Do Windows matter if you buy a lot of points?

[CaliAdventurer]

Question- If We were to buy kind of a lot of points- 700+ would the window matter as much? Since most folks seems to buy under 300 for one resort and can only borrow so many, would that be the key to staying where we want, when we want within reason of course? By booking the bigger rooms that cost more points? More availability?

My heart really wants GF and we just went through the spiel. BUT for te price of a decent number of points, say 400 at retail we could do many more points resale.

It seems like there are a couple large Aulani resales which we would be happy to go to occasionally, since we live in the PNW.

What would you experts suggest?

 

[btk2333]

Question- If We were to buy kind of a lot of points- 700+ would the window matter as much? Since most folks seems to buy under 300 for one resort and can only borrow so many, would that be the key to staying where we want, when we want within reason of course? By booking the bigger rooms that cost more points? More availability?

My heart really wants GF and we just went through the spiel. BUT for te price of a decent number of points, say 400 at retail we could do many more points resale.

It seems like there are a couple large Aulani resales which we would be happy to go to occasionally, since we live in the PNW.

What would you experts suggest?

Someone with more points may have a better answer- but my understanding is that the Grand Villas can be very hard to book and need to be booked in the 7-11 month window. With DVC, booking window is almost always a big deal, unless you are only wanting to stay at OKW and SSR.

 

[Msmithmd]

Generally speaking, studios book first, grand villas second, two bedrooms third, and one bedrooms last, as far as options filling up. Individual view and specialty categories (AKV value, THV) have their own idiosyncrasies.

Buy the points you think you need to cover the trips you want to take, in the room size you wish to have.

Buying extra for a larger room is completely valid if that's what you want to book. Buying those extra points thinking that will get you easier booking is not a good strategy at all.

For me, there's no question I would take double the points at an older resort option versus paying hugely for the newest option. But for someone who wouldn't be happy unless they were at VGF, that logic wouldn't hold.

If you book first thing in the morning at seven months, you can stay wherever you want most of the time.

In the past two years, I've booked VGC twice, VGF twice, and AKV concierge once, all using VWL resale points- so it obviously can be done. But if you have a specific place that you really, really want for most trips, you should own there or prepare for disappointment.

 

[chalee94]

the safest bet with DVC is to buy where you want to stay (or at least where you don't mind staying) and book there at 11 months out.

if you are counting on getting VGF at the 7 month window, it might work out some of the time, but i'm betting you will be disappointed on a regular basis.

studios historically book up first, yes. but 2BRs book up after that. in general, 1BRs tend to be the safest bet at 7 months out since they are about twice the cost of studios with comparable occupancy limits.

 

[com_op_2000]

Check the resale sites, there are resale VGF points on the market; if that is where your heart is set on staying.

 

[DizBub]

I agree that 1 bedrooms seem to be the easiest to book or at least the last to book up.

I love the idea of having lots of points to book whatever you want whenever you want but it just doesn't work that way. If you don't book early enough at some resorts you will just be stuck with a lot of points you can't use. Or you will have to use them to stay someplace you may not want to be.

If you want a lot of points to give yourself flexibility that sounds great but don't buy large contracts. They will be difficult to sell in the future if you find you have too many. Buy multiple smaller contracts with the same UY and maybe even the same resort to maximize your chances.

 

[Dean]

Question- If We were to buy kind of a lot of points- 700+ would the window matter as much? Since most folks seems to buy under 300 for one resort and can only borrow so many, would that be the key to staying where we want, when we want within reason of course? By booking the bigger rooms that cost more points? More availability?

My heart really wants GF and we just went through the spiel. BUT for te price of a decent number of points, say 400 at retail we could do many more points resale.

It seems like there are a couple large Aulani resales which we would be happy to go to occasionally, since we live in the PNW.

What would you experts suggest?

Each one has different views but IMO it does matter. There might be a slight advantage if one has a lot of points, especially if they have multiple master's, but it's minimal esp with the limit of 2 wait lists pending at any one time total. I don't automatically subscribe to the buy where you want to stay philosophy. In most cases it can be far more expensive and add limited extra value. For the highest end resorts, it really mostly applies if that's basically the only place you want to stay with those points, that's esp true for VGF. OTOH, one is not going to buy elsewhere and routinely get into VGF for most situations. If you're looking at a lot of points (like 400-500 plus), buying more than one resort can be the best choice for many. Personal preferences do play a large roll but as a rule I would buy WDW if that's where I wanted most of the time and I would not buy HI just to get the points unless I were going there around every 3 yrs or less using the entire points package. It would have to be a significant discount for me to consider a single contract as large as 700 points and it'd have to make sense otherwise. You shouldn't have much difficulty getting into HI if you plan 7 months out. Assuming 700 points or more (for cash) and using your other info as a guide, one might consider some options such as 350-400 SSR points, 200 BLT points and then do a retail add on of say 100-150 points at VGF. Your buy in would be roughly $65K vs $115K for VGF and your yearly dues would be much less as well. Obviously here are lots of variations.

