Please explain DVC points

[siki]

Hello,

I'm am totally confused about these DVC points. How exactly does this work? How many points does one need to use their TS? Also, can you trade using these points? We currently own Marriott Aruba Surf Club and when we trade we do so through II.

Thanks.
Michelle

 

[mj2vacation]

Hello,

I'm am totally confused about these DVC points. How exactly does this work? How many points does one need to use their TS? Also, can you trade using these points? We currently own Marriott Aruba Surf Club and when we trade we do so through II.

Thanks.
Michelle

We own both (Actually own the Surf Club as well).

with DVC, you decide at size unit that you want, which resort that you want to go to and for how long.

The number of points depend on the unit size, and the season, as well as the night of the week.

For the DVC resorts, you can book as little as one night. For the Disney Hotels and the Concierge collection (really nice non- disney) hotels, you book for one night or more. You can also book the Disney Cruise on points.

When you go through II, DVC handles it for you, you just let them know where you want to go.

Some people feel that there is limited value in trading outside of DVC. We mostly use it at Disney world, but have used it outside as well, and feel that we get a good value.

DVC is very well run, and you get other perks, like a great discount on Disney Annul Passes.

I like Marriott for their locations, and DVC for the flexibility. From a system perspective, DVC is far superior, mainly due to flexibility (probably why Marriott is developing their asian points system).

DVC will send you a great info package in the mail.

 

[Denise L]

Check out the disboards...

If you are considering a DVC purchase, check out www.disboards.com for a lot of information. Here is the list of DVC point charts http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-vacation-club/DVCpoints.shtml that shows the points you need for the DVC resorts.

Most people recommend that you buy DVC if you plan to use the resorts at least every other year or so. It may not be worth it to trade your DVC with II, although members do it. Read the DVC discussion boards http://tinyurl.com/htpn9 they are pretty helpful.

 

[JudyS]

DVC sells points packages starting at 150 points. It is possible to buy packages for smaller numbers of points on the resale market, although small points packages are in short supply.

The most inexpensive night in a DVC resort costs 8 points; that is for a studio on a weeknight, off-season, at Old Key West in Disneyworld. The cheapest week in a one bedroom is, I believe 160 points (again, off-season at Old Key West.) For larger units at peak times, costs are much, much higher. (the most expensive room & time period costs 158 points a night.) You can see a list of DVC points costs here: http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-vacation-club/DVCpoints.shtml

It is possible to trade DVC via II. You do not need to have an II account, because Disney handles the transaction. The number of points required depends onw hetehr you are requesting a one-bedroom or a two-bedroom, and whether you want high season or low season. However, because the DVC is so expensive, trading through II is usually not a cost-effective use of points.

 

[Steamboat Bill]

ok, at the risk of being permanently banned from this bbs, like I was at DISboards.....I reccomend for you to rent a DVC vacation week first for $10 per point BEFORE you buy. When you are at Disney, take the LOW pressure tour and run the numbers very carefully.

IMHO - DVC is only a good value if you intend to stay at one of their 7 home resorts. This is especially true if you limit your stay Sunday-Firday as Friday and Saturday nights are double points...ouch!

IMHO - DVC is a ripoff for II trading, DCL, hotel stays, etc

I can honestly say the DVC is extremely well run, their sales and support staff are top notch, their resorts are fantastic, and their resales hold value (for now tht is)....but you will pay for the Disney experience.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Bill, I actually thought about this overnight and agree with you, to a certain extent.

We own Kauai weeks that have high maintenance fees, so depositing them with RCI or II seems a little crazy. Who wants to deposit Hawaii to go to Vacation Village at Parkway or Marriott Cypress Harbour in Orlando, the easiest trades on the planet? I prefer to make a little profit by renting the weeks we do not use.

So I understand what you mean when you say that trading DVC is not a good value. But I think using the points myself would be a good value, which is why I was considering it. I can stay in a one-bedroom at the time of year I want to go (all off season with no crowds) for less than $70 a night, weeknights. That is a great value to me. The cruises are also a good value, cheaper than buying.

We bought Hawaii to make a little cash; we will buy DVC to use because we love Mickey Mouse.

I still do not understand the new rules about renting points. Can you explain them, Bill?

 

[Time2Ponder]

Please feel free to check out our site, dedicated *exclusively* to DVC (this is in contrast to the Disboards, which encompass the whole of the Disney corporation, including WDW, Disneyland, etc.). We also have a fairly large and active bulletin board. At any rate, on our site, you can find articles on exactly how DVC works, the ins-and-outs of the system, points charts, etc. Mary Waring of MouseSavers recommends us as a great source for DVC information. HTH.

http://www.mouseowners.com

Kim

 

[Sue K]

One of the really nice advantages in the DVC is that you can bank a year's points and also borrow from a future year's points. As a DVC member you own a certain number of points and every year you receive that number of points to be used for a reservation. Say you don't want to go to WDW one year, you can bank those points and use them the following year. So the following year you will have twice as many points to use on a reservation. Also, you can borrow the next year's points so conceivably you can use three year's points for a reservation. If you don't want to go every year, this is a great way to own fewer points and still be able to book a longer vacation, a bigger unit, or a more prime time stay.

