A "new" VB Owner looking to add on...

[kewlteacher]

My husband and I were soooo excited to finally buy into DVC and will be going "home" for the first time this July. We bought at Vero for two reasons...one b/c the MB made it very possible for us to afford it and we really loved it there. Now, as we read these daily posts, we are beginning to wonder if we made a grave mistake. We sort of knew about the 11 mo window, but didn't really understand the importance of it. Fortunately, we are very flexible and are happy to stay anywhere in WDW. However, the vast majority of people are saying that we might never be able to stay at WDW (5 yrs from now) due to the 7 mo opening. This makes us very sad as we have always planned to stay at Vero AND WDW. Our finances are quite tight, but we are thinking of adding on. First, what is the minimum you can add on and would you (veteran DVCers) add on with a resell or maybe the WLV?? Any suggestions would be helpful as we are not feeling as optimistic as we once had :-(

Melissa & Brian

 

[spiceycat]

don't get upset. If you love VB, especially if you are only planning on using WDW once every 5 years. If you are flexible in your time, your hotel, and your room size you shouldn't have a problem. the problem exist for those people who can only vacation a certain week in the year, or who have children that only be there at a certain time. I have brought add on at BWV and VWL because I like to go the two weeks of December, and lately that has become a problem. Disney goes all out in December and DVC knows this and make arrangement to be there.

 

[iloveokw]

Don't worry - as long as you don't plan on going at Christmas (or another really busy time) I don't think you will have trouble - We love splitting a vacation between OKW and Vero. Just make sure you call at the 7 mo mark.

 

[garrett79]

We initially bought at VB then changed our mind simply because we wanted to own on property (VWL) and we were tired of defending VB on these boards. Now, as far as making reservations, I called last monday 2/26 for 3/1 and 3/2 and had my choice of BWV, OKW, and VWL for both nights in a studio. Also, we booked Vero Beach for three nights wrapped around the 4th of july without any problem. We also booked Labor Day at OKW (sat & sun) without any problems. Maybe we are on a lucky streak but so far, we have gotten what we wanted with a little felxibility, Hopefully, you can get the dates you need and have a positive experience too.

 

[drusba]

Minimum add-on is 25 points if paying cash, 50 if you want to use financing and 100 if you want to use magical beginnings (except at Vero that number is 50). Note, it is difficult and near impossible to find small add-ons through the resale market.

The difficulty with the 7 month window has been mainly at BWV for a number of times in the year. Projected future problems are a good topic for vehement debate on the boards but you should not read too much into them. In fact, based on the focus of the debates that have occurred in the recent past, if all the dire consequences come true, then one could only conclude from the views expressed that several years from now BCV, and likely VWL, will be easy to obtain at the 7 month window because no one will want to stay there.

 

[mattsdad]

VB RULES!!!!

 

[mickey7861]

I agree with mattsdad.

 

[Fenceman]

I would not pay to much heed to the doom & gloom spread by a very few on this board. Sure, if you want a specific room at a specific resort during a busy holiday time you will probably have trouble getting the room you want without the 11 month window. But if your a little flexible, and you call at the 7 month window you will not have a problem. As new resorts are opened and memberships sold, more rooms become available to stay in. Over the years you will have "hot" resorts that will be hard to get into because the current membership will want to try them out.

I am very happy with the current system and have not had a problem reserving the resort, room size and the time I wanted in my 3 years as a member.

 

[kewlteacher]

It is somewhat of a relief to read the responses! As with anything, there are pros and cons and lately, all we have read were cons about VB. It was nice to hear that we might not have issues. I might not of been clear in my first post...we plan to going to VB/WDW every year...I was just looking down the road and wondering how hard it will be to secure a room. We are quite flexible, but as a teacher, there are some contraints. I can only go July/August and I am hoping these months do not become like Nov./Dec. Our first ressie, we secured a one bedroom standard view at BWV. Hopefully our luck will continue. I do think, however, that we will look to add on in the not too distant future. And as a plus, we decided to stay away from the "hot" topics on these boards until we experience DVC for ourselves!

