Quick, somebody talk me into it...

[MY KIDS MOM X3]

So this morning on our way out to breakfast DH says, "so I had a dream last night and Walt told me we should buy DVC. Why don't you call that salesperson and tell her we'll sign when we're there in December."

I just sat there staring at him like he was speaking in some other-worldy tongue. Now that he is on board, I'm starting to crunch numbers and worry about the cost. You know, things like... we have 3 kids to put through college, the house needs vinyl siding and new windows, my mini van is 6 years old and has 147000 miles, we're not putting enough money into our 401K... are we crazy?

Of course, if I mention *any* of this to him he'll start too and he'll have changed his mind again. Quick, someone tell me again about how it really pays for itself and the whole "Welcome home" thing.

[Mickeymac]

Woah. He said that?

I think DH worked out to the break-even for us being around 5-6 years. Plan on going to Disney for more years than that? Then it's a win-win. If you DON't plan on going just to disney and DO plan on going elsewhere, it locks in your vacation purchase for another forty years.

Seriously, you go each year anyways, right? Wouldn't it be nicer now to go, stay in a larger space, with refrigeration and meal preparation right at your fingertips?

Read back and check out some of the trip reports from DVC members, link OKWTink and DCfromVA. It's a world of difference. Tink uses it to pick up and escape from reality. She's just a few points away from her next magical escape. If she's got points available and a spot there, she's got a ready vacation.

DCfromVA, on the other hand, has maximized getting the most out of your investment to a penny. She has done all the numbers, back and forth, and since becoming a DVC member, seems to be able to get MORE vacation time. (I'd like to know how she is doing this!!) Unfortunately, she's out for a week.

Where? At Disney, of course! :D

[MY KIDS MOM X3]

So now I'm thinking, if we're going to do this anyway, why wait until December? If we bought now, could we use points for our Dec. trip (or maybe this is how I can sneak in the Oct trip)? Seriously, would this work?

And MM, with such good arguements, why aren't you a DVC member yet?

[disneydoll]

You will not regret becoming a member! I have been a member for three years now, and think it has been a wonderful investment! If you are a Disney fanatic - you will not be disappointed!

:ears: :bounce: :ears:

[Mickeymac]

And MM, with such good arguements, why aren't you a DVC member yet?

My husband has the checkbook... :hehe:

Actually, I caught him looking at DVC resales the other day. He's enchanted by the golf resort coming in. I'm trying to explain to him it's better to buy now, as points only go up as each resort goes live, but he's got to learn these things for himself since he ain't listening to it from me.

Disneydoll - where's your home resort?

[Slowhand]

If you feel that you can afford it, and you enjoy WDW as much as the rest of us here on the boards then I would definately go for it.
We have been DVC members since 1992 and by now we`xe recouped our initial investment easily.
For example, last year [by banking/borrowing our points] we were able to have a blast on our silver wedding anniversary trip...7 night Disney cruise, then 4 nights at VB, followed by 10 nights at the GF....all at no cost to us [apart from one of the nights at the GF as our points did not quite stretch this far]

[Mickeymac]

Slowhand, you did that using DVC points? that trip was amazing! I didn't know that!

[Slowhand]

Hi Mickeymac...yes it was all done with points.
The only downside being that as we borrowed this years points for that trip, it means that we have to pay for this years vacation in August!
Ain`t life a *****!
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Bozza]

That's fantastic. Also thinking long and hard about a DVC purchase.

Slowhand, can I be so bold as to ask how many points you have to enable you to do that?

[Slowhand]

Hi Bozza,
We bought 310 points [no I don`t mind you asking!]
It seemed like a lot of money back in `92, but as they were throwing in length of stay park passes up until 2000, and we love WDW so much, we thought what the heck lets do it!
It also meant that we could take our close friends with us on vacation who would otherwise find it a financial struggle to afford to stay on site [single parent family etc.etc.]
As I have said before, we`ve had our money`s worth time and time again.

[Bozza]

That's great news. I've been looking at points calculator this morning and was thinking about 200 or so points - probably via resale - you get a choice of resorts and the price is cheaper. I can't really think of an obvious downside to resale.

