Will this work?

[ArnyVee]

Alright folks, what does everyone think of this. I need opinions on how you've done it or maybe some flaws in my plan, if you will.

I'm lookin' to join DVC and I want to make it as economical as possible to begin with. Once I'm 'in the door' then I'll be able to add-on points easier. First off, I'm dealin' with my "magically-impaired" wife and need to show her what great places the DVC resorts are. So, I'm plannin' on buying in with a small contract, stayin' at one of the resorts on our annual Sept/Oct trip, and then convincin' her to jump in with both feet into DVC.

So, now that I've given you the basics, here's my question. Should I go ahead and purchase a small contract from HH or VB (since those resales seem to be in the $63-67 range), get as many points to begin with and then utilize the 7-month window? Most of the folks I've been speakin' with say that if I plan to travel in Sept/Oct, that I have a really good shot at a OKW 1-BR, but that I'm takin' a chance for a BWV 1-BR to be booked by the 7-month window.

Does this sound like a plan that would work?

Keep in mind, the reason that I'm not rentin' the points out is that I want to make sure that even if the DW isn't totally sold on DVC to be able to buy big points, we would still be 'tied' down with a few points at least.

Let me know what you think on this....and thanks in advance to the help!

 

[NCRedding]

Our first home resort was HH, and I have used those points to book a Grand Villa at OKW in October, and a studio at BCV in December. I had no problems booking either of these trips. Conventional wisdom on the board is buy where you plan to stay, but I think your plan will work for you. Then if DW likes it, you can do what we did--add-on at BCV, or one of the other WDW resorts.

 

[JOC]

Hi Arnee,
As far as the BWV 1BR being hard to book at seven months, I think members were referring to booking the standard views, which go quickly because of the lower point structure.

 

[DisneyKidds]

If it were me, I'd opt for getting your points at one of the WDW resorts unless you actually plan to go to HH or VB. Here is why.......................

Assume that your better half LOVES DVC. She jumps in with both feet. You add on as much as finances will allow. Of course, once you own you will make more and more trips. You'll go from one a year to two, to who knows how many . It would be a shame to have HH or VB points that might not get you a reservation you want (depending on when you are going). That might never be the case, but you never know. You'd hate to have sold the DW on DVC, only to have her find you can't use the points where she really wants to.

Now assume that she doesn't fall for DVC. You don't add on and all you ever own is what you initially buy. You might never get the opportunity to buy points that will give you an 11 month window that you really want.

How much will you save by buying at HH or VB? Maybe $500? 750? Saving $500 would be great, but in the big picture it might not be worth the risk of having the use of those points limited.

Bottom line is that during most times of the year you can get a lot at the 7 month window. However, depending on time of year the 11 month window can be crucial. You never know when you might need it. DVC is a great investment. If you plan to always use your points at WDW it will still be a great investment even if it costs $500 more than you could have spent on HH or VB. I've lost count of the times I have made a decision to 'save a buck', only to regret it later. There is a reason the WDW resort points cost more - and if I wanted to use those resorts I'd pay the 'extra'.

See how easy it is for me to spend your money .

 

[rtkane]

I agree about buying where you'll be staying--I think having points tied up at a resort you're unlikely to book at would be a mistake that you'll regret down the road because you'll seriously limit your 11 month booking window for WDW properties.

Also, if you want to wait to buy in until she's more "convinced" set up your vacation for Sept/Oct. in a small room (like Port Orleans Riverside) and then rent some points from someone to get a 1-BR for the last couple of days. She'll be amazed at the difference and might not want to go back to a standard room and then you can convince her about the economics and how it'll pay for itself in 10 years. At that point you can buy into DVC with a back-dated use year and sell your first year's points back and have them available for next year. You do, of course, lose the value of being able to buy in now and use it right away, but if she needs convincing, this might help.

Also, one thing to remember, even though it seems more expensive, you retain the value of the DVC purchase since you can resell it and recoup your initial investment. When SSR opens up, they'll certainly raise the per point purchase price and I'd assume that resale values would only increase. There's always the option of reselling your deed down the road which would give you years of vacations for the price of annual dues. Not that you'd want to do that, but it's another argument for buying that may help convince her.

Or, you could just go ahead and buy into DVC and surprise her! (which I wouldn't recommend).

Good luck!

 

[Terry S]

My opinion would be buy where you plan to stay most. It really is important. Also, make sure you take a look at the resorts and stay where you think might appeal most to your wife. One last thing, make sure you book a 1 bedroom even if you have to borrow next years points to do it. It is going to cost more points, but a 1 bedroom will seal the deal for you. If you don't have enough points to do your whole trip in a 1 bedroom, I like rtkanes idea of staying at a mod first and then move to a 1 bedroom.

 

[Dancind]

Hi Arny. I thought about buying some Vero points last year when I wanted to do an add-on for the same reason. The points were so much cheaper. But then I took a look at the annual dues for Vero compared to BCV and quickly changed my mind. If you figure 2.5% inflation in dues cost per year, Vero quickly gets more expensive. It's cheaper now, but you would soon be paying more than if you had bought at WDW, and you still might not get the reservations you want. Diana

 

[DisneyKidds]

One last thing, make sure you book a 1 bedroom even if you have to borrow next years points to do it. It is going to cost more points, but a 1 bedroom will seal the deal for you.

