Contemplating resale at SSR, lots of newbie questions

[alamode]

I'm a widowed single dad with three great kids (9 yr old son and twin 5 yr old girls). We just took our first trip to Disneyworld from April 30th to May 7th of this year, taking advantage of the "Buy 4 days get 3 free" room deal. Although the All star music was nice, clean etc, the rooms seemed very sparse. 2 beds, a small tv, and a minuscule bathroom. Since I paid for this as a "package", I'm not sure what we paid for the rooms, but I would like to spend a bit more and get a better room than this "value" resort.

On our first day at Disney we went to an SSR tour. The grounds seemed very nice, and the rooms seemed a lot nicer than what we had at All Star Music. The guide was very friendly and didn't try any "pressure tactics".

Once home, I checked out the resale markets, and found them to be much cheaper than buying direct, and from reading these forums, I'm assured that I'm treated the same by Disney once a sale goes through.

When looking at the prices, SSR seems to be significantly lower than other resorts. Is there a reason for that? Quality of the resort, closeness to other resorts? I understand that if you try to book at another resort, you can only do that 7 months early. How likely are the "lower end" studios filled by this time? Is it worth $20 more per point to own at another resort?

One more newbie question. I really liked going in early May, so what's the best month for me to buy?

A lot for one post, I know, but it'd best to find out BEFORE I buy rather than after.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Sandisw]

First of all, welcome to the boards and please accept my sympathy for the loss of your spouse.

SSR is the best resale value out there right now. The contract is extended (expires 2054), MF's are fairly low, and the price per point is great. I think the price is so good because it is just such a big resort, but that is just MHO.

The motto from most is to buy where you want to stay. Since you had the opportunity to see SSR and feel it is someplace you would enjoy, that is a great option to consider.

We have been going to WDW almost every year since 1994 but just bought in to DVC this year because they built BLT. We have always stayed at the Contemporary and loved the convenience to MK. We didn't want to give that up so never bought in until now, now that we have BLT!!

There are times of the year when owning somewhere other than SSR is beneficial, since you are correct in that you can only book at other resorts (if SSR is your home resort) 7 months before check in. But, SSR has the Treehouse villas and having the 11 month booking window will be important for these, I believe.

When you visit WDW has no affect on when you buy as you book your reservations based on when you are travel. However, most will tell you to choose a UY (the time each year your points go into effect) that falls right before you might want to typically travel. With May trips, an April UY would be ideal.

With DVC, you can bank points from one year to the next but only during the first 8 months of your UY. Having your travel fall in this window is important since it allows you to still bank points if you ever had to cancel a trip more than 31 days out (there are different rules for what happens to your points if you cancel less than that).

When looking at SSR contracts, one thing to pay attention to is whether or not you are getting current year points or if the contract is "stripped" (meaning you won't be getting points until 2010). The resale brokers, and these boards, are a wealth of information and will really help you learn all about DVC!!!

Good luck!!!

 

[disneynutz]

I agree, April would be your best UY.

 

[alamode]

So why is just before your potential travel date the best UY?

Also, are those pull out couches in the studios comfortable enough to sleep on? I've been on some very crappy couches in my day.

From the looks of the point chart, I would need 112 points for a week in a studio in May. I'm thinking of starting at around 150 points, as all four of us could stay in a studio, and maybe stay 8 days, or bank the extra for a nicer room the next year.

Also, being Canadian, the exchange rate is also a factor. Our dollar is getting a bit better lately, and from what I've read on here, it seems the per point costs are going down recently.

 

[Sandisw]

So why is just before your potential travel date the best UY?

Also, are those pull out couches in the studios comfortable enough to sleep on? I've been on some very crappy couches in my day.

From the looks of the point chart, I would need 112 points for a week in a studio in May. I'm thinking of starting at around 150 points, as all four of us could stay in a studio, and maybe stay 8 days, or bank the extra for a nicer room the next year.

Also, being Canadian, the exchange rate is also a factor. Our dollar is getting a bit better lately, and from what I've read on here, it seems the per point costs are going down recently.

