Considering buying AKL resale - 2 questions

[LLOC33]

Two questions:

1) I've heard the maintenance is higher so the cost being lower has to be weighed by the cost of maintenace. Where do I find the various maintenance costs for the different resorts so I can add this into my math calculation

2) Why are there so many more AKL resale options available in comparison to the majority of resorts? Is it the maintenance cost or the distance to the majority of the parks?

3) Any other reasons I should not consider AKL?

FYI: We have 5 in our family

 

[Deb & Bill]

Two questions:

1) I've heard the maintenance is higher so the cost being lower has to be weighed by the cost of maintenace. Where do I find the various maintenance costs for the different resorts so I can add this into my math calculation

2) Why are there so many more AKL resale options available in comparison to the majority of resorts? Is it the maintenance cost or the distance to the majority of the parks?

3) Any other reasons I should not consider AKL?

FYI: We have 5 in our family

Check out the DVC Resource thread at the top of each of the DVC Boards. http://www.disboards.com/threads/dvc-resource-center.2823943/

AKV is pretty big and costs a bit more than SSR or OKW which are also bigger resorts.

 

[LLOC33]

Check out the DVC Resource thread at the top of each of the DVC Boards. http://www.disboards.com/threads/dvc-resource-center.2823943/

I have looked at that link but can't find where the maintenance costs are shown. Can you tell me which link in that thread tells me that info? Thanks

 

[Deb & Bill]

It is the second post with all the numbers in a table. 2015 dues are the first line with the resorts listed above. OKW in 1991 was $2.51 per point. In 2015, OKW is $5.84 per point. AKV started at $4.62 in 2007 and is $6.30 in 2015. VB (both subsidized and not), HHI and Aulani (not subsidized) are higher than AKV.

 

[disneynutz]

IMO you shouldn't worry about which resort at this point. Odds are after a couple of years and staying at different resorts, you may find that a different resort is your favorite.

AKV tends to have 7 month availability so buying there is of little booking benefit.

Bill

 

[zavandor]

AKV tends to have 7 month availability so buying there is of little booking benefit.

Unless you want Concierge or Value rooms. Those are often booked solid all year around at 7 months. Concierge rooms are difficult to get even at 11 months.

 

[disneynutz]

Unless you want Concierge or Value rooms. Those are often booked solid all year around at 7 months. Concierge rooms are difficult to get even at 11 months.

True, but I wouldn't buy there for Concierge or Value rooms because even at 11 months you may be out of luck.

Bill

 

[J-Akers]

Unless you specifically want value or concierge rooms, look into buying at SSR. The maintenance fees are lower, initial buy in is basically the same and AKV is never booked solid at 7 months.

I am buying a small contract at AKV but just enough for a value room for a week in October. For Savannah view I will use my SSR points.

 

[Dean]

Two questions:

1) I've heard the maintenance is higher so the cost being lower has to be weighed by the cost of maintenace. Where do I find the various maintenance costs for the different resorts so I can add this into my math calculation

2) Why are there so many more AKL resale options available in comparison to the majority of resorts? Is it the maintenance cost or the distance to the majority of the parks?

3) Any other reasons I should not consider AKL?

FYI: We have 5 in our family

AKV is a fine resort but other than the options that are noted that may not be available anyway (value/concierge), it's 25% more than SSR at the same or slightly higher price. If DVC works for you otherwise, it's not necessarily a bad choice but it's not the cheapest option that gives you entry into the system. SSR is the best value just to have points. The off property options are cheaper to buy in but more expensive long term.

 

[skier_pete]

Have to say those that say "AKV is never booked at 7 months" are not correct. "Rarely" is probably a good term, but at certain times of year, the studios CAN be filled at 7 months, especially if you are going after a specific category. For instance, right now for Christmas - New Year's week, the only full week studio availability is Savannah View at Kidani. Nothing at Jambo, no standard view at Kidani. So, not strictly true. Early December sees a similar issue.

To answer the OP questions:
1) Maintenance costs are a bit higher here than the other on property resorts. However, realize the difference between this and SSR (the lowest) is not that huge. (For our 160 point contract, it amounts to $180 a year.)

2) The main reason there are a lot of contracts is that it is a big property. The MF may add a bit to that. The location likely does not, because OKW and SSR, the other ones that would be in the same category of "lots of contracts, low buy in" also don't have great locations.

3) I understand the reasoning why people say to buy SSR for the lower costs, but my view is I prefer to own somewhere that I wouldn't mind as my "fall-back". When you look at putting out $10- $20K up front, the extra $200 a year on maintenance fees to me seems like not worth the trouble.

 

[Dean]

Have to say those that say "AKV is never booked at 7 months" are not correct. "Rarely" is probably a good term, but at certain times of year, the studios CAN be filled at 7 months, especially if you are going after a specific category. For instance, right now for Christmas - New Year's week, the only full week studio availability is Savannah View at Kidani. Nothing at Jambo, no standard view at Kidani. So, not strictly true. Early December sees a similar issue.

To answer the OP questions:
1) Maintenance costs are a bit higher here than the other on property resorts. However, realize the difference between this and SSR (the lowest) is not that huge. (For our 160 point contract, it amounts to $180 a year.)

2) The main reason there are a lot of contracts is that it is a big property. The MF may add a bit to that. The location likely does not, because OKW and SSR, the other ones that would be in the same category of "lots of contracts, low buy in" also don't have great locations.

3) I understand the reasoning why people say to buy SSR for the lower costs, but my view is I prefer to own somewhere that I wouldn't mind as my "fall-back". When you look at putting out $10- $20K up front, the extra $200 a year on maintenance fees to me seems like not worth the trouble.

Personally I think $180 per year increased over time is enough to make a difference if you're not getting anything in return. While there may be times when a certain option is not sitting there, I doubt there's any time one couldn't get a studio through 2 BR at the 7 mo window by reserving what was available and using the wait list and very few times ever it'd come down to the wait list. My biggest issue with AKV, and I own there for a smallish contract, is the long term risk for dues. IMO AKV and OKW 2057 are the largest risks on property and rival VB & HH. OKW 2057 is likely the largest risk period. Your 160 & my 100 pt sizes are really pretty small now days for DVC. I also don't feel the extra 3 yrs adds any extra dollar value. But it's a nice property and has the extra bath for the Kidani 1 & 2 BR villas so one can't necessarily go wrong.