Could DVC be right for me? Please share some advice.

[albertotahiti]

Well, after MUCH researching and "studying", I think I may be closer to buying into DVC. I do, however, have some questions that I'm hoping some members could answer for me.

I'm looking at a resale of Saratoga Springs, 150 points for 10k. Good deal or not?

Are the fold out sofa beds comfy for an adult?

Are the wait times for buses any longer or shorter than any other deluxe resort?

Is Old Key West the only DVC resort that has two queen size beds?

Do you purchase mousekeeping for your stay?

Which has better views? Old Key West or Saratoga Springs?

If you are a member, do you regret joining?


I really appreciate the help. I do have to admit, I am addicted to the Polynesian, and I know if I become a DVC member, I probably won't be staying at Poly for quite some time. Has anyone experienced that kind of feeling??? Just sayin'! LOL

Thanks for the help,
Brett from Baton Rouge, La.

 

[akl-fan]

$10000 seems like a good deal to me. Do you know if there are points left on the contract. Make sure that the contract has not been stripped before you purchase.

DVC is a good deal is you want to travel to WDW at least once ever two years probably more and you want to stay in deluxe accommodation.

Have you ever stayed in SSR? Although this resort is beautiful it is very different to the Poly. If you are used to staying at a monorail resort then you may be disappointed with it. I would not buy there until you have at the very least visited the resort and looked at all their facilitys.

You may be able to exchange into another resort at 7 months but this is not guaranteed, so if you were hoping to transfer into BLT at 7 months then be aware that it might not be available. Only buy where you are happy to stay.

The transport is no different at DVC resorts in my opinion than at regular resorts. We usually stay at AKV and think that the transport is excellent.

The only resort to off 2 queens beds is OKW. Obviouly 2 bes villas will have a king and a queen and 2 sofa beds. The sofa beds are fine for an adults but I would not sleep two adults in them.

We never purchase mousekeeping and have never missed it. It costs around $60 per day for a 2 bed villa. I actullaly prefer not having the service.

I am not sure which has the best views there are both really lush resorts built in the same area next to the lake and around golf courses.

We have never regretted our purchase but we bought we we really wanted to stay.

Good Luck making you decision. I hope we are able to say welcome home in the future.

 

[vicki_c]

I understand your feeling about the Poly. After we bought DVC, that was the one sadness I had - that I thought I would never again stay @ the Poly.

Well believe it or not, the very next year they did the 4/3 offer and we went and stayed at the Poly CL using that offer anyway because it was SUCH a good deal.

So it doesn't necessarily mean you will never stay anywhere not DVC again - it didn't for us.

 

[JimMIA]

I'm looking at a resale of Saratoga Springs, 150 points for 10k. Good deal or not?

That's $66.67 per point, which is lower than some are paying and higher than others. Check the ROFR thread (first post for the latest updates) to see what's been reported recently for SSR. Here's a link to that thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2661661

Are the fold out sofa beds comfy for an adult?

They're better than the old ones, and you'll get a variety of opinions. I don't like them.

Is Old Key West the only DVC resort that has two queen size beds?

Depends on what your're talking about. If you mean in studios, yes. If you mean two bedrooms, I think there is at least one other resort where the 2 BRs have two queens in the second bedroom, but I don't remember where.

Do you purchase mousekeeping for your stay?

Never, and never missed it. But you can if you wish.

Which has better views? Old Key West or Saratoga Springs?

That's gonna depend on where you are at the resort. SSR has some very nice views across the lake to DTD, but I'd say generally OKW is better. But SSR also has the treehouses, which is a plus. Both resorts are very nice -- but as others have said, very different from the Poly.

If you are a member, do you regret joining?

No, but when our vacation desires changed, we found better ways of vacationing than DVC. For onsite stays at WDW, I don't think DVC can be beat. If you're satisfied staying offsite, there are much less expensive options.

