum, I will visit it. Thank you for all the pointers!

 

[cruise-o-matic]

As far as the # of points you need, look at the points chart for a 2BR for the time you're most likely to go. You'll notice that Friday and Saturday nights are about 2X's the points for Sun-Thu, so factor in whether you plan to stay over a Fri and/or Sat. If you go every other year, divide in half, then bank or borrow to cover your needs.

As far as Resale vs. DVC, resale would be cheaper, but you have to get your own financing. You can also buy sold out resorts via resale too. OKW is the cheapest onsite WDW resale and has the lowest maintenance fees too. (We're going resale because you can get more points for the same amount of $.)

DVC offers financing, plus you don't have to make payments or pay maintenance fees until your building closes in May '05. They are currently offering points for $85 ($10 off) for SSR only w/150 point minimum. Closing costs are included and you don't have to worry about ROFR. My suggestion is that if you do NOT choose resale, then go ahead and buy SSR now, before the incentive shrinks or goes away.

 

[durango kid]

If you go with a resell. Factor the closing costs into your per point price. This may make going direct the better route.

It was for us!

 

[lllovell]

We jumped in after making several trips to Disney this past year and realizing that the best value for DVC is to own as long as possible. We bought into SSR and financed through Disney (for now) but will be paying that off as soon as our mortgage becomes due (they were at 9% financing I believe) but with no closing costs, it made the most sense.

Now I am having trouble figuring out how to go since we are AP holders and like to go often and can go some during the week. I am allllll about stretching it as far as possible to get the most days and best enjoyment and yet....oh my those bigger rooms look nice. Hold up a studio versus a standard hotel room (which is where we have been staying) and it will be heaven though!

You can check all over the net for analysis of cost and how long it will take to pay for itself (most of which I believe say 5-7 years of usage), but ultimately, you cannot put a price on a wonderful family vacation and time together. For many, it is about HAVING to take time to be together each year, since you dont want it to go to waste.

My advice will always be buy for people wanting to stay on property (inclduing Hilton Head and Vero). Many will tell you NOT to buy if you are looking to mostly trade out for other destinations as the dollar value is not there, but if you enjoy Disney enough to come every other year, then you will be very pleased. (we will simply rent our points when we choose to vacation elsewhere and pay cash that way I keep my Disney home as long as I can

 

[Mouse Ears]

Your situation mirrors mine pretty closely. I have a family of five and we visit with a similar frequency. The 2 bedroom is such a nice and comfortable way to stay at Disney.

We joined in 2002 and have made 2 trips so far. With the minimum purchase of 150 points, we are able to go for about a week in the off-season every 18 months on average. We actually time our trips so that we take 2 trips just less than a year apart and then take a break for about 1.5-2 years. That enables us to use Annual passes for 2 trips and allows us the opportunity to do other things (yes, we're one of those radical DVC families that likes other places too).

Of course, this being the off-year, an addon is sounding really nice!
Best of luck with your decision, but don't wait too long. It's not getting any cheaper...