DVC Help!

[AP1991]

Hi All,

Been looking into the possibility of DVC for a couple of years now, but it just all seems so confusing!

My understanding is the points you pay for are accommodation only? So you will still have to source flights, food, park tickets etc on top of that.

The second thing i've found is DVC resale, has anyone used this to buy their points before? They seem considerably cheaper than buying the points directly from Disney. You then have closing costs, and annual dues to add on?

Can anyone explain it simply to me?

Thanks in Advance!

[Dr.JumbaJookiba]

Originally Posted by AP1991

Hi All,


My understanding is the points you pay for are accommodation only? So you will still have to source flights, food, park tickets etc on top of that.

See more...

Yes, you buy an annual allocation of points for a lump sum and will have maintenance fees of around $8 per point to pay on these every year.

You exchange your points for nights accommodation, the amount of points is based on resort, room size and season. You buy in at your home resort and can book here 11 months in advance, all other resorts are bookable at 7 months subject to availability.

[Dr.JumbaJookiba]

Originally Posted by AP1991

The second thing i've found is DVC resale, has anyone used this to buy their points before? They seem considerably cheaper than buying the points directly from Disney. You then have closing costs, and annual dues to add !

See more...

Yeah, resale is cheaper but bear in mind some resorts have only 21 years left before expiry but there are some good deals out there. Also, resale memberships can't be used at Riviera resort unless they are points from there. Resale members aren't entitled to some of the member discounts such as discounted annual passes.

When you but resale you pay the price per point, plus dues on any points you receive plus legal closing costs of around $650.

[RockTheDots]

We have just purchased a DVC resale contract throught DVCstore.com, the whole process was very easy. A resale contract is usually much cheaper per point (we paid $109 per point for a Saratoga Springs 100 point contract) but you are only getting the remaining years on that contract e.g. our contract expires 2054 where as new contracts purchased from Disney are for 50 years so that's something to consider. Also, when buying resale you don't qualify for any of the DVC perks such as discounts on food & merch, being able to buy the gold annual pass and being able to go to DVC exclusive events. However, all that considered we decided a resale contract at cheaper initial cost was the best option for us.

I would highly recommend checking out some of the YT videos the The Dis have about DVC (they have recently moved all their DVC content to a new channel called DVC Fan), we found these videos very helpful.

[tigger48]

OP DVC is simply Disney’s take on timeshare, albeit that there is a more active resale market for DVC than most timeshares. You pay a lump sum for an annual points allocation, plus annual maintenance fees which over the term of the contract will be significant!
We now have one direct contract and 2 resale contracts, but originally bought direct for the blue card “perks”. As others say there is a HUGE amount of research required to ensure that you know what you’re getting yourself into, and that the product suits your needs, not just now but for the longer term. RESEARCH like a demon ... and then research some more! Ask many questions since there are lots of much more knowledgable people on the subject of DVC on here than me.
In the pandemic as a cash customer you’re likely to have been insulated against any loss by Disney. As an owner, if you can’t use the points in time, or don’t want to rent them or slide them to RCI as a last hope, you’ll have lost them and the dues you paid on them.
You can use the DVC points calculator from the side menu to give you an idea of how many points you need for all the different resorts/different sized units at various times of the year. Bear in mind that the number of points can and have changed in recent times, and depending on when you travel there are always winners and losers.
Have you ever rented DVC? Is this something you’d consider before committing to a purchase?
When do you usually/hope to travel as this may affect the Use Year (UY) you want to purchase. Is there a particular resort that you want to call “home”? How far in advance do you typically plan your trips, since DVC isn’t generally a good fit for the last of the late great last minute bookers. Generally we plan at least a year in advance, book our home resort at 11 months, and then may look at what else (if anything) is available at other resorts at 7 months out. If you buy where you’re happy to stay you’ll avoid disappointment if you’re always stuck with that reservation at 7 months out. Think about how your travel needs may change e.g. little kids may never want to stay anywhere but Bay Lake Tower, just a walk from MK, but likely teens will find Beach Club for access to Epcot or even Saratoga Springs for easy access to Disney Springs more attractive.
I don’t mean to sound negative, but with current pricing unless Riviera sings to your heart, or you want a fixed week at Copper Creek to circumvent any difficulty in booking the limited number of studios there, then I’d seriously consider looking at resale. It would take very many T-shirts, furry goods etc to make up the cost difference right now and who knows what “perks” if any may stay/go/evolve in the post pandemic world.
Happy researching and hunting.