1st timer plunge - resort suggestions

[beezerdave]

First thanks to all who responded to my first thread. We have decided to take the plunge and to buy through resale. We are shooting for 60-75 points (really wouldn't use more than that). Our question now, is what resort do you think it would be best to get as our Home? Or does that not really matter except for dues? Should we be picky and wait for 'just the right resale package' or go with the first one we see that is in our point/budget range? Appreciate any thoughts on that. Thanks again! (Getting excited about the whole idea!)

 

[bicker]

It definitely matters: Buy where you plan to stay most often.

To know which resort would be the best for you, we'd need to know more about you, what you enjoy doing, your typical vacation activities, etc.

 

[beezerdave]

It definitely matters: Buy where you plan to stay most often.

To know which resort would be the best for you, we'd need to know more about you, what you enjoy doing, your typical vacation activities, etc.

We stay for 5 nights/6 days. We go to all the parks, but like some relaxing by the pool time in the afternoons. We eat out and sometimes will do Adventurer's Club/PI and Downtown Disney or hit a park at nights.

The reason I ask about whether or not it matters, is my understanding is you don't have to stay in your home resort. If that is true, then we are looking for most amount of points for less $ as well as saving $ on dues. We want to be realistic in our resale buy and don't want to be disappointed by losing out to ROFR either.

Appreciate any insight from the gang here. Thanks!

 

[bicker]

There is a definite advantage to buying into where you plan to stay the most -- a five month advantage -- an advantage that will only become more and more important as time goes on, and the competition for the best slots gets more fierce. So imagine yourself paying a few less dollars for the points, and end up getting blocked from the place you really want to stay every couple of tries. If you can be happy with that, then it doesn't matter as much. Most folks cannot be happy with that situation.

SSR is very convenient to DD and PI -- walking distance -- and so that would be a major consideration. You'll need to commute to all the theme parks, but that might not mean as much to you. By contrast, my wife and I highly value being able to bounce back and forth between our room and the parks, especially Epcot, so staying at BWV is very important to us.

 

[vascubaguy]

One thing to consider when you are purchasing is when your next vacation to WDW will be. You wouldn't want to buy a resale with a stripped contract that won't give you any points to use for your next vacation. Also, 70 points at one resort (say HH, VB, or OKW) would definately cost you less than 70 points at another resort (BWV or BCV).

The contract I purchased was a "stripped" contract that doesn't have any points until Oct 2006, which was fine for me because I wasn't planning a WDW vacation at a DVC until then anyway. HOWEVER, now those plans have changed and we are going to be turning my work trip into a vacation too. So now I need points!!! My options are to either borrow the points from my next year, rent ponits, or purchase another contract (which is what I might do). I hate to spend $600+ on rooms when I could put that towards more points.

As for where to buy... I'm not as picky as some. I went for the most economical option for us, OKW, for a small contract and I plan to add-on at SSR. Somewhere along the line I hope to stay at all of the different DVC resorts, but I wouldn't be heartbroken if I didn't get VWL for Christmas or BWV/BCV for Food & Wine Fest, etc.

Good luck!

 

[crisi]

You certainly don't have to stay at your home resort. But you should be aware that DVC resorts can and do fill up. Currently if you are looking for October through December, there is slim pickings on any room - people are waitlisting for their vacation dates now. Some types of rooms at some resorts were booked full before the seven month window opened (Grand Villas, standard view rooms at the Boardwalk). If you can't book more than seven months out (or don't intend to) buy a resort with low dues, it doesn't matter where you own. But if you can book ten or eleven months out and those standard view points look appealing to you, or you want to spend most vacations with access to SAB - buy where you want to stay.

 

[CarolMN]

It may not matter - especially if you plan to buy more points later. Most who start out small do that - some even before their first stay. After you first few stays, you will know if it really matters to you where you stay - I predict that it will, though! Anyway, you can buy your next contract at a different resort than your first if you so choose.

If you do not or cannot plan more than 7 months in advance, then home resort doesn't matter. All points are the same at 7 months.

If it doesn't matter to you where you stay, then home resort doesn't matter. So far, there have been no reports of everything on site booked solid at the 7 month mark - you are almost guaranteed to get something if you book at the 7 month mark. There are reports of problems booking the closer you get to arrival. If you think you will frequently be making last minute trips, then owning DVC will frustrate you more often than not.

If you have little or no interest in staying at VB or HHI, look for one of the on site contracts. At least you will always have an advantage for staying at one of the on site resorts.

Best wishes -

 

[mikesmom]

We are shooting for 60-75 points (really wouldn't use more than that).

My crystal ball says you have a serious case of addonitis in your future!

 

[nhmomx2]

I have to agree with MikesMom. We thought we'd be "safe" with 200 points. We added on another 108 (I know, strange number, but you take what you can). We now have 308 points at BWV's and it never seems to be enough.

I know people have said it already, but really consider where you would like to stay most often. That 11 month vs 7 month booking window could make a serious difference depending on the time of year you want to go on vacation - if you are set on one particular location anyway. What I've done when I've wanted to stay at another resort (though after I've done that I've regretted it) is book at my home resort at 11 months then attempt a change at 7 months.

And although I haven't bought resale, I look at them often. Definitely be careful of how many points are currently available or when they will be. Good luck...

 

[bobbiwoz]

Since points go further at OKW, BWV SV, and (SSR to some extent), if you are considering a smaller purchase, I would concentrate on those on site places.

Bobbi

 

[spiceycat]

I would also suggest either OKW or BW standard view.

because as Bobbi has pointed out your points will allow you to stay for 6 day stay.

at VWL, BCV or SSR

during off season VWL, BCV and BWV preferred view - 82 points for 6 nights

SSR - 75 points for 6 night

OKW - 60 points for 6 night

BWV standard view - 65 points for 6 night

you are also just going to be able to go in the fall - Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec and Jan.

you can't stay in the other season unless you want to go for less nights.

 

[vascubaguy]

I would also suggest either OKW or BW standard view.

because as Bobbi has pointed out your points will allow you to stay for 6 day stay.

at VWL, BCV or SSR

during off season VWL, BCV and BWV preferred view - 82 points for 6 nights

SSR - 75 points for 6 night

OKW - 60 points for 6 night

BWV standard view - 65 points for 6 night

you are also just going to be able to go in the fall - Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec and Jan.

you can't stay in the other season unless you want to go for less nights.

Could always rent the few extra points that would be needed to cover the extra cost. For a six night stay, that may only mean renting 10-15 points...