What to choose

[Dean]

Thank you Dean. Your replies seem a little harsh at times (lol) but I love that!! By the amount of your replies, it seems you've been at this for a while. I just want to make the right choice for my family and I because this is definitely going to be a long commitment. Thank you and good night!

I thought I'd provide more insight to my thinking of what's generally needed for people to make an informed decision. Those who have been here a while have likely seen me post such before. It is my opinion that one needs a certain amount of real life experience across 3 areas to make a reasonable DVC purchase decision. Disney in general where they're the planner (not kids with their parents for example), DVC and off property higher end timeshares. I believe there's a certain volume of information and experience needed and I don't believe one can get much of that from a website or book. I don't believe that the situation of many trips but all off property in midlevel hotels and now they've stayed once or twice on property is enough. A couple of great trips but no other applicable experience or those who grew up with Disney and now have a family of their own are not automatically enough IMO. Obviously it's a continuum. The more experience one has in one area, the better but I feel one needs a working knowledge of AT LEAST 2 of the 3 and really all 3 to make a truly informed decision. I'd far rather see one delay or not buy when DVC would have been perfect than to see even one person buy in where DVC was a curse and not a blessing.

 

[mcap2004]

I thought I'd provide more insight to my thinking of what's generally needed for people to make an informed decision. Those who have been here a while have likely seen me post such before. It is my opinion that one needs a certain amount of real life experience across 3 areas to make a reasonable DVC purchase decision. Disney in general where they're the planner (not kids with their parents for example), DVC and off property higher end timeshares. I believe there's a certain volume of information and experience needed and I don't believe one can get much of that from a website or book. I don't believe that the situation of many trips but all off property in midlevel hotels and now they've stayed once or twice on property is enough. A couple of great trips but no other applicable experience or those who grew up with Disney and now have a family of their own are not automatically enough IMO. Obviously it's a continuum. The more experience one has in one area, the better but I feel one needs a working knowledge of AT LEAST 2 of the 3 and really all 3 to make a truly informed decision. I'd far rather see one delay or not buy when DVC would have been perfect than to see even one person buy in where DVC was a curse and not a blessing.

Got it! We are actually planning a trip this coming summer. Is there a place you can recommend that has, maybe, a tour or something that talks about DVC and what it entails. Where would I go to see a tour if I decided to go the resale route?

 

[DizBub]

Got it! We are actually planning a trip this coming summer. Is there a place you can recommend that has, maybe, a tour or something that talks about DVC and what it entails. Where would I go to see a tour if I decided to go the resale route?

You can schedule a tour at the DVC Preview Center located at Saratoga Springs. Talk to the people at any of the DVC kiosks around the parks or the resorts and they will set up a tour and they will even pick you up and take you back. I believe this would give you valuable information about the program and how things work. The guide you speak to will most likely be your guide even if you buy resale.

You do not have to buy directly from them. Get the information, thank them and go home and buy resale. Personally, I would not mention resale to them because then they will just start telling you things to scare you out of going that route. Pay no attention as none of the "rumors" have happened and most likely won't.

 

[Dean]

Got it! We are actually planning a trip this coming summer. Is there a place you can recommend that has, maybe, a tour or something that talks about DVC and what it entails. Where would I go to see a tour if I decided to go the resale route?

While I'd consider the tour, IMO there are 2 pieces of info you need about DVC once you've made a general decision that it MIGHT be for you meaning it makes financial sense, you've stayed on property several times, you've seen resorts, you have some idea of good off property locations and hopefully that you've stayed in at least 1 or 2 DVC resorts. You need a working knowledge of the system and you need a feel for the different type of resorts. If you do the preview you'll see SSR and the VGF models. Make sure you walk around the resort, talk to members, just get a feel. Go visit BWV and BCV since they are near each other. Go visit AKV & BWV and walk the long halls. Ask at the desks if you can see a room, a lockoff 2 BR is usually the best for most people. If you put some thought and effort into it you'll be the winner in the long run with much better decisions.

