Contemplating about purchasing DVC

[LAX]

I have been doing lots of research recently about potentially buying DVC. I think I am pretty close to taking the plunge, but I have been struggling with picking a home resort. I know many people believe in "buying where you want to stay", but I personally favor "buying where you don't mind staying" as financial consideration is a pretty important purchasing factor, too. Now I realize a DVC is not an investment, but I still don't want to throw away good money.

Based on what I have read here and my own number crunching, I agree that SSR and BLT have the best cost per point value (initial cost plus MF on an annual basis). But, I thought, numbers-wise, a subsidized AUL contract compares favorably to those two resorts (at least based on my own calculations), but very few people talk about it. Why is that the case?? Plus, when I look at the ROFR thread, there are much fewer AUL transactions compared to others over the last year or so. Is AUL not such a good value even with subsidized dues? What am I missing?

LAX

 

[lovin'fl]

I don't know exactly. But I do think most people want a resort that is in WDW...to at least be locked into there in case they ever take away the 7 month booking at other resorts bit. Not likely to happen. But most folks do want a WDW resort to be sure to get into there. It's usually only suggested you buy outside of WDW if you plan to use your points at your home resort (outside of WDW) a good amount of time. Like we own HHI and we use the points for there mostly and would be happy if we HAD to stay there.

 

[disneynutz]

You can either read and learn from people who have been through what you are considering or take your best guess.

Worse is that you will sell later to adjust your holdings to improve your ability to book at your favorite resort(s).

Bill

 

[Minniesgal]

I personally wouldn't buy AUL to stay at WDW. I like to know if I'm going at a busy time I have a room at 11 months so I can book flights. I'd hate to always have to wait until 7 months.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

a subsidized AUL contract compares favorably to those two resorts

Financially, yes. In the sense of home resort booking, though, you will always be booking at 7 months at WDW on-site resorts. Depending on when you want to travel and the kinds of rooms you wish to book, this will seriously limit your bookings.

 

[supersnoop]

I can't imagine a scenario where Aulani lands in the "where I don't mind staying" category. Even subsidized, only buy Aulani to stay at Aulani.

 

[Dean]

I have been doing lots of research recently about potentially buying DVC. I think I am pretty close to taking the plunge, but I have been struggling with picking a home resort. I know many people believe in "buying where you want to stay", but I personally favor "buying where you don't mind staying" as financial consideration is a pretty important purchasing factor, too. Now I realize a DVC is not an investment, but I still don't want to throw away good money.

Based on what I have read here and my own number crunching, I agree that SSR and BLT have the best cost per point value (initial cost plus MF on an annual basis). But, I thought, numbers-wise, a subsidized AUL contract compares favorably to those two resorts (at least based on my own calculations), but very few people talk about it. Why is that the case?? Plus, when I look at the ROFR thread, there are much fewer AUL transactions compared to others over the last year or so. Is AUL not such a good value even with subsidized dues? What am I missing?

LAX

No 11 month window is a big factor though it might be worth it if you want to go to HI routinely. It's the same question as buying VB and HH to use for WDW.

 

[bwvBound]

Does your handle relate to your location, by chance? If so, as a left-coaster, you might have a very different perspective than most of this site's community on the matter of "where to vacation." For many here Aulani is a "once in a lifetime" trip due to the stresses and costs of cross-country travel and the "lack of theme park." For the left coaster, however, Aulani and WDW are nearly equal on travel time and travel costs. So, theme park aside, if you see yourself alternating between WDW and HI ... then Aulani may be a reasonable option.

FWIW, we live in San Diego, own DVC Saratoga Springs since 2004 and enjoy hopping our way through the DVC system. We enjoy the Grand Cal, Aulani, Vero Beach and many DVC properties at WDW -- booking mostly at the 7month window.

 

[dankil13]

I have been doing lots of research recently about potentially buying DVC. I think I am pretty close to taking the plunge, but I have been struggling with picking a home resort. I know many people believe in "buying where you want to stay", but I personally favor "buying where you don't mind staying" as financial consideration is a pretty important purchasing factor, too. Now I realize a DVC is not an investment, but I still don't want to throw away good money.

Based on what I have read here and my own number crunching, I agree that SSR and BLT have the best cost per point value (initial cost plus MF on an annual basis). But, I thought, numbers-wise, a subsidized AUL contract compares favorably to those two resorts (at least based on my own calculations), but very few people talk about it. Why is that the case?? Plus, when I look at the ROFR thread, there are much fewer AUL transactions compared to others over the last year or so. Is AUL not such a good value even with subsidized dues? What am I missing?

LAX

We just sent our first DVC contract in for SSR for ROFR. I contemplated either BLT or SSR. Ultimately I went with SSR since a) I don't mind staying there or OKW and b) I rarely book a vacation more than 7 months out due to ever changing work schedules and kids' school schedules. The contract we are hoping to buy is small, and if our needs change we can add on or flip to something another one.

As bwvBound noted traveling to Hawill would be a once in a life time thing for us given the costs for a family 5 and long haul from the East Coast.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

"Buy where you don't mind staying" if you are planning on using DVC for WDW will require owning a resort at WDW.

