Which resort is best for us to buy?

[Hhalfacre1991]

Hello,

Back story we have a once in a life time ability to buy DVC come later this summer around August. We will probably never be able to purchase another contract either direct or resale. We plan to buy it with no financing. We are a family of 3 (2 adults and 1 child age 5) and live on the west coast. We will probably vacation in Florida every other year. On the odd years we will either bank or we will rent out our points. Occasionally we will do it back to back depending on flights. Knowing this we will probably stay longer and do one trip per year. Ideally 6-8 nights at a time. We will probably only ever need studios. We are stuck on which resort to invest in. Our top choices are GF, Poly, and Riviera. They have the longer contracts. I feel like the monorail resorts hold their value pretty well. The riviera definitely stole my heart during our last trip but I’m hesitant on the resale. While we will never want to sell sometimes life gets in the way. We also don’t know how many points we need to purchase in order to enjoy a studio for at least 7 nights. We *think* 200 is enough but again we are hesitant because we might not ever be able to purchase additional points via resale or direct. Any tips would be appreciated.

 

[rubybutt]

Don't financially stretch yourself to but DVC. Put it in a vanguard total market fund.

 

[Hhalfacre1991]

Don't financially stretch yourself to but DVC. Put it in a vanguard total market fund.

We can afford the annual dues. It’s not stretching ourselves thin at all.

 

[bbeagle]

Occasionally we will do it back to back depending on flights. Knowing this we will probably stay longer and do one trip per year. Ideally 6-8 nights at a time. We will probably only ever need studios. We are stuck on which resort to invest in. Our top choices are GF, Poly, and Riviera. They have the longer contracts. I feel like the monorail resorts hold their value pretty well. The riviera definitely stole my heart during our last trip but I’m hesitant on the resale. While we will never want to sell sometimes life gets in the way. We also don’t know how many points we need to purchase in order to enjoy a studio for at least 7 nights. We *think* 200 is enough but again we are hesitant because we might not ever be able to purchase additional points via resale or direct. Any tips would be appreciated.

Use the DVC Availability Tool (https://tools.dvcvacations.com/points-calculator). Enter a date range at a resort you'd like to stay at. This will give you a ballpark estimate on number of points needed.

At the Poly, 150 points is about a week in a studio. The low per night is 14, the high is 43. Just booking Dec 30 & Dec 31 would use 86 points. Those same 86 points can get you 5 weekdays in September.

 

[rubybutt]

We can afford the annual dues. It’s not stretching ourselves thin at all.

Then why is buying in a once in a lifetime opportunity? It will always be there. I don't understand.

 

[RamblinWreck]

If you're going every other year, 200 is WAY more points than you need for one week in a studio.

You probably don't even need 100 points. It kind of depends on when you travel, and what resort you want to stay in.


But if for the different monorail resorts, here is how many points it takes to stay a week in a standard studio in the summer time:
Grand Floridian: 132
Bay Lake Tower: 123
Polynesian: 146

75 points sounds like it would take care of your needs, unless you are traveling during Christmas or Easter.

 

[skippytx]

The initial buy in cost of DVC is the least expensive part of being a DVC owner. Using it and paying annual dues is expensive.

I'm pro DVC membership, and it sounds like you may be using some sort of windfall to pay for this, and that is fine! BUT understand that DVC comes along with a decent sized annual dues bill (mine is about 1200 this year on 185 BLT points), and then you need plane tickets, park tickets, and everything else that goes along with using the DVC membership.

I'm going in June, and I'm already at 4,000 dollars just in park tickets and airfare for my family of 4, for a 9 day trip. That doesn't even count 2 years of dues for the 2 years of points I'm using which is about another 2300 dollars. 7300 dollars before I step foot in Orlando. Even with DVC this is going to be a 5 figure trip.

I've only been a member since 2017, but I've already spent more money using DVC than I have buying into DVC.

I just want you to go in knowing 100% what you're getting into so you can make the best, most informed choice for you.

Personally I like the Monorail resorts the most, which is why I bought at BLT. Riviera is nice as well and I see why people like buying there but it's not for me.

 

[RoseGold]

DVC is not going anywhere. If someone is telling you that you have to buy now, they are looking out for themselves, not you. Take your time. DVC will be there next year, and years from now.

 

[Meglen]

If you plan on every other year no need for 200 points. No reason to pay dues on points you wont use/rent.

 

[rubybutt]

The initial buy in cost of DVC is the least expensive part of being a DVC owner. Using it and paying annual dues is expensive.

I'm pro DVC membership, and it sounds like you may be using some sort of windfall to pay for this, and that is fine! BUT understand that DVC comes along with a decent sized annual dues bill (mine is about 1200 this year on 185 BLT points), and then you need plane tickets, park tickets, and everything else that goes along with using the DVC membership.

I'm going in June, and I'm already at 4,000 dollars just in park tickets and airfare for my family of 4, for a 9 day trip. That doesn't even count 2 years of dues for the 2 years of points I'm using which is about another 2300 dollars. 7300 dollars before I step foot in Orlando. Even with DVC this is going to be a 5 figure trip.

I've only been a member since 2017, but I've already spent more money using DVC than I have buying into DVC.

I just want you to go in knowing 100% what you're getting into so you can make the best, most informed choice for you.