Every year you get the number of points you own to make a reservation. The size of unit you rent, the resort you rent at, the time of year you go and the length of your stay all determine how many points you use for that reservation. You have total flexibility on your planned vacation! You can stay in a studio one time and a three bedroom, four full bathroom grand villa another time. You can stay one day or a month or more (if you have the points). You can go down in January, the lowest point season, or Easter and Christmas the highest point season. There are five resorts you can stay in Old Key West, Boardwalk, Yacht and Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge or Saratoga Springs and each resort has it's own point values.

It's all a little confusing and there's a bit of a learning curve when you first join to know exactly how everything works, but it's well worth the effort. In my mind buying into the DVC is one of the smartest moves I've ever made!

 

[siki]

Thanks for all the great advice. So, it sounds like purchasing a DVC is worth it if you plan on using it instead of trading. I want something I can use here and there, but trade too. We love Disney, but go there maybe every 3 years. We went in November using my Surf Club as a trade, but could not find an available Disney resort. We stayed at an off-site resort, which was very nice. We were disappointed we couldn't get Disney. All the years I have been there and I have never stayed in the Park. I plan on researching all the links provided.
Thanks again!
Michelle

 

[Eli Mairs]

So, it sounds like purchasing a DVC is worth it if you plan on using it instead of trading. I want something I can use here and there, but trade too. We love Disney, but go there maybe every 3 years.

Buying a 150 point resale package would be perfect for you if you only want to go to Disney every 3 years. It would give you enough points for a great vacation.

We bought at OKW in 1992 and absolutely love it. We are flying down on Sunday and staying in a Grand Villa. Those units are unbelievable. Can't wait.

 

[siki]

Buying a 150 point resale package would be perfect for you if you only want to go to Disney every 3 years. It would give you enough points for a great vacation.

How exactly would that work? I could only use the points every 3 years?
Still confused...

 

[Denise L]

By banking and borrowing your points, you could have a total of 450 points to use in one year if you plan it right. So let's say you have 150 points per year. In 2007, you bank all your points into 2008. For your 2008 reservation, you use the banked points, current points, and you borrow your 2009 points, for a grand total of 450 points! Then your next point allocation would be for 2010. You could bank those, plan a trip for 2011, and borrow your 2012 points. So you'd go in 2008 and 2011, once every three years.

Is that clear?

 

[Dean]

DVC is perfect for one situation. That is one who values staying on Disney property and can benefit from the flexibility of the DVC system (not all can) and who does not routinely do long weekends. No other situation can produce value for their system. And for those that it truly fits, it is a great system. The best value is for studios and 2 BR units for 5 nights or less avoiding weekends. NONE of the exchange options are a reasonable value.

 

[siki]

Thanks for clearing things up. I don't think DVC is for me.

 

[Denise L]

You may be pleasantly surprised if you take a peek at the resorts....

If you get a chance, you should rent points to stay onsite and experience one of the DVC resorts. You'll know then if you'd like to stay there when you visit. I never dreamed of buying any DVC points until we stayed there last Thanksgiving . We rented points from an owner!

One nice thing about the points is that they seem fairly easy to rent out if you aren't using them. We have 170 points a year and only plan to go EOY. So for 2007, I rented some of the points out. It took about 5 minutes to find a renter. This helped to cover my 2007 dues and I don't have to bank more than 4 points into 2008. Reservations are so easy to make, Disney has generous cancellation policies, and there are no exchange fees. Waitlists actually work!

It was a bit expensive to buy, but if you look at the history of DVC pricing, it has never gone down. Even since we bought in February, resale prices are up about $10 a point, maybe more. I can't say if they will keep going up (DVC is RTU until 2042 or 2054), but Disney has a great ROFR strategy that has worked to keep the prices high.

In the meantime, we will be thrilled to be staying on property for the convenience with our small children. Hopefully, when it comes time to sell, it will as easy as it is now for most members.

Finally, I have been a Disney fan since I was born. I bought Disney stock many years ago, and watched it do nothing for 15 years. I sold it to buy some of these points, so I still have an investment in Disney!

 

[Carl D]

Actually, I think DVC is perfect for someone who stays on site once every three years.
As said above, with banking and borrowing you can buy a small contract and ust it every third year.

 

[GreenMum]

Where is the best place to rent credits---ebay or on the Disboard? Do you just rent the days, since I am guessing you can only use the points as a DIS member?

 

[Denise L]

I've rented points from www.disboards.com with no problem. There is a lot of traffic there, so a lot of members to choose from. Some have points to rent and some have reservations to rent. There are also ads here on TUG for DVC point rentals. I have no experience using ebay to rent points. Good luck!

 

[moonlightgraham]

DVC Resale Purchase Companies?

Let's say one decides that a DVC points purchase makes sense. Other than buying direct from Disney, what are the other reputable resellers who market DVC points? I am familiar with The Timeshare Store which provides a nice website to compare prices, etc.. I know DVC has ROFR so picking up a great value is not going to happen, but a penny saved......however, is there any downside to DVC membership in purchasing resale?
Tom

 

[Time2Ponder]

There are no downsides. The membership is not crippled in any way. (Okay, the one downside is having to wait for the sale to pass ROFR, close, and get recorded by DVC. Other than that, however, as I said, the membership is not crippled; they consider you to be the original owber, right down to the "member since" date that appears on the membership card.)

