Considering first purchase and have questions!

[voxparse]

I've nearly drowned myself in reading and researching and probably have done more damage than good at this point. I plan to book at 11 months most of the time and would like to get the most out of my points. That said I've been looking at both point cost for studio rooms (we're a small family) and availability estimates at 11 months. Best I can tell it seems like OKW might be a good option. Am I misreading how this all works? My ultimate goal is to be able to easily get a studio at 11 months and do it for as few points as possible at various times of the year.

 

[kilik64]

Okw does have some of the cheapest rooms per point cost, however it might not be the cheapest dollar cost. Okw has the highest per point dues of the WDW resorts.

 

[hawkfin101]

I would consider 3 resorts based on your criteria: OKW, SSR, AKL
OKW- lowest pp cost, lower points chart, easy availability, high MFs, <20 yrs on contract
SSR- decent pp cost (and currently dropping) lower points chart, easy availability, cheaper MFs, >30 yrs on contract
AKL- higher pp than OKW/SSR, lowest point chart, harder to book value rooms, higher MFs, >30 yrs on cont

 

[NVDISFamily]

One thing I would consider is would you perhaps need (or like) to have an extra sleeping surface the the studio? If your kids are very young or only have plans for one kid than a studio that sleeps 4 (two beds) may not be a bad option. We loved our stay at SSR in the studio room for our first family trip but our two kids are both young and sharing the queen Murphy bed wasn’t a big deal.

As they get older that will be less of an option and then it will be the studios with that extra twin pull down or a 1 bedroom for us.

If I had the same needs I’d factor that in and consider spending a bit more for a Poly contract to get the larger rooms with an extra bed for more flexibility in the long run. Best of luck on your search.

 

[Her Dotness]

Don't neglect factoring into your decision which resort simply appeals most to your family. Practicality isn't everything. Which resort you like most can be a bigger factor in enjoying your stay than you may have considered.

If you've young kids and will spend most of your WDW time at MK, CCV/BRV or one of the monorail resorts may actually be a better deal in terms of less time in transit than the more distant resorts.

While you can theoretically get any resort at 7 months, you'd need to own at several for that 11-month advantage to get a studio at all. Even then at BCV, for instance, you might not get every night you want in one. Studios are that popular.

 

[tom1944]

I initially thought a studio could work but doesn’t that get difficult when the young child needs to go to sleep and the adults want to stay up?

I have been looking at points needed for a 1 bedroom because of that.

 

[PrincessKL]

I've nearly drowned myself in reading and researching and probably have done more damage than good at this point. I plan to book at 11 months most of the time and would like to get the most out of my points. That said I've been looking at both point cost for studio rooms (we're a small family) and availability estimates at 11 months. Best I can tell it seems like OKW might be a good option. Am I misreading how this all works? My ultimate goal is to be able to easily get a studio at 11 months and do it for as few points as possible at various times of the year.

I was thinking of the same thing as you and we stayed at OKW studio once because of the low point cost. But we did not like the room at all compared to the other DVC studios we stayed at, because there are two beds and then no couch to sit on because of this. There were only two of us traveling though. So you should definitely look at where you would like the most as well because that’s where you might stay for many many years.

 

[voxparse]

One thing I would consider is would you perhaps need (or like) to have an extra sleeping surface the the studio? If your kids are very young or only have plans for one kid than a studio that sleeps 4 (two beds) may not be a bad option. We loved our stay at SSR in the studio room for our first family trip but our two kids are both young and sharing the queen Murphy bed wasn’t a big deal.

As they get older that will be less of an option and then it will be the studios with that extra twin pull down or a 1 bedroom for us.

If I had the same needs I’d factor that in and consider spending a bit more for a Poly contract to get the larger rooms with an extra bed for more flexibility in the long run. Best of luck on your search.

We just have the one kiddo and won't be having any more. I'm also certain that due to my personality this will not be the last contract I buy so when he is older and wants to bring a friend we can always size up then. Thanks for the thought though!

 

[voxparse]

I initially thought a studio could work but doesn’t that get difficult when the young child needs to go to sleep and the adults want to stay up?

I have been looking at points needed for a 1 bedroom because of that.

We're in the sweet spot with ours right now where by the time he is worn out and ready to sleep we are too. This would definitely have been an issue when he was younger though.

 

[Shellyred8]

My ultimate goal is to be able to easily get a studio at 11 months and do it for as few points as possible at various times of the year.

You and thousands of other DVC owners! LOL!!!

When we initially bought into DVC, we went in with the thought that a Studio would be sufficient for us, as we are only two adults. Initially, the studio was perfectly fine. But as we did more and more trips to WDW, we found that our touring style changed a bit. We took a more relaxed pace since we had been there so many times and we knew we would be back. So we were spending a little more time at the resort and in the room. We then tried a 1br and found that to be a game changer. I absolutely loved having laundry in the room! We fly every trip, so not having to pack so much each trip was a big win for me. I also like having the extra space so we don't feel so cramped.