Likely to help seal the deal...................by all means, but a very dangerous game . You see, you'd be hard pressed to keep the DW happy in a studio once she's stayed in a 1 Br. If you use a 1 Br. to 'seal the deal' you better be sure you buy enough points to always stay in a 1 Br. We are going to stay in studios as long as we possibly can and will not be tempted by a stray night or trip in anything larger until we HAVE to move up in size. The 1 and 2 Br. units would simply spoil us for anything else.

 

[Loubon]

Good advice from all. Buy where you want to stay and don't get a bigger room than you can normally handle. It will be hard to go backwards.

 

[ArnyVee]

You know, originally I was merely thinkin'....if I buy VB or HH points, maybe I can get a few extra points and not have to rent or borrow to get that 1-BR.

For instance, if I purchase OKW (example) for $72/point and buy 80 points (enough for a Sun-Thurs stay at a 1-BR), then I spend $5760 + $450 in closing costs = $6210. Now, if I purchase a VB or HH contract at $65/point, I can purchase 80 points for $5200 + $450 closing costs = $5650. I save nearly $600.

Now, most of you are stating about the benefits of the 11-month vs 7-month and I understand and agree with the concept wholeheartedly. Here's my thinkin', I get in with as little out of pocket, convince the DW and then purchase my 150 points after that at OKW or BWV or wherever we decide.

Conventional wisdom says...'down the road, you'll pay', but I really have to think short-term at this point. Obviously it's not the ideal situation, but I want to make sure that I'm 'in' at least somewhat.

Has anyone heard of this type of situation before? If so, how did the parties involved resolve it?

 

[JOC]

Has anyone heard of this type of situation before? If so, how did the parties involved resolve it?

 

[ArnyVee]

Oh, I see Joc. LOL

Is that what worked for you?

 

[JOC]

Of course not silly Arnee, this is what worked for me:

 

[jel0511]

It seems like you want to get in for the least as possible, but why would you want to lay out $5k - $6k if the DW isn't going to want to use it? I'd recommend renting points from a member for a stay. You say the stay you're looking at would cost 80 points, so why not rent those 80 points for $800? That way, you've invested the littlest as possible and if DW likes DVC, then you can decide where you want all of your points and them buy from there. If my DH made a $5k - $6k purchase without my consent, I'd first kill him, then I'd get mad, especially if it was to try to lure me into spending more money. Rent first, if your DW likes it then you can get as many points as you want, if she doesn't then try to come up with another solution if you really want to join, but don't do it behind your DW's back, it could come back to haunt you.

 

[ArnyVee]

Ahh...the way to a man's heart.

 

[ArnyVee]

Originally posted by jel0511
It seems like you want to get in for the least as possible, but why would you want to lay out $5k - $6k if the DW isn't going to want to use it? I'd recommend renting points from a member for a stay. You say the stay you're looking at would cost 80 points, so why not rent those 80 points for $800? That way, you've invested the littlest as possible and if DW likes DVC, then you can decide where you want all of your points and them buy from there. If my DH made a $5k - $6k purchase without my consent, I'd first kill him, then I'd get mad, especially if it was to try to lure me into spending more money. Rent first, if your DW likes it then you can get as many points as you want, if she doesn't then try to come up with another solution if you really want to join, but don't do it behind your DW's back, it could come back to haunt you.

Gosh darnit, you women make so much darn sense.

I'm actually going to speak with her about it before our trip. I don't want to surprise her with a $5K investment.

More and more, I've been thinkin' of rentin'. But, I go back to the fact that those same $800 could be used towards the DVC purchase rather than spending it outright.

Geez....I seem to sway on this issue so much. Looks like I'm going to have to sit down with my DW and really discuss things before doing anything. I know that she's not into spending unnecessarily, so I might be able to get her buy-in based on potentially 'losing' (not really, but you know what I mean) $800.

Keep those suggestions coming...especially those that have been in the same situations.

Thanks everyone so far!

 

[tiberius]

Originally posted by ArnyVee

More and more, I've been thinkin' of rentin'. But, I go back to the fact that those same $800 could be used towards the DVC purchase rather than spending it outright.

Maybe you should consider this. If you rent points and then buy later, you will have the current years points to rent out to get back the money you used...or you could plan another trip for the year!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I would say if your DW isn't into the magic so much, buy at OKW. Maybe a resale. With our large units there and the layed back atmosphere, she just might become a "magic convert"! Start out with a small contract, say 150 points, and get a 2 bedroom villa for Sun. to Fri. She will be so blown away, she will BEG you for more points! A 2 bedroom during Adventure season is only 110 points for 5 nights, and you will avoid the crowds and parts of the "magic" she doesn't get.

 

[ArnyVee]

Originally posted by tiberius
Maybe you should consider this. If you rent points and then buy later, you will have the current years points to rent out to get back the money you used...or you could plan another trip for the year!

Hmm..interesting. And, depending on whether I purchase a resale with banked points, I could end up losing nothing. Maybe even gaining.

Does this sound like it could work?

 

[ArnyVee]

Originally posted by dianeschlicht
I would say if your DW isn't into the magic so much, buy at OKW. Maybe a resale. With our large units there and the layed back atmosphere, she just might become a "magic convert"! Start out with a small contract, say 150 points, and get a 2 bedroom villa for Sun. to Fri. She will be so blown away, she will BEG you for more points! A 2 bedroom during Adventure season is only 110 points for 5 nights, and you will avoid the crowds and parts of the "magic" she doesn't get.

Wait, I don't want to 'spoil' ourselves with a 2-BR right away, do I?

Also, wouldn't a 2-BR be too much for us and our DD (9 months old)?