Adding on points at Vero Beach

[mattnjim]

We have 450 points at BCV and have recently started staying at Aulani for the last 3 years. (Sitting on the balcony watching the luau at the moment)

It’s great in Hawaii, but we still love staying at our Home resort BCV, or SSR if we care to save points.

We are already used to a 7 month window for booking Aulani and go off peak season. After looking at the resales we found 150 points at Vero Beach. $76/pt and has all 2018,2019,and 2020 points.

Granted the dues are higher, does it matter that much if I buy in at Vero to do my 7 month bookings? It will give me a total of 600 points a year and seems a better buy in than Aulani.

The new restrictions don’t worry me as we have existing contracts for any new resorts or perks.

 

[kniquy]

After looking at the resales we found 150 points at Vero Beach. $76/pt and has all 2018,2019,and 2020 points.

If you like Aulani then i would buy a resale aulani contract. I have seen some for $95 pp. Now there is a difference in dues when buying -- some can be subsidized (I am not sure the exact reason why) and are in the $5 pp range. but when they are not subsidized it is more around $7. You really have to do the math and see after 10 years of ownership where you will be. You may also want to look at the history of the dues -- Does FL get hit with more hurricanes than HI? If so then you might get it with a special assessment for hurricane damage at Vero but might be less likely at Aulani. Just some other variable to consider.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Subsidized dues are because Hawaii found Disney set dues fraudulently low for early buyers and it was part of the settlement.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Buy Vero Beach if you intend to stay there. Otherwise you lose the 11 month home advantage which is becoming more important.

 

[mattnjim]

Buy Vero Beach if you intend to stay there. Otherwise you lose the 11 month home advantage which is becoming more important.

I already have BCV as my home base and can do 11 month there. I find I still would like more points and no matter what I add most likely I’ll still do 7 month for these extra points.

I understand the long term may be more with dues, but short term I see Vero Beach as a significant lower start up cost

 

[_auroraborealis_]

VB takes on hurricane assessments. I think it is unlikely to hold even the value it has if you have to sell again.

 

[DVCDisneyRunner]

We have 450 points at BCV and have recently started staying at Aulani for the last 3 years. (Sitting on the balcony watching the luau at the moment)

It’s great in Hawaii, but we still love staying at our Home resort BCV, or SSR if we care to save points.

We are already used to a 7 month window for booking Aulani and go off peak season. After looking at the resales we found 150 points at Vero Beach. $76/pt and has all 2018,2019,and 2020 points.

Granted the dues are higher, does it matter that much if I buy in at Vero to do my 7 month bookings? It will give me a total of 600 points a year and seems a better buy in than Aulani.

The new restrictions don’t worry me as we have existing contracts for any new resorts or perks.

If you are paying the maintenance fees on the 2018 and 2019 points at closing that would be an additional ~$20 per point at closing so roughly $96 pp at closing. You could pick up a contract at Aulani or SSR without 2018 or 2019 points for around the same price but have many more years of life/points on the contact Vero ends 2042, SSR 2054, and Aulani 2062. Not only would you have a "lower start up cost" the long term fees should be significantly less and the likely-hood of being able to sale and recoup some of the initial outlay is also more likely on the longer more desirable contracts.

 

[OKW Lover]

Granted the dues are higher, does it matter that much if I buy in at Vero to do my 7 month bookings? It will give me a total of 600 points a year and seems a better buy in than Aulani.

No it really doesn't matter where you buy if you're going with the 7 month window anyway. We go to Aulani regularly and book at the 7 month window without difficulty.

As far as buying a cheaper resort, but paying higher maintenance fees goes that's a fairly simple calculation once you think about how long you will own the resort. You can then do a simple spreadsheet to find the break even point (years). If you're going to continue to vacation at Aulani longer than that BE point then go ahead with the lower cost property.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

once you think about how long you will own the resort.

No one has figured out when the bottom will drop for the 2042 resorts. But it's a really solid bet that the bottom will be much deeper for HHI and VB than it'll be for BCV or BWV, and the bottom will start sooner than it will for either of those options.

