Purchase Grand Californian or New potential Disneyland DVC

[hhoman]

So there is no right answer here but I wanted to get some feedback on what people in my shoes would do and why.

Current situation:
- I live in San Francisco bay area
- Married with 1 child 1.5 years old. (probably only child we are planning)
- Current Age = Early 30s
- I have 100 DVC Points (Through Disney) @ Poly and 100 DVC Points (Through Resale) at Grand Californian
- My Plan is to Visit WDW every 2-3 years using the Poly Points for a week.
- My Plan is to do a weekend or two every year at Grand Californian using the VGC points
- I will be just booking studios
- Economic: We can afford the points price, but I worry about the yearly HOA once we are retired. Our mortgage and child's college fund are completed, but not retirement plans.



Question: I am debating on getting another 100 Points so I can go to Disneyland more often in the future
A . Should I buy @ Grand Californian on Resale? It will end in my late 70s
B. Should I wait and buy @ the new Disney hotel being build? It might not exist and It will probably end when I am in my late 80s? But I can use the points with my Poly points for some international Disney resort vacations in the future? But will I even be alive or physically able to enjoy Disneyland in my 80s?
C. Am I being stupid and 200 points is enough DVC if I only want studios and for my size family? Have any of you regretted buying?

 

[CarolMN]

I'd keep what I have and enjoy it for now.

If you are in your 30's, you have many years before you need to worry about annual dues in retirement and lots can change before then. Plus you can plan for that expense in your retirement plan. (If those aren't started or on trackyet, that's a much higher priority for your money than additional vacaions). We based our client's retirement plans on 100% of their current expenses and projected those to and through their retirement years. (Inflation is a consideration). We reviewed their plans every year to make sure they were still on track and if not, adjusted the plan. People's expenses change as does their income.

Anyway, I'd not be in a rush to buy more points right now. By the time you are in your 40's or 50's or etc., your vacation preferences might change. Better to not overbuy!

 

[hhoman]

Thanks.... I think you are right. I wish I could buy points with no HOA so I never have to worry about it.

 

[bwvBound]

Have any of you regretted buying?

We've owned DVC for 12+ years but other timeshare for 16+ years. I wouldn't say we regret buying DVC -- but it is one of our least favorite timeshares due to the costs (maintenance fee relative to room quality) and limited location choices. Have you considered a different timeshare to compliment your DVC? Perhaps another "mini-system" (a network of related resort properties) with a wider variety of locations including beaches, islands, mountains, ranches, hot springs, casinos, cities, National Parks, etc.?

Consider also that your lifestyles may change in your 40s or 50s or 60s. Mine has done that ... once I had "life in order" and sufficient income, I followed a very traditional path: return to my 1st love at 40. For me, that 1st love was horsemanship and I'm thrilled with where that decision has taken me. I'm just now turning the corner on my 1st career and am, likely, to 're-wire' a second career based on that love and the training/skills I've developed over the last decade or so. FWIW, DVC doesn't factor into my more recent horsey-lifestyle ... but our first timeshare supports it nicely with locations near event spaces that have become my regular pilgrimage.

 

[bwvBound]

Thanks.... I think you are right. I wish I could buy points with no HOA so I never have to worry about it.

No "HOA" or no "forced home resort"? I'm guessing you meant the latter.

If you might be interested in a different timeshare system with lots of locations across the western states and no "home resort" ... you might want to look at Worldmark the Club.

 

[mustinjourney]

No "HOA" or no "forced home resort"? I'm guessing you meant the latter.

If you might be interested in a different timeshare system with lots of locations across the western states and no "home resort" ... you might want to look at Worldmark the Club.

My guess is he's referring to yearly MFs (which are similar to Home Owner Association (HOA) fees).

 

[hhoman]

Yes I meant the fees. I talked to my wife. And while she likes grand Californian because we got engaged there we decided to wait for the next California dvc. This is so we can see if we change our minds over the next 5 years. And in case we like the variety of a second hotel if we decide we want more in 2021.

 

[DenLo]

Timeshares and fees are a fact. They might call it a different name or charge multiple fees at checkin or checkout, but whatever method they get you to pay for the maintenance and upkeep.

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

Yes I meant the fees. I talked to my wife. And while she likes grand Californian because we got engaged there we decided to wait for the next California dvc. This is so we can see if we change our minds over the next 5 years. And in case we like the variety of a second hotel if we decide we want more in 2021.

