Was going to buy Direct, Now im not sure.. Advice welcome!

[Lorilais_mommie]

Buying Direct form Disney or resale ?

My husband and I have been looking at DVC for over 2 YEARS!!! Saving and waiting for the right moment to buy.
Well it looks like that moment is a just month or two away. *fingers crossed*
DH has done the math.. The finance wizard he is, he has done it to the 10th degree, and found we would break even around the 12-15year mark.

We had ALWAYS planned to buy direct, now after reading the boards and doing research for my sister who wants to buy in on resale.. I don't know which to do?!?
Maybe you can help..


Here is what we want out of our DVC:

1.We want to buy in with our home resort being the Grand Floridian. This is why we have waited this long to buy, we didn't want the last few resorts as our home resort.

2.We want two weeks a year at WDW (one at home resort and one at other if possible)

3. We like to travel oct, nov, dec, and april, may, summer months are just to hot for us. Jan to March we just haven't tried it yet, normally lots of stuff going on then..

4. We want to be able to exchange our points for something close to us (Boston) we don't plan on this happening often, but if for some reason we had to cancel or can't get down to Florida, we want to be able to find a weekend getaway around us.. Just don't want points to go to waste.. Also may look at renting points out...

5. DCL/ABD- DH and I are split on this.. I like the idea of being able to do this. I know it's not the best way to use our points.. They way I look at it is - after 12-15years we break even, so if I want to splurge on a cruise once in awhile, what does it matter?? DH wants the value in ours points..

6. My family all live on the west cost, so the option of the Grand cal. Is nice. It's not a deal breaker, bc we can use my mothers timeshare. But nice to have the option.


So Resale or direct through Disney?

 

[Missyrose]

Buying Direct form Disney or resale ? My husband and I have been looking at DVC for over 2 YEARS!!! Saving and waiting for the right moment to buy. Well it looks like that moment is a just month or two away. *fingers crossed* DH has done the math.. The finance wizard he is, he has done it to the 10th degree, and found we would break even around the 12-15year mark. We had ALWAYS planned to buy direct, now after reading the boards and doing research for my sister who wants to buy in on resale.. I don't know which to do?!? Maybe you can help.. Here is what we want out of our DVC: 1.We want to buy in with our home resort being the Grand Floridian. This is why we have waited this long to buy, we didn't want the last few resorts as our home resort. 2.We want two weeks a year at WDW (one at home resort and one at other if possible) 3. We like to travel oct, nov, dec, and april, may, summer months are just to hot for us. Jan to March we just haven't tried it yet, normally lots of stuff going on then.. 4. We want to be able to exchange our points for something close to us (Boston) we don't plan on this happening often, but if for some reason we had to cancel or can't get down to Florida, we want to be able to find a weekend getaway around us.. Just don't want points to go to waste.. Also may look at renting points out... 5. DCL/ABD- DH and I are split on this.. I like the idea of being able to do this. I know it's not the best way to use our points.. They way I look at it is - after 12-15years we break even, so if I want to splurge on a cruise once in awhile, what does it matter?? DH wants the value in ours points.. 6. My family all live on the west cost, so the option of the Grand cal. Is nice. It's not a deal breaker, bc we can use my mothers timeshare. But nice to have the option. So Resale or direct through Disney?

If you want VGF, then buy direct. There have been a handful of contracts for that resort available for resale, but not enough that you could bank on getting one anytime soon. And the difference in price between direct and resale at VGF hasn't seemed to be enough to make it worth it. If VGF is where you want to stay, buy VGF and buy direct.

 

[McCrae]

If you are buying direct.... You might find it useful to look at what happened with direct prices at BLT and current resale.

We bought BLT direct for $99, around the same current resale price. We bought relatively early in the sales process for BLT .... If we had waited buying real would have made sense rather than direct.

Maybe VGF pricing will show a similar trend.... Buy early direct and resale later.

 

[lorie13]

The gap between resale and buying direct has now increased with the new price of $155/point that went into effect on January 15 for VGF.

 

[bwvBound]

DCL/ABD: Have you studied the point charts on these options? For many of us, DCL and ABD are simply impossible due to the number of points required. I can afford these options on cash (every once in while) -- but can't reach the goal with my points even if I were to combine 3 years worth of points (bank, current and borrow). I think I'd go nuts living that long with only ONE trip! Ugh, no thank you.

