Would you buy if...

[justme0729]

Would you buy DVC if your parents, family etc. already had DVC and were able to take you once a year? We are a young married couple who love WDW, got married there, etc... I’m sure we will always want to go back. My parents own at AKL and we are able to stay there in our own studio or share a two bedroom about once per year already. I am thinking about buying at BLT but I’m thinking that at this point, it really would be a luxury because I’m already able to get to WDW. I like staying at AKL but I would like the advantage of booking in the MK area as we travel during holidays and getting rooms at 7 months is tough. I would buy 115-135 BLT points and could pay in full...but then again it is a lot of money- about $17-18,000 after closing costs. I don’t know if I need a reality check that it would be dumb to buy because I already have access to DVC and I should be happy staying at AKL when needed... I could be putting that money towards our flights, dining plan, our house etc. but we would also survive if we spent it. What would you do if you were in my situation?

 

[DVC Doctor]

Well, think of it this way.

You will own your own slice of the cheese and can even offer to take your parents with you on some trips and visa versa on others.

Also, if you buy a BLT loaded contract for a good price on resale, then the value will always be there in the event you ever sell. In other words, you are really not losing money like buying a depreciating asset like a car. Every since day 1, people that buy DVC, use it for at least 7 years and then sell, usually never lose money. The only time they lose is buying direct with 10%+ financing and having to sell in a year or two.

DVC is a LONG term investment and that means family vacations, trips with your spouse, trips with future kids, etc.

 

[disneynutz]

That a look at your purchase cost and yearly dues. Is it still worth it or do you save money going with your parents?

Bill

 

[zavandor]

The true question is: do you want to go to WDW for more than the one trip a year you want to do with your parents? Or would you prefer to go alone?
DVC is a discount on rooms, there is no point in buying DVC unless you plan/need to book a room consistently for the foreseable future.

 

[AnnaS]

You have control, can go when you want, make an extra trip, might need bigger accommodations some day, treat a family/friend. Can you go when you want and use a few points on your own? Do you have other siblings? Do you see yourself having children in the future? Think of the long term commitment to the points/traveling. If you see Disney in your future for a long time, you might not want to regret making the purchase now.

My two married sons have small contracts. They still use/need a few of my points here and there. Soon dd will be getting married. I might have to add-on again lol. Maybe just have them under her name.......

Maybe buy a smaller contract for now. Use it on your own or with your mom's points for 2-3 years and see how that works out. Good luck with your decision.

 

[justme0729]

The true question is: do you want to go to WDW for more than the one trip a year you want to do with your parents? Or would you prefer to go alone?
DVC is a discount on rooms, there is no point in buying DVC unless you plan/need to book a room consistently for the foreseable future.

I really just want to go once per year but if I had my own points, I could do every other year at AKL (club level possibly or use the extra points to go elsewhere) and the next year at BLT alternating instead of counting on just AKL

 

[justme0729]

That a look at your purchase cost and yearly dues. Is it still worth it or do you save money going with your parents?

Bill

I definitely save money going with my parents... but I can’t decide if it is worth it!

 

[disneynutz]

I definitely save money going with my parents... but I can’t decide if it is worth it!

Going more often, add that cost to the purchase price and dues cost. Don't count on AKV CL, very hard to get and the views from the DVC rooms are horrible.

Bill

 

[kniquy]

We are a young married couple

I would buy 115-135 BLT points

So it sounds like you have only ever stayed at AKV -- if that is the case BLT is a very different feel. Many do not care for it or stay there because they do value the walk-ability to MK. Just really put some thought into where you are buying -- BLT is rather expensive points wise to get the same room elsewhere. If you like AK it has a lot of detail and culture in it, where as BLT is more of a modern looking hotel. You might consider Poly as it has a unique feel and monorail to Epcot and MK. Look at many you tube videos so you can get a good idea of what the resorts and rooms have to offer. We own at AK but stayed a few nights at poly and we fell in love with poly -- so much so that I will be adding on in the future there.

If you wanted to buy a contract to go every other year then you could easily afford, with your budget, a Poly contract of 100 points and could bank and borrow to go every other year or just shorter trips every year. There are lots of possibilities that can work for you.

As for buying -- having the freedom to book when you want and where you want will likely be a great benefit to you having your own contract. As your life gets crazier with your own family -- if you have kids someday --matching up schedules will likely become more difficult (ie your parents want to go in September but oh wait the kids are in school). It sounds like you are in a good position with having the funds to buy cash. Just make sure the yearly MK fit in your budget and can in the future when you have kids and all the costs that go along with those little gems. You can always add on so you can buy what you can afford now and then if your family grows you add on points to afford a larger room. The great thing about DVC is that even if you buy and decide in a few years that it was a mistake -- you can sell and still not loose much if anything.

 

[bwvBound]

Would you buy DVC if your parents, family etc. already had DVC and were able to take you once a year? We are a young married couple who love WDW, got married there, etc... I’m sure we will always want to go back. My parents own at AKL and we are able to stay there in our own studio or share a two bedroom about once per year already. I am thinking about buying at BLT but I’m thinking that at this point, it really would be a luxury because I’m already able to get to WDW. I like staying at AKL but I would like the advantage of booking in the MK area as we travel during holidays and getting rooms at 7 months is tough. I would buy 115-135 BLT points and could pay in full...but then again it is a lot of money- about $17-18,000 after closing costs. I don’t know if I need a reality check that it would be dumb to buy because I already have access to DVC and I should be happy staying at AKL when needed... I could be putting that money towards our flights, dining plan, our house etc. but we would also survive if we spent it. What would you do if you were in my situation?

You are to be congratulated on your level headed approach, having cash on hand, and having the ability to logically think this through (setting emotions aside). If I were in your shoes? I think I'd try to lean towards, "No, not at this time."

