I would say it seems like there are risks now. If you want to be able to book all the L14 resorts, I would go ahead and buy resale now because we don't know just what Disney will do in the future. Everyone, or a lot of posters will say buy where you want to stay, but there are some people like myself who would not like to have to stay at the same resort every single visit, no matter where I owned.
There have always been risks associated with buying into DVC; however, for years, the basics remained the same and Disney did little fiddling with the system. You were an owner, period, be it via resale or direct (we've done both). And there have always been many voices telling people to understand that, in the end, all you are truly guaranteed is a place to call home that gets you a minimum of an advanced 30 day window to book. When new resorts were built, they tended to fit an actual theme and their ambiance reflected such. A few years ago, Disney decided to start rearranging the system to better fit their profit profile, all within legal guidelines it would appear. However, the ill will some of those changes caused has, in turn, made potential buyers and long-time owners feel as if the whole DVC thing is riskier than before. Part of that feeling is due to actual change; part of it is due to the speed with which so many new ideas, restrictions, and builds have happened. With the increasingly diverse new resorts, the overall thematic resonance for which Disney was well known has been watered down--there's a certain symmetry and generic tone anymore. The new builds have also, at least indirectly, led to skyrocketing prices per point which inherently makes DVC more of a risk. Finally, the restrictions on resale buyers has ramped up the past few years with the latest crowning touch being the new rules at Riviera announced a couple of weeks ago. So, yes, we knew the risks buying 15 years ago, but the purchase does seem even riskier now. It's not that Disney has operated outside of laws and regulations so much as they have forged ahead like a bull figuring people will still fall all over themselves to buy in. They may be correct, but I certainly wouldn't buy given the current state of DVC and how it looks it might be going forward.
And I'm sure we'll love it, but I'm perfectly content anywhere. It's all home to me now, each place in its own unique way.
No what I meant was for her to buy into resale now if she wants the opportunity to use the other resorts before the possibility of what DVC might restrict in the future. I was also trying to say that many people will say buy where you want to stay, but for me, personally, I will like to try out most of the resorts so I just went with OKW.
Good idea. Truly, those who bought not particularly caring where they stayed and who have been able to get into a resort at 7 months have a system that works for them. We've mostly had success at the 7-month point over the years, though not always and a couple of times we've had to stitch together split stays. We've always intended to try all the resorts, and save for a couple, we have. (It HAS gotten more difficult over the past few years to get certain resorts at 7 months, though.) Still, for us, we adore the Lodge and it holds a special meaning for us. We wanted a place where we knew beyond a shadow of doubt that we'd enjoy regardless of any availability elsewhere, and that was VWL. While we've enjoyed our stays at SSR and OKW and will likely visit them again, neither is a resort at which we'd wish to repeatedly stay. However, there are many for whom location simply does not matter, so certainly finding the best, cheapest contract would work.
100%
We are a Canadian family of 5 as well. I also feel the painful exchange rate. We bought SSR first as we can only travel during school breaks & will not ever be participating in fall frenzy.
Oh ya, I get the conversion rate thing. Had to deal a lot with that last year in Cayman.
