1st purchase - which small resale contract? - UPDATE - I started the search!

[mittelst]

I started the process today! I have called the Timeshare Store and have them on the lookout for 50-60 pts at either OKW, HHI, or VB (I need to keep the $/point cost down). Wish me luck!



Well, after paying cash (OKW 2/2000), renting (BCV 10/2003; OKW 4/2005; HH 11/2005), and a 12/2006 trip in the works, I've decided now is the time. As I've watched resale prices increase almost 30% over the last 5 years, I'm only "losing money" the longer I wait.

I have a limited budget, which will restrict me to about 60 points. Now I just have to figure out which resort to shoot for. Our travel patterns currently are the 3rd week in April, the last week in June through Labor day, the 1st week in November, and possibly a long weekend at the begininng of December. It's just my 10yo and myself, and we have been staying in studios.

My initial thought was to get an HH contract to enable the 11 month window for summer trips. I have no problem accepting OKW if that's all that's available at 7 mo. for WDW trips. But... HH is a 2-day drive for me, and airfare is not all that reasonable from my locale. But... I loved it! The beach was great, and we didn't mind the short drive over there.

So... does HH make sense? Or would it be better to go for a WDW resort and take my chances with HH at the 7mo window? Ackk!!!!

Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Hi, because HH is such a small resort and features mostly 2 bedrooms, if you want to go there in a popular season and perhaps get a smaller unit, my advice would be to get those points. I think if you knew 7 months out that you wanted to go to WDW you could get something there, and your "something" could possibly be your first or second choice at almost anytime in the year.

There's a fair amount of talk on the ROFR thread about Disney taking smaller contracts that non-DVC members are trying to buy. Check it out, I don't think anyone "knows" what Disney is up to, but I do wish you Pixie Dust for you to get what you want.

Bobbi

 

[CarolMN]

You're the only one who can answer that, LOL.

Is it more important to get HH in the summertime or more important to know that you will always be able to stay on site at WDW?

For right now, buying HH and counting on getting something somewhere on site at WDW at the 7 month mark is reasonable. If you would be OK staying anywhere on site (SSR is most likely to have availability because it has the largest number of units), then go ahead and buy HH.

IMHO, as the total number of DVC members increases, there will be more and more competiton at the 7 month mark to get into the smaller WDW DVC resorts (VWL, BCV & BWV). Even so, for many times of the year, those who call at the 7 month mark will be able to get into even the smaller resorts. They may have to call day by day at some point, though.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[shellbelle1971]

It appears that you have thought this out pretty well. If you want to stay at HH during high demand times and will be happy with whichever WDW property has availability at the 7 month mark, then an HH purchase seems to make sense for you.

Good luck with a smaller contract. Maybe the ROFR gremlins will let you squeak by!

Michelle

 

[vascubaguy]

Just to throw in my thoughts on ROFR.... you might actually have luck getting smaller contracts at HH. I haven't seen any ROFR info lately for small contracts at HH, but DVC is definately raking in those smaller contracts at all of the on-property DVCs. That trend may, or may not, continue, but who knows.

HH is about 7 hours from us (I think, never been there though), so I had thought that if I drive to FL, it would be great to just drive down to HH, stay the night, head out the next day (or 2 days) to Orlando for a few days, then come back (stopping at HH again). I haven't really planned out this type of trip yet, but I did consider it when I bought in. Of course, reality set in for me and I knew that I hated that long drive.... and would rather go direct to WDW... so, I bought OKW, then SSR.

 

[mikesmom]

You are correct in thinking that HHI is difficult to impossible in the summer if you don't own there. However, do be aware that a couple of your preferred times on property - particularly the first week in November (because of the Food & Wine Fest) and the early part of December are problematic at 7 months. December, in particular, books up rapidly. I think you could get something onsite if you are somewhat flexible and move on a ressie right at the 7 month point. This could get more difficult as Disney keeps adding more DVC members, many of whom are jockeying for position early in december.

Summer time should not be a problem, April will depend on when Spring breaks and Easter falls.