Buying resale Vs. New???

[fsubigdogs]

I am currently looking to purchase the DVC and don't know if i should buy a resale or buy from disney. I also do not understand why you should "Buy where you want to stay" if you can stay at any of the dvc. Can someone make this more clear before my wife and i get a divorce over this thing. Thanks

 

[CRobin]

In an nutshell, you can book ressies at your home resort (where you bought the points) at 11 months out, versus 7 months out for a "non home" resort. This can get you shut out of your desired accomodations because "home owners" have a 4 month booking advantage.

Alot of this has to do with your flexibility, what season, and what size of villa you would want to book.

Buying resale versus Disney gets you access to "sold out" resorts, but you will have to pay (or negotiate) closing costs of around $475. Once you buy, a member is a member, resale or direct.

BTW - Welcome!

 

[DVC@BWV]

Can someone make this more clear before my wife and i get a divorce over this thing.

 

[HookdonWDW]

There are several reasons why most of us say that you should "buy where you want to stay".

The first is the fact that you get an 11 month window at your home resort v. the 7 month window at other resorts. If you travel at peak DVC periods (which are not the same as the peak periods for the non-DVC resorts), this window is very important. It also matters if you want something that is limited like a GV, a standard view at the BW, a room at HH during the summer, WLV during Christmas, a 2BR w/ 2Q beds at BCV, access to SAB, etc...

Secondly, there is no guarantee that you will always be able to book at a resort you don't own. The more DVC grows, the more people will be competing for a limited # of rooms. This especially applies to the smaller resorts, which have less availability to begin with. Also, in the event that DVC were to sell off one of the resorts, you would no longer be entitled to trade into/ out of that resort unless a specific arrangement was made.

Third, there is the dues structure. Just because a resort looks like it's cheaper when you're buying in (Ex. - VB), you may pay more in the long run through dues. In the long run, it will cost you more to own at VB and trade into an onsite resort than it would have cost you to buy onsite in the first place.

The last thing I can think of is length of contract. Some people like that they are buying a longer contract at SSR, although that isn't a selling factor for us. I would rather own for a shorter period of time, and be able to stay at the places we really love - and if my membership ends at 74, instead of 87 I'll be glad to have my great grandchildren purchase a membership we can mooch off

 

[fsubigdogs]

Do you thing SSR is not going to be a good resort. What are the determining factors for the location of your home resort?

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by fsubigdogs
Do you thing SSR is not going to be a good resort. What are the determining factors for the location of your home resort?

All of the DVC resorts are great places to stay. I think SSR will continue the tradition. No reason to think otherwise. Each resort has its own uniques features and charm. I

Which one to choose? It really boils down to personal preference.

However, if you are buying DVC mainly to visit WDW, it's best to choose one of the WDW DVC resorts due to the 11 month home resort booking advantage already mentioned. Other than that - buy the one that you like the best!

For us, that was BWV. We really liked the ability to walk (or boat) to two of the parks and the proximity to the Boardwalk nightlife and many restaurant choices. The standard view option (less points to book) was also a plus.

In summary, my advice is to visit as many of the resorts as you can manage and then buy the one that you like the best!

Good luck -

P.S. It's not worth getting a divorce over!

 

[dmoore22]

Ditto on the previous comments. Resales can be a better deal depending on whether there are banked points and how many banked points, is the seller willing to pay any or all of the closing costs or will the seller assume the balance of the yearly dues? We were fortunate in that we found a deal with banked points and an add-on in which the seller covered the annual dues. Without the banked points it would have been more cost effective to purchase through Disney taking advantage of the Magical Beginnings and no closing costs. On the other hand my DW and kids really wanted OKW as our home resort which would have meant waiting if we went through DVC. Short answer: we are happy with our decision.

 

[DrTomorrow]

SSR is going to be a GREAT resort!!! ('cause we bought there )

Seriously, absent the extra 12 years, there are both personal and practical considerations. If there's a resort that you just lurv to stay at because it just clicks, there you go. In addition, there are things like location - which park(s) is/are nearby, unit-type availability, entertainment opportunities, and - yes, Rich - room size. Some may suggest that you base your choice on your current situation ("got kids, go VWL for MK", "laid back - go OKW") but keep in mind that things change.

Best of luck!

 

[HookdonWDW]

Originally posted by fsubigdogs
Do you thing SSR is not going to be a good resort. What are the determining factors for the location of your home resort?

I think that SSR will be a great resort. As CarolMN stated so well, each resort has it's own charm.

For us, we prefer BCVs for the proximity to Epcot and access to SAB, and VWL for the closeness to MK, and the feeling we get when we're there during the Christmas holidays. We love the decor at both of the resorts. We like that they are close to the action, yet both have that isolated feel. We like that they are attached to hotels, and share ammenities with them.

