11 month home resort booking advantage, how important is it?

[Bobb_o]

I'm just now considering buying into DVC and one of the biggest questions I have is how important is your home resort. I love AKV (Just got back from a studio trip this week) and am interested in trying out VWL, BCV/BWV and PVB. BLT and VGF would be nice as well. I really have no desire to stay at SSR or OKW.

Now, the problem I'm running into is the prices for SSR or OKW contracts are a much better value. I really don't think I'd ever want to stay in a value at AKL so I've pretty much decided even thought that might be my favorite resort there's no real reason to have that as the home resort and pay the high maintenance fees. For everything else I'm just finding it hard to justify paying ~$20 more per point. I'd like to go during the Holidays at some point but I'm figuring I could always borrow/bank to cover the cost of a more expensive room that might not be sold out at the 7 month window. I don't think that'd be possible at BWV or BCV right?

As a side note is there really any downside to borrowing every year?

 

[Minniesgal]

I think this is a very personal decision.

We like to be booked at 11 months so we can book flights knowing where we will stay and not have to deal with the rush at 7 months.

The holidays tends to be a stay at home resort time. Oct-Dec switching out at 7 months is hard. Feb-August it is much easier but can still be an issue. Studios are harder than 1 bedrooms.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

It depends on where you want to stay, and when you want to stay there.

For instance, you mention BCV/BWV. If you want a studio at either property between September-December, or during Flower & Garden, you absolutely need 11-month home resort window. You need home resort for Christmas at VWL. VGF studios are hard to get most of the year WITH home resort, let alone without.

AKL is largely available at 7 months, save for Concierge and Value rooms. Especially with points enough for Savannah, it's an easier resort to book without home resort.

PVB is still a bit of a mystery, because the resort is only 20-30% sold, but 60% declared. Right now, 7 months is only challenging for holidays. This may change with time.

ETA: This may be of value.
http://www.disboards.com/threads/pr...-some-1-bedrooms-vgc-update-10-21-15.3419112/

 

[Dean]

I'm just now considering buying into DVC and one of the biggest questions I have is how important is your home resort. I love AKV (Just got back from a studio trip this week) and am interested in trying out VWL, BCV/BWV and PVB. BLT and VGF would be nice as well. I really have no desire to stay at SSR or OKW.

Now, the problem I'm running into is the prices for SSR or OKW contracts are a much better value. I really don't think I'd ever want to stay in a value at AKL so I've pretty much decided even thought that might be my favorite resort there's no real reason to have that as the home resort and pay the high maintenance fees. For everything else I'm just finding it hard to justify paying ~$20 more per point. I'd like to go during the Holidays at some point but I'm figuring I could always borrow/bank to cover the cost of a more expensive room that might not be sold out at the 7 month window. I don't think that'd be possible at BWV or BCV right?

As a side note is there really any downside to borrowing every year?

You seem to have a good grasp on the specifics for AKV. Unless you need value most of the time or Concierge (few new to DVC will actually use it that way), owning there really just costs you more and without much real benefit. OKW scares me, esp the 2057 ending date. SSR will be the lowest price and likely best value. You might get stuck staying there but it's unlikely if you're flexible otherwise and ready to go day one 7 month out. BLT will be the next best value and opens the door for the standard view option there. IMO one can generally get almost anything over time with some flexibility and effort including VGF. BWV is likely the next best value if you buy with the standard view in mind. I think the number of points one is looking at affects the decision somewhat. For you, assuming it'll be a studio and/or 1 BR mostly, one contract is likely all you'll need. But for those looking at multiple trips a year, longer stays and/or larger villas; they might want to consider a combination of contracts. In that situation it's usually best to buy one with less points than the total need then get your feet wet and be able to make a better decision on the second part later. I don't believe that buying smaller contracts just for exit options alone is a good idea but if it also adds other value like paying cash by delaying part of the purchase or adds a second home resort option, it can be worth the additional cost.

 

[Bobb_o]

It depends on where you want to stay, and when you want to stay there.

For instance, you mention BCV/BWV. If you want a studio at either property between September-December, or during Flower & Garden, you absolutely need 11-month home resort window. You need home resort for Christmas at VWL. VGF studios are hard to get most of the year WITH home resort, let alone without.

