Thinking of DVC

[disneygirl76]

Hi All!

My DH and I are thinking about DVC and we got the brochure information in the mail, but unless I am missing something, I can't find any rates or anything. I'm not looking at resale - I'm looking at new - specifically a week at Bay Lake. Am I correct with my understanding that you buy points. And you buy "X" amount of points to go to "X" DVR resort on "X" week. How do I figure out how many points I will need? Although I live in HHI and could go to a DVC meeting, I don't want the high pressure sales pitch. I know I want it...its just that I don't know what goal I am trying to reach. Can anyone tell me how many points I would need for an off season (say October) week at Bay Lake? And then how much would those points be to purchase?

Thanks! Any information is great!! :sohappy:

 

[WDW Vacationer]

I beleive for a certain price you get so a certain amount of points.


So if you pay say 16000 for 160 points(not real rates) you will get 160 additional points a year. You can bank points to use another year. So if you bank 30 points next year,the following year, using the above example you would have 190 points.

I THINK it works like this, but I'm not sure.

Hope it helps

 

[PoohBear119]

DH and I just bought into BLT this summer. We wanted to have enough points to be able to take two trips a year (Summer and then Nov.). We started with 200 points. The point system allows you to choose the week of your stay, the resort, the room (studio, 1 BR, 2 BR) and the view. The smallest amount you can buy I believe is 160 points.

You should look at wdwinfo.com or dvcnews.com to have a look at the points charts. wdwinfo has a points calculator that can translate a trip into points, that way you can see how many points (approx.) it will be for the week you want or usually go.

For example for Aug. 2-8 of 2009 it would be 111 points for a studio room with a standard view at BLT.

Here's the link for the calculator... http://www.wdwinfo.com/resort/dvcpoint.cfm

Hope this helps.

 

[DVC Mike]

Am I correct with my understanding that you buy points. And you buy "X" amount of points to go to "X" DVR resort on "X" week.

DVC is an extremely flexible point-based timeshare program. Members purchase an allotment of points for a one-time purchase price, and then receive the same amount of points to use each year until their contract end date arrives.

Point-based timeshare programs should not be confused with fixed-week timeshare programs. Under a fixed-week program, owners typically purchase the right to use a single accommodation for the same week every year. Under DVC’s point-based system, the member purchases points which may be redeemed for stays at any time of year, in a variety of different-sized units at many different resorts.

There are virtually no limitations placed on when, where or how one uses his or her points. For instance, a DVC member could spend 10 nights in a Studio villa at the BoardWalk one year, and 5 nights in a Three Bedroom Grand Villa at Old Key West the next year. Program guidelines even allow members to "bank" their points one year into the future and "borrow" from the next year, adding another layer of flexibility.

 

[luvlifeinfl]

I think that the OP explained the point system, I just want to say that we never felt pressured into buying into the DVC. Our guide which we truely love! I remember one thing he said to us when we went in for the sales pitch( he could tell I was in no mood for the dog & pony show) that they are not their to sale to you, there are there to give you all the information and answer all questions you have. If you want to purchase, they will be happy for you to join. I can tell you that we walked out not buying. It took us to finish our trip, return home and even a few more days before we decided to buy. We do not regret being in with DVC! For us to stay in the villa's are something that we could not afford every yr. Now we can go.

another point I want to make is that we want to use the DVC club to go to more than Disney World. Like 2yrs ago we used our points to stay at HHI and last yr we stayed at Vero Beach.

We have been to other Time share presentations and I can tell you Disney had the most professionalism.

If you want to talk to a sales guide I can give you are DVC sales persons name and you can call and ask him all your questions over the phone, just PM me and I will give you his number.

 

[mrerk]

160 points is the minimum purchase for a new member. Last I knew it was $112 per point, so you are looking at a little under $18,000. What you can get for 160 points in October at BLT depends on whether you want a studio, 1,2 or 3 bedroom and what view you want. For instance, a week in a studio in October is 104 points for a standard view, 123 for a lake view or 146 for a MK view. A 1BR is 216 (SV), 238 (LV) or 287 (MKV). A 2BR is 283 (SV),313 (LV) or 378 (MKV). A 3BR Grand Villa is 646 (LV) or 781 (MKV) (no standard view GV)

Like others have said, Disney is very low pressure. We didn't buy in until 4 years after we took the tour.

