What do you wish you would have known?

[Baltosam]

We bought a 175 point contract because we thouht that one week in a single bedroom would be what would work best for us. When we stayed the first time we loved it. The room is so much larger then even the deluxe resort rooms. However while on that trip we bought another 130 point contract because a two bedroom will work so much better for us. Oh how quickly we get spoiled!

Had I known at the time I would have bought 300 points, in my case I'm glad I didn't know becuse I now have two smaller contracts rather then one large one.

 

[crisi]

I wish I would have understood that a lot of the resort bashing that happens here (it seems to have died down a bit) has more to do with the personal issues of some of the posters. That the bad is often overemphasized by detractors, but that also the good is also played up by fans.

I think its important to understand (perhaps better than I did, although I am still content) that DVC IS A TIMESHARE, not, despite many posters statements here "getting a Deluxe resort at a reasonable price." DVC has a lot in common with Deluxe resorts and in some cases is attached to Deluxe resorts, and the value makes it me happy, but I don't find the DVC rooms to compare favorably to Deluxes.

 

[wdwcoltsfan]

I wish I would have understood that a lot of the resort bashing that happens here (it seems to have died down a bit) has more to do with the personal issues of some of the posters. That the bad is often overemphasized by detractors, but that also the good is also played up by fans.

I think its important to understand (perhaps better than I did, although I am still content) that DVC IS A TIMESHARE, not, despite many posters statements here "getting a Deluxe resort at a reasonable price." DVC has a lot in common with Deluxe resorts and in some cases is attached to Deluxe resorts, and the value makes it me happy, but I don't find the DVC rooms to compare favorably to Deluxes.

Okay, you know I was going to ask--why don't you think the DVC resorts compare favorably to deluxes? We always stay deluxe, usually AKL or Poly. I always thought they were the same as the other deluxe resort rooms, just set up in more of a "condo" style.

I also agree with you about weeding through the good and bad posts. I think that happens on all of the forums here. I try to look at the specific things a poster doesn't like about something to determine if it may be a problem for me.


Rachel

 

[crisi]

Okay, you know I was going to ask--why don't you think the DVC resorts compare favorably to deluxes? We always stay deluxe, usually AKL or Poly. I always thought they were the same as the other deluxe resort rooms, just set up in more of a "condo" style.

I also agree with you about weeding through the good and bad posts. I think that happens on all of the forums here. I try to look at the specific things a poster doesn't like about something to determine if it may be a problem for me.


Rachel

The rooms aren't as well maintained (IMO) - but its little things - broken drawers or spots on the carpet burned out lights - every trip there is a call to maintenance. The details are missing. I actually like mousekeeping making my bed each day and leaving me towels (not enought to pay for it).

If you walk just down the hallways at the BWI and then down the hallways at the BWV, you can notice a difference.

As I said, I still think its a good value - As a Deluxe lover, however, I would discourage people from setting their expectation as "Deluxe Hotel." And if DVC exceeds these lower expectations, and all you have to say is "That crisi doesn't know what she is talking about" - well, I'd rather have that than you disappointed in what you did get.

 

[Dean]

Okay, you know I was going to ask--why don't you think the DVC resorts compare favorably to deluxes? We always stay deluxe, usually AKL or Poly. I always thought they were the same as the other deluxe resort rooms, just set up in more of a "condo" style.

I also agree with you about weeding through the good and bad posts. I think that happens on all of the forums here. I try to look at the specific things a poster doesn't like about something to determine if it may be a problem for me.


Rachel

I can't speak for Crisi but would agree in many ways. I hear her saying that timeshares and deluxe WDW resorts are simply very different in many ways. Much of what makes makes a resort deluxe is the service and atmosphere which is totally different at most timeshares including DVC, by design. It even varies significately from one DVC resort to another. I personally don't care about many of the issues like turndown or daily maid service or even valet parking that some don't have, I'm actually happier without them. Also be aware that this varies greatly from one timeshare to another for those that are thinking about II or BVTC exchanges.

Edited to add that my post crossed wtih Crisi's. I would also agree that the maint expectations are not as strict as it would be for a deluxe resort at WDW. I'd also agree with the desire to impart information rather than have one agree with me all the time.

 

[alldiz]

I am a new DVC owner.....My 1st trip is scheduled on 5-22

Truthfully......I was a little blindsided by the new
100% no smoking in all rooms.....Not happy.....

