Buying SSR thru Disney vs. buying VWL resale

[tinkwishes]

If I buy through Disney st SSR. What are the odds that I could stay at the other DVC places? Are we talking slim here? I really like VWL. I know ppl keep saying buy where you stay but, I really would like to buy through Disney and it looks like SSR is it.

 

[gottagodisney]

I am new to all of this but wanted to respond to let you know you have a 'soul sister' out there.

Your question is my predicament. I (along with hubby) are die hard VWL fans and sooo want to stay there again....BUT, don't have resources for resale (cash) and I desperately want in to the DVC like yesterday!

I have received varying answers to this question....mostly people say at the present time not much trouble getting ressies at VWL 7 months out, but in the future as SSR expands (ie more people in the system-more competing for the smaller resorts like VWL, BC, and BW- it would get harder for ressies.

Going from responses on this board it appears that if you would not mind staying other places once in awhile if VWL is full , then SSR would be ok.

There is still that gnawing feeling at me though as if I got something I didn't really want (home base not WL) although logically speaking it doesn't really matter because essentially you own them all.

 

[cruise-o-matic]

The mantra on this board is "Buy where you want to stay". So if you want to improve your chances of getting VWL in December and other popular times, buy VWL resale. Otherwise, you'll be competing with non-VWL owners, myself included, when the 7 month window opens.

Now, that being said, you may be able to get VWL directly through Disney. I think I read somewhere on these boards that non-prior DVC owner (ie not adding on to an existing contract) was able to get VWL points from DVC at $89. I believe there is a waitlist, but maybe they have some in inventory with a UY that does not have a current waitlist. (Please don't hold me to this but is worth giving them a call to see if this is possible.)

Buying directly from DVC gets you on the system immediately.

If you go resale and want to stay in VWL this December, start now. If you pass ROFR, you should be closed and on the DVC system by the end of March. The 7 month window won't open til May. If a villa is not available, at least you'll be higher up the waitlist.

 

[doodle]

We just bought a VWL resale because we were very concerned that because DVC is growing, more members may mean it will get harder to book the smaller resorts at the 7 month window. No one can say for sure but we were worried that as DVC grows, we might get shut out of VWL at Christmas if we didn't own there.

As for buying VWL directly from Disney, we tried twice to get information on that and both times were told "only SSR is for sale". I'm in no way doubting that it is possible to buy other resorts through Disney (as first time purchase not an add-on), it's just I couldn't get the info. from them.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[cherie68]

If I buy through Disney st SSR. What are the odds that I could stay at the other DVC places? Are we talking slim here? I really like VWL. I know ppl keep saying buy where you stay but, I really would like to buy through Disney and it looks like SSR is it.

Hi new to this too... We were in Disney 2 weeks ago and thought of buying from them came home got our stuff in the mail and joined this DIS board, we were thinking resale vs new too. Just wanted to know is you got any father with you mission?

 

[bongo59]

if VWL is the goal for Dec i think you must own it..........but i am an owner there and i will tell you we rarely stay there any longer.........we like other properties.........but if you want VWL other time syou'll have no problems getting it.........my BIL got VWL for thanksgiving in 04 on 3 weeks waitlist................for a 1 bedroom

 

[cherie68]

if VWL is the goal for Dec i think you must own it..........but i am an owner there and i will tell you we rarely stay there any longer.........we like other properties.........but if you want VWL other time syou'll have no problems getting it.........my BIL got VWL for thanksgiving in 04 on 3 weeks waitlist................for a 1 bedroom

Bongo, if you buy oct vs august those are your annversary right doesn't mean that is when you got to go

 

[Tink10]

We were faced with this same predicament....We love BWV and wanted to spend the majority of our time there. We are in the middle of purchasing a small (25 point) contract at the BWV and had the intention of doing small add ons periodically. At the same time, we were torn with buying from Disney because of the SSR point promo, the extra 12 years, the lower dues & the ease of purchase through them. Not to mention, we love the rooms, and feel that it may be a better resort chouce for us once our DD goes to college.....

Well, after a major family pow-wow, we discussed our original plan and my DD & DH decided that while, yes, we would like to stay at BWV as much as possible when we visit, we'd also like to try the other DVC resorts as well.

We all concluded that not one of us would be devistated if there was no availability at the BWV and we had to stay elsewhere....We're the type of people that are just thankful to even be at WDW....

So, we ended up purchasing SSR from Disney, and are still going with the little BWV contract as well.....We're waiting on ROFR right now & should hear back any day now....If Disney chooses to ROFR.....great, we'll buy more SSR points, if they don't....great, we'll buy more BWV points.

So, the bottom line is.....If where you stay is your primary concern, buy that resort.....If not.....go with SSR.....

 

[bongo59]

your UY will affects only the 11 and 7 month windows and banking times........ie. six months from UY will be banking time.........if you want early DEC 1-17 youll need a FEB use yr............that UY is ideal for DEC bookings............July 31 will be your banking time decision..........

