[lopo]

I have reviewed all the posts in DVC Corner, but I wanted to call all the members' attention to this topic in case there is any new info to share . . . I am currently considering a purchase. Well, I am looking into all the possibilities anyway. One of the biggest issues I am seeking info about is whether it is better to purchase directly from DVC (or Hilton, Sheraton, Marriott . . .) or whether it is better to buy from a resale group (or even a private party if that is possible) My definition of "better" in this instance is economical and services (and/or incentives) provided.

I know that Mickey bought points for OKW thru The Timeshare Group. (By the way, there certainly appears to be lots of info on their website! I have been pouring over it and I don't think I made a dent!)

Anyone got any advice, additional info, etc. to share? I guess right now you could tag me as a DVC Wannabe!

[mickey]

Yes, we purchased our DVC through the Timeshare Store. I would do it again in a heart beat. There is NO difference between buying it through them and buying it from Disney. They just transfer the account over to you from the previous owner, and you get a welcome kit just as if you purchased it from Disney. They consider you the original owners of the points. The prices quoted on the Timeshare Store site are the asking prices, so don't be affraid to make a lower offer. The only other cost are the closing cost that you pay, and they are well worth it. We paid about $400 closing costs for our 270 points, so it should be something around that. The one other thing is to make sure and take a look at any points that they have banked, because they have a great value. We go nearly 300 points plus an additional 270 the next month after we closed, so we had 570 points to use immediately. We took two twelve days trips, a four day trip for me and minnie and then sold the rest on ebay for about $1,000. Not a bad transaction.

Marriott also somethimes provides incentives to purchase directly from them, such as free Marriott Rewards Points or free weeks. Disney doesn't really offer incentives, other than they will purchase your first years' worth of point from you for more than you paid for them.

The only downfall buying through a reseller is that if you want to purchase points at one of the newer resorts, it may be difficult. I have seen points for Wilderness Lodge and Boardwalk, but you won't see points for the new Beach Club Villas for a couple of years. One note, you can use your points at any off the DVC resorts. So, we own at OKW, and have used them at OKW, Boardwalk and Vero Beach. The only difference is that you can book at your home resort 11 months in advance, and any other resort 7 months in advance. So, if you want to go during a really busy time, you will probably have to stay at your home resort.

We also own Marriott, and that is the only other one I am familiar with. It is run differently, in that rather than points, you purchase weeks, and can basically only trade for whole weeks at other timeshares. If you are looking for a Marriott, you should buy directly from Marriott. The difference is that you can exchange your weeks for Marriott Rewards Points if you purchase from Marriott, and if you don't, you don't have that opportunity. We own two weeks, and usually trade one of them for points and we use one. Two years of points gives us a 7 day vacation to Europe, including round trip airfare for two, 7 nights in any Marriott and a discounted rental car. Not a bad deal.

I like the Disney approach much better. You can choose your length of stay, manage your points easier, and you get to stay on Disney property. If you are planning on visiting WDW on a regular basis, I would go with Disney. We usually go twice within a twelve month period, and then we don't go again for a couple of years. It works for us, we buy annual passes, and go for about ten or twelve days at a time.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

[lopo]

The one thing I know, Mickey, is that this DVC stuff is mega-confusing!

If I owned 200 points at BWV with a use year indicated as "June", what does that mean as far as me being able to book a vacation at BWV? For instance, I envison that our vacations over the next five years would revolve around school vacation times (mid-Feb., mid-April, summer, Christmas holiday period) If I wanted to go in Feb. 2003, would I be able to make the arrangements in March 2002 (for example)? What about if we wanted to stay at another Disney property? With a "June" year, does it mean that I could make the arrangements in December of the previous year? Is the time measured seven months prior to June or seven months before we want to vacation?

Holy cow! As I re-read this convoluted message, I realize that I am even more confused now than I was before I started writing!:dazed

[mickey]

Our use year is June, and all that means is when we receive our points. You just have to have points when you show up, not when you make the reservation. You can also borrow points from the next year if you need to.

The 11 and 7 month windows have to do with your day of arrival rather than your use year. If you own at BWV, you can make the reservation 11 months in advance. If you wanted to stay at another DVC, you can make the reservation 7 months in advance. If we want to stay somewhere else, we usually make a reservation at our home resort 11 months out, and then check back 7 months out at the other resort. If they have availability, we cancel our first reservation and book the new one, and if there isn't any availability, we stick with our original reservation.

Does that make sense?

[lopo]

That makes sense, Mickey, even to me! Thanks for filling me in.

[jgriff2388]

I've also been checking into the DVC, but my husband does not know this yet. It's something I am definitely interested in, but I don't know if he is. That will take some convincing. Well if he knows he can go golfing a few times during the trip, that will probably convince him. I like the idea of taking a 10 or 12 day trip too every two years, and with the DVC, it appears this would be more cost effective overall.:)

[mickey]

jgriff, I would suggest, during your next trip, that you stop by either the boardwalk, Wilderness Lodge or the new Beach Club and take a quick tour. It only takes about an hour, they are not pushy at all and won't try to force you into buying anything. You will get an idea of what the rooms are like, where they are located, and the price. Then go home, talk about it, and tell your husband that you can get a much better price buying it through resale.

Honestly, we couldn't afford to go to WDW as much as we do if we didn't own DVC. We can stay in a two bedroom villa at OKW during October or November for about $145 per night for a 12 night vacation, and our price really won't go up much over the next 40 years. The cost might be a little more expensive for you, since we bought our points a couple of years ago, and the price has gone up.

Want a really good deal? Our cost for a five night vacation in a studio in the boardwalk would be $45 per night, during anytime in the off season. These same rooms rent for over $290 to $350 per night at the Boardwalk Inn, plus tax!

Oh, and one other thing, DVC members get a pretty good discount on the WDW golf courses.

[jgriff2388]

Oh, and one other thing, DVC members get a pretty good discount on the WDW golf courses.

Well if he hears golf course and discount in one sentence, he might definitely be interested. My husband went on a golf trip years ago to Disney with some friends, and they stayed at the old Disney Golf Inn, aka The Disney Inn, and now Shades of Green. So there is always the possibility that I can convince him.
We will only be in Disney for 5 days, I doubt we'll have enough time for the tour. However, if we can squeeze it in, we definitely will. I was thinking that for our next trip in a year or two, we would stay at the BC, since I've learned about their wonderful pool. So may be we'll go the Boardwalk for a meal, and then I'll leisurely shove him over to the BC for a tour.
Mickey, do you have to call DVC and make arrangements for the tour?

[mickey]

You can make a reservation at any of the DVC booths located throughout the parks. They will come pick you up at your resort and return you if you would like. I believe the Boardwalk one is open quite late. We have just walked up after Illuminations and dinner, and just walked through. I would just ask at one of the booths how late they are open, and stop by after dinner at Spoodles or Flying Fish. Really, you could probably do the tour and get some decent info in less than 30 minutes.