AKV vs SSR :Which one do I go for?

[ariapro2]

I am about to purchase one or the other (AKV or SSR). I am agonizing over which one.

We seem to like AKV decor better, but incentives are slightly better for SSR. Maintenance is lower for SSR.

The 7 month window for booking outside the home resort concerns me. I feel like I won't be able to book anything other than my home resort (at 11 months out).

So I think I need to purchase DVC points for the resort that I most prefer to stay at.

Did I say that I was agoninzing? Which one makes sense? Looking for sound opinions.

Thanks

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Only my opinion, but I would buy at the resort I wanted to stay at most often. It's not worth a few dollars a month to settle for your second choice for the next 50 years.

AKV also has some unique booking opportunities that may require home resort advantage, such as concierge and value rooms.

Good luck!

MG

 

[KevGuy]

It's one of the 2 newest resorts, has a great location, 2nd longest length of contract, fabulous pool, excellent resturants, gives you the best discount of any resort, and I own there as well lol. What else could you ask for ahahah!!

 

[DVC Mike]

Only my opinion, but I would buy at the resort I wanted to stay at most often. It's not worth a few dollars a month to settle for your second choice for the next 50 years.

I feel the same way. If you would prefer staying at AKV more than SSR, then buy AKV.

 

[pilferk]

I am about to purchase one or the other (AKV or SSR). I am agonizing over which one.

We seem to like AKV decor better, but incentives are slightly better for SSR. Maintenance is lower for SSR.

The 7 month window for booking outside the home resort concerns me. I feel like I won't be able to book anything other than my home resort (at 11 months out).

So I think I need to purchase DVC points for the resort that I most prefer to stay at.

Did I say that I was agoninzing? Which one makes sense? Looking for sound opinions.

Thanks

Here's my bent:

SSR's dues are lower....but the 11 month advantage there doesn't seem to be as "valuable". There seems to be plenty of availability for most times of years at 7 months at SSR.

AKV will be, overall, smaller. One would assume there is a real possibility that it will be harder to get rooms at 7 months for more times of the year. We don't know, right now, if that will be the case, of course. We DO know that value and concierge rooms (at AKV) were a tough ticket this time around, and I would expect that to continue to be an issue...even as the resort expands...because there will ONLY be the value and concierge rooms at Jambo. You'll increase membership but NOT the number of those room types. So the 11 month home resort booking window WILL have some effect...likely more than the one SSR owners enjoy, IMHO.

Combine ALL that with the fact that the majority of DIS posters advocate buying where you want to stay, and I'd say you're probably going to want to buy AKV. But you're the one spending your money, so you need to decide if the advantages are worth a bit more per point and higher dues (so far).

 

[ariapro2]

Thanks for your replies. Your insights are helpful!

 

[daisyduck123]

The 7 month window for booking outside the home resort concerns me. I feel like I won't be able to book anything other than my home resort (at 11 months out).

Our home resort is SSR.

We didn't have any trouble getting BCV at 7 months for our 6 night trip this past July.

Also didn't have any trouble getting AKV for this Dec. 20-26.

 

[DiznyDi]

We Love our SSR
Also had no trouble booking VWL at 7 months out for our Christmas trip - though did book day at a time.
We also agonized over SSR or AKV. Ultimately decided we just really, really enjoy the surrounding area and the resort itself over AKV. Since our original purchase, we have added on - twice - both times at SSR.
We would eventually like to stay at AKV though don't feel we need the 11 month booking advantage.
Good luck with your decision.

 

[BroganMc]

I am about to purchase one or the other (AKV or SSR). I am agonizing over which one.

We seem to like AKV decor better, but incentives are slightly better for SSR. Maintenance is lower for SSR.

If any of this applies to you then Home Resort advantage will be an important factor in your ownership:

- You like to travel in busy seasons (Christmas, New Year's, Easter, other school holidays).
- You need limited room types (Grand Villas, value studios, handicapped villas, etc.)
- You always plan vacations a year out.
- You are only happy in one resort.

If you find yourself content in a variety of resorts or can't make plans at least 7-11 months ahead of time, don't worry yourself over home resort priority. Under 7 months, every DVC is equal.

So I think I need to purchase DVC points for the resort that I most prefer to stay at.

I'd say if your only reason for buying SSR is to save money, then yes you probably won't be happy there. The last thing you want is to not be able to book an AKV room and resent SSR for having rooms.

But buying a resort based solely on decor also troubles me. Decors change with time. The AKV models went through a few designs just in the first couple months of reviews. I'd rather base it on things that don't change like: fixed amenities (pools, lobbies, bathroom/bedroom setups) and locations (what you can get to on foot, where a resort is on property).

 

[Maistre Gracey]

If any of this applies to you then Home Resort advantage will be an important factor in your ownership:

- You like to travel in busy seasons (Christmas, New Year's, Easter, other school holidays).
- You need limited room types (Grand Villas, value studios, handicapped villas, etc.)
- You always plan vacations a year out.
- You are only happy in one resort.

If you find yourself content in a variety of resorts or can't make plans at least 7-11 months ahead of time, don't worry yourself over home resort priority. Under 7 months, every DVC is equal.



I'd say if your only reason for buying SSR is to save money, then yes you probably won't be happy there. The last thing you want is to not be able to book an AKV room and resent SSR for having rooms.

But buying a resort based solely on decor also troubles me. Decors change with time. The AKV models went through a few designs just in the first couple months of reviews. I'd rather base it on things that don't change like: fixed amenities (pools, lobbies, bathroom/bedroom setups) and locations (what you can get to on foot, where a resort is on property).

While I agree with BroganMc much of the time, I don't on a couple points listed above.

I believe the 11 month window at AKV is also important because of the breakdown of room catagories. Grand villas, value rooms, and concierge rooms come to mind.
If specific booking categories at SSR come to fruition, that will also play a role.

Decor may SLIGHTLY change with time....
The underlying theme will always remain the same. You will never see a radical change in room or resort decor.

Again, my humble advice is to buy where you want to stay most often, while thinking about specific availability at the 7 month window.

MG

 

[eporter66]

I get the buy where you want to stay. It makes sense, period.

I have stayed at a few of the resorts, and we like them all for different reasons. Our home is SSR, so we always book the vacation asap (usually 11 mths), and then make the switch at the 7 mth. WE want to stay at all the DVC's eventually.

SSR does seem to have the most availability due to its size. So eventually, even if you end up loving SSR, it may end up being the resort that is easiest to book at 7 mths.

So far, we have had no problems with getting ressies, so we are very happy with the way DVC has worked.