Almost buying in...what is more important? Cost or Location?

[Terry S]

Given the same circumstances as you are facing now I would still buy BCV. This is the resort I want to stay at and the only way to gaurntee I will get this resort is to have it be my home resort.

Just some food for thought if you are looking at two bedrooms. There are only 25 Dedicated 2 Bedrooms at BCV with 2 queens in the 2nd bedroom. This is very important to our family as I have a boy and a girl that both want to sleep in thier own regular bed (not a pull out sleeper sofa). I have called more than once after the 7 month window and these rooms are gone!

On a side note there are no dedicated 2 bedrooms at BWV with 2 queens in the 2nd bedroom.

 

[tor]

I agree the twelve years is paramount in the decision but the lowest dues thing is temporary the always have the lowest during construction and don't forget ROFR with the resales Disney is keeping the price almost as much as SSR and it was even more during the last promotion

 

[Ms.Mouse]

I believe (as most of the other posters do) that you should go for the location you want. My family tends to like EPCOT, MGM, and AK better than MK and what better place if you like those parks than BWV's???? You can walk over a bridge (and a short walk at that!!!) to get to EPCOT and even take a little hike to MGM (or take the boat)!!! We chose BWV's because of this fact and that we do spend a day at DTD but don't care for PI. We didn't want to be in a resort where you're depending on a bus for transport and it's too far of a trip in my opinion. There were other reasons why I didn't feel comfortable with buying into SSR... 1) The location.... 2) That although some people claim not to have had problems with transportation, there are also plenty of negative posts between this site and other sites that there have been transportation problems. Some say that they made breakfast reservations that they couldn't get to because of no bus coming in early enough (as they do even in the Value Resorts!!!) Well, this is a HUGE Serious step for us and I don't want to even take the chance of this being a problem. Also, if you tend to vacation during a time where the parks are very crowded (Spring Break, Christmas, etc. etc. (Primetime)) then I've also seen posts where people couldn't get into the resort they wanted to because it was full then. Why would you want to buy into SSR (especially if you like another resort better) just for the extra 12 years!!!!!!! Next year we aren't going at Primetime BUT most of the time we do. Why would I want to be at a resort that I don't want to be at because I bought there for the extra 12 years and the others were full and not available to me????? NOT VERY SMART, is it!!!!!!! I don't know how old you are but when my BWV is finished, my DH and I will be in our 80++ years, do you think I care about the extra 12 years????? This is for my DH's and my enjoyment and we will bring our grown children and grandkids with us to WDW BUT I'm NOT going to worry about the extra 12 years to will out to them should we die at 80+. It's to enjoy now and for the next years till 2044. Now that I gave some of my rationals and opinions.... My best advice to you is to not listen to any of us and look things over CAREFULLY, and most importantly, GO WITH YOUR GUT FEELING!!!! That will be right for you.

 

[JimMIA]

Here's an old thread you may want to look at. It starts out with a discussion of home resort, and throughout the thread numerous DVC pros have added their insights about many other topics. Keep in mind that the thread is almost a year old, so all the prices, promotions, etc. are no longer accurate.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=778634

For all the emphasis people put on home resort, you have to keep in mind that home resort only matters between seven and eleven months out. Other than the ability to book at your home resort during that "eleven month window," there are no other benefits to home resort.

That benefit may be critical to you, or it may be immaterial, so keep it in perspective.

 

[crisi]

For all the emphasis people put on home resort, you have to keep in mind that home resort only matters between seven and eleven months out. Other than the ability to book at your home resort during that "eleven month window," there are no other benefits to home resort.

And dues. Choose a home resort with lower dues, and you'll pay a smaller bill (says the woman who is happy owning BWV with the highest dues outside VB - but we do book at eleven months).

 

[BillPA]

How far ahead can you plan a vacation? If you are like many DVC'rs that don't or can't plan 7-11 months ahead, then where "home" is really doesn't matter all that much.

I would suggest if you plan to vacation mostly at WDW, buy somewhere at WDW, not VB or HH (both GREAT resorts but not WDW).

Buy where you will NOT feel "STUCK" if you have to stay there. We love all the DVC resort so I would never feel stuck anywhere, but if you would really be disappointed if you could only stay at SSR or VWL or BWV then DON'T buy there.

Good luck deciding, you can't really pick a bad location. JMHO

 

[tor]

I believe (as most of the other posters do)

I wouldn't hang my hat on what most of the others do because most of the others in this country think credit card debt is a fact of life I just don't believe in doing something wrong even if the world agrees with me

 

[castleri]

As another thought since you are looking at a fairly large number of points. Why not get 2 175 or 1 200 and one 150 point contract at two differnt resorts. By banking and borrowing you can be assured of having that 11 month window at each resort every other year. It is also easier to sell smaller contracts if something happens a few years from now that would require this. I was able to make my Christmas week reservation for OKW 2BR and Studio at the 11 month window using banked 2005, all of 2006 and 7 2007 points at the 11 months window. I am now waiting to make a Sept reservation at OKW using SSR points at the 7 month window. Hopefully that will be no problem. Haven't even thought about when to use the BCV points but since I have planned on using banked, current and borrowed SSR points for the Sept trip am happy to have BCV ones available for a last minute trip if low airfare is available. Good luck with whatever decison you make.