 

[supersnoop]

I guess the advantage with a lot of points would be that you can book what someone else can't afford. But, since everyone can book a single night at a time, there is not really anything that someone with fewer points can't afford. So, no, more points is not a replacement for home resort advantage.

 

[disneynutz]

I find it better to own several smaller contracts at the same resort. Trying to sell a large contract later can take months. We currently have 21 contracts at 6 different resorts. We sold a few 50 point contracts and they were gone in a day or two.

Bill

 

[ontheuptick]

We currently have 21 contracts at 6 different resorts.

Bill

WHAT?

I must be naive, there are probably many people who do this. But, WOW!

Do you spend months per year at Disney?

 

[disneynutz]

WHAT?

I must be naive, there are probably many people who do this. But, WOW!

Do you spend months per year at Disney?

Not really, small contracts!

Bill

 

[Dean]

WHAT?

I must be naive, there are probably many people who do this. But, WOW!

Do you spend months per year at Disney?

There are advantages and disadvantages. For most people who have taken Bill's approach, they have tended to buy retail in years past when the difference was maybe 15-20% with no closing costs. To take this route going resale currently would add a dramatic cost to the process that I can't see making sense taken to that degree. But the principle can be helpful in some situations such as on a smaller scale when you do need to add on or when you're buying retail anyway and you break up a larger purchase into smaller components.

 

[drusba]

If you are looking at buying a lot of points somewhere other than VGF with the hope to staying at VGF by booking 7 months out, then based on current reservation patterns, you will have a very high chance of getting a dedicated 2BR (meaning it can be only a 2BR) or a Grand Villa at VGF at any time between the Monday after marathon weekend in Jan and near the end of Sep (DVC's low to moderate demand season at WDW); at most times during that period even 1BRs will be open, but studios, and as a result 2BR lockoffs (combined studios and 1BRs), will very often not be available at 7 months out during that time.

If the time you want to reserve is between late Sep and the end of mararthon weekend in Jan (DVC's high to extremely high demand season at WDW) then you face a risk of of being blocked out of VGF for all room sizes although you should still have a chance at times for GVs and dedicated 2BRs. However, certain times can be very difficult even for those: first two weeks of Dec, Christmas week, time around Thanksgiving, the weekend (Thurs to Sun) in Nov that includes or is just before Veterans Day, the Thurs before Columbus Day through Columbus Day, and the Thurs through Sun of the weekend after Columbus Day.

 

[CaliAdventurer]

You guys are genius! I know that my husband will let me pull the trigger once he knows all the research "I" (wink wink) have done. Thank you! Here is my scenario and thought process based on your collective remarks and some insight into what our motivations are:

1) because large contracts are harder to move, would then we be in a better negotiating position with both the seller and Disney ROFR? We're buyers who never resell anything, even when we justify a purchase by saying we could resell it. A largeish contract doesn't really worry.

2) That said, we are looking at this for the long haul. The shelf life of the resort matters to me. I'm a Disneyland kid born and raised and I intend to see that through for my kids and theirs. I'm even hoping that my name comes up for Club 33 before my daughter turns 16 so I can have her Bday there. Shes 3. : )

3) Right now, we'd probably be booking one bedrooms or much larger if we bring quests. Perhaps 2 one bedrooms? If we bring grandparents or host clients? I dont imagine that changing too much over time.

4) While our kids are in school, we'll need the third week of October annually and or Easter week, or Xmas Vacay (like everyone else ha!)

5) We are open to using the points at Aulani

6) We are looking for value as in bang for the buck and not just whats cheapest

7) Location isnt a big deal. Right now our kids love AK and MK but I live for epcot as does our 19YO son. My husband only cares about golf, and maybe like 2 other thngs as a life rule : )

8) My husband is a bit of a status personality. He likes to buy the best thing once and keep it for its useful life. HOWEVER, we just stayed 9 nights in a 1 bedroom at SSR and loved it. At first it was a bit disappointing as its a bit less polished in the units (our first DVC prop stay) but by a couple days in, we loved it! Its on a golf course and close to DTD. We would not be bummed if that's all we could book some years. BUT I was meant to be a radical Victorian or maybe I was once : ) And I walk into the GF and feel like I'm Jane Seymour in Somewhere in Time and I'm actually giddy.