For resales, I also recommend DVC By Resale: http://www.dvcbyresale.com
Shontelle is great and will provide you with very personalized service.

Kim

 

[Denise L]

Disney treats you just like you bought direct from them, it is really nice .

Seth Nock sold us our DVC Beach Club Villas resale. I highly recommend him. Great to deal with, thorough, and got us through ROFR.

 

[spiceycat]

DVC is great if you love WDW.

if you don't then look elsewhere.

OP - I would try it before buying it - then I would go with 50 points brought resale (from DVC you must buy at least 150 points). Now 50 points aren't always offering on the resalers website - they sell them too fast. So find a resaler you like, then get on their mailing list.

but try it FIRST. Some people think they will like DVC and find out after they brought that they hate it.

some people expect to be treated like DVC is a 5 star resort - it is not. there are not enough CM for that to happen. So they get mad. If you try it before you buy it - then you know what you will be getting.

now that doesn't mean that occasionally you won't get a bad trip. People have problems and you just might have an awfully time on a trip or two. but I brought in 1993 and most of my trips using DVC have been the BEST!!!!

 

[Steamboat Bill]

DVC is great if you love WDW.

if you don't then look elsewhere.

OP - I would try it before buying it - then I would go with 50 points brought resale (from DVC you must buy at least 150 points). Now 50 points aren't always offering on the resalers website - they sell them too fast. So find a resaler you like, then get on their mailing list.

but try it FIRST. Some people think they will like DVC and find out after they brought that they hate it.

some people expect to be treated like DVC is a 5 star resort - it is not. there are not enough CM for that to happen. So they get mad. If you try it before you buy it - then you know what you will be getting.

now that doesn't mean that occasionally you won't get a bad trip. People have problems and you just might have an awfully time on a trip or two. but I brought in 1993 and most of my trips using DVC have been the BEST!!!!

I also love DVC, but at today's prices, I advise renting. It is extremely difficult to buy small 50 point contracts as DVC will ROFR most of them as they want to weed out these small owners in favor of 150 point owners. Most 50 point resales that get by ROFR are bought by current DVC owners and they pay FULL Price of close to $100 pp.

 

[iluvwdw]

I don't own DVC but I REALLY REALLY want it! DH doesn't, so that's not happening ANY time soon. We are renting points in December for 6 days, 5 nights (excluding weekends, of course). I am renting for $9.75 per point. My stay at Saratoga Springs is 55 points. I am staying at a Deluxe/Home Away From Home resort for LESS than I'd pay to stay at a Moderate! Obviously, I'm thrilled.

OK, so my question is this...if I can get such a great deal by renting points, what would justify me actually making the purchase? We plan to go to WDW EVERY year. But keep in mind I also own timeshare off site, that has served me very well, too. But for Disney fanatics like myself, I can't help but want to own DISNEY and be totally immersed in the magic 24/7.

So...should I rent every year? Or take the plunge?

 

[Denise L]

OK, so my question is this...if I can get such a great deal by renting points, what would justify me actually making the purchase? We plan to go to WDW EVERY year. But keep in mind I also own timeshare off site, that has served me very well, too. But for Disney fanatics like myself, I can't help but want to own DISNEY and be totally immersed in the magic 24/7.

So...should I rent every year? Or take the plunge?

If you are thrilled to stay in a studio every year, then renting probably makes the most sense. It's pretty easy to rent a studio and there is usually a lot of availability.

We bought points earlier this year because we visited and LOVED the convenience of the EPCOT resorts. We walked everywhere or took buses. The kids loved it. We felt immersed in the parks, which is what we wanted. With small children, it saves so much time to already be in the World without having to drive there.

Now, using my very crude math ...here is the reason that we bought in. We rented 237 points last year for 6 nights (Sat-Thurs) in a 2 bedroom villa. At $10/pt, that would be $2370. We had a great rental experience, but there is always more security having control over the reservation. We decided that if we wanted to visit WDW EOY for 10 years, that would be 5 x 2370 (or more, as rental prices creep up)...so that would be about $12,000+ rounding up.

Now, our current dues on points are about 4.50 each, I think, so x 170 points x 2 years worth of points, that's $1530 in dues for 2 years (340 points). We use 237 points, rent the other 100 out at $12/pt, or $1200. So for 1530-1200 = $330, we can stay in our nice, conveniently located Beach Club Villas for 6 nights, including a Saturday! If we do this 5 x $330, we will spend $1650+ for our trips, saving over $10,000 over renting from a member.

Now, we spent about $16,000 for our points. Even if in 10 years it is only worth 50% of that, we're still ahead $2000 (again, using my crude math and rose colored glasses). Right now, I could probably sell for what I paid, including closing costs and broker fees, so we'd still have this year's trip costing us just $330, versus the $2370 from last year.

Does any of that make sense?

Oh, did I forget to say that I've always loved Disney? It's my "happiest place."