If you need a referral I or someone else here would be glad to give you one. (disclaimer: we do get a "spiff" from DVC if you do buy in.)

 

[Computer Magic]

I would look at resale. This economy has placed many DVC on the market. Some people can no longer afford the yearly commitment. You can buy in for as low as $79 per point for 150 points. A great value compared to new.

 

[mrerk]

I would look at resale. This economy has placed many DVC on the market. Some people can no longer afford the yearly commitment. You can buy in for as low as $79 per point for 150 points. A great value compared to new.

Very true. I've already seen some BLT points for sale. Sad.

 

[Bud Fox]

whats a good site to find resale?

THANKS

 

[mrerk]

The Timeshare Store is a sponser of the DVC pages here on WDWMagic. Their site is www.dvc-resales.com

One of their former agents went out on her own. Her site is www.dvcbyresale.com

 

[toolsnspools]

They brought the DVC sales show to Boston this spring. I bought into BLT at the show. I would definitely recommend going to see them before buying, even if you plan to buy resale. The sales pitch is zero pressure. Seriously, it was like "If you'd like to buy or get more info, see a CM, otherwise thanks for coming." I only wish I could have walked the rooms first. You can easily do that at HHI. Just remember each resort is a little different.

There are some great deals on the resale sites, but the deals offered by Disney directly were pretty good too. In fact, right after I bought through Disney, I checked the resale sites, and there were offers on the resale sites more than $10/pt higher than what I paid buying direct. Plus, you don't have to deal with figuring out the best deal based on points that the previous owner already used.

 

[dizzney]

DIsney offers great deals at times to buy points and in the current market I heard that the incentives have improved.

We initially bought 220 points at BWV in '99 when our oldest was 8 and we went in october/november and the spring and it was enough points for a 1 or two bedroom or one plus a studio,

Then we our oldest went into junior high, we bought another 30, nneded to go end of summer times, when he entered high school we bought another 25 so we were at 275 and could travel at any timne and get accomodations that would handle the 5 of us and his high school schedule.

Last year then we added 100 points at BLT to not only give us more flexibility but anticiapting with a son going to college and two more there eventually we would end up traveling with girlfriends/boyfriends and at some time grandchildren(not too soon there) but a total of 375 points would work well for us and are also divisibile 3 ways and we have three kids.

We absolutely love the DVC and have stayed at all of the DVC locations now except BLT and will be there January 5th and AK. It was the best decision we could ahve made and we added on points as needed directly thru Disney so we kept the same use year and its easy.

Good luck!

 

[dznygirl64]

We keep doing the math and still find DVC not a good deal for us.WE go three times a year each time for a week.September,October and January these are off times and generally lower room prices.The thing that gets me is the maintenance costs.Do your math first before investing its worth visiting a DVC showroom or seeing it at WDW first.Do your homework to see if this is truely for you.

 

[slappy magoo]

We keep doing the math and still find DVC not a good deal for us.WE go three times a year each time for a week.September,October and January these are off times and generally lower room prices.The thing that gets me is the maintenance costs.Do your math first before investing its worth visiting a DVC showroom or seeing it at WDW first.Do your homework to see if this is truely for you.

A day will (or, would) come where buying into DVC would become more cost-effective than paying out of pocket, but since you've been able to take advantage of times of the year when promotions are really good, that day is (or, would be) later than people like my family, who are reaching a point where we;ll only be able to go during late August, "Jersey Week" and the peak times.

Bear in mind that, sure, you have maintenance fees, and they tend to go up. But resort fees tend to go up, too. The Annual Pass Discount for a Value Resort now tends to be approximately what was a good discounted rate for a MODERATE resort just a few years ago.

 

[dznygirl64]

I know how the prices change I used to be a Disney store castmember getting POP for $35.00 a night and the Poly for $100.00 Wilderness for $75.00 how I miss those days (stupid childrens place) Anyway we have been close three time to purchase DVC once still as a cast member.Still the numbers just dont add up for us.We like staying eather at the Poly or Riverside or Pop if need be.The only way I would ever do DVC would be if the Poly ever added a DVC resort I would do that in a second.