Melissa & Brian

 

[drusba]

Just to add based on your last post--summer is actually one of the easiest times to get with the 7 month window even at BWV (except for July 4 time), and demonstrates that DVC high demand times are not necessarily the same as WDW in general high demand times.

 

[travelbug]

My first experience in making a DVC ressie was surprisingly easy - and I was reserving the dreaded EASTER week. (I have to vacation then because of vacation scheduling at work.) I originally booked at BWV with my 11-month window. Then I called back at the 7-month window to see if OKW had a 1BR, so I could save on points used. No problem getting it.

I'm new at this DVC ownership thing (VERY excited, by the way), but I'm going to stay optimistic and watch the calendar for those exact 11-month and 7-month window dates when planning a trip.

Best wishes on your ownership! I've heard that VB is beautiful.

 

[dhudson1]

We have had no problems with any reservation. We booked a one-bedroom at BWV For July last month. We were able to get 4 days at OKW during spring break last year with one month's notice.

Darryl
'71 Off-Site
'72 Off-Site
'78 Off-Site
'79 Off-Site
'81 Off-Site - Honeymoon
'83 Off-Site
'84 FW Tent
'85 Poly
'90 Off-Site
'91 Off-Site
'92 Off-Site
'93 CBR
'94 Off-Site
'96 ASM
'98 CBR - Bought DVC @ BW
'99 BWV & OKW
'00 OKW & FW Cabin
'01 BWV - in July

 

[kewlteacher]

I am happy to hear you have not had any problems..as the person said in the previous e-mail, summers look to be good for us (Thank Goodness!)
Your long list of trips is amazing! Good for you for buying into DVC! Looks like to plan on being there every year!
When are you expected to go in July? We will be there on the 8th at BWV..CANNOT WAIT!!

Melissa & Brian

 

[KNWVIKING]

ADDING POINTS TO YOUR EXISTING VB MEMBERSHIP WON'T HELP WITH THE 7 MONTH WINDOW AT THE OTHER RESORTS. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE 11 MONTH WINDOW IS TO PURCHASE AN ADDITIONAL MEMBERSHIP AT THAT RESORT AT THE MINIMUM BUY-IN OF 150 PTS. WE PLAN ON DOING THAT WHEN BEACH CLUB OPENS THEIR DVC RESORT.

 

[Bumpy]

If you are talking about adding on a different resort than that will indeed help. You will have the 11 month window for that resort. The minimum add on for any resort is 25 points not 150. You really shouldnt have any problems though. I have owned at Vero and have been able to get exactly what I wanted at 7 months out. A little flexibility goes a long way with DVC. That is how the program was set up!

 

[KNWVIKING]

BUMPY,THE 150 PTS I WAS REFERING TO WAS TO PURCHASE A NEW RESORT IN ADDITION TO VB,IE BWV. 11 MONTH WINDOW IS ONLY FOR HOME RESORTS. AS FAR AS THE 7 MONTH WINDOW,I TRIED FOR DATES IN NOV-DEC AND WERE TOLD NO-BOOKED SOLID.I WAS SUCCESSFULL FOR A MAY STAY.

 

[Fenceman]

KNWVIKING,
Bumpy was correct. If you own 150 points at a resort, you can buy a 25 point add-on at another resort. You can then use the 11 month window for the add-on resort but with only the 25 points. What some people do is buy 50 points away from there home resort, ie. WLV. Then with banking and borrowing they could use 100 points at WLV every other year or 150 points every 3 years.

Also FYI, posts typed in capitols usually mean a person is SHOUTING.

Thanks.

 

[Bumpy]

KNWVIKING,
I understand you were referring to the 11 month home resort window. I was pointing out that you put misinformation about the minimum add on at a resort. The minimum is not 150 it is 25 points.
P.S. You are shouting on the boards and it is difficult to read!