Considering DVC Membership

[cm2k]

I emailled this question to Disney but they told me to just ring the international number. :sigh: Hopefully somebody here can help.

I am considering purchasing a DVC membership, it states that the entry price $14,700. I am interested to know how many points that gives you, and how many points you need for an average stop i.e. 1 or 2 weeks in a Disney property.

Any help/rough guidance greatly appreciated.:)

[Slowhand]

I`m at work at the moment, but I`ll get back to you later from home where I have all of the info you need unless someone responds before then.

The points charts list all of the resorts on property including the "hotel" type resorts as well as though designated as the DVC resorts.
How many bedrooms would you need for your stay?
When in the year would you normally take your vacation?

This will have quite a bearing on how your points may be maximised.

[AlecK]

I believe the current minimum is 150 points at saratoga springs @ $98 per point which gives the $14,700 outlay.

[Slowhand]

I believe the current minimum is 150 points at saratoga springs @ $98 per point which gives the $14,700 outlay.
WOW! Thank heavens it was only around $54 a point when we joined back in 1992! For roughly the same outlay, we received 310 points.

[cm2k]

Thanks for the info Slowhand and AlecK, I usually go about September time, just the one room it will only be me and my partner.

Thanks for the help :D

[AlecK]

Based on this years seasons a week in a studio in sept is 95 points. check out this post for more detailed info on points

points chart (http://www.wdisneyw.com/forums/showthread.php?p=309935#post309935)

[Scoootch]

Just a few tidbits of info. to consider also.....

As mentioned, the minimum to buy into DVC directly through Disney is 150 pts and the current resort Disney is selling is SSR @ $98.00 per pt.

Home resort CAN be quite important in your decision to buy into DVC. Though Disney is selling SSR you can buy other sold out DVC resorts via the resale market and possibly at less per point. You'd need to figure in closing costs and if you'll need financing but you may be able to get a better deal or a different home resort if SSR isn't what you'd prefer. Remember....you can book 11months out at your home resort and only 7 months out at non-home resorts . If you travel at off peak times it may not be much of an issue but if you may travel during the busier seasons and will need or want a particular size villa or resort the home resort issue can really come into play. The other thing to consider is though the minimum # of pts to buy is 150 if you buy direct....you can also buy as little as 25pts on the resale market as people sell their add-on contracts (you can buy as little as 25pts as an add-on). You'll most likely find that you'll not only want at least 150 pts to start out with but need them but for those who only visit every 2-3 years, banking and borrowing can get you a week in a studio in the lowest pt. season for as little as 80pts ( 1 full week including Friday and Saturday nights in a studio at OKW in Sept. for example) So even a contract as small as 27pts if you banked your full years pts and borrowed a full years pts in addition to a current use year would give you that full week for someone who only intends to visit every 3 yrs.

Don't worry though, I'm not trying to sway you in one direction or the other as far as who to buy from - resale or direct. It's just things to realize before making the decision to buy in. Buying direct has it's definete advantages too.

Disney will finance you for up to 10 yrs, your membership will go through much quicker allowing you to take your first trip as a member sooner and you do not have to worry about passing Right of first refusal (Disney reserves the right to buy back any pts contract they feel is selling for too little on the resale market). But for those who really want a sold out resort as a home resort or who may want to start out with a smaller amount of points and/or not want or have the money it would take to buy in with 150 pts or just want or may be able to get a better deal via resale it may be the way to go. Then again, buying direct may be the way to go.:shrug:

Anyway, all things to keep in mind ;) The more info. you're armed with, the better off you'll be to make the decision that's right for you:blush:

Best of luck!:thumbs:

[cm2k]

Thanks Scoootch, that was very helpful :)

Is it an issue using your DVC points with a regular Disney hotel e.g. Polynesian/Port Orleans?

