Another Newbie Trying to Make a Decision

[Gopher5]

We were at WDW last weekend and decided that DVC is what we want. Now that we are home the excitement continues but we are trying to decide the best way to proceed.

We met with a guide and discussed SSR and AKV. We both fell in love with BWV. Now that we are home I found this site and the resale board. It has provided great information but in some ways has confused our decision even more. Because so many of the users seem so helpful I thought that I ask for some insight.

It sounds like booking at BWV is difficult unless it is your home. Is that uniformly true, or only during December which is what most of the talk is centered on? If we want to stay there, it seems we should make it our home and purchase from the resale board. If you purchase additional points (say 25-50) at another resort, does that allow you to book 11 months ahead there too?

I see value in the additional 12-15 years that SSR and AKV have on the life of those contracts. But am I being too anylitical, we are both 37, do those additonal years matter as much when we will be 75+? (My grandparents were active into their 80's).

It seems that if we were to go with SSR we would be better off buying a resale. I've seen some at SSR with 175 points for about the same price our guide offered us for 150 points there. Would the resale be better? We don't need financing, but putting the purchase on our credit card for the points would be nice.

I saw a post in which the author said they decided to purchase through DVC based on some PM they received (of course I can't find the post now). Could anyone please provide me similar info?

Our guide made AKV sound like it is going to be very nice. With 3 small girls the extra space and bathroom in a one bedroom will be great as they get older. Anyone with 3 kids have insight on fitting into one bedroom units? The maintenance costs are higher and it seems like AKV is a little far from the other amusement parks, DTD and BWV. Should those things be much of a concern?

I know that we are not locked into staying at the resort where we buy, but I read that you should buy where you are most likely to want to stay. Is that pretty acurate?

For what its worth, in the next 15 years we are most likely go in in October but at some point would like to experience the WDW Christmas scene.

Thank you everyone for any insight and information you can provide.

 

[HockeyKat]

FWIW, October is one of the busiest months for BWV and BCV due to the Food&Wine festival at Epcot. I have heard that it is almost impossible to book unless you have the 11 month window or go on a waitlist.

I chose a resale at BWV, but we don't have kids, we are in our 30s, and don't care about the extra years.

Personally I think a resale is a better option.

For the purpose of these calucations, SSR is at $91/pt and BWV would be $95/pt through Disney. Your closing costs are a bit higher (~$200-300) than Disney. You can also factor in the loss of reward points.

So, for 200 points, you can say that SSR through Disney at $91/pt is $18,200 which would be $182 reward points so total price $18018. For BWV, $95/pt so $19000 through WDW, total cost $18810 after reward points.

For SSR, I saw one pass ROFR for $83/pt today. 200 pts, $16600. WDW price, $18,018. Total savings through resale is $1418.

For BWV, average ROFR is probably $85/pt. 200 pts, $17000. Total savings through resale is $1810.

With resale, you do have to be careful of contracts that come "stripped" of points (no points available until 2008), and it will take longer (2 months vs. a few days through WDW).

-Kat

 

[Mtnman44]

I would take SSR or AKV for the extra years. Even if you don't plan on traveling to WDW in your 60's, your grandkids might or you might want to sell your contract and it will sell for more if it has 25 years left vs. only 10 years left.

As for BWV, you must own there if you want a chance to get a reservation during F&W as mentioned. For the rest of the year it is iffy, but possible. Dec will be busy and you may not get in then, but the rest of the year it seems like chances are good a 7 months out. The only exception to this is for either standard or boardwalk views. These sell soonest. People want either a guaranteed bw view or they are wanting the value pricing on the standard view rooms. The regular "preferred view rooms" (no boardwalk) seem to be the ones most likely to be available at 7 months.

I'm buying the bulk of my points at SSR but will also add on a smallish BWV contract. We visit WDW every two years so I will be able to book some of my trip each time at BWV. That fits for what we want anyway.

 

[FamilyGuy]

If you purchase additional points (say 25-50) at another resort, does that allow you to book 11 months ahead there too?

I see value in the additional 12-15 years that SSR and AKV have on the life of those contracts. But am I being too anylitical, we are both 37, do those additonal years matter as much when we will be 75+?

Anyone with 3 kids have insight on fitting into one bedroom units? The maintenance costs are higher and it seems like AKV is a little far from the other amusement parks, DTD and BWV. Should those things be much of a concern?

I know that we are not locked into staying at the resort where we buy, but I read that you should buy where you are most likely to want to stay. Is that pretty acurate?

For what its worth, in the next 15 years we are most likely go in in October but at some point would like to experience the WDW Christmas scene.

If you purchase additional points at another resort, you can only use the 11 month window for THOSE SPECIFIC points. IE if you have a 50 point contract at BWV and want to make a 100 point reservation 11 months out, you will need to borrow 50 from the next BWV use year, or have 50 banked from the previous (BWV) use year to be able to do that. Hope that made sense.

