Calling our guide today for first time

[Stimpy]

Thank you for all the info you have given me on these boards. We are seriously considering becoming DVC members in the next month or so. Later today, we're calling our guide with some questions.

Besides the obvious questions, do you have any suggestions as to what to ask about? We aren't too happy with buying into SSR b/c of the location.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

We aren't too happy with buying into SSR b/c of the location.

Then you should look at resales. Unless you want to buy from Disney for some reason, don't buy points at a place that you won't be happy with. 50 years (or even 39) is a long time.

HBC

 

[floridafam]

Ask if they hae any other resort to sell.

Someone posted on here they waitlisted to buy BCV and were only on the waitlist 2 days. I thought that it was a new purchase.

Don't buy at SSR if you are not going to be happy there. If you absolutely want something else, see what they can do for you.

Let us know what happens and good luck.

 

[InstImpres]

I thought here BCV and BWV points left according to the message on my guides machine. Did you ask for a specific use year? Are you flexible on that (but in way that might not put your points in jeopardy in the future)?

Good luck
Sandy

 

[Stimpy]

Oops! See how little I know about DVC! I thought everything was sold out except SSR. I just assumed that would be the only place we could buy right now. It's definately something we will ask. I'm encouraged to know that we might not be "stuck" with SSR afterall!

BTW, use year isn't determined by the month when you purchase? What is the advantage to picking a use year?

Is the rate per point the same as SSR for BWV and BCV?

I know I should be asking our guide this stuff and I will, but you have all been so helpful in the past! I get to ask you guys the stupid questions so I don't seem like such a dummy to the guide!

Thanks for your help! DH works nights so we're going to call later after he wakes up.

 

[minster22]

I bought 150 points at BWV yesterday and still got the MB offer. It was a March use year. I do not think there is much left there but would definately call your guide and ask all the questions you need to make it a decision you are both comfortable and happy with. I planned to buy a resale but it did not feel quite right and when I called DVC and got all the info, I bought.I have learned that if something does not feel right to look and see what that is about. This should be a purchase you are ecstatic about!!

 

[reneesam]

This is too big of an investment of time and money to be "stuck" with anything you don't absolutely love. Pick the home resort you want to stay at most and buy it- either Disney if available or via resale. Good luck!

Renee

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

BTW, use year isn't determined by the month when you purchase? What is the advantage to picking a use year?

Your use year only matters if you need to cancel your reservation at the last minute. If you cancel a reservation and you are in the first 6 months of your use year, you can bank the points to the next year and nothing will be lost. If you normally travel in February, a February or December use year would be good. A March use year would be very bad if you had to do a last minute cancelation because your points would end up being lost most likely.

Good luck,
HBC

 

[Disney Doll]

As far as where to buy, buy where you want to stay. If you aren't thrilled with the propect of SSR, then talk to the guide about BCV or BWV...I think they still have some points left at either of those properties as well.

Use year is important from a cancellation aspect. Try and get a use year that is close to when you usually travel, as Happy Birthday Cat explained.

When DH and I were first buying into the DVC, there was only OKW and BWV to pick from(it was 1997). We looked at both locations, both properties, room size, amenities, cost. OKW was less expensive per point than BWV and the dues were also less. Basically, what DH and I said was that if we could never stay anywhere else again on WDW property except for our home resort, could we be happy at OKW? The answer was yes. Could we be happy at BWV? The answer was yes. Since we were equally happy with either place, we chose OKW based on cost.

If you think OKW or VWL would be more to your taste, then look at the resale market. I would also look at the resale market for BWVs, although I don't know that there are too many BWV resales that are getting through anymore. I think the DVC snaps them up and then resells them, as is happening now.

