Basic Resale Question

[JPete]

I'm brand new to this and close to joining (I think). I'm having difficulty understanding why I wouldnt just buy the lowest cost points I can find on the resale market. Is the only downside the 7 month vs. 11 month booking window? The lowest pride points seem to be outside WDW, like HH or VB, but a point is a point is a point, right? What am I missing?

 

[arthur06]

I'm brand new to this and close to joining (I think). I'm having difficulty understanding why I wouldnt just buy the lowest cost points I can find on the resale market. Is the only downside the 7 month vs. 11 month booking window? The lowest pride points seem to be outside WDW, like HH or VB, but a point is a point is a point, right? What am I missing?

Yes, a point is a point, BUT places like HH and VB have considerably higher MF's. So up front savings is wasted on yearly MF's. Also, it depends on the time that you want to travel. If you want VWL at 7 months at Christmas, good luck. BWV at F&W, good luck.

Your best bet on getting low point cost and MF's would be SSR!

 

[chalee94]

VB/HH are lower for several reasons.

1) they are off wdw property and real estate rules apply ("location, location, location"). sure, in some cases (probably moreso during the current economic situation) you can still find room onsite at wdw at the 7 month window...but is it going to bother you if you get locked out? there is a real risk there.

2) annual maintenance fees are higher at VB/HH. so you'll pay more over time in dues than if you owned at an onsite resort.

2b) being on the coast, VB/HH also have a higher risk of storm/hurricane damage. VB owners were nearly charged a special assessment to repair storm damage a few years ago. (insurance wound up covering it.)

3) much smaller risk: if DVC decided to spin off any of their resorts, VB and HH would be two of the most likely candidates. this is unlikely to happen, IMO, but if it did, you would most likely find it much more difficult to trade for an onsite property (if not impossible) and the value of the properties would most likely decline a lot farther.

for some people, the lower prices make it worth rolling the dice a bit. many are ok with booking whatever is available at 7 months onsite (usually larger resorts like SSR or OKW) and waitlisting if necessary.

with prices for SSR and OKW being awfully reasonable, i'd prefer to have access to wdw at 11 months...YMMV.

 

[Sandisw]

Like others have said, if your plan is to stay at WDW, then I would buy points at one of the WDW resorts.

Right now, the difference between SSR and OKW, with HH and VB, is quite reasonable ($10 - $20.00 price differences). With the higher MF's that you will pay, it won't take long to eat up that difference. Once that happens, you will be stuck with points only good at WDW at the 7 month mark.

Many members book reservations at their home resorts at the 11 month mark, just to know that they have something for the trip. At 7 months, call back and switch resorts if there is availability. By owning outside of the world, you would not be able to do that and could find yourself with a missing night or two right in the middle of your vacation.

If you really have no resort preference and would be happy staying anywhere, then I would seriously consider SSR. The contract is 12 years longer than HH/VB (SSR goes to 2054, the others only to 2042), the MF's are lower, and you will have the ability to book using the 8 - 11 month window at WDW.

 

[CMOORE185]

For those of us that love HH you need the 11 month booking window to get a room their in the summer, which because of weather is by far the best time to go their. So I have some points at HH and some at SSR so that I can book at WDW too when I want to.

 

[JPete]

Thanks, everyone. Your feedback is very helpful. What's the general experience with trying to book only 7 mos ahead at WDW properties? Is it only an issue during premier season? I think I'd be less likely to go at that time (too crowded), but as the kids get older, it will be harder to take them out of school for vacation.

Also, are there any point charts out there for DCL?

 

[CMOORE185]

Honestly, we have never had a problem booking at 7 months out at WDW. I think because there are so many properties at WDW you can always find something. And there is not a bad DVC property, I have no problem staying at any of them. Like I said if you want to stay at HH in the summer it is really hard to get a room 7 months out.

 

[Mtnman44]

There are a variety of times when 7 month booking is getting difficult for certain resorts / room types / etc. IF you don't have ANY preference for resort or room, then normally 7 months you should be ok most of the time.

However, all of december is booked solid and 7 month reservations are very difficult. Longer trips may require changing resorts, rooms, waitlisting, etc.

Bottom line, if you want DVC for WDW, then get points at a WDW area DVC. If you have a preferred resort, consider getting your points there.

 

[wildernessDad]

You must also consider the dues. Vero Beach has a low resale cost but very high dues and over the life of the contract, dues is the driving cost factor, not original purchase price.

My advice - Buy where you want to stay and hold onto your DVC.

 

[Brownie54]

You must also consider the dues. Vero Beach has a low resale cost but very high dues and over the life of the contract, dues is the driving cost factor, not original purchase price.

My advice - Buy where you want to stay and hold onto your DVC.

Amen to that!!! I just did some numbers crunching and Vero Beach looks to be by far the most expensive.