Check out all of the resorts, and I'm sure you will find the one/ones that are a perfect fit for you and your family!

 

[fsubigdogs]

OK... What is SAB??? I guess i need to learn all these codes.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by fsubigdogs
OK... What is SAB??? I guess i need to learn all these codes.

It's short for Storm-Along-Bay. That's the name of the pool area for the Yacht Club, Beach Club and Beach Club Villas. It's more like a mini-waterpark than a pool.

Here's a link to the more commonly used abbreviations on the DIS:

Abbreviations

Don't worry about memorizing them - just spend lots of time on the boards. You'll be a veteran in no time!

 

[HookdonWDW]

Hey... I just looked at the list of abbreviations, and noticed that BCV and SAB are both missing. I think that the DIS is discriminating against Beach Club Villa owners! They have CMs listed as Chef Mickey's, but no CM or CMC for Cape May Cafe. I demand equal representation!!!

 

[fsubigdogs]

Please keep posting opinions it is really helping us. We are currently getting darts and throwing them at the dvc book in order to decide where to purchase. We have a 1 year old and are just amazed at all the choices of locations and amenities to concider in our purchase. We would of never thought of half of these considerations. My wife loves the boardwalk area and i just love it all. Boy good thing we are going to buy this thing... I need a Vacation after all this....

 

[dmoore22]

"Storm Along Bay"

 

[jarestel]

I think if you buy where you most enjoy staying, you won't go wrong. ( And it could save you the cost of an add-on later to get the 11-month window you might not have thought all that important initially. ) 38 years is a LONG time and unless you're very young right now, I wouldn't assume the extra 12 years at SSR is going to be much of a long term factor. If you like OKW, BWV, VWL, or BCV don't let those 12 less years deter you from buying there. ( Not that SSR will be bad, I think it will be great! I'm just trying to emphasize the "buy where you most like to be" point. ) Bottom line is any choice is great, so you really can't go wrong even using the dart method!

 

[CRobin]

Originally posted by fsubigdogs
My wife loves the boardwalk area and i just love it all.

You and me both!

Our first contract was at OKW, which we bought sight unseen. We have stayed there a number of times, but DW really like the Boardwalk, so that's where we went with contracts 2 and 3.

Aother thing to consider is that with a baby you could probably get by for awhile with just a studio (until you try out a 1BR )

If you've got flexible travel plans, you'll generally find studio availability is good and this gives you a better chance of trying out all of the resorts, even at the 7 month window.

Good Luck!

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by fsubigdogs
Do you thing SSR is not going to be a good resort. What are the determining factors for the location of your home resort?

SSR, by all accounts, will be another outstanding DVC resort. You have to remember, that many of the people on this board have been DVC owners for quite a while, and SSR was not around when they bought in. For many, neither was BCV nor VWL, depending on when they bought.

The determining factors for the location of a home resort?

For us, first and foremost, was how the place made you feel when you were there. So theming and decor were very important to us, and VWL fit us to a tee.

For others, location will be the most important. BCV and BWV are routinely touted (rightly so) as being the best location with convenient walks to two parks. VWL is the closest to MK and the boat ride is an attraction all by itself to the little ones!

Others put a premium on size of accommodation units, or ability to park next to your room. Or some peace and quiet after a hectic day at the parks. Thus OKW has a legion of fans who love that wonderful resort. And SSR fits that bill as well.

I'd suggest making a list of what is most important to you as far as where you stay at WDW. Have your spouse do the same and compare.


And feel free to come here and post questions. You've got literally hundreds of DVC owners here more than willing to share their knowledge and opinions.

 

[dmoore22]

Originally posted by jarestel
Bottom line is any choice is great, so you really can't go wrong even using the dart method!

Ain't that the truth! No matter which resort you choose you will see, do, and learn something that you didn't know before. There is always something new to discover on each visit to the resorts. Look at your situation and consider what will be best for you. We have our six kids ranging from 10 to 30 that accompany us. Five girls and one boy. (Never enough bathrooms!) There is something for all of them plus mom and dad. We had visited WDW several times plus took the DVC tour before making the plunge. We used the DVC planner software from Caskbill to try different vacation scenarios to see what would work with our budget and still have a relatively long visit to WDW. This may be a subject for debate but we found that we were actually spending less, staying in much nicer accomodations, and doubled the length of our visits for a little less than half of what we spent at two studios in the All-Star Resorts to stay half the length of time. Plus I use the property tax part of our dues as a deduction on our state and federal income tax. I've not been audited yet!