[Mickeymac]

Bozza, the downside is that Disney gets first right of refusal - you get all excited about that property, then Disney can come in and snaps it up from under you. Me no likey that.

[Bozza]

Didn't know that. Any idea how often that happens?

Still - if you want OKW or Boardwalk it's the only way you could get them, right?

Another question....

If you bought 100 points for one resort and 100 points for another resort, could you use all 200 points at a resort 11 months out? Or could you only make a reservation 11 months out up to 100 points and have to keep fingers crossed you could add to that same reservation 7 months out with the other 100 points?

Basic question is, I guess, does splitting up your points over different resorts give you more flexibility with regard to making 11 month bookings?

[Mickeymac]

oooohhhh... what a good question!

As for how often the Disney Takeover of DVC Dream Sale happens, I'm not sure - I only know of a couple people it's happened to, but they've eventually gone on to make successful resale purchases.

[Slowhand]

As far as I am aware Bozza, the 11 month booking window only applies at your home resort.
Therefore I think that you would have to keep your fingers crossed that you would be able to "tag on" your second amount of points nearer the time.
Hope that makes sense!

[disneydoll]

Mickeymac -

Our home resort is Vero Beach. They were offering a great deal when we bought, that if we sold back our 150 pts the first year, they would put it toward the cost.
Even with only 150 pts, my husband and I have been able to take at least one trip every year.
We are going this August! Can't wait!

:bounce: :bounce:

[allie5]

I shouldnt be on this forum.....all very dangerous!! Quick question for the UK DVCers...we could only buy 200 points max to start (maybe only 170, dunno yet). With a bit of careful banking, is it possible to get a week or so a year at either OKW or BCV, studio? I was thinking of banking year one to stretch the points out over the next few visits??

DH is also interested in resales....where are they advertised please??

[Mickeymac]

I'm not going to tell you since there's one I want on it... hehehe! just dkidding

dvcresales.com is one I knw of.

Nice, Disneydoll - i'd love to go to Vero some time, it looks so lovely

[Bozza]

Originally posted by allie5
I shouldnt be on this forum.....all very dangerous!! Quick question for the UK DVCers...we could only buy 200 points max to start (maybe only 170, dunno yet). With a bit of careful banking, is it possible to get a week or so a year at either OKW or BCV, studio? I was thinking of banking year one to stretch the points out over the next few visits??

DH is also interested in resales....where are they advertised please??

The site I have been using is DVC Points Calculator (http://www.wdwinfo.com/resort/dvcpoint.cfm) . You put in the dates you want to stay, the resort and the room type and it will tell you the points 'cost'. (You can easily 'afford' one week at either OKW and BCV for the number of points you are talking).

Another nice feature of the site is it lists the DVC resales that are available at the resort and you can click straight through to them eg 190 points for OKW for $13,300.


Darren

[MY KIDS MOM X3]

Originally posted by Mickeymac
I'm not going to tell you since there's one I want on it... hehehe!

Nice, Disneydoll - i'd love to go to Vero some time, it looks so lovely

MM, let me guess, could it be the Vero Beach at $58/point?

[Mickeymac]

LOLOL MKM, no I'm really partial to Old Key West. I love the laid back feel, larger rooms, and the fact that you can park directly in front of where you are staying. They remind me more of condos, than a hotel.

And you're too funny - I think I spent way to much time on the link Bozza provided, too... Thanks a lot! :eek:

[Bozza]

I seem to be living on that link right now!

[Slowhand]

I`m with you on that one Mickeymac, OKW is my home resort and my wife & I really enjoy the atmosphere there. It feels so laid back and miles from everywhere yet [as you know] it`s right next door to DTD.

[Scoootch]

In response to the original poster's request to "talk you into buying DVC"..............

................It's the best thing we ever did!! We became members in 1997 while on our honeymoon in WDW:D and have never regretted it! Yes, it's a big $$$ investment but it definetly pays for itself over time if you go to WDW every year as we do (and we didn't always live in FL). If you feel you need money later on in the future as you mentioned being afraid of how to afford college etc. for your kids -- you can always sell your points again and get your investment back. So it's not like money you've spent and then it's gone. I speak from experience as we sold our add-on pts in order to afford some up coming medical expenses. So buying DVC is definetly a safe investment;) I just can't wait to be able to buy back the extra pts again as you can just never have enough pts lol.

