What regrets do you have/mistakes made re: DVC purchase?

[roomthreeseventeen]

Hubby said last night that when we go down to WDW in August, we can take the DVC tour and buy some DVC points!

I'm going into this pretty blind. Thinking we'll probably go for somewhere near 200-250 points. Usually we'll stay studio, but as my siblings start having kids, that may change.

At the moment we're thinking BLT or AKV, but that could change, too.

What I"m wondering is if you have any regrets regarding your DVC purchase, or things I should be watching out for?

Thanks in advance.

 

[joelnkelly]

Not one regret in the world, we bought 300 points, split between BLT and AKV and we will have many..many years of vacations. The only thing I would suggest is buy what you can afford, meaning if you dont have to finance the package that would be the best option. Other than that, once you purchase dont think about the price you paid today, realize what you are getting for the next 40 or so years.

 

[Dziactor]

Honestly, my only regret is we didnt buy more points at BLT when we got ours at under $100 per point. Now id have to go resale at what the points are at.

 

[cbnsoul]

No regrets so far. We have only been mambers for about 6 months but have been to WDW 3 times since then and are going twice more in the next 6 months! You will here a lot of people say to get 2 100 point contracts instead of one 200 point contract so it is easier to sell down the road if you ever want to. (Of course, if you but a split contract, that won't be an issue.)

Have you stayed at many of the DVC resorts? We bought BLT pretty much sight unseen (still haven't stayed there) but later fell in love with VWL so added on there. We love BCV too so that will likely be our next (and maybe last) add on. I'm waiting to see if I like BWV more this summer before we add on again.

 

[nolanboys]

Bought a 200 pt reasle contract at SSR this spring. No regrets, but I think that's because we had waited 5 years to purchase and had really researched it. New what UYs would work for us and how many points we would need to go every other year in a 2 bdrm. As long as you've looked at your vacation patterns and fully looked at the point charts so you don't under or over by, you'll be fine. Just keep reading this board and make sure to ask questions. It will make your tour much quicker too if you already understand the program. We went on the tour this past February and the guide couldn't believe how much we already knew.

 

[Havana]

We bought in with 100 points. I wish we would have gotten 50 more.

But, we bought what we could afford with cash so it's not a huge regret. Just that the pricing is higher now when we add on.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

No regrets so far. We have only been mambers for about 6 months but have been to WDW 3 times since then and are going twice more in the next 6 months! You will here a lot of people say to get 2 100 point contracts instead of one 200 point contract so it is easier to sell down the road if you ever want to. (Of course, if you but a split contract, that won't be an issue.)

Have you stayed at many of the DVC resorts? We bought BLT pretty much sight unseen (still haven't stayed there) but later fell in love with VWL so added on there. We love BCV too so that will likely be our next (and maybe last) add on. I'm waiting to see if I like BWV more this summer before we add on again.

We've never stayed at a DVC. We've stayed at AKL and BWI.

 

[jmhazlett]

My only regret is I didn't buy more points when I could get them for under $70/point.

 

[chalee94]

wow - i remember you being very opposed to DVC a few months ago.

definitely take the DVC tour and make sure you like the BLT and/or AKV models. i'm pretty sure from the previous discussions, you understand that trading out of DVC for non-DVC resorts like the GF is a bad idea - if you still want to take occasional trips to other wdw hotels outside the DVC network, you might be better off buying fewer pts rather than buying too many (if you run out of pts one year, then you can pay cash for a hotel rather than using pts at a poor rate of exchange.)

no real regrets for me on buying DVC. i skipped the official tour because i knew i wanted to buy resale to save some money (but resale may be less of a savings if you want BLT - but remember that it helps if you can book 10-11 months out and are sure you want to stay at BLT most of the time.) you should at least compare resale prices before you buy direct to get an idea.

point reallocations changed the value of DVC for me but it's still a good deal. hopefully DVC will not be doing any more reallocations in the next few years but be aware that while the resort chart "as a whole" cannot change, there is a risk that the way you like to vacation might end up getting cheaper or more expensive at some point (but any increases in one area must be offset with decreases elsewhere).

here is some general information you might find interesting:

is DVC for me?

here is a thread for more info about choosing a home resort.

here is a link to historical annual dues per point for the different DVC resorts.

and if you are ready for slightly more advanced information:

here is a thread for understanding use year.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

wow - i remember you being very opposed to DVC a few months ago.

