[iluvwdw]

I have been thinking of buying into DVC for a while now, and I just haven't been sure it is for me. Now, finally, I am thinking of buying in (I have 2 days to make the decision to get the $10 discount!), but I just don't know....

Here's my situation; we own two weeks of timeshare in a 2 bedroom during any season at Vistana Resort...right outside of Disney. Whenever we go to Disney, we stay at our resort. However, there have been a lot of great additions to our resort "family" and we can go other great places, just converting our points, with no additional exchange fees or anything. So last year, we went to the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas for 8 days and stayed in a HUGE 2 bedroom lock off villa...and I still had 7 days worth of points at Vistana (although it was a 1 bedroom :( ). The Atlantis vacation was SO good, that I want to go every year! I actually already planned my trip for next May!:D

So here's what I am thinking...take our two weeks of timeshare and use it to go OTHER places, not Orlando. (ie Atlantis, Colorado, Arizona, California, Maui, St. Johns, etc, etc)
THEN buy 150 points of DVC and use that to go to Disney World every year...and if we want to skip a year and have a better Disney vacation the following year (or even a cruise), we can do that too!

My husband is pretty much on board. However, there are lots of things we want to do in the house right now and we have credit card bills we are paying off! My argument is that it is actually CHEAPER than one of our Vistana weeks (although Vistana is a huge 2 bedroom, 2 bath villa...the other week we got REALLY cheap!!!!), and we will be staying on property every year. Eugene says that a studio is too small for us, however, I say it's fine for now and we can always buy additional points later. Or we can stay for FEWER days in a bigger unit.

What are everyone's thoughts? Should I do it or shouldn't I? I have had such a crappy week, that this is one of the only things that I think about, that is making me happy and somewhat excited.

What should I do??? I have two days to make my decision!:dazed :dazed :dazed

Any and all guidance is greatly appreciated!!!!!

THANKS!!! :)

[llama]

A decision like this is always scary, because, let's face it, we're talking about a considerable amount of money.

We also have another timeshare, Interval International, which we bought several years before buying into the DVC. One of the reasons we bought it was because Disney is also a member of Interval and you could book into DVC properties through them. For 2 years we tried this and it never happened. We finally met with a representative at Boardwalk one year and made the big leap. (And let me tell you, when you have to take into consideration things like the exchange rate, it is a big leap). We bought into the Vero Beach property, and Disney gave us a nice incentive. However, we have NEVER regretted having our other time share. We like to travel, our kids are older now, and we've used it for travel in Europe, Canada, the Carribbean and a cruise. We reserve our Disney points solely for WDW vacations (and have used it for a Disney cruise, as well). Not only that but for the last few years we have simply told Interval "we want to go to WDW" and leave it with them. We give them no time frame (I admit that we are lucky to be able to travel just about any time we want because my husband is self-employed). Well, since 2000 we have had a week at Disney on Interval every year. We get that first (whenever its available) and then we either add on a week with our DVC membership or use DVC during the year for a second trip. There is absolutely no way we could afford this without the timeshares. So - I guess I'm saying, 2 timeshares are better than one. I see that the Vistana Resort is also available through Interval (says its a Sheraton Vacation Ownership Resort), so perhaps you have the same kind of deal. I'd check into it. Sorry to run on so long, but maybe this will give you an idea about having the two.

[MickeyMamma]

Kim,

Not sure what to recommend for you. When we go and it is just us and DS, we will be using a studio. No reason not to do that. When he gets bigger or if somebody else comes with us (like we plan in June) we are going to the 1-bedroom.

I am around tonight and tomorrow if you want to talk - on the regular telephone, I mean. I figure that might be easier than going through chat.

Hope things are going a little better today. I will get the picture of the boys posted a little later today.

Call if you want.

[iluvwdw]

Originally posted by llama
We also have another timeshare, Interval International, which we bought several years before buying into the DVC. One of the reasons we bought it was because Disney is also a member of Interval and you could book into DVC properties through them. For 2 years we tried this and it never happened. Not only that but for the last few years we have simply told Interval "we want to go to WDW" and leave it with them.

Yes, Llama...I too am a part of Interval, but NEVER once have I seen a WDW resort on the exchange list...it simply is not available. Can you explain to me exactly HOW you are able to do it? And I know what you mean about having 2 time shares...however, we have TWO WEEKS at Vistana, through Interval and Starwood, and then this will be an additional week or more (or less, depending on accomodations!) with Disney. I guess I am just trying to justify adding another week to the 2 I already own...