Anyway, hope this was of some help. If you can afford to buy DVC IMHO, Go for it!! You won't regret it!

Hope we'll all be saying "WELCOME HOME" soon:thumbs:

[djgiffordrn]

I am trying to convince my hubby to do this!!! I saw some resales I want!!

So question If I had for example bought in to DVC and I had say 50 points left for this year and will receive 150 in say March...could I bank my 50 and use them all next summer?

Thanks,
Dolores

[djgiffordrn]

I have another DVC question...

when we are in Disney next week, can we speak with someone at DVC and tour or get a speech? Do they give anything for doing this?

Dolores

[Scoootch]

:hehe:

[djgiffordrn]

This just sounds awesome!!! :bounce: :bounce:

I want it, I want it, I want it, I want it, I want it

[Scoootch]

Originally posted by djgiffordrn
I am trying to convince my hubby to do this!!! I saw some resales I want!!

So question If I had for example bought in to DVC and I had say 50 points left for this year and will receive 150 in say March...could I bank my 50 and use them all next summer?

Thanks,
Dolores

Yes:D

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have another DVC question...

when we are in Disney next week, can we speak with someone at DVC and tour or get a speech? Do they give anything for doing this?

Dolores
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes again! Just stop at any of the DVC booths and let them know you'd like to take the tour! They have them in each of the parks and in all the resorts they have desks set up where there are DVC reps to stop and talk to. They'll arrange for you to take the tour and pick you up at your resort or any other Disney destination and drop you off again wherever you choose on Disney property -- and they are so not pushy about trying to sell to you!

Best of luck and hope to be saying "WELCOME HOME"!!

:thumbs: :D :bounce: :bounce:


Oh, forgot to add -- as far as "do they give anything for this?"

the incentives for buying DVC change all the time, when we bought in 97', they allowed us to put the money we had already spent on the trip we were on presently tword our DVC purchase as downpayment -- it was our honeymoon trip at the time so it was quite a significant chunck of $$. Others around that time were offered free park passes until the year 2000 with their DVC purchase. So you'd need to find out the current incentives;)

[Mickeymac]

They also offered us free meal certificates if we would sit through the presentation. They also have food there, and a children's play area, and kids can get buttons and washable DVC tatoos. Not that I was considering going, mind you. :D

[djgiffordrn]

Can I call their 800 # in advance to find out their incentives? Or is it best to wait til I get there.

[MY KIDS MOM X3]

djgiffordrn-
Not sure what they'll tell you about incentives, as they do change, but it can't hurt.

When we toured they offered us $100 gift certificate that could be used at most resorts and in the parks. For purchase, they are offering an option to "sell back" your first year's points as part of your daownpayment - doesn't really seem like much of an incentive to me as you could bank them if you're not planning another trip in the next year.

MM, I'm thinking about OKW, too. We haven't been yet, but are going to check it out at X-Mas. I'm not really impressed with BW or BC. I want my home resort to be somewhere that is *completely* relaxing, and (no offense to anyone) but BC and BW just feel a little *snooty* to me.

I would also like to see SS before we decide though. I have read the lease there will be good through sometime early 2050's. I wonder how that will affect the price/point.

[dcfromva]

Originally posted by MY KIDS MOM X3
So this morning on our way out to breakfast DH says, "so I had a dream last night and Walt told me we should buy DVC. Why don't you call that salesperson and tell her we'll sign when we're there in December."

I just sat there staring at him like he was speaking in some other-worldy tongue. Now that he is on board, I'm starting to crunch numbers and worry about the cost. You know, things like... we have 3 kids to put through college, the house needs vinyl siding and new windows, my mini van is 6 years old and has 147000 miles, we're not putting enough money into our 401K... are we crazy?

Of course, if I mention *any* of this to him he'll start too and he'll have changed his mind again. Quick, someone tell me again about how it really pays for itself and the whole "Welcome home" thing.

