Copper Creek, Grand Floridian or Saratoga Springs?

[meggiebeth]

Hi all,

We are looking at buying another contract. Initially, I was really hoping to buy direct. However, when we visited the Poly last month we really didn’t enjoy how (extremely) busy the resort was, and this has put us off buying there. I can’t justify Riviera or Fort Wilderness because of the resale restrictions, and because neither is one of our preferred resorts.

We’ve narrowed down the resorts we would like to buy at to Copper Creek, Grand Floridian, and Saratoga Springs. We would be happy to stay at all three (though Grand Floridian is the preference, then Copper Creek, then Saratoga). Despite the difference in upfront costs, the three contracts average out about the same by my calculations per year when factoring in the upfront cost and annual dues. (Grand Floridian may be marginally more expensive, plus as the rooms there cost more points per night I appreciate that staying here will ultimately end up more expensive or we will end up getting less nights for our points and I’m not sure we want to commit to staying there each year if we can’t get in somewhere else at 7 months when desired.)

Out of the three, which would you say is the best tactical buy? I know Saratoga is very easy to get into year round at 7 months, and for a similar price, it would probably be better to have 11 month access to one of the more popular resorts. I’m not sure which of Copper Creek and the Grand Floridian would be the most advantageous to buy, or whether one is inherently harder to get into than the other at 7 months. I have looked at availability calendars/charts and it seems both resorts are quite hard to get a studio at the 7 month mark. 1 bedrooms are another story at least for Copper Creek.

I really wish we’d have been in a position to buy two years ago when the direct Grand Floridian incentive was so good - now we are looking at paying a similar price but without getting direct benefits. I can’t justify paying the direct prices for any of these resorts when the resale pricing is so much less. Is there any chance that VGF or CCV will be offered with an incentive again? I’m sure it is unlikely but I would hate to buy resale and regret it when a more competitive direct offer comes out later on.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated! In all honesty we’d probably prefer Boulder Ridge to Copper Creek but I can’t justify buying BRV because of the 2042 expiration.

 

[DVCsloth]

I don't necessarily look at the 2042 expiration as a bad thing. WL is such a beautiful resort and BRV is a pretty good deal resale IMO.

 

[intamin]

Hi all,

We are looking at buying another contract. Initially, I was really hoping to buy direct. However, when we visited the Poly last month we really didn’t enjoy how (extremely) busy the resort was, and this has put us off buying there. I can’t justify Riviera or Fort Wilderness because of the resale restrictions, and because neither is one of our preferred resorts.

We’ve narrowed down the resorts we would like to buy at to Copper Creek, Grand Floridian, and Saratoga Springs. We would be happy to stay at all three (though Grand Floridian is the preference, then Copper Creek, then Saratoga). Despite the difference in upfront costs, the three contracts average out about the same by my calculations per year when factoring in the upfront cost and annual dues. (Grand Floridian may be marginally more expensive, plus as the rooms there cost more points per night I appreciate that staying here will ultimately end up more expensive or we will end up getting less nights for our points and I’m not sure we want to commit to staying there each year if we can’t get in somewhere else at 7 months when desired.)

Out of the three, which would you say is the best tactical buy? I know Saratoga is very easy to get into year round at 7 months, and for a similar price, it would probably be better to have 11 month access to one of the more popular resorts. I’m not sure which of Copper Creek and the Grand Floridian would be the most advantageous to buy, or whether one is inherently harder to get into than the other at 7 months. I have looked at availability calendars/charts and it seems both resorts are quite hard to get a studio at the 7 month mark. 1 bedrooms are another story at least for Copper Creek.

I really wish we’d have been in a position to buy two years ago when the direct Grand Floridian incentive was so good - now we are looking at paying a similar price but without getting direct benefits. I can’t justify paying the direct prices for any of these resorts when the resale pricing is so much less. Is there any chance that VGF or CCV will be offered with an incentive again? I’m sure it is unlikely but I would hate to buy resale and regret it when a more competitive direct offer comes out later on.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated! In all honesty we’d probably prefer Boulder Ridge to Copper Creek but I can’t justify buying BRV because of the 2042 expiration.

