buying points?

[jfe16]

I am interested in purchasing a Disney timeshare. I have researched it a little bit but I am still slightly confused about something. I have been advised that it does not really matter what resort I purchase the points in. For example, even if my favorite resort is the beach club or the boardwalk villas, I should buy an interest in vero beach because the points are advertised at $43 a point instead of $85 a point for the boardwalk villas. If the points are freely transferable between the resorts for stays, why should I pay twice the amount? Is the only benefit that I would get to reserve at the boardwalk villas 11 months out instead of 7 months out? Should I purchase a small amount in the boardwalk villas and combine them with a vero beach purchase? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[DizBub]

I am interested in purchasing a Disney timeshare. I have researched it a little bit but I am still slightly confused about something. I have been advised that it does not really matter what resort I purchase the points in. For example, even if my favorite resort is the beach club or the boardwalk villas, I should buy an interest in vero beach because the points are advertised at $43 a point instead of $85 a point for the boardwalk villas. If the points are freely transferable between the resorts for stays, why should I pay twice the amount? Is the only benefit that I would get to reserve at the boardwalk villas 11 months out instead of 7 months out? Should I purchase a small amount in the boardwalk villas and combine them with a vero beach purchase? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

You can only combine points from different resorts at the 7 month window.

If it's really important for you to stay at BWV/BCV especially during Food&Wine, holidays, special events like races, etc then you really need to buy points there for the 11 month booking advantage.

 

[chalee94]

I am interested in purchasing a Disney timeshare. I have researched it a little bit but I am still slightly confused about something. I have been advised that it does not really matter what resort I purchase the points in. For example, even if my favorite resort is the beach club or the boardwalk villas, I should buy an interest in vero beach because the points are advertised at $43 a point instead of $85 a point for the boardwalk villas. If the points are freely transferable between the resorts for stays, why should I pay twice the amount? Is the only benefit that I would get to reserve at the boardwalk villas 11 months out instead of 7 months out?

1) that 11 month advantage can make a major difference during many times of the year.

if you expect to book BWV during super-busy DVC booking periods like oct or early december at 7 months out, you may be spending $43 per pt to be very disappointed.

2) VB is cheaper for a number of reasons besides not having the 11 month advantage onsite at wdw. annual dues are much higher for VB owners. there is also an increased risk of storm damage for a coastal resort - meaning even higher annual dues.

but if you buy VB to book BWV preferred (nonboardwalk) view rooms during feb or may or something...my guess is that that plan will usually work out ok (not counting the annual dues issues).

 

[jfe16]

thanks for the quick replies. Like I said I am new to timeshares and I am trying to get as much information as possible prior to buying one.

 

[abdmom]

I am interested in purchasing a Disney timeshare. I have researched it a little bit but I am still slightly confused about something. I have been advised that it does not really matter what resort I purchase the points in. For example, even if my favorite resort is the beach club or the boardwalk villas, I should buy an interest in vero beach because the points are advertised at $43 a point instead of $85 a point for the boardwalk villas. If the points are freely transferable between the resorts for stays, why should I pay twice the amount? Is the only benefit that I would get to reserve at the boardwalk villas 11 months out instead of 7 months out? Should I purchase a small amount in the boardwalk villas and combine them with a vero beach purchase? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Welcome to the Disboards!

The maintenance fees for Vero Beach (and Hilton Head) are much higher than for the WDW resorts. For Vero Beach, it's $7.14 and for Boardwalk Villas, it's $5.84. That means each year, you will pay that much per point to DVC. Maintenance fees increase each year, around 3-5%.

The home resort advantage means that you can book 11 months out at the resort where the points are owned. If you own 50 points at Vero Beach and 50 points at Boardwalk, you can book those 50 points 11 months out at their specific resorts. You could only use the Vero Beach points for a Boardwalk reservation at 7 months or less from checkin. If you plan to during a busy time, there may not be availability at 7 months out. Busy times at DVC are not necessarily the same as busy times for cash reservations. Lots of DVC owners like to go in October/November/early December for example. Buy where you want to stay.

There is a wealth of information on this board.

 

[twinsouvenirs]

definitely calculate the annual dues for each property--you may pay way more for Vero. Saratoga is supposedly the best value (combining pts and maintenance). Some people have no problem booking times at 7 mo from what I have heard. We are probably going to do what you mentioned--buy enough points at our fave resorts to be able to go to them whenever we want every other year or every third year, and then add some more at Saratoga (which looks lovely by the way) for general 7 month use.