MY KIDS MOM X3,
Wowie! Walt visited your DH in a dream--that must be a sign. :)
I don't really think of DVC as an investment, but more like a commitment to vacationing for the next 39 years.
If you like really nice accomodations and you like to stay on Disney property and you are going to spend a certain amount of money on accomodations each year anyway, then DVC may be right for you.
Right now, with the purchase of points, you are paying about 30-40% of the cost upfront (assuming $84 per point over the next 39 years =2.15 per point per year), and each year you pay an additional maint. fee. (depending on which property you purchase it ranges from $3.49 at okw to $4.37 at VB). This ratio changes each year as the maint fees goes up.

-DC :ears:

[dcfromva]

Originally posted by Bozza
That's great news. I've been looking at points calculator this morning and was thinking about 200 or so points - probably via resale - you get a choice of resorts and the price is cheaper. I can't really think of an obvious downside to resale.

Bozza,
A resale could work out quite nicely if there are lots of points that have been banked. But, Disney tries to keep the resale market and the new sales roughly the same. Disney has been exercising their first right of refusal quite a bit lately for resale contracts that are less than $70 per point.
With a resale, usually the buyer pays the closing costs--(I believe that comes out to around $400.00.) Also, sometimes the seller will have the buyer pay the maintenence fees for banked points (this is all subject to negotiation of course). It takes a while for the contract to close--and you have to wait and see if Disney will exercise their rights and buy the contract. Finally, the buyer has to wait until the contract has closed before booking any vacations.

Going through Disney, if you use Magical Beginnings, the price is lowered by $10.00 per point to $74.00 per point. (VB is lowered by $15.00 per point).
Disney pays the closing costs.
Maint. fees go according to calendar year. (I bought a BWV contract a couple months back using magical beginnings. In this case, I sold back my 2002 points and I will get a whole new batch in October --for 2003. I didn't pay any fees for the 2002 points I sold back. I started paying maint. fees when I bought the contract--so the 2003 fees were pro-rated. )
Finally, if you go through Disney, you can book your first vacation almost immediately. I booked my new points 2 days after I called my DVC guide to buy the new contract (and even before I received the paperwork to sign)!

Still, if you have a lot of patience, and you look around, sometimes you can find a really good resale.

-DC :ears:

[dcfromva]

Originally posted by Bozza
Didn't know that. Any idea how often that happens?

Still - if you want OKW or Boardwalk it's the only way you could get them, right?

Another question....

If you bought 100 points for one resort and 100 points for another resort, could you use all 200 points at a resort 11 months out? Or could you only make a reservation 11 months out up to 100 points and have to keep fingers crossed you could add to that same reservation 7 months out with the other 100 points?

Basic question is, I guess, does splitting up your points over different resorts give you more flexibility with regard to making 11 month bookings?

Bozza,
You can only book the number of points for your home resort at the 11 months window. Still, you could make this work by alternating between resorts--using banking and borrowing techniques. Potentially, you could have up to 300 points to work with.
Another technique is sometimes, folks will book Sunday through Thurs at the 11 months window at the home resort and wait until the 7month window using the other points to book the weekends. (This would be kind of chancy if you were booking at the really high demand times like spring break and Christmas. )

-DC :ears:

[dcfromva]

Originally posted by Mickeymac
Bozza, the downside is that Disney gets first right of refusal - you get all excited about that property, then Disney can come in and snaps it up from under you. Me no likey that.

Mickeymac,
On one hand, it is kind of a bummer, but on the other hand once you buy in, it does keep the value of your interest up. ( I think most timeshares resale value goes down significantly the day you purchase. )
Some folks who purchased their DVC 10 years ago have taken 10 years worth of vacations (and for a while even received free park tickets!) and can now sell the property for more than what they paid. Their costs would have just been the cost of maint. fees over 10 years. (and real estate comissions).

-DC :ears:

[dcfromva]

Originally posted by MY KIDS MOM X3
So now I'm thinking, if we're going to do this anyway, why wait until December? If we bought now, could we use points for our Dec. trip (or maybe this is how I can sneak in the Oct trip)? Seriously, would this work?

And MM, with such good arguements, why aren't you a DVC member yet?
MY KIDS MOM X3,
Sure, if you are going to do it anyway, why not use the $$ you were going to use for this vacation accomodations and put it towards the downpayment!?
The only tricky thing is December is a very, very popular month.
December 1-14 is the adventure season, December 15-23 is the choice season and December 24-31 is the Premier season.

