AKL versus SS

[CindiR]

I am trying to do a quick decision before the deadline of June 4.

If I decide to go ahead and purchase more points, I would want to chose between SS and the new AKL. I am sure many of you on here have hashed out the details already and I would love to get the benefit of your thoughts and final decision.

I haven't seen SS first hand, other than from a distance, so both would be sight unseen.

I can see pros and cons for both, so please tell me your thoughts. Thanks in advance.

 

[tjkraz]

If you like SSR and would use points to stay there, buy SSR.

If you like AKV and would use points to stay there, buy AKV.

If you don't have any great preference for one or the other, buy SSR for the lower dues. Based upon the '07 dues, AVK points will cost you at least 15% more each year.

 

[JimC]

Go to the DVC site and look at both resorts. The advice above is right on the money.

 

[CindiR]

So basically if you don't have a strong preference for either, go with the least expensive?

I had thought there would be strong feelings about location and the 11 month priority, etc.

They both seem to be large resorts, but I had thought perhaps AKL would be more difficult to exchange into, so the 11 month priority would be a factor in deciding.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[tjkraz]

They both seem to be large resorts, but I had thought perhaps AKL would be more difficult to exchange into, so the 11 month priority would be a factor in deciding.

Based upon size alone, AKV should be more difficult to book outside of 7 months. But again the primary question is whether you like the resort enough to stay there. Just from a personal taste standpoint, there are people who dislike every DVC resort.

If you like AKV enough to pay the 15% premium in dues then buy there. But if you're just looking for more points to book OKW, BWV or whatever resort may strike your fancy down the road, it may not be worth the additional cost.

 

[CindiR]

Thanks everyone.

I think I just need to step back and take a deep breath.... I am making myself crazy!

I got myself all caught up in the idea of the deadline of June 4 and thinking I had to make a leap quick.

I think I am going to just forget about making such a fast decision and relax!

I do appreciate the dose of common sense I seem to have lost there for a bit.

I am going to take my time, hopefully tour both places and make a much more informed and hopefully sensible decision.

 

[CarolMN]

If you think you will want to take advantage of the conceirge rooms (very small number - 5 lock off 2 Bedroom units) or the value rooms (expected to be a popular choice due to lesser point requirement), you wll almost surely need the home resort booking window. But if you are really thinking of the savannah view rooms (the vast majority of the rooms available), you will probably be able to get one of those at the 7 month mark for most times of the year.

The home resort booking advantage is very, very important if you want to regularly stay at one of the smaller DVC resorts (VWL, BCV, BWV), especially during the more popular times. If that is the case, you will want to consider a resale contract, although the smaller resorts are also available directly from Disney if you are patient. (Disney repackages points it obtains from exercising its ROFR, but doesn't have a large inventory ready to sell).

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Slakk]

Thanks everyone.

I think I just need to step back and take a deep breath.... I am making myself crazy!

I got myself all caught up in the idea of the deadline of June 4 and thinking I had to make a leap quick.

I think I am going to just forget about making such a fast decision and relax!

I do appreciate the dose of common sense I seem to have lost there for a bit.

I am going to take my time, hopefully tour both places and make a much more informed and hopefully sensible decision.

Great idea!

I think the difference in cost over time is minimal.

If conceirge or SV are important to you then you should buy AKV - if not then you should not have an issue getting a room at AKV.

My situation is weird, we love SSR and VWL but want to do conceirge at AKV so I sold my SSR contract and purchased 100 AKV points. Now I own 100 at AKV and VWL with those points I can stay in conceirge (if I can get a room) and VWL or SSR.

I like your idea of tourning - many times you think you will like something then get there and don't - the best thing is it is a no lose proposition!

 

[razster]

We are looking at buying here as first time dvc'ers we are by no means DVC experts so could you explain the 15% dues point you made earlier as this sounds significant.

thanks

Raz

 

[tjkraz]

We are looking at buying here as first time dvc'ers we are by no means DVC experts so could you explain the 15% dues point you made earlier as this sounds significant.

Dues for 2007 are set at $4.12 for SSR and $4.63 per point for AKV.

