Contemplating a Vero Beach Add-on

[SpaceMountain77]

Hi everyone,

Tonight, I am writing to get your perspective on a potential add-on.

I have been a member since 2012 and own points at both Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas and the Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Even after borrowing, I am regularly out of points and have to purchase one time use points, directly through DVC, and rent points from other members. I do have a significant number of points, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to stretch them for three trips per year.

Our current vacationing pattern is Flower & Garden, Food & Wine, and Holidays Around the World. I have a VGF fixed week, so Holidays Around the World is automatically covered. To date, I have not had difficulty booking VGF for Food & Wine. Regarding Flower & Garden, it has been whatever is available at 7-months or less.

For several months, I have been trying to add-on points; it was my hope to add-on at AKV or VGF before the price increase. My guide has told me, on a few occasions, that there are over 800 people on waitlists for WDW area DVC resorts. Also, I had paid $145 per point for VGF, so the current pricing is certainly off-putting.

Vero Beach points are available for immediate purchase. I would not need the points for peak DVC times and they would not be used for primary booking, just to complete a trip with another night or two. The upfront buy-in is significantly less than VGF ($5,000 for 50 points vs. $11,000 for 50 points) and I could purchase outright. Although the dues are more, right now, VB is $3,012.50 less, for 25 years, than VGF, which would be the remainder of the contract. I know about the beach erosion, hurricanes, and insurance costs that contribute to the VB dues price point, but dues would need to increase to $10.94 or more per point for the difference to be equalized.

So, would you complete a VB add-on to complete your trips, purchase the lowest price WDW property, either OKW or SSR, or wait for points at your home resort to come available?

Thanks for your perspective!
Jim

 

[msjprincess]

Is there a specific reason you don't want to buy a resale? You could get an AKV resale for not much more than buying VB direct.


Personally, I wouldn't buy direct for any of those resorts. YMMV,

 

[cedricandsophie]

If you only want 50 points you could buy WL for half the price. Or if you really want Vero you coulD buy 150 points for slightly over $5000. On the resale market. We own 7 resorts and over 1400 points mostly on the resale market. We got some great buys years ago.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

If you only want 50 points you could buy WL for half the price. Or if you really want Vero you coulD buy 150 points for slightly over $5000. On the resale market. We own 7 resorts and over 1400 points mostly on the resale market. We got some great buys years ago.

If I do add-on, I now realize that 25 points would be sufficient. I do understand the value of resale and that more points can be purchased for less money. However, I would prefer to keep the same use year, so that the add-on is aligned with my other six contracts. Also, with increased DVC experience, I have preferred adding-on smaller contracts, because they are easier to sell at a higher price through resale. Should I need to sell at some point, which I do not anticipate, a 150-point contract would be harder to sell at $65-70 than a 25-point contract, based on current resale averages.

 

[JETSDAD]

If I do add-on, I now realize that 25 points would be sufficient. I do understand the value of resale and that more points can be purchased for less money. However, I would prefer to keep the same use year, so that the add-on is aligned with my other six contracts. Also, with increased DVC experience, I have preferred adding-on smaller contracts, because they are easier to sell at a higher price through resale. Should I need to sell at some point, which I do not anticipate, a 150-point contract would be harder to sell at $65-70 than a 25-point contract, based on current resale averages.

But you're also buying at a lower price. You're worried about getting top dollar on the resale but the top dollar is less than you're paying direct. If you buy resale you're also going to be selling around the same price so even if it's lower you're still ahead of selling the smaller contract.

 

[Matty B13]

For a 25 point add on contract, with the closing costs on a resale contract, the direct price will be very close to the same price.

 

[bobbiwoz]

The UY and small point desire is why we went direct in December, SSR.

You have a fair amount of points, you say. Is getting larger Villas the reason for your add on? My DH decided only a OVGV In Aulani will do for our next trip. I am considering buying 24 one time use points to further save some of our 2019 points.

 

[SL6827]

I am thinking about a 25 point direct add on at either VB or HH. Problem is I have a use year of September, and that month is not as common with those two resorts. So it could be a while I'm guessing.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I'd be very certain that 25 points was definitely going to be enough. If so I'd likely still buy a WDW resort instead of VB.

If more than 25 points would be nice I'd try and find a resale since they don't have them direct for you.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I am thinking about a 25 point direct add on at either VB or HH. Problem is I have a use year of September, and that month is not as common with those two resorts. So it could be a while I'm guessing.

Of the two, 25 would be used more likely at HHI in summer, booking at 11 months. Except for getting a Beach Cottage I do not remember having to use my VB points at 11 months.

 

[SL6827]

Of the two, 25 would be used more likely at HHI in summer, booking at 11 months. Except for getting a Beach Cottage I do not remember having to use my VB points at 11 months.

I really want HH I think because I will stay there as well as not just getting an additional 25 points for direct status. So my first choice will be HH.

 

[southerngirl528]

Keep in mind that HH can be tough to book for school vacation dates (Spring breaks, and summer months) if you do not own points there. Particularly if you are not booking a 2 bedroom, of which they have the highest number of villas.

 

[SL6827]

Keep in mind that HH can be tough to book for school vacation dates (Spring breaks, and summer months) if you do not own points there. Particularly if you are not booking a 2 bedroom, of which they have the highest number of villas.

No, maybe a studio for just a couple of nights every now and then. Its just a five hour drive, so a couple nights is enough for us.

 

[southerngirl528]

SL6827, if you are not going to be trying to book when the kids are out of school, and especially if you like to go in off season (fall/winter), you should be able to book. I just tried to book HH for May and there is little to nothing. And I was looking for at least a 2 bedroom. Of course it's only 3+ months out.

 

[disneynutz]

I would go for a larger contract resale at a resort where I would need the points. We never seem to have too many points. You also need to consider the dues cost of the new resort.

Bill