 

[jade1]

If you must have an Epcot Resort during F&W Fest. then consider an Epcot Resort. That is the only reason for not buying SSR. Lets do some simple math here. 12 years is huge folks, it is a 1/4 of the contract extra when buying SSR. To make the numbers easy lets assume a $20,000 buy in at SSR. $20,000 divided by 48 years of use is $416.66 a year not counting annual dues. Now lets assume the same $20,000 buy in at an older DVC Resort with 36 years of use: $555.55 per year it cost you. That is $138.89 more to own a resort with 12 less use years. Throw in the fact that SSR has the lowest dues and it is a no brainer. DAVE

Thats the only reason? How about VWL for XMAS week? Its already sold out of studios and 2BR's for next year. How about BCV for Spring Break-I already know for a fact that our kids have the first week of April off in 2007-guess what, I will be reserving BCV for that in less than 3 months (11 months out)-what a fantastic feeling.

As far as your price comparison-$138 bucks? I would pay that in a heartbeat to guarantee the resorts I want-thats the no brainer. These trips cost 3 to 5 thousand dollars, whats $138 going to change especially if you get stuck where you dont want to be. I bought BCV for $60 so its easy for me to say-but for a fact I would buy it again today over SSR.

 

[byoung]

I got BWV points from Disney Because I want to stay there the most. OKW is great mto stay at though.

 

[Buzzsgramma]

LOCATION,LOCATION,LOCATION........we own at BWV.....our friends own at BCV...when purchasing their 2nd contract they considered another resort..my advice was "buy where you want to stay"..(.my opinion)

 

[No1HawkFan]

My guess is no. Everybody has their own opinion and the resort they think is the right one to own at. You could read these posts for the next 8 years and there will be a new resort that opens in 2009 that you think is the best but then...........................wait................you hear rumors of another resort opening in 2012 so you decide to wait until then, however,........................you hear rumors of another resort opening in 2020.

In my opinion you should buy something before your next vacation to Disney so you can use your points instead of paying cash. The sooner you start to use your points the sooner the program will start to pay for itself. You might not like to make decisions, however, you need to make a decision and I wouldn't rely on others making the decision for you.

I also want to comment on a remark by Terry S. He said "This is the resort I want to stay at and the only way to gaurntee I will get this resort is to have it be my home resort." Unless something has changed all of your reservations are based on availability. If you own at the Beach Club and call 10 months in advance and the times you want are full you will not be able to use your points at the Beach Club. As far as I know ALL reservations are based on availability.

Thanks and Good Luck!!!

 

[SEC]

Buy where you want to stay most of the time because of the 11-month window at your home resort. We own at WL because we knew we wanted to stay here most of the time, we have stayed at Old Key West about 3 times because we made last minute trips and that is where there was availability. It is a nice place to stay for a change also since you can take the boats to Downtown Disney.

 

[crisi]

I also want to comment on a remark by Terry S. He said "This is the resort I want to stay at and the only way to gaurntee I will get this resort is to have it be my home resort." Unless something has changed all of your reservations are based on availability. If you own at the Beach Club and call 10 months in advance and the times you want are full you will not be able to use your points at the Beach Club. As far as I know ALL reservations are based on availability.

Thanks and Good Luck!!!

True, but the demand is much lower when you are only "competing" with other BCV owners.

Say that staying onsite (including DVC) or having an AP let you make dining reservations at 180 days, like you can currently, but if you didn't stay onsite you could only make reservations sixty days out. Is that worth something to you? How often do you think offsite guests would get reservations for Le Cellier or Cindy's? And maybe it is worth something to you, and maybe it isn't. It isn't if you never plan dining more than 60 days out anyway or if you don't care to eat at the most popular locations. It is if those popular spots are really important to your vacation and you can and do plan ahead. The next question is "how much is it worth to you?" If you can stay offsite for $50 a night or stay onsite for $80 - is it worth $30 a night to be able to make early reservations?

(I really wish they'd bring this perk back, btw).

 

[DVCPAT]

Why spread this paranoia? What possible motive would DVC have to rescind these booking rights? Do you really believe they will do this? If not why post it. We would all love to hear your reasons fro DVC rescinding this right.

DAVE

One reason might be future escalating energy costs. Owners of OKW and SSR will have a significant advantage of lower operating costs. It costs a fortune to keep the busy BWV/BCV/VWL lobby areas and inside corridors at preset temperatures.

If energy costs continue to skyrocket, I think it would be fair to have members only book into sister DVC resorts that operate at comparable costs. For example, OKW and SSR are condo style resorts that have similar operating costs. The Hotel style DVC resorts could be in a separate higher dues category.