I have a fair amount of experience evaluating timeshares and I believe I can get as much or more info in a 2 hr walk through as most can staying there for a week. With DVC it's likely even more one side because many aren't at the resort as much as they may be at non WDW/DL resorts .

 

[DizBub]

If you do the preview you'll see SSR and the VGF models. Make sure you walk around the resort, talk to members, just get a feel. Go visit BWV and BCV since they are near each other. Go visit AKV & BWV and walk the long halls. Ask at the desks if you can see a room, a lockoff 2 BR is usually the best for most people. If you put some thought and effort into it you'll be the winner in the long run with much better decisions.

The last time we toured the Preview Center was a year ago. They still have rooms for AVK and Aulani along with VGF. There is a permanent DVC model set up on the the boardwalk at BWV, the rooms are very similar to BVC.

I also feel it's really important to walk the halls at AKV, especially Kidani. One year we were at the far end of Kidani away from Jambo House where the restaurants are. It was a killer walk just to eat at the quick service. Then we had to walk back.

 

[mcap2004]

While I'd consider the tour, IMO there are 2 pieces of info you need about DVC once you've made a general decision that it MIGHT be for you meaning it makes financial sense, you've stayed on property several times, you've seen resorts, you have some idea of good off property locations and hopefully that you've stayed in at least 1 or 2 DVC resorts. You need a working knowledge of the system and you need a feel for the different type of resorts. If you do the preview you'll see SSR and the VGF models. Make sure you walk around the resort, talk to members, just get a feel. Go visit BWV and BCV since they are near each other. Go visit AKV & BWV and walk the long halls. Ask at the desks if you can see a room, a lockoff 2 BR is usually the best for most people. If you put some thought and effort into it you'll be the winner in the long run with much better decisions.

I have a fair amount of experience evaluating timeshares and I believe I can get as much or more info in a 2 hr walk through as most can staying there for a week. With DVC it's likely even more one side because many aren't at the resort as much as they may be at non WDW/DL resorts .

Thank you for all the info. Very helpful. Oh, what is a lockoff 2bdrm

 

[Dean]

Thank you for all the info. Very helpful. Oh, what is a lockoff 2bdrm

It locks off into a studio and 1 BR. You get the feel for the 2 BR plus the smaller components in one. The main usual difference in this aspect with DVC between the dedicated and L/O is that the L/O has a queen and pullout in the second BR and MOST DVC resorts have 2 queens. The only DVC resort where the dedicated 2 BR don't consistently have the 2 queens is BCV where about 1/3 of them do. OKW has 2 beds in the studio and second BR for all villas. VB Inn rooms (similar to a studio) also have 2 queens.

 

[DizBub]

It locks off into a studio and 1 BR. You get the feel for the 2 BR plus the smaller components in one. The main usual difference in this aspect with DVC between the dedicated and L/O is that the L/O has a queen and pullout in the second BR and MOST DVC resorts have 2 queens. The only DVC resort where the dedicated 2 BR don't consistently have the 2 queens is BCV where about 1/3 of them do. OKW has 2 beds in the studio and second BR for all villas. VB Inn rooms (similar to a studio) also have 2 queens.

Dean, I don't know for sure but I have been told that there are no actual dedicated 2 bedrooms at BWV and all the second bedrooms are lock-offs with 1 queen bed and a sofa sleeper. Is this true? We stayed at BWV this time last year and had the lock-off.

 

[Dean]

Dean, I don't know for sure but I have been told that there are no actual dedicated 2 bedrooms at BWV and all the second bedrooms are lock-offs with 1 queen bed and a sofa sleeper. Is this true? We stayed at BWV this time last year and had the lock-off.

That's correct, no dedicated 2 BR at BWV. They do have dedicated smaller villas though. So no second BR or studio with 2 real beds at BWV.

