Deciding on Resort...How much do I take into account Expiration Year?

[IloveDisney77]

Hello everyone!

We have decided to buy but now the question is where? Our preferences in order are VWL, AKV and then BLT. We have ruled out BLT due to large number of points needed at buy-in and instead have decided to buy 50 to 100 points at VWL or AKV and then in a few months buy the 125 points we want at BLT.

So my real question is this, how much should I take into account the expiration date between VWL and AKV? With VWL expiring in 2042 and AKV in 2057, I'm seriously leaning towards AKV for those extra 15 years. My thought process is an extra 15 years of stays and if we ever wanted to sell those points (not that I'm planning too), AKV will hold their value a little bit better over the next 10 to 15 years due to a later expiration date. On the flipside, I'm seeing VWL points for $20 less per point than AKV (low 70's versus high 80's, low 90's) and thus could get more points from the start.

Does this make sense or is it really not that huge of an issue? Also, is it their intention to extend the contracts as they get closer to expiration like they did at OKW?

Thanks for your help as always!

 

[hakepb]

There's no guarantee of extending the contracts (the hotel side has to decide their building will be good for another 10+ years first) OKW was more unique in that there is no attached hotel..
(Although Disney is pretty good at finding ways to get more money, so if there is money to be made...)

Overall, I would say do not worry about the expiration date (you'll still have your expected BLT points) If you really want to regularly use your VWL points to stay in VWL, you'll appreciate the 11 month window more than the contract length. fyi: you can only use VWL points for VWL at 11 months, not your combined VWL and BLT points...
AKV is fairly large, so you should be OK getting Savannah view rooms at the 7 month window. Or, If you really want one of the very few Value or Concierge AKV rooms, then you must buy AKV for their 11 month window.. As they say, buy where you want to stay..

 

[magicaldisney]

We have the opposite opinion. For us, the extra years makes a huge difference. However, we love all DVC resorts and are happy where ever we are staying. The biggest question for you to answer, is if you go for AKV for the extra years will you be happy if that's where you will be staying for your trips if you can't get somewhere else at 7 months.

 

[Crystal_27]

For us, the expiration term is a big deal as well and, while it wasn't at all a deciding factor for us in choosing BLT, it's nice to know that we'll have 50 full years at BLT to enjoy our contract. Of course, since you want to buy the majority of your points at BLT after you initially buy-in, you may find it makes more sense to buy the smaller contract at VWL, which would then allow you to start buying into BLT at 25 points. And, if you decide that you only want the BLT points at some point, you can easily sell the VWL contract at a later date. Either way, best of luck to you and please feel free to ask any other questions you may have.

 

[disneynutz]

Not a big deal for us. With all of the possible life changes, it's doubtful if we will want to vacation at Disney for all of those years. I would expect that we would sell most if not all of our contracts before they start to loose there value due to age.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

We bought at the BW when there was only 37 years left, and I think there are only 33 years left now. But when you think about it we STILL HAVE 33 YEARS to enjoy it and we just love the BW and haven't fallen in love with any other DVC resort at Disney except of course the BLT (for the location location location).

If you are like most of us, you'll be adding on and you can get the longer contracts then. I say, buy where you want to stay.

 

[Sandisw]

Your strategy is the same one that I used to become a member just a few months back.

BLT was my first choice with VWL being my 2nd. I found and bought a small 50 point contract for VWL with the intent of adding on at BLT in August, but would be able to do less, only 100, since I would be a member.

I ended up adding on only a week later and with the new incentives that came out April 1st, ended up adding on 130 BLT points. I then realized that I really wanted to just own there so I didn't have to book my vacation as a split stay at the 11 month mark. I ended up putting that contract up for sale (and we just passed ROFR!!!!) and will rebuy those 50 points at BLT.

If you really love VWL, then I would buy there first and not worry too much about the expiration. Once a member, you can add on at AKV or BLT as time goes on. Buying where you want to stay, IMO, is very important. And although many members do get the resorts they want at 7 months, there is always the chance you won't (that is why you read about so many wait lists!!!).

And, VWL is hard to get during December unless you own there. So, if that is time you might be going, I would really want to own some points there!

Good luck with your decision!!!