Buying at one DVC resort or two?

[disney-super-mom]

We want to buy between 210 - 230 resale points. Is it better to buy all the points for one DVC resort, or to split up the points buy purchasing two smaller resale contracts for two different resorts?

What is the benefit of having the same use year for two smaller contracts at two different DVC resorts?

As usual, thanks for all the great advice!

 

[canwegosoon]

If you are locked in to when you go(like a teacher), and really only like a certain resort, then I would wait for that one. Eventually the 11 month advantage will be huge(as the # of DVCer's grows competition at the 7 month window will grow too). If you are really flexible and don't need Grand Villas, then I really don't think it matters, and I would get SSR(for the added time).
The benefit of smaller contracts is they can be willed or sold off seperatly(eg 2 children 2-150 pt contracts, instead of 250 to one child). If you do a few add ons, as your needs change, you could sell them off.
(edited because I didn't consider the resale market)

 

[disney-super-mom]

For that amount you can only buy at one. I believe the min. purchase is 150 points per resort(you can then add on at a min of 25 points). If you are locked in to when you go, and really only like a certain resort, then I would wait for that one. Eventually the 11 month advantade will be huge. If you are really flexible and don't need Grand Villas, then I really don't think it matters, and I would get SSR.
The benefit of smaller contracts is they can be willed or sold off seperatly(eg 2 children 2-150 contracts, instead of 250 to one child). If you do a few add ons, as your needs change, you could sell them off.

I believe the 150 point minimum for an initial purchase is only if you buy through Disney. Sorry...I should have made it clear that we are going to buy resale contract or contracts. (I think I'll edit my initial post to make that clear).

 

[JimMIA]

We want to buy between 210 - 230 resale points. Is it better to buy all the points for one DVC resort, or to split up the points buy purchasing two smaller resale contracts for two different resorts?

I think there are actually two questions here. One -- is it better to have one contract or two? Two -- is it better to have one home resort or two?

Question One -- The advantage of having multiple contracts (as mentioned above) is that you can sell (or otherwise transfer) smaller contracts easier. However 230 points is not so large a contract that it would be difficult to sell, so I really think that's a moot point.

Question Two -- The only advantage of home resort is booking more than seven months out. Inside the seven month window, "points is points" and you can use them anywhere.

Keep in mind that you can utilize the 11 month window only with the points you own at that particular resort. So if you had 150 points one place and 75 somehwere else, you would only be able to book a 150 point ressie at one place and a 75-pointer at the other in the 11-month windows. Having said that, I have seen posts from folks who maintain small contracts at specific resorts just for the purpose of booking short stays during peak periods...and it works well for them.

Another consideration -- and it is not a trivial one -- is there are so many angles to all of this that it is entirely possible to overthink and overplan the whole thing. It might be better to get a really cool contract and just work with it.

What is the benefit of having the same use year for two smaller contracts at two different DVC resorts?

The only benefit is it makes your banking deadlines a little easier because you only have one set of dates to fixate on. However, if you use Caskbill's magical DVC planner software, that's all taken care of.

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With regard to the size of contracts, you are right -- the 150 minimum applies only to direct purchases from Disney. Resale contracts can be had as small as 25 points.

However, small contracts go quickly, so I'd recommend that you contact a large DVC broker (like TTS, the sponsor of this board) and give them the details of what you are looking for. They will put you on a call list, and will notify you when they find something that meets your needs. You'll get a shot at the contract before it gets advertised...which may be the ONLY way you get a smaller contract.

Good luck.

 

[disney-super-mom]

Thanks JimMIA, you answered my questions very well. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing some kind of key info.

I agree about the smaller contracts going quickly, and TTS is probably the ONLY way we'd be able to snag one of those.

I am getting a bit concerned about booking at the smaller resorts and being able to get in at the 7 month window if we buy an OKW resale contract. I really like the sound and looks of OKW. On the other hand, my DH likes the sounds and looks of VWL (harder to get into at 7 months).

If we bought 210-230 VWL points, how hard do you think it would be to get a 1 or 2 bedroom unit at OKW at the 7 month window? I guess in realty it doesn't matter since we know we'll have a great place to stay at the VWL with the 11 month booking advantage. We can always make ressies there at VWL 11 months out, and then call MS 7 months out to see if OKW has availability, and if they do we can always switch our ressie to OKW, right?

 

[DebbieB]

Your initial purchase direct from DVC has to be 150 points but you can buy direct at a second resort for a minimum of 25 points.

 

[iankh]

I own at 2 resorts VWL and OKW, both purchased via resale and both at good prices.

What it really comes down to is your booking preference and whether you think you will book at the 11 month window.

We can't necessarily plan that far out so a 7 month window works fine for us.