Anyone think AKL news will come out once the SSR promotions goes away

[msdis]

in a few days. I really want to hear more as far as points details etc. to decide where to add-on this year.

 

[senecabeach]

Well... SSR goes to $104. on March 5th. VAK is "rumored" to be announced in March. I'd bet on it and I'm also hearing rumors in the $110. per pt. range....now remember only rumors.

 

[CSUFSteve]

The agent I bought from today said that they were all having a meeting on Jan 25th (so nothing would be announced before then) so she was impressed that the Internet was reporting Jan 24th.

 

[disguy1]

im thinking that AKV will be higher then SSR. but who knows

 

[starbox]

im thinking that AKV will be higher then SSR. but who knows

If they are selling at the same time, I don't think price per. point will be different. I believe Disney charges the same price per. point for all the resorts - if I wanted to call and add-on right through Disney at a sold out resort right now, I'd pay the same price for OKW or VB as I do for SSR even though they are older, have a shorter contract, and sell for significantly less on the resale market.

So - if AK is announced at 110 - I'd expect ALL the resorts to be selling at 110 through DVC.

What IS likely is that points per. night will be higher at AKV - I'd guess 1-3 points per. night higher than BCV is now. It is a mistake to think that everyone buying in will prefer AKV to SSR - for a good number of buyers the location, likely higher maitenece fees, and higher points per stay of AK will be unattractive.

We will add-on, probably 75-125 points in the next year, and I am trying to decide between SSR, AKV, and HHI or VB. Here is our thinking for all 3 resorts:

1. SSR - we know we like it. we know we'd be happy staying there anytime. longer contract is an issue with us. the location in terms of DTD is a huge draw for us - especially as our family matures. SSR is the one resort I feel like I could visit happily without going to a theme park if we ever had a year when we decided we wanted to spend less $$ on a vacation

The downside - I already own points there, so I don't "need" the 11-month window.

2. AKV - AK is my favorite park aside from the MK. I love, love, love the theming. Love the idea of the savanna. Longer contract!!!!!!
Rumoured rooms for 5 will be nice when our 2 kids get to be teenagers. I think it will be harder to get reservations here than people are anticipating, and so the 11-month window may be very nice.

The downside - location. Although I love the AK, I don't spend an entire day there - it is the one park I hop to and from. Will getting to other places prove to be an annoyance? I can see AKV being a resort I like to visit every couple of years, but I am just not sure it's going to be a place I want to stay often enough to justify owning there.

3. VB!!! -
We know we love Vero Beach. We know we want to spend 75-100 points there each year. I am concerned that as new Disney area resorts get built, there will still be only one VB and it may become more difficult to book. The 11-month window would make Spring Break trips possible.

The downside - I'd be giving up a longer contract and paying more per. point when you figure in maitence fees.

(HHI is also possible for the same reasons but only if we decide we like it as much or better than VB)


So - what do I *think* I'll end up with??? Honestly, Vero Beach. Even though it will be more expensive, has less resale value, and give me a shorter contract.

It's been hard to not just rush in an use the F&F to do SSR - but I know that I'll use VB every year, I know I love VB, and I would never want there to be a situation where an influx of new DVC members meant I could not make a reservation there.

I think you have to look at where you want to be, and rather than looking for a deal - buy DVC in a way that will make the vacations you want possible. It's a lot of money to spend on vacations, and you might as well get exactly what you want. IMHO, the cheapest points in the world at resort "X" are not going to be a value if you dream of spending the fourth of July in resort "Y" every year. But, spending a premium for a resort that gives you the Chrsitmas week you want in the location you want will be a great investment for your family's memories.

 

[lisareniff]

I think that they will announce more details about AKV at the earliest when the F&F promo is done Plus a couple extra weeks to make sure no one cancels their new SSR contract when the details come out.

 

[lisareniff]

Starbox- It looks like you've been thinking about this alot!! It is neat to see someone else's thoughts. We added on to VB not too long ago,not because we needed more points but because we wanted to stay at one of those Beach Cottages! We also go during busy times and wanted to not worry about getting a reservation. I also am interested in AKV. I think it has great possibilities. I'm waiting to see the details.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

So - what do I *think* I'll end up with??? Honestly, Vero Beach. Even though it will be more expensive, has less resale value, and give me a shorter contract.

