Where to Start?

[tink_lover]

Hi, I have been posting on another board for planning our family trip. Last night DH said he would be interested in looking at purchasing DVC while there. What?? That came out of nowhere. I think he has looked at what it is costing our family of 5 to stay at Deluxe, future vacations with the kids, etc. Where do we start? I'm not sure I really understand how the points work. What would you recommend? Thanks.

 

[RobDoc]

You can get some general information from the DVC FAQ here on the DIS.

In addition, you might want to call DVC at 1-800-800-9100 and ask for the free DVD and information packet - that will get you started with some reading material.

Basically, our ownership is expressed as a specific number of points at a DVC resort and those points may be used to "pay" for accommodations at DVC resorts and many other options - both at WDW and around the world. Reservations may be made at your "home" resort 11 months ahead and 7 months in advance at the other DVC resorts.

Presently the purchase price per point is $101 - but there are discount incentives available. Current minimum purchase would be 150 points, but both the cost and minimum purchase will increase in the coming weeks (160 minimum at $104 - but incentives are likely to still be offered). Resales are also available at a lower cost. The Timeshare Store, our site sponsor, has some great information available - and lots of resale offerings!

Once you have a basic understanding of the programs, feel free to ask any questions you'd like right here. There are some very knowledgeable, enthusiastic members eager to help!

Enjoy!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

What you describe is close to my family's situation. We are a family of six who always stayed in deluxe resorts. To make a long story short, back a whiile ago, we paid over $7,000.00 for a week at the Poly and we decided that that was enough. We switched to DVC the next year. I can't really say we've saved money because now instead of going once per year, we go two or three times. I can say we are getting a lot more bang for our buck than we once did.

Read all of the posts that you can and ask about what you don't understand. There are some good general posts at the top of the page that should help you understand DVC. The points are used on a nightly basis and there is a maintenance fee (about $4.00 per point depending on the resort) that you pay each year on top of the points. To buy from Disney you need to get 150 points minimum (going to 160). You can also buy resale. The sponsor of this site is very helpful in that regard.

HBC




HBC

 

[tink_lover]

Thanks - we love Disney and could see going there every year for vacation. I will definately call for the information packet. Should we do the tour while there? Also, does it really matter where your home resort is? If SSR, how difficult is it to stay somewhere else?

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Should we do the tour while there? Also, does it really matter where your home resort is? If SSR, how difficult is it to stay somewhere else?

Yes do the tour.

Depending on when you want to travel, if you really care where you stay and how far in advance you can plan to your second question. For example; If you really want to stay at the BWV and want to travel during the Food and Wine Festival or at Christmas/New Year's and can plan 11 months in advance, then you should buy points at the BWV to take advanatge of the home reservation priority (you can make reservations at your home resort 11 months in advance. You have to wait until 7 months for all other resorts). SSR and OKW are most often available because of there size longer than the other Disney resorts.

HBC

 

[cruiseletters]

Yes definately do the tour, and write down any questions you might have currently so that you can get those answers from the agent that is showing you around. Sometimes just being there and looking around you may forget the things you really wanted to ask.

 

[byoung]

Yes do the tour.

Depending on when you want to travel, if you really care where you stay and how far in advance you can plan to your second question. For example; If you really want to stay at the BWV and want to travel during the Food and Wine Festival or at Christmas/New Year's and can plan 11 months in advance, then you should buy points at the BWV to take advanatge of the home reservation priority (you can make reservations at your home resort 11 months in advance. You have to wait until 7 months for all other resorts). SSR and OKW are most often available because of there size longer than the other Disney resorts.

HBC

I agree do the tour.

 

[Slakk]

Thanks - we love Disney and could see going there every year for vacation. I will definately call for the information packet. Should we do the tour while there? Also, does it really matter where your home resort is? If SSR, how difficult is it to stay somewhere else?

You are going to get a lot of varying opinions on this. For me I have no issue booking where I want, when I want if I use the 7 month booking window.

I firmly believe unless you have stayed at the resort you have NO CLUE if you like it or not. I thought I would love BWV and hated it...I thought I would hate VWL and loved it.

If you are heartsick if you do not get a specific resort on specific peak dates (like a 2 BR at HH during June or July) you really have no issue

We own at three resorts now and I am happy with my points situation (160 SSR, 50 BCV, 100 VWL) if we make any change it will be to sell BCV and buy at VWL to have our points equal out at our two favorite resorts.

 

[paults]

Hi, I have been posting on another board for planning our family trip. Last night DH said he would be interested in looking at purchasing DVC while there. What?? That came out of nowhere. I think he has looked at what it is costing our family of 5 to stay at Deluxe, future vacations with the kids, etc. Where do we start? I'm not sure I really understand how the points work. What would you recommend? Thanks.

before you make your next trip figure out how much is will be (ex: $5000) and use that to buy into DVC.


IN 2001 We never went inside BWV but did walk around the lake when we stayed offsite. We loved the area.

We had booked BW in 2002 for like 4 nts at about $2000. Then found the DIS.
We cancelled the room and bought BWV inside sight unseen from the TTS and love it there.

they just announced AKV as our new DVC and if they keep building more then the smaller DVC's (VWL and BCV) will just get harder to get into at times.

I for one would buy where you want to stay the most. If you want more yrs then SSR and AKV will be best.

good luck with your decision