It's always good to take some time to think about it. My personal opinion, though is that a DVC at the new resort is unlikely. The reason Disney is building that particular hotel is that Anaheim is offering a tax break to companies who are willing to build a luxury hotel in Anaheim, not for a timeshare. I suspect that they would not be happy if Disney decided to put timeshare units in there, but this is just speculation on my part.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

It's always good to take some time to think about it. My personal opinion, though is that a DVC at the new resort is unlikely. The reason Disney is building that particular hotel is that Anaheim is offering a tax break to companies who are willing to build a luxury hotel in Anaheim, not for a timeshare. I suspect that they would not be happy if Disney decided to put timeshare units in there, but this is just speculation on my part.

What they might be willing to finally do though is to convert rooms at either GC or DLH though if they are going to have another property.

 

[starry_solo]

I don't expect Disney to put another DVC at Disneyland.

 

[hhoman]

I don't expect Disney to put another DVC at Disneyland.

Why do think this?

 

[McCrae]

One of the things I like about DVC is the strong rental and resale market. To me this makes DVC the best time share to have. A lot of time shares you would struggle to give them away if your circumstances changed.

My thoughts would be to buy VGC and enjoy the experience with your family. You will never regret the priceless happy memories you will create with your family.

 

[starry_solo]

Why do think this?

Because they make more money with hotels than they do with DVC.

Plus, the current deal they have with the City of Anaheim is to make the newest properties hotels (they got a deal on the TOT)

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/hotel-718500-disneyland-city.html

As far as converting current hotel rooms to DVC, I don't think they would do that with GCH or DLH, which would leave PPH.

At WDW, they can market that you can get a deluxe resort for the price of a moderate (or high priced value) but at DLR, they can't since there really is no value or moderate resorts owned by Disney. There's one moderately priced resort at DLR (PPH) but all value is non-Disney.

Plus it seemed to take a long time to sell out at VGC, even though there's only what, 48 villas?

 

[hhoman]

What resale companies do you recommend?

 

[The.disney.couple]

So there is no right answer here but I wanted to get some feedback on what people in my shoes would do and why.

Current situation:
- I live in San Francisco bay area
- Married with 1 child 1.5 years old. (probably only child we are planning)
- Current Age = Early 30s
- I have 100 DVC Points (Through Disney) @ Poly and 100 DVC Points (Through Resale) at Grand Californian
- My Plan is to Visit WDW every 2-3 years using the Poly Points for a week.
- My Plan is to do a weekend or two every year at Grand Californian using the VGC points
- I will be just booking studios
- Economic: We can afford the points price, but I worry about the yearly HOA once we are retired. Our mortgage and child's college fund are completed, but not retirement plans.



Question: I am debating on getting another 100 Points so I can go to Disneyland more often in the future
A . Should I buy @ Grand Californian on Resale? It will end in my late 70s
B. Should I wait and buy @ the new Disney hotel being build? It might not exist and It will probably end when I am in my late 80s? But I can use the points with my Poly points for some international Disney resort vacations in the future? But will I even be alive or physically able to enjoy Disneyland in my 80s?
C. Am I being stupid and 200 points is enough DVC if I only want studios and for my size family? Have any of you regretted buying?

Hi there! We also own at the poly and are considering purchasing resale for VGC and we're wondering how you like your experience buying resale and if there were any differences or issues booking VGC with your resale contract. Any info/ details would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Hi there! We also own at the poly and are considering purchasing resale for VGC and we're wondering how you like your experience buying resale and if there were any differences or issues booking VGC with your resale contract. Any info/ details would be greatly appreciated!!!

There is no booking difference for DVC resorts whether points are purchased direct or resale. My VGC points were all direct but I have points at WDW bought resale.
What might your concern be?

 

[hhoman]

I had a good experience buying resale. The only negative is that most resale contracts seem to have a lot of their points already used for the next year or two. Also, it takes a lot longer in waiting, months, to close your sale.

 

[Margaret P.]

@hhoman You mind sharing how much you bought your resale for at the grand? I am so tired of searching. I currently have an 18 month old and 1 on the way. Everything listed is 175 and up. Some website have some low points in the 215 p.p value but its definitely too high for 110 points and under. Ive seen some sale pending at 160p.p but I always miss out. Wondering if you had a better site, more realistic. If you ever want to sell let me know. I feel like I'm chasing a loosing game over here. Any resale advice would be helpful

 

[limace]

I purchased a year ago through *************. $141 for 100 points. OP, I’d definitely buy at the grand if DL is your favorite-the fees are pretty minimal (what, 40 a month on 100 points) so I’m hoping to not have any retirement scenario where that breaks me! And I guess if I’m that close to the edge I have no business buying at all. Plus GCV points will always rent in a hot second.