AKL versus SSR resale purchase advice

[Greg36]

Hi everyone,
We have been considering DVC for a while and are planning to make a purchase sometime over the next 12 months or so. We are thinking AKL and are thinking 180 points with a use year sometime in early to late fall. We like to go for two weeks a year and we like to go late November and into December (really anytime just after Thanksgiving and up to about Dec 15th or so). We figure we would need to have about 180 points to do our 14 nights in a value to standard studio, every year, for the next few years, and then transition to a one bedroom for two weeks per stay, every two years. We like AKL and our thinking was having this as our home resort would help ensure we could get our desired reservation at the 11 month window.

In the interest of considering other options, I was looking at SSR. Lower maintenance costs and lower per point upfront costs make this kind of desirable from a cost perspective. For the same upfront costs, we could probably get 225 points, give or take, at SSR. My thinking was that 225 points would give us enough points to rent a studio with a SV at AKL during the times we like to go; however, this would obviously need to be done at the 7 month window... I have read in a few places that AKL, especially a SV, is a little easier to get at the 7 month window, but I have also read in a few places that it is getting harder and harder to get much of anything in the fall outside of 11 months.

Would love to hear people's opinions. Especially interested in knowing people's recent experiences with booking AKL studios at 7 month window in the fall for 'longer' stays (e.g., 2 weeks). Thanks, Greg

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I have read in a few places that AKL, especially a SV, is a little easier to get at the 7 month window, but I have also read in a few places that it is getting harder and harder to get much of anything in the fall outside of 11 months.

Both are true, actually. AKV tends to dry up at 7 months in the face of renters, particularly. At 7 months, you're likely to have some holes for a two week stay, especially since you can only book 7 nights at 11 or 7 months, then have to add a day at a time (or wait 7 full days to add the next 7 days; in fall at 7 months, I'd add each day). You would then have to waitlist those holes.

If staying at AKV is important to you in fall, I'd buy AKV. When Riviera comes on line, that'll be another huge batch of points adding to 7 month pressure. Every resort sold increases the 7 month change pressure in fall. If you would be okay booking Saratoga for 2 weeks then trying to change if availability permitted, then, okay, buy Saratoga.

 

[fearthisinc]

I am no "Veteran" here on the DVC boards.. We are actually just in the process of closing on our first AKL contract... From what I have picked up from most posters on this forum, the best idea is to purchase where you want to or wouldn't mind staying if you "choice" resorts are booked.. For example.. We absolutely love staying at the Beach Club and Polynesian.. Those are our two favorite resorts hands down.. But we purchased into the AKL.. One reason being the cheaper "per point" cost.. The second being the longer contract than the Beach Club.. And lastly the "more bang for your buck" in regards to point value.. We purchased 400 points at AKL.. With that many points we could theoretically do almost 6 "Sunday to Sunday" weeks throughout the year in a value studio.. Compared to maybe 4 at the Beach Club.. Plus we could use the points to upgrade to bigger room.. And of course, we didn't mind the AKL as it is one of the resorts we do like..

With that being said, I have been told by friends who own DVC (2 at Boardwalk, and 2 at Bay Lake) that normally their "fall back" is Animal Kingdom, Saratoga Springs, or Old Key West.. They have said that normally if they book last minute then one of those is still available with Animal Kingdom filling up first.. I am not sure if it is on this site or another, but a user on one of the forums posted a chart which showed the availability for most of the DVC resorts at the 7 month window.. AKL was usually pretty much open with the exception of the Club Level and Value rooms.. And as others have mentioned, normally studios fill up before the rest.. I will try and locate the link (if permitted to post if on another site) which showed the room availability.. If I recall correctly Animal Kingdom studios were normally available up until about the 5 month mark..

Found the link:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/p...tudios-some-1-bedrooms-prepared-2015.3419112/

That link has charts on what is normally available. Mind you I believe it is about 2 years old, so not sure how much of the data has changed.. But gives you a rough idea..

 

[disneynutz]

Determine which resort you really love, nothing worse than buying AKV and later deciding that you really love BCV but have difficulty booking there at 7 months. Past and current booking patterns do not reflect tomorrows availability. Expect to want more than standard rooms once you own for a couple of years. Hitting the parks all day becomes the same thing year after year and your resort time will increase. Expect to move up to one bedroom units, while staying in a studio is fine for awhile, having more space makes us feel like we are really on vacation because these rooms are not available in the mod resorts. If we planned on only staying in studios, DVC wouldn't make as much sense.

Bill

 

[bobbiwoz]

I own 100 SSR points for the purpose of trying to add on to existing reservations not to book SSR at 11 months. If you want to book 2 weeks in the Christmas holiday season, I would not buy SSR with the hope of getting 2 weeks someplace else.

 

[Greg36]

Thanks everyone. Really appreciate your advice! Greg

 

[supersnoop]

With this plans at that time of year, you need to own at AKV.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/p...tudios-some-1-bedrooms-prepared-2015.3419112/

 

[gillep]

I agree with the others that for the time of year you are considering, and length of stay that you want to own at AKV. Also consider that if you have a preference of staying at Jambo house over Kidani Village that you really want to own at AKV.

 

[BillPA]

Most important advice, BUY WHERE YOU WILL NOT MIND STAYING. Don't count on switching at 7 months as that is getting more and more difficult as more people buy the least expensive resort available and don't really care to stay there. Spend a few more dollars if needed to get where you know you will be happy staying.

 

[Dean]

Hi everyone,
We have been considering DVC for a while and are planning to make a purchase sometime over the next 12 months or so. We are thinking AKL and are thinking 180 points with a use year sometime in early to late fall. We like to go for two weeks a year and we like to go late November and into December (really anytime just after Thanksgiving and up to about Dec 15th or so). We figure we would need to have about 180 points to do our 14 nights in a value to standard studio, every year, for the next few years, and then transition to a one bedroom for two weeks per stay, every two years. We like AKL and our thinking was having this as our home resort would help ensure we could get our desired reservation at the 11 month window.

In the interest of considering other options, I was looking at SSR. Lower maintenance costs and lower per point upfront costs make this kind of desirable from a cost perspective. For the same upfront costs, we could probably get 225 points, give or take, at SSR. My thinking was that 225 points would give us enough points to rent a studio with a SV at AKL during the times we like to go; however, this would obviously need to be done at the 7 month window... I have read in a few places that AKL, especially a SV, is a little easier to get at the 7 month window, but I have also read in a few places that it is getting harder and harder to get much of anything in the fall outside of 11 months.

Would love to hear people's opinions. Especially interested in knowing people's recent experiences with booking AKL studios at 7 month window in the fall for 'longer' stays (e.g., 2 weeks). Thanks, Greg

180 will do what you are thinking for studios but not likely for 1 BR. I think your chances of success with SSR for standard will be high if you reserve right at the 7 month window and learn to use the wait list well. But if you're set on AKV it's likely unnecessary and adds risk and stress thus AKV might be a better choice if you're set on staying there most trips. Of course value can't be guaranteed but if you get it at least 2/3 of the time you're break even $$$ wise compared to owning SSR and using for standard. If that's the way you decide to go (with either resort), I'd do roughly 150-170 resale then 25 retail to have the perks and options going forward. I wouldn't undercut in terms of points contracts but going a little over wouldn't be bad, you'll need it when you get to 1BR choices, likely after the first time you stay in one and likely much sooner than you're thinking now. Good luck.