When I purchased my Vacation Club membership... I did not know much about it... Just purchased at SSR. After a few years of owner ship, this is what I suggest... Buy at SSR.
Then if you know 11 months ahead, say you know in March 2009 you are going to Disney. Then I would book your hotel at SSR. Then when it is exactly 7 months... call up and ask if there are any rooms available at the Beach Club Villa's.
I like the BCV the best so far, you can easliy walk to Epcot, you have the food options of the boardwalk, I am a big fan of the slide there (although at peak times not sure if we should be using). Also I found that the transportation there, seems to run faster then SSR.