If you want to vacation elsewhere, there are lots of better options than trying to use DVC for exhanges. I personally would not buy DVC for vacationing anywhere other than WDW, including DL, VB, HHI, or Hawaii -- not because the DVC resorts aren't wonderful, but because there are better options.

Once you exit the WDW "bubble," you're in the general vacation market and the general timeshare market if you want to own something. In that environment, DVC is a very limited and expensive option.

 

[bgraham34]

I think you do get use to not having mousekeeping service daily rather quickly. It does not bother me one bit someone does not make the bed. Just think of it as having a second home and you get the idea.

I like the views at SS springs much better, but I prefer OKW as a resort.

 

[juncker]

I think that $66.67 per point for SSR is not un-reasonable, but I do think that you could do better. We bought for $65/point (160 points) with a fully loaded contract. All previous year's points were banked, and had all current and future year's points available. There are a lot of contracts available. Find one like ours that is loaded so you can start using them right away. Understand that all deals aren't equal. If you like the contract, then make them an offer of $62/point. If they don't bite, go find another contract. You'll get your best deal if you find someone that is desparate to sell.

As for selecting OKW or SSR, I don't think either are really resorts picked for the best views. Unless you get a golf course or DTD view, SSR is pretty plain. Not bad. You'll probably just be looking at other SSR buildings and a pond. We debated the same choice and went with SSR for a couple of reasons: 1) lower maint fees (at least for now), 2) ability to book SSR treeshouses, and 3) longer contract life (2054 I think instead of 2042 for normal OKW contracts).

As mentioned before, people will tell you to buy where you want to stay as in a worst case scenario, they could change the rules and that could be your only choice (I don't see this happening, but that is what they are contractually obligated to). We like SSR, so are happy, but don't plan on making all our stays there. The big advantage to your home resort is to be able to get those tough reservations at the 11 month mark if you plan. OKW and SSR are generally easier to reserve as they are big. The treehouses are the exception. If you don't plan on travelling at Christmas, etc..., then it really isn't a big deal. You'll find places at 7 months.

As for the Polynesian, we love it too. I don't see us staying there anymore being DVC members, but we did do dinner over there for our last stay, and it currently is one of the resorts where DVC pool hopping is available. I can see spending the day over there in the future. If the monorail is the big thing for you, then BLT could be the answer. It is more $$$ though.

Our last stay at SSR, we had our own car, but did use the Bus system a lot. There was no problem. They run very frequently. I think this is typical for all DVC resorts. On par with the regular resorts. Certainly issues at times, but they do take care of you for the most part.

We are relatively new, but do not regret buying DVC. I don't think that you will find many people on these boards that regret it (some complaints over details, but most people love it). Reading/updating these boards just keeps me content until we can make our next trip to WDW.

Good luck on whatever you decide.

 

[snoope]

Your purchase price is ok. Not bad, but not special. Is that your desired home resort and use year? If so, than the price is great for piece of mind for knowing your getting exactly what you want. If the contract isnt perfect for you, I would either hold out for the perfect one for you, or a better price per point.

 

[albertotahiti]

Thank you so much for the information! I, too, hope to say "Welcome Home" soon!

 

[albertotahiti]

Thanks for the response! Good information!

 

[albertotahiti]

I got the contract information through the Time Share Store. 150 points available now, and 150 coming June 1st 2012. No annual dues until 2012, and $425 closing costs.

 

[albertotahiti]

So, if you don't mind me asking, did you purchase straight through Disney or did you do resale? I've been looking at The Timeshare Store.

Thanks!

 

[Greysword]

1) I'm looking at a resale of Saratoga Springs, 150 points for 10k. Good deal or not?
- $67/point is within the going range.

Are the fold out sofa beds comfy for an adult?
- Haven't slept on them, but my DM says it is comfortable (yep, made my mom sleep on the couch! )

Are the wait times for buses any longer or shorter than any other deluxe resort?
- Yes and no, depending on the comparing resort. To answer the intent of your questions, buses run steadily and the wait is not excessive.