 

[disneynutz]

I studied DVC for a couple of years before we bought, we visited the resorts, did the sales presentation, thought that we had the knowledge to make an informed purchase. Every DVC owner that we talked to was in love with DVC.

After our purchase and after staying a several resorts we realized that staying at a resort was much different than looking at a resort. Also during the looking phase you are so excited and blinded by pixie dust, that you don't see the little things and you only see the pro and not the con. A long hall doesn't seem so long and for some reason all of the rooms that you looked at didn't have any wear issues, no dings, remembered as brand new.

Today I would make a best guess on which resort to buy or buy SSR just to try out the program. Stay at all of the resorts, experience the inner workings of the DVC, the good and the bad, and be prepared to sell if DVC doesn't work out or buy a different home resort if you have disappointment booking at 7 months.

Bill

 

[mcap2004]

I studied DVC for a couple of years before we bought, we visited the resorts, did the sales presentation, thought that we had the knowledge to make an informed purchase. Every DVC owner that we talked to was in love with DVC.

After our purchase and after staying a several resorts we realized that staying at a resort was much different than looking at a resort. Also during the looking phase you are so excited and blinded by pixie dust, that you don't see the little things and you only see the pro and not the con. A long hall doesn't seem so long and for some reason all of the rooms that you looked at didn't have any wear issues, no dings, remembered as brand new.

Today I would make a best guess on which resort to buy or buy SSR just to try out the program. Stay at all of the resorts, experience the inner workings of the DVC, the good and the bad, and be prepared to sell if DVC doesn't work out or buy a different home resort if you have disappointment booking at 7 months.

Bill

Thank you Bill. We have not bought into DVC yet but are thinking to do so in a year or so but you have some very good information. Thank u

 

[PlutoFan10]

Yes I know. Obviously I don't know what I want. I have never done something like this. We have gone to Disney before but have only done AoA because my kids are little. I'm just trying to see and figure out what DVC I want as my home and see what is a good fit for a family of 4 and see how many points I would need. I've researched almost all of the DVC resorts and I love them all but I want something that is a good fit for us.

Consider location and decor of each resort and think about which suits your family best -- list what is special about each resort. For our family, being walking distance to a park is fantastic. We own at BLT and BCV so we can do that. If price is key for you right now, go with SSR and you can always change or add on if that doesn't fit your family's style in the future. Good luck!

 

[mcap2004]

Consider location and decor of each resort and think about which suits your family best -- list what is special about each resort. For our family, being walking distance to a park is fantastic. We own at BLT and BCV so we can do that. If price is key for you right now, go with SSR and you can always change or add on if that doesn't fit your family's style in the future. Good luck!

Thanks!! A pros and cons list is just what I need to write up for each resort.

 

[supersnoop]

Thanks!! A pros and cons list is just what I need to write up for each resort.

Pro's:
AKV - Animals; cheap "value" rooms
BLT - Walking distance to Magic Kingdom; Monorail
BCV - Walking distance to Epcot; Nice pool
BWV - Walking distance to Epcot and Hollywood Studios
OKW - Cheap 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, and Grand Villas
SSR - Low purchase price and maintenance fees
VGF - Monorail
VWL - Boat to Magic Kingdom

 

[mcap2004]

Pro's:
AKV - Animals; cheap "value" rooms
BLT - Walking distance to Magic Kingdom; Monorail
BCV - Walking distance to Epcot; Nice pool
BWV - Walking distance to Epcot and Hollywood Studios
OKW - Cheap 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, and Grand Villas
SSR - Low purchase price and maintenance fees
VGF - Monorail
VWL - Boat to Magic Kingdom

Haha that's awesome. I'm not sure if I could find any cons to these. I love them all. The proximity to the parks is not a must so it doesn't really matter where we stay because we usually drive or we'll rent a car if we fly. The hard part is choosing WHERE I would want to stay if I couldn't book at the 7 month window. :undecided: -.-