So far....that is my only negative.....but to a lot.....
I'm sure that is a positive..
Kerri

 

[wdwcoltsfan]

Well, this is something to take into consideration. We do like staying at the deluxe resorts and we like that rooms are well kept, for the most part. We have never had to call maintenance for something. I understand the timeshare aspect and there might be a difference between the resort and DVC. I haven't really stopped to think if this would be a disappointment. I'm very glad you brought this up. This is they type of thing I like to know ahead of time so there isn't a letdown later.

DVC makes so much sense for us on many levels:

1. We visit 2-3 times a year
2. We always stay in deluxe resorts
3. We LOVE AKL, so AKV seems like obvious choice for us
4. We all have annual passes
5. We would pay upfront, so we would only have the yearly dues

When I look at all of these things, I'm not sure why it is such a difficult decision! I guess I'm slow on the trigger.


Rachel

 

[DeeCee735]

Wish we bought two separate contracts on our initial purchase, wish we bought the total we now own in the first place as we paid $65.00 per point on our first contract!!!!!
1st add on was when the points at BW went to $89.00
2nd add on was at $95.00 per point!

 

[crisi]

This is they type of thing I like to know ahead of time so there isn't a letdown later.

That's it really - I don't think its a big deal, and for us, not a show stopper. When I think of the other things we are getting from DVC - a reasonable price for very nice rooms, the kids sleeping in a different space, a washer and dryer in the room - I'm happy. But I think you can easily be disappointed and have that color your DVC experience.

I should note that other people seem to have had better luck than I have and have and have no complaints. And some - a very few - have had maintenance nightmares.

 

[bcpage]

Well, this is something to take into consideration. We do like staying at the deluxe resorts and we like that rooms are well kept, for the most part. We have never had to call maintenance for something. I understand the timeshare aspect and there might be a difference between the resort and DVC. I haven't really stopped to think if this would be a disappointment. I'm very glad you brought this up. This is they type of thing I like to know ahead of time so there isn't a letdown later.

DVC makes so much sense for us on many levels:

1. We visit 2-3 times a year
2. We always stay in deluxe resorts
3. We LOVE AKL, so AKV seems like obvious choice for us
4. We all have annual passes
5. We would pay upfront, so we would only have the yearly dues

With AKV being brand new, I would expect it to take awhile before normal wear and tear will be noticeable. I wouldn't worry about it.

With the reasons you list DVC seems to be a great fit, (you'll also get discounts on your AP), but as others have posted, only you can determine whether it's right for you. I would also echo the comments regarding buying smaller contracts, this helps if you ever need to sell a portion of your points. Number of points seems to be a minor issue b/c you can always add-on through Disney. The only downside I see to add-ons is there potential higher price per point.

For my family, the biggest regret was why we didn't buy DVC sooner. We own 200 pts SSR and added on 150 at AKV (our favorite resort, too!). So even though we bought at SSR originally, we love having those points (cheaper per point and lower dues) to be used at any DVC resort at the 7 month window.

In my opinion, once a person decides that DVC is a good fit, it is hard to go wrong with whatever you decide (e.g. number of points, home resort, UY)

 

[kespo]

I Wish I Had Known That Akv Was In The Works.

We Bought At Ssr And Stayed Once. I Wasn't Thrilled With It. Don't Get Me Wrong...it Is Very Nice There. I Just Need To See Palm Trees!!!!
We Were So Excited To Get 50 Years That At The Time It Was A No Brainer For Us Between Choosing Bcv Or Ssr.

Before We Bought Into Dvc We Loved To Stay At Akl. If I Knew Akv Was On It's Way We Would Have Waited.
Good Luck!

 

[crisi]

With AKV being brand new, I would expect it to take awhile before normal wear and tear will be noticeable. I wouldn't worry about it.

Respectfully, this seems very short sighted. Its also not realistic. Wear and tear starts the moment the rooms open. Someone bangs their luggage against the wall the day the resort opens and creates a ding or scuff mark - and that ding will be there until the room gets refreshed six to ten years down the road. Someone's kid spills koolaid on the couch the week the resort opens. Lightbulbs start burning out within months. And you'll own the resort for fifty years. SSR isn't even complete yet and there have been room maintenance issues at that resort - and it was similar (and possibly WORSE) when BCV opened.

One thing I've realized repeatedly on these boards is what wouldn't be noticable to me is a really big deal to another poster. And some things I wouldn't tolerate seem to be perfectly acceptable to others.

As I've said, I find maintanace to be reasonable for the price, and am perfectly content - but we've had other posters who have sold their contracts believing themselves to be buying something they weren't. Before you buy, you should be aware - DVC is maintained differently than the Deluxe resorts.

