Dh just said those magic words...

[minniesota]

Maybe we should buy into DVC!

I've done tons of reading and I think I have a really good idea of how this all works. My indecision rests solely in which resort should we consider as our home resort. DH and I are turning 50 this year - kids are DD12 and DS10. We've been to WDW 5 or 6 times and have always stayed deluxe. We stayed at VWL when they first opened (2 BR) and are staying at BCV (2 BR) this Oct. What DH and I love about travel at this point in our lives is upscale accommodations, enough room for all of us (private sleeping quarters) and a quiet, restful environment. What the kids love is being close to the parks, a great pool and being close to the action. Since the mantra here is "buy where you plan to stay", where should our home resort be and do people ever have two home resorts when they first join? We also have extended family that loves Disney so I'm sure we'd be sharing our good fortune with them. Any advice? Thanks so much!

 

[CarolMN]

Don't have any advice re choosing a home resort - it really just boils down to personal choice, LOL.

Just wanted to say that I hope to welcome a fellow Minnesotan home very soon!

Best wishes -

 

[Doug Wolfe]

Everyone will have an opinion for you. Here is mine:

We own at Beach Club Villas and love it. I am 48, my wife is 43 and the kids are 8, 9 and 13.

They love the Storm-A-Long Bay pool! In fact, I think they would be happy to stay there all day long.

We love the 2-bedroom accomodations. (Old Key West's are great too.) They have their room and the fold out in the living room. Julie and I have our master bedroom for privacy, the king bed and the jacuzzi.

No matter which DVC resort you choose, you will be a winner. Let me be the first to say, "Welcome Home!"

 

[jaysue]

At the risk of pulling for one of our home resorts, it sounds like BCV might be the way to go

Very Close to Epcot
Best pool on property - SAB
Not too far to MGM
Close to the Boardwalk
Deluxe feel
Reasonably quiet (but not as quiet as OKW for example)

I think it will satisfy both your criteria and the kids - the only question I have is will the kids be going with you in 5 or 10 years+ once late teens and college takes grip etc.

We started with BCV as our only home resort and expanded to include Vero Beach and Saratoga Springs Resort as well

About 50% of our points are at BCV

thanks
jaysue

 

[borncinderella]

I read an excellent point on these boards that I think applies to your question as well. If you are thinking about buying over 150 points, you may want to consider 2 or more contracts as these are easier for resale or to hand down (as the contract cannot be "split up"). It seems lots of people have more than one home resort on these boards. I think I saw someone write that they owned points at almost every resort?? Wow.

 

[RumpleMom]

You have received good advice so far, I would add that if you plan to bring additional family members, then be sure to check into the number of Grand Villas at your home resort if you think you will want to reserve one at the 11 month window.

 

[minniesota]

Thanks for the input. If, for example, you had 200 points at BCV or BVW and then another 200 points at OKW and you wanted to rent out a GV (requiring more than 200 points), can you combine your total points (400)? Or can you just reserve the GV at 11 months at your home resort with the points you own there and then hope to add the other days at 7 months? How likely is that? Not sure how often we would do that but it would be a possibility if we were to bring family.

 

[OneMoreTry]

Once you pick your resort, don't be in a rush. Work with the Timeshare Store people to get the contract that works for you.

Congratulations on your decision!!

 

[Pa@okw95]

Be careful that you don't go overboard with the purchase and buy too many points, somewhere around 300 will insure you of a one bedroom for 2 to 3 weeks. I would look at the amount of points you will want in the future, make sure you do not buy too many for your needs. Now I am a few years older than you and I will tell you this right up front, when your kids reach college age, they may not want to go anywhere with you anymore, even WDW. My kids are older now, late 20's and it is not easy for them to get away to go to WDW even when they want to, so after college that becomes a problem also. Then you have the grandchildren that usually means they can go until they reach the age of 5 when they start school, it becomes a problem. Also from Minn there are the costs of flying not your costs but others in a few years when the kids are no longer under your wing. Think ahead a little. My wife and I have enough points to stay down there about 3 weeks in the winter which is just great. Having other people join us has become a problem. Some of our kids don't really like WDW while one is crazy about the place. You may have that problem in the future also. So be a little cautious about the amount of pooints you buy. Think of the future.

 

[jaysue]

Originally posted by minniesota
Thanks for the input. If, for example, you had 200 points at BCV or BVW and then another 200 points at OKW and you wanted to rent out a GV (requiring more than 200 points), can you combine your total points (400)? Or can you just reserve the GV at 11 months at your home resort with the points you own there and then hope to add the other days at 7 months? How likely is that? Not sure how often we would do that but it would be a possibility if we were to bring family.

Yes you are generally correct, of course you could bank and or borrow if you knew for sure the vacation was going to occur and then book it all at the 11mo window

thanks
jaysue