I spoke to them tonight, and told them I need another day or two to think about it. Hmmm....any other advice? Thanks again Llama...I do appreciate yours! So far, it looks like a GO! :laugh

[GrumpyDad]

After we started to pay for our WDW vacations, instead of going during work related conventions, we started talking about DVC. We blew it off the first year, looked into it the second year, and then last year decided we wanted to make the plunge. I had an old hot rod that I wasn't driving much anymore and so we decided to sell it and use the proceeds to pay for some points.

Once the car was sold and we had the money in hand we started asking ourselves if this would be the best use of the money, and the simple fact is that our youngest starts high school next year and we just don't know if we will be going back until after she goes off to college. Added to that my DW really wants to go a few other places, like Mexico and Italy and it just didn't seem to make sense for us anymore.

So here is what we decided. Half the money went into a college fund, I "reinvested" the other half in another project car, a fairly rare collectors car. It will take me about 4 years to finish the restoration on this car, by that time DD will be off to college and then we will see if it makes sense to join for the two of us. Of course if one of the older children decides to bless us with grandchildren, well then that would change everything :). ( I will be known as the Disney Grandpa ! ! ! )

The bottom line for us, if we had been smart and started sooner, or if we still had some young'uns around we would do it in a heart beat. But for the moment it just wasn't quite right.

-harry

ps: Be sure to check into reslae points, there are some killer bargains there!

[skwak]

We have gone to WDW the past 4 years and probably have been considering the DVC for the past 3 years. We are now taking the plunge and I anticipate that I will probably enjoy it so much that I will be one of those people who years later posts that he wish he had done it 3 years earlier.

If you can afford it ($$$), I'd say go for it. I think it will pay for itself. I now view it as a semi-investment, sort-of like buying a house instead of renting. Even after you have paid off the initial investment, your DVC has value and could always be sold if your lifestyle changes greatly.

Seems like a low risk to me. :hmmm

[llama]

INLUVWDW - Do you have the Interval Book 2003-2004? The DVC properties are on p. 120-121. We bought Interval specifically for Disney in 1996 (I think), and we did not have ANY LUCK ever getting one. Then, basically, we changed our tactics and at the beginning of every year, we would just put in an exchange for WDW, with no time frame. This, amazingly, worked. The first year they gave us a week in Sept. Since we have had weeks in July, January and February. It always seems to be at OKW. I realize not everyone is able to do this, but if you can take a week off during the year at any given time, your chances of getting one are strong. For instance, this year my husband put in a request in July. The next day they called with a week in January. Some times it takes a few weeks to hear from them, and like this time, a day, but since 2000 we've gone every year. (once twice a year).

So what you are saying is that you MUST take two weeks at Vistana? You cannot trade for something else? Can you sell one of your weeks to relatives or friends? With Interval we purchased a timeshare in the Dominican Republic, but we can trade this for anywhere else, basically, in the world. We've never been disappointed with the accomodations. If you are a member of Interval you will be able to do this. (I don't know about Starwood). They have never given us less than a month's notice.

As for the points consideration (150), you can bank or borrow points. For instance, if you got a week at WDW with Interval and weren't going to use your DVC points, you can bank them to the next year. Or, if you need more points for a vacation, you can borrow points from your next year. There are various options. We have sometimes moved into a studio for Friday and Saturday night, when it takes more points to stay.

Hope this doesn't confuse you more!!

[kphil89]

Originally posted by iluvwdw
Yes, Llama...I too am a part of Interval, but NEVER once have I seen a WDW resort on the exchange list...it simply is not available. Can you explain to me exactly HOW you are able to do it? And I know what you mean about having 2 time shares...however, we have TWO WEEKS at Vistana, through Interval and Starwood, and then this will be an additional week or more (or less, depending on accomodations!) with Disney. I guess I am just trying to justify adding another week to the 2 I already own...

I spoke to them tonight, and told them I need another day or two to think about it. Hmmm....any other advice? Thanks again Llama...I do appreciate yours! So far, it looks like a GO! :laugh

Me too LLama, I'd like to know how to swing this too. I 've seen the DVC resorts in the exchange book but never on the list!

