All About Fixed Weeks (RIV/CCV/AUL/VGF/POLY/TOWER/VHD/FWC Charts)

[PolyRob]

Is the minimum direct point purchase for new purchasers 100 pts? I thought for some reason this new minimum was dropped from 150 to 100 points. If so, why are there no CCV FW 48 and 49? In fact I only see weeks 12-16 and weeks 51-52 available for studios. Is the reason 35% sales have been met for all other weeks?

The minimum new purchase was dropped when DLH went on sale. I know VGF Favorite Weeks were affected because the original Big Pine Key charts redacted anything under 150 points, but the charts were updated after DLH went on sale just in time for the summer VGF "fire sale." Same with Riviera Tower Studios. Originally not available as FWs on the chart, then added later after DLH, but from more recent data points, they are still on the chart, but not for sale.

DVC does not have to sell any Favorite Weeks. It just has to cap it at 35%. It could sell one room for a certain week and be happy with that or sell the entire 35%. I believe that chart in the first post for CCV is from 2022 before the DLH change so the values were never released since it was under 150 points. No way weeks that were never offered are sold out at 35%. If you're interested in one, it would probably be best to just ask your guide if it's possible.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

The minimum new purchase was dropped when DLH went on sale. I know VGF Favorite Weeks were affected because the original Big Pine Key charts redacted anything under 150 points, but the charts were updated after DLH went on sale just in time for the summer VGF "fire sale." Same with Riviera Tower Studios. Originally not available as FWs on the chart, then added later after DLH, but from more recent data points, they are still on the chart, but not for sale.

DVC does not have to sell any Favorite Weeks. It just has to cap it at 35%. It could sell one room for a certain week and be happy with that or sell the entire 35%. I believe that chart in the first post for CCV is from 2022 before the DLH change so the values were never released since it was under 150 points. No way weeks that were never offered are sold out at 35%. If you're interested in one, it would probably be best to just ask your guide if it's possible.

Thank you. I already own week 49 at CCV. After the increase in minimum direct points purchase to 150, those weeks were removed from the FW chart. Since the drop to 100, I am curious as to why they are not reposted. Even if possible, for transparency, they should repost those weeks back into the latest FW charts since it is now possible to purchase them.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I was just on the DVC website today and see at the bottom of the page it still states 150 pts are necessary for membership benefits. Is it now 100 or 150 points?

 

[Tatebeck]

I was just on the DVC website today and see at the bottom of the page it still states 150 pts are necessary for membership benefits. Is it now 100 or 150 points?

For new purchasers the minimum they can purchase is 100 points, but 150 points are still needed to get direct member extras/benefits

 

[Sandisw]

I was just on the DVC website today and see at the bottom of the page it still states 150 pts are necessary for membership benefits. Is it now 100 or 150 points?

Membership benefits are 150. However the lowered the minimum buy in to 100 last year.

So, someone can buy in as low as 100 but won’t be eligible for extras

 

[emchen]

We actually purchased that contract! There were two identical Week 52 Poly GW contracts, and we bought the second one for $130/pt. I think the other was bought for a few dollars less per point than ours. I'm not sure that we will use the GW much, but if we ever decide to it will be to our advantage (ex: in 2022 Week 52 is valued at 244 points, and our contact is for 206 points). We are very happy with our purchase!

What a diamond in the rough purchase this turned out to be!

What week was it for? Poly is all studios. Unless this was for a high demand week, no need to purchase a FW. Not enough variables mentioned here.

Oh it was high demand week and oh what a homerun purchase this turned out to be in light of the new tower.

 

[emchen]

I just went through this thread a second time (mostly because I am talking myself into converting contracts into FW contracts ) and noticed virtually no discussion about FW at the Cabins at Fort Wilderness.

Is it the consensus here that the high dues make a FW contract there a no-go?

If dues were equal to PVBs or RRVs, which week# would you target and why!

