Advice - Buy direct 200 or buy 100 direct and 100 resale?

[MattKreps]

Thanks Zavander. We're now thinking about just buying AKV - because we do love that resort - and booking Poly when we have an opportunity. Wakey and Mustin provided some really great tools on bookings, which were illuminating! We're taking a look at SSR as well, because I'm honestly happy with any of these resorts, but if we can snag a good deal on AKV we'll totally do it on the "buy where you love" advice we've received. The help from people on the boards has been superb and much appreciated!

 

[msjprincess]

Thanks Zavander. We're now thinking about just buying AKV - because we do love that resort - and booking Poly when we have an opportunity. Wakey and Mustin provided some really great tools on bookings, which were illuminating! We're taking a look at SSR as well, because I'm honestly happy with any of these resorts, but if we can snag a good deal on AKV we'll totally do it on the "buy where you love" advice we've received. The help from people on the boards has been superb and much appreciated!

SSR is also a good choice. We bought resale at OKW and SSR. Because truthfully I don't care where I stay as long as I'm onsite and the price was right. We've been able to stay at BWV, BCV and the Polynesian with our points.


In your OP you say you like to go in the off season. I see in your signature you have 2 November trips listed. FYI November is prime season for DVC.

 

[msjprincess]

No brainer - AKL resale, full 200. Don't assume direct 'perks' will definitely be worth it unless you know now you will want the discount AP. If you are not sure about that one perk worth having, take a trip and then decide if it's worth dropping another 4.5 k for that direct 25 point add on.

Exactly. Plus the AP discount isn't a guarantee for anyone. It could go away for everyone and then you've paid a premium price for no reason.

 

[Dean]

No brainer - AKL resale, full 200. Don't assume direct 'perks' will definitely be worth it unless you know now you will want the discount AP. If you are not sure about that one perk worth having, take a trip and then decide if it's worth dropping another 4.5 k for that direct 25 point add on.

That's true for any member but I tend to feel that it gives you much more options long term than not being qualified. I also suspect the ability to do this for 25 points may go away at some point. Other than the smallest contracts, I think it's worth the risk, esp if one can build it into their plan up front. For a resort that may be more difficult or expensive to get it may sometimes be best to buy all points one wants resale then do an add on elsewhere that's cheaper or gives other advantages. But certainly if one isn't likely to use the park discounts and doesn't care about member events/cruises, it makes sense to decide whether to forego the expense and option. I just feel for most it's worth the expense and risk to have options.

 

[MattKreps]

Wow - a huge thanks to everyone for the ideas and advice!
Just got word our offer was accepted on a resale that looks nicely priced based on the ROFR threads. So many points at such a better price... Yowza!

And yep, Nov being prime DVC window is interesting, but my main thing is the park crowds are lower the weeks we have chosen. I can't quite imagine fighting the summer crowds... gives me the shakes just thinking about it. Although with our kids getting a little older, it's harder to take them out of school for a week like we used to. Our timing is probably going to morph in the coming years. Fall trips might be "parental escapes" now - and I'm really, really good with that. We'll just keep learning from the experienced pros here and get smarter about our mouseventures.