[iluvwdw]

Hi! I was just wondering how the Disney Vacation Club works. I know it is a timeshare, but how does it work with the points and all? What are the minimum number of points someone can buy? Do they get to use the points on Disney property every year?
Approximately how much do points cost (if you don't mind me asking?). I am a timeshare owner, but it is not Disney so I am a bit confused as to how the DVC works. Thanks...

[BDavis932]

Disney Vacation Club is better than a timeshare!

Other than our home, it is the best investment we have ever made! I recommend it to everyone I know.....

First of all, you have the system down with the points. You buy a certain allotment of points that renew every year on your anniversary date (or use year). For example, every June I get 150 points put into my account. Our home resort is Old Key West. We bought in December of 2000.

I don't know what points are currently going for, I think they are around $84/point at the Beach Club Villas.

The BEST part about DVC is that you can use your points in SO MANY places!! Wonderful resorts all over the US, Disney Cruises, Disney Resorts on and off DL & WDW property, and places all around the globe. DVC makes it so easy!!

We used our points for the first time at Keystone Resort in Colorado in June of 2001. For 6 of us, we stayed in a 2 bedroom condo in a wonderful resort with lots of free activities!! For 7 nights we used 147 points.

For us 150 points work great. We are only allowed 2 weeks vacation at our jobs, and we ALWAYS drive to where ever we are going. So 7 days at our destination works well for us. We use 98 points at Old Key West staying in a studio during May or June.

Every trip you book, you do it directly though DVC. You tell them when and where....and they do the rest! They make it very simple!!

I hope I helped, and I know others here will be able to give you more info, too! Also, go to the home page of Disney Central and in the top left corner is a search function. Type in DVC and check out other threads that have been discussed.

[trishb]

I want to know, too. I need very basic information. Is there a start-up cost, and then a yearly renewal?

[ilvminnie]

Originally posted by trishb
I want to know, too. I need very basic information. Is there a start-up cost, and then a yearly renewal?

You buy your points at whatever price they currently are per point. We financed it thru DVC for 10 years (although we'll pay for it before then) & can deduct our mortgage as 2nd home mortgage. You can then use the points every year through 2042. Even once the points are paid off, though, you do have to pay a yearly homeowners fee. That is also based on the number of points you buy, but they'll break that down into 12 monthly payments each year with no finance charges.

Hope that helps.

[iluvwdw]

Thank you so much for the info! I own timeshare, and it is very similar (points and all). I happen to be at a really great place where I can trade internally (no exchange company...and NO extra fees!) to go to a bunch of resorts. I can also use an exchange company to go to other places, although I still haven't found a need to use the exchange company yet! See, I own 2 weeks right outside of Disney World (practically next to entrance to DTD). And seeing everyone talk about the DVC makes me feel like I would rather own there, especially since EVERY SINGLE YEAR you could stay on Disney Property...no questions asked! It seems really expensive though...and it is not deeded, right? I wonder if there is a way to buy one through a resale, where someone used a few years of it and decided it wasn't for them...maybe I could get one a lot cheaper, than buying through Disney? Anyone have any suggestions or information? Also, what are the maintenance/homeowners taxes every year? And when you want to trade to go to a different resort other than the place you own, don't you have to pay a $75 fee every time? I am trying to see if it is worth it, since I already own two weeks. But I would SURE LOVE to own on Disney Property...hmmmmmm......:dazed

[blossomz]

We bought our points last year and are planning our first trip "home" for July! We can hardly wait! It really is the best deal. We are planning a land and sea trip next summer! You start out with a basic number of points @ the going rate...I agree I think it is $84 each/ 150 points minimum. Then on every year of the anniversary of your use year you get the same number of points. Depending on how frequently you vacation and the time of year is how many points you buy. Your rep will help you to decide. Then it is up to you how and when you want to spend them! You can borrow on next year's points if you need them or you can bank what is left from this year to use next year! It is amazing! We are soo happy that we bought in! :) :heart

[ilvminnie]

Originally posted by iluvwdw
It seems really expensive though...and it is not deeded, right? I wonder if there is a way to buy one through a resale, where someone used a few years of it and decided it wasn't for them...maybe I could get one a lot cheaper, than buying through Disney? Anyone have any suggestions or information? Also, what are the maintenance/homeowners taxes every year? And when you want to trade to go to a different resort other than the place you own, don't you have to pay a $75 fee every time? I am trying to see if it is worth it, since I already own two weeks. But I would SURE LOVE to own on Disney Property...hmmmmmm......:dazed

No it's not deeded in that sense. You'll only get to use the points 'til 2042. You can get resales, just be careful. I've heard that there have been folks selling theirs & they've not only used the current years points already, but they've also borrowed on the next year. You don't want to buy something you can't use for a year or 2. As far as homeowners, you pay according to the number of points you have. I think right now it's about $3.60/point. You don't have to pay to stay in a resort other than your home resort on WDW, but you do have to pay the $75 if you book a Disney cruise or go to DLP or trade outside Disney. But our "home" is BCV & in Oct we're staying at BWV for no "fee."

Hoped this helped. Let me know if you need anything else.

[graybill]

I just wanted to mention something that I felt was very important to me when I joined, which you may or may not know.
The total number of points required to stay at the DVC resorts will not increase over the life of the contrtact. Certain dates may change due to the way some holidays fall, but overall the total will stay the same.
Obviously the cash room rates will continue to rise, but DVC members are protected from the increases because of the point system. Think of what rates might be in 20 or 30 years.

graybill

[ilvminnie]

Great point, graybill. It hadn't occurred to me to mention that. Such a wise one you are!:D

[Connears]

We bought in 1994 at OKW(210 points). We have enjoyed 11 trips to WDW at DVC resorts and 6 times to HHI. We have also rented to friends 3 times and given a honeymoon to my cousin's daughter(this was at HHI and they loved it!). We have never regretted buying and just added on 50 points at HHI. It is great because of the flexibilty. We are on our way to BCV in June and OKW again for New Year's.
Connears