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

I just went through this thread a second time (mostly because I am talking myself into converting contracts into FW contracts ) and noticed virtually no discussion about FW at the Cabins at Fort Wilderness.

Is it the consensus here that the high dues make a FW contract there a no-go?

If dues were equal to PVBs or RRVs, which week# would you target and why!

I’m not a fan of the Cabins - just not my cup of tea - BUT if I regularly stayed there during Halloween or Christmas, I could see making the case.

PS - I am in the same boat re: wishing all my contracts were FW!

 

[emchen]

I’m not a fan of the Cabins - just not my cup of tea - BUT if I regularly stayed there during Halloween or Christmas, I could see making the case.

PS - I am in the same boat re: wishing all my contracts were FW!

So the dues are not necessarily a deal breaker for your family?

The cabin interiors look elegant and inviting, exterior is charming to me. Plus we have a golden that I might have fly with us one of these years. We have FW49 at VGF so maybe couples week49 and then adult kids and dog join us week50? I just came up with that.

Considering week #22 (memorial day weekend) #50 (week before xmas).

This thread is so… thought provoking (I chose my words very carefully).

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

So the dues are not necessarily a deal breaker for your family?

The cabin interiors look elegant and inviting, exterior is charming to me. Plus we have a golden that I might have fly with us one of these years. We have FW49 at VGF so maybe couples week49 and then adult kids and dog join us week50? I just came up with that.

Considering week #22 (memorial day weekend) #50 (week before xmas).

This thread is so… thought provoking (I chose my words very carefully).

The dues are definitely tough to ignore but if I loved the Cabins AND they were absolutely where I wanted to be AND it was during a popular time when a reservation was tough to secure AND I knew I would be going every year, I would probably consider it even with the dues. (I also just bought resale BWV, which many would argue wasn’t worth it given the expiration but I’m ok paying a premium for the memories I want to make!)

I have a close friend who is a DVC owner - they own VGF - but they are seriously considering the Cabins bc they are a young family of 6 and the space works for them vs needing a 1-or 2-bedroom. If you want to bring your dog, that’s even more of a reason.

Now, Memorial Day week doesn’t seem like it would be worth it IMO - if you can easily get the reservation you want at the 7 month mark, I wouldn’t even consider it.

Since they aren’t selling a lot, maybe test availability this year and see what moves? So far when I’ve made reservations for March and June 2025 at 7 months, the cabins have been available. I just checked Memorial Day weekend and even now there are some nights available.

 

[emchen]

I have a close friend who is a DVC owner - they own VGF - but they are seriously considering the Cabins bc they are a young family of 6 and the space works for them vs needing a 1-or 2-bedroom. If you want to bring your dog, that’s even more of a reason.

We’re a family of 6 with the dog so definitely a factor.

 

[emchen]

Now, Memorial Day week doesn’t seem like it would be worth it IMO - if you can easily get the reservation you want at the 7 month mark, I wouldn’t even consider it.

I’m thinking along the same lines.

Convenient thing is FW22 and FW50 are in the same points season. Both are 145 points. I think FW50 then is the way to go…

…and we’ll just modify some years when we go during memorial day weekend.

 

[Flash_Sloth]

I just went through this thread a second time (mostly because I am talking myself into converting contracts into FW contracts ) and noticed virtually no discussion about FW at the Cabins at Fort Wilderness.

Is it the consensus here that the high dues make a FW contract there a no-go?

If dues were equal to PVBs or RRVs, which week# would you target and why!

I don't know about "consensus"; I can only speak for my own opinion. There are many DVC resorts with a wide variety of theming, location, amenities, transportation options, room & view types, purchase prices, dues, years remaining, resale restrictions, etc. What one person or family may dislike, another person or family may love. If the majority of people here are avoiding CFW, that doesn't necessarily mean that you should avoid it, but be a little more cautious what you're getting into.

Looking at the monthly sales charts, oof, CFW isn't doing well, which probably means that if you buy and ever need to sell, it is going to take a heck of a beating on the resale market. Look at what RIV is doing on the resale market with its resale restrictions, and imagine something worse.