Based upon those numbers, an owner with 250 pts at AKV would pay about $127 more than an owner with the same number of points at SSR. And, assuming similar rates of increase over time, that 12-13% differential should continue.

To someone who values the ability to book AKV at 11 months, that's a necessary evil. But, again, if one prefers SSR or has no great preference, I don't see a reason to pay those extra dollars year-after-year.

AKV dues include part of the operating expenses of the savanna and are likely to remain on the high side. It's also worth noting that the 2007 budget doesn't include any operating costs for the new Kidani Village building. That introduction in 2009 may cause a bump in the dues, too. But that's purely speculation.

Simply by virtue of being the largest DVC resort, SSR is likely to have the lowest dues over time.

 

[razster]

Thank you once again for a prompt, concise and thorough reponse. all clear now. your insight is most appreciated.

 

[cgcruz]

I'm kind of in the same situation as the OP, cant decide what I want to do, but I dont want to rush it. The way I feel, DVC is always going to offer some special incentive to purchase at the resort they advertise. Even now you get a $10 credit per point off SSR. If they stop offering incentives more people are going to go through the resale route which is a lot cheaper honestly and you dont have to do 160 points. Now you pay closing cost both ways, so thats a savings you had at DVC that is no more. Also, if you notice through resales, the price increase directly through DVC is not really affecting resale value. You can still most likely buy SSR through resale for $85 per point. You get the exact same accomadations and perks. You do risk ROFR through DVC, but if you are purchasing 100+points, your odds increase of getting a great deal through.

Personally, i'm considering buying directly through DVC directly through DVC. The thing is, I really only want 50-60 points at SSR, enough for off-season week at SSR. I can pay that cash on the spot for 50 points. Its not much, a studio at SSR, but still better than paying out of pocket every year at a value or moderate and I will get a bigger room. Although, you might have to wait a year or more to be able to use your points if the previous owner as used up current Use Year points. But at least you can negotiate with them and have them pay for that years Annual Dues. Eventually I might want more points, once we have kids most likely. But DVC is most likely always going to be willing to sell me points (as little as 25 when you are a member). So I would only have to add 50 to 75 points to be able to stay 5 nights in a 1 bedroom at a DVC resort. We can stay the first 2 nights (weekends) at pop or any other resort to avoid weekend rates. It still beats 160 point purchase right away (IF YOU REALLY DONT WANT THAT MANY POINTS). Whew! that was a mouthful.

 

[Mississippian]

I've been a critic of SSR because a lot of people have been saying they were buying there just to stay elsewhere. AKV seems to me to be more of a winner, with only a couple of drawbacks.

The main drawbacks are that you can't walk to the parks (very important) and there may be some dues problems. BUT, what a neat offering. I know I'd like to stay there just for the resort.

I suspect AKV will be popular for split stays.

Another observation, after looking at the promotional material, is that AKV is going to redefine the concept of a long hallway.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Another observation, after looking at the promotional material, is that AKV is going to redefine the concept of a long hallway.

I think they provide camel service to your room.

MG

 

[dianeschlicht]

I've been a critic of SSR because a lot of people have been saying they were buying there just to stay elsewhere. AKV seems to me to be more of a winner, with only a couple of drawbacks.

The main drawbacks are that you can't walk to the parks (very important) and there may be some dues problems. BUT, what a neat offering. I know I'd like to stay there just for the resort.

I suspect AKV will be popular for split stays.

Another observation, after looking at the promotional material, is that AKV is going to redefine the concept of a long hallway.

I think mostly you are correct, but I don't consider the "not being able to walk to the parks" a downfall. I find when I stay in the Boardwalk area, I end up doing a LOT more walking than I really want to do. We chose AKV for an add-on, because we love the savanna idea. It's a resort we visit each trip, even when we aren't staying there, so it just seemed like the place to add-on.

 

[mydogdrew]

Dues will be higher at AKV per point but perhaps you'll routinely reserve 1BR for 5 w/ 2 baths rahter than SSR 2 BR or perhaps value rooms. You might find yourself purchasing a much smaller contract at AKV rather than SSR and getting the same value. This could potentially make AKV cheaper from both an initial buy-in and dues perspective.

