A new spin on "buy where you want to stay" vs. "points are points"

[3DisneyKids]

I know this is an age-old debate here ("buy where you want" vs. "points are points"), but I have a specific question that may make a difference.

My first choice is BWV, but obviously OKW is cheaper in both per point price as well as maint. dues.

However, we never visit during peak times...only go during the lowest season, as we have a dd who has a medical condition and can't handle major crowds/lines.

How important is the 11- month window if we will not be traveling during any season other than value?

Thanks--

 

[Deb & Bill]

Do you know that DVC low times are not the same as non-DVC low times? For example, early Dec is hard to get because points are low, so members book those time early on. Same with Sept and early January.

OKW is a wonderful DVC resort, by the way. Biggest rooms, park at your door, lots of space. Just like home.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Thanks for your response. A few weeks ago, I asked the question of when it peak season for DVC and the only response I got was during F&W fesitval. I will definitely have to take this into consideration, as these are definitely the times we travel...Sept., Jan, etc.

 

[NJOYURLIFE]

Some times what Disney considers "value" season is actually "peak" DVC season. I think the prime example of this is early December where the points needed are low and it is a beautiful time to visit Disney, so lots of DVC membes take advantage of it.

Buy points for points only if it would not ruin your vacation to be at a different resort.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

The DVC seasons and the seasons for regular Disney Resorts are a little different. For example, early December is the lowest season point wise but it is a season that is in very high demand by DVC members.

But if you are flexible when you can travel, points from any resort should do the trick. You may not always get a standard view room at the BWV but you should be able to get a room if you call at 7 months for the low use periods.

HBC

 

[drusba]

With the 7 month window, you have a good chance of getting BWV in January (other than first few days and time surrounding Martin Luther King day and most of Sep after Labor Day as long as you are willing to take higher point preferred view that is not boardwalk view. Lower point standard view rooms and the boardwalk preferred view are difficult any time of year in the 7 month window, but necessarily impossible.

 

[Anewman]

Lets also remember that there are more and more members everyday.

How many new members do you think there will be in 5 years?
How many of those might have the same plan(buying OKW or SSR, staying BWV off peak)?
And how many rooms do they have at BWV?

 

[jamzots]

I bought mine at vero and have not had any problems getting what I want at WDW.

 

[mcr5298]

Our Home Resort is OKW by choice as we joined prior to VWL, Board Walk and Beach Club. We love OKW and have stayed there many times, but we also love to try other resorts.

Our last trip was at BCV and fell in love with the resort. We are staying there 11 nights in November.

We have had to wait list a couple of times for a night here and there (Even at OKW, becuase we book last minute trips all the time), but it always worked out. We usually go DVC off peak and never had a problem. We also love everything Disney and are flexible, so we wouldn't be dissapointed with where we stay.

If you have your heart set on one resort and one resort only and usually plan your trips a year in advance then I would buy your first choice. But even then getting Holidays still might be tough with the 11 month window.

If you are flexible and book your trips 7 months and less, I would say it doesn't matter where you own.

 

[jjpenguin]

I also figure points are points. We have never had any problem staying where we wanted to stay and quite honestly as long as I can stay at WDW I don't mind where it is!! That being said we are also fairly flexible and travel off season.
I figure that everyone likes different things so there always be exchanging and rebooking going on. So you might have to waitlist but you should be able to get what you want most of the time.
We bought OKW as it is cheapest on points and maintenance, we love it! It's great staying at other resorts but if we could only stay at OKW we'd also be fine.

 

[NMW]

I would take into consideration that low point times are high DVC times (early Dec, Jan, etc.). Also, that new members join every day. That could mean a lot more people trying to get the smaller resorts (BCV, VWL, BWV) in a few years when SSR sells out. Then you have the possiblity that Disney could build another, even larger, DVC resort which would add even more members.

I would buy OKW only if you would be happy staying there. If it would "ruin" your trip somewhat not to be able to get your first chice of a location or resort, then I would buy there. This is just my opinion of course! Good luck!

