Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom OK, I have some questions. I was recently looking on Laughing Place and noticed that Disney is in the process of building a DVC in California adjecent to DLR. Then I went to the DVC website and noticed that its not mentioned there. I also noticed the Disney lists several resorts on the DVC page as well. Here is my question: If you own a DVC at WDW. Can you use the point to "stay" at a Disney resort say at DLP or TDS? I know you can use points for the Disney cruises. But I didn't realize that you can trade for resort stays overseas ( if true ). How does it work with the DVC being built in DLR? Can you trade for a stay at that property? I have to admit, the ability to use your DVC credits for cruises and over seas resort stays is extremely appealing ( again if true ). And if true then why don't we hear more about this from DVCers or Disney? In conclusion, I am seriously considering ordering the free video on DVCs. Thanks!
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Tom, You can use your DVC points on both cruises and overseas Disney resorts. I think the cruises are a pretty good deal. The overseas Disney resorts are like the Non-DVC WDW resorts... you can stay there on points but the value is nowhere near as good as when you stay at a DVC resort. That is probably why some of these other options don't get bragged about too often. While they are available, they don't offer the value for the $$ that the actual DVC resorts do.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad Sorry Tom, I quit giving opinions on DVC. I am very very big on it. But I am tired of people telling me that it's a bad decision. How do they know? I don't tell them it's a bad decision to forget to negotiate your price per therm for natural gas during the summer. Anyway, yes you can use points anywhere, but they are worth the MOST at DVC properties. I have used them at DL specifically at the Grand Cali Hotel. I assume that once the DLR DVC is built, the points will go a lot further out there as well. I would call the DVC and talk to an agent. They DO NOT try to give you the HARD SELL full of BS at all. To ME thathave been and still are open, honest and willing to answer ANY quesiton you can possibly think up, even legal questions/tax questions. Then on the other hand, I know you TOM. You won't join until you get ALL the facts and make an informed decision. If you DON'T end up joining, I will be surprised.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad I joined in 2000, then got more in 2002, then more in 2005. Boardwalk, Beach Club, Saratoga respectively. It doesn't even matter at all to me WHERE or WHICH resort I legally "own" at, becuase I can use em at ANY of the DVC resorts at WDW, and WDW is the only place we really go.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<They DO NOT try to give you the HARD SELL full of BS at all. To ME thathave been and still are open, honest and willing to answer ANY quesiton you can possibly think up, even legal questions/tax questions.>> That cannot be emphasized too much. When we visited the DVC models and talked to the sales guy we were already 90% sure we were going to buy because of what we'd read about it... we had pretty thoroughly investigated the program in advance. But when we came to the end of the presentation, we told the sales guy exactly what my wife and I had decided we would tell him before going in... that we didn't want the stress from a decision that big to spoil our vacation, and that we would decide when we were back home. I expected to get major hassle... sales guys generally HATE to let you go without buying THEN. They know that one you've left their odds of making a sale go way down. But our sales guy didn't discourage that at all... in fact he said that if we bought within 30 days of returning home we would still get the discount that they were offering folks who bought while they were on a WDW vacation. We went back home and within a couple of days confirmed what we already knew -- that we wanted to purchase. The entire purchase was handled by mail and all of the real estate and loan documents were clearly presented and easy to fill out. DVC is the ONE major purchase I've made in my life that I have never second guessed for even ONE minute!!
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I agree with all of the above -- and especially this: "DVC is the ONE major purchase I've made in my life that I have never second guessed for even ONE minute"
Originally Posted By crazyformickey I will agree. I bought in 2002 at Beach Club and I love it. I almost have mine paid off and will be looking to add a second interest.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Thanks guys, I really appreciate the responces. I just think its time to take the "plunge" so to speak. So I'm trying to decide if I should buy Disney stock or a DVC ( or both!!!). I'm going to have to request the DVD on the DVC properties ( I'm sure this will help ). I appreciate ya'll with your honest responces.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom OK, here is another question I have. I instinctively want it all!!! That means if I get a DVC I would want to get enough points for a three or four bedroom unit and everything. However, I think I need to be a little more realistic about this here since its just me and my other half. We never go to WDW alone. We always visit with friends. Last trip we shared a room with a buddy. It wasn't a big deal. But having seperate rooms would have been more convient.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<So I'm trying to decide if I should buy Disney stock or a DVC ( or both!!!).>> Go with DVC. Disney stock price has increased 12% since the end of 2000. DVC points price has increased 55% since the end of 2000.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<That means if I get a DVC I would want to get enough points for a three or four bedroom unit>> The largest DVC units are the 3 bedroom Grand Villas. They are 2,265 square feet at OKW; 2,142 at Boardwalk and 2,113 at Saratoga Springs. The Villas at Wilderness Lodge and Beach Club do not have 3 bedroom units. I wouldn't worry too much about the three bedroom Villas. There rare relatively few of them and they are VERY hard to book. I think renting two 2-bedroom units is a better deal. It costs less than renting the 3-bedroom, and you can sleep a total of 16 (8 in each 2-bedroom unit) versus 12 in the 3-bedroom.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom OK, so what about room keys? Suppose there are multiple adults and teenagers. Does Disney issue the "plastic" room keys that they use at the resorts for the DVCs or do you get a metal key? How about maid service. Is there daily maid service available or nothing for the week?
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom OK, I'm filling out the information to request a DVD on the DVCs. Disney wants to know if I was referred by a DVC member. And if so.... name.....
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Do any of ya'll get free points or gifts for making a referral?>> <<From: <a href="http://www.mouseowners.com/Referrals.html" target="_blank">http://www.mouseowners.com/Ref errals.html</a> •First referral: $200 •Second referral: $350 •Third referral: $500 •Fourth referral: $750 •Fifth and subsequent referrals: $1000>> But because of legal stuff only people in these states can be paid for referrals: The eligible states are: <<Alabama, Arizona*, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois**, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio**, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Puerto Rico is also an eligible jurisdiction.>> So that counts out vbdad, ChiMike and me... but with DVC_dad living in Georgia he is good to go!! Use him as your referral source and he can buy us all a beer.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Can you bring a pet like a dog?>> No, just as in the regular Disney resorts, no pets are allowed except service animals.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom In your opinion; is it better to buy a "new"DVC ( into Saratoga Springs ) or purchase points from one of the preexisting DVCs? If I was to buy in during 2007 calender year will my DVC be good for 40 years or till 2054?
