A teacher's questions about a DVC purchase

[ToddyLu]

People who buy at a cheaper resort with the intentions of booking elsewhere at 7 months are setting themselves up for disappointment.

Booking patterns that are true today will not be true tomorrow. You are competing against the other SSR owners who have done what you are considering and a DVC membership that has doubled in number in just the last few years.

The idea of not caring where you stay isn't realistic. As a DVC member your vacation habits will change. You will be spending more time at the resorts and less time in the parks. The commando mentality subsides and fighting crowds to stand in a 40 minute que for a 5 minute ride won't be as much fun as it once was.

Seasoned DVC members tend to focus on the little things at Disney. The pools, the decorations, the resorts, the Cast Members, the magic of Disney and the Disney experience.

Buy where you love to stay and take the time to learn where that is.

Bill

No truer words have been spoken.." I am your student, grasshopper Bill "

 

[LarryM]

My wife is also a teacher, so we go primarily the beginning of August. BWV is our home we just love being able to walk to two parks. Having said that each of the last 2 years including our up coming trip we traded for an AKV savanna view. If we owned at a second resort it would be AKV. Even at seven months out we still had to wait list for a couple of the days.We would not have been disappointed to stay at BWV so we would have been happy there. If you would be disappointed that you could not trade at a given time I would definitely make another resort your home resort.

 

[TinkGirl]

Teacher here. Here's what I've gotten at exactly 7 months: Boardwalk standard view, Beach Club Villas, Animal Kingdom Villas, and Bay Lake Tower. We've gotten exactly the type of room we wanted. I had no trouble booking SSR and Tree House Villas at 11 months. Once when we had guests cancel I tried to change from SSR to a different resort at 2 months away, but nothing was available. SSR is a great resort.

 

[Stinger5]

No truer words have been spoken.." I am your student, grasshopper Bill "

Bill's post is exactly why i'm a bit worried about spending a bit extra for a resort I like now. He said booking patterns and interests change over time and I wonder if spending a bit more for a resort i like now is wise if my preferences may change when my children and I get older.

There have been some great posts on this thread that will really help make my decision easier. Some interesting points have been made that I didn't have on my radar.

Thanks to all for the help and feel free to post anything else I may be overlooking.

 

[Stinger5]

I didn't read through the entire posts on this thread, so if this was already covered, please forgive me

Consider your Use Year Month when you purchase,if you like to travel mostly in the summer. For instance an October Use Year Month wouldn't be a good idea. You would need a beginning of the year Use Year Month, or May if there is such a Use Year Month (anyone ?)

If you have an August trip booked and you wind up cancelling with an October Use Year Month, you only have September to travel, and wouldn't be able to bank points at such a late time.

Also, I work for a school district so I'm confused as to why you can only travel July/August as teachers? You don't get off for the Spring and Winter and Christmas breaks? I make great use of my DVC at these and other school closing times (long holiday weekends).

Good luck with your decision, hope to see you as a fellow member.
BTW, Boardwalk is an excellent location!

Diane,
Thanks for the Use Year Month advice.

The other school vacations are a great time to travel but my Coaching duties don't give me that chance.

JP