Okay, I'll start by saying that I totally over think everything so I need some input! My family consists of me (I'm 50) and hubs, two grown kids and their significant others and a grand baby. We travel down once per year. I thought I had finally decided on buying at AKV and BWV to stay in 2 br villas, but then I saw a room tour of OKW's 3 br grand villa and fell in love. So, that would mean buying two 2042 resorts. I was okay with BW's 2042 expiration because by then, we'll probably be going down without the kids, and would have points to use well into our retirement. So, do I consider buying OKW direct for the extended date (I would also love an annual pass and have been considering direct anyway, but know the AP is not guaranteed). Or do I buy at AKV instead of OKW and hope that we can get a GV at OKW at 7 months? Or do I buy OKW and BW and hope that Disney offers an OKW extension. See, I told you I over think everything! Any advice would be appreciated!
Well. I don't think DVC is going to offer OKW extensions to the 2042 owners. IF you decide to purchase OKW, it's possible to get 2057 contracts on the resale market. You just have to wait for one to pop up. How patient are you?
Ask yourself how much money you will save with blue card member extras, like AP discounts, vs purchasing resale. For some people, the savings can be worth shelling out thousands more over the lifetime of the contract. For others, it’s just FOMO. Which one are you? Do the math, keeping in mind that no membership extras are guaranteed to last forever. Right now, Disney isn’t even selling new APs to anyone, except a select few who cancelled theirs due to COVID. You will also want to consider that any resale points cannot be used at RIV or any new resorts. Will that be an issue for you?
As to OKW GV, well they’re popular due to their low points requirements. If you want one of the “near hospitality house” GVs, you had better own there. Otherwise, you stand as good of a chance as any non-owner at 7 months most of the year. But again ask yourself how often do you intend to book GVs at OKW? Do you love the resort for its location, atmosphere and amenities? Then buy there because you love the resort.
With regard to BWV, buy there if you want to stay there. But IMO the direct price is outrageously high for what you’re getting...and this is coming from someone who owns there and loves the resort. I might buy resale if the right contract at the right price came on the market. Or I might give some thought to getting a points transfer from a BWV owner whenever I do want to stay there instead of owning there myself.
TBH, of the 3 resorts that you listed, AKV is the only one that I (personally) would consider purchasing right now. The expiration date is well into your retirement years. The resort itself is unique. The purchase price on the resale market is reasonable- or at least as reasonable as any DVC resort can be. The ”minuses” are that the dues can be high compared to other DVC resorts. And it’s relatively easy to book there at 7 months most of the time, so you don’t need to own there to be able to stay there.