Unlikely VGF will be available direct with an incentive for a long time. Theyre struggling to get points back through ROFR right now and they're buying it for not much less than what they were selling it at during the fire sale. Copper Creek I could see having some direct incentives down the line but it still won't be as good as whatever is in active sales.

If I were you, I'd probably start with resale VGF since that's where you want to be. I never recommend SSR for people who have a strong preference of where they want to be unless that preference is AKV, OKW or SSR. Even more so if you want to stay in the 1/2BRs at VGF as they added a bunch of studios with the new building recently which will only add competition for the same 1/2BRs. I've heard mixed reviews about the resort studios, if you're okay with that then you might be able to snag those at 7 months, but if you want the original deluxe resorts then I'd recommend owning at VGF.

Later on down the line once Disney opens a resort you want to buy, buy direct then.

 

[marmentrout85]

Hi all,

We are looking at buying another contract. Initially, I was really hoping to buy direct. However, when we visited the Poly last month we really didn’t enjoy how (extremely) busy the resort was, and this has put us off buying there. I can’t justify Riviera or Fort Wilderness because of the resale restrictions, and because neither is one of our preferred resorts.

We’ve narrowed down the resorts we would like to buy at to Copper Creek, Grand Floridian, and Saratoga Springs. We would be happy to stay at all three (though Grand Floridian is the preference, then Copper Creek, then Saratoga). Despite the difference in upfront costs, the three contracts average out about the same by my calculations per year when factoring in the upfront cost and annual dues. (Grand Floridian may be marginally more expensive, plus as the rooms there cost more points per night I appreciate that staying here will ultimately end up more expensive or we will end up getting less nights for our points and I’m not sure we want to commit to staying there each year if we can’t get in somewhere else at 7 months when desired.)

Out of the three, which would you say is the best tactical buy? I know Saratoga is very easy to get into year round at 7 months, and for a similar price, it would probably be better to have 11 month access to one of the more popular resorts. I’m not sure which of Copper Creek and the Grand Floridian would be the most advantageous to buy, or whether one is inherently harder to get into than the other at 7 months. I have looked at availability calendars/charts and it seems both resorts are quite hard to get a studio at the 7 month mark. 1 bedrooms are another story at least for Copper Creek.

I really wish we’d have been in a position to buy two years ago when the direct Grand Floridian incentive was so good - now we are looking at paying a similar price but without getting direct benefits. I can’t justify paying the direct prices for any of these resorts when the resale pricing is so much less. Is there any chance that VGF or CCV will be offered with an incentive again? I’m sure it is unlikely but I would hate to buy resale and regret it when a more competitive direct offer comes out later on.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated! In all honesty we’d probably prefer Boulder Ridge to Copper Creek but I can’t justify buying BRV because of the 2042 expiration.

I'm biased since we own VGF, but it's pretty nice being able to walk, monorail, or boat right over to Magic Kingdom and back.

Also, in regard to the studio 7 month availability, VGF has a lot more studio inventory since they added the Resort Studios (like ~200 of them I believe) a few years back, so the 7 month availability is pretty decent, especially if you're ok booking a preferred view. December is really the most critical time when the 11 month advantage is needed, and I think that also rings true for Copper Creek.

We also like that the resort studios are BIG especially compared to Copper Creek. We're talking like 447 sq ft compared to 338 sq ft.

 

[marmentrout85]

Any insight would be greatly appreciated! In all honesty we’d probably prefer Boulder Ridge to Copper Creek but I can’t justify buying BRV because of the 2042 expiration.

100%. I love the Boulder Ridge refurbed rooms and really don't care for the Copper Creek rooms. If only Boulder Ridge had the same expiration as Copper Creek.