 

[wdwcoltsfan]

I'm going to have to give some consideration to the maintenance. I would be a little bummed if we purchased at AKV and the rooms quickly deteriorated and weren't repaired for years. I would begin to wonder why we were staying in those rooms instead of at the Poly. Now, don't get me wrong, I completely understand the difference between owning vs. not owning.

I don't mind the mousekeeping or valet. As I mentioned in previous threads, we have been weighing DVC vs. buying a vacation home. I wouldn't have the aforementioned amenities at a vacation home either. DVC does offer less upkeep, but I also don't have control over what gets fixed or cleaned. I can't take a can of paint along and clean up the scuff marks!

Also, I appreciate the info about the smaller contracts. If this is something we decide to do and we like it, I could definately see us buying an add on at CRV(providing there is a CRV ) Nothing like figuring out our add ons before we decide if we're going to purchase!


Rachel

 

[bcpage]

Respectfully, this seems very short sighted. Its also not realistic. Wear and tear starts the moment the rooms open. Someone bangs their luggage against the wall the day the resort opens and creates a ding or scuff mark - and that ding will be there until the room gets refreshed six to ten years down the road. Someone's kid spills koolaid on the couch the week the resort opens. Lightbulbs start burning out within months. And you'll own the resort for fifty years. SSR isn't even complete yet and there have been room maintenance issues at that resort - and it was similar (and possibly WORSE) when BCV opened.

I admittedly have only stayed at VWL, but I did not notice anything extraordinary regarding maintenance/upkeep.

Even though you accept the maintenance given the costs, I get the impression from your comments that the DVC units are in disrepair. Is it true that if koolaid is spilled on the couch that the stain just stays there in a DVC unit but in a deluxe it is replaced immediately? If a light bulb burns out, isn't it replaced? Or just replaced faster at a deluxe resort than at DVC?

Are the DVC units really in need of lots of undone maintenance? I would be interested to have other DVC veterans chime in on the deterioration of the DVC units.

 

[bwvBound]

As I mentioned in previous threads, we have been weighing DVC vs. buying a vacation home.

[Lightbulb goes on!] Right! Now I remember the earlier conversations!

Link that may be of interest: Lakefront Property vs DVC Timeshare. I'm glad the author called out differences in social aspects -- as that was one of my observations as well.

 

[Dean]

I'm going to have to give some consideration to the maintenance. I would be a little bummed if we purchased at AKV and the rooms quickly deteriorated and weren't repaired for years. I would begin to wonder why we were staying in those rooms instead of at the Poly. Now, don't get me wrong, I completely understand the difference between owning vs. not owning.

I don't mind the mousekeeping or valet. As I mentioned in previous threads, we have been weighing DVC vs. buying a vacation home. I wouldn't have the aforementioned amenities at a vacation home either. DVC does offer less upkeep, but I also don't have control over what gets fixed or cleaned. I can't take a can of paint along and clean up the scuff marks!

Also, I appreciate the info about the smaller contracts. If this is something we decide to do and we like it, I could definately see us buying an add on at CRV(providing there is a CRV ) Nothing like figuring out our add ons before we decide if we're going to purchase!


Rachel

While I do think there is a difference in upkeep levels, I don't think it's enough of an issue to put one off buying if that's what's holding you up. There are so many other benefits for the right family.

 

[wdwcoltsfan]

While I do think there is a difference in upkeep levels, I don't think it's enough of an issue to put one off buying if that's what's holding you up. There are so many other benefits for the right family.

That's good to know. Honestly, I would hate for something like maintenance to be a deciding factor. It is one to consider, but it doesn't sound like it should be a deal breaker.


Rachel

 

[wdwcoltsfan]

[Lightbulb goes on!] Right! Now I remember the earlier conversations!

Link that may be of interest: Lakefront Property vs DVC Timeshare. I'm glad the author called out differences in social aspects -- as that was one of my observations as well.

Thanks for the link. It offers a different perspective that I enjoyed reading. Of course, you aren't making things any easier!


Rachel

 

[ChefMickey]

Not so much what I wish I knew before but I wish there were no banking rules. IMO points should expire after two years. No matter what you do with them you should have access to them. No restrictions.

 

[Dean]

Not so much what I wish I knew before but I wish there were no banking rules. IMO points should expire after two years. No matter what you do with them you should have access to them. No restrictions.

Overall DVC is more flexible in these areas than most any other points system. But they all have an advantage here and there. With BG they automatically carry over but are not full use points the second year. BG points are also available for two years out without borrowing them but you have to pay the fees to do so. I own another points resort that has similar banking deadlines but you can only have 2 years worth of points in any given year.