Having your UY right before you travel gives you flexibility in using your points, especially if you have to cancel a trip.

For example, I travel in the summer, usually August, every year so my UY is June. Every June 1st, I get my points and can use them for that year's trip. If I am going to bank my points, I know that I will have no problem using them the following year since my travel is always within the first 8 months of my UY.

If I ever had to cancel one of my summer trips, I would still be able to bank those unused points, or be able to reschedule my trip for one of my school breaks. You can only bank points during the first 8 months of your UY.

Of course, if you plan to travel many different times of the year, then UY becomes less important. Basically, you want to be in a position that prevents you from always having to borrow your points since once borrowed, they can not be returned.

I origianlly had an October UY and realized that if I ever had to cancel an August trip after my banking deadline of May, I would lose the points since they would have to be used by September 30th and since I teach, can never travel during that month.

I do think starting out with 150 points sounds like a great idea and you can find some great deals out there right now! And, buying resale, you can usually find contracts with the UY you want (ie: if you want an April UY, you don't have to buy in April to get it).

Good luck!!

 

[sallysue66]

Hi. Maybe we'll be future DVC neighbors! We have an SSR contract waiting for ROFR now. We have rented from DVC members for our last 2 stays, each time being the first week of May. Last year at SSR and this year at BCV. We loved BCV for it location to Epcot but chose to buy SSR because of price and contract expiration. Also, we really liked the laid back feel of SSR, it was more relaxing. Now, about the pull-outs. DD10 and Nephew 9 have slept on them the past 2 years without a complaint at all. I have tried them out and they seem fine, but don't know about an all-nighter on one myself.

 

[alamode]

That's good to hear about the couches. The last thing I need is to buy one of these and my twins don't want to sleep on the couch.

My equity line of credit should finalize this week, so I'm ready to spend.

The trip was great for my kids. The cutest was when my twin 5 yr old girls met Tinkerbell, and she said she would fly up to Mommy in Heaven to give her hugs from them. Then at the MK fireworks that night, there were 3 huge heart fireworks. The girls in unison said "Thanks for the hearts Mommy, we love you too."

How can I NOT go back every year now?

 

[larrytau]

When looking at the prices, SSR seems to be significantly lower than other resorts. Is there a reason for that? Quality of the resort, closeness to other resorts? I understand that if you try to book at another resort, you can only do that 7 months early. How likely are the "lower end" studios filled by this time? Is it worth $20 more per point to own at another resort?

SSR may have lower resale prices because of the much higher number of people who own there, and some may be trying to get rid of this luxury item in today's economy - at any price. They have used their points there well, but are moving on - and that is great news for people like yourself who have the financial resources to purchase.

Absolutely nothing wrong with the quality of the resort. SSR is certainly on par with all of the others in Orlando. Location might be an issue, but we bought there because we like its location relative to Downtown Disney. Lots of activities there for young children and we love taking the short walk. It is true that other resorts have other desirable attributes, but you could probably reserve at those locations at seven months (with several exceptions particularly around Christmas).

I see several excellent SSR resales, but watch out for the stripped contracts. Take your time and compare the points attached with each one. With the 2059 date, I think SSR is a great place to buy.

We have used a one bedroom, and my 17 year old son has slept on the pullout without any difficulties, all 6 feet, 170 pounds of him. And we certainly would have heard it if he did not like it! We think the pullouts are fine.

One last observation: maybe your family might be better off with a one bedroom. Lots of people for a studio, but maybe it works fine for you all. A one bedroom would give you a lot more room. The other option might be to get a studio at OKW. They have two queen beds (I think) there and much larger rooms. We had a Christmas reservation at SSR and just recently canceled it and replaced it with an identical OKW reservation at seven months.

Much success with your decision!

 

[monkeyknuckler]

Also, being Canadian, the exchange rate is also a factor. Our dollar is getting a bit better lately, and from what I've read on here, it seems the per point costs are going down recently.