We now do a mix of 1br and studios, as opposed to always going for studios.

Also, I would take @Her Dotness words to heart. We stayed at OKW once, and while it was a perfectly fine resort, it just wasn't my vibe. Each resort has a different feel to it, and you may find you just don't care for some of them. For example, I love AKV, but there are lots of people that don't like it because it's to "dark" for them. Lots of people love OKW because it's so relaxing, but I just don't care for it that much. Everyone has their own opinions on what they like, and that's totally ok. But it is a non-financial factor that should be considered.

Also, proximity to the parks is really important to me, as I really don't want to have to take WDW buses any more than I absolutely have to. So, we own at BLT and BWV and we usually do split stays between these two each trip so we can do MK while we are at BLT and EP and HS while we are at BWV.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Shellyred8]

We're in the sweet spot with ours right now where by the time he is worn out and ready to sleep we are too. This would definitely have been an issue when he was younger though.

In a few years you might get to the point where you are ready to go to bed but he isn't. LOL!!!

 

[RoseGold]

For cost efficiency, I would either go SSR or AKL. SSR because you can book any cheap room, including OKW. AKL has the value rooms. These are incredibly difficult to book, but if you can pull it off, it will flip the math. Even if you can only pull it off a couple times, it would flip the math. AKL value 1BR isn't that hard often, surprisingly. One of the best values in the charts. SSR is a beast, no problem to get a studio.

The chart does the heavy lifting for cost efficiency. The cheapest rooms can be some of the most difficult to book in the whole system, but they do pop up. Your goals of "easily book" and book the cheapest rooms are going to be difficult. Booking these rooms requires work and walking and messing with this all the time or luck.

The middle ground of rooms that are on the cheap-ish side and easy to book would be the AKL standard rooms. There are a whole lot of these, and they are on the cheap side of the charts. Pretty close to OKW/SSR in point cost, but longer contract.

Another idea is CCV, especially if you are buying for long term. It doesn't have a lot of studios, this can be difficult to book. But CCV is good point value for SUCH a long contract, and it matched the BR chart when it launched, so it has a unique combination of both a retro chart and a really long contract. And I think CCV is a good buy for sleep around points now. I don't even like WL, and I've seen a couple contracts I was tempted by.

I'd also consider BLT. I think it's undervalued in resale right now, location is absolutely killer, and the chart isn't horrible. The 1BR is difficult to book because it has two bathrooms, which makes it an excellent room. To get the cheapest point category, you have to have BLT points. This will be a little more than SSR/AKL, but it is an idea. Be sure to look at charts when you are doing your math!

If I were on the fence, or planned to sell soon-ish, I would much rather be selling BLT or CCV in ten years than AKL/SSR.

I found this chart helpful:
https://www.dvcresalemarket.com/blog/best-economical-dvc-resorts-to-purchase-spring-2022/

 

[npatellye]

My kids fell in love with OKW (and so did we) when they were 5 and 7. We all loved the 1 BR and the laid back vibe so much that we added on direct. We look forward to trying one of their GVs in the next few years.

Keep your eyes open for OKW extended contracts if you go resale because those expire in 2057. All OKW contracts sold direct now are automatically 2057.

 

[havoc315]

I initially thought a studio could work but doesn’t that get difficult when the young child needs to go to sleep and the adults want to stay up?

I have been looking at points needed for a 1 bedroom because of that.

In that sense, a studio is no different than a regular hotel room. Lots of families make a single regular hotel room work. I certainly did when my kids were small. But yes, 1 BR or 2 regular rooms is preferable for more space.
Of course, something that should be appreciated -- Families tend to only have "small kids" for a small portion of their DVC ownership.
If you're going to own DVC for 20-50 years, you're only going to have "small kids" for 10-25% of that time period. It's important to think long term -- And as kids get a bit older, do you need even more space? Or, does the room become nothing more than a place to sleep, and it's even easier to squeeze into a smaller room. And what about when the kids are out of the house, they going to keep traveling to Disney with you into their 20's? Or will you need even less space at that time?

These long term equations should be considered, but they make it difficult to figure out how many points you need. I would rather buy too few (and bank/borrow... rent points, add a cash room 1 year), then have way too many and then be stuck with points you're not using.

 

[havoc315]

I've nearly drowned myself in reading and researching and probably have done more damage than good at this point. I plan to book at 11 months most of the time and would like to get the most out of my points. That said I've been looking at both point cost for studio rooms (we're a small family) and availability estimates at 11 months. Best I can tell it seems like OKW might be a good option. Am I misreading how this all works? My ultimate goal is to be able to easily get a studio at 11 months and do it for as few points as possible at various times of the year.

