Considering small HHI contract--thoughts?

[dizzyinwdw]

We are new to DVC, although we have family members who love it. DH is not a WDW lover (like me LOL) but loves HHI. We are considering a small HHI contract (50-75 pts). My questions are (1) how hard is it to book a studio there in April (spring vacation) since we would start with a small number of points (maybe 4-5 nights worth)? (2) if we have HHI, how difficult would this be to use at other resorts 7 months out? For instance, if we wanted to book a studio in April or Summer at OKW would we be able to do this? VB? If we banked/borrowed a couple of years and wanted to stay at Aulani? I am thinking we will eventually add on another contract (probably WDW) at some point, but a big selling point for DH will be ability to stay at other places than WDW (thus starting in HHI). I should also mention we are looking resale to save $$; with our criteria would it be better to buy direct?
TIA!!

 

[Mickbee]

If you believe HHI will be your main focus, then that is the place to purchase. By being a member at HHI you have the ability to book at 11 months from your travel dates, where non-HHI members will need to wait for the 7-month mark.

Regarding your question for visits to other DVC resorts (i.e. WDW - DVC resorts), the opposite would apply to you; you would need to wait until 7-months (or within) from travel date. Example: OKW, VB, and the rest

The resale purchase price at HHI is the second lowest initial purchase price.

If you plan to skip a year of travel, you could bank your points and combine your points for a larger or multiple trips in the same year. You may borrow from "next year" as well.

Best of luck!!

 

[Dean]

We are new to DVC, although we have family members who love it. DH is not a WDW lover (like me LOL) but loves HHI. We are considering a small HHI contract (50-75 pts). My questions are (1) how hard is it to book a studio there in April (spring vacation) since we would start with a small number of points (maybe 4-5 nights worth)? (2) if we have HHI, how difficult would this be to use at other resorts 7 months out? For instance, if we wanted to book a studio in April or Summer at OKW would we be able to do this? VB? If we banked/borrowed a couple of years and wanted to stay at Aulani? I am thinking we will eventually add on another contract (probably WDW) at some point, but a big selling point for DH will be ability to stay at other places than WDW (thus starting in HHI). I should also mention we are looking resale to save $$; with our criteria would it be better to buy direct?
TIA!!

If you plan at the 11 month window, a studio shouldn't be too difficult for HH, esp if you miss the golf tournament there which tends to be around the third week IIRC. For WDW you should be OK at 7 months out for later April and for summer if you are OK with any resort. With effort and using the WL you should be able to try them all over time if you wanted. Another option to consider if you're not set on DVC is for non DVC timeshares based in HH, MB or similar.

 

[mumto3girls]

You would not have any problem booking at HHI since you would be able to book at 11months out. As long as you were somewhat flexible, I think you would be okay at WDW also at 7 months. We own most of our points at HHI. When we bought in our intention was to go to WDW every third year and go to HHI the other two years. Since our kids have entered school that is basically what we do although we have usually managed to get to WDW more like every 1 1/2 - 2 years by taking advantage of school breaks at odd times when points are cheaper. We also picked up a Vero contract a while back. While we generally use HH points at HH, we often have used our BWV and VB points at other resorts at 7 months. We almost always get what we want, but have occasionally gone with a second choice.

Typically the second choice though happens when our school calendar is published and we notice that for some reason we have an extra long weekend in lets say November and want to plan a trip and the 7 month mark has passed. We still can go, but we might have to go with our second choice rather that BWV boardwalk view or whatever it was that we wanted.

We don't travel though around the holidays so someone else may be able to tell you if that is difficult at 7 months.

 

[dizzyinwdw]

Thanks everyone! Now just need to find the appropriate contract.

 

[CPTJAK]

I would suggest you look into purchasing DVC contract for WDW just enough points to stay there.

I would look at a different TS for Hilton Head and flexibility for other stays.

 

[mb_uh]

Don't forget fees HH are slightly higher than others.

 

[dizzyinwdw]

Hmmm. Good point. May look at WDW instead as suggested by PP. Thanks!

 

[Dean]

Hmmm. Good point. May look at WDW instead as suggested by PP. Thanks!

What's best simply depends on your situation and how you'll use it. Often when this comes up it's those looking to get cheap points to use at WDW by buying either at HH or VB. HH generally has higher dues but VB is higher still. IMO there are no situations where it's reasonable to buy either simply to get "cheap" points as a points cow assuming normal resale prices. However, for those who will routinely use their points there, it becomes more reasonable if not the best choice. Part of the equation is the 7 vs 11 month home priority issue. In addition to the cost issue, owning at HH/VB simply to get cheaper points gives up a usable home resort window. In your stated situation, and assuming only one home resort, you'll do that either way since you plan to visit HH and WW. Then it comes down to when you want to travel (esp for HHI) and how often you'll use each. If it'll be around 50/50 and you'd go to HH during the summer, buying HH is going to be your best choice. If you mostly want a studio or 1 BR at HH, it still may be your best choice even for shoulder season. You should always be able to get something at WDW planning at 7 months out, the same is not true of HH, esp for the mid summer (mid June to early Aug). OTOH, for less frequent/lower demand trips, buying at WDW is likely your best bet.