 

[nalajms]

DCL/ABD: Have you studied the point charts on these options? For many of us, DCL and ABD are simply impossible due to the number of points required. I can afford these options on cash (every once in while) -- but can't reach the goal with my points even if I were to combine 3 years worth of points (bank, current and borrow). I think I'd go nuts living that long with only ONE trip! Ugh, no thank you.

If you haven't looked, just to give you an idea what my SIL went through. They booked a 4 night Bahamas cruise last Aug right before school started. It's a 1 room cabin for 2 adults and 2 tweens. It wasn't the cheapest room, but it wasn't the most expensive either. They used 3 years worth of their 200 point contract, PLUS paid another $700. Granted, it is cheaper if you only think of the points in terms of $5 maintenance fees.

They thought it was such a great idea until I mentioned that people rent out points for $10+ per point or more.

My suggestion is to buy enough at VGF for your 1 week. Then look at resale for your "stay where ever week".

 

[disneynutz]

Buying Direct form Disney or resale ?

My husband and I have been looking at DVC for over 2 YEARS!!! Saving and waiting for the right moment to buy.
Well it looks like that moment is a just month or two away. *fingers crossed*
DH has done the math.. The finance wizard he is, he has done it to the 10th degree, and found we would break even around the 12-15year mark.

We had ALWAYS planned to buy direct, now after reading the boards and doing research for my sister who wants to buy in on resale.. I don't know which to do?!?
Maybe you can help..


Here is what we want out of our DVC:

1.We want to buy in with our home resort being the Grand Floridian. This is why we have waited this long to buy, we didn't want the last few resorts as our home resort.
All resorts are available, you should make sure that VGF is your favorite resort, hard to do if your haven't stayed there.

2.We want two weeks a year at WDW (one at home resort and one at other if possible)

3. We like to travel oct, nov, dec, and april, may, summer months are just to hot for us. Jan to March we just haven't tried it yet, normally lots of stuff going on then..
Buy an October UY.

4. We want to be able to exchange our points for something close to us (Boston) we don't plan on this happening often, but if for some reason we had to cancel or can't get down to Florida, we want to be able to find a weekend getaway around us.. Just don't want points to go to waste.. Also may look at renting points out...
Don't buy DVC to exchange, rent out and use cash.

5. DCL/ABD- DH and I are split on this.. I like the idea of being able to do this. I know it's not the best way to use our points.. They way I look at it is - after 12-15years we break even, so if I want to splurge on a cruise once in awhile, what does it matter?? DH wants the value in ours points..
Don't use points anywhere but at DVC resorts. It's like Disney charges you a premium in addition to their $195 booking fee if you do.

6. My family all live on the west cost, so the option of the Grand cal. Is nice. It's not a deal breaker, bc we can use my mothers timeshare. But nice to have the option.

So Resale or direct through Disney?
Resale to save money, direct if you buy VGF.

If you really want VGF have you considered a fixed week?

Good luck on your decision.

Bill

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

If you really want VGF have you considered a fixed week?

Good luck on your decision.

Bill

Fixed week won't work bc DH work is picky about what he can take and when he can take.. It can very from the 1 week in oct to the 2 week in nov..

Also those commenting about the DCL.. We are not opposed to renting out our points an paying cash.
We just liked the option, should we ever want to use our points that way..

We are sure we want the VGF.. Our 2nd choice would be the Polly in 2016, but I'd still want the GF if we can get it.

As for the exchange this is a worst chase for us.. We love Disney!!!
We would only exchange if we had to.. If we couldn't use them, and If renting them out was not possible..
I'd rather have a week here in New England than no vacation at all..

 

[disneynutz]

Fixed week won't work bc DH work is picky about what he can take and when he can take.. It can very from the 1 week in oct to the 2 week in nov..

Also those commenting about the DCL.. We are not opposed to renting out our points an paying cash.
We just liked the option, should we ever want to use our points that way..

We are sure we want the VGF.. Our 2nd choice would be the Polly in 2016, but I'd still want the GF if we can get it.

As for the exchange this is a worst chase for us.. We love Disney!!!
We would only exchange if we had to.. If we couldn't use them, and If renting them out was not possible..
I'd rather have a week here in New England than no vacation at all..