 

[First Wave]

Personally, I can't see where Sarastoga will be a hot resale item at anytime, now or in the future.

There will be thousands of owners. Desperate sellers will drop the price and dictate the value. I'm sure DVC won't be buying back too many Saratoga listings (ROFR) based on the gripes everyone is making about location, buses, etc.

I'd rather own a sure thing for 12 less years. Jusy MHO. Just check out the current resale prices on Beach Club or Wilderness Lodge vs Saratoga.

First Wave

 

[tor]

I really don't get this notion of you have to buy into the resort you want to stay at people change their cars every four years or sooner they move every 7 years and look at the divorce rate so a lot are changing wives but you can pick the one and only resort you will want to stay at the next fifty years give me a break If you dont try them all to see wich is the absolute best and then don't let your tastes change over the next fifty years cause you wont have the 11 month window

The one thing for sure is that in 2043 all you BWV BCV and other first round resorts are gonna be looking for a place to stay

What is with this energy nonsense do you really think Disney cares about the cost of energy to heat/cool a lobby get real the members dues are paying for it so why would disney care They arent going to let a room go empty because some delusional cost of energy idea and lets not forget that those energy efficient condo types require more roadways so maybe disney wont let you okw people drive up the entrance road to the BWV because the road length is different

 

[DVCPAT]

What is with this energy nonsense do you really think Disney cares about the cost of energy to heat/cool a lobby get real the members dues are paying for it so why would disney care They arent going to let a room go empty because some delusional cost of energy idea and lets not forget that those energy efficient condo types require more roadways so maybe disney wont let you okw people drive up the entrance road to the BWV because the road length is different

You make my point. You could care less about operating costs associated with your home resort, and that’s fine, as long as you pay for it. Energy costs in the future are going to skyrocket. You may think it’s “delusional” for businesses to operate efficiently, Disney has been, and will be in the future looking for ways to reduce energy consumption….

The Walt Disney Company

Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla., is among the most highly visited places on earth. Its "campus" consists of hundreds of buildings that include world-class hotel and conference centers, exotic ride environments, and precisely controlled spaces for horticulture and animal care.

In addition to a Wall-Street eye on the bottom line, Walt Disney himself encoded the company's DNA with an ethic toward conserving natural resources and the environment that remains to this day as a program called Environmentality. Environmentality is a way of thinking, acting, and doing business in an environmentally conscientious way--from saving energy and water to reducing waste and emissions.

At Disney, energy is paramount. Air-conditioning, refrigeration, compressed-air, and water-moving systems for buildings, rides, and transportation run primarily on electricity and natural gas. To maximize energy conservation and efficiency while minimizing costs and emissions, Walt Disney World has implemented a state-of-the-art energy-management program (EMP) that can serve as a role model to owners and administrators of public and private facilities.

To effectively track and manage energy at these facilities, Disney developed an innovative intranet-based computer program called the Utility Reporting System (URS). This system publishes utility and submetering data on Disney's intranet system and tracks the results from energy savings efforts. By publishing performance data, the URS continuously "shines a light" on utility usage at each facility and allows similar facilities to be compared to each other. Since no facility wants to be at the bottom of the list, the system helps drive continuous improvement at the facility level.

Information and reports generated by the URS help Disney's energy managers identify areas that need improvement. When a facility is not performing as expected, Building Tune-up (BTU) Teams are formed from Engineering and Operations to review the building and energy management systems control devices, programming, and settings.

Disney estimates that its URS has facilitated a 5-20 percent reduction in utility usage and ensures that all building systems are operating at peak energy performance.

 

[DVCPAT]

do you really think Disney cares

Side note .. Interesting article about Disney conserving water….

Disney Saves Water, Too

An audit of water usage throughout Disney's Animal Kingdom revealed new strategies for saving money and enhancing best practices. A temporary metering system installed for restaurants, restrooms, and aquatic environments for animals allowed cast members to monitor water flow in multiple sites without incurring traditional costs associated with permanent devices. Results indicated that in some areas, less water would produce the same effect. Combined efforts to reduce water consumption throughout the park have resulted in savings of 145 million gal of water per year, a reduction of 22 percent.

 

[Judique]

Hello all,

I am having the most difficult time deciding what is a better deal.

Do you all think cost is more important or location or SSR with longer time period?

I can buy a resale for so much less than buying with Disney SSR...but I am not crazy for the home resort.

What would you have done differently if you had to buy again?

We are only interested in two bedrooms and up. And are looking for 300-350 pts. Are two bedrooms difficult to come by? In the summer?

Thanks in advance for the input.

Anyone know of any specials now?

Thanks,

Cindy

on the fence and hoping to find the perfect deal.

Location. Then cost. What I would have done differently? Purchased much earlier! As Nike says, Just Do It. (With the normal reservations - of course!)