DVC or Regular Timeshare?

[yazmin182]

Hello,

Sorry but I have one more question. I have went on other timeshare presentations before and I liked the idea a lot. I know the two that I went on work with a company called RCI (I think) and that's where you can stay at tons of other hotels around the world using your points.

Does DVC has just as many oppurtunities? Or is the main point of DVC for disney lovers? Does anyone even use their points to go anywhere else in the world.

Any suggestions will help.
THanks

 

[Tim G]

IMO????

No DVC, no regular timeshare... IMO no timeshare what so ever... :lookaroun

 

[yazmin182]

IMO????

No DVC, no regular timeshare... IMO no timeshare what so ever... :lookaroun

lol.

Really? I like the whole timeshare idea especially since I trave a lot. But I know it's not for everybody.

 

[DisneyMarg]

We are members of another club - not DVC. However, from what I read on here, it sounds like many DVC members are also members of Interval International, as we are. The exchanges you're talking about ("all around the world") are handled through an exchange company and Interval is an exchange company. We have used our timeshare points ONLY through Interval - we have never stayed at our "home" resort. However, if we were members of DVC, I'm sure that would not be the case!

To answer your question, my guess is that if you are a member of DVC, you choose a "home" resort that is one of the Disney resorts, then, if you are also a member of Interval International, you can exchange for other places around the world.

 

[yazmin182]

We are members of another club - not DVC. However, from what I read on here, it sounds like many DVC members are also members of Interval International, as we are. The exchanges you're talking about ("all around the world") are handled through an exchange company and Interval is an exchange company. We have used our timeshare points ONLY through Interval - we have never stayed at our "home" resort. However, if we were members of DVC, I'm sure that would not be the case!

To answer your question, my guess is that if you are a member of DVC, you choose a "home" resort that is one of the Disney resorts, then, if you are also a member of Interval International, you can exchange for other places around the world.

Wow thanks for the info! This Interval Internaional, do you buy that seperately or with DVC?

 

[DisneyPhD]

Hello neighbor across the river. Interval is not a part of DVC but you can trade from one to the other although I've heard it can be difficult to trade into DVC as there is lots of demand for Disney and not very many DVC members are trading out of it. A lot more of the materials we have been getting from DVC (newsletters and emails) have been pushing the other non-DVC options lately. We only use DVC for Disney trips, that is why we bought it and that is where you get the most for your money. Even staying at other non-DVC WDW hotels (Poly, Contemp, GF) is not really worth using DVC points to stay (IMO).

 

[yazmin182]

Hello neighbor across the river. Interval is not a part of DVC but you can trade from one to the other although I've heard it can be difficult to trade into DVC as there is lots of demand for Disney and not very many DVC members are trading out of it. A lot more of the materials we have been getting from DVC (newsletters and emails) have been pushing the other non-DVC options lately. We only use DVC for Disney trips, that is why we bought it and that is where you get the most for your money. Even staying at other non-DVC WDW hotels (Poly, Contemp, GF) is not really worth using DVC points to stay (IMO).

Hi neighbor! Wow a disney fan so close! I go to school at Wayne State!

Anyway, thanks for the information, seems a bit more complicated than I thought. I thought DVC would be the same as other timeshares but I don't think it is. I guess I will have to wait until I go and book a tour with them.

Thank you

 

[MickeyTigg]

To answer your question, my guess is that if you are a member of DVC, you choose a "home" resort that is one of the Disney resorts, then, if you are also a member of Interval International, you can exchange for other places around the world.

Unless you go through a resale outfit (like DVC for Resale), you really don't get to choose. Disney usually only has one DVC Resort for sale at a time...currently it's Saratoga Springs. Traditionally the DVC resorts sell out quickly.

 

[yazmin182]

Unless you go through a resale outfit (like DVC for Resale), you really don't get to choose. Disney usually only has one DVC Resort for sale at a time...currently it's Saratoga Springs. Traditionally the DVC resorts sell out quickly.

Thanks for the info Tigger. I've heard lots of negative feedback on Saratoga Springs. Disney is offering $1,500 off right now if you buy because i'm sure they want to get rid of them. I think it's best to wait until the next DVC is available.

I don't really like how they do that though, they should just let people pick what they want from the beginning.

 

[MickeyTigg]

I don't really like how they do that though, they should just let people pick what they want from the beginning.

Problem is they only build one at a time.

Initially they built OKW and it was nearly sold out and they built the Boardwalk Villas, OKW sold out....BWV sold out. Then they built the Beach Club Villas. When those got close to selling out, they built SSR.

If you want a choice...go to DVC by Resale

They usually have a pretty good selection.

 

[ConstanceIrene]

Problem is they only build one at a time.

Initially they built OKW and it was nearly sold out and they built the Boardwalk Villas, OKW sold out....BWV sold out. Then they built the Beach Club Villas. When those got close to selling out, they built SSR.

They built VWL after Boardwalk, but before Beach Club. I think that's the proper order, right?

I don't know when Vero Beach and Hilton Head came along.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Hi neighbor! Wow a disney fan so close! I go to school at Wayne State!

Anyway, thanks for the information, seems a bit more complicated than I thought. I thought DVC would be the same as other timeshares but I don't think it is. I guess I will have to wait until I go and book a tour with them.

Thank you

I got my PhD from Wayne State! It's a small world after all (sorry couldn't resist).


You can purchase any of the DVC resorts through Disney, but there is usually a waitlist and you don't get any discounts or incentives to buy anywhere but SSR. We enjoyed our two SSR trips very much. The pool was great and we had a good location (near the pool and bus stop in the Springs). However, there are some rooms that are very far away from the main building which I don't think we would like as much. Our favorite DVC is BCV, you can't beat the walk home from Epcot.
I think Vero and Hilton Head were built after OKW but before BWV

 

[yazmin182]

I got my PhD from Wayne State! It's a small world after all (sorry couldn't resist).


You can purchase any of the DVC resorts through Disney, but there is usually a waitlist and you don't get any discounts or incentives to buy anywhere but SSR. We enjoyed our two SSR trips very much. The pool was great and we had a good location (near the pool and bus stop in the Springs). However, there are some rooms that are very far away from the main building which I don't think we would like as much. Our favorite DVC is BCV, you can't beat the walk home from Epcot.
I think Vero and Hilton Head were built after OKW but before BWV

Wow that is awesome, I love WSU!

Ok anyway, back to topic, SSR does sound nice. Def. want to get a tour next time i'm there and see what it really looks like.

 

[GrowingUpDisney]

We are DVC members as well as RCI members(as our family owns 5 other "weeks" timeshares throughout the States. Papa passed them on when he died).

My understanding is that you can stay at other non-disney locations as indicated in the vacation guidebook. You do not have to become a member of interval international to do this. Disney handles it for you.

The fee to exchange your home resort week with RCI is appx $160 and I think Disney's fee is only around $75 to exchange DVC points for a week elsewhere. The downside to this is that the choices are not as vast with the Disney exchange program and that you have to basically give up an entire weeks worth of points to exchange outside of Disney. (as most regular timeshares work off weeks not points)

In my opininion (and maybe this is because I have the luxury of 5 RCI weeks) I would not use DVC points for anything other that Disney.

 

[Tramp]

I've owned two RCI timeshares for over 25 years. Not owning DVC, I can't compare but I can offer an opinion about RCI timeshares in general having the benefit of experience. If I had to do it over again, I don't think it was the smartest financial move I've ever made in my life.

The first week we bought was approx $8K back in 1982. That was at Orange Lake Country Club on RT 192, adjacent to the Animal Kingdom. The initial investment is not the only expense associated with timeshares. There is a yearly maintenance fee and taxes which, depending on the resort, can be 600 to $1000 or more. Then there is an exchange fee, if you choose to exchange your week. The exchange fee is $150. Then, there is a fee to belong to the association (here again, that's RCI) that handles the exchanges which in RCI's case is $70 per year or so. Remember, these are fees that are in ADDITION to the loan payment on your week. So, as an example, let's say you purchase a $25,000 timeshare and finance it at 5% for 15 years. The loan payment is about $200 per month or $2400 per year. With all the fees that I mentioned, you could be pushing $3,300 or more for a one week stay....think about that. Last summer we stayed at a brand new, luxury 2 bedroom timeshare in Kissimmee which I got thru Expedia.com for about $110 per night. I could've stayed at that condo for a full month for less than the amount of the example I gave above.

Also, for those who put huge amounts of money down on the timeshare in order to reduce the monthly payment, you should consider the loss of use of that money.

The SECOND week I bought I was much smarter but I still don't know if I would do it again. I purchase a studio timeshare on St. Armand's key in Sarasota. I purchased it as a foreclosure for only $2,500 and, because of it's size, the maintenance fee is less than $200 per year. But, it's still a RED unit allowing me to exchange at any time of the year and we never exchange into anything smaller than a 2 bedroom unit. We've NEVER stayed in the unit on Sarasota, we've always exchanged it.

We've exchanged our Florida timeshares into Mexico, Hawaii, Canary Islands, Vegas and a multitude of places where the current prices are at or above $20,000. I don't have any regrets about purchasing the timeshares and we will pass this on to my daughter for her use and so on. "Regrets, I've had a few but then again, too few to mention"....oy vey.

One final thing that may or may not have already been mentioned. Make sure the timeshare is fully deeded to you forever so you can will it to someone. Some timeshares offer limited times such as 99 year ownership. I saw one in Hawaii with only a 49 year ownership and then you have to surrender it. That sucks big time.

I hope I gave someone here something to really consider before buying. Don't get caught up in the emotion of buying DISNEY. There are plenty of ways to satisfy your Disney fetish without having to financially struggle while doing so.
Everyone has to decide for themselves and no one can tell you what is right for you and your family. But understand everything before you put your John Hancock on that paper. These are not very easy to resell without taking a financial bath. You'll be lucky to get 50 cents back on every dollar you spent because the market is flooded with resales.

Bye

 

[The Mom]

My BIL is the timeshare king. :lol: We own one that was a resale at a VERY reasonable price...around $1500 for a 2 BR, as I recall. We have never used the condo (it's in FL) but have exchanged it for ski condos in Colorado. We have also used it for our yearly stays in Fairfield Glade in Tenn.

That being said, he is able to fully utilize his because they have no children, so do not have the time constraints that families have. He has also been retired for over a decade, and my SIL just retired, so they have total freedom to travel. They both worked as executives which required them to fly frequently, so they racked up tons of free miles, so were able to exchange all over the world. He also owns at Orange lakes, and uses that when his grandchildren visit. He exchanges another unit (I believe he owns three there) for one in CA that is close to where they live, so he gets to see them twice a year. He uses his other one for travel.


We have a second 1 BR on the panhandle (Navarre Beach) and it has been a complete financial loss. Again, we only paid about $2,000 for it, but haven't been able to exchange it for the last few years because of hurricane (x2) damage. The association in in the process of selling the property, so perhaps we'll get a little bit back.

So, in short, if you have both the time., money (for airfare) and flexibility to travel at the last minute, they can be an incredible bargain.

 

[yazmin182]

Thanks for everyone's feedback. It seems to me as some people have said that it's better to stick to Disney when using DVC. I think that is a wise choice but I did want to use it at other places. If I had the money, I would like to get one DVC and another regular timeshare somewhere else.

Tramp, thanks for writing out your whole experience, it really helps!
I know that there are maintanence fees and other fees associated with timeshares, and that's why I would def. find out all information before making the big step. I have seen the Bluegreen timeshare presentation and their maintence fees were pretty reasonable, around 200 i believe.

Also, for those who put huge amounts of money down on the timeshare in order to reduce the monthly payment, you should consider the loss of use of that money.

One final thing that may or may not have already been mentioned. Make sure the timeshare is fully deeded to you forever so you can will it to someone. Some timeshares offer limited times such as 99 year ownership. I saw one in Hawaii with only a 49 year ownership and then you have to surrender it. That sucks big time.

I figured that if you put more money down, you would decrease all those interest charges (which is a lot), why do you think it's a bad idea?

And speaking of timeshares that expire, Disney is one of them, and that's what really bothers me about it. I wish it wasn't like that!

Also, the only reason I would consider getting a DVC is because I know I will want to go to Disney often, hopefulyl once a year. I know that you can get a timeshre and just stay near Disney but you won't be able to get the dining plan and other benefits. The dining plan is top priority for me! I can't live without it. Also, with DVC you get discounts on AP's and other discounts so that is always a plus.

Well, I think it's best to get right on the DVC wagon first, and then in a few years get another timeshare.

We'll see, thanks for everyone's advice and experience!

Yaz

 

[Tramp]

I figured that if you put more money down, you would decrease all those interest charges (which is a lot), why do you think it's a bad idea?



Yaz

It's not necessarily a bad idea. But what I mean is, for example, if you put $10,000 down on a timeshare that you are financing for 5%, you no longer have the use of that money for high rate credit card debt, family emergencies, or high yield investment opportunities that might arise. If you have the down payment as disposable savings, go for it.

If there is anything I've learned over the years is that nothing lasts forever and to minimize your risk. Not the most profound advice, I know. Perks and discounts you receive now as incentives to purchase DVC may be withdrawn a few years down the road. I am a bit curious about how you all feel about the possibility of Disney selling off the DVC portion of their portfolio, let's say, 20 years from now. DVC values are fairly stable at the moment because Disney has the right of first refusal on buybacks. It's in their best interest to maintain market value. They may not always exercise that option in the future once they've sold all their units.

I don't mean to sound so cynical but no one at Disney will tell you about the downside of DVC. To many people, there can't possibly be a downside to Disney and that's ok too. Disney is forever, right?

Timeshares have served me well over the years. I probably have gotten my money's worth out of them, maybe not. I am neither pro or con DVC timeshare. I just want you to go into this with your eyes wide open knowing that, at the end of the day, you're buying a vacation, nothing more. Only you can decide how much that's worth and have fun with it.

Mousesavers.com has a terrific write-up about DVC located at http://www.mousesavers.com/dvc.html
Some interesting info there that I never even considered.

I apologize for being so long-winded.

 

[Tramp]

We have a second 1 BR on the panhandle (Navarre Beach) and it has been a complete financial loss. Again, we only paid about $2,000 for it, but haven't been able to exchange it for the last few years because of hurricane (x2) damage. The association in in the process of selling the property, so perhaps we'll get a little bit back.

So, in short, if you have both the time., money (for airfare) and flexibility to travel at the last minute, they can be an incredible bargain.

Marcia:
I have friends who bought two weeks in Cancun, paid cash, and lost both to hurricanes within one year. The last I knew, they were considering retaining a lawyer cuz the insurance company still had not settled with them. The area where the timeshare was located, no longer exists. It's now under water and a total loss. I think they paid $12K for each week. Ouch!

 

[socalkdg]

I own DVC.

If you don't go to WDW at least every other year then don't consider it. If you usually stay offsite then don't consider DVC. If Pop or All Star are great for you, then don't consider DVC.

If you like staying onsite at WDW in a moderate or above, then definetly consider DVC. Through banking and borrowing I'm actually going twice this year and to take advantage of my AP that I'll purchase. I'll then skip going next year.

Note that AKL has been added and will be available for purchase for everyone in March(current DVC owners can purchase now).