Originally Posted By vbdad55 If not for that darned equivalent -- I'd be dancing in the aisles - or actually my kids would because that round of stock purchases was made in their names in custodial accounts...
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom OK, I'm convinced.....I did a LOT of research this AM on the DVC properties. I have some questions still. Points... I need to find the point charts to figure out how many to buy. Looks and studying Deb's site really helped. LOTS of information there. Personally I could never handle Old Key West... way to much pink for me!!!!! That would drive me homicidal!!! Another questions. If I was to purchase now ( new DVC points at Saratoga Springs ). How does it work if you want to stay at a different DVC? A friend had told me its better to buy ( resale DVC points ) at the cheapest resort you can find ( Vero Beach ). And then just use those points to stay on property. What do ya'll think about this idea?
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I'm back to ordering the DVD again. They are asking if I was referred by a DVC member. Anyone want to refer me?
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <A friend had told me its better to buy ( resale DVC points ) at the cheapest resort you can find ( Vero Beach ). And then just use those points to stay on property. What do ya'll think about this idea? < okay first - the resort has nothing to do with the point values-- the cheapest points are associated with the oldest points sold ( OKW )- Vero is not the cheapest resort for cost of points... then the only difference in using points is the home resort vs. another resort you want to stay in.. that ONLY difference is you can book your'home' resort 11 months out, and any other DVC property 7 months out. so you have a 4 month window at your home resort where only those who have that as their home resort can book with you .....truth be told outside of special holidays, I am not sure how much that has mattered up until now...but as membership continues to grow it could become more of a factor. as far as OKW -- I have got to look again as I have been staying there 12 years and never really noticed a preponderence of pink until I look at the pictures on line-- pastels yes. must block it out in my mind-LOL !
Originally Posted By seanyoda Everyone I know who is part of DVC really likes OKW because the apartments are bigger than the newer properties.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<<I am not sure how much that has mattered up until now...but as membership continues to grow it could become more of a factor.>>> Now this I believe. I was thinking that typically when I visit WDW, I'm not there during peak times. I also think that Saratoga Springs would be fine for me. I was just asking because I think it would be fun to stay at Beach Club or Boardwalk. I'm not really concerned about size of the room as I know that all I would really need would really be a studio. Unless friends were along and we all got a one bedroom. Once in my life I want to stay at Boardwalk. PS: Oh and by the way. I'm a believer. Can't wait for the DVD to come in. I still am not sure about how many points to buy. I want to look at some of the resale points.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<I still am not sure about how many points to buy.>> Here's a points chart: <a href="http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-vacation-club/DVCpoints.shtml" target="_blank">http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney- vacation-club/DVCpoints.shtml</a> I wouldn't consider anything less than 200 points... that gets you (typically) one week in a one-bedroom or two weeks in a studio during the off-season. If you don't mind spending the extra, I think going for 250 points would be a good idea.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I agree RoadTrip! Thanks! Now which property to buy? I'm thinking Wilderness Lodge.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Now which property to buy? I'm thinking Wilderness Lodge.>> It depends on several things... 1) Do you think you will need the 11 month home resort window? 2) Do you plan to purchase from Disney or a reseller? 3) How old are you? If you think you will need the 11 month window you should of course buy from where you would prefer to stay. If not, I would try to purchase the least expensive points which would probably be Old Key West. If you plan to purchase directly from Disney it is likely that the only points you will be able to purchase are at Saratoga Springs. Although long term it doesn't make much difference who you purchase from, Disney usually offers some incentives at the time of purchase... especially if you purchase during a WDW vacation. Disney generally covers all closing costs where a reseller probably would not. Disney also offers various incentives that you would not receive from a reseller. This can take the form of a discount to purchase price or "bonus points" awarded in the year you buy. The points at Saratoga Springs expire 12 years later than at the other resorts. If you are my age that probably won't make any difference. If you are younger it might. Although this is highly dependant on personal taste, my 3 favorite DVC resorts are (in order): 1) Boardwalk. For me the location between Epcot and MGM is impossible to beat... you can walk to either park. Boardwalk also has far more dining options available than the other DVC resorts. 2) Old Key West. Hard to explain, but I just love how the place feels. The rooms are also the largest of the DVC resorts. The studios are not enough larger to be noticeable, but the other units are substantially larger. Old Key West is very laid-back and quieter than most Disney resorts. I'd say the average age of the people staying there is a bit older than at other DVC resorts, and to me that is a plus. I also love dining at Olivia's assuming they don't cut the menu back until nothing is there anymore. 3) Wilderness Lodge. I think the WL is the most beautifully themed of all Disney resorts. The transportation to the Magic Kingdom is fast and convenient via boat. The ride to other parks can take awhile since they are all quite distant. The dining options are pretty good... especially when you consider that the Trail's End Buffet at the Campgrounds is just a five minute boat ride away. As far as I'm concerned any of my top three would be wonderful places to buy.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Next question. Where can you get information about how much the annual assessment fee is per point depending on the various DVC properties?
Originally Posted By RoadTrip This is the best I could come up with. I’m sure a DVC sales rep could give you the amount for each resort. <<Annual Dues: Annual dues are paid yearly and are based on the amount of points owned. The 2005 fees ranged from $3.98 per point at Saratoga Springs to $5.27 per point at Vero Beach.>> Source: <a href="http://allearsnet.com/acc/dvc.htm" target="_blank">http://allearsnet.com/acc/dvc. htm</a>
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Thanks I appreciate it. I wonder why Vero is more? Weird. I want to get a good ballpark figure of how much I can expect to pay per point.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Thanks I appreciate it. I wonder why Vero is more? Weird.>> My guess is that the fee had to increase considerably to pay for repairing hurricane damage. I'm sure vbdad would know the reason.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <My guess is that the fee had to increase considerably to pay for repairing hurricane damage. I'm sure vbdad would know the reason. < I believe that is part of the reason , as they got hit twice- and hard. But also my guess is because they are away from themain Disney site and workers, it costs more to maintain... ( I can tell you it's worth every penny though )
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I would actually view the "fee" as a small price. It really doesn't bother me that much. I think if you had a LOT of points say over 300 or more. Then the fee per point starts becoming more significant. Does it make sense to get 100 points at one DVC property. And then 100 points elsewhere? Say have one renew six months after the other?
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom OK, another question. I know you can carry over points ( or bank points ). How long can you keep points banked for? One year? Two years? Longer than that? I'm asking because I'm thinking ( what if ). I go down and stay in a studio. But then a year later plan on going down with friends and need say a one or two bedroom unit.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Can bank for a year or borrow a year ahead --those are the parameters I wouldn't split points unless you want both as your 'home' resort. remember,let's say you had 300 points - 100 at each of three resorts -- if you wanted to use more than 100 at a time- you will be restricted to a 7 month 'window' of booking for 200 of those points -- you can only book 11 months out for your 'home' resort. I have points at OKW and Vero because I want to book 11 months out and tie them together -- also I could see a vacation where I only went to Vero...
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I really can't decide which resort to have as a home resort. I'm sure I will make a final decision. Then I will have to sit back and wait for 250 points to become available at that resort.