 

[kgou]

We would be happy to stay at all three (though Grand Floridian is the preference, then Copper Creek, then Saratoga). Despite the difference in upfront costs, the three contracts average out about the same by my calculations per year when factoring in the upfront cost and annual dues.

I own at both SSR and VGF. We bought SSR primarily as SAP knowing that we'd be fine staying here if we couldn't swap anywhere else, and bought VGF primarily to use there. I think of the three you're considering, I'd go with VGF! It sounds like that is where you are most interested in staying, and if you're finding your points aren't stretching as far as you'd like you can always swap to a lower point cost resort at 7 months.

 

[Disney.dad]

It really depends on what room type and when you want to travel. Room type matters especially if you are a family of 5 like we are. If you want a 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom in December at Grand Flo you about have to own there and the same with Copper Creek with about all room types. If you are trying to travel the week before Easter when the points chart is higher or are flexible in the summer the smart move looking at overall cost is Saratoga if you have the avg time horizon or 10 years owning DVC. If you were looking at owning 25 years probably cheaper to own the points at Copper or Grand Flo. If priority is important buy where you want to stay. We own a ton of points and none of them are true SAP of SAP+ points for us. We have not bought any Saratoga but if definitely could have made sense. We kick ourselves for not buying direct Grand Flo at that fire sale when we own over 300 points resale for what we could have bought direct for. We ended up buying 306 points direct at Disneyland hotel divided up into 4 contracts in case we ever decide to sell some of all off.

 

[Disney.dad]

One thing no one ever adds into the equation is the expected change in actual value over a specific time horizon or the opportunity cost for the tied up capital whether that rate is choosing or not pay off a 5% home loan or if someone is paying 10% to DVC or not factoring making 7% in the market. The 2042 resorts are on a definitive march lower each year at this point making their cost a much worse deal for many people than paying more to buy a contract that will be worth the same or more likely than what they pay resale if well bought today in 10 years.

 

[Cfabar1]

If you’re very partial to Grand Floridian, especially if you want to book standard view large rooms, (1BR, 2 BR) points at VGF is the way to go.

If you don’t really care and want VGF sometimes but not always, and are flexible with dates, I would probably buy SSR and call it a day. A couple years into the program I’ve learned if you’re flexible, just buy the cheapest points. If you’re picky, buy where you want to stay.

I also think, as someone who plans to be very much alive when 2042 rolls along, there is no harm in buying cheaper 2042 resort now and seeing where life takes you in 2043…

 

[Chili327]

Sounds like VGF is your best choice, but what else do you already own?

 

[Girlstar30]

This is so subjective to what you're looking for they are all so different. Had i liked the rooms at copper creek i totally would have gone for that based on price and contract length.

 

[DeeBee3]

The rooms at Copper Creek are smaller (we own there), but it is very hard to get something outside of the 11 and 7 month marks, specifically studios.

 

[LittleBitGoofy]

CCV has the advantage of a 2068 expiration, but carries the point chart of a 2042 resort since it nearly matches BRV's chart. I find that to make CCV an excellent bang for your buck as your points go farther.

And $/pt can be pretty great at CCV. We've bought contracts at 100pt at $135/pt and 125pt at $125/pt (one was loaded and the other was partially loaded, so non-stripped $/pt). That's well below VGF resale prices these days.

We own at BCV, VGF, CCV, and PVB. I really prefer CCV. It has more variety on the room options (studio, 1BR, 2BR, GV, & Cabins). We tend to go 1BR or bigger, so the smaller studio size doesn't affect our visits. My plan is to continue to stockpile SAP+ through our CCV resale bucket.

 

[kgou]

CCV has the advantage of a 2068 expiration, but carries the point chart of a 2042 resort since it nearly matches BRV's chart. I find that to make CCV an excellent bang for your buck as your points go farther.

And $/pt can be pretty great at CCV. We've bought contracts at 100pt at $135/pt and 125pt at $125/pt (one was loaded and the other was partially loaded, so non-stripped $/pt). That's well below VGF resale prices these days.