 

[ELMC]

I am interested in purchasing a Disney timeshare. I have researched it a little bit but I am still slightly confused about something. I have been advised that it does not really matter what resort I purchase the points in. For example, even if my favorite resort is the beach club or the boardwalk villas, I should buy an interest in vero beach because the points are advertised at $43 a point instead of $85 a point for the boardwalk villas. If the points are freely transferable between the resorts for stays, why should I pay twice the amount? Is the only benefit that I would get to reserve at the boardwalk villas 11 months out instead of 7 months out? Should I purchase a small amount in the boardwalk villas and combine them with a vero beach purchase? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

This is very bad advice, in my opinion, and would lead me to question further anything this person told you. You've received some good information on this thread already. I'd like to add that VB is not a cost savings contract, and the only reason someone should purchase at VB is if they feel they need the 11 month advantage there. Also, the booking strategy with the half and half purchasing strategy detailed above is to book your dates at your home resort at 11 months, and then at 7 months try to switch to your preferred resort. That way if it's not available, you're still onsite for your dates. So the key is that home resort better be someplace you wouldn't mind staying. Good luck with your research and your purchase.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Buy VB or HHI if you really want to book the Grand Villa or Beach Cottage there or you want to go there in the height of the summer months. Don't buy those locations if you want to save money. It is getting more difficult to book something at seven months out. If you at least purchase something right at WDW, you will at least be able to book WDW at eleven months out and attempt to change the reservation at seven months out.

Best advice is to purchase at the resort you wouldn't mind staying at if you couldn't change your reservation at seven months out.

And if you can't book at eleven months out, you might as well resign yourself to AKV, SSR or OKW.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

As a Boardwalk owner, I highly suggest that you buy at the Boardwalk. SSR may give the most bang for the buck, but BWV is known for giving the owner the best overall package.

Even though we are gung ho for BWV, we have still not stayed in the preferred non-boardwalk view which is 60% of the resort. Plus, if you tend to stay standard view, then BWV maintenance fees begin to be in line with other resorts. IMHO, the std view is as good as or better than the higher point views at other resorts.

You will have some trouble booking BWV boardwalk and standard views inside the 7 month window much of the time.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

And the boardwalk view is spectacular!

 

[Deb & Bill]

As a Boardwalk owner, I highly suggest that you buy at the Boardwalk. SSR may give the most bang for the buck, but BWV is known for giving the owner the best overall package.

Even though we are gung ho for BWV, we have still not stayed in the preferred non-boardwalk view which is 60% of the resort. Plus, if you tend to stay standard view, then BWV maintenance fees begin to be in line with other resorts. IMHO, the std view is as good as or better than the higher point views at other resorts.

You will have some trouble booking BWV boardwalk and standard views inside the 7 month window much of the time.

See, I would tell a prospective owner something different. BWV is on the low end of my list. I hate the long way to the car. I don't care for the long walks down the hallway. And I'm more of a fan of the quiet locations like OKW, SSR, BCV, VWL. The further away from the themed pool is better for us.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

To each his own..,


Sitting on your balcony, eating a muffin watching the day come alive with a tranquil view of Crescent Lake Spaceship earth , and Y&BC can't be beat. Taking a boat to the studios or even to Epcot after a long week can't be beat. Being a short stroll from World showcase can't be beat.

I'm not saying BWV is perfect by any stretch. I have wondered if I needed bread crumbs down those long hallways, but they are AIR CONDITIONED!

Besides, OP mentioned he likes BWV. I happen to agree with him! It's an awesome resort!

My point is that the awesomeness lies in the 40% that is easier to get from 7-11 months out. If he loves it... He should buy it.

 

[twinsouvenirs]

ok now I HAVE to have BWV

 

[Deb & Bill]

ok now I HAVE to have BWV

Are you always this easily influenced?

 

[twinsouvenirs]

Should I be? Just let me know!

 

[ELMC]

Are you always this easily influenced?

Should I be? Just let me know!

Funny back and forth. But the bigger point is that DVC is actually very diverse with regards to its different resorts. The options and reasons that Deb describes above are perfect for her. But they're the exact reasons why I would not want to stay at those resorts. It's really important that you figure out what your priorities are, and then buy the resort that satisfies them. Different resorts appeal to different people.

 

[twinsouvenirs]

I swear i was kidding We always stay at the Swan/Dolphin and Epcot is our absolute fave, HS second. We have stayed at the YC too. All that said--we're guessing our babies are going to prefer MK so we're also getting some GfV We definitely love the Boardwalk area and viewed the model there. I just got extra excited with that sensory description

I am dying to stay in the WL!

 

[k3chantal]

I swear i was kidding We always stay at the Swan/Dolphin and Epcot is our absolute fave, HS second. We have stayed at the YC too. All that said--we're guessing our babies are going to prefer MK so we're also getting some GfV We definitely love the Boardwalk area and viewed the model there. I just got extra excited with that sensory description

I am dying to stay in the WL!

And just to prove you shouldn't guess....my 'babies' preferred Epcot at ages 5 and 7, go figure.

 

[dbs1228]

And just to prove you shouldn't guess....my 'babies' preferred Epcot at ages 5 and 7, go figure.

And yet all 3 off my DD's fav resort has been and still is MK! They say there is nothing better then strolling down main street, when they were younger they would only last 1/2 a day at Epcot before wanting to go back to swim!

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

ok now I HAVE to have BWV

Excellent choice!