We loved the BC area and knew we wanted BCV so we bought. Later we wanted a MK area resort and we love WL so we bought VWL. Stayed at different DVC resorts new and old and bought BWV because we found out that we liked it better than BCV. Staring to see a pattern here?

Moving forward in time, bought AKV, BLT, and VGF. Finally we have decided that VGF and VWL for MK vacations and BWV for Epcot and DHS vacations.
Have decided that Epcot is our favorite park and BWV our favorite resort, getting tired of the crowds, so MK is losing it's luster, we spend more time in the resorts and spending more time together as a family and not rushing to a ride or attraction that we have been on 30 times.

GF is Disney's flagship resort and VGF is trying to be the same. They have had a few issues but with time I hope that they iron them out. The GM there is a good guy but Disney has a policy of rotating management and it causes inconsistences. The resort is beautiful and expensive, I expect that the dues will be high, will increase after sales have closed. I hope that they continue to keep the place up after DVD moves on to another resort.

Bill

 

[Deb & Bill]

Fixed week won't work bc DH work is picky about what he can take and when he can take.. It can very from the 1 week in oct to the 2 week in nov.....

One question, can you book at 11 months out with the pickiness of your husband's job? Could they change his time off after they already approved it? If you can't book at 11 months out, you might need to consider something other than VGF because they are small. And you might not be able to rebook your stay if his works says his vacation days are changed. Heck, all of DVC could be hard if you can't plan it out.

And mid-Sept through mid-Jan can be tough to get at less than seven months out. Even right at 11 months out, some members haven't been able to get what they wanted.

The issue with exchanging is you might need a long lead time to book those stays. You can't just plan at the last minute to substitute an exchanged instead of a DVC stay.

 

[Dean]

Buying Direct form Disney or resale ?

My husband and I have been looking at DVC for over 2 YEARS!!! Saving and waiting for the right moment to buy.
Well it looks like that moment is a just month or two away. *fingers crossed*
DH has done the math.. The finance wizard he is, he has done it to the 10th degree, and found we would break even around the 12-15year mark.

We had ALWAYS planned to buy direct, now after reading the boards and doing research for my sister who wants to buy in on resale.. I don't know which to do?!?
Maybe you can help..


Here is what we want out of our DVC:

1.We want to buy in with our home resort being the Grand Floridian. This is why we have waited this long to buy, we didn't want the last few resorts as our home resort.

2.We want two weeks a year at WDW (one at home resort and one at other if possible)

3. We like to travel oct, nov, dec, and april, may, summer months are just to hot for us. Jan to March we just haven't tried it yet, normally lots of stuff going on then..

4. We want to be able to exchange our points for something close to us (Boston) we don't plan on this happening often, but if for some reason we had to cancel or can't get down to Florida, we want to be able to find a weekend getaway around us.. Just don't want points to go to waste.. Also may look at renting points out...

5. DCL/ABD- DH and I are split on this.. I like the idea of being able to do this. I know it's not the best way to use our points.. They way I look at it is - after 12-15years we break even, so if I want to splurge on a cruise once in awhile, what does it matter?? DH wants the value in ours points..

6. My family all live on the west cost, so the option of the Grand cal. Is nice. It's not a deal breaker, bc we can use my mothers timeshare. But nice to have the option.


So Resale or direct through Disney?

When people do these type of calculations they almost always assume close to the best case scenario. IMO, if the best one can do is break even in 12-15 years, I think you should reconsider your choices even if he did include the Time Value of Money in the calculations. If he didn't in reality you'll never break even in all likelihood even when you consider that you'd spend a portion most years on vacations.

1. If the finances end up making sense and you'll stay her most trips then it may be worth it to you. I'd suggest you consider fixed weeks if you do buy there even if you never intend to use the week you get, it will add potential value now and for the future and the only cost is that you may lose the option of breaking up the contracts as much as you might like.

2. I wonder if buying some time there and some at a cheaper option might not be a better choice for such volume, esp if you only plan to stay at GF for one of the weeks. Maybe a different resort your prefer or a cheaper resort to reserve 7 month availability like SSR or OKW. I also wonder if you're looking at too many points based on your info provided.

4. No exchange options in Boston that I am aware of through RCI or the CC. The only timeshare I can think of in Boston is Marriott's Custom House. Why pay a premium, buy extra and rent them out or even use for an exchange of any type just to lose value, choices, increase risk and uncertainty?

