Hi Everyone, please help!

[Indiana Dad]

Hello Everyone, I am a father of 4 and we are a disney nuts family. 3 years ago I sat through the DVC pitch at WDW and now I am very close to pulling the trigger. many questions though. I love the VWL more than anything, and it would kill us if we ever didn't get in there. We historically don't travel to WDW during easter week or spring break, but I fear that if I don't make VWL our home resort that one day I won't get in when we want and it would be awful. That's one problem. the other issue is resales versus pruchasing direct. i am been working with the timeshare store and just today talked to a guy from DVC. He the DVC guy implied in no uncertain terms that if I bought resale I woudl NOT get as good of treatment from DVC member services than if I bought directly from him. And, here is where I really need advice. He said I could get SSR for 93.00 per point, and VWL for 95.00 point. Yes, 2 dollars a point more, and 12 less years on the contract for Wilderness. His incentive to do this was 150 points banked from 2005 that they would "throw in". These extra 150 points were not offered in the SSR deal. Knowing all this, 2 questions for you all. Am I in great danger of not getting into VWL if it is not my home resort, even if I call 7 months in advance--please share your experiances? Secondly, how strict and unforgiving is DVC on their incentives? Will they move at all, offer the extra points deal like at VWL? And, why should I, if at all, buy direct from DVC, if it is more money hands down and the treatment is supposedly the same? I know I have asked a lot from all of you, but I am just a dad who loves Disney, loves my family, and am trying to do the best for my dear wife and children. This is a lot of money for us and I can't afford a mistake. I thank any and all of you for sharing as much as you can. God bless.

[cobbler]

Ok first off I can tell you that you would get the EXACT same treatment from MS if you bought resale vs through Disney directly. I bought directly and not resale but honestly once you have your contract number MS can't tell where you bought. It's not like it's red flagged or anything.

Personally I think this is crappy for the guide to say but that is just me.

I don't know if you are in danger of not getting into VWL, I have heard the horror stories and I have seen success stories but have no personal expirence. BUT if you would be devistated to NOT be able to get into VWL then you should definatly buy VWL. You are making a large purchase and if you won't be happy then it doesn't make much sense to buy somewhere where you possibly won't be happy.

I own SSR and sure I want to try the others but if I don't get them then so be it and I am perfectly content because I love SSR :)

They won't throw in extra points at VWL because they are a sold out resort. The only incentives right now are strictly for purchases at SSR. So you won't get any extra bonus points, passes or anything if you purchase at VWL.

If you want VWL, purchase there. If it doesn't matter that you don't get into there every time then well, its still up to you.

HTH some.

[Disnydad]

You get the same treatment whether you buy direct from DVC or via resale. We have purchased both ways (own at OKW & VWL) and get excellent treatment when ever we call DVC.

Personally, the price is too steep direct from DVC nowadays for me and if we ever bought more points it would be via the resale route now. I'm just glad we got in when we did (2000 & 2002).

[dgaston]

I bought points at SSR in 2004 and have yet to stay there. I have only booked VWL once in a value season, but have been able to book BWV during Food and Wine (not Boardwalk view), and even got a Standard 1 br at BWV during our April Vacation (first week of Flower and Garden). It probably would be tricker to get VWL during Christmas, but frankly if all I can book is SSR I will be happy.

[Colorado Belle]

We may need a clarification here.
The way I read the OP's post: the DVC guide offered him a 150 point WLV contract at $95 per point and with 2005 points (150) thrown in free.

Not sure what WLV is going for at the moment....guessing that a resale contract could be found in the $80-85 range plus closing costs. Probably NOT loaded with 2005 points.

So, if OP bought from this DVC guide at $95 pp for WLV and no closing costs and rented the 150 points from 2005 at $11 pp.....he'd end up paying $84 pp for WLV from Disney. ANd if he found a contract on resale for $80 pp plus minimal $2.00 pp for closing costs and ROFR.....he would save MAX $300 in going through resale.

If I inferred correctly, I would probably take the WLV and 150 DVC points from 2005, rent them out and WELCOME HOME!

If I misunderstood, please forgive me, I am a victim of halfheimers!:blech:

[ripleysmom]

First of all, I would call the DVC guide's supervisor and report him for lying to you. When you buy direct from DVC your use year usually begins a few months before which means that you have an automatic credit of points from 2005, he's not giving you anything except a credit for half of your points. As someone else also pointed out he lied to you about your treatment as well. MS could care less where you bought your points.

Secondly, the addage of buy where you want to stay certainly applies in this case. If you will not be happy anywhere but VWL then you should buy there. It is the smallest of the DVC properties and can be tough to get. I know we've gotten VWL at the 7 month window (for President's week even) but there are no guarantees.

Having said that and understanding how you feel (cause we LOVED VWL), you really can't go wrong with any of the DVC resorts. They all have their advantages and disadvantages. I was very pleasantly surprised by SSR when I stayed there last year so if that was where I got "stuck" staying it really wouldn't be a big loss to me.

[Plutofan2]

If you will be disappointed not getting into VWL then I would consider buying there. As more members join it will harder to get into the smaller resorts like Beach club, Boardwalk and Wilderness Lodge. Based upon my experience VWL was the easiest of the three to get into at the 7 month window. During the Christmas season VWL is very difficult or almost impossible to get into unless you use the 11 month window. Once you become a DVC member you can always buy points from another member so that you can book at the 11 month window but make sure you follow all the transfer rules. MS will have to track the points, expiration date and home resort manually so make sure it is done correcetly. Good luck.

[*elaine*]

First of all, I would call the DVC guide's supervisor and report him for lying to you. When you buy direct from DVC your use year usually begins a few months before which means that you have an automatic credit of points from 2005, he's not giving you anything except a credit for half of your points.

In regards to use year, if your are buying at a sold-out resort this is not necessarily the case. Your use year for buying at SSR right now would be Feb, but if you bought at VWL the UY would depend on the use year of the people who originally bought them and then had them ROFR'd when they tried to sell them. The use year of points doesn't change.

I'm currently waiting to hear if my deal with DVC about 200 points at BWV is going to go through. And my use year is/will be in August. Even though this is June. Because that is the UY the points were originally sold as.

If you end up deciding that you want to buy at VWL and points aren't immediately available for purchase, you will have a shorter wait on the waitlist if you tell them any Use Year would do.

If you are THAT in love with a resort, I'd buy at that resort.

[Plutofan2]

Also remember if you buy resale you will have to make an offer that pases ROFR. You will probably not be able to make a reservation when you buy resale for 2 - 3 months. We have bout 5 resales in the past year. We saved a lot of money going resale but the process is very long.... very long.....

[mushu]

I agree you should buy at VWL. We bought at BWV last June for the reason it's where we want to stay the most.