I think that we will have little interest in visiting WDW mutiple times a year 30+ years from now. Who knows though, that may change. More importantly, I would love for my kids (and/or grand kids) to be able to stay on my points if I am not using them. This is where the additional years may make sense.

When we took our first tour (and knew very little about DVC), our guide suggested an aero bed for fitting all of us in the 1BR. I spent $29 on a nice aerobed at Sam's and have used it both times we stayed in a 1BR. Worked just fine. As the kids get older, even if 3 kids are going with us, I think the 1BR might be cozier than I would like. Some or all of the AKV 1BRs are designed for 5, which is nice.

Many here are BIG proponents for buying where you wish to stay, and for the most part I agree, esecially, if you are dead set on staying in a specific resort and secific view. If you can live with the seven month window and/or are somewhat flexible on resort choices, you should be fine buying what is available. Both times I made reservations for DVC, I stated I was open to any resort on site, but my preference was BW or SSR. The first time we were able to get a 1BR at BW no problem. The second time the Sunday before MLK JR day was not available at ANY DVC resort... I stayed at POR for 2 nights and then 5 nights at SSR (SSR was our first choice). This can all vary depending on the time of year and length of stay, type of room, etc...

October and December can both be busy times of the year - then again until you call for reservations, who knows. And being flexible makes a world of difference.

That was long winded, I hope I helped you somewhat. I am sure you will make the right decision for your family!

 

[Granny]

We both fell in love with BWV.

More than anything else you are concerned about, this sentence struck me. If you have a strong tie to a resort and would be disappointed to stay elsewhere then I'd suggest buying at that resort.

It sounds like booking at BWV is difficult unless it is your home. Is that uniformly true, or only during December which is what most of the talk is centered on? If we want to stay there, it seems we should make it our home and purchase from the resale board. If you purchase additional points (say 25-50) at another resort, does that allow you to book 11 months ahead there too?

Booking at BWV is not all that difficult most of the year at the 7 month window (non-home). However, if you want the best chance to get Standard View (lower point schedule) or Boardwalk View then I think owning there gives you that best chance. Can you get them without owning there? Certainly. That's why I use the words "best chance", as you would be able to book ahead of any non-BWV owner.

Also, you can purchase BWV directly through Disney if they have available points. They will try to steer you towards SSR or AKV, since that's what they are currently selling, but they also have other "sold out" resort points. Sometimes you might have to wait a while, but often they are readily available. Just another option to the resale market.

I see value in the additional 12-15 years that SSR and AKV have on the life of those contracts. But am I being too anylitical, we are both 37, do those additonal years matter as much when we will be 75+? (My grandparents were active into their 80's).

I don't think you are being too analytical...at your age those extra years could have some value. That is something you will have to weigh against staying at BWV when and with the accommodations you prefer.

Our guide made AKV sound like it is going to be very nice. With 3 small girls the extra space and bathroom in a one bedroom will be great as they get older. Anyone with 3 kids have insight on fitting into one bedroom units? The maintenance costs are higher and it seems like AKV is a little far from the other amusement parks, DTD and BWV. Should those things be much of a concern?

If you are a family of five, AKV is the only resort that has a stated occupancy of 5 for a 1BR unit. All other DVC resorts state occupancy of 4, though they tend to allow 5 without any additional bedding or towels. Though your children might be young now, it won't be long before you will be welcoming the second bathroom in a 2BR...especially with three girls!

I know that we are not locked into staying at the resort where we buy, but I read that you should buy where you are most likely to want to stay. Is that pretty acurate?

I think most here would agree with that, but there are some who are very strident in saying that home resort is not that important and have a lot of success in getting non-home resorts within the 7 month window. Personally, it sounds like BWV "speaks to your soul", to borrow a phrase, and in my opinion that means you should buy there.

For what its worth, in the next 15 years we are most likely go in in October but at some point would like to experience the WDW Christmas scene.

October is a very busy time for the EPCOT resorts (BWV and BCV) due to the Wine & Food Festival at EPCOT at that time of year. If you primarily want Standard View or Boardwalk View during that time you would probably be best to purchase at BWV. Christmas (Thanksgiving through end of year) is also a very busy DVC time.

If you think you will want to stay elsewhere fairly often, you might consider buying points at BWV through resale, and then SSR or AKV to get the extra years. Just a thought on how you might get the best of both worlds.

You also might want to check out the following thread that has a good discussion about home resorts. It's a bit dated so forget the price information but the basic discussion is still valid. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=778634&page=1&pp=15


Keep asking questions. It's a big purchase and you need to know what's best for you.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Welcome fellow Gopher!

I agree, if you are set on always staying at BWV or most often staying there, then it would be best to own there.

As for the extra years and your age....The big difference with the longer contracts is the fact that they will probably have more value as a resale when you are no longer interested in going to WDW than those that end 12 years earlier.

Perhaps you need to buy a primary BWV contract and add on at one of the new resorts in the future.