Would You Purchase?

[disneynutz]

With a young family I would buy VWL for a MK resort, BCV for a Epcot/DHS resort.

Bill

 

[cel_disney]

I think renting is a great option! Especially with friends going I would recommend BLT for location and 3 bathrooms (this is our home - we LOVE this location with kids and the rooms/pool!!), OKW for its size (it only has 2 bathrooms but you can't beat the 1300 sq FT, the sleeper chair to make sleeping arrangements easier and the amazing deck on the 2bed!), or BWV for its 2 park convenience location and possibly a cheap points standard view if you book early!)

We are not fans of the location of VWL (you have to take a boat or bus everywhere and eliminates the MK resort advantage with kids so a waste of a perk for us)....and we are waiting to stay at beach club until our kids are a little older/better swimmers to take advantage of SAB....

Our 2nd year in DVC we brought family with us - first we all did 2 nights at universal (not using DVC) and then we moved to Disney OKW we had 6 nights in. 2bed lock off for my family of 4 and my parents, a studio for my sister/her DH for 5 nights, and another for my uncle for 3 nights. It was very affordable point wise in September, my family ended up renting points from me at 10$ a point and it was very affordable compared to booking cash even at values during the race weekend and they loved the amenities/size in an OKW studio! I used the funds to offset the transfer costs of picking up 200 points for our VCG vacation this year!

My only advice is dont wait as long as us to buy in! We toured BWV on our honeymoon in 2002 but did not buy at 67$ a point...we then proceeded to visit 6 times in 7 years (with a universal only trip the 7th year) staying at POFQ...in 2009 we bought in at BLT paying way more than we would have if we bought earlier. I didn't really like SSR compared to BWV so when we were ready to in 2006 or so, I had no idea we could try to get in at an older resort (thru Disney or resale!)...so, my advice is wait until you know you can afford it and where you want to buy and then go for it! Don't wait forever! I keep thinking ours would have been paid off by now!!! (Of course it may have had a 2042 expiration date instead of 2060 so maybe things worked out - we do love BLT!)

 

[DVCmom4]

We used the timeshare store.

 

[Dean]

However, one of the reasons we were thinking of doing this is to occasionally use points for a cruise or a non-DVC property somewhere in the US (realizing that you don't get as much bang for your buck of course). My understanding w/ resale is that you can't do that. We would be "limited" to DVC properties, which isn't necessarily a deal breaker given what we could save in the resale market. I need to do some more research on that issue.

I'd suggest you look at the points charts for DVC and DCL. Try to break it down to what points you'd use (and how often) at DVC, then the amount of points you might use for a cruise. Then compare to a representative cruise for your trip type on cash looking at a cruise at least a year out. If you do that you'll find that if you bought less DVC points and paid cash for the cruise, you'd come out ahead in almost all cases. Plus you have to pay more for the points to have the privilege of paying more for the cruise. Then realize the cruise options is not guaranteed and could be removed or changed completely tomorrow.

I just did the same. 832 points for 4 for the lowest cat for next late July or early August. It's 551 points for a week in a 2 BR for the same time period at GF. So you'd need around 475 points (math = 461) to do a 2 BR at GF every 3 years and a 1 week cruise every 3 years. At $150 a point that's $72.5K with closing. If you just did GF retail $28K for once every 3 years and that cruise next year is $6657 (returns $8 a point, maint fees $5.41?). Actually that's a better return than you usually get, normally it's between $6.50 and $7 a point for most cruise options, likely partly due to summer not being discounted as much. Anyway, just do that for your trip parameters to see where it puts you over say a 10-20 year period. Resale for just the same 185 pts would be more in the $12K range but you likely wouldn't get GF and BLT would be hit or miss.

 

[Missyrose]

DvFDiva - I tried to message you but I have to have 10 posts first. LOL. Anyway, here is what I was going to message you:

Thank you so much for the very helpful information!! I really think this would be worth it for us in the long run. However, one of the reasons we were thinking of doing this is to occasionally use points for a cruise or a non-DVC property somewhere in the US (realizing that you don't get as much bang for your buck of course). My understanding w/ resale is that you can't do that. We would be "limited" to DVC properties, which isn't necessarily a deal breaker given what we could save in the resale market. I need to do some more research on that issue.