 

[Shanti]

I have been doing lots of research recently about potentially buying DVC. I think I am pretty close to taking the plunge, but I have been struggling with picking a home resort. I know many people believe in "buying where you want to stay", but I personally favor "buying where you don't mind staying" as financial consideration is a pretty important purchasing factor, too. Now I realize a DVC is not an investment, but I still don't want to throw away good money.

Based on what I have read here and my own number crunching, I agree that SSR and BLT have the best cost per point value (initial cost plus MF on an annual basis). But, I thought, numbers-wise, a subsidized AUL contract compares favorably to those two resorts (at least based on my own calculations), but very few people talk about it. Why is that the case?? Plus, when I look at the ROFR thread, there are much fewer AUL transactions compared to others over the last year or so. Is AUL not such a good value even with subsidized dues? What am I missing?

LAX

Aulani is in Hawaii, which is uber-expensive for many people to get to, depending on which part of the country they live. The long flights across the Pacific Ocean also aren't the most fun things in the world, especially with small children.

I can't imagine putting a lot of money into DVC only for a resort that I "don't mind". I would feel better about putting the money into a place I was excited about going to. If you're MK & Epcot people, BLT would be great, as it's on the monorail & in MK-walking distance.

 

[jerseyduke]

When you purchase, by and large, what you are purchasing is the 11 month window privilege.
If you plan on going to hawaii at least every few years, the it may not be a bad buy.
However, if you are planning on going to WDW mostly, since Aulani is going to reduce you to the 7 month window there, I can not imagine it being a better buy the SSR.

While I understand the "Buy where you want to stay", and "buy where you would not mind staying" precepts (and I am in the former school of thought), both statements imply one thing: IF YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE 11 MONTH BOOKING WINDOW.

If you are going to book at 7 months (or less) all the time, then both precepts are wrong. Buy the cheapest.

Hence, if you are not going to go to Aulani often, i think SSR is a better value

 

[LAX]

Thanks for everyone's valuable input. I think I need to clarify a few things on my original post.

1. I am based on the west coast and intend to visit AUL and WDW using DVC points (if I ever find the right deal!). Like bwvBound said, traveling to either location is pretty close distance-wise. The cost does vary depending on seasons as I have scored flights to Hawaii that's cheaper than flying to Florida even those the islands are usually more expensive. Therefore, I can consider AUL as a viable vacation destination on a more frequent basis than some on here.

2. I think I used the "buying where you don't mind staying" philosophy in the wrong context. What I really meant was I don't mind where I end up staying whenever visiting WDW. If I were to purchase SSR, I probably won't end up taking advantage of the 11-month window for the type of accommodations I am looking for (mostly studio & 1-bedroom) as SSR usually has good availability of those even at 3-4 months out. Thus, I will likely end up booking everything at the 7-month window. And if it turns out to be SSR, I probably don't mind staying there. On the other hand, AUL seems to have less availability and I might need the 11-month window on some occasions to book some dates that I really want. As an AUL owner, I would imagine I won't have issue booking SSR at the 7-month window. However, I am not sure if I can say the same vice versa (please correct me if I am wrong on this).

3. I am basically trying to figure out if there is any down side to buying AUL (with subsidized dues) if it ends up with costs very similar to SSR based on the above reasoning. Perhaps the annual dues jump faster over at AUL than SSR? Or that AUL is more likely to be subjected to special assessment because of its location (ie: damage by acts of Gods, etc.)? Other reasons you experts know about that I am not aware of?

Hope this will help steer the discussion down the right path and please keep your comments coming. Thanks.

LAX

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Are studios and 1BR's also on the list for Aulani? And will you want to go there in June or over the Christmas holidays or require a particular view when booking? If you have flexibility in all of that then Aulani so far is generally not difficult to book at 7 months except for the times I mention afaik. And, like WDW, 1BR's are the easiest to book.

 

[Dean]

Thanks for everyone's valuable input. I think I need to clarify a few things on my original post.

1. I am based on the west coast and intend to visit AUL and WDW using DVC points (if I ever find the right deal!). Like bwvBound said, traveling to either location is pretty close distance-wise. The cost does vary depending on seasons as I have scored flights to Hawaii that's cheaper than flying to Florida even those the islands are usually more expensive. Therefore, I can consider AUL as a viable vacation destination on a more frequent basis than some on here.

2. I think I used the "buying where you don't mind staying" philosophy in the wrong context. What I really meant was I don't mind where I end up staying whenever visiting WDW. If I were to purchase SSR, I probably won't end up taking advantage of the 11-month window for the type of accommodations I am looking for (mostly studio & 1-bedroom) as SSR usually has good availability of those even at 3-4 months out. Thus, I will likely end up booking everything at the 7-month window. And if it turns out to be SSR, I probably don't mind staying there. On the other hand, AUL seems to have less availability and I might need the 11-month window on some occasions to book some dates that I really want. As an AUL owner, I would imagine I won't have issue booking SSR at the 7-month window. However, I am not sure if I can say the same vice versa (please correct me if I am wrong on this).