Haven't been spending much time thinking about this have you?

I think we may some day end up at the same conclusion.... especially since they have now sold the adjacent property making any expansion very unlikely.

 

[CSUFSteve]

Well, being a newbie DVC member and all, but following all the convo's here, I wouldn't be surprised if VAK were 104/pt, consistent with the forthcoming change in March. Where I would expect to see the price HIKE is when GCH is announced. With only 50 dedicated DVC units, as well as DVC's 1st entry in CA, you can bet those contracts will be snatched up like fat-free donuts. Disney knows it and I expect they'll charge a significant premium over even the 104/pt rate to dampen demand and reap profit.

That said, I'll probably buy a 150-pt contract there to add to my 250-pt SSR. And, yes, I love SSR. Stayed at a 1-bdr with an AP discount last year, in Congress Hall with an amazing DD view. Loved it.

I am on the waitlist now for BCV or BWV for my 1st-ever DVC trip over Easter week. But I don't realistically expect to get either one (have confirmed ressies at SSR for now).

 

[starbox]

Haven't been spending much time thinking about this have you?
QUOTE]


Just a little. It's that darn F&F promotion: buying SSR makes financial sense. BUT - I am just forcing myself to wait it out

This is probably "it" for us as far as points go and I'd hate to find myself unable to book VB five years down the line will the thousands and thousands of new members all competing for my beloved OVIR. I also think the beach cottage will be a great asset in a few years when we start wanting a place to vacation with extended family. There is not a Disney-area resort I'd be heartbroken over if I could never book - but I'd be heartbroken to lose summers at Vero.

 

[mikron]

in a few days. I really want to hear more as far as points details etc. to decide where to add-on this year.

I talked to a few sales people in the parks last week, all think june or july before anything on AKV.

 

[tjkraz]

If they are selling at the same time, I don't think price per. point will be different. I believe Disney charges the same price per. point for all the resorts - if I wanted to call and add-on right through Disney at a sold out resort right now, I'd pay the same price for OKW or VB as I do for SSR even though they are older, have a shorter contract, and sell for significantly less on the resale market.

That's not true. The base price of SSR right now is $101. BCV, VWL and BWV are $95 from DVC. The other resorts are cheaper.

Even when SSR was first introduced the prices were different. Back in 2003 they had active inventory at BCV, BWV and Vero for $84 each (with good discounts on Vero points.) SSR was introduced at $89 per point, but early owners received a $10 per point discount since the points couldn't be used until the resort opened 9 months later.

 

[castleri]

Anyone have any idea what the press event on the 24th is about. I read somewhere that finding NEMO the musical will be closed that day for a press event? I think the next day is the first day someone gets to stay at the castle but wonder if there will be other things than the Year of a Million Dreams - or maybe that will be the day the winner of the DVC membership is announced and it will be at Villas at Animal Kingdom Lodge. So many possibilities..............

 

[murcor]

When we added on SSR a couple weeks ago, I asked the guide if AKV will be higher than SSR he avoided that question but did say that the maintenace fees would be higher...and would probably be on sale in the next few months ....who knows

 

[boudreaux0]

I am glad I bought in at $74 per point. Only problem is my contract ends in 2042 and I will be 62...prime retirement age. Guess I will have to buy more points somewhere down the road.

 

[Dean]

I don't think DVC has ever announced a resort and had it at a different price than the current sales. The 2042 resorts are an enigma and have been a different price for some time, SSR should be the comparison. I can't imagine that AKV will be anything other than the $104 announced for SSR but we shall see. DVC does have a habit of raising the current price a few months after sales start and shortly after the resort opens but given that the resort is so large, I'm not sure they'll raise it too quickly after opening. What they could do is have different specials, if they have another special for SSR similar to the one ending today, that tells you sales are not as brisk as many have been led to believe.

 

[dumbo71]

What they could do is have different specials, if they have another special for SSR similar to the one ending today, that tells you sales are not as brisk as many have been led to believe.