5. It'll take more points and you're losing value. Simply buy less points and save the difference paying cash for those options when the situation arises. The reality is that you very well may create a situation where you never break even if you waste value in this situation.

6. Options are nice but you've got to consider what you're paying for those options.

 

[JimMIA]

4. We want to be able to exchange our points for something close to us (Boston) we don't plan on this happening often, but if for some reason we had to cancel or can't get down to Florida, we want to be able to find a weekend getaway around us.. Just don't want points to go to waste.. Also may look at renting points out...

First of all, I agree with Bill above -- don't buy ANY timeshare to exchange. I would not consider the ability to exchange AT ALL in your purchase decision.

If you INSIST on considering exchanges, there are two fundamental flaws with your plan.

One, there are not a whole lot of timeshares near Boston. There are some on the Cape, some in Western Mass, a few in Newport, RI, and some in VT, NH etc. The problem is -- how many of that limited number are available through DVC's RCI Lite?

Second problem -- most exchanges offered are for a full week, not weekend getaways. Not all -- there are some RCI resorts (and some other non-RCI options) for short stays. But the vast majority will be for a full week. You don't have to stay the entire week, but still...

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

First of all, I agree with Bill above -- don't buy ANY timeshare to exchange. I would not consider the ability to exchange AT ALL in your purchase decision.

If you INSIST on considering exchanges, there are two fundamental flaws with your plan.

One, there are not a whole lot of timeshares near Boston. There are some on the Cape, some in Western Mass, a few in Newport, RI, and some in VT, NH etc. The problem is -- how many of that limited number are available through DVC's RCI Lite?

Second problem -- most exchanges offered are for a full week, not weekend getaways. Not all -- there are some RCI resorts (and some other non-RCI options) for short stays. But the vast majority will be for a full week. You don't have to stay the entire week, but still...

To answer some questions...
My husband can ask for his vacation weeks On the 1st week in jan.. It all falls down to who gets their dates in 1st.. No more than one person in my husband department can be out at one time.. Never had problem getting weeks in the fall. School vacation weeks are what everyone goes for..

DCL- would most likely pay cash for 3 and 4 person (my two kids) using points for DH and I.. And would probably only do a 3 or 4 day cruise..
Right now there is one on April 2014 for 74-82 points person.. When you include food, kids play area (babysitting) ;-), its worth it to us..
As I said not the best deal, but its a option we like.. (Also may look into renting out our points and paying cash)
This is not something we would do right away maybe in 2-3 years down the road.

We are NOT looking into buying DVC to exchange, we would rather go to WDW than any place else!
we like the option should we get into a worst case scenario.. If we cant change the dates to work, we can't rent, and we can't bank them.. We'd be willing to take anything in a 5 hours radius.. ONCE AGAIN WORST CASE SCENARIO..
I normally don't leave much to chance and never had something happen that we had to cancel a trip, but in 50 years who knows what's going to happen..
Follow up question >>>>>> should a hurricane hit FL or a bad snow storm hit New England and are flights get canceled.. Do we lose our points, or is there an exception?

1 thing we do know is we can't go more than 1.5 years without going to WDW.. ;-) just this last year we went 3 times!!

As for buying two many points we are looking to buy in at 250..
We originally thinking 225, but I read to add another 10% just to insure you have enough..

 

[sarah4770]

Buying Direct form Disney or resale ?

My husband and I have been looking at DVC for over 2 YEARS!!! Saving and waiting for the right moment to buy.
Well it looks like that moment is a just month or two away. *fingers crossed*
DH has done the math.. The finance wizard he is, he has done it to the 10th degree, and found we would break even around the 12-15year mark.

We had ALWAYS planned to buy direct, now after reading the boards and doing research for my sister who wants to buy in on resale.. I don't know which to do?!?
Maybe you can help..


Here is what we want out of our DVC:

1.We want to buy in with our home resort being the Grand Floridian. This is why we have waited this long to buy, we didn't want the last few resorts as our home resort.

2.We want two weeks a year at WDW (one at home resort and one at other if possible)

3. We like to travel oct, nov, dec, and april, may, summer months are just to hot for us. Jan to March we just haven't tried it yet, normally lots of stuff going on then..

