Would/Will be a new DVC Buyer

[Cfabar1]

I think you would find it more trouble than it is worth to be a DVC member.. While last minute availability opens up, two weeks is a particularly tough time to find a room. You might get lucky, or you might not.

Two weeks from today, for a two night stay shows studio availability at:
SSR Preferred View

OKW 1 night only

Summer has become a slow season at WDW... Other times I think would be even tougher...

 

[VGCgroupie]

Rental sites like the board sponsor are a great way to see availability when not a member.

 

[Chili327]

I think the 2 weeks out is the deal breaker for you. Availability is generally pretty poor.

This. 2 weeks will be a pain to choose from very select things.

Let me ask you all this. What is your average length of stay?

WDW: 7-10 nights
DLR: 3-5 nights

 

[EPCOT Terran]

Let me ask you all this. What is your average length of stay?

2-4 nights over the weekend (WDW) and it's usually just 2 of us so we prefer studios, for the lower points.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

It varies but our minimum is usually a week at a time - two weeks during the summer.

 

[tx911]

WDW - 4 to 6 nights
DL - 3 to 4 nights

 

[matt and beth]

6 nights-14 nights

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

Let me ask you all this. What is your average length of stay?

We usually stay 3-4 nights at WDW, occasionally longer as a split stay—but our first and/or last night is often an airport hotel. We fly in from CA and it’s not worth spending $500 (or points equivalent) to arrive at midnight or fly out in the early morning.

Edit to add: usually 1 night, occasionally 2 at DLR.

 

[Cfabar1]

I'll add, I live not a dissimilar distance from the mothership as you do, and also frequently book shorter stays as in 1 or 2 nights...

When we have done "close in" reservations, it frequently has resulted in obsessively stalking the system, and sometimes getting what we want, and sometimes not. As our time with membership has increased, we have become MUCH less likely to book that way.

 

[RWeThereYetJJ]

So, I'm considering a DVC purchase. I need some opinions and thoughts. First, a little bit about me.

• I am a single person. It's rare that I go with anyone else and even then, no one stays in my room. I do not, nor will I ever "need" a Villa, 2 BR or even a 1 BR.
• I live about 90 min from Disney.
• I have gone more times than I can count.
• I have an annual pass. I've had an annual pass every year since 1993.
• I have a Chase Disney VISA card.
• I go to Disney about 18 times a year. I say 18 because I usually go once a month, sometimes two.
• I rarely stay more than 2 nights at a time. Last "long" trip for me was Christmas 2023 and that was 5 nights. This year I'll be going Labor Day weekend for D23, staying 4 nights (Thurs - Sunday).
• I have gone one pretty much every attraction or ride that I want. If there is a long line, I can go next time (or the next after that)
• Since I have been there for every night time event (MNSSHP, MVMCP, JN) I don't really care about anything for those. I actually went the first year for MVMCP and it cost $15. I also don't care much about extra hours for DVC members.
• I tend to make my reservations for the times I visit about 2 weeks out from the trip. If I can't get a room then I just don't go that weekend or just go for the day. So the 11 month/7 month thing doesn't make this a deal breaker. Nor does the contract expiration though either OKW 2057 or SS 2054 would be more desirable but not necessary.
• I have stayed at every existing resort except the Cabins at Ft Wilderness. I've stayed at the campgrounds once though.

Everything I see and sense is that resale is for me. It seems that with the price of direct purchase being about twice as much as resale, resale is a better deal. I don't want/need the perks. And I get the discounts using my Disney Visa or Annual Pass.

So, am I off base with my logic or is resale for me?

1) How much research have you done on DVC so far? Have you had fun researching DVC?
2) Do you prefer to visit Disney on weekends or weekdays?
3) Are your 18 trips spread out equally over 12 months or are they concentrated during the holiday seasons (Halloween to Christmas)?
4) Do you like the thrill of the hunt and getting what you want after a little bit of effort?
5) Or are you a leaf on the wind and go wherever it blows?
6) How much time do you want to spend trying to manage your own room reservations?
7) Would you prefer to just book a room and not think about it again until the day you check in?
8) Or would you be okay with booking a room several months in advance and cancelling last minute, and then having to turn around and book a new but different room with an arrival date within a 60-day window from the date you book your new room?

 

[intamin]

[*]I am a single person. It's rare that I go with anyone else and even then, no one stays in my room. I do not, nor will I ever "need" a Villa, 2 BR or even a 1 BR.
[*] I tend to make my reservations for the times I visit about 2 weeks out from the trip.

Yeah sorry DVC is not for you. Availability 2 weeks out is abysmal. If you do buy (which I don't recommend) you might as well buy SSR resale.

You say that you not needing to book anything higher than a studio as if it's a good thing.. studios are ALWAYS the first room to run out of availability because most of us are cheapskates and don't want to spend a lot of points. If anything this makes you an even worse candidate for DVC.

You'd be much better off renting last minute confirmed reservations from owners who have distressed points instead of owning.

 

[DL1WDW2]

Plus the mandatory 31 day cancel policy with Holding punishment .
I had points in holding and it was impossible to find availability.
And what is that 2 month rule that I never understood

 

[AstroBlasters]

So, I'm considering a DVC purchase. I need some opinions and thoughts. First, a little bit about me.