Resale buyers still have access to RCI to trade out, but thing to remember with that is DVC is a very expensive timeshare program so in almost every case, you'd be trading down quality wise when booking a resort through RCI. You also don't don't get full access to the RCI system (whether you purchased direct or resale). RCI has about 6,000 resorts, but DVC members only have access to about 500 of them. I would buy enough DVC points for an every-other-year Disney trip and investigate your other options when it comes to non-Disney timeshares for your other travels. DVC points go farther and have the best value when used to book DVC resorts (those resorts include Hilton Head, Vero Beach and Aulani if you wanted to use your points for a beach trip one year).

Hope this helps! Keep reading, there's lots to learn.

 

[paults]

Thanks Dean. You are obviously a veteran w/ all this stuff and I appreciate your helpful thoughts. I grew up in FL and had annual passes as a kid. My husband and I both have visited WDW several times and do love it. It has something for everyone in our opinion and we really want to be able to share the experience with our boys throughout their childhood.

I can see how my comments about staying at value resorts w/ friends and family may have been confusing. The reason we'd have to stay there is b/c those are the only resorts most of them could afford if they are paying for the trip themselves. There is no way most of them could afford to stay at a Deluxe resort with us. We usually compromise on the accomodations b/c we really enjoy vacationing with family and friends. I had hoped that with a DVC membership one of the ways we could use it would be to "pay" for a few people to vacation with us ocasionally by using points for their room.

I am definitely going to keep an eye on the boards and check out the resale market. We have been considering a DVC purchase for several months now, but I've really only started actively investigating over th last month and I keep going back and forth on the pros and cons and whether it's right for us right now. We will most likely be planning a Disney vacation for 2014 so we may wind up doing our research and then visiting with a DVC guide again when we go next year. I am really intrigued about BLT now. We have stayed at SSR before (not a villa though) and thought it was very nice. My only concern w/ buying there would be not being able to get a room at one of the other properties w/ only the 7 month window. Anyway - thanks again. I'm sure I'll be posting more questions in the future and I'll try not to be repetitive!

Where did you stay at SSR if not in a villa? All of SSR are DVC unless I missed something.

GFV: too many pts
BLT: too many pts
Just look at what you can get at OKW for less pts.
Or even at BWV for standard views.
What ever you do just buy smaller contracts ( 50 pt to 200 pt) that way you can get rid of something if need be.

All examples are for 1 week stay.
GFV 2 bedroom standard in OCT 359 pts sleeps 9 or BWV 2 bed standard sleeps 8 OCT 231 pts plus a boardwalk view studio sleeps 4 for 107 pts and still have 21 pts left over. Or a GV at OKW for 358 pts sleeps 12 in OCT still (1 less pt then GFV 2bed room

 

[ImagineerTHAT]

DvFDiva - I tried to message you but I have to have 10 posts first. LOL. Anyway, here is what I was going to message you:

Thank you so much for the very helpful information!! I really think this would be worth it for us in the long run. However, one of the reasons we were thinking of doing this is to occasionally use points for a cruise or a non-DVC property somewhere in the US (realizing that you don't get as much bang for your buck of course). My understanding w/ resale is that you can't do that. We would be "limited" to DVC properties, which isn't necessarily a deal breaker given what we could save in the resale market. I need to do some more research on that issue.

Do you mind telling me which resale website you used? We have been discussing this w/ some friends and ideally I would like to rent points w/ those friends next year (probably rent a 2 bedroom villa and split the cost of it). That way we can check it out, get more info, and enjoy a trip w/ friends. I may think of additional questions if you don't mind. Congrats on your purchase!

Keep in mind that using your points for cruising or a non DVC property can actually cost you more money in the long run. You can easily rent out your points (especially BLT with a 11 month window) for $11-$14 per point on your own or through David's. Then you can book a cruise with cash rather than using points. No restrictions on that through resale.