 

[nolatron]

We keep doing the math and still find DVC not a good deal for us.WE go three times a year each time for a week.September,October and January these are off times and generally lower room prices.The thing that gets me is the maintenance costs.Do your math first before investing its worth visiting a DVC showroom or seeing it at WDW first.Do your homework to see if this is truely for you.

Yup. I simply rent points for our usual yearly trip to WDW. It costs about the same as what a DVC member pays in yearly dues, but without the upfront buy-in cost. I don't get all the perks a member might get and I have to find a member to book for me but that isn't that bad really. Pretty easy at another site.

I find that if simply rent points each year, it would take around 40 years for me spend what a DVC member might spend in 30 years on their buy-in costs and yearly dues. Unless you go several times a year for weeklong trips, buying into DVC simply doesn't seem worth it to me.

 

[dznygirl64]

DVC ers dont get that good of perks cant think of any.You get a discount on a annual pass thats about it.A couple dining discounts thats about it.Here Disney take my $35000.00 and I will keep paying maintenance fees for the next 50 years wash my own towels and make my own bed and take out my own trash each day.They give you a kitchen in each room but who wants to cook on vacation?And hope I can even get a room where I want to stay.They would have to do a lot of changes for me to purchase.

 

[Computer Magic]

DVC ers dont get that good of perks cant think of any.You get a discount on a annual pass thats about it.A couple dining discounts thats about it.Here Disney take my $35000.00 and I will keep paying maintenance fees for the next 50 years wash my own towels and make my own bed and take out my own trash each day.They give you a kitchen in each room but who wants to cook on vacation?And hope I can even get a room where I want to stay.They would have to do a lot of changes for me to purchase.

agreed with everything. I like mousekeepers cleaning up after me (don't worry I tip good). I'm on vacation, I want to be pampered. Give me free dining and cleanup services :lookaroun

besides 50 years is a long commitment. Will I still see Disney at 85 or walk in Disney at 85.

I will join DVC when they offer a Retirement Home :lol: Hopefully they will have diaper service.

 

[Lynne M]

DVC ers dont get that good of perks cant think of any.You get a discount on a annual pass thats about it.A couple dining discounts thats about it.Here Disney take my $35000.00 and I will keep paying maintenance fees for the next 50 years wash my own towels and make my own bed and take out my own trash each day.They give you a kitchen in each room but who wants to cook on vacation?And hope I can even get a room where I want to stay.They would have to do a lot of changes for me to purchase.

DVC is a timeshare, not a discount club. You don't buy a timeshare for ticket discounts.

In a timeshare, owners pay for the operating costs of the resort, including housekeeping, so everyone gets a basic level of housekeeping, and if you want more frequent housekeeping, you pay for it. That way all of the members don't end up paying for what only some of the members want.

The benefit of DVC is in the enormous savings you get on lodging. In March, I stayed in a gorgeous savannah view studio at AKV. Figuring in the purchase price, maintenance fees, points per night vs number of points I get a year....that room cost me $75-$90 per night.

For that price, I could have bought the dining plan, paid for daily housekeeping and still not come close to the roughly $380 (plus tax) per night that the general public pays for that room. Oh, and I got free internet and free valet parking, too.

BTW....you pay for housekeeping when you make a cash reservation at any Disney resort. It's buried somewhere in that $380 (plus tax) room rate. :lol:

 

[dznygirl64]

Not sure who or why anyone would pay $380.00 a night for a room.We usually stay at the Poly and have never payed more than $125.00 a night.We will be there in 24 days and I booked for $110.00 a night.We just dont see the deal in DVC.With the points and staying at the Poly (a non DVC resort it would cost way more than that) thats the problem we like to stay at the Poly and Riverside all non DVC resorts.We have visited all the DVC resorts and dont care for the DVC areas of the resorts.They seem isolated away from places to eat.We where interested in Bay lake tower but if you want to eat you have to go to the Contemporary?