As young marrieds, perhaps saving for your first home together, likely early career ... there are lots of challenges ahead. Having a stash of cash on hand provides a buffer for the rocky places along the path. I'd rather keep that cash than to live near the edge of finances ("we would also survive if we spent it").

That said, I bought a condo (as my primary dwelling) as a single gal, self-employed, at 23. It was a huge stretch (financially) leaving me "house-poor" for a decade. I survived ... but those were some difficult years. Looking back, would I do that again? I really don't know. 30+ years later, I still have that condo and it has been "good" ... but I can't shake the memories of some painful moments in the first decade with difficult decisions. Yes, I might repeat the same decisions for my primary home but I certainly would NOT do it for a vacation option. (Hope that makes sense.)

Enjoy the invitations from family and be great guests! (Bring some positive energy, be thankful for the time together and have a blast. The attitude and energy you bring as the tag-alongs makes a huge difference to those who book the reservation. If you bring the right spirit they will *love* inviting you along. It will be their joy to share their DVC with you. Trust me.)

 

[Jason@dvcstore]

Would you buy DVC if your parents, family etc. already had DVC and were able to take you once a year? We are a young married couple who love WDW, got married there, etc... I’m sure we will always want to go back. My parents own at AKL and we are able to stay there in our own studio or share a two bedroom about once per year already. I am thinking about buying at BLT but I’m thinking that at this point, it really would be a luxury because I’m already able to get to WDW. I like staying at AKL but I would like the advantage of booking in the MK area as we travel during holidays and getting rooms at 7 months is tough. I would buy 115-135 BLT points and could pay in full...but then again it is a lot of money- about $17-18,000 after closing costs. I don’t know if I need a reality check that it would be dumb to buy because I already have access to DVC and I should be happy staying at AKL when needed... I could be putting that money towards our flights, dining plan, our house etc. but we would also survive if we spent it. What would you do if you were in my situation?

If I was on the fence about buying or not buying I wouldn't buy. I would continue to use the parent and/or family membership. Then once I am no longer on the fence and I realize I MUST have my own membership I would purchase my own DVC.

 

[justme0729]

If I was on the fence about buying or not buying I wouldn't buy. I would continue to use the parent and/or family membership. Then once I am no longer on the fence and I realize I MUST have my own membership I would purchase my own DVC.

I agree with you! I’m just afraid prices will go up so high and I will be mad at myself that I didn’t buy sooner! They have been rising so much in just a few years

 

[rg35]

I agree with you! I’m just afraid prices will go up so high and I will be mad at myself that I didn’t buy sooner! They have been rising so much in just a few years

Prices are always going to go up. If you can afford it now and expect that you're going to buy in the future, then I would probably just buy now.

The only reason I wouldn't is if there was something else you think you might need the money for (for example, purchasing a primary dwelling). I don't think I would buy DVC if I didn't already own a primary residence.

 

[justme0729]

Prices are always going to go up. If you can afford it now and expect that you're going to buy in the future, then I would probably just buy now.

The only reason I wouldn't is if there was something else you think you might need the money for (for example, purchasing a primary dwelling). I don't think I would buy DVC if I didn't already own a primary residence.

We bought a house last year (with a mortgage)... Im thinking about buying a smaller contract that we could use happily but not spend excessively on

 

[RichVIII]

Life is short. If you don’t have to take a loan to do it, I say go for it. I wish we had bought earlier. DVC is not an investment tool but if things continue, you can hopefully still get out at some point and get your money back plus have all your memories and trips along the way. I find that if we don’t have money locked up with investments or other items, we spend it on silly stuff. At least if you are regimented and save your dues, this will be something you can enjoy.

 

[bumbershoot]

I agree with you! I’m just afraid prices will go up so high and I will be mad at myself that I didn’t buy sooner! They have been rising so much in just a few years

Put the money aside now and add to it until you KNOW you’re ready to buy.

 

[Dean]

It doesn't sound like there's any reason to buy now. I certainly would not buy for the future with fear of prices increasing. Since you have other debts I'd likely just put the money there then when you see you have a need to buy, you can save up and do so on cash.

 

[gharter]

As a young couple with other debts, not sure I would look at purchasing now until the finances are in a better place. Prices may continue to go up, but you will have tied up a good amount of money in DVC. Can that money be better used somewhere else? Especially, if you currently can stay with your folks.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I'll give you a reverse scenario, I've owned DVC for 19 years, I've brought/comped many family and friends over the years (willfully and happily), all saying, "OMG, this is the best, I should get my own points, then we could extend/combine our stays and not use all of your points, yada, yada, yada... How many have bought - None, Zero, Bubkus! Save your money, use your parents DVC till you're committed (yes, insane) to visit more often and spend more of your money at Disney! Resales will always be there. I've had a blast but I would be hard pressed to find "savings" in my equation!

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

We bought DVC on the relatively young side (26 & 29) and don't regret it in the least. But we were a bit ahead of the game financially compared to most people that age. I think if you are Disney fans like us you won't regret owning DVC. But this is a luxury item and you should make sure you have all your current financial ducks in a row first.
If this depletes a majority of your savings, i'd say wait. If you plan to have kids could this money help start their college funds? If so I'd say wait. Is there any known or likely instances in your life where you would wish you had that $18k for something more important? If so wait. None of us really know your finances, but you never want DVC (or any luxury item) to become a financial burden or hinder you from making smart financial decisions.

You are in a very lucky position that if you do decide to wait you still get the benefits and enjoyment of DVC vacations. While owning the contract yourself has some real benefits, in this case I think there's a case for why buy the cow when you get the milk for free

Whatever you decide good luck!