Another Cracking Visit

[MickeyMcMouse]

Just back from another short visit to WDW and this time a 2 bedroom at OKW.

WOW .......

Been to OKW once before during jan in a studio, which was cold and dull and we said that we would reserve judgement until abit of sunshine appeared.

Just shows you, first impressions are not always correct

It was absolutely fantastic, the villa had just been refurbished with new appliances, dvd player etc and looked the business.

(And we will not even mention the size of the place .....)

This trip was a little fact finding trip, which took a couple of friends across that were looking to purchase a villa (everybodys dream), but in the end, I think they will decide on DVC. We had a scout about for them when we were there in dec and in the cold light of day, things look very different. (If anyones interested ask away and I will give you our thoughts on the proposed purchase of a villa - not the gold mine everyone thinks it is)

Anyways back to our trip, which was 1st class, flew p/e with virgin, got upgarded at dollar foc to a brand new grand cherokee and a 2 bedroom at OKW - what more can you ask for.

Took a boat along to downtown and had a look at the construction at Saratoga, wow, that will be a massive resort.

Meet up with our guide and did the tour, eventually, and the new rooms at Saratoga look very nice. Price increase in the very near future, so ... you never know

They are shortly moving to Saratogo, and he has offered the full tour the next time we are across. He has done the "hard hat" tour and is very impressed - although this guy seems to be happy all the time

A very short trip, but any trip is better than the horrible weather we are getting here, infact looking out the window, the snow is trying to come down.

The joys of DVC - any questions, fire away.

David

 

[Hilary]

It sounds fantastic!

Glad you had such a great trip, even if it was 'only' a short one

 

[WDWfan uk]

Our experience of an Old Key West Studio was very good - but then it was all sunshine and blue sky

I can't wait to look around Saratoga Springs! I'm not a DVC member ( I'm trespassing ) but LOVE these DVC properties!

 

[KayleeUK]

Glad you had a wonderful time, thanks for the report

 

[spm23]

Re: Saratoga Springs,

do you think it is going to be too big and lose what the other DVC properties have about them?

Re: The villa's, I did extensive searches last year and DVC is a far better option for money, most Villa's don't get fully rented out during the summer months, let alone other months, and as for monthly dues for cable tele, pool etc.
The villa is only worth it if planning to go out for 3 months at a time when retiring.

 

[MickeyMcMouse]

Originally posted by spm23
Re: Saratoga Springs,

do you think it is going to be too big and lose what the other DVC properties have about them?

Re: The villa's, I did extensive searches last year and DVC is a far better option for money, most Villa's don't get fully rented out during the summer months, let alone other months, and as for monthly dues for cable tele, pool etc.
The villa is only worth it if planning to go out for 3 months at a time when retiring.

Hi Simon,


The view from Downtown, doesn't really show the size of the place, especially when you consider that its only phase 1.

The boat trip we took, right along the front of it, really did show the full size of that phase - it actually goes round the corner a bit and ends up pretty much next to the golf club - it really is massive !! I don't really know if this is a good or a bad thing, but there is certainly going to be a lot of walking involved We are extremely happy with DVC and enjoy our "homes" at VWL and BCV's, but have to say the OKW is moving up the list. (all for different reasons )

The villa part of the trip really showed up some very interesting points. The main ones being, is this going to be to make money or is it a family home. The next question leading onto that is, if its to make money(which is very questionable !!) will you be able to support the costs, and there are many hidden costs, with no rental income.

I believe, and this is very much my personal opinion, that in 9 to 12 months after many of these new villas have been built, and after the dollar falls back to a more sensible level ie $1.60 - $1.65 there will be many people wanting to offload their property.

They have probably been caught up in the holiday spirit, the $2 to the pound stuff and the fact that for a very small deposit, you could own a fantastic villa in the sunshine state (for around 1/4 of what you would pay here).

The relality will set in when the maintainence costs which were worked out at around $1.80 come in at around $1.60,the added maintainence costs appear- which no one has mentioned up to now, the mortage costs start rising and there is little or no rental income because of the enormous competition out there.

However, if you have the cash to support a venture and any rental income will be the cream, then yes, it could be a good thing.

I do believe, however that you are very right with your statement and that DVC, for us and the people we took out to look at property (who ended up purchasing DVC) is probably a far better option.

David

(the above is purely my own option )

 

[Bexx]

Thanks for you report - glad you loved OKW so much. I can't wait for my first visit there and reading things like this make me even keener - if that's possible!!!

As nice as it would be to own a villa in Florida, DVC is SO much less hassle. And there isn't any villa you can buy that's right in WDW.