Personally I like the Monorail resorts the most, which is why I bought at BLT. Riviera is nice as well and I see why people like buying there but it's not for me.

you use words better than I

 

[Meglen]

If you are getting a big lump sum on cash better to invest it and let it grow and use the due money you already said is easy to get and use that to book. I usually only recommend dvc when family's want a 1br or more. or multiple yearly trips in a studio.

 

[BeachClub2014]

Great question. We own at RIV and bought with the full understanding of the resale restrictions. Nobody knows yet what the resale market for RIV will look like 3-years, 5-years, or 10-years down the road. So far the restrictions haven't seemed to have had much of an impact, but it really is too early to tell.

I don't know if you have any interest in Old Key West at all, but that could be an attractive option for a variety of reasons. Especially a 2057 extended contract. The points are reasonably priced, it has an amazing point chart, and come 2042 it will be the best points chart in DVC.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[J-Dog]

OP, we were in a similar situation - we live on the West Coast and bought in because we had a good opportunity. Our plan was similar to yours - to go every other year, but we actually added-on so we have enough points to go every year.

IMO, I would ignore the "financial planners" on these threads who advise you to do something else with your money - they don't know you. And a mutual fund won't get you years of family experiences.

We bought Riviera, because it made the most sense based on cost vs. availability vs expiration date. We were also worried about resale restrictions, and still are, but have no plan to sell, and so far those restrictions haven't affected resale too much. We also like the Skyliner.

Good luck!

 

[Wedgeout]

Look over all the current points charts by season to get an estimated number of points needed. Go with what works best financially. If direct purchase, I’d lean toward the current sales at VGF or RIV. Don’t let future restrictions to a resale buyer, if you sell in the future, sway your choice. If going resale, I’d be looking at PVB, CCV, or BLT. Enjoy the journey!

 

[rubybutt]

OP, we were in a similar situation - we live on the West Coast and bought in because we had a good opportunity. Our plan was similar to yours - to go every other year, but we actually added-on so we have enough points to go every year.

IMO, I would ignore the "financial planners" on these threads who advise you to do something else with your money - they don't know you. And a mutual fund won't get you years of family experiences.

We bought Riviera, because it made the most sense based on cost vs. availability vs expiration date. We were also worried about resale restrictions, and still are, but have no plan to sell, and so far those restrictions haven't affected resale too much. We also like the Skyliner.

Good luck!

Mutual fund will most assuredly get you many years of family experiences. What do you think people do with the money they have in the stock market? Just forget that it is there? But you are right, everyone can make their own decisions in life. But remaining ignorant because it feels good is a poor way to go through life.

 

[BeachClub2014]

Mutual fund will most assuredly get you many years of family experiences. What do you think people do with the money they have in the stock market? Just forget that it is there? But you are right, everyone can make their own decisions in life. But remaining ignorant because it feels good is a poor way to go through life.

Wow, condescend much? The OP's question wasn't whether they should buy, but rather which resort they should buy.

 

[Jgc014]

Based on what you said above, if I was going to buy, I would do 100 points resale GF or Poly. That should be enough for a studio every other year in most seasons with a little wiggle room. If you are going every other year, perks really won't do much for you, and right now I think there is a good opportunity to get these resorts at a fairly low price resale. GF as it is in active sale, and Poly in the resale market seems fairly saturated. I would target under $170 p/p. Both also have fairly low dues.

That being said, I do think some of the posters above have a fair point. Only you know where you place value, but if I never thought I would have this money again, I am not sure DVC is not where I would put it. And if 1991 is a birth year, you still have plenty of time to buy, and things can change a lot even if you are not expecting it now. I am a couple of years older, and a more recent buyer, 5 years ago, I wouldn't have felt comfortable buying DVC, so things can and will change over time.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[rubybutt]

Wow, condescend much? The OP's question wasn't whether they should buy, but rather which resort they should buy.

Your right. I should word it better. But enabling a really poor decision is no better. A one time windfall of money should not be used for capex if the opex is not seriously considered. If an organization stretches for the capex and the opex is a significant part of the cost, then the organization will have a high percentage chance of financial difficulties in the future.

 

[J-Dog]

Mutual fund will most assuredly get you many years of family experiences. What do you think people do with the money they have in the stock market? Just forget that it is there? But you are right, everyone can make their own decisions in life. But remaining ignorant because it feels good is a poor way to go through life.

You have no idea who the OP is. Maybe he/she is an actual certified financial planner, and/or is selling off a windfall stock growth to pay for DVC?

As Beachclub said, the OP wasn't asking for financial advise.

Edited to add: I was most likely in a position to buy DVC that most planners would have discouraged, but we did it anyway. We aren't going to end-up rich, but it did not result in financial hardship and we haven't regretted using DVC one bit.

 

[rubybutt]

You have no idea who the OP is. Maybe he/she is an actual certified financial planner, and/or is selling off a windfall stock growth to pay for DVC?

As Beachclub said, the OP wasn't asking for financial advise.

Edited to add: I was most likely in a position to buy DVC that most planners would have discouraged, but we did it anyway. We aren't going to end-up rich, but it did not result in financial hardship and we haven't regretted using DVC one bit.

That is the reason I asked in my second post. Can you think of any reason why buying a DVC would be a "once in a lifetime opportunity"? I am going to leave this thread now.