Is Old Key West the only DVC resort that has two queen size beds?
- No, other dedicated 2BR have two queen size beds.

Do you purchase mousekeeping for your stay?
- sometimes, but not for every day. if we have a change in guests (friends leave family arrives), we'll buy a full cleaning.

Which has better views? Old Key West or Saratoga Springs?
- In general, bot are the same. SSR's Congress Park overlooks DTD, which is different.

If you are a member, do you regret joining?
- NEVER! Blasphemy, you say!

 

[backyardponder]

If you are asking about views from the different resort, I have to wonder if you have visited these resorts.

My suggestion to all potential DVC members to to go to WDW for a few days, rent a car, and visit all the DVC resorts. Stop at the front desk, ask for a map, and for suggestions as to where to wander. What someone loves about one resort, you may hate.

 

[5forDiz]

I agree with poster Backyardponder on visiting at least one if not most of the DVC resorts especially those you are thinking of purchasing at and jmho, take your time and don't buy until you try : rent a reservation from a DVC member or through David's service before buying to get the best idea on what the DVC thing is all about. The accommodations are certainly very nice but may not be as luxurious as you thought. If you are a fan of Polynesian only BLT has monorail access and you may not like that staying DVC means no daily housekeeping although you can have that if you pay for it daily but it's pricey and, also, no concierge level except at AKV where there is a very limited number of DVC villas that may access concierge lounge, 10 total I believe, so you'd definitely want to own points at AKV if you are hoping to stay concierge level for most trips. And if you like the promotions Disney offers from time to time for cash bookings like free dining you cannot get that if trip is booked using DVC points.

Best wishes with your planning

 

[shalom]

I agree with poster Backyardponder on visiting at least one if not most of the DVC resorts especially those you are thinking of purchasing at and jmho, take your time and don't buy until you try : rent a reservation from a DVC member or through David's service before buying to get the best idea on what the DVC thing is all about.

Strongly second this as well. I thought I'd like Old Key West; turns out I didn't (and some of the kids hated it). I was kind of "meh" about Saratoga Springs before hand, but loved it once I got there (and everyone else liked it the best, too!). Everything else being there felt about like I'd expected, but I was really surprised about the OKW thing. I think I must have talked myself into thinking I'd like it because it has the biggest units or something.

OTOH, while I suspected the units were kind of tight for my crew, I kept thinking it'd work if I just wanted it to hard enough. Actually touring a unit convinced me we're just not doing DVC until I'm traveling with fewer kids. *sigh*

 

[albertotahiti]

I agree with poster Backyardponder on visiting at least one if not most of the DVC resorts especially those you are thinking of purchasing at and jmho, take your time and don't buy until you try : rent a reservation from a DVC member or through David's service before buying to get the best idea on what the DVC thing is all about. The accommodations are certainly very nice but may not be as luxurious as you thought. If you are a fan of Polynesian only BLT has monorail access and you may not like that staying DVC means no daily housekeeping although you can have that if you pay for it daily but it's pricey and, also, no concierge level except at AKV where there is a very limited number of DVC villas that may access concierge lounge, 10 total I believe, so you'd definitely want to own points at AKV if you are hoping to stay concierge level for most trips. And if you like the promotions Disney offers from time to time for cash bookings like free dining you cannot get that if trip is booked using DVC points.


Best wishes with your planning

Thanks for the great information! I don't think the concierge is right for me.
I'm just looking at studios as I will be taking my mother for her birthday every year. She can have the bed, and I'll be on the sofa/bed. I would, however, like to lay on one like that to see if it would be comfy for a night's sleep. I did read that Old Key West has two queen size beds in some of their studios.

 

[CarolAnnC]

The OP has two similar threads on this topic here on DVC Operations, so I am closing this one. Thank you.