AKL is largely available at 7 months, save for Concierge and Value rooms. Especially with points enough for Savannah, it's an easier resort to book without home resort.

PVB is still a bit of a mystery, because the resort is only 20-30% sold, but 60% declared. Right now, 7 months is only challenging for holidays. This may change with time.

ETA: This may be of value.
http://www.disboards.com/threads/pr...-some-1-bedrooms-vgc-update-10-21-15.3419112/

I was looking at that and it's what I was thinking, AKL is most likely going to be available if I want to go the first two weeks of Dec (I assume when most DVC owners go since it's cheap)

What I don't know exactly is how much would I want to go to VWL at Christmas or BCV/BWV during F&W and is it worth it to have that premium cost added. I know no one can really answer but myself but I appreciate hearing other people's opinions and what they went through.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

You might get stuck staying there

On the relative basis of "stuck," Saratoga is nowhere near a fate worse than getting run over by someone on a scooter right after you get a Dole Whip, injuring you AND putting the Whip all over the pavement, so you are both injured and hungry and sad.

Saratoga: Pretty nice, honest!

 

[Bobb_o]

You seem to have a good grasp on the specifics for AKV. Unless you need value most of the time or Concierge (few new to DVC will actually use it that way), owning there really just costs you more and without much real benefit. OKW scares me, esp the 2057 ending date. SSR will be the lowest price and likely best value. You might get stuck staying there but it's unlikely if you're flexible otherwise and ready to go day one 7 month out. BLT will be the next best value and opens the door for the standard view option there. IMO one can generally get almost anything over time with some flexibility and effort including VGF. BWV is likely the next best value if you buy with the standard view in mind. I think the number of points one is looking at affects the decision somewhat. For you, assuming it'll be a studio and/or 1 BR mostly, one contract is likely all you'll need. But for those looking at multiple trips a year, longer stays and/or larger villas; they might want to consider a combination of contracts. In that situation it's usually best to buy one with less points than the total need then get your feet wet and be able to make a better decision on the second part later. I don't believe that buying smaller contracts just for exit options alone is a good idea but if it also adds other value like paying cash by delaying part of the purchase or adds a second home resort option, it can be worth the additional cost.

Why does the 2057 end date scare you? I'm only 26 with no kids (But I've been in a relationship for almost 7 years now) so the longer the contract length the better for me. Definitely only considering studios/1BR and right now am thinking somewhere between ~75-~120 points. Ideally I'd love 2 trips a year but at minimum I want to be able to stay 4 nights. The maintenance fees for higher point contracts scare me personally.

 

[Bobb_o]

On the relative basis of "stuck," Saratoga is nowhere near a fate worse than getting run over by someone on a scooter right after you get a Dole Whip, injuring you AND putting the Whip all over the pavement, so you are both injured and hungry and sad.

Saratoga: Pretty nice, honest!

I will say it is more appealing than OKW. The bridge to Disney Springs is pretty cool.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Why does the 2057 end date scare you? I'm only 26 with no kids (But I've been in a relationship for almost 7 years now) so the longer the contract length the better for me. Definitely only considering studios/1BR and right now am thinking somewhere between ~75-~120 points. Ideally I'd love 2 trips a year but at minimum I want to be able to stay 4 nights. The maintenance fees for higher point contracts scare me personally.

Old Key West has some oddity. The original contracts were 2042. They offered an extension to 2057. Very few owners took it. So PART of the resort is 2057, PART is 2042. No one knows what happens when those 2042 contracts expire, and no one knows what happens to the 2057 contract holders for dues, maintenance, unit availability, etc.

 

[Dean]

On the relative basis of "stuck," Saratoga is nowhere near a fate worse than getting run over by someone on a scooter right after you get a Dole Whip, injuring you AND putting the Whip all over the pavement, so you are both injured and hungry and sad.

Saratoga: Pretty nice, honest!

I'm not dissing the resort, the OP made the statement "I really have no desire to stay at SSR or OKW." But the fact is it's demand is less than other resorts at WDW and that it may be the only thing available at times.

Why does the 2057 end date scare you? I'm only 26 with no kids (But I've been in a relationship for almost 7 years now) so the longer the contract length the better for me. Definitely only considering studios/1BR and right now am thinking somewhere between ~75-~120 points. Ideally I'd love 2 trips a year but at minimum I want to be able to stay 4 nights. The maintenance fees for higher point contracts scare me personally.