4. We want to be able to exchange our points for something close to us (Boston) we don't plan on this happening often, but if for some reason we had to cancel or can't get down to Florida, we want to be able to find a weekend getaway around us.. Just don't want points to go to waste.. Also may look at renting points out...

5. DCL/ABD- DH and I are split on this.. I like the idea of being able to do this. I know it's not the best way to use our points.. They way I look at it is - after 12-15years we break even, so if I want to splurge on a cruise once in awhile, what does it matter?? DH wants the value in ours points..

6. My family all live on the west cost, so the option of the Grand cal. Is nice. It's not a deal breaker, bc we can use my mothers timeshare. But nice to have the option.


So Resale or direct through Disney?

you can always bank your points if you cannot use them that particular year.

 

[mrsgoose8]

Well you can't bank them after your banking window closes...just something to be aware of. I wasn't!

 

[ToddyLu]

At least you are doing the research first. I knew a little about DVC but have learned so much more by just reading posts here.

DH and I purchased our 210 points direct in 2009 at AKV. They were a bit cheaper then at $93 per point. I would not be able to rationalize getting them direct now. If we add on it will be resale. I understand about buying direct because it is VGF and there are not contracts on the resale market yet. In my mind there is nothing quick fix related to a cancelled DVC reservation. You can rent them last minute if you try.

My DH picks his vacation for the following year each Nov/Dec. He gets first pick, second pick, etc. If needed I make the reservation ahead at the 11 month mark if he gets the vacation or not. Then I hope....he has about 5 years to retirement...then I wont have to worry about it.

From what I have read here it takes at least a year to book rooms outside of DVC (if you have direct points and the planets are aligned)....then you arrive and the rooms may not be up to par and you are disappointed. Sorry, but my DVC points are too valuable to me to risk that....ever.

I cannot stress this enough...your trips will change. I didn't figure on this. We do not have children so we are not pulled in different directions. I like to swim, he doesn't...he likes to play in the Ipad in the afternoon , I don't. The point being that we spend way more time at the resort than I ever thought we would. We love, love, love AKV and it is such a right fit for us. We have lots of options at the lovely resort and believe me...that comes in handy when you need an off day. We have begun to think of it kinda as a "DVC trip", not a "Disney Trip". The parks are still great and fun, just less important as a draw to visit.

It is hard to sit back and think of how you will use your timeshare in 10 years. For us we have seen a difference in five years. There is NO option for us trading out of DVC at WDW because we love the place.

Have you seen that one night at a hotel can be upwards of 70 points, a 3 day cruise for one person is over 100 points, a one week vacation with ABD for one person is 400 points. Just not able to do that.

Don't ever forget your banking deadline.
Trust what Bill and Dean say about timeshares.
Have fun, do what you want it is your vacation regardless of what we say here.
I hope someday soon you will hear, "Welcome Home". We are sooo glad we bought DVC and have enjoyed every point.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

If you really want VGF have you considered a fixed week?

Good luck on your decision.

Bill

If I were buying VGF, I would purchase a fixed week. When you opt to trade it in for a floating week, you actually get MORE points to use. Over time, if you rented out those increased points week, I think the premium would be recouped.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

If I were buying VGF, I would purchase a fixed week. When you opt to trade it in for a floating week, you actually get MORE points to use. Over time, if you rented out those increased points week, I think the premium would be recouped.

Ok so a fixed week.. Locks us into one week, and how far in advance do I have to opt. Out?

Does anyone know how many points you get if you trade out?
Can they change the amount of points they give you?
Thanks

 

[Dean]

Ok so a fixed week.. Locks us into one week, and how far in advance do I have to opt. Out?

Does anyone know how many points you get if you trade out?
Can they change the amount of points they give you?
Thanks

A fixed week only locks you in if you chose to, otherwise you can use the points like any other point. Reports are that you can cancel your fixed week using the same 30 day holding limit and get the points with the same banking windows as everyone else or simply take points and forego your fixed week from the get go. I haven't seen the documentation to see the wording on this issue though.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

A fixed week only locks you in if you chose to, otherwise you can use the points like any other point. Reports are that you can cancel your fixed week using the same 30 day holding limit and get the points with the same banking windows as everyone else or simply take points and forego your fixed week from the get go. I haven't seen the documentation to see the wording on this issue though.

And this works better how?
Say we pick the 1st week of nov..
And how does this effect UY?
Sorry still a little confused....