Deciding to purchase...

[lmflem]

We are deciding whether or not to purchase 200 pts at Saratoga Springs? From fellow members do you think 200 pts will be enough to travel 2 x year with a family of 4? Also, I have never been to SS is this a nice resort . We have 2 small children 4 and 18mo.Thanks for all input!

 

[kweaver]

It all really depends on the type of accomodations you want, and the times of year you plan to go. It also depends on whether or not you will be using weekend points. Check out the DVC Point Charts link at the top of this page...and you can calculate what you think you will use each year.

We are owners at SSR and stayed there in June when it was brand new. We think it's a wonderful resort...particularly well suited for those who don't want to spend every minute at the parks. It is serene, has beautiful landscaping, a great pool, a very nice spa with a top notch fitness center. The rooms are gorgeous!! We also really like the Community Hall activities. Access to DTD doesn't get any better. We also like the access to off site activities, and having quick access to our car.

There are a few things that can be improved upon at SSR. The dining options are limited (though you can easily walk to many MANY options at DTD). The boat service to DTD isn't frequent enough (but it's also an easy walk).

 

[DVC-curious]

We are in the middle of buying 300 pts at SSR to go once per year for my family of 4. But we want to go for 7-8 days at a time and take the grand-parents with us in the early years (so family of 6).

We are talking my parents in November for 8 days and the Mrs' parents in August '06 for 7 days. That chews up the 300 point for the first 2 years.

 

[childsplay]

I agree with kweaver that "it depends"......probably not the answer your looking for, but the best we can provide with limited information....with 4 people your looking at either a studio or 1 bedroom...I'm not sure there is a time of the year when you could get a full week in a one-bedroom at SSR for 200 pts. (let alone 2 weeks).....when you plan to travel, how long you plan to stay, what type of room you want, and probably most importantly, are you staying weekends will all effect your point usage.

 

[JimMIA]

First of all, let me assure you that I am not a realtor, nor do I work for anyone who sells timeshares. I'm just a person who has spent a lot of time and effort muddling through all the fine points of DVC ownership, and have found it to be a complex, technical, confusing place -- and a place where the devil REALLY IS in the details. Disney has done a masterful job of fixing most of the problems with timeshares, but this is still a complex undertaking on its best day. This is not something you should get involved in without a LOT of research, and these boards are a great place to start learning.

The first thing I would urge you to do is to make yourself thoroughly aware of all the ins and outs of DVC ownership. You should know, at a minimum, what the term "use year" means, what borrowing and banking are (and when you can and can't do them, and also what happens when you bank or borrow and a change in plans causes a cancellation), you should know what the annual dues are for the property you're considering, you should know what eleven-month and seven-month windows are (and what they mean in your particular circumstance).

With DVC -- points is points, no matter where you own, and you can use them equally anywhere. Therefore, you may well find that buying a resale makes more sense for you than buying a "new" interest in Saratoga Springs from Disney. You will probably save some money with a resale, but more importantly, you may get exactly what you want rather than what Disney is selling at the moment.

I think a lot of the decision lies in your particular family situation. We all tend to focus on the costs (and they ARE important), but the most important thing -- IMHO -- is the fit between your family's unique situation and what you buy. The dollars are important, but the long term workability and benefits of your particular BVC ownership are the most important thing.

For example... Do you have some flexibility about when you take vacation? Do you have the ability to make vacation plans 11 months ahead of time? Seven months? Do you really care what resort you stay in, as long as it is one of the gorgeous DVC properties? (Some people love trying different venues, others have a strong preference for one place) To the degree that you are flexible, can plan ahead, and don't really care which resort you stay in, buying the cheapest points available may suit you perfectly. [Watch out for those pesky annual dues, though. You might see a property which is $5 less per point on the one-time purchase price, but $1 per point EACH year higher on the dues! That's not really cheaper.]

Do you want to be fairly assured of getting a reservation in a particular resort, at a particular time of the year? If so, is that a peak time for that resort? If the answers to these questions are yes, then you should probably buy that resort -- whether from Disney or resale -- provided that you can plan 7-11 months ahead. If you do, you will enjoy the 11 month window when and where you want to be.

In short, I'm not trying to promote either approach, but you would be well-advised to really research all of the options, and really understand the nuances.

 

[lmflem]

thank you for the insight on are purchase debates. We are flexible with travel so that isn't an issue. It just is a big step siging those final papers! I am sure we will enjoy it and of course the children. I have been reading the boards over the last 2 weeks and have gotten a lot of insight so thanks to all.

 

[GCM13]

It is very possible to go 2x a year with 200 points. For example, you could stay in a studio at OKW for a full week in Adventure (Jan. Sept. or 1st half of Dec) for 80 points or Choice season (Oct. Nov. exc. Thanksgiving, and some of Dec) for 82 points and go in Magic season (pretty much Feb. - Aug. exc. Easter) for 109 points. That's 191 points with some left to bank. It will be a little tougher if you stay in a one bedroom. You could do 5 days in a one bedroom during Choice and Magic seasons which would equal 200 points. Now these scenarios are at OKW which has the lowest point schedule. You'll have to look at the other resorts' points to work out 2x a year, but it is possible. Hope this helps!