 

[Dean]

I've been a big supporter of the "Buy where you want to stay most" approach for man situations but if Jan and Sept after the holidays along with May are when you would travel most, you should have no problem with any points. It's still likely better to buy on site so you can reserve something at the 11 month window. However, this is the one situation where any point will do. And even where buying off site and trying to trade in to DVC will likely be successful most of the time and a lot cheaper, esp if you won't need a 2 BR.

 

[RAD]

Since you say BWV is your first choice if getting a standard view to save points or a Boardwalk View for the view is important then you'll most likely not be able to get those rooms at the 7 month mark.

 

[crisi]

Don't forget your personal stress factor. If I was booking OKW at 11 months to switch to BWV at seven, I'd have months 10, 9, and 8 of worrying. If I ended up on the waiting list, it wold extend my worrying.

Also, remember the long term. Early October wasn't nearly as popular just three years ago - then the food and wine got extended back. All Disney needs to do is drop a popular event into your favorite week and it will get busy - and they have 30 odd years to do so.

 

[DaveT1]

Also, remember the long term. Early October wasn't nearly as popular just three years ago - then the food and wine got extended back. All Disney needs to do is drop a popular event into your favorite week and it will get busy - and they have 30 odd years to do so.

I agree, and to expand on this YOU may change in the next 30 years. Just because you travel off peak now, you may end up wanting to visit during F&W or Christmas down the road. If you are going to be upset buy where you want to be. I know i would miss my home.

 

[jarestel]

I guess the bottom line is, if it REALLY matters which resort you stay at, then buy points there. It's not particularly relevent how easy it is to get reservations today at a non-home resort, since in 10 years the situation might be totally different. Or might not be, who knows?, but there is an element of uncertainty involved.

The main difference I see between buying "points" and buying a "resort" is you will never have to worry about getting a room in your favorite resort over the next 30-40 years if you bought where you wanted to stay most of the time and can take advantage of the home resort booking window. On the other hand, if you simply buy "points" it's more of a gamble and nobody can guarantee you today that a few years down the road, you will definitely be able to book a room at your favorite resort.

So if choice of resort makes or breaks the vacation, I would choose to buy at that resort and eliminate the possibility of disappointment in future years. Of course, if choice of resort isn't all that important, then buying the lowest priced points at any resort makes good sense and OKW tends to have both lower points costs and lower maintenance fees.

 

[rocketriter]

Another thing to consider: if dd is uncomfortable around crowds and needs a quieter atmosphere, and particularly if you think this will continue for a number of years, then OKW is a nice choice of location anyway.

 

[nezy]

I have never stayed at my home resort-BWV. I book BWV at the 11 month and then at 7 see if others are available. We love OKW and VWL, so we usually stay there. We usually travel to WDW in Feb. during the Pres. week break from school.We have also traveled during Thanksgiving and early Dec.and stayed at BCV and Vwl during those times. Thus far it has not been a problem. If however at the 7 month I may not be able to change my resort, I will have to "suffer" at BWV!

As someone else said, although I have preferences I really do like all of the resorts. If I was to do an add on now I would go for OKW, if I could get it.

 

[disney gadabout]

We own at OKW since 1997 and have never had a problem booking BW, VWL or even August at HH when we wanted. We usually travel Easter week to Disney. Don't know what the future will bring but for our experience right now...points are points. Andrea

 

[johde]

Another thing to consider since you are wanting to stay at BWV is if you want to get a standard view room. Some of your savings by buying OKW could be lost if you "need" to get a preferred room when you wanted a standard view room and none are available. When I bought I went through some of the same things. I ended up buying at OKW. I wanted a small resale and that's the one that opened up for me first. I love the resort but I also love BWV. If I had it to do again I probably would have waited for a BWV resale. OKW reservation are relatively easy to get. It's a big resort. Standard view reservation, especially studios, are hard to get.