SO- here are some current listings that intrigue me. -

There's a GF $145 fixed XMAS week in a studio. 206 pts or something. Nice to have the option maybe every other year. Also seems like it would be highly rentable? Not that I see us ever doing that but I have to cover all my basis when I make a final proposal. This and maybe another 2-300 pt contract at a cheaper resort Like SSR, BLT? or a mix?

Theres also a Grand Villa fixed week NYE! at Aulani 1400 pts. For like $80 a pt! (are they just hoping Disney buys it back?) But would my points be useless at WDW? Could I rent the ones I dont use? We could always use with clients too.

I would like to stay at GF at least sometimes. For the next 12 years, we're stuck at peek times. Before little kids we always went in Jan. So we'd prob do that again.

Sorry for the wordiness. Its quite complex! Ultimately, if DH knows I've crossed all my T's and I'm thrilled, he'll let me do it, prob in January. He's already gone from silence on the subject to I'm not saying not to do it, to-you can do it if you want to but what about... I'm turning the corner to the homestretch : )

 

[CaliAdventurer]

Each one has different views but IMO it does matter. There might be a slight advantage if one has a lot of points, especially if they have multiple master's, but it's minimal esp with the limit of 2 wait lists pending at any one time total. I don't automatically subscribe to the buy where you want to stay philosophy. In most cases it can be far more expensive and add limited extra value. For the highest end resorts, it really mostly applies if that's basically the only place you want to stay with those points, that's esp true for VGF. OTOH, one is not going to buy elsewhere and routinely get into VGF for most situations. If you're looking at a lot of points (like 400-500 plus), buying more than one resort can be the best choice for many. Personal preferences do play a large roll but as a rule I would buy WDW if that's where I wanted most of the time and I would not buy HI just to get the points unless I were going there around every 3 yrs or less using the entire points package. It would have to be a significant discount for me to consider a single contract as large as 700 points and it'd have to make sense otherwise. You shouldn't have much difficulty getting into HI if you plan 7 months out. Assuming 700 points or more (for cash) and using your other info as a guide, one might consider some options such as 350-400 SSR points, 200 BLT points and then do a retail add on of say 100-150 points at VGF. Your buy in would be roughly $65K vs $115K for VGF and your yearly dues would be much less as well. Obviously here are lots of variations.

I'm picking up what you're throwing down.- So if they all had the same use year and I want to book VGF but I'm only holding 150 there, what is the advantage? (serious question, forgive me!) Just the ability to secure a studio 11 mos out for sure? It for access only. Am I following? And then what is the rationale for which other property you buy into? 1 goof value that you'd enjoy staying at and one cheap on to bulk up your options if you do a straight 7 mo booking? All one use year preferably?

 

[ontheuptick]

Based on all that you just shared, here are my thoughts:

1. How do the fixed-week's work? What if you wanted to trade, are you guaranteed that week somewhere else? Do the points trade even up? Can you trade for any week, meaning, you don't have to always go at that time?

2. Since you like Saratoga, I would probably buy some there. It's the best value, cheapest maintenance, etc.. What if you did this: 200-400 points at SS. You would go there once a year, or possibly trade to another resort when there was availability. Then, you could also buy a smaller contract at VGF so that you know you could stay there every year or two. Even if it was only like 120 points or something (or the 200 point fixed week you mentioned), you could go every other year using more points on nicer rooms.

 

[disneynutz]

You guys are genius! I know that my husband will let me pull the trigger once he knows all the research "I" (wink wink) have done. Thank you! Here is my scenario and thought process based on your collective remarks and some insight into what our motivations are:

1) because large contracts are harder to move, would then we be in a better negotiating position with both the seller and Disney ROFR? We're buyers who never resell anything, even when we justify a purchase by saying we could resell it. A largeish contract doesn't really worry.

2) That said, we are looking at this for the long haul. The shelf life of the resort matters to me. I'm a Disneyland kid born and raised and I intend to see that through for my kids and theirs. I'm even hoping that my name comes up for Club 33 before my daughter turns 16 so I can have her Bday there. Shes 3. : )

3) Right now, we'd probably be booking one bedrooms or much larger if we bring quests. Perhaps 2 one bedrooms? If we bring grandparents or host clients? I dont imagine that changing too much over time.

4) While our kids are in school, we'll need the third week of October annually and or Easter week, or Xmas Vacay (like everyone else ha!)

