Thinking about buying DVC - is it worth it?

[Bondy007]

Firstly, I agree with Tigger. Research until you can't research anymore... Then, if you're are certain you still want to take the plunge then go for it.
We bought into around 12 years ago, exchange rate then was $2/£, made our 2 week vacation at AKV very cheap each year, even taking into account annual maintenance fees and our monthly repayments. Unfortunately our financial situation took a bit of a battering so we took the option to sell a few years ago and actually made a profit!

At the moment, my view is that (for us anyway) the exchange rate and current other local/national/international financial uncertainty would stop us from doing this again. But, would certainly be considering this option again in the future.

[Helenr]

Couldn’t agree more about research, I first looked into dvc in 2007, But didn’t buy in until 2012, by then I’d become friends with a few owners (via here) and picked their brains, I wanted to know as much as possible.

I’ve bought and sold over the years, so have experience of both transactions, I’ve also bought direct and resale.

I’m probably the anomaly at the moment as I’m in the process of buying an other contract, I totally acknowledge it’s a rubbish time, prices may fall etc, but it suited me and my circumstances.

I’ve never once regretted buying, it’s enabled me to have fantastic holidays over the years and hopefully for many years to come.

[2point]

One thing to consider is a non financial one - flexibility to change your plans to suit you.

Example.

We were due to go this May for 19 nights, most of on points with DVC.
When it was obvious we were not going I cancelled, at no cost, and rebooked for two weeks in September.

While I have that September booking I also made a speculative booking for the end of October 31st for 2 weeks. If the trip in September looks like it won't happen then I can cancel and bank those points to 2021 (cancel and bank by July 31st, no cost and means in 2021 we'll have multiple trips or stay in a bigger unit). I then still have Oct 31st to either use ourselves or sell to a US citizen if it's open to domestic customers only.

Availability next year may be a bit of an issue with the all the points being banked, but this is a one off situation at the moment.

[YorkshireT]

Re exchange rate- I’ve bought most of my contracts (my add ons) when exchange rate has been sub 140, some sub 130. I still did well. If you are waiting on exchange rate you could be waiting a very, very long time. And there’s not much sense proceeding with cash bookings, spending ‘dead money’ if you intend to eventually buy, waiting for exchange rate. That 5k or whatever you are dropping on a cash booking could be a third of an SSR 150 pointer.

[Lizzim]

We bought DVC 10 years ago for 1 key reason: we wanted to stay in particular locations at Disney and wouldn’t pay the price for cash.

We have 100 points at Bay Lake and have used our points for the following:

Studio at Bay Lake
2 bedroom at Bay Lake
Grand villa at Bay Lake (just one night but worth it!)
Treehouse villa at Saratoga Springs
Studio at Animal Kingdom Lodge
Studio at Hilton ahead Island
Studio at Grand Californian

Most of these we would not have paid the cash rates (and some are not generally available for cash) and our DVC has allowed us to treat family on 3 occasions so has been totally worth it.

We bought direct and could currently sell for a profit, but the worth to me is getting accommodations that I wouldn’t otherwise be willing to pay for If you are happy at a moderate on free dining offers or similar then I probably wouldn’t buy.

[Stitchesmumanddad]

After having to cancel two holidays on the trot - 2019 for medical reasons and 2020 due to COVID - and realising the extreme rules and regulations, plus the ever increasing annual dues ( partly due to failing pound/dollar) if I had the choice to buy again today it would be a big no.
Im almost tempted to sell my large SSR contract. I havent gained the energy to do so quite yet but it is planned soon