(I left BRV out on purpose. BRV is now in a really weird place, because I'd have originally bet on a possible extension to put it on the same expiry as CCV, but with DVC2 and the resale restriction, I am feeling that less now. But who knows if the DVC2/resale restriction lasts 10 years? Meh.)

 

[mattnjim]

As far as buying a cheaper resort, but paying higher maintenance fees goes that's a fairly simple calculation once you think about how long you will own the resort. You can then do a simple spreadsheet to find the break even point (years). If you're going to continue to vacation at Aulani longer than that BE point then go ahead with the lower cost property.

Aulani would be my preferred second home. Having said that it’s about $37/pt more to purchase there. That’s an additional $5700 upfront cost. The difference in yearly dues appears to be an additional $243. It would take the lifetime of Vero Beach dues to catch up to that higher point cost. In 2042 I’ll be 72 and then I’m sure I’ll be fine with giving up Vero Beach after spending the next 23 years happily using those points at the 7 month window for whatever is available.

I started with 200 points in 2001 and haven’t stopped adding. These points will get me to 600. To me there is value in a resort despite it not being the most desirable location anymore. My points will still let me book at the 14 DVC resorts and that’s more than enough.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

I added a 50-point VBR contract in my 2017 UY. For two use years in a row, I have been able to use my VBR points for a BLT Standard Studio. For me, my VBR points are enough to top-off reservations, without having to purchase one time use points or rent points from David's or another member.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I added a 50-point VBR contract in my 2017 UY. For two use years in a row, I have been able to use my VBR points for a BLT Standard Studio. For me, my VBR points are enough to top-off reservations, without having to purchase one time use points or rent points from David's or another member.

When did you use your VB points to book BWV? What month?

 

[SpaceMountain77]

When did you use your VB points to book BWV? What month?

This year and last year, I have been successful in securing a BLT Standard Studio for the third week of July. Last year, it was a 6 day, 5 night trip and this year, it is a 10 day, 9 night trip. Both reservations are continuous, with the same villa and view type. My AKV points constitute the majority, with VBR topping-off the remainder.

 

[The Jackal]

When did you use your VB points to book BWV? What month?

He used them at BLT, not BWV.

 

[Dean]

We have 450 points at BCV and have recently started staying at Aulani for the last 3 years. (Sitting on the balcony watching the luau at the moment)

It’s great in Hawaii, but we still love staying at our Home resort BCV, or SSR if we care to save points.

We are already used to a 7 month window for booking Aulani and go off peak season. After looking at the resales we found 150 points at Vero Beach. $76/pt and has all 2018,2019,and 2020 points.

Granted the dues are higher, does it matter that much if I buy in at Vero to do my 7 month bookings? It will give me a total of 600 points a year and seems a better buy in than Aulani.

The new restrictions don’t worry me as we have existing contracts for any new resorts or perks.

I'd look for a subsidized contract for Aulani. VB will be more expensive long term than SSR, I'd only buy there if I wanted to use it there.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

Aulani would be my preferred second home. Having said that it’s about $37/pt more to purchase there. That’s an additional $5700 upfront cost. The difference in yearly dues appears to be an additional $243. It would take the lifetime of Vero Beach dues to catch up to that higher point cost. In 2042 I’ll be 72 and then I’m sure I’ll be fine with giving up Vero Beach after spending the next 23 years happily using those points at the 7 month window for whatever is available.

I started with 200 points in 2001 and haven’t stopped adding. These points will get me to 600. To me there is value in a resort despite it not being the most desirable location anymore. My points will still let me book at the 14 DVC resorts and that’s more than enough.

Before posting my reply, I would like to start by stating that I have been a DVC member and Disboards contributor since 2012 and my perspective differs from the conventional wisdom that is typically offered through the board.

