Does DVC make sense for me?

[Mississippian]

The question I would have for the OP is why choose SSR over OKW? I'm not the biggest OKW fan, but the resort has a great and super-cheap point chart. The units at OKW are huge, and of course the grand villa is dirt cheap.

I've rented a grand villa before. Didn't like being in the middle of nowhere, but sure liked having loads of square footage. Owners at BWV are within walking distance of two parks, and their point charts are similar to the OKW ones on standard-view rooms, so a real bargain. But if you take the worst features of OKW and BWV and put them together, out pops SSR. But why choose this, especially if money is a factor?

 

[newdeal]

The question I would have for the OP is why choose SSR over OKW? I'm not the biggest OKW fan, but the resort has a great and super-cheap point chart. The units at OKW are huge, and of course the grand villa is dirt cheap.

I've rented a grand villa before. Didn't like being in the middle of nowhere, but sure liked having loads of square footage. Owners at BWV are within walking distance of two parks, and their point charts are similar to the OKW ones on standard-view rooms, so a real bargain. But if you take the worst features of OKW and BWV and put them together, out pops SSR. But why choose this, especially if money is a factor?

Mostly because the maintenance fees at SSR are much lower and I would hope we could get something we wanted at 7months (and if not would book SSR). The cost of OKW is cheaper but it also expires much sooner (in most cases unless they extended) which means the points have depreciated more. As for BWV I didn't really even consider it due to the high cost per point and maintenance fees compared to SSR also

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

If you want the best experience at this point in your life buy at the BLT. I realize money is a factor, but it will always be a factor. If you spend 1.5 hours on a bus going from MK to SSR that is money being wasted too. I know you are concerned about MF too. But in the big picture it really doesn't make a difference..........your focusing on a small number when you are talking about MF's. They will go up, guaranteed but so will the tickets, food, airfare, gas. In 9 years of ownership, the tickets have more than doubled. MF maybe went up $1. Tickets for 4 are now over $1200 if you want hoppers.

When I bought SSR was cheaper than the BW and had a longer contract, but I choose the BW because that's where I wanted to be. The BW is just an amazing hotel with the best atmosphere.....it an extension of the parks. Turns out, the standard rooms were a point saving bonus and most are not available at 7 months so I ended up saving points by booking BW std then I would booking SSR. So if you want the BLT you may be able to book it, but the chances of getting a std view room is slim. So any cost savings you got from the buy in purchase at SSR will be lost to having to book rooms for more points at the BLT.

Purchasing DVC is expensive and a commitment, as every year you have to pay your annual dues. But after you number crunch.....and yes most of us have done it....and still do it.......but the conclusion I have at this point is that I don't really care what I paid for it or if my MF went up 2% and SSR only went up 1%....... What really matters is that I get to stay in a fantastic rooms(1 br) at the BLT or BW and be within walking distance to the parks, at a deluxe hotel for 10 days a year ........the current cost to do that is actually $182 per night.....next year it might be $192 a night but the only thing that matters is that I CAN actually stay at the BLT or BW for a very affordable price.

The point I'm trying to make is that sometimes the experience you are going to get outweighs the cost. Is DVC a good deal financially? ....IMHo it is for my family but DVC gives me something money can't buy. It gives me a experience that is just amazing.....I feel like a millionaire for those 10 days.... It makes me feel very special. SSR is nice but being right outside the MK is just awesome.

Your kids are the perfect ages to experience the magic, but they are also at ages where they are a lot of work.....taking a bus isn't as convenient as walking to a park. How nice would it be to take a 5 min monorail ride to your hotel for an afternoon break and then Be back at the park in 10 minutes. With SSR you are talking about 20-40 minutes commute each way. So what kind of experience do you want.........

 

[jmail048]

If you want the best experience at this point in your life buy at the BLT. I realize money is a factor, but it will always be a factor. If you spend 1.5 hours on a bus going from MK to SSR that is money being wasted too. I know you are concerned about MF too. But in the big picture it really doesn't make a difference..........your focusing on a small number when you are talking about MF's. They will go up, guaranteed but so will the tickets, food, airfare, gas. In 9 years of ownership, the tickets have more than doubled. MF maybe went up $1. Tickets for 4 are now over $1200 if you want hoppers. When I bought SSR was cheaper than the BW and had a longer contract, but I choose the BW because that's where I wanted to be. The BW is just an amazing hotel with the best atmosphere.....it an extension of the parks. Turns out, the standard rooms were a point saving bonus and most are not available at 7 months so I ended up saving points by booking BW std then I would booking SSR. So if you want the BLT you may be able to book it, but the chances of getting a std view room is slim. So any cost savings you got from the buy in purchase at SSR will be lost to having to book rooms for more points at the BLT. Purchasing DVC is expensive and a commitment, as every year you have to pay your annual dues. But after you number crunch.....and yes most of us have done it....and still do it.......but the conclusion I have at this point is that I don't really care what I paid for it or if my MF went up 2% and SSR only went up 1%....... What really matters is that I get to stay in a fantastic rooms(1 br) at the BLT or BW and be within walking distance to the parks, at a deluxe hotel for 10 days a year ........the current cost to do that is actually $182 per night.....next year it might be $192 a night but the only thing that matters is that I CAN actually stay at the BLT or BW for a very affordable price. The point I'm trying to make is that sometimes the experience you are going to get outweighs the cost. Is DVC a good deal financially? ....IMHo it is for my family but DVC gives me something money can't buy. It gives me a experience that is just amazing.....I feel like a millionaire for those 10 days.... It makes me feel very special. SSR is nice but being right outside the MK is just awesome. Your kids are the perfect ages to experience the magic, but they are also at ages where they are a lot of work.....taking a bus isn't as convenient as walking to a park. How nice would it be to take a 5 min monorail ride to your hotel for an afternoon break and then Be back at the park in 10 minutes. With SSR you are talking about 20-40 minutes commute each way. So what kind of experience do you want.........

Agreed. On a vacation, time is limited and you can only see so much in a day. Sure SSR is probably the best value and you can always try to trade out to a different resort but killing a lot of time on a bus is not my idea of fun. I was going to add SSR but I think I will end up with either BLT or VWL. Your not just buying for today your buying for the future.

 

[gdrj]

Here is my two cents:

For my family it is worth it. We bought in 98, and still visit with our kids who are now out of the house. 200 pts is a good amount.

Our home resort is BWV, but we have stayed at most of the resorts. We have never (Ok maybe once possibly) have booked at the 11 month window. Many times we are within 7 month. We typically vacation during peak holidays. We were able to get 3 days at GFV Easter week (wait list) but had reservations at AKV.

Once you own, the ability to bank, borrow, decide to go during a peak time, for us seems better than renting. While renting has is advantages, if you want to buy you might as well put that money towards the purchase.

Our only regret is that we didn't buy more points.