• I am a single person. It's rare that I go with anyone else and even then, no one stays in my room. I do not, nor will I ever "need" a Villa, 2 BR or even a 1 BR.
• I live about 90 min from Disney.
• I have gone more times than I can count.
• I have an annual pass. I've had an annual pass every year since 1993.
• I have a Chase Disney VISA card.
• I go to Disney about 18 times a year. I say 18 because I usually go once a month, sometimes two.
• I rarely stay more than 2 nights at a time. Last "long" trip for me was Christmas 2023 and that was 5 nights. This year I'll be going Labor Day weekend for D23, staying 4 nights (Thurs - Sunday).
• I have gone one pretty much every attraction or ride that I want. If there is a long line, I can go next time (or the next after that)
• Since I have been there for every night time event (MNSSHP, MVMCP, JN) I don't really care about anything for those. I actually went the first year for MVMCP and it cost $15. I also don't care much about extra hours for DVC members.
• I tend to make my reservations for the times I visit about 2 weeks out from the trip. If I can't get a room then I just don't go that weekend or just go for the day. So the 11 month/7 month thing doesn't make this a deal breaker. Nor does the contract expiration though either OKW 2057 or SS 2054 would be more desirable but not necessary.
• I have stayed at every existing resort except the Cabins at Ft Wilderness. I've stayed at the campgrounds once though.

Everything I see and sense is that resale is for me. It seems that with the price of direct purchase being about twice as much as resale, resale is a better deal. I don't want/need the perks. And I get the discounts using my Disney Visa or Annual Pass.

So, am I off base with my logic or is resale for me?

Are there some very specific dates or times of year that you know you will want to go and would be willing to reserve 7 months+ in advance?

Would it ruin your vibe/joy to plan ahead and not be spontaneous?

 

[Sandisw]

Plus the mandatory 31 day cancel policy with Holding punishment .
I had points in holding and it was impossible to find availability.
And what is that 2 month rule that I never understood

Are you talking about the breakage period? That is a rolling 60 days before check in for any given day.

Any rooms not booked by owners can be sent to Disney to offer for cash…they are pulled from DVC points bookings.

The income is given to owners and DVC…we get a maximum of 2.5% of the operating budget as income to reduce dues.

The rest goes to DVC, BVTC, and beyond. DVC does have the right to anticipate what might still be available during any 60 day period and remove the rooms sooner than that.

That period can go as high as 90 days but can’t be less than 30 days.

 

[muppets3d]

Timeshares in general work best for people who are able to plan ahead and book their vacations 6+ months in advance. If that does not describe you, stick to hotels and motels. Disney has been offering some very attractive passholder deals for their resorts this year as well.

 

[DanielleC]

1) How much research have you done on DVC so far? Have you had fun researching DVC?
2) Do you prefer to visit Disney on weekends or weekdays?
3) Are your 18 trips spread out equally over 12 months or are they concentrated during the holiday seasons (Halloween to Christmas)?
4) Do you like the thrill of the hunt and getting what you want after a little bit of effort?
5) Or are you a leaf on the wind and go wherever it blows?
6) How much time do you want to spend trying to manage your own room reservations?
7) Would you prefer to just book a room and not think about it again until the day you check in?
8) Or would you be okay with booking a room several months in advance and cancelling last minute, and then having to turn around and book a new but different room with an arrival date within a 60-day window from the date you book your new room?

1. I've done a lot since 2019. I've had 2 offers fall apart because of ROFR. I had a third fall apart when the owner passed away and there were estate issues that would have added a few months to closing.
2. I prefer weekends but do take some weekdays off from work depending on the workload.
3. The are somewhat spread out evenly. but I do not go again when it's Thanksgiving (1996), Christmas (2023), New Years (1990/91 ) or Easter (1994). I've been there already for those holidays and I don't need to go again. The crowds are crazy nuts. I went for Christmas in 2023 because a group of friends wanted to go and I had never been there on Christmas Day.
4. I take what I can get. I said I only need a studio. But if they only have a 1 BR villa, then so be it. I'm looking at getting a 250-300 point contract.
5. I go when I feel like going.
6. There is little to manage because I go when I go. If I have to cancel last minute, well then, worst case, I lose the points.
7. Yes

Yes, the last minute availability listing on the DVC website may not be accurate. But it does show rooms are available.

I know there is risk with how I would plan on using DVC. I know DVC is geared towards people who want to come for about 5 - 7 days and more people than not want to be next to a theme park. Yes, I said all I need is a studio, but I would be OK with a larger room if that's all that is available. None of these are a deal breaker.

I really could care less where the room is located because I don't plan anything. When GOTG and TRON opened, I went into the parks and went to the opposite side of the park. I could go on those rides after they were opened for a year. Yes, some people think I'm nuts because I want to do my trips my way (1 or 2 nights). Yes, I get it for the planners, doing excel spreadsheets planning their trips in 15 minute increments. I think they are a tad off center. But that's my opinion and mine alone. You do you. If that's part of your trip buildup process, great for you. I am long past doing that level of planning. I once went up, went to Magic Kingdom, went in, got 2 hot dogs, fries and a coke at Casey's and sat and people watched while I ate, saw a parade and then came home. Some people think I'm nuts. Some people think it's great I live close enough I can do that.

My original question was should I buy direct or resale. I think resale is for me.

 

[muppets3d]

Yes there’s no real good reason to buy direct when you exclusively want short, last minute weekend trips. You’ll lose a lot less money when you resell the contract out of frustration in 6-9 months.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Resale 1000%.

 

[lowlight]

You are an excellent candidate for renting DVC from others. At 2 weeks out you can often find super distressed points for the cost of dues (10/pt), as people find they can’t go last minute.

 

[Shellyred8]

Given how close you live and how frequently you go, you might actually get to take more advantage of some of the "direct purchase" benefits. So buying direct might be ok for you, if price isn't much of a factor. Being a 3 hour plane ride away from WDW, we don't get much use out of most of the "direct purchase" benefits.

If price is a factor for you, I would vote for resale for you.

Happy shopping!