AKL value rooms

[3pletprincesses]

The "Animal Programs" budget at AKV is about 5% of the total budget. Even if the cost to care for the animals doubled, dues would only increase 5%. AKV dues are high because the resort is large; it has a huge footprint.

Back when SSR was cheaper (last year it was about $10 less per point), you could buy more points at SSR and pay the approximately the same maintenance fees, and always stay in a regular (not value) room. Now, with the price gap closing, if you will always book a value room, you're better off buying at AKV. Otherwise, there's very little benefit from the home resort booking advantage there.

Good to know the Animal Program budget is only around 5% the total budget. I would ahve thought it would have been way more. that's really good food for thought

IMO BLTs dues increased rapidly after they sold out for the same reason Hawaii forced DVC to up Aulani's MFs, they were set artificially low or you could phrase it optimistic budget predictions to make the resort easier to sell.
I'm glad I chose AKV rather than following the now common suggestion to buy SSR - if I'd bought at SSR for the two trips I've used points for so far I'd have been stuck at SSR as even AKV wasn't available for all 10 days ea time @ 7 months. Since I love AKV it's worth an extra $100 or so a year in MFs to know I can definitely stay at a resort I love instead of settling for one I'm indifferent to.

You are right it's only about $ 200 more per year for the contract I was looking. I'm looking at a small contract simply because I intend to get a 2 bdr every second year and a studio the other year as I travel with kids only every second year and Dh comes along the other year. If I did my math correct I have enough points to do this several year in a row even if I'm "stuck" paying standard view because value is not available i'm still ok with it .

Studio and 2BR values have had some issues of being gone before 11 months out for some of the very high demand times during DVCs high demand quarter (late Sep to marathon weekend in Jan). Times when there have been issues are first and second week of Dec, Thanksgiving, and near NYE, and there are other periods during that time where you really need to assure you are there early in the morning booking online, which includes that Halloween time. They have generally been open 11 months out mid-Jan through Sep,including the Aug time you mention, but even then it is advisable not to wait any days beyond the 11 month window.

Believe me I would be on the computer first thing 11 months out.

So, to answer the OP question - my observance is the only potential time of year you would have an issue with getting into a value room right at the 11-month mark is early December. The rest of the year it seems like you wouldn't have a problem.
If you look at the actual costs, the animals are about 35 cents per point. This is only about 1/3 of the price difference.

This is an excellent point I never thought about...standard view rooms take about 15-20 % more points than if you stayed in a value room. If you are saving 20 % on MF by buying at SSR, you can buy at SSR are to consider the maintenance fees, and most of the year get into a Standard View room at AKL - essentially getting a larger room at the approximately the same price.

We bought at AKV, and are not upset about it. My view is we spent $12000 on a 160 point contract. The difference in MF between AKV and SSR add up to <$200 a year right now. While it seems this will continue on, it COULD change. If you really are set on saving the most money - buy the SSR contract (see the note above). I personally am happy to pay the extra MF to know I own at a place I really like,and gives me the option to stretch my points in value rooms. That said, If I buy another contract, I will probably go SSR, to sort of split the difference.

I think I'll simply get AKL and forget about the money. We really like AKL and I can see us going there just to go there and no parks. Although I have nothing against SSR and wouldn't mind going there and staying there I still prefer the peace and quiet at AKL better