Advantages of buying 3 x 50 pts versus 150 pts

[mrsannb]

Thinking of buying resale, aren't currently DVC owners.
Could you tell me what the difference would be in buying 3 50 point contracts, versus one 150 point contract?
Can you do something like buy points at vero beach or hilton head, which are cheaper, and then use them for your reservation at another resort that you own? If so, at the 11 month mark or the 7 month mark (is that the correct months) ?
It's really confusing to try to figure out what might be best for us! We don't usually travel at the very busiest times, and we aren't really picky about where we stay.

 

[Tara]

You can only use points at a resort at the 11 month mark for THAT resort. IOW, from 7 months, 1 day thru 11 months, you can only book Vero Beach using Vero Beach points.

The advantage of buying smaller contracts is that if you decide to sell, they are viewed as easier to sell and sometimes command higher prices.

 

[mrsannb]

So if I was normally going to book just 7 months out and would take my chances on what would be available at WDW, would it matter if my points were all in one spot or not? Could I put 50 from HH and 50 from VB together and book a 100 pt stay at Saratoga Springs (for example)?

 

[YourEveryDayAdam]

Yes! That's assuming there is availability.

 

[mrsannb]

Yes! That's assuming there is availability.

How hard is it to find availability at 7 months at a non-peak time of year?

 

[logan115]

How hard is it to find availability at 7 months at a non-peak time of year?

Don't forget to think about the MFs which are higher at HH/VB. These will quickly eat into any savings you have on the initial purchase. I was thinking the same way as you about buying the cheapest DVC, then realize that within 10 yrs or so the "cheapest" was going to be more expensive than some others (like SSR for example).

Another thing that got HH and VB off my radar (no offense to those who own there) was that I have no intention of going there, and the thought of owning DVC and potential of not being able to get a room ANYWHERE onsite at WDW would make me feel kinda stupid.

 

[mrsannb]

Very good point, I didn't notice that they were that much higher. Saratoga Springs does look pretty good.

 

[boscoj]

Another potential problem with 3 different contracts is that if they don't all have the same UY, then applying all 150 points at the 7 month mark won't be possible....

 

[littlestar]

Don't forget that three sets of points resale is going to have three sets of closing costs. Also, VB and HH have higher dues than SSR. With more non WDW resorts being built, if I wanted to make sure I had a room at WDW I'd buy a resale at SSR. SSR resales are priced great now (not that far from HH and VB) plus with SSR you get 12 more years of membership - expiration in 2054 instead of 2042 at VB and HH.

You could either buy a 150 point resale contract at SSR or something starting around 100 and then add on through Disney. Once you're a DVC member, DVC doesn't charge closing costs for add-ons.

Good luck.

 

[CFedor1]

I don't think buying a small contract at VB or HH is a bad idea. We found a 50 point contract at VB for $2600 ($52/point) plus $375 closing costs. I know the MF's are higher, but on only 50 points, it is not that significant. I wanted to become a DVC member for the lowest initial cost. After we close, we can add on as few as 25 points directly from Disney at a WDW resort without closing costs (with the same UY). We only looked for a couple of weeks before we found a contract; however, it seemed like the 25 - 50 point contracts would go as soon as they were posted. Also, VB is close to WDW, and we look forward to visiting there soon. We stayed away from HH because the closing costs were much higher because it is out of state.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Dean]

Buying at HH or VB simply to use at WDW is a bad idea due to the dues cost, not a bad idea if you'll use them at that resort before the 7 month window opens. It certainly is less of an issue on smaller contracts. The best value currently is SSR due to cost and length of contract. If one will stay at a given resort most trips, I'd buy there, if not, get the best value. The best option is to have 3*50 points but getting there resale is a problem due to finding the right contracts AND availability. Thus buying retail you are likely looking at a single contract for the best value. Don't tie yourself to 150, consider a range and look for the best contract in terms of use year, price and points availability.

Remember that off peak times for DVC aren't what many people assume. If you can travel Jan, early Feb, May, Sept and early Oct; I'd say you meet the criteria for off time. Anything else, likely not.

And the most important question, whether to buy at all or not. For anyone that can't plan at least for the 7 month window, I don't think they should buy. Reservations are getting more difficult shorter notice and likely will cont to do so for the next 2-3 years when they likely will stabilize unless DVC throws more more lower demand points into the mix.

 

[Sandisw]

I believe that if you are buying in to DVC to go to WDW, then it makes sense to really consider purchasing a contract that allows you to book a room at WDW.

MF's at VB compared to SSR are just over $2.00 more. As others have said, that $15.00 savings upfront to purchase VB, will be gone in only 8 years. And, with VB expiring 12 years sooner than SSR, in the long run it is costing you more and you have points at a place other than WDW.

Now, if you were to own HH or VB and are planning to use those resorts at all, then buying points there would make sense. When I went through the process, I did the same thing. I was thinking that I wanted points the cheapest because my ultimate goal was to buy in at BLT. But then I realized that I could be gambling and have points that were no use for when I want to go.

So I bought a small contract at the place that was my 2nd favorite (VWL) resale with the plan to add on at BLT next summer. While that didn't work--I added on in a week--the point was I knew that I would at least have a few nights at year at WDW.

 

[ecdoesit]

If you have 3 contracts, you can bank points and borrow points. For example, if you have 50 pts at SSR, VB or OKW, at each year, you can get 150 pts for each resort by banking last yr point, this year point, borrow next year point. So, you can still reserve 11 months in advanced.

But, ya, you will have to pay 3 times closing cost and 3 times the dues up front.

 

[pickles]

buy a small contract and then add on thru disney to get the same UY and save on closing costs. you could add on different resorts

I think I would suggest SSR as well if you aren;t so picky about where you stay.

 

[chalee94]

Remember that off peak times for DVC aren't what many people assume. If you can travel Jan, early Feb, May, Sept and early Oct; I'd say you meet the criteria for off time. Anything else, likely not.

...Reservations are getting more difficult shorter notice and likely will cont to do so for the next 2-3 years when they likely will stabilize unless DVC throws more more lower demand points into the mix.

i just thought this was worth repeating.

 

[nickspace]

We are looking to add on at HH because we enjoyed our stay there very much and plan on returning there on a regular basis.

Our first contract was at SSR which is fine but after staying at BCV I wished that we purchased there instead of SSR. After visiting SSR we will probably only stay there as a last resort. While it is a fine resort we enjoyed BCV so much that it is our desired location for a Disney World vacation.

Once you have stayed at a few different locations you really do learn from your mistakes. Therefore you may want to buy some rental points and stay at various locations before you decide where to buy. Buying where you want to stay really is the way to go.

Another good idea would be to plan a stay at Disney World for the purpose of visiting all the DVC resorts instead of spending your time and money in the parks. It would be a fun way to spend your vacation and you would walk away with a good education. You can also learn alot talking to DVC members in the resorts.

 

[mrsannb]

Lots of good information here.
We have stayed at SSR, and at AKL. We liked both of them. We stayed at SSR on rented points. The only place we haven't liked are the value resorts--good reason to buy DVC, right, to stay at better places for about the same price!
We're renting points again for this October, so I'm waiting right now to hear where we get a reservation at.