Still looking into it, however I may wait until I go back to Disney next year, so can look around SSR properly, there is so much to try and understand :)

Thanks again :D

[Scoootch]

It's not an issue as long as there is availibility but it's not really the best use of your pts unless you have pts to burn (such as expiring pts).

i.e. - you can stay in a 1 bdrm villa at OKW for a full 7 nights in the lowest point season (a 1bdrm villa will have a full size kitchen,in room laundry,full living room,master bdrm with a king bed, master bath with a huge jacuzzi tub and a patio with table & chairs ) for 160 pts but to stay a full 7 nights at the Poly on pts in a regular hotel room for garden view in value season would cost you 301 pts. or to stay at POR (or any of the moderates) it would cost you 129 pts and all you'd get is a regular hotel room. The only real plus is that you'd get daily housekeeping if you stayed at the non-DVC. But you could have so much more space and ammenities for close to half the pts if you stay DVC.

[steery1]

Scoootch you're THE MAN for DVC advice! :D I've decided not to buy just yet. It's a major financial commitment. I will look at it again when I'm back in DWO next July. The initial outlay isn't really the problem, just the yearly dues. :eek: But thanks for the great advice you recently gave me.:D

[Scoootch]

Scoootch you're THE MAN for DVC advice! :D I've decided not to buy just yet. It's a major financial commitment. I will look at it again when I'm back in DWO next July. The initial outlay isn't really the problem, just the yearly dues. :eek: But thanks for the great advice you recently gave me.:D

Thanks Steery1! :D (it's the WOMAN though:whistle: :wink: ) I know what you mean about the dues too. The dues factor can figure into your decision on which resort to buy into also. SSR and OKW have the lowest dues per pt whereas VB and BCV's are on the higher side. So just don't wait too terribly long if you know you are going to buy in. The per point prices keep going up and it may cost you alot more to buy in if you wait too long:rolleyes: When we bought in we only paid around $68 per point....now it's $98 per point!:eek: Even resale is at least $78 per point if not more (depends on which resort). Anyway, do take the DVC tour next time you're there and best of luck whatever you decide:thumbs: .

Hope someday to say "WELCOME HOME" fellow member:wiggle:

Take care:wave:

[steery1]

Thanks Steery1! :D (it's the WOMAN though:whistle: :wink: ) Hope someday to say "WELCOME HOME" fellow member:wiggle:

Take care:wave:

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_13_14.gif Oops :whistle:

[Aly]

:tigbounce Hi there:wavesmile,

Having scanned the other points, one other thing springs to mind (apologise if this point has already been made). We took advantage of the high interest rate whilst we were at WDW last summer, and purchased a DVC memebership at SS. There was an offer on at the time where if you were resident in the States you were given a free WDW holiday, whilst if you were resident outside of the States you had the option of taking a $2000 bonus instead (solely redeemable against the value of your membership). Offhand I cannot remember how much we had to pay per point. We decided that the majority of times that we would visit WDW it would be in either May or Oct, and therefore we purchased 200 points. This gives us the option of going each year at one of the selected times staying in the basic studio accomodation, or to go every two years and stay in an apartment. Additionally, any points remaining can be used to stay in the UK somewher, e.g. visit London and take in a show or whatever. At the time of purchasing the DVC membership we were offered a loan for when the outstanding balance was due, but this is in the US. Once again the exchange rate comes in to play, and we decided that the exchange rate was just to good at that time. We took out a loan in the UK upon our return and immediately paid the outstanding balance. The savings prove quite significant, for instance we received an exchange rat of 1.85 to the £, whereas at todays exchange rate of around 1.72 it would have cost us about £700 more. If the exchange rate is high during your next visit, I would definetly recommend the purchase. Anyway, I have waffled enough .... I just hope it's helpful.

[muskateers]

Aly that was one of the main factors that decided us to go for it to was the dollar rate. we also got a discount and they said it was their way of paying for our accommodation whilst out doing the tour :)

we haven't been back yet since we bought. can't wait to go for the first time. :D