Where do I start?

[Mynamewastaken]

My interest is peaked.. I sent away for the video... I wouldn't even know where to begin. This is all so foreign to me. I am hoping someone can point me in the right direction. I need it broken down into very simple terms. I don't know the first thing about any of this.
Our back story- We are a family of 4. We are teachers and can only go to WDW during peak season- Presidents week in February and Patriot's week in April or during the summer. My kids are 5.5 and 3... We had a blast on our trip and I want to return again but it is so expensive. I am not sure if the DVC would benefit us or if we would be better off renting points for a return visit...opinions? I am thinking points will be too high for us due to the dates we can travel.

 

[Lynne M]

Where have you stayed on your previous trips? If you were staying in a deluxe resort, or a villa at a DVC resort on a cash reservation, then DVC will probably be a more cost-effective way of paying for your lodging.

If you were staying at a moderate or a value, DVC will end up being more expensive.

 

[Lynne M]

This is just a quick overview....DVC is a points based timeshare. You purchase an interest in a particular resort (your home resort), for a certain number of points. The points are the 'currency' you use to make resort reservations. You pay an amount up front for the initial purchase, and you then have that number of points in your account each year for the life of the contract (generally 40+ years).

Since you are a part-owner of the resort, you must also pay your share of the operating expenses. These are the maintenance fees, and you will pay them annually (or in monthly increments) for the life of the contract.

It sounds from your post as if you've been to WDW once, and want to go back. DVC is a long-term thing; you're buying real estate...it's not for those who want to take one more trip, it's for those who see themselves going to WDW or DL (or Hilton Head, Vero Beach or Aulani) at least once every 2-3 years for the next several decades.

If you think you'll want to go back one more time, and then maybe a couple times after that, renting points is definitely the way to go. You get a DVC villa at a great price with no long-term commitment.

 

[a742246]

I agree with renting points from someone, and then touring all the DVC resorts, this would be your best option.

PS. If you tour the 1 bedroom units your life may never me the same.

 

[Mynamewastaken]

Thanks for the info. I went all the time as a child. Then took my hubby on our honeymoon and this was the first trip for our kids. I think that renting points is probably better for us as my hubby is not into Disney as much as I wish he were. He's obsessed with Aruba (we have been 3 times in the last 4 years)... I appreciate the insight!

 

[zavandor]

Read every post in the DVC section of this boards (purchasing, mouscellaneous, resorts, and member services). At least for a month.
Take your time to understabnd everything. DVC is not for people in a hurry.

 

[Caren90]

Thanks for the info. I went all the time as a child. Then took my hubby on our honeymoon and this was the first trip for our kids. I think that renting points is probably better for us as my hubby is not into Disney as much as I wish he were. He's obsessed with Aruba (we have been 3 times in the last 4 years)... I appreciate the insight!

Maybe your husband will turn out like me; My wife is a HUGE Disney fan and we have been to the World frequently, especially when our children were younger (I am also a big Aruba fan we own two weeks on that beautiful island). Now that our children are older (teens and twenties) I am the one who is a big Disney fan, in fact I bought 1300 points this year alone. I am not sure I can explain it, but the visits and the parks have a different meaning for me now. Maybe it is because I felt that the vacations with the children when they were younger were not vacations, but now I love bringing my (grown up) children to WDW and 15 years ago those words would have never crossed my lips!
Stephen

 

[Mynamewastaken]

Hey neighbor- we are from Haverhill!!
Hubby suggested looking into a condo purchase somewhere near the beach and close to Disney. So now I am looking at place like this... maybe we can have a happy medium??

 

[Caren90]

Hey neighbor- we are from Haverhill!!
Hubby suggested looking into a condo purchase somewhere near the beach and close to Disney. So now I am looking at place like this... maybe we can have a happy medium??

DVC allows you the flexibility of travelling when you want to and not being tied down to a full year condo ownership. We own a condo in FL, Gulf Coast, and I somewhat regret the purchase at this point in my life.

I love DVC ( to use the vernacular: "It's wicked awesome") and we have 4 trips lined up this year as well as Aruba.

Stephen

PS substitute "awesome" above, with a word that rhymes with "sissa" for the old school Boston slang. I need a drink from the bubblah...

 

[Ed T]

Hi Mynamewastaken from Haverhill. Used to work in Haverhill, lived in Newburyport for 27 years. Move to Miami in 2002 and haven't looked back. You can have those lovely winters. Good luck with your research and purchase. You have to be happy where you vacation.

 

[DizGirl20]

This is one of my favorite websites (DVC News) and it provides a great intro for DVC Beginners: http://dvcnews.com/index.php/dvc-program/dvc-for-beginners

We thought about DVC for a long time before we took the plunge - make sure you are in it for the long haul and you understand it is more than just the initial purchase. It also encompasses annual dues, annual passes (or at least theme park tickets), cost of transportation, food (and tips!), souvenirs, etc. and consider yourself warned: you will always want more points! I thought 1 contract was enough... we now own 3 contracts and I am thinking ahead to our 4th!

I am not trying to talk you out of it. It has been the right choice for us because we are financially stable at this point in our lives and go every year and plan to go every year, even when the kids are grown and out of the house. These boards are great and everyone is more than happy to answer your questions, so ask away. Good Luck!

 

[Saratoga Springs Tom]

As other posters have said, research this carefully. Ask questions, read up on the boards here and elsewhere. Taking into consideration when you can travel you should look at point charts. We visit each year in Feb and once in awhile in the fall. The nice thing is, the variety DVC offers. We will be going to HHI this spring. We have stayed at Vero Beach in the winter. We are planning on going west soon to visit as well. So do your homework, understand the true cost of ownership and make the decision that works best for your family. Good luck! Have fun learning!

 

[ELMC]

My interest is peaked.. I sent away for the video... I wouldn't even know where to begin. This is all so foreign to me. I am hoping someone can point me in the right direction. I need it broken down into very simple terms. I don't know the first thing about any of this.
Our back story- We are a family of 4. We are teachers and can only go to WDW during peak season- Presidents week in February and Patriot's week in April or during the summer. My kids are 5.5 and 3... We had a blast on our trip and I want to return again but it is so expensive. I am not sure if the DVC would benefit us or if we would be better off renting points for a return visit...opinions? I am thinking points will be too high for us due to the dates we can travel.

I sent you a PM.