Can't decide on 2nd Home Resort!

[jelliott04]

Hi all. We already own at AKV which we purchased through Disney. We want to purchase a resale contract. We love AKV. However we like the setup of the 1br OKW too and their points are much less expensive.

I had decided we'd look for a contract with the same UY at OKW, since we like OKW and we can get more points for the $$. However, I noticed that the SSR is around the same price and the contract is longer.

Now I'm in a quandary. We didn't much care for the SSR studio when we had to use our bonus points however the point of the extra points is so that we can stay in a 1BR. I've looked online and SSR and OKW seems to be setup pretty much the same setup in the 1BR.

So what am I missing? OKW or SSR?

Jen

 

[got4boys]

I had the same issue in deciding on which one I wanted when I was buying my first contract on resale. (Still in process).

OKW or SSR? Both about the same price, OKW had bigger rooms, SSR had longer expiration use year (2054 versus 2042). I took into consideration that OKW studios had 2 queen size beds versus the bed and pull out sofa. SSR had lower maintenance fees, OKW took less points.

OKW had very convenient parking right in front of the villas.

I also took into consideration my age in 2042 and 2054.

I, personally, ended up choosing OKW.

Peg

 

[nolanboys]

We just bought a resale contract this past spring. DH insisted on SSR because of the longer contract and cheaper dues. He also wanted the booking advantage for the THV. We have stayed at OKW twice before becoming members and we loved it. I wan leaning towards OKW because of the cheaper points, and wanting the 11 mo booking advantage for the GV when are kids are older and have their own families. DH wanted the THV because it fits our family's needs now. Since I was the one who was pushing DVC, I let him make the final call. If we add on, it will most likely be OKW. It really was a tough call, so I understand your dilemma.

 

[friends with mickey]

There are OKW contracts with a 2057 end that are available from time to time. Let the resale broker you are working with know that you would like the extended contract for OKW. If you are not looking ASAP and are patient you will get one. We have owned at OKW since 1992 and enjoy the larger rooms and feeling of the resort. SSR is wonderful as well and we will be staying there in about a month. As has been said on this board many times, pick the place you would like to stay at the most and go for it.

 

[jekjones1558]

I've looked online and SSR and OKW seems to be setup pretty much the same setup in the 1BR.

Actually the SSR 1 bedrooms are NOT like OKW 1 bedrooms. They are much smaller, more like BWV, BCV, VWL, etc. SSR is a very nice resort but you will be disappointed if you think that the 1 bedrooms are anything like OKW.

Most of our points are at BWV (we love the BW view rooms), but we also have points at OKW so that we have the 11 month window to book a GV there if we wish. GVs at OKW are a huge bargain. That is about the only villa size that you can't book at 7 months at OKW.

The initial point buy-in cost is obviously important but be sure to consider whether you would want the 11 month booking advantage at any particular resort. As DVC gets bigger the home booking window will continue to be more and more of an issue.

Good luck!

 

[csharpwv]

Why not both?!?!?!?

We own at three resorts - AKV, BLT, and SSR. We added our much smaller SSR contract for access to THV as well.

We just recently stayed at OKW for the first time - and in all honesty I think if we had stayed at OKW before SSR - I think we may have bought OKW instead of SSR.

We REALLY liked OKW - and only 'kinda' like SSR - but the ability to stay at the THV and make a reservation at 11 months was our (OK - I admit - MY) main motivation was to have access to the THV's.

I think if I were you I would buy an OKW contract that expires in 2057. The OKW rooms are so much larger - the resort has so much more of a secluded, laid back, and relaxed feeling.

I have not seen a OKW Grand Villa first hand - but I have seen a SSR Grand Villa and they are pretty incredible - so in the end....

Good luck in making your decision!

 

[brenalexacamp]

isn't it an aweful dilemma to be in? lol we are so lucky!

 

[Sandisw]

As far as expiration, you are talking about something that doesn't come in to play for 32!

Buy know at the resort that you want. OKW has the cheapest GV on property and I think you really need to own there for those. While those are not on your radar right now, they could be down the road.

If you know you are going to like being at OKW, then I say go there. As PP mentioned, there are some extended contracts out there so you can try to search for one of those, but I personally would not worry too much about that.

Good luck!

 

[CarolMN]

Actually the SSR 1 bedrooms are NOT like OKW 1 bedrooms. They are much smaller, more like BWV, BCV, VWL, etc. SSR is a very nice resort but you will be disappointed if you think that the 1 bedrooms are anything like OKW.

Some other things to consider:

Once the OKW rehab is complete (currently going on), the OKW 1 bedrooms will sleep 5. They are adding the sleep chair in the living room. OKW has a separate laundry room with full size washer & dryer. The laundry room is large enough so that an infant in a Pac 'n Play can have his/her own "bedroom", LOL. The other DVC resorts have a stacked washer & dryer in a closet.