Factors to think about:
1. Resort Location-OKW is a little off the beaten path, very relaxing and laid back. BCV/BWV are right in the heart of things, busier, but you are close to 2 main parks plus a great entertainment area in the boardwalk. VWL is close to the MK, a very serene resort. I always feel very calm and restful there. SSR will be close to DD and golf, with a heck of a spa facility. Are you the type that likes a quiet vacation, and the ability to go to some excitement if you feel like it? If so, look at OKW or VWL. Are you the type who likes to be right in the thick of things? If so, BCV/BWV are proably better choices. Like shopping, golf, spas? Then SSR would weigh heavily.
2.Resort Characteristics-
***OKW has the largest rooms square foot-wise.You park your car near your unit, and it's more of a condo style set-up...exterior entrances, rather than a hotel-style set-up with interior entrances. The main pool area is nice, but there are no fancy slides etc. There is a good kiddie pool area and a decent playground. They also have 3 quiet pools. All pools have hot tubs. They have a restaurant, a couple of snack bars, a little bar, a store, boat rental, bike rental, a little boat that takes you from OKW to DD. Bus service to all other parks, or drive your car. It's built on a golf course, and is nicely landscaped, so pretty much every room has a nice view of either the golf course or nice foliage. It is decorated in sort of a tropical, beachy theme...peach, green, lilac...pastel colors.
***BCV has smaller rooms than OKW, but amply sized for a vacation condo, IMHO. It's a hotel style set-up, so you either self park your car in the main parking lot and walks a ways, or you valet park for free. We choose to valet when we stay there. The main pool, Stormalong Bay, is like no other hotel pool on WDW property.It is like a mini water park. Pool hopping in NOT allowed to SAB. They also have sevral quiet pools and each pool has a hot tub...I think SAB has a couple of hot tubs. There are several restaurants in the Yacht Club/Beach Club complex, all of which are quite good. Of course, you also have all of the restaurants on the boardwalk to choose form, since you are within walking distance there. Boat and bike rental is available. Boat or walk to Epcot and MGM, bus to all other parks. Most rooms have a decent view of either Epcot, the pool, or a wooded area. Some rooms have a view of the back of the resort and the road...not as good, but view isn't a big issue with me. If it is an issue with you, you have to remember to request a view. It is decorated in a very beachy these...light and airy...lots of pastels.
***BWV has rooms sized like BCV. Again, IMHO, amply sized for a vacation condo. Parking similar to BCV-free valet or self-park and walk a ways. The main pool, Luna Park, has a neat slide that looks like an old-fashioned wooden roller coaster and at the end you come flying out a clown's mouth. They also have a couple of quiet pools and all have hot tubs. You have your choice of restaurants on the boardwalk, at the YC/BC, and even over at the Swan and Dolphin, since they are within walking distance as well. Most of the views are decent here...some better than others naturally. You can have a boardwalk view, a water view, or a view of the front entrance...the last time we stayed there we had a view of the front entrance which I actually liked because when I sat out on the deck, I enjoyed watching all the activity, and at night they way they light it up is beautiful. Again, view not a huge issue for me, but if it is for you, you need to request it. You can rent boats and bikes. Boat or walk to MGM and Epcot, bus everywhere else.Decorated in a sort of nautical, seashore theme...lots of blue and very pretty.
***VWL has rooms sized as the BWV/BCV...smaller than OKW, but amply sized for a vacation condo. Parkig as at the BWV/BCV. The main pool is very pretty, rocky with waterfalls and bubbling areas. It has a geyser that erupts every so often, which is kind of neat. The VWL also has a quiet pool. You can rent boats, bikes etc, and they have some nice grounds to explore. Boat to MK, bus to all other parks. They have a couple of restaurants and a snack bar. Most views are generally good...water,woods, or pool for the most part. Decorated in a very rustic manner, deep jewel tones, but very nicely done IMHO.
3. Cost-OKW has the cheapest dues, so if everything else about the resort appeals to you, give it careful consideration. However, don't make cost your only consideration.

Anyhow, hopefully the info is helpful to you. Feel free to PM me if I can help you any further. You will find a lot of info here on the DIS too!