Also, when renting points to test out DVC I recommend checking out the Rent/Trade board on Disboards. There are many respectable renters here that will charge you less than the $14 PP that David's will. Many (myself included) use agreements with everything spelled out on how you pay, when you pay, and how the renting process works.

I have also rented from David's...they are great and saved me about $2,000 on a 1 week rental in a Treehouse vs. a cash stay.

 

[JustTinking]

We are long time WDW vacationers. When the kids were small (late 80's) we stayed offsite. Houses mostly, for the pool and extra bedrooms. We bought direct in 2002, then again in 2007. This month I added a new home resort, and we went resale. Although money is not an issue, I just couldn't justify paying more than we needed to for essentially the same product. In 10 years we've used Concierge collection once, otherwise it's all DVC properties. So I didn't feel I was sacrificing much to go resale. To this point the resale experience is just fine - spent a lot of time on these boards before I jumped in, and the advice is excellent. Timeshare Store is good or Fidelity for resale.

We also take friends and family to WDW often. For much of our family, it's a vacation they couldn't afford otherwise. We enjoy vacationing with them, and occasionally sending them on their own. We also go to WDW alone - for golf, relaxation, good dinners. Depending on where you are in life, you may find something at WDW to keep you coming back. The quality and consistency of the product is what brings us back. Everyone is different though, so you'll need to think through the long term scenario as well as just now. Although, if it doesn't work out, resale is always a way out.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[CraigD]

Thanks Dean. You are obviously a veteran w/ all this stuff and I appreciate your helpful thoughts. I grew up in FL and had annual passes as a kid. My husband and I both have visited WDW several times and do love it. It has something for everyone in our opinion and we really want to be able to share the experience with our boys throughout their childhood.

I can see how my comments about staying at value resorts w/ friends and family may have been confusing. The reason we'd have to stay there is b/c those are the only resorts most of them could afford if they are paying for the trip themselves. There is no way most of them could afford to stay at a Deluxe resort with us. We usually compromise on the accomodations b/c we really enjoy vacationing with family and friends. I had hoped that with a DVC membership one of the ways we could use it would be to "pay" for a few people to vacation with us ocasionally by using points for their room.

I am definitely going to keep an eye on the boards and check out the resale market. We have been considering a DVC purchase for several months now, but I've really only started actively investigating over th last month and I keep going back and forth on the pros and cons and whether it's right for us right now. We will most likely be planning a Disney vacation for 2014 so we may wind up doing our research and then visiting with a DVC guide again when we go next year. I am really intrigued about BLT now. We have stayed at SSR before (not a villa though) and thought it was very nice. My only concern w/ buying there would be not being able to get a room at one of the other properties w/ only the 7 month window. Anyway - thanks again. I'm sure I'll be posting more questions in the future and I'll try not to be repetitive!

Sounds like you are on the right track of thinking here... I am in sales, and always caution people on analysis paralysis as well. Seriously this is something to enjoy. Nobody ever went broke or died by NOT buying DVC. This is a luxury, and should be fun.

With that said, you have to be cerebral in your analysis. Truth is that buying at BLT there are contracts out there available at resale for about 100/pint. I know I will get blasted for saying this, but one could argue that you are almost better off buying resale and financing vs. buying direct at 165 pts. Not to mention, the waitlist from my understand can be long on these contracts. YES, YES, YES... I know paying cash is cheaper, just a different perspective...

Watching the resale boards are a daily, even 2x a day process right now. We entered an agreement last month on a BCV contract, but only after missing out on multiple contracts that we wanted. While we have been waiting for ROFR over the past 28 days, (hopefully hear this week), the pricing for similar BCV contracts is up over 8 dollars a point over what I entered the contract on (and I was more than some of the others available). Interestingly enough, the BLT listings seem to be nearly the same as a month ago.

The point.... My recommendation is decide go or no go, and it is okay to figure in your excitement into it. It is a fun purchase! If ultimately you decide to buy, be ready to pull the trigger asap when you see something you like.