I'd consider carefully WHY I'm buying DVC.

OKW is among the most affordable point charts, large rooms. It's not the cheapest DVC because of the high dues.
In terms of studio availability, with a couple of exceptions, you can generally always get a studio at 11 months at your home resort, no matter which it is.

But if you're plan is a studio at OKW every year -- Are you buying to save money? Are you buying because you're in love with OKW?
If it's to save money, make sure you compare it to just booking off-site or WDW mods or Swan/Dolphin. OKW does not have a "deluxe" location. If it's cheaper to stay at Swan/Dolphin than it is to buy OKW.. would OKW still be your preference?

I'm not saying you shouldn't buy at OKW. It's a perfectly good resort. But consider why you're buying. If it's just because "it's cheapest" -- Then consider whether there are other options that are cheaper and better than even buying DVC.

 

[Sandisw]

I think you want to be sure that you enjoy the resort you are buying in case you can’t change out at 7 months.

Studios are the hardest rooms to book and when you travel can make a huge difference.

OKW had the big benefit of having a great point chart, and the rooms are some of the biggest.

But MFs are also the biggest part of the expense and OKW is higher than others.

However, if you need to own less points that can help.

One resort I might consider though is Poly if studios is what you want. While a little higher in terms of initial buy in, the dues will help offset that and you have a longer contract and really nice sized studios with the two bath areas.

Plus, it’s close to MK and easily to get to Epcot too!

 

[Her Dotness]

I think you want to be sure that you enjoy the resort you are buying in case you can’t change out at 7 months.

An excellent point. Liking your "fallback" home resort in case your 7-mo. choice doesn't work out can be more important than you realize before buying in.

One resort I might consider though is Poly if studios is what you want. While a little higher in terms of initial buy in, the dues will help offset that and you have a longer contract and really nice sized studios with the two bath areas.

Actually, we found the sleeping area in a PagoPago studio a bit cramped for just the two of us. There really wasn't more space between the queen and Murphy queen than the width of a nightstand. Consequently, I suggest investigating square footage among studios. The OKW studio will be most spacious but for perhaps the points-hogging VGF2 resort studio.

While those 2 largish Poly bathrooms enable speedier showering, how much of your day is spent showering? Having room to relax or for kids to nap while parents watch tv could be lots more important for your family than double baths.

Then, there's the huge benefit of a fully-equipped kitchen and washer-dryer in the 1br. Needing some home-like food for a sick kid or to wash soiled clothes might suddenly make the studio somewhat uncomfortable.

And there's definitely something to be said for kids-on-Murphy with parents enjoying a full, separate bedroom. We learned after a single 1br stay that all that space was soooo luxurious. When I can't sleep in the middle of the night, I can go read or watch tv in the living room, fix a cup of camomile tea, etc. and not wake DH.

A studio FEELS like a hotel room with kitchenette, the 1 br much more like a condo.

 

[Craho]

In that sense, a studio is no different than a regular hotel room. Lots of families make a single regular hotel room work. I certainly did when my kids were small. But yes, 1 BR or 2 regular rooms is preferable for more space.
Of course, something that should be appreciated -- Families tend to only have "small kids" for a small portion of their DVC ownership.
If you're going to own DVC for 20-50 years, you're only going to have "small kids" for 10-25% of that time period. It's important to think long term -- And as kids get a bit older, do you need even more space? Or, does the room become nothing more than a place to sleep, and it's even easier to squeeze into a smaller room. And what about when the kids are out of the house, they going to keep traveling to Disney with you into their 20's? Or will you need even less space at that time?

These long term equations should be considered, but they make it difficult to figure out how many points you need. I would rather buy too few (and bank/borrow... rent points, add a cash room 1 year), then have way too many and then be stuck with points you're not using.

We just bought 50 points resale at BWV bc we love Epcot/HS and I have a tween and a teen. We are totally fine staying in one room but want the flexibility to stay in a 1- BDR if we choose. Needs absolutely change. We would have bought at BLT or Poly 10 years ago and wanted 2 bedrooms for sure so you can put kids to bed. Now I’m asleep before the kids lol. And kids now like the freedom of BW area.

 

[RichVIII]

More points always allows you more flexibility if you can afford it. Larger point contracts are also generally cheaper. More points makes 1BRs more obtainable and getting 1BRs are certainly easier at 7 months which might give you a little variety. We love 1BRs now. But after a few big trips, going to squeeze back in a studio this spring. Agree with others that having an extra bathroom is nice.

 

[bakerworld]

AK-J value studio are the smallest studios - points and area. You'll be on the bus everywhere but in September you can stay for a week on less than 60 points and in December on less than 80. OKW and SSR low point rooms can be reserved 7 to 5 months window. Our onus was walking ability. We like to walk to parks and that was our preference, once we purchased AK-J.