December 24-31 is booked up at the 11 month window for obvious reasons-most school kids are on break. December 1-14 and December 15-23 are usually booked up at the 11 month window too because it costs fewer points and all the Christmas decorations are up and the weather is not hot. And also the annual DVC membership meetings are held the first couple of weeks in Dec.

The only worry I would have about using points for a December visit at this point is that you might find you have to go on a wait list. But, maybe your guide could work some magic for you if that were the case.

What Use Year would you be purchasing?

-DC :ears:

[MY KIDS MOM X3]

DCfromVA, I'm so glad you're back. Hope you had a great trip.

To answer your last question first, I don't know what use year we'd have. Does that make a huge difference?

Our Dec trip is scheduled for 18-26 so chances are we would run into trouble getting reservations for that time.

I think we're leaning more towards a resale right now, unless I fall in love with SSR. We both really like WL and would like that to be our home resort. We hope to make Christmas an annual trip and would benefit from the 11 month window there.

What can you tell me about SSR and the rumor that contracts will run until 2050-something? I've read on another site that price/point will go to $89.00, but for an extra 10+/- years that may work out to be a better option.

And how cool is it that my DH is talking to Walt in his dreams....he says I don't have enough *magic* in my blood and that's why Walt won't come talk to me too.:lol:

[dcfromva]

Originally posted by MY KIDS MOM X3
DCfromVA, I'm so glad you're back. Hope you had a great trip.

To answer your last question first, I don't know what use year we'd have. Does that make a huge difference?

Our Dec trip is scheduled for 18-26 so chances are we would run into trouble getting reservations for that time.

I think we're leaning more towards a resale right now, unless I fall in love with SSR. We both really like WL and would like that to be our home resort. We hope to make Christmas an annual trip and would benefit from the 11 month window there.

What can you tell me about SSR and the rumor that contracts will run until 2050-something? I've read on another site that price/point will go to $89.00, but for an extra 10+/- years that may work out to be a better option.

And how cool is it that my DH is talking to Walt in his dreams....he says I don't have enough *magic* in my blood and that's why Walt won't come talk to me too.:lol:
MY KIDS MOM X3,
Use Year does not make a bit of difference if you never have to cancel your vacation and you never invite anyone else along for whom you may have used your points to reserve a room.

I have not had this happen to me personally, but I am a worrier and I have read about unforeseen things happening to others which caused them to have to reschedule their vacation. Things like a car accident or a family member getting sick. Also, it seems like a lot of DVC members are very generous with their points and sometimes extend an invite to others to come along. Sometimes the guest doesn't understand all the ins and outs of the system and they end up cancelling out at the last minute.

For cases like these, Use Year matters a lot. If you ALWAYS plan to take a vacation in December, a December UY would probably work best for you. If you cancel your vacation prior to 30days before your check in date, all your points are put back into your account. If you have to delay your vacation by a year, you can even bank your points. If you have to cancel your vacation less than 30 days prior to check in, your points go into a holding account and special rules apply, but you have until November 30th of the following year to use these points.

Now lets take the case of a person who likes to vacation in December with a February UY. Let's say the vacation is during Christmas/New Years break and points had to be banked and borrowed for this big trip. If the cancellation occurs within the 30day check in window, ALL these points would have to be used by January 31st of the New Year! If the cancellation occurred more than 30days prior to check in, some (or all depending on when the cancellation occurred) of the current UY points could be banked--but the banked and borrowed points would have to be used prior to Jan 31st. And any exchanges with these points would have to be booked prior to December 1st.... So, the points would not be lost, but you would lose a lot of flexibility. The points could always be rented, but this is subject to availabilty of accomodations and when there is a such a short window, the rental price would probably have to be reduced.

WL is a very cool resort --especially at Christmastime. The nice thing about a resale is that you can wait until you find the contract that is right for you--sometimes even with banked points.

I haven't seen any information on SSR, yet. I am kind of curious about the incentives they will offer. It sounds like it is going to be really nice.

-DC :ears: