Originally Posted By standor Are the DVC's timeshares and if so what are the buyers responsibilities? In a timeshare, the buyer pays a monthly or annual fee. What does that give the buyer. What happens if a buyer decides not to go to WDW in any given year? Please clear my mind so that I can follow any DVC discussions. THANK YOU
Originally Posted By standor Are the DVC's timeshares and if so what are the buyers responsibilities? In a timeshare, the buyer pays a monthly or annual fee. What does that give the buyer. What happens if a buyer decides not to go to WDW in any given year? Please clear my mind so that I can follow any DVC discussions. THANK YOU
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom standor, I would recommend that you google Disney's Vacation Club website for additional info. There are many websites out there as well as many LPers who have first hand experience with DVC ownership. But to answer some of your general questions. You are not obligated to use your annual "points" for a vacation. You can carry them over to another year or borrow from the next year. You can break them up into smaller bits if you would like to take several smaller day vacations. You basically buy into a home resort, but you can book in any other DVC property ( there are some rules that apply though ). Yes, there are annual fees as well as special assessments if your property gets storm damage or etc. You may want to also ask your questions in the DVC area on this board.
Originally Posted By dennis-in-ct <a href="http://www.mousesavers.com/dvc.html" target="_blank">http://www.mousesavers.com/dvc.html</a> <a href="http://allears.net/acc/dvc.htm" target="_blank">http://allears.net/acc/dvc.htm</a> <a href="http://dvcbyresale.com/" target="_blank">http://dvcbyresale.com/</a>
Originally Posted By vbdad55 paging Roadtrip -- before I start typing you may have this explanation saved somewhere ...you are great at explaining
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Hey! I thought I was doing a pretty good job of explaining, LOL. And yes I would have suggested mousesavers as well as allears. I just didn't want to be biased. standor before anyone here tars and feathers me, I also want to point out that there are quite a few websites that resale Disney DVCs. You may want to check out some of those sites as well. I would suggest. <a href="http://www.dvc-resales.com/" target="_blank">http://www.dvc-resales.com/</a> They will give you a complete run down of what to expect cost wise to purchase a resale. It also demonstrates that you can buy into any Disney DVC property if you have your heart set on one. It also demonstrates that you can purchase any size blocks of points you may be intrested in. Say you only plan on visiting WDW every other year. You can purchase a smaller block of "points" so you can do just that. With Disney DVCs your not locked into a specific week every year. You cater your vacation to be when you want and for as many days as you may wish, points permitting. You just want to keep in mind that your "ownership" if for a specific amount of years. I don't know if you are locked into a Disney DVC, but you want to keep in mind that there are also other "timeshare" opportunities in greater Orlando.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 excellent job KT -- I was just remembering RT having a bolierplate defense of why DVC was/is a good deal depending on need.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom You know I'm not going to argue with you! I also believe it's a good deal.
Originally Posted By Kevin Flynn As with any Pre-pay situation, it only makes financial sense IF you USE it. The thing I love about the DVC is that you can tailor your costs toward your needs. The DVC has saved me a lot of money over the years and I've never regretted buying in. However, it isn't for everyone. You are doing the right thing asking members for their opinions. And the members should freely give you such IMHO.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 If one plans to go to a Disney Park at least once every 2 years -- then DVC makes sense. It can also make sense if you plan to use things like Disney Adventures as a substitute for a trip in the sense that time value of money alone is a benefit, and pre paying ( at a discount) is what you are doing. I bought in in 1994 - per point was $50 ( now over $100) and at that time they also offered free park passes until 2000. 11 visits later the park passes alone almost paid for my purchase- so for me it was a no brainer. Although you can use if for trips elsewhere as well- this is made for Disney going people, in order to get the biggest advantage. The ability to be able to tailor your accomodation size each trip depending on what you need from a studio to a 3 bedroom is great. Booking 11 months out in your home location easy..(7 months out in all other DVC's) - Plenty pf perk discounts which today also includes $100 off an AP ( which I get0 and $125 off a deluxe AP)- tack on Tables in Wonderland now and knock 20% off dining and alcohol for the entire trip for another $60. Special events / member perks - etc..always nice as well. Have met some very nice people at OKW over the years - kids have made friends...and many people there have same interests. Also love the Vero Beach resort and add on there after WDW vacation-- lots to do, and for members mainly free. One of my best purchases ever..... now also my kids are older and they take quick trips and I arrange the points for them...makes their trips very affordable for them
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<How many points are good for once every two years?>> If you are going every other year of course it depends on the DVC resort. But, I would say 50 points a year. There was a time when Disney was selling points to castmembers for fewer points than that. Just saw one resale listed at 25 points and another at 30 points so there ae points as fewer than 50 available. I would say if you plan on going ever other year then a minimum of 50 points.
Originally Posted By demderedoseguys >If one plans to go to a Disney Park at least once every 2 years -- then DVC makes sense. It can also make sense if you plan to use things like Disney Adventures as a substitute for a trip in the sense that time value of money alone is a benefit, and pre paying ( at a discount) is what you are doing. I bought in in 1994 - per point was $50 ( now over $100) and at that time they also offered free park passes until 2000. 11 visits later the park passes alone almost paid for my purchase- so for me it was a no brainer. Although you can use if for trips elsewhere as well- this is made for Disney going people, in order to get the biggest advantage. The ability to be able to tailor your accomodation size each trip depending on what you need from a studio to a 3 bedroom is great. Booking 11 months out in your home location easy..(7 months out in all other DVC's) - Plenty pf perk discounts which today also includes $100 off an AP ( which I get0 and $125 off a deluxe AP)- tack on Tables in Wonderland now and knock 20% off dining and alcohol for the entire trip for another $60. Special events / member perks - etc..always nice as well. Have met some very nice people at OKW over the years - kids have made friends...and many people there have same interests. Also love the Vero Beach resort and add on there after WDW vacation-- lots to do, and for members mainly free. One of my best purchases ever..... now also my kids are older and they take quick trips and I arrange the points for them...makes their trips very affordable for them< That pretty much sums it up for me as well. I have never heard a complaint about DVC from anyone I know that has it. Actually, most people have to resist the temptation to keep adding on. A new enhanced feature that I like, although I haven't used it to date, is the ability to buy "one time use" points if you are short a few points for a given trip.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<paging Roadtrip -- before I start typing you may have this explanation saved somewhere ...you are great at explaining>> Sorry vbdad... I've started to avoid DVC threads because so often the comments irritate me (Timeshare Kingdom of the World). <<If you are going every other year of course it depends on the DVC resort. But, I would say 50 points a year. >> I would say 100. That way you would have enough points to stay in a one bedroom unit for 5-7 days each time you visited (depending on time of year). The studios are nice and I frequently stay in them. But it is the larger units that really make DVC special and something you cannot find at the non-DVC resorts. <<That pretty much sums it up for me as well. I have never heard a complaint about DVC from anyone I know that has it. Actually, most people have to resist the temptation to keep adding on. A new enhanced feature that I like, although I haven't used it to date, is the ability to buy "one time use" points if you are short a few points for a given trip.>> Yes... I originally bought 200 points at the Boardwalk and later added another 120 at Saratoga Springs. <<One of my best purchases ever..... >> Bingo!