Because of the fact it currently has roughly 25% of the members at 2057 & the rest at 2042 expiration. They will have to cut the resort down in some way for 2042 or else find some other way to handle the dues. I suspect it will drive up the dues significantly.

 

[disneynutz]

You get what you pay for, more desirable resorts go for a higher price. The only way to guarantee that you get the resort/room category that you want is to buy there and even then some categories/room sizes might be a challenge.

Bill

 

[Dean]

You get what you pay for, more desirable resorts go for a higher price. The only way to guarantee that you get the resort/room category that you want is to buy there and even then some categories/room sizes might be a challenge.

Bill

Bill, they higher price may or may not add value, it doesn't automatically. And it doesn't necessarily guarantee access unless one does a fixed week.

 

[disneynutz]

Bill, they higher price may or may not add value, it doesn't automatically. And it doesn't necessarily guarantee access unless one does a fixed week.

It's more of a guarantee than not buying there.

Bill

 

[suebeelin]

If you primarily want AKL, with the option of trading out, and concierge and value is not your must have rooms, SSR is your best bet.

 

[Dean]

It's more of a guarantee than not buying there.

Bill

But if you can't get what you want due either to the super high demand or your personal limitations does it matter? I'd say no. IMO that's part of the eval process to judge what is and is not reasonable to expect then what it's relative worth is to that person.

 

[disneynutz]

But if you can't get what you want due either to the super high demand or your personal limitations does it matter? I'd say no. IMO that's part of the eval process to judge what is and is not reasonable to expect then what it's relative worth is to that person.

I would venture to guess that most new buyers don't really understand the ins and outs and limitations when booking a DVC resort. Plus the specifics are ever changing. Just a few years ago booking was much more successful compared to today and probably tomorrow. Disney and DVC are coming up with new attractions, events, discounts, to increase attendance all year long.

I hate to see new buyers go through booking shock or having to settle on a non preferred resort while still spending thousands on their Disney vacation.

Bill

 

[pmaurer74]

I would suggest trying out some of there resorts. I know it may not be wise to purchase based upon feelings but WL is "home" to us so we bought there and we plan to go 50% of the time in December so that was important to us. True that right now you can get AKV at the 7 month mark but if it feels like home to you, buy where you want to stay.

 

[disneynutz]

I would suggest trying out some of there resorts. I know it may not be wise to purchase based upon feelings but WL is "home" to us so we bought there and we plan to go 50% of the time in December so that was important to us. True that right now you can get AKV at the 7 month mark but if it feels like home to you, buy where you want to stay.

My issue that I'm trying to express is that until you stay at all of the resorts, how do you know which feels like home?

We bought 6 home resorts and to be honest, only 3 feel like home. While all of the resorts offer something, AKV, BLT, and BCV aren't as special to us as VGF, BWV, and VWL.

Bill

 

[Dean]

I would venture to guess that most new buyers don't really understand the ins and outs and limitations when booking a DVC resort. Plus the specifics are ever changing. Just a few years ago booking was much more successful compared to today and probably tomorrow. Disney and DVC are coming up with new attractions, events, discounts, to increase attendance all year long.

I hate to see new buyers go through booking shock or having to settle on a non preferred resort while still spending thousands on their Disney vacation.

Bill

My view is that most new buyers don't know enough to know what they want and that underbuying in terms of home resort and number of points is almost always the best option. Better to make a $15K dollar mistake with SSR than a $30K one with Poly for example. Thus I feel encouraging new members to buy the more expensive item "so they don't get stuck" is generally doing them a disservice. There are very few situations where a new buyer should be stuck taking my approach. Any that do ONLY a decent amount of investigation should know they're not going to get the more difficult items but neither are most of the owners at those resorts either.

 

[pmaurer74]

My issue that I'm trying to express is that until you stay at all of the resorts, how do you know which feels like home?

We bought 6 home resorts and to be honest, only 3 feel like home. While all of the resorts offer something, AKV, BLT, and BCV aren't as special to us as VGF, BWV, and VWL.

Bill

I know what you mean. We have stayed at most of the resorts except OKW and BLT. We will be at BWV this summer. WLV we kept going back to.