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Yeah, isn't that funny? Once I realized that we could pay for the purchase in cash, and don't have to be paying off a credit card on top of the dues, life got simpler.

 

[bwvBound]

Related threads:

• What do you wish you would have known?, May 2007
• The "I-wish-I-would-have-known-before-I-bought-DVC" thread, Jan-06 (4 pages of posts)
• Now I know why you should buy where you want to stay?
• "Knowing what you know now" what would you do?, Mar-07
• DVC - If I could do it again..., Oct-06
• Considering taking the plunge..., Oct-02 - question #3
• About to Buy, but what's the catch?, Apr-04

 

[DizGirl20]

1. If you can, try to visit all the resorts before you choose your home resort. This doesn't necessarily mean STAY at all the resorts, just walk around & visit them to get a good feel for what they're all about. We bought at AKV sight unseen, which in hindsight worked out well as we love it there and it's prob my #2 choice. I wish we had points at my #1 favorite BCV (hoping to purchase a small contract there some day in the future).

2. Purchase smaller contracts - they are easier to sell. I know that sounds like a funny thing to be thinking about going into it but you never know. There are lots of different reasons to sell, including the reason I mentioned above in #1. I often read (here on the boards) about people not happy with where they initially purchase and end up selling and buying where they really want to be!

3. All this being said, if you love all the DVC resorts there are some great resale values out there, with OKW and SSR generally considered to be the best deal.

Good Luck and keep us posted!

 

[tomandrobin]

Regrets.....That I did not buy in 2000.

 

[DizGirl20]

One more thing - I wish we had purchased all our points resale. Our first contract was direct. Second contract resale. Saved a lot of money going resale (a few thousand $).

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I should add that we aren't considering OKW or SSR at all. Too far from the parks, aren't attracted to the theme, expires the fastest.

 

[sweetdana]

Buy less points, as I think goals/likes/things change.

I wished I had researched and stayed at a DVC before purchasing. I think I would have bought 2 different resorts. SSR for travel under 7 months and for when DD5 is older, and BC for 11 month planned trips esp. summer. .

.. So I guess I sor-ta regret not staying at SSR (or even seeing it ) before I bought, as well not even knowing about BC, or SAB. Only a little as I still would have purchased it with 65$ per point resale.. I am all about saving $$. SSR resale no question would be 1/2+ my points.. but 1/2 always would have been BCV.

Though I don't regret the buy at ALL! It is something now, I know I love BC more than SSR. For the record, I THOUGHT I LOVE AKV, And after staying there that is not the case. I would buy less points with where you think you want them, and add on in 12 months, with where you know you want them.

 

[joandegennaro]

I have to second the check out the different resorts before you buy. We had visited many of the DVC resorts for dinning purposes. Found that some we didn't feel comfortable just walking around. Theme and atmosphere are important. Get a feel of what you like and what you don't. While many love AKL it isn't what I or DH like. It is a beauitful resort but just not to our taste. We ended up staying at OKW on a friends points and loved the feel of the resort. This is where we ended up purchasing. Take some time to explore some of the different resorts. Your set against OKW and SSR so don't waste your time there. With all the rumors about direct vs. resale floating around not taking the tour till August things may have been settled. Whatever comes of the rumors will help you with your decision on resale vs. direct.

 

[cheezNE1]

Honestly, my only regret is we didnt buy more points at BLT when we got ours at under $100 per point. Now id have to go resale at what the points are at.

 

[Disneypubgal]

No regrets either!! bought in 1997 and have added on 4 times since then... try and buy a few smaller contracts so if you need to unload some points you don't have to give up your membership... and if you are not in a rush look at resale and definitely tour all the resorts!

 

[KKKKCS]

Bought 360 points at AKV Kidani Village (two 180 point contracts) sight unseen on a DCL cruise. Absolutely no regrets! Jambo House is very busy, but Kidani is much quieter and relaxed.