We own at BCV, VGF, CCV, and PVB. I really prefer CCV. It has more variety on the room options (studio, 1BR, 2BR, GV, & Cabins). We tend to go 1BR or bigger, so the smaller studio size doesn't effect our visits. My plan is to continue to stockpile SAP+ through our CCV resale bucket.

if/when we add on I'm strongly considering CCV as our 3rd home resort. The 3BD and Cabins are really enticing!!

 

[LittleBitGoofy]

if/when we add on I'm strongly considering CCV as our 3rd home resort. The 3BD and Cabins are really enticing!!

We've booked a GV to take both sets of grandparents this coming winter and I'm so excited for it!

Then the next year we will try the cabins. If they're fun then I'll probably stock up to make them a regular option. We usually go shorter stays due to work and school so that makes 3-4 nights seemingly manageable even at cabin rates.

It's a bummer that BRV doesn't have options over 2bd which makes CCV the more flexible solution for us at WL.

 

[Jelly563]

If u buy The Grand or Copper Creek you will have the advantage over alll of the Saratoga waitlist requests that will be at The Grand or CC at 7 months. And thats a LOT of ppl

 

[disneylandtour]

We’ve narrowed down the resorts we would like to buy at to Copper Creek, Grand Floridian, and Saratoga Springs.

Quickly.

SSR - it's almost like staying at an off property hotel, unless you love Disney Springs. Upside, low MF. Downsides, expires in 2054, though there are boats, transportation to most anywhere on property is with busses.

CCV - I love CCV. Beautiful theming. Good table service and quick service options. Excellent point value, especially in the studios. Downside, your only non-bus transportation are the boats which go to MK, Contemporary, and FW. I also think CCV is underpriced in terms of resale, which is good. Also, the 11-month booking option is most helpful here compared to your two other options.

GFV - Excellent location. Beautiful rooms. Can walk to MK, with options to use boats and monorails. Actual glasses and silverware even in the studios. Downsides, very high point chart, the resort and monorail station can be insanely busy during Nov and Dec, when the gingerbread house is up, minimal theming especially at the pools, and resale contracts are on the high side. On a personal note, I've never warmed to the victorian theming, but that's a personal preference. GFV rooms make me feel as though I'm on a trip for work. The rooms still are lovely.

 

[DVC_Eeyore_Fan]

Buy where you’d like to stay and where your family wouldn’t be disappointed being “stuck” at if you can’t get what you want at the 7-month window. For us it was an easy choice to choose VGF as a family of five as all room types sleep 5 or more (and also why we own at RIV). Additionally, staying on the monorail loop makes you feel like you are in the middle of the Disney World bubble. While we love CCV and Wilderness Lodge, we would be forced to get a 2-bedroom every trip as the deluxe studios and 1-bedrooms only sleep 4 each. That was a non-starter due to our family’s size.

I personally am not a fan of SSR (in addition to the deluxe studios just sleeping 4), as it doesn’t feel like I’m in the Disney World bubble. Plus, of the 3 resorts, SSR actually has the highest annual dues (currently), so while some may view SSR points as sleep around points (SAP) I think there are better SAP points options, including BLT and CCV.

Best of luck in your decision!

 

[Moonspinner]

Copper creek for booking advantage, point chart, and length of contract. Have you stayed there? We felt the same way about the rooms at CC and then we ended up staying there for a last minute visit and loved it. The only thing we don’t love about Grand Floridian is the point chart. It also seems like GF has more availability than CC, but that’s just based on experience not any formal analysis (could be wrong).

 

[We’reAllMadHere]

I also own at VGF. We debated between BLT and VGF but ultimately chose VGF despite the higher buy in and points chart because we just love it there. We also wanted the opportunity to do 1 bedrooms there in the future which is hard at 7 mo.

I know a lot of people like the value of SSR, but I don’t love the idea of playing the SAP game for most trips. CCV also seems like good value but it’s too similar to a lot of our non-Disney trips.