buy points at a resort you don't really love?

[coastiewifern]

DH thinks we should consider buying our add on at SSR (we own at BLT). I don't really love SSR. He thinks we should just get it for the points because they are cheaper and then use them for ressies elsewhere or even towards cruises which we like to do every other year.
I've always heard don't buy where you don't really want to stay......BUT does he have any validity to his argument? Help me see his point or tell him this isn't wise

 

[Nikisha421]

there seems to be lots of talk about restrictions to resale contracts in the new year...so that might be one reason to buy where you want to stay...

for example, not being able to use the points for DCL or RCI...

 

[T-Daddy]

I just added on at HHI for $46 dollars per point. I have no intention of staying there. I have my BCV points if I want to travel during peak times and use the 11 month window. And I have some cheaper added on points for slower times when I can get away with the 7 month window. It was a cost effective way for me to add-on.

 

[Jason@dvcstore]

DH thinks we should consider buying our add on at SSR (we own at BLT). I don't really love SSR. He thinks we should just get it for the points because they are cheaper and then use them for ressies elsewhere or even towards cruises which we like to do every other year.
I've always heard don't buy where you don't really want to stay......BUT does he have any validity to his argument? Help me see his point or tell him this isn't wise

Assuming nothing changes in regards to benefits if you buy resale then I would say Saratoga Springs is the way to go if you plan on using them for reservations that you make 7 months or less or for cruises.

Jason

 

[Dean]

DH thinks we should consider buying our add on at SSR (we own at BLT). I don't really love SSR. He thinks we should just get it for the points because they are cheaper and then use them for ressies elsewhere or even towards cruises which we like to do every other year.
I've always heard don't buy where you don't really want to stay......BUT does he have any validity to his argument? Help me see his point or tell him this isn't wise

Assuming any possible restrictions on resales don't affect the options you want to use points for, SSR resale is certainly the best value to use as a points cow for WDW trips due to cost, contract availability and exp date. Depending on how many points you have and how you'll use them, his logic makes the most sense for many situations. The exceptions might include if resale purchase rules change, you desire another home resort priority window that you'll actually use/need, you'd need to finance or if you have a smaller contract now. I'm also assuming you'd go resale for SSR points.

 

[coastiewifern]

Assuming any possible restrictions on resales don't affect the options you want to use points for, SSR resale is certainly the best value to use as a points cow for WDW trips due to cost, contract availability and exp date. Depending on how many points you have and how you'll use them, his logic makes the most sense for many situations. The exceptions might include if resale purchase rules change, you desire another home resort priority window that you'll actually use/need, you'd need to finance or if you have a smaller contract now. I'm also assuming you'd go resale for SSR points.

Thanks for the info. We have only a small 160 contract at BLT. I am not planning to finance. Our kids are 8 and 11 and thus far we have traveled in low season but this last trip we realized this will be difficult in the future. Schools are not real cooperative where we are and the make up work was difficult. I assume we'll mainly be traveling peak now. Our first trip home is planned for Thanksgiving week. I am thinking we can mainly use the extra points towards a cruise. We plan to wait until after Jan 1 to see if anything changes with the rules.
One question, if we have enough points for say 2 of us to cruise can we use points for 2 fares and cash for 2 fares?

 

[maburke]

One question, if we have enough points for say 2 of us to cruise can we use points for 2 fares and cash for 2 fares?

You can, but many people here will tell you that cruising is not a good value for your points. If you were to rent out your points for $10 each (minimum you can get for points well ahead of expiration), you could use that to cruise for cash. Also, if you pay for some people with points, your cash fares are fixed and may not be the best cash deals you can get. Now, many people here also say that it's not worth the trouble to rent, but for you at this point, it might be better to skip the add-on altogether and just put that cash toward cruising.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

If you're buying points for mostly cruising, don't. The ability to book cruises are based on very limited availabilty (most of 2011 is pretty much locked out), it is a perk that can be taken away and will continue to require more and more points.

 

[a742246]

DH thinks we should consider buying our add on at SSR (we own at BLT). I don't really love SSR. He thinks we should just get it for the points because they are cheaper and then use them for ressies elsewhere or even towards cruises which we like to do every other year.
I've always heard don't buy where you don't really want to stay......BUT does he have any validity to his argument? Help me see his point or tell him this isn't wise

If you book less then 7 months out then SSR is the way to go. "That saying don't buy where you don't really want to stay" I don't agree with. Why would you want to limit yourself to one resort. People change with age, people with young children may want BLT. People with teens may want SSR. Retirees may want OKW and couples without children may want BWV. Point is your
choices will probably change in the future.

Unless money is no issue buy where you believe you can get the most value.

Just my thought! Anyway enjoy!

 

[johde]

You mention you don't love SSR. But the bigger question is do you hate SSR. If you ended up needing to use your points at SSR would your vacation be ruined. I own at OKW. I like OKW, the grounds are great, room size can't be beat, but I travel solo most of the time, so I try to get into one of the other resorts at 7 months. If everything is booked up, I still enjoy OKW.

 

[SFD998]

One question, if we have enough points for say 2 of us to cruise can we use points for 2 fares and cash for 2 fares?

We did this exact thing back in October. Like others have said it isn't a good use of points, but we decided to do the cruise after we already had booked the trip. We noticed that a cruise fell right in the middle of our already planned stay and that the points we were using for the room would cover two of us on the cruise. Therefore, it made sense to us.