First, I purchased my 50-point add-on directly through my guide. The direct price for VBR was $100 per point and resale contracts ranged from $60 - 90 per point, with smaller contracts, of 25 - 50 points, at the highest end of the range. A review of the current listings suggests that there has not been a significant year-over-year change, because smaller contracts, of 25 - 50 points, are still in the $80 - 89 range. Through one agent, 50-point VBR contracts are $89 (June UY; sale pending), $85 (August UY; sale pending), and $84 (August UY; listed). I have a September UY, which happens to be the least common among the distribution of points at VBR (see https://dvcnews.com/index.php/dvc-p...ear-distribution-charts-updated-february-2018). Instead of regularly checking the various listings and hoping for a 50-point September UY to come through, I purchased direct. At the time, points were not immediately available, but did come through within a few weeks of my request. It was an all cash purchase, so my contract is free and clear.

Second, yes, the maintenance fees are higher, but I find them to be a negligible difference. My AKV and VBR dues, for 50-point contracts, are $372 and $474, respectively. I made the conscious decision to pay less upfront, with my points purchase, and a little more over time with maintenance fees. Right now, the difference between AKV and VBR for 2019 is $102.

Finally, regarding booking, since 2012, I have not experienced any challenges in booking a studio at the 7-month mark for Dream or Magic Season. Outside of my home resorts, our spring and summer bookings have included vacations at BLT, OKW, and PVB. Again, with my VBR points, I have been able to top-off a BLT reservation for two consecutive years.

I would not suggest purchasing larger VBR contracts with the hope of enjoying regular stays at the Disneyland or Walt Disney World Resorts. However, when topping-off a reservation with an additional night or two, I find the 50-point VBR add-on to be worthwhile.

 

[stuartsong]

There is a $1.62 difference in MF between VB and Aulani. There is about $25 difference in resale prices between the 2 resorts. I think it's a wash between the two resorts in terms of pricing and long term cost. You save money upfront by buying VB, but will pay more through MF. It's really will depend on if you want the home priority at Aulani if you intend to use it for there.

 

[mattnjim]

Thank you everyone for the recommendations.
For me the lower upfront cost for Vero Beach and being able to pay cash and not finance is the biggest factor. Luckily it’s a loaded contract with some 2017 points and all 2018 and forward points.
We all have different wants and needs and I greatly appreciate the group showing me pros and cons. I’ve been going to the timeshare sometimes 3-4 x a year and after 17 years I haven’t slowed down. Vero Beach isn’t my preferred resort but I still feel confident I’ll easily find something at 7 month with these points. Who knows I may even stay at Vero Beach and find I love it too. There won’t be a devaluation for me as I’ll use the contract to the end.

I’m lucky to still have beach club and an 11 month window at my favorite DVC resort.

 

[Dean]

Thank you everyone for the recommendations.
For me the lower upfront cost for Vero Beach and being able to pay cash and not finance is the biggest factor. Luckily it’s a loaded contract with some 2017 points and all 2018 and forward points.
We all have different wants and needs and I greatly appreciate the group showing me pros and cons. I’ve been going to the timeshare sometimes 3-4 x a year and after 17 years I haven’t slowed down. Vero Beach isn’t my preferred resort but I still feel confident I’ll easily find something at 7 month with these points. Who knows I may even stay at Vero Beach and find I love it too. There won’t be a devaluation for me as I’ll use the contract to the end.

I’m lucky to still have beach club and an 11 month window at my favorite DVC resort.

Your choice but I'd strongly recommend against it unless you'd use it for VB part of the time. It'll be more expensive over the next few years and you won't have an 11 month window at anywhere you'd use (assuming you won't use at VB). Your best option for Aulani is a subsidized contract there IMO, your best option for cheap points long term is going to be SSR but OKW AKV & BLT all are considerations. VGC will be a more expensive option but offer some benefits.

 

[The Jackal]

Your choice but I'd strongly recommend against it unless you'd use it for VB part of the time. It'll be more expensive over the next few years and you won't have an 11 month window at anywhere you'd use (assuming you won't use at VB). Your best option for Aulani is a subsidized contract there IMO, your best option for cheap points long term is going to be SSR but OKW AKV & BLT all are considerations. VGC will be a more expensive option but offer some benefits.

Or if you are very lucky and can find the needle in the haystack Subsidized Vero Beach contract. There are not many.