 

[timandjanl]

Where did you stay at SSR if not in a villa? All of SSR are DVC unless I missed something.

room

We just had a "normal" studio type room. I guess maybe it was a villa of they all are but it didn't seem particularly nice to be a villa. And it wasn't particularly expensive.

 

[SFlaDisneyfans]

We were in your position about 6 months ago. A bit different as we live in Fla so visit WDW more since we can just drive up for a weekend when we like. We did our spreadsheets and found DVC made sense for us (my GF has. 6 year old DD). We decided that we would go VGF or resale. After looking at the models of VGF we did not feel they were our cup of tea. Before we picked a resale resort we actually stayed in a few (a night each) to decide which ones we wanted to buy.

If possible (a big if for many) try to visit the DVC resorts before you buy. They all have a different feel to them. Before buying real estate (which is what this is) make sure you are buying the one that really makes you feel good to be there. If you can't see them physically first, spend some time watching YouTube videos members have posted of the villas and amenities

Finally, don't over buy. You can always add on points later. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

[Deb & Bill]

You have to remember that DVC isn't all that keen on members renting out their points, even though it is currently permitted by the Public Offering Statement. With that said, they could make it a bit more difficult to rent out your points in the future. They have already implemented changes that made changes to brokers in the past by reducing the number of contracts a person could be an associate on (in the past, the brokers were made associates on the members' contract and made the reservation for the member).

 

[timandjanl]

You all have had some great things for me to consider!! I'm glad I found this board. I have a lot to read! I just wish I had found it at the beginning of my maternity leave and not a week before I go back to work!! Ha!

 

[DaveInCali]

I'm curious what you DVCers would do... I have 2 small boys and plan on more kids. My husband and I love disney and are considering a purchase in DVC with VGF as our home resort (we want something close to MK). One of the primary reasons we find DVC attractive is b/c we want to be able to vacation with family and friends and we see this as an economical way to do that. Most of the time our family and friends cannot afford to stay at a deluxe hotel. If that we're your only or primary reason for purchasing DVC do you think it would be worth it? Thanks!

At the end of the day, do what feels right and what makes you feel good. This should be fun and not too analytical to the point where you are constantly justifying your decision. We jumped in head first while on a cruise January last year and got great incentives which are no longer available. We haven't looked back. We havent regretted it. We have added on since our original purchase in a bunch of smaller contracts for various reasons, one of them being that we were able to add on Aulani at $105/point. Also, smaller contracts means you'll be able to resale smaller chunks in case your needs change.

Living in southern California, we have consciously made all our purchases direct through DVC. I believe for those closer to Orlando, resale is a great option since WDW is so close and an easy drive. For us, airfare for 4 from the west coast to WDW is costly, on top of passes into the parks for non-Florida residents. Since we only have 1 DVC resort out here, the flexibility to book through Collection, Concierge and maybe even one day, Adventures, works for us. Also, we are not the type of vacationers that typically can book out 7 months out... We sometimes decide to travel 3 months before the trip. DVC works for us for now, we have more points than we probably need which is ok because then someone else may benefit for one of our small contracts later.

I'm probably speaking blasphemously to some Veteran DVC members, but like I mentioned earlier, only you know what feels right and good to you. In our purchases and many vacations to date we have taken, I feel like we have saved money and enjoy the flexibility of the membership.

Don't be afraid to buy small and add on later. Good luck and when you finally bite the bullet... Welcome Home!

 

[NHTikiBeckie]

I'm glad you are considering resale now...IMO it's really the way to go. Like others said, using your DVC points for a cruise is not a good value at all and uses an insane amount of points. Resale saves so much money and I felt it was pretty hassle free. We used the Timeshare Store.

 

[AB6876]

All I have to add is that we toured the rooms for the GFV last week at Saratoga.. Wow they are beautiful.. Best rooms by far. We have stayed at most of DVC villas, and these were the best.
I have been a DVC member for almost 6 years, and we bought direct (at the time that is all we knew).
I would say it is a great investment, but only if you like to stay at the nicer properties on Disney and like to go often.