Hey guys
hubby and I decided (not right yet) but within the next 6-8 months we will be purchasing DVC. It is so hard nowadays to get solid info from the internet about DVC... I've done the tour twice and I know it's for me. Looking at about a $10,000 difference here, so these are my questions ...
1) If I purchase resale can I still purchase TIW?
2) I understand if I purchase resale I won't get into after hours events or events exclusive to DVC ... How often do these types of events happen?
3) Is it still the same deal where I can book my home resort 11 months out and all the others 7 months out?
4) Does purchasing resale limit where I can go? We do not plan on buying DVC just to see Florida LOL
5) I understand with DVC you get discounts on certain tours and activities.... this is something I'm really interested in, but how great are the savings?
Really trying to weigh out the pros and cons here. All these discounts and special events for DVC sound amazing but I'm just trying to see if they will be saving me the $10,000 I would save elsewhere (resale) between 2017 and 2069 LOL
When you purchase a contract - be it resale or direct, the only thing that you are gaurenteed is the ability to use your points at DVC properties as set forth in the contract. I believe that the 11 and 7 month windows are in the contract - I don't have mine handy to check.
Everything else can (and does) change. The ability to putchase TIW is a perk, after hour events and access to them are a perk, using points for cruises, ABD, RCI, Disney Collection, and other such things is a perk, DVC discounts are also a perk.
What that means is they can take away or add these things to both resale and direct contracts as they see fit. You should not go into a purchase decision based on curent perks, because they can and do change.
Now, as to the general essence of your question.
1) If I purchase resale can I still purchase TIW? - At this point in time, yes (edit, maybe not - I dont think it was explicitly stated you could not do it, but as mentioned above, you dont get a member card with a resale). However, I bought AP's without a member card (I left it in the room) by signing into the DVC member website on my phone and showing the CM my member number. I don't know if you could do the same for TiW)
2) I understand if I purchase resale I won't get into after hours events or events exclusive to DVC ... How often do these types of events happen? - I believe you can get into some, but not all. I know that's not a great answer, but I belive that things like DVC night at Splitsville, are open to any DVC owner.
3) Is it still the same deal where I can book my home resort 11 months out and all the others 7 months out? - Yes, and as I said, I believe this is contractural.
4) Does purchasing resale limit where I can go? We do not plan on buying DVC just to see Florida LOL - You cannot use resale points for cruises, ABD, or Disney Collection (non-DVC properties at WDW - such as Pop Century or Port Orleans for example). This is a horrible use of points by the way, and you would be much better off renting out your points and using the cash. Resale points can be used for timeshare weeks (as of now)
5) I understand with DVC you get discounts on certain tours and activities.... this is something I'm really interested in, but how great are the savings? - 10 to 20 percent on some most things that have a discount. It helps,. but it is not really a super bonus in my opinon. You get it on some dining, some merch, and some tours and activities. I guess if you do those a lot, it can add up.
Really trying to weigh out the pros and cons here. All these discounts and special events for DVC sound amazing but I'm just trying to see if they will be saving me the $10,000 I would save elsewhere (resale) between 2017 and 2069 LOL - Honestly, no. The differences between resale and direct at this point in time are not going to save you a whole bunch of money. OF course, as I said, perks are not written in stone, and they can remove (or add) them at will.
-dave