5) We are open to using the points at Aulani

6) We are looking for value as in bang for the buck and not just whats cheapest

7) Location isnt a big deal. Right now our kids love AK and MK but I live for epcot as does our 19YO son. My husband only cares about golf, and maybe like 2 other thngs as a life rule : )

8) My husband is a bit of a status personality. He likes to buy the best thing once and keep it for its useful life. HOWEVER, we just stayed 9 nights in a 1 bedroom at SSR and loved it. At first it was a bit disappointing as its a bit less polished in the units (our first DVC prop stay) but by a couple days in, we loved it! Its on a golf course and close to DTD. We would not be bummed if that's all we could book some years. BUT I was meant to be a radical Victorian or maybe I was once : ) And I walk into the GF and feel like I'm Jane Seymour in Somewhere in Time and I'm actually giddy.

SO- here are some current listings that intrigue me. -

There's a GF $145 fixed XMAS week in a studio. 206 pts or something. Nice to have the option maybe every other year. Also seems like it would be highly rentable? Not that I see us ever doing that but I have to cover all my basis when I make a final proposal. This and maybe another 2-300 pt contract at a cheaper resort Like SSR, BLT? or a mix?

Theres also a Grand Villa fixed week NYE! at Aulani 1400 pts. For like $80 a pt! (are they just hoping Disney buys it back?) But would my points be useless at WDW? Could I rent the ones I dont use? We could always use with clients too.

I would like to stay at GF at least sometimes. For the next 12 years, we're stuck at peek times. Before little kids we always went in Jan. So we'd prob do that again.

Sorry for the wordiness. Its quite complex! Ultimately, if DH knows I've crossed all my T's and I'm thrilled, he'll let me do it, prob in January. He's already gone from silence on the subject to I'm not saying not to do it, to-you can do it if you want to but what about... I'm turning the corner to the homestretch : )

I would never say never. Owning DVC and vacationing at WDW changes you. You start seeing behind the curtain, it's like the difference of going on a first date and being married for 40 years, the experience is still great but different.

If you do decide to sell down the road for some reason, change in family, you get the itch to cruise every year, you win the lotto, you will have your large contract on the market for months or lower the price to give it away. Think about it, all of the contracts listed and sold with all of the brokers never thought that they would sell!

Plan on a one-bedroom minimum.

DVC can save you money but you have to deal with the rules, policies, changes, increasing dues, and having someone else make all of your decisions for you when it comes to spending the dues money. DVC decides who to pay and how much. They decide when and how to clean the rooms, when to do maintenance, when to paint, what color and quality of furnishings.

Bill

 

[CaliAdventurer]

Generally speaking, studios book first, grand villas second, two bedrooms third, and one bedrooms last, as far as options filling up. Individual view and specialty categories (AKV value, THV) have their own idiosyncrasies.

Buy the points you think you need to cover the trips you want to take, in the room size you wish to have.

Buying extra for a larger room is completely valid if that's what you want to book. Buying those extra points thinking that will get you easier booking is not a good strategy at all.

For me, there's no question I would take double the points at an older resort option versus paying hugely for the newest option. But for someone who wouldn't be happy unless they were at VGF, that logic wouldn't hold.

If you book first thing in the morning at seven months, you can stay wherever you want most of the time.

In the past two years, I've booked VGC twice, VGF twice, and AKV concierge once, all using VWL resale points- so it obviously can be done. But if you have a specific place that you really, really want for most trips, you should own there or prepare for disappointment.

This gives me a lot of hope. We're pretty open to staying at any of the DVCs -so the strategy is about access, no? So the most difficult is, GF and of course VGC. At first we def wanted Cali because we already stay there a few times a year but signs seem to point to don't bother. Do you think 200pts at GC and 300 at GF makes sense for access or is that just a waste of money? Or forget GC and get more points in WDW cheaper pt resorts?

 

[disneynutz]

I'm picking up what you're throwing down.- So if they all had the same use year and I want to book VGF but I'm only holding 150 there, what is the advantage? (serious question, forgive me!) Just the ability to secure a studio 11 mos out for sure? It for access only. Am I following? And then what is the rationale for which other property you buy into? 1 goof value that you'd enjoy staying at and one cheap on to bulk up your options if you do a straight 7 mo booking? All one use year preferably?

Buy where you love to stay and use the 11 month booking advantage.

You can bank and borrow points to increase your available points at 11 months. Alternate between 2 or more home resorts, one year Epcot resort, next year MK resort.

I suggest one UY unless you have a good reason for more than one. It does make things easier.

Bill

 

[disneynutz]

Based on all that you just shared, here are my thoughts:

1. How do the fixed-week's work? What if you wanted to trade, are you guaranteed that week somewhere else? Do the points trade even up? Can you trade for any week, meaning, you don't have to always go at that time?

You either use your fixed week at your home resort guaranteed, or you cancel the fixed week and use the points like any other points.

Bill