Close to DVC purchase - Need some advice

[zavandor]

I have really struggled with the decision over whether to get BW vs SSR or BLT. You would think that would be easy but it hasn't been!
With BW, I am paying a little over $2 per point per year vs SSR/BLT when you figure the shorter expiration and higher maintenance. I worry I won't "explore" the other DVC resorts because I will try to maximize my value by staying at BW. Perhaps that is shortsighted.

I went through a similar struggle when I bought my first contract. I even made a couple of offers for BWV. It was $58 per point at the time!
I ended up buying at SSR and I'm very happy I did. But I knew I was going to travel during slow time for DVC, because I like January and September for the low points and low crowds. And I am flexible with my travel dates. So I wanted the cheapest contract that would allow me to visit all resorts over time and that was SSR. If I were planning to visit at least half of the time during Christmas season, then I would have bought at BWV.

 

[MrInfinity]

With BW, I am paying a little over $2 per point per year vs SSR/BLT when you figure the shorter expiration and higher maintenance. I worry I won't "explore" the other DVC resorts because I will try to maximize my value by staying at BW. Perhaps that is shortsighted.
With SSR, I love that it's the lowest average cost per point, so would definitely explore other resorts (in fact that would be the primary goal). However, I worry though that the 7 month window will lead to frustration and it will be hard to get other options without split stays/wait lists/constantly checking.
In any case - still waiting to hear back on the BWV offer. The broker hasn't been able to reach the seller yet.

If you like the Boardwalk, buy Boardwalk. Sure you can get AK or SSR for cheaper. But you don't want those. It sounds like you wouldn't be happy staying in SSR in general, so don't buy there.

If you buy BW, you will still explore. We bought BLT but we're checking them all out. It's actually a lot of fun point-shopping. We're looking at doing a treehouse stay! And that's a big point-sink at a remote place way off the monorail, kind of the opposite of what we bought.

Owning where you want gives you the best of both worlds. Get the room you want and the option to transfer out. Buying AK/SSR but wanting to stay in the BW would be a frustrating life of ownership. Always behind the gun, always planning around what's left over. That will weigh on you over time because you didn't buy where you want in the first place.

Good luck on the BW offer! If it doesn't go thru, find another BW to offer on.

 

[Mrs.Milo]

We originally bought at OKW in 1993, studios Sun thru Thurs 8 points a night, now those are 10 per night. At that time early Dec was a slow time for Disney and DVCers jumped on a bargain, slow uncrowned period and cheap points. Later we sold and bought BWV because it became too hard to get in at 7 months, and more often went to Food & Wine to vacation with family, their preferred time.

This year was the first time we couldn't get into BWV standard studios 3rd week in Oct, even though I was online at 8am EST 11 months out. After trying 3 days with no luck I booked Boardwalk view studio, which meant I would go fewer days to spend an equal number of points. (Again, family had already booked their dates). Others were "walking" their reservations. When that happens you can see days reappear again "behind" your dates.

Now Disney has reallocated points more equally between weekday and weekend nights, so those of us that used to go in on weekends and stay at a regular resort, than move to DVC on Sunday to make the best use of our points, because DVC had too many high-point weekend rooms open......now it's more balanced. (This is my observation/opinion for what it's worth, just part of the reason points needed can change).

 

[TDS1]

Thank you to everyone for the great advice!
Update: Our BW offer was accepted, and contract has been signed, so it should be off to ROFR shortly.
Based on how good the purchase price was, I am holding out very little hope that it makes it through ROFR. But you never know.
As soon as it gets to Disney, I will post pricing and contract details on ROFR thread.

 

[MrInfinity]

Good luck! Glad you went BW... Great resort, awesome location. I've found Disney isn't focused on price when deciding to ROFR, but moreso if they happen to need the points you're buying when you buy them. So there is a decent chance you pass even if you have a good price.

 

[disdad19]

I have looked at the availability calendars for Boardwalk. I understand standards fill extremely quickly.

How do you view these calendars without already being a member? It would be very helpful to know this information before making a purchase. I tried to look on the DVC site and got a message that I had to log in. Thanks!

 

[disneynutz]

How do you view these calendars without already being a member? It would be very helpful to know this information before making a purchase. I tried to look on the DVC site and got a message that I had to log in. Thanks!

Disney doesn't want yo to be an informed buyer other than what they present on stage. There is a booking pattern thread here on the DIS that may help you.

Bill

 

[supersnoop]

How do you view these calendars without already being a member? It would be very helpful to know this information before making a purchase. I tried to look on the DVC site and got a message that I had to log in. Thanks!

Only members can check availability. It changes frequently, so it wouldn't be particularly useful for planning purposes.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

How do you view these calendars without already being a member? It would be very helpful to know this information before making a purchase. I tried to look on the DVC site and got a message that I had to log in. Thanks!

I wonder if the OP is referring to these charts that were a snapshot from a couple of years ago done by another DISer. They can give you a bit of an idea of what might be expected for some of the studios and 1BR's. Keep in mind that things have changed in the past for patterns and could easily change in the future.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/pr...-some-1-bedrooms-vgc-update-10-21-15.3419112/

 

[TDS1]

Contract was taken by Disney. Not surprised, but disappointed. Back to drawing board it seems. Will post numbers if ROFR thread.