[llama]

I don't know what more I can tell you. Like I said, we don't put in for a specific date, we (the Royal We, my husband) call and tell them we want to trade for a week at WDW. It works. My husband is out of town right now, when I talk to him today I'll ask him to verify exactly what he does and post it - but as I say - you have to be absolutely free as to when you can go.

[iluvwdw]

Llama, thanks for the info. Yes, I am well aware the the DVC properties are part of Interval International, but whenever I look at what's available for exchange, the Disney resorts are never on the list...so I never thought to even bother calling or anything! And I think I would want to have some say as to when I could travel....I never want to be at Disney in the summer again! (lol)

As for my 2 weeks at Vistana, I do not have to go to Vistana...I can exchange it with Interval and go anywhere (WDW, if I could get the exchange! LOL....) and they also have their own internal network of resorts I could go to with NO exchange fees, and I could book that up to 8 months in advance. These resorts in clude Atlantis, Paradise Island; Westin Kanapaali, Maui; Sheraton Broadway Plantation, Myrtle Beach; Two Resorts in Colorado; Westin, St. John USVI; Westin Rancho Mirage Spa, California; Two in Arizona, The Two Vistana's in Orlando and one in Port St. Lucie, Florida....

So I do have options with my two weeks, however, I would rather use that time to go to one of these other resorts free of charge, and use the Disney Vacation Club to go exclusively to Disney. That's what I am confused about...do I really NEED another time share? The answer is NO...but is it the right thing for me to do, especially since I LOVE WDW and would LOVE to be able to afford to stay there every year at a Deluxe/Home Away From Home Resort!!!

So.........I am still trying to figure it out............I have ONE MORE DAY to decide. Any other opinions out there? THANKS ALL!!!!

[disneydana]

Hey Kim--I don't know much about DVC. We looked into it about 11/2-2yrs. ago and decided it wasn't right for us at that time. If we had bought, we would have probably gone the resale route. It just seemed like a better deal. How frequently do you go to WDW? I am assuming at least once a year because of your timeshare. How frequently do you travel to other places? I guess what I'm asking is do you have the vacation time, money, etc. to use the timeshare you already own in other places and still make a yearly trip to Disney? Why do you have such a short time to make this decision? This is a lot of money and I hate to see you so rushed.

One last question. Can you only stay at DVC properties with points or can you use them for any resort?

I know I'm not much help, but hopefully this gives you some things to think about to make the right decision.

[jmouse]

I don't own an off-site timeshare, but I do own DVC. I would think staying in an off-site timeshare versus a DVC villa is the equivalent of staying off-site versus a Disney resort hotel. If you have the vacation time and the extra money for the DVC pourchase, I think your idea would work out well. The only caution I would give is that you probably would not be happy in a studio given that you are used to the bigger villa. And keep in mind that most DVC members, once they make the inital purchase, usually end up thinking they need more points!

Another option that might work well for you - use your DVC points every other year for a stay at WDW. That would give you double the points for your stay, letting you go at a more "expensive" time or get a bigger unit. If you go to WDW every year, your "off" year can use your Vistana timeshare.

Good luck with your decision.

[skwak]

Originally posted by jmouse
...And keep in mind that most DVC members, once they make the inital purchase, usually end up thinking they need more points!

I have to say that we worried about this since we were just making this decision yesterday. I figured it was better to get a little extra since the cost over 50 years would long be forgotten but the joy would last forever.

[A Goofy Family]

We took the plunge last night! :D We are now official members of DVC..well we will be after we sign the contract. We too looked at this over the past couple of years. DSis (BDavis) has tried to get us to do this since they joined a few years back. After studying and analysizing everything we figured, "what do we have to lose" after payoff-we'll still have 40 years of wonderful vacations to look forward to. In fact my inlaws are looking at it today with a fine tooth comb (as they do any investment regardless the dollar amount) and I think they will make their call tonight to join. We do not have any other timeshares, so we're not in the same position as you.
Some DC's have recommended resale...one thing to keep in mind is that those are only good for another 30 some years...the Saratoga Plan is good for 50 years!
You still have a few more hours to make your decision at the $10 discount...Good Luck!

[Huakai]

Let me be one of the first to tell you congratulations on your purchase!!! I know from experience that you won't regret the decision. Welcome to the club. :D :D