Hi All,
Probably this has been asked quite a bit, not sure.... but here it goes.
I've been looking at Disney for a while (for years). - I even went on the tour and the sales pitch was very aggressive. I don't know why the sales people get angry when we're just there to look (even when it was said a the start of the whole presentation) -
Hopefully someone can help me with the following questions:
1. The rooms we were shown in Orlando were quite small (1 bedroom) - I am a Wyndham owner and I usually stay in 2 - 3 bedroom villas.
2. Resale - If you buy resale do they treat you as a second class citizen like Wyndham does? - Wyndham always try to sell you more points during an "owner update" (sales pitch) - where they say I don't have certain things because I am a resale owner.
3. What do you guys recommend to start and try this out? - Something cheap is that's even remotely possible.
4. Disney vs Wyndham - I even said if I get more out of Disney I can get rid of my current contracts.
5. Contract date expiration with Disney - Is there something to watch for? - I've been a Wyndham member for 10+ years and the membership is perpetual.
6. Maintenance fees? - An average?
Hopefully I am not asking too much... Just looking to make the move if it's worth it.
Stay safe.
Hello,
Like you, I did a LOT of research before I bought into DVC. We already own a timeshare that we exchange through interval international and it’s nothing like owning a DVC membership.
We own at Aulani in Hawaii because:
A. We love hawaii
B. We love Disney
C. We love the 5 star experience
Before we bought, knowing THIS was the property we would make our home resort, we rented points through David’s for a 2 night stay last March to try it out. Cost is about 50% less than paying cash and we fell in love.
Went on the sales presentation, Andrea was super sweet, very knowledgeable and not in the least part aggressive. In fact, she left the room and we went to take photos of what she put in front of us, when she walked back in she caught us and told us we could keep everything, we were floored! We had been at a timeshare presentation in Maui days earlier and that was beyond aggressive! That guy was super angry we walked away, and I did knowing I was saving my $$ for Disney.
We knew we were going to buy, but how many points did we need? We took the information back to the pool, ordered lunch and reviewed how many points to spend a week at Aulani, which points-wise is equivalent to Grand Californian and Grand Floridian and we came up with 150pts for a studio.
yes, like you, we own a 2bdrm and mostly exchange for Marriott, in fact I am at Marriott Mountainside now in a 2bdrm and I love it. For us, the cost of a 2bdrm is too much so we went with a studio, family of 4. And it works, we have done it now twice and we are barely in the room. We even ship a cooler with home cooked meals so we can microwave during the week and spend more time enjoying and less time cooking
Timeshare end date I believe is 2062. I will be 82 so this will pass on to the kids.
we pay $105 per month in dues/maintenance fees on 150 points
there is a transient tax of about $9.82 per studio room night due at check out
yes, you can buy resale cheaper. You get locked out of exchanging into the newer resorts as they come online and no member cruise. The exchange for a cruise isn’t worth IMO, it is cheaper to pay cash.
we love having 11 month priority at our home resort because we go for Christmas, it’s our new family tradition. And you need priority for the rooms that cost the least points: studios, 1bdrm, 2bdrm and 3bdrm standard view.
Lastly, we get SO much time with the characters, that truly makes it magical. It’s not like the park experience or paid breakfasts where you get a few seconds, we actually spend the week with Moana, LILO & Stitch, Goofy, Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Chip n Dale, Donald & Daisy Duck, Duffy the Bear.... and Aunty’s Beach House seals the deal! The kids get to go play at a ridiculously awesome kids club while we go out for happy hour, win win for everyone.
yes, we pay a premium for this, but it is worth every penny for the exceptional memories and stress-free vacations we enjoy.
To sum up:
Rent, find the resort you love
Buy into DVC or resale
Enjoy!