Adding on CONFUSION

[jschrots]

We are so confused. We want to add on points as we started out with a small 50 pt contract that we bought resale.

Now that our family has grown we would love more points but don't know if we should go through Disney and buy at BLT since it is one of the harder resorts to get, or go RESALE and buy at AKV or OKW due to great prices.

Thoughts....sugguestions????

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

If BLT is where you want or have to stay then it may make sense to buy there. If you would just like to try it now and then but would like to stay or are happy to stay at AKV or OKW then it makes sense to buy at one of those.

Since it looks like you already have your 50 pts at OKW and it sounds like you are looking to buy more b/c you need larger accommodations I would lean towards buying more points at OKW. Otherwise you when you are booking trips you may have to book split stays and hope to get something at a single resort at 7 months.

A lot depends on what you are looking to book and where you want to stay on your vacations.

 

[DenLo]

Buy where you want to stay. And if that means BLT, buy there.

If you buy resale, make sure your add on contract is the same use year as your OKW contract. It will really simplify using your points if both contracts are the same UY. If they aren't the same, it's like have two DVC memberships and then you can only combine points with a once a year transfer.

If you buy direct with Disney they will give you the same UY for an add on contract. If you do want to buy at BLT, I would look closely at the BLT point charts and make sure you buy enough points to stay the number of nights you want. Another 50 point contract will not give you many nights at BLT. But only you know the number of nights you want to stay at a resort and the number of points you want to pay for.

 

[JimMIA]

BLT is difficult to get right now, but don't forget that it's a pretty large resort and nowhere near sold out yet. That means that the resort has a lot of capacity, but much of it is not yet in the DVC points inventory because it's unsold.

As time goes by, two things will happen. One is the initial excitement will have subsided and people will look twice at the higher points costs of staying at BLT. The other is that much more availability will be in the DVC points inventory. Less demand, more supply = easier to book.

If you just must stay at BLT (AND can book your vacations in the 11-7 booking window), or you must be able to get MK view (and can book at 11 months), then buy BLT.

The same math goes into AKV. If you must be able to get specific accommodations at AKV (in the 11 month window), then buy AKV.

If you'd just like to stay at those resorts when you can get them, or if you can't reliably expect to book more than 7 months in advance, I'd look at both OKW or SSR via resale.

Another factor is how many points you plan to buy. If you are going to buy a bunch of points, then the $30+ per point price difference between direct and OKW resale becomes more important. If you only want 50 more, it's still a big difference, but the overall resale savings would not be as great when you factor in closing costs.

 

[wdrl]

BLT is difficult to get right now, but don't forget that it's a pretty large resort and nowhere near sold out yet. That means that the resort has a lot of capacity, but much of it is not yet in the DVC points inventory because it's unsold.

Actually, most of BLT's capacity has been declared for the DVC membership. Since the last Declaration was made on June 4, 2010, 86.7% of BLT has been declared and is available for members to book using points. However, as of July 12, 2010, only 60.4% of BLT has been sold. Thus, there are far more BLT villas in the DVC inventory than there are BLT owners to use them. As time goes by and more points are sold, BLT's excess capacity will shrink which might make it relatively harder for members to secure rooms, especially at the 7-month mark.

 

[robertdangelo]

I'f you are thinking that you may try different resorts... consider SSR on the resale market. Prices are $70./point, sometimes even lower and contract runs through 2054. OKW ends in 2042, unless you purchase a contract that has the extension to 2057.

 

[Connears]

I agree with pp, buy the same use year. We bought 1994 OKW with Feb use year and added on HHI in 2002 and 2010 both Feb use years. It makes it easier to manage your 11 month windows. 50 points is not alot to "expand" your vacation options if it is at a new resort for you, so I would add on at OKW (if that is your original resort). 50 points at OKW and 50 Points at AKLV or other would mean you have to consider how many points you can use at the resort you want at 11 months...so 100 points at OKW will give you more vacation bang than 50 points at both unless you want to do split stays and try to change at 7 months.

Connears

 

[Sandisw]

Owing at a different resort, while great, means that you won't be able to use those points with your other points until the 7 month window (assuming you buy the same UY--if not, then you have to do a transfer to combine the points for a single night).

To me, if you are going to own two different resorts, you want to make sure you have enough from each to book your trip, even as a split stay, at the 11 month mark.

We owned two resorts and found that I didn't have enough in either one to make all the nights without borrowing at 11 months, something I did not want to do considering I would have current UY points left over once the 7 month hit.

So, we sold and ended up just re-buying those points at BLT. Now we have two contracts, but both are at BLT. Because they are the same UY and same membership, it functions as one big contract in terms of making reservations.

My feeling is buy where you want to stay or at least are fine staying if things don't work out at the 7 month mark like you want.

Good luck!!!

 

[dbs1228]

I have points at more then 1 resort and it was done by design! I am staying at BLT in Feb 2011 with 2009 (incentive pnts), 2010 and 8 borrowed 2011 pnts. I am banking SSR 2010 pnts to do a trip in 2012 with 10, 11 and if need be borrow a few points from 12 and doing THV. Repeat BLT the following year. Right now I need bigger accomadations but with 2 DD's off to college and 1 in high school I know this will change so within a few years we will not have to borrow any points and will be able to stay longer!

Agree buy where you want to stay and really look at the points chart to see what is realistic even with banking and borrowing. Good luck!

 

[ToddyLu]

I would have to agree with everyone. I would think it is much more fun and easy to book at one resort and manage your points that way. Then if you want to waitlist you can do that at 7 months anywhere.

 

[johnsbelt]

I have points at more then 1 resort and it was done by design! I am staying at BLT in Feb 2011 with 2009 (incentive pnts), 2010 and 8 borrowed 2011 pnts. I am banking SSR 2010 pnts to do a trip in 2012 with 10, 11 and if need be borrow a few points from 12 and doing THV. Repeat BLT the following year. Right now I need bigger accomadations but with 2 DD's off to college and 1 in high school I know this will change so within a few years we will not have to borrow any points and will be able to stay longer!

Or the DDs will be asking to use your points to go down and keep you from staying as long as you'd like.

 

[adminjedi]

Your points have more power at the 11 month window and a larger amount of points gives you the most flexibility with season and room type. If you are happy at OKW bulk up there. If not, start fresh somewhere else.

 

[dbs1228]

Or the DDs will be asking to use your points to go down and keep you from staying as long as you'd like.

Oh so true, probably why we already added on!