Did you know that our dollar rises with the price of gas? True. We're hoping for gas prices to skyrocket just as we close with BLT. If not...I guess we're gonna have a long drive down to Orlando. Good luck.

 

[larrytau]

How can I NOT go back every year now?

You are stuck now, Alamode! And if the girls love Magic Kingdom that much, you might be better served by buying at BT. But, those prices seem awfully high to me.

When do you vacation? If you vacation during the Canadian Thanksgiving, that might be a slow period at Disney and you could get in at BT. I don't know if non-BT owners will have much success getting rooms there at busy seasons.

 

[backyardponder]

alamode, you said you will be buying using your equity line of credit. Please make sure you can afford to invest in DVC. You have 3 kids and will have college expenses before you know it. Every trip to Orlando is expensive. There's transportation, meals, admission tickets, souvineers, etc. etc. Add to this the interest on the line of credit and the maintenance fees.

If you can afford this, that's great. If not, please think long and hard if this is for you. Lots of the resales out there are folks who can no longer afford it.

Good Luck with your decision.

 

[alamode]

This was our first vacation as a family. I thought taking the girls at an age earlier than 5 would be more of a chore for myself than it would be worth it. As for time of year, I chose May merely because I get my tax return and company bonus at the end of February. As the kids get older, taking them out of school for a week might be a bigger issue, but for now, I just want to go when the weather is nice and the price isn't crazy.

Any other suggestions for resorts/times to travel wouldn't hurt. It's a big investment, and I really want to make the right decision.

Also, thanks for the "can you afford it" advice. I bought our condo with cash (my wife's life insurance), so I only have the maintenance fees to worry about. As for college education, yes that will be $$$, but it's a lot cheaper here in Canada, plus my kids are the only grandkids on both sides, so the $$ will be there. And once the kids get a few years older, we won't need our live in nanny (although I do love to come home to a clean house and happy kids).

 

[Sandisw]

This was our first vacation as a family. I thought taking the girls at an age earlier than 5 would be more of a chore for myself than it would be worth it. As for time of year, I chose May merely because I get my tax return and company bonus at the end of February. As the kids get older, taking them out of school for a week might be a bigger issue, but for now, I just want to go when the weather is nice and the price isn't crazy.

Any other suggestions for resorts/times to travel wouldn't hurt. It's a big investment, and I really want to make the right decision.

Also, thanks for the "can you afford it" advice. I bought our condo with cash (my wife's life insurance), so I only have the maintenance fees to worry about. As for college education, yes that will be $$$, but it's a lot cheaper here in Canada, plus my kids are the only grandkids on both sides, so the $$ will be there. And once the kids get a few years older, we won't need our live in nanny (although I do love to come home to a clean house and happy kids).

I have never stayed there, but Beach Club is supposed to be awesome and the pool there can't be beat. And of course, AKV has the animals.

Of course, the prices for these are going to be more than SSR, but you might find there is more for the children at the other resorts. Both BCV, and BWV are within walking distance to Epcot (and DHS but that is a longer one).

BLT will be the easiest one to get to MK but it is going to cost you the most. Even with all the incentives, 160 points (new member buy in), you are looking at $98.00 per point (with member referral) compared to SSR in the 60's.

You can always contact DVC directly and ask them to send you out a Dream book (I think that is what it is called). It has all the resorts and information about each one. I got one before I decided to buy my VWL resale contract. it was a great help.

 

[Crystal_27]

The trip was great for my kids. The cutest was when my twin 5 yr old girls met Tinkerbell, and she said she would fly up to Mommy in Heaven to give her hugs from them. Then at the MK fireworks that night, there were 3 huge heart fireworks. The girls in unison said "Thanks for the hearts Mommy, we love you too."

How can I NOT go back every year now?

Your story absolutely warmed my heart - - thank you for sharing it! We (including DH) really believe in the magic of Disney, which is why we bought into DVC. The thought of not going every year pains me - LOL. Best of luck to you...and hopefully we'll be able to welcome you home very soon!