Deciding on an add-on and need help...

[utahkennedys]

We own a small contract at OKW and plan to add on shortly. Here is my dilemma between OKW, BCV & BWV:

1. We love OKW, but that's the only DVC resort we have stayed at. I chose it initally for the tropical feel, large rooms and low points. If I add-on at OKW, I'll have the same UY, and the 11 month window with all of my points.

2. BWV is also appealing b/c of location and the standard point values. The pool doesn't look to appealing to me (I love palm trees), but it would be nice as our kids get older to walk to EPCOT and MGM and be "In the action". But, then I'd have points at 2 different resorts.

3. I really like BCV, but when we walked around there on our last trip after Cape May dinner DH didn't like it -- said it looked like Mary Poppins victorian. I love it b/c I grew up on the South Shore of Boston and we had a summer cottage on Cape Cod, so I really like the beach feel now that we live in Utah. I am getting nervous that we'll never be able to stay here since it's such a small resort, unless we own points here. Also, I feel like I could easily rent our points here if we wanted.

SO....what do you all think? It probably isn't a huge deal to own at 2 different resorts since we'd alternate years and bank/borrow.

 

[CarolMN]

Since you love OKW so much, I think you are going to "choke" on the points required for the other resorts every time you stay elsewhere. (Except for the standard view option at the BWV - those are very close to the OKW point schedule). Even though the other resorts have an appeal for you, you will probably still think about how much farther your points would go with OKW. Unless you've stayed mostly in OKW studios you're also going to miss the extra space.

FWIW, I'm a BWV owner and really, really love it there. We usually stay in standard view units. Since we can and do reserve 11 months in advance, getting standard view rooms hasn't been an issue for us. I have to confess that even though I once reserved one of the coveted Boardwalk views, it was hard not to wonder if the "extra points" were worth it. (Not really, I decided, LOL). Had the same thoughts when we stayed at VB - even though I loved our stay there.

My advice is to try to get in to the BCV or BWV at the 7 month mark for at least one trip before you decide. Maybe that will help with your decision.

Unless you are going at a really popular time, you should be able to put a trip together by calling day by day at 9 am Eastern right at your 7 month window. Most times of the year, BWV & BCV owners do not book up every single unit before the 7 month window opens ( and even some of the BCV owners move at the 7 month mark, LOL). The persistent & determined can still get in to the smaller DVC resorts if they know what they are doing and are willing to use a waitlist if necessary.

Good luck!

 

[Dean]

My answer would depend on how many points you own now, how many you plan to add, your usual trips timing and your family makeup. For example, if you had 150 OKW, a family of 4 or less, traveled Jan and Sept and planned to add only 25 pts; I'd say do so OKW. OTOH, if you planned to ad a larger contract and/or have more points at OKW, I'd likely put BWV as the first recommendation. If you're looking resale, you may want to be more flexible for home resort to give yourself a crack at more contracts. And of course you want to look at the individual contracts including price AND points availability to make a final decision for resale options.