[WALL]

Me and the DW are discussing purchasing DVC, We figure it will be at first expensive but down the road it will pay off. Any rookie tips to know of, or advice on what to look for while purchasing. We figure we will always do this annually so why not try and see if it can save $ on future and current vacations... putting on my Mickey Ears to listen

[rlcarmichael]

We've found it to have been a great investment in our leisure time. It FORCES me to take time off, and the points based system works great for me because we take more short trips instead of a full week like traditional timeshares.

It is a great time to buy, if you can afford it. There are some good incentives. I'll PM you with some additional info.

[WALL]

Thank You Sir !!!!!!

[DisneyTeacher]

Ask any questions you have, there are lots of us who love to help.

There's a referral thread in the DVC forum that you might want to check out if you would like a referral for a guide. DVC offers special discounts if you give a member's name the first time you call and the member gets a referral bonus if you give their name.

[WishUponAStar]

Yup, there's lots to explore & figure out but your best bet is to get hooked up with a guide who gives lots of info. That's what we did & we didn't end up buying for two more years but when incentives & good deals came out we got all the info.

Good luck! There's lots of DVC pros here who are willing to help.

[dadofthree]

we have looked into it - started looking in Jan of this year. Everything seems like a GREAT deal but we just aren't quite ready to take the plung. I am hoping to visit with DVC folks on my next trip.

Also, I have one man above me in our company and I will take his job when he retires sometimes b/w now and the next 2 years. We didn't want to committ to something too big or too small when we know that my pay will change in the next couple of years - we just don't know how much? That is probaly the biggest thing holding us back right now.

Also, I will be getting 2 weeks of vacation time after another year...which means more Disney time.

[DisneyTeacher]

Originally Posted by dadofthree

we have looked into it - started looking in Jan of this year. Everything seems like a GREAT deal but we just aren't quite ready to take the plung. I am hoping to visit with DVC folks on my next trip.

Also, I have one man above me in our company and I will take his job when he retires in the next 2 years. We didn't want to committ to something too big or too small when we know that my pay will change in the next couple of years - we just don't know how much? That is probaly the biggest thing holding us back right now.

Take your time and play with the numbers. We waited several years before we finally bought in. I'm glad we waited, by the time we bought in we KNEW it was the right move for us.

[jk8]

When we first started going to WDW we stayed in the Value resorts and the price for DVC just did not compute. This is due to the annual maintenance fees you have to pay on your points. Once we started upgrading to Moderate and Deluxe then it started to make sense. So, just don't forget those fees in your decision.

[DisneyTeacher]

Originally Posted by jk8

When we first started going to WDW we stayed in the Value resorts and the price for DVC just did not compute. This is due to the annual maintenance fees you have to pay on your points. Once we started upgrading to Moderate and Deluxe then it started to make sense. So, just don't forget those fees in your decision.

That's very true. If you're happy staying at the value resorts and 'are only in your room to sleep and shower' then DVC may not make sense. However, if you stay at moderate or deluxe resorts then it may make more sense to buy in. We love to use the resorts and love to stay in the deluxe resorts so DVC makes sense for us.

[dadofthree]

with my family - we are going to be forced to make some sort of decision soon. We have 2 boys (8 and 5) and a girl (1 year old)...and within the next 2 years we will be forced into always getting 2 rooms or suites. This also will very likely force our hand at either staying off-property in a Condo type place or doing the DVC.

Even in value resorts - paying for 2 rooms or family suites gets expensive

[DisneyTeacher]

Originally Posted by dadofthree

with my family - we are going to be forced to make some sort of decision soon. We have 2 boys (8 and 5) and a girl (1 year old)...and within the next 2 years we will be forced into always getting 2 rooms or suites. This also will very likely force our hand at either staying off-property in a Condo type place or doing the DVC.

Even in value resorts - paying for 2 rooms or family suites gets expensive

I believe AKV and BLT have one bedrooms that sleep 5, with 3 kids that's something to think about before you buy in.

[rlcarmichael]

Originally Posted by jk8

When we first started going to WDW we stayed in the Value resorts and the price for DVC just did not compute. This is due to the annual maintenance fees you have to pay on your points. Once we started upgrading to Moderate and Deluxe then it started to make sense. So, just don't forget those fees in your decision.

I disagree...

The Disney site has values from $89 per night - plus 12% tax. So that's FROM $100 per night.

DVC Studios are as low as 8 points per night. Even renting points at $11 the price is the same...and NO TAX. Member cost is lower than that considering the annual fee. Firgure $5 and it's "from" $40 per night and the taxes are included.

The Roach Motel down the street will cost you more than that!

My advice to a new member would be buy the minimum, keep the costs down because you can always add more points as you want/need to. Add on contracts are as low as 25 for cash or 50 financed.

[DisneyTeacher]

Originally Posted by rlcarmichael

I disagree...

The Disney site has values from $89 per night - plus 12% tax. So that's FROM $100 per night.

DVC Studios are as low as 8 points per night. Even renting points at $11 the price is the same...and NO TAX. Member cost is lower than that considering the annual fee. Firgure $5 and it's "from" $40 per night and the taxes are included.

Wouldn't they have to stay 20 nights for that to work out since the fewest points you can buy through DVC is 160? Am I missing something?

[PeterPansPixie]

Make sure you check out the resale market as there are some great deals out there right now. I know some people are against this because it takes a little bit longer and you have to pay closing costs but if you do your homework you can save a ton of money. We purchased a loaded contract resale this past Novermber with tons of banked points and the whole process only took about 6 weeks and it was super easy. Looking at the incentives that Disney was offering at the time, we have figured that we saved a little over $4000. Do your homework though because not all contracts are such a big savings if a savings at all.

[WishUponAStar]

Originally Posted by PeterPansPixie

Make sure you check out the resale market as there are some great deals out there right now. I know some people are against this because it takes a little bit longer and you have to pay closing costs but if you do your homework you can save a ton of money. We purchased a loaded contract resale this past Novermber with tons of banked points and the whole process only took about 6 weeks and it was super easy. Looking at the incentives that Disney was offering at the time, we have figured that we saved a little over $4000. Do your homework though because not all contracts are such a big savings if a savings at all.

Yeah, I agree. Resale can either be a REAL gem, or not so great. I know a few members on MB have been dissapointed because Disney has refused them; Disney gets the 'right of refusal' on resales if they wish. Although, there have been some members with really good experiences.

We looked through the re-sales before BLT was annonced cause we were thinking about adding on 100 points anyway but nothing was that great of a deal & I was glad I waited for Disney anyway 'cause BLT turned out to be our dream resort.