Anyone have any problems booking on-site DVC's with Hilton head points?

[SeanK]

The Hilton head points look really good.... i am thinking about buying. I am wondering if anyone has HH points and if they have had problems booking an on-site DVC in Disney.

The time frame we would go would be, Dec/Jan/Feb/March and maybe April ... but that's it.

suggestions or comments??

 

[dianeschlicht]

Since you would be only able to book at the 7 month window, forget about December, March, April and the first half of January. Other times should be possible as long as you aren't particular about which resort.

 

[RobDoc]

If your main interest for joining DVC is to stay at a WDW DVC resort, then it might be wisest to own at a WDW DVC resort since you then have the 11 month priority. While reservations can certainly be found within 7 months, you may find limited availability at certain resorts, room types and dates - so just be prepared for possible disappointment finding the reservation you want. Reservations are certainly available within 7 months as long as you are patient, persistent and flexible.

However, if you plan to visit HH in the summer months, owning a contract at that resort is a great decision because the same issues will affect reservations within 7 months.

You might also want to consider the annual fees at any resort you plan to purchase.

 

[OKW Lover]

We've got a combination of HH & OKW points. If I'm going during a known busy period, then I'll book OKW at the 11 month window. But otherwise, we have no problem using our HH points at the 7 month window - or shorter. Our typical attendance pattern is:

• Early January (but not the new years weekend) through early Feb. Even including MLK weekend, we never have a problem at the 7 month window.
• Early May for Flower & Garden - sometimes we have to settle for a second choice at the 7 month window. We do that and wait-list our preferred resort and often get it as our travel dates approach.
• Mid-October - Mid-November for Food & Wine. ometimes we have to settle for a second choice at the 7 month window. We do that and wait-list our preferred resort and often get it as our travel dates approach.
• Early December, never a problem getting something at the 7 month window.

 

[global_mom]

We've got a combination of HH & OKW points. If I'm going during a known busy period, then I'll book OKW at the 11 month window. But otherwise, we have no problem using our HH points at the 7 month window - or shorter. Our typical attendance pattern is:

• Early January (but not the new years weekend) through early Feb. Even including MLK weekend, we never have a problem at the 7 month window.
• Early May for Flower & Garden - sometimes we have to settle for a second choice at the 7 month window. We do that and wait-list our preferred resort and often get it as our travel dates approach.
• Mid-October - Mid-November for Food & Wine. ometimes we have to settle for a second choice at the 7 month window. We do that and wait-list our preferred resort and often get it as our travel dates approach.
• Early December, never a problem getting something at the 7 month window.

We follow a similar schedule to this and have had no prob using our HH points at WDW DVC. We also own SSR but we sometimes need to combine the HH points with the SSR if we want a different resort. We have used our HH points at AKV and VWL with very short notice (2-4 months out). We will be using our HH points at HH for the very first time this New Years Eve/Week.

However, I would follow Doc's wise advice and buy a WDW DVC if that is where you want to use the points the majority of your trips. Even though HH points are cheaper than other resorts via resale you will just end up unhappy if you cant ever get a booking for the WDW resort of your choice b/c you need the 11 month window.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Laxmom]

We are waiting ROFR on a small HHI contract. One thing you should know is that if you buy resale, closing costs in South Carolina are high because you must use an attorney. We are talking $600-$800 in closing costs so figure that into your purchase price and your price/pt total.

Our plan is to get in Disney's system with a small contract and add on direct for more points. We don't need the 160 minimum. We are buying there because that is where we want to stay. We are still trying to decided if we will add on at HHI or one of the WDW resorts.

 

[Dean]

The Hilton head points look really good.... i am thinking about buying. I am wondering if anyone has HH points and if they have had problems booking an on-site DVC in Disney.

The time frame we would go would be, Dec/Jan/Feb/March and maybe April ... but that's it.

suggestions or comments??

It will be a LITTLE cheaper to buy in compared to say SSR or OKW but not that much. Maybe $2000-2500 on 200 points. For SSR you'd also get the later expiration. Thus for a modest additional upfront investment you can get OKW or SSR and book at 11 months out then try to change over at 7 months if need be. You'd have essentially guaranteed options rather than trying to book at 7 months out and wait listing where needed. Personally I think you'd do fine if you call day by day and learn how to do the wait list but why chance it and complicate your life if you don't have to. In addition it is my opinion that long term HH dues will rival those of VB and be around $1 per point higher per year thus eroding your initial savings. HH is a great resort but I'd personally only do this if you plan to book HH during summer every few years, you are flexible on your trips and you are good at planning and following through on the day by day phone calls needed to be successful in this situation.

 

[ZerasPride]

My husband and I are HH owners and love it there! We have had absolutely no problems booking on-site but we do not typically travel during busy DVC periods (which may vary a bit from busy WDW periods in general). I even recently booked a studio at SSR about 3 months out for me and a girlfriend. You have to be flexible and pretty much try to use the 7 month window but we do not regret our HH purchase at all. We do love HH in the summer and around "holiday" times like Thanksgiving and Xmas. I love having the 11 month window during those periods and not having to worry about booking air because we always drive to HH.

 

[ksoehrlein]

We own at HHI and have not had any problems major booking on-site (yet). We've had to waitlist twice -- both times were for just one night of our stay -- and both came through for us. I do tend to call day-by-day when the 7-month window opens up and I have my first-, second-, and third-choice Resorts in mind when I call MS.

 

[DebbieB]

If you are considering HH because the initial cost of points is less, take into consideration that dues are higher than the WDW DVC resorts. For 2008, HH is $5.16 per point vs the lowest SSR at $4.21. I wouldn't buy there unless you plan to stay there occasionally.

 

[4Pluto]

When I read posts along the lines of "its cheaper to buy off-site and then we'll use our points for WDW reservations" and knowing that the system is really designed to be close to full capacity, it makes me wonder who reserves HHI in January, February and March. Is it full then (or does it resonate with the ghosts of "breakage" points)?

It's one thing to know that you may end up with a reservation at SSR or OKV if the smaller on-site resorts are full, but it would be an entirely different surprise to reschedule a vacation to SC instead of Florida.