 

[bwvBound]

I don't really love SSR.

We've been happy with our 'unloved' SSR points. I'm pretty bonded with BWV as my favorite resort -- but multiple attempts to buy resale fell apart as did an eventual attempt to purchase direct from Disney (2004). We finally succumbed to a great sales package on SSR and are slowly warming up to them. Turns out they've worked quite well for reservations across the WDW property (mostly BWV). Not having much luck booking California ... but perhaps we'll fare better after the new-resort-smell wears off a bit or when more units are added.

Best wishes on your deliberations.

 

[wildernessDad]

They are all nice resorts and are worth trying.

My opinion is still to buy where you want to stay. Buy a place you personally love.

We don't own at OKW, but like it very much and stay there a few days per year. We have eaten at the Turf Club over in SSR and it's a great place to eat. SSR has a peaceful atomsphere that would be nice to come back to after a long day at the parks.

 

[DizGirl20]

Not to add to the confusion... but OKW is also a good deal. Esp the extended contracts. Just sayin'! Does OKW by any chance appeal to you more than SSR (in the event you decide to use the contract one day for onsite stays)?

We just went thru the same thought process and decided to stick with adding on at our home resort (AKV). Figured it would be easier to have all the points in one place. OK that's my 2 cents. Good Luck!

 

[coastiewifern]

Not to add to the confusion... but OKW is also a good deal. Esp the extended contracts. Just sayin'! Does OKW by any chance appeal to you more than SSR (in the event you decide to use the contract one day for onsite stays)?

We just went thru the same thought process and decided to stick with adding on at our home resort (AKV). Figured it would be easier to have all the points in one place. OK that's my 2 cents. Good Luck!

Stupid here...what is the extended contracts at OKW? We have eaten at OKW but have not toured around it. AKV does appeal to me. It is such a unique resort and very different from BLT. Seems to be some good prices there as well.

 

[LSchrow]

If you book less then 7 months out then SSR is the way to go. "That saying don't buy where you don't really want to stay" I don't agree with. Why would you want to limit yourself to one resort. People change with age, people with young children may want BLT. People with teens may want SSR. Retirees may want OKW and couples without children may want BWV. Point is your
choices will probably change in the future.

Unless money is no issue buy where you believe you can get the most value.

Just my thought! Anyway enjoy!

We loved BWVs from the first day we stayed ther, over 10 years ago (with children).despite staying at almost all the other DVCs and adding on at SSR (love it) and BCV (not fans - too chaotic for us), we love the BWVs even more. The only difference is that we consider BW view a neccessityit is also impossible to get for the FWF at 7 months, and difficult to get at other times. We wind up renting out our BCV points often - not What I had hoped for when making the purchase.
So I have to agree with the "buy where you love" adage, especailly with only 100 points. That won,t go very far with a BLT 1bdm in peak season.

 

[Plutofan]

If you will need the 4 month booking window then buy where you want to stay.

 

[Sandisw]

If you book less then 7 months out then SSR is the way to go. "That saying don't buy where you don't really want to stay" I don't agree with. Why would you want to limit yourself to one resort. People change with age, people with young children may want BLT. People with teens may want SSR. Retirees may want OKW and couples without children may want BWV. Point is your
choices will probably change in the future.

Unless money is no issue buy where you believe you can get the most value.

Just my thought! Anyway enjoy!

I do agree with you that if someone is okay staying different places and would not be disappointed with whatever resort was available, then buying for price is definitely the way to do.

We, however, bought for location. We considered DVC for years but never bought because we wanted to be within walking distance to MK, our favorite park. We only bought because BLT was built. For our family, where we stay is the #1 priority and having to stay elsewhere, unless it is our choice, would be disappointing.

So, for $5000 more, we got what we know we will love. We figure over the course of membership, we didn't really pay that much more to ensure we will be happy.

Of course, we can book at 11 months so can take advantage of the home resort booking period. And, we have tried VWL, BWV, and BCV and realized that BLT still remains #1.

IMO, though, I just don't think anyone should buy a resort that they know up front they don't like or its a place they prefer not to stay.

 

[disneynutz]

Your yearly WDW vacation will cost you a couple of thousand dollars in addition to your DVC costs. Spending that kind of money for the next 10 years, I want to stay at our favorite resort and not at a resort because it was cheaper to purchase.

Rules and policies do change at Disney as we have recently found out. How will you feel if Disney someday restricts you to only your home resort?

Bill

 

[SSRFred]

Thanks for the info. We have only a small 160 contract at BLT. I am not planning to finance. Our kids are 8 and 11 and thus far we have traveled in low season but this last trip we realized this will be difficult in the future. Schools are not real cooperative where we are and the make up work was difficult. I assume we'll mainly be traveling peak now. Our first trip home is planned for Thanksgiving week. I am thinking we can mainly use the extra points towards a cruise. We plan to wait until after Jan 1 to see if anything changes with the rules.
One question, if we have enough points for say 2 of us to cruise can we use points for 2 fares and cash for 2 fares?

Considering the size of your current contract, my suggestion would be to add on at BLT. It makes life simpler in terms of managing the points, especially if you plan on going when other kids are out of school and need the 11 month advantage.
On a yearly basis, BLT is better to convert for cruises - if you rent or if you pay dues on the points.
They do cost more but for the extra cost I'd rather have the convenience.