 

[bongo59]

look the last post makes alot of sense...........i would buy SSR too based upon the 12 yrs alone..........but remember i also bought in 91 and my original contract 14 yrs out is worth double what i paid in 91 at OKW and i got 14 yrs of free vacations and 9 yrs of free park admissions assuming i sold now..........I WONT..........but that extra 12 yrs makes too much sense to me if i am new to DVC...........i would worry about staying at other places after i become a seasoned DVCer first............you'll change alot after a while..............so will your vacation needs..........and then when your fully into DVC you'll wind up like us..........owning 7 resorts and never know how it all really happened or why??? LOL.............it is just great to do.......just buy it..........if you need financing buy disney..........if you got cash buy a resale...............

 

[cherie68]

your UY will affects only the 11 and 7 month windows and banking times........ie. six months from UY will be banking time.........if you want early DEC 1-17 youll need a FEB use yr............that UY is ideal for DEC bookings............July 31 will be your banking time decision..........

We would go Nov. or Jan so the UY or ann. is Oct. OKW and at SSS is in Aug. So you can only bank for six month I thought you could do 1 year?

 

[Tink10]

Thanks Bongo!

It's nice to make sense & not be thought of as a "stupid newbie"

 

[bongo59]

We would go Nov. or Jan so the UY or ann. is Oct. OKW and at SSS is in Aug. So you can only bank for six month I thought you could do 1 year?

banking has three main dates..........6 months out you cna bank 100% of your points then it the next two it goes to 50% then 25% and below 60 days you cant bank...........but instead of banking you can deposit your points in II and save them for two yrs but hey must be used in an II booking and can not come back to a DVC resort............so if OCT and JAn are your times and you want the 11 month window.........for oct a DEC UY is what you want or a March UY for Jan..........i hope that makes sense..............

 

[DisneyBill]

I just want to make certain you understand the UY has zero bearing on when you can make your reservation. Unless of course you've borrowed all your points up through the time of your planned vacation. 11 0r 7 only applies to the checkout date of your trip.

Having your UY far enough from the last day of cancelling a ressie without penality (30 days I think), so you "can bank 100% if you want" from the normal time of year you vacation, is the only real time UY comes into play. Think of UY as your scheduled payday.

OMT, if you borrowed points for a ressie, and cancel the reservation, you cannot bank those borrowed points.

 

[Synonymous]

I just this minute got off the phone with a DVC guide after I called to ask about an add-on at VWL. He told me there are practically no points available at VWL, BCV or BWV and that it is very rare that there ever are any.

I suppose it's possible he was trying to push me into SS, but there's no way to know.

Also, he said the "waitlist" requires you to pay them the required downpayment (10%) and they will hold it in case points ever become available. Doesn't sound like a very good deal.

 

[bongo59]

they are not lying.........i have family in DVC management and thos eresorts are tough ...........Disney is buying back a ton of BCV now on ROFR to satisfy their own wait list............VWL are also pretty rare..........you need to contact someone at the TTS to tell them what you want and buy it right away

 

[salvatorejrm]

I understand the whole buy where you want to stay mentality but we are the type of people that could stay in any DVC resort and be happy. They each offer something a little different and they are all beautiful. I think with the way the resale market is going and with the prices being driven up the only real deal on the resale market is Vero. If I wanted to buy an onsite resort I would buy Saratoga for the extra 12 years and the close proximity to DTD. If you ever go to sell the extra 12 years will come in handy. JMHO

 

[bongo59]

cant say i disagree but if you want WDW never buy VB............i'd buy SSR over VB or HH any day.............those resorts should only be bought for the need to go there alone..............

 

[ErinC]

We own VWL, but we'll be trying out SSR in a few days!! We love the lodge, and so far it has been our favorite DVC, but we still have a couple more to test out. If you really need to use Disney financing than SSR will be your choice. We used Disney, and it has been great. I did want to mention, that just because you don't have cash, doesn't mean you can't do resale. I know I've heard mention of a company called Tammac, that finances timeshares, and if possible you could consider a home equity loan. I have no idea what the finance fees are with tammac, I just wanted to mention it as a possibility. I also am not sure how many points you intend to purchase, but you could buy an SSR minimum (150 points), and then get on the waitlist through Disney for an add on for VWL. That way you would have some points at VWL for those hard to get ressie's like December, and other Holiday periods. Even a small 50 point contract at VWL could be banked and borrowed for a total of 150 points to be used to secure your reservation at VWL at 11 months. I hope this isn't confusing you. Best of luck with your decision! We initially bought 170 points, it's not near enough! Frankly, I'd buy at any of the DVC resorts just to have more points. For us, we just love being there, so the resort is not the most important thing. Your family may care more about where your staying, if it makes or breaks the trip, than by all means buy where you want to stay. Good luck with your decision.

 

[tamu91]

If I buy through Disney st SSR. What are the odds that I could stay at the other DVC places? Are we talking slim here? I really like VWL. I know ppl keep saying buy where you stay but, I really would like to buy through Disney and it looks like SSR is it.

We were in your shoes 5 months ago and you can see what we ended up with. We had few other options because resale contracts five months ago were going under $70/pt but that's no longer the option.
There are several things you have to consider as others have mentioned before me. If you have your heart DEATH SET on VWL, I would buy VWL because it IS the smallest DVC property. That said, I wouldn't buy a resale over $77-$78. IMO, resale stops making sense above $78. After you add the closing cost, unless you're getting a LOADED contract, SSR starts looking mightly cheap @ $85. And extra 12 years to boot. I'm sure that's what Disney had in mind when they hiked the prices last year, sellout SSR and fuel the resale market.