There are multiple reasons why I'd prefer to own at other DVC resorts than CFW: location, transportation options, dues, resale restrictions, and some ambiguity over trust points vs. deeded properties.

 

[WeIcomeHome]

According to DVC news half of all FWs sold for the Cabins have been for Halloween. And a majority of the others were for Christmas. The dues are a deal breaker for me but I see the allure of the cabins these two weeks and why those FW are popular.

 

[J-Dog]

I just went through this thread a second time (mostly because I am talking myself into converting contracts into FW contracts ) and noticed virtually no discussion about FW at the Cabins at Fort Wilderness.

Is it the consensus here that the high dues make a FW contract there a no-go?

If dues were equal to PVBs or RRVs, which week# would you target and why!

If I ever buy another large or mid-sized contract, it will almost certainly be another FW. Having said that, the sales for CFW have been poor, so I'm guessing that it is fairly simple to get one at 7 months for all but the highest-demand times of the year.

That, plus dues, is enough to convince us not to buy there. MAYBE, if they start selling like crazy, and get very hard to get at 7 months for most of the year, I would consider it, because we live in the PNW and the "camping" theme is kind of in our blood.

 

[emchen]

If the majority of people here are avoiding CFW, that doesn't necessarily mean that you should avoid it, but be a little more cautious what you're getting into.

This is exactly why I asked about concensus…to check all the angles so I’m not missing anything.

A recent trip report by a veteran-disboarder, @TisBit, raised the issue of golf carts (among other novel factors). Renting one is about $500 per week. That needs to be factored into the admittedly low-point cost for these Studio/1-BR hybrids.

 

[CanadianDVC2024]

We just bought a resale VGF contract. I initially thought I overpaid but in the end it may work out this was a great deal for us.

We got week 47 and it’s fixed at 158 points each year. However the current rate is 180 points each year if we were to buy a fixed week with the new chart.

 

[intamin]

I just went through this thread a second time (mostly because I am talking myself into converting contracts into FW contracts ) and noticed virtually no discussion about FW at the Cabins at Fort Wilderness.

Is it the consensus here that the high dues make a FW contract there a no-go?

If dues were equal to PVBs or RRVs, which week# would you target and why!

A bit late to the party but dues, location, lack of transportation options, lack of amenities, single unit cabins that are more likely to receive hurricane assessments and have to be evacuated during a major storm. I’m sure it’s fun to ride around in the golf carts but the fact that the golf carts are even a thing shows its difficult to get around the resort and to that point the added cost of renting golf carts. Something else that may be in the back of people’s minds too is the fact that at it’s heart CFW is still a moderate resort and it shows based on what I said above compared to every other DVC resort that is deluxe or at least deluxe adjacent.

I think it’s just an extremely niche product for people who were already staying there and plan to continue staying there. Reflections is pretty much it’s last hope of selling out.

If I were going for a FW at CFW, it’d be either for the week of Halloween, Christmas, or week 48-50.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

We just bought a resale VGF contract. I initially thought I overpaid but in the end it may work out this was a great deal for us.

We got week 47 and it’s fixed at 158 points each year. However the current rate is 180 points each year if we were to buy a fixed week with the new chart.

I saw your post on the other thread - congrats! FWIW, I don’t think you overpaid - I was in the same boat when I bought my resale CCV FW. In looking at other comps, it looked like I overpaid but having the lower point chart locked in is absolutely worth something. Great find - enjoy!

 

[CanadianDVC2024]

When we were first looking into buying DVC there was a FW CCV week 52. I kick myself every day for not buying it but I didnt really understand how FW and I thought you were obligated to travel that time each year. CCV is a great buy!

I saw your post on the other thread - congrats! FWIW, I don’t think you overpaid - I was in the same boat when I bought my resale CCV FW. In looking at other comps, it looked like I overpaid but having the lower point chart locked in is absolutely worth something. Great find - enjoy!