Be sure to look at the maintenance fees as well as the initial purchase price. SSR's fees for 2010 are less - $ 0.41 less per point. An 11 month advantage ar SSR will enable you to book a THV (a 3 bedroom for the same points as a 2 bedroom).

Unless you think you will need the 11 month window to book a Grand Villa or THV, my advice is to buy the add on for AKV, your current home resort. OKW & SSR are almost always available at the 7 month window. Remember that with different home resorts, you cannot combine your points until the 7 month window.

Have fun deciding and once you do decide, resist the urge to second guess yourself.

 

[jelliott04]

An 11 month advantage ar SSR will enable you to book a THV (a 3 bedroom for the same points as a 2 bedroom).

I didn't realize that the THV were the same points as a 2BR. I always just figured that they were the same as a GV because of the 3BR. Interesting.

my advice is to buy the add on for AKV, your current home resort. OKW & SSR are almost always available at the 7 month window. Remember that with different home resorts, you cannot combine your points until the 7 month window.

See, the difference is somewhat significant though. If I am looking at 100 point add on, then the difference between AKV and OKW is at least $2000.

Thanks for your responses. I still don't know what to do. I know the "perfect" contract came a little over a month ago (extended OKW and stacked) I happen to be looking at my phone since we were driving and called immediately but didn't want to make a rash decision and missed it.

Jen

 

[DenLo]

I still believe in the adage, buy where you want to stay. If you want to stay at OKW buy there.

The 1BR villas might have the same configuration, but the OKW villa is much bigger in the living room especially. Here's the square footage for the two 1BRs.

OKW - 942
SSR - 714

If the ending date of the contract really bothers you, look for an extended OKW contract. The resale stores label the contracts that have the extension. And if you buy direct from Disney then you would buy the extended contract. But keep in mind it is much cheaper to buy resale.

 

[McCrae]

If I was in your position I wouldn't buy a second home resort.

From reading your post it sounds like you want to stay at a 1BR rather than a studio.

If you split your resorts you won't be able to take advantage of the 11 month booking window to book a 1BR.

If booking early is not an option for you and you don't mind playing the 7 month availability lottery I don't think it matters what location you buy at. I would decide based on the cheapest price per point and annual dues.

Hope you find a contract that works for you.

 

[jelliott04]

The 1BR villas might have the same configuration, but the OKW villa is much bigger in the living room especially. Here's the square footage for the two 1BRs.

OKW - 942
SSR - 714

I looked at the photo's online and the layout looked the same but I didn't look at the Sq Ft! Thanks for that info.

Jen

 

[DizGirl20]

If I was in your position I wouldn't buy a second home resort.

From reading your post it sounds like you want to stay at a 1BR rather than a studio.

If you split your resorts you won't be able to take advantage of the 11 month booking window to book a 1BR.

FWIW, I agree! I just went through the same dilemma. We bought into AKV last year. We stayed at BCV this past May and fell in LOVE. I really wanted to own at both. But ultimately we decided to add on at AKV instead to have more points in one place. I didn't want to worry about having to wait until 7 months out to combine my points. As someone else pointed out, OKW and SSR seem to almost always have availability. Personally, I would purchase more AKV points. Makes life easier. Good Luck!

 

[mopee3]

For us it was the Grande Villas and no long hallways. She likes the WV and THV both because she is from Montana but it came down to the GV and availbility. We got a orginal OKW resale, same UY, and paid $55 which is almost what they started out selling for. We are 62-64 and I doubt we will be looking at DVC in 30+ years but then we have a daughter who is 39 and is Disney Crazy like we are and maybe she will let us stay with her when we are 100!

Moe

 

[Halle]

We own at OKW and BWV's. I love OKW, have stayed at SSR and did not love the size of the room (1 bdrm). The only drawback in owning at 2 different resorts is that the points are in different use years and when we're booking long stays or multiple rooms we can't do it at the same resort. Good news we own at 2 resorts.

 

[jelliott04]

We put an offer in today for a smaller contract at AKV but the sellers wanted too much so the deal didn't work out. We'll get there eventually. At least I know how the beginning of the process works now! LOL

Jen

 

[WeLoveAriel0505]

We have two pending add-ons at SSR...........how did we decide on that:

1) Point value
2) Contract expiration
3) Proximity to DD Disney
4) The biggest one............we like staying there

 

[DizGirl20]

We put an offer in today for a smaller contract at AKV but the sellers wanted too much so the deal didn't work out. We'll get there eventually. At least I know how the beginning of the process works now! LOL

Jen

Good Luck! I see a lot of small contracts come thru for AKV (although I suppose it depends on your interpretation of "small"). Be patient, it's worth it. Make sure you are on the mailing list of resale agents. It also doesn't hurt to call and talk to an agent and tell them what you are looking for. They have access to many contracts that you may not necessarily see listed.