 

[pilferk]

AKV dues include part of the operating expenses of the savanna and are likely to remain on the high side. It's also worth noting that the 2007 budget doesn't include any operating costs for the new Kidani Village building. That introduction in 2009 may cause a bump in the dues, too. But that's purely speculation.

Possibly, but...I doubt it. Because with with the increase in operating costs from Kidani comes an increase in revenue from an ability to sell more inventory (points). I'm not sure the costs will outweigh the increase in revenue...or not by enough to make a marked (meaning, out of the ordinary) increase in dues. I know that it will have a larger effect on operating budget than, say, additional buildings at SSR, but, as you point out, the dues are already higher. I'm not convinced that, given that, the new construction will have much, if any, noticeable effect.

For us, AKV was where we will usually stay...so that's why we bought here. If we were of the mind to do more "sampling" we probably would have bought SSR because of it's cheaper "up front" costs and lower dues. That being said, AKV does look, simply by basis of size, to get more benefit from it's 11 month window and it does have an additional 3 years (not much, I know) tacked on to it.

 

[pilferk]

I've been a critic of SSR because a lot of people have been saying they were buying there just to stay elsewhere. AKV seems to me to be more of a winner, with only a couple of drawbacks.

The main drawbacks are that you can't walk to the parks (very important) and there may be some dues problems. BUT, what a neat offering. I know I'd like to stay there just for the resort.

I suspect AKV will be popular for split stays.

Another observation, after looking at the promotional material, is that AKV is going to redefine the concept of a long hallway.

It's true you can't walk to the parks, but.....you can't do that at SSR or OKW (and yes, I know you have direct access to DTD). I think it's "remoteness" (which, really, isn't very remote) is part of it's charm...feels more laid back to me. But then again, it's probably about perspective. I drive over an hour, one way, to work...the nearest major grocery store is 10 to 15 min from my house...ditto on the closest department store. So maybe because of that my idea of "remote" is a bit different.

And the dues don't seem too unreasonable to me, as of yet, all things considered. I've heard the speculation we may see a jump, on these boards, when Kidani opens but when looking at things I don't see much foundation for that speculation, knowing what we know.

And AKL already redefines the concept of "long hallway". Seem to be the nature of the beast (if you'll excuse the pun) when building to be as much an animal enclosure/viewing spot as a hotel.

 

[pilferk]

Dues will be higher at AKV per point but perhaps you'll routinely reserve 1BR for 5 w/ 2 baths rahter than SSR 2 BR or perhaps value rooms. You might find yourself purchasing a much smaller contract at AKV rather than SSR and getting the same value. This could potentially make AKV cheaper from both an initial buy-in and dues perspective.

That's actually a great point and one of the things that really swayed us. We're a family of 5, with 3 little ones. The fact we can all "fit" into a 1 BR, according to the occupancy rules, actually saved us a bit because we didn't need to buy quite as many points.

 

[tjkraz]

Possibly, but...I doubt it. Because with with the increase in operating costs from Kidani comes an increase in revenue from an ability to sell more inventory (points). I'm not sure the costs will outweigh the increase in revenue...or not by enough to make a marked (meaning, out of the ordinary) increase in dues. I know that it will have a larger effect on operating budget than, say, additional buildings at SSR, but, as you point out, the dues are already higher. I'm not convinced that, given that, the new construction will have much, if any, noticeable effect.

Jambo house is a 1000+ room facility with DVC sharing common area expenses with the cash guests.

Kidani Village is a stand-alone 350 room resort which will duplicate expenses associated with front desk staff and infrastructure, dining options, pool facilities, valet parking, resort management and so on.

Barring any major differences in amenities, smaller resorts (Kidani Village qualifies in my book) will cost more on a per-point basis than larger.

I'm not talking about an extraordinary bump of 10-15% in a single year, but something larger than the typical 3-4% would not be unexpected. Of course, DVC could also bury the increase and spread it out over several years via the Developer's Subsidy.