Are you saying that you believe SSR sales are slower than advertised? I've never believed sales were as great as my guide seems to state. If they were so great why even do the F&F promotion?

I still believe in those 12 extra years and the future of SSR from a resale value standpoint. I believe it will surpass BCV, VWL and BWV in price per point reasle in the next 5-10 years. Problem is recent posts from you and Rinkwide are making me nervous.

AKV will likely sell for whatever SSR has been raised to with maybe a $5 off per point discount. Time will tell.

 

[tjkraz]

Are you saying that you believe SSR sales are slower than advertised? I've never believed sales were as great as my guide seems to state.

I don't know what Guides are saying but it's impossible to deny the sales have proceeded much faster than DVC planned. IIRC the original resort plan was for 12 buildings and sell those units over the span of 8-10 years. Those original 12 buildings were gone in just over 3 years.

I have heard some say that the resort is expected to be sold-out before the end of the year--some even claim by mid-year--and I think that's an exaggeration. Exactly when AKV sales come on-line will play a big role, but I think they'll be hard-pressed to wrap things up before the end of 2007. They MIGHT make that date if sales continue at the current pace, but AKV will likely reduce the SSR sales pace. To what extent SSR sales declines will depend a great deal on how the two resorts stack-up. We still don't know prices, promotions, estimated dues, point schedules, etc.

If they were so great why even do the F&F promotion?

This is speculation, but I think it may be easy to justify an additional $5 discount when you factor in the reduced sales costs. Judging by the posts here from prospective members, most who take advantage of the F&F discount seem to be ready to buy when the call. In some cases I would speculate that the Guide's only involvement in the sale process is a 10-minute phone call to complete the internal sale documents and get a credit card number. If DVC can make a $14,000+ sale with so little staff involvement it may justify the entire $750+ discount.

And there are other factors which may play a role, too. For instance, the quicker they sell all of the points at a resort, the less money DVC has to put into subsidizing dues and paying the operating costs for undeclared units.

Faster sales also benefits the other units of the company. Think of the millions of dollars worth of park passes, dining and souvenirs that members pour into the parks each year. By selling all of the points in 4-5 years instead of 8, TWDC has several thousand more repeat guests in 2008-2009-2010 who may instead have stayed home or spent their dollars elsewhere.

 

[starbox]

I have heard some say that the resort is expected to be sold-out before the end of the year--some even claim by mid-year--and I think that's an exaggeration. Exactly when AKV sales come on-line will play a big role, but I think they'll be hard-pressed to wrap things up before the end of 2007. They MIGHT make that date if sales continue at the current pace, but AKV will likely reduce the SSR sales pace. To what extent SSR sales declines will depend a great deal on how the two resorts stack-up. We still don't know prices, promotions, estimated dues, point schedules, etc.

My theory is that DVC is planning and prepping to start selling multiple resorts at the same time. I think that they have probably analyzed the top reasons people give for not purchasing DVC after the tour and two of the top responses are:

1. I was not interested in resort _____________ (whichever is selling at the moment). People like feeling like they get to make a choice.

2. I have a family of five and don't want to have to get a 2 bedroom each trip.

My hunch is that AKV will sell along with SSR and then along with CRV. I think AKV will accomadte 5 in a 1-bedroom.

I also think CRV will offer 1 bedrooms without the full kitchen (more of a cross between a studio kitchenette and a full-blown kitchen set-up) - because I also think they hear alot of "but I don't want to cook on vacation."

 

[Dean]

Are you saying that you believe SSR sales are slower than advertised? I've never believed sales were as great as my guide seems to state. If they were so great why even do the F&F promotion?

Yes, that's what I am saying. DVC has a Hx of exaggerating sales IMO, they closed off sales at VWL after a year and just before BCV announcing it was sold out and then 6 months later reopened sales for another 6 months after they saw BCV sales were brisk. I don't think having multiple resorts selling will hurt AKV very much but I do think it will hinder SSR significantly without some other incentive.

I doubt you'll see DVC get too creative with room types given that they still must meet a standard for II exchanges.