 

[JimC]

Buy where you want to stay is important only if the 11 month booking window is important. And that is only important at certain times of the year and for certain sized units.

You can stay at any of the resorts with any resort ownership. The home resort advantage is only meaningful to be able to book between 7 and 11 months out. If you will book 7 months or less in advance or don't need grand villas, then buying where it costs you the least is the proper strategy. That would likey be OKW (cheapest dues and generally the lowest price resale on property). When we did the anlaysis, the higher dues of VB (off-site beach resort) offset its typical price advantage over OKW within 5 - 15 years depending on a range of reasonable assumptions.

 

[N.Bailey]

I too am in the same boat as you are. We're trying to decide if the DVC is for us or not. We're leaning towards a purchase, but we just are hesitant to make the commitment.

Anyway, I see that you're from NY and don't take this as the gospel, but I believe I've read that you cannot buy into the DVC from NY. You might have to make the trek to Florida to make your purchase.

I'm not sure where PA stands on this issue though, but I've asked in another thread and so far, I've not really gotten a response. I might be in the same boat as you for a purchase in the end too.

If I am not correct in what I've said here, I would very much appreciate it if someone would correct me. I just think this is pretty important information that the OP would maybe need in helping make a decision.

Best Wishes!
Nancy

 

[Stimpy]

Thank you all very much! We talked to our guide for about an hour....poor guy! (My DH is even less informed than I am about DVC) We are on a wait list for BCV with a March use year. We could have had it with a December use year, but we couldn't sell back the points and needed to use all 210 points by this December.

Nancy, yes I was worried about that but he said we New Yorkers could do it through the mail with no problem.

I knew I could count on my fellow DIS'ers!

BTW, our guide was talking about stuff and since I had so much information he knew I was a member of a "certain disney site". I thought that was pretty funny.

 

[Scratch42]

Stimpy - "We could have had it with a December use year, but we couldn't sell back the points and needed to use all 210 points by this December."

Could you explain this statement. If I am reading this correctly, If I bought this year with a December Use Year, I would have to use my points now?

My thing is now that DD is getting older and don't want to take her out of school, most likely will have to travel either during March Break or between Christmas and New Years. Which use year would be better? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Disney Doll - Thank you for your information, great! Any on the new SSR?

TIA Everybody

Scratch

 

[JimC]

To bank your points on an original contract you need to be within the banking windows. A december use year can bank 100% of points until 5/31 and 50% of points until 8/31 and 25% of points until 9/30.

 

[Gail & Joe]

N.BAILEY

Yes you can make your purchase through the mail in Penna. That is how we did ours. Just called our guide, made a deposit and signed and returned the paperwork. Very painless.

 

[nisiemouse]

Stimpy: Was Dec the only use year left for BCV? They still had 3 or 4 years left when we were down about 10 days ago.
Hope you get your March use year.

 

[Stimpy]

I think the December was the only year left. They did have wait lists for March and I think February. We thought about taking Dec but there was no way we could get a trip in between now and then. We already have a trip planned for Sept w/ 3 days at WL and 4 nt DCL

I was up all night from the stress! ALthough we can definately afford it, I don't like to spend alot of money all at once. My DH on the other hand has no problem with buying whatever he wants. We balance each other out. LOL

It's amazing what you start worrying about at 4AM. I kept thinking weird concerns, like our trip in September will be the last trip I ever get someone else to clean up after us! No more Mickey soap! No more towel animals!

 

[nisiemouse]

Stimpy: Dh commented on our last trip that he actually likes not having housekeeping coming in every day.
If you do miss it you can always reserve a couple of nights at your old favorite resort from time to time (maybe on the high point weekend nights).
I have absolutely no regrets and there are lots of other people who feel the same way. I hope everything works out for you.
Oh, and you still get Mickey soap (and they gave us extras on Trash/Towel day in the middle of our stay).