3. I am basically trying to figure out if there is any down side to buying AUL (with subsidized dues) if it ends up with costs very similar to SSR based on the above reasoning. Perhaps the annual dues jump faster over at AUL than SSR? Or that AUL is more likely to be subjected to special assessment because of its location (ie: damage by acts of Gods, etc.)? Other reasons you experts know about that I am not aware of?

Hope this will help steer the discussion down the right path and please keep your comments coming. Thanks.

LAX

In this context I'd either buy Aulani or VGC assuming a periodic visit to HI. A fixed week for Aulani is likely best if you can find a good one but I'd go for subsidized over a fixed week, both would be ideal. SSR for WDW would be by far the best if buying there.

 

[bwvBound]

3. I am basically trying to figure out if there is any down side to buying AUL (with subsidized dues) if it ends up with costs very similar to SSR based on the above reasoning. Perhaps the annual dues jump faster over at AUL than SSR? Or that AUL is more likely to be subjected to special assessment because of its location (ie: damage by acts of Gods, etc.)? Other reasons you experts know about that I am not aware of?

Historical dues table in post #2 of: The DVC Information Center Thread

Keep in mind there are both a limited number of contracts w/ subsidized dues and, likely, a "waitlist" of folks searching for them through each DVC resale broker. I'd guess these are contracts DVC would/should be interested in buying back through the ROFR process -- but I've read that some get past the "ROFR Monkey." Good luck finding one and working the purchase process. You'll pay more upfront -- but if it helps you secure Aulani studio units during seasons of high demand, it will yield much 'peace of mind.' Hard to put a realistic value on peace of mind ...

 

[griesbachd]

2. I think I used the "buying where you don't mind staying" philosophy in the wrong context. What I really meant was I don't mind where I end up staying whenever visiting WDW. If I were to purchase SSR, I probably won't end up taking advantage of the 11-month window for the type of accommodations I am looking for (mostly studio & 1-bedroom) as SSR usually has good availability of those even at 3-4 months out. Thus, I will likely end up booking everything at the 7-month window. And if it turns out to be SSR, I probably don't mind staying there. On the other hand, AUL seems to have less availability and I might need the 11-month window on some occasions to book some dates that I really want. As an AUL owner, I would imagine I won't have issue booking SSR at the 7-month window. However, I am not sure if I can say the same vice versa (please correct me if I am wrong on this).

LAX

I originally started with the same thought as you, save the money and go with a cheaper resort. One thing to take into consideration with that though is times of year you want to stay there. If you plan to go in DVC off seasons when there's more availability, home resort is less of a factor. If you go during more crowded times though, you need to consider SSR may be pretty much the only place you are ever able to get. Originally I was looking at SSR but I tend to go for race weekends, and being able to stay at Boardwalk some of the time is a big plus since I can walk back after some of the races shower and then walk back without waiting in lines for buses. Unfortunately Boardwalk books up real early for marathon and especially wine and dine weekends so to get in you really need it as your home resort which is why I decided to spend the extra money and get Boardwalk.

Just something to keep in mind, when you take trips affects the importance of home resorts.

 

[suebeelin]

I would vote aulani if you live on the west coast. My best friend lives in LA, and has a 6 and 2 year old.

She's been to aulani every year over the last 3/4 years. She only goes for 3 nights and pays retail (her sister has an AP for DL and gets some discounts). She says it's amazing. She then goes to a different hotel to "save" money for the remainder of her week.

I've invited her to come with us to Orlando in December, 2016- to share a 2bd at BLT and BWV. She is still on the fence (!!!) bc she doesn't want to spend the money for park tickets or take the "long" flight. I'm not even charging her the extra $500 in maintenance fees we are using to upgrade to a 2bd!!

She's passing up free hotel at DW in BLT and BWV, and would rather pay retail for aulani. The 2bd we are getting are lockoffs, so essentially she'll get a free studio for a week. She's kinda turning it down - 50% chance. That says something, IMO.

Anyway, that may give you a peek into how much ppl love aulani over on the west coast... They would rather pay retail for aulani and possibly pass up a free deluxe hotel at disneyworld--- at least that's my friend's perspective!

So if you're on the west coast, aulani gets my vote.

 

[disneynutz]

One thing to think about is that you can expect to change. What you think you will do is way different later once you buy and experience regular Disney vacations. IMO WDW gives you more bang for your buck as you vacation each year or more than once per year and your stays become longer.

We found that booking at 11 months knowing that we got the resort/room that we want is worth spending the money on our favorite home resorts. Spending thousands on a vacation and having to play the wait-list game or dealing with checking daily for missing reservation days is a pain. I hate it when people post that they have a favorite resort but they can't get the days they want.

Bill

 

[pinklotusflower]

The other consideration is how long you go for, if it's a few days to a week then booking at 7 months out you can get somewhere particularly in a one bed, longer than this you may end up with a split stay. I'm one for buying where you want to stay most of the time, if your going to stay at Aulani regularly it'll be a good option with subsidised dues.