Does home resort matter & Points to Cruise

[Proud2BMomof3]

Hi - We are considering investing in DVC, but have some questions and are looking for some guidance from the experts. Here are my questions:

1) Does it really matter which resort you purchase? I've looked at resale prices and they go anywhere from $105 to $50 at Vero Beach. If I'm purchasing for the sole purpose of exchanging are the points at all the resorts treated the same for purposes of exchanging?

2) How many points are needed for cruising? Our preferred method of vacationing lately has been cruising since it's all inclusive. We just got back from the Magic and met a couple who used their DVC points for the cruise.

3) We have been going to WDW at least once a year for the last 15 years and I can't count the number of trips as a child. Since it was just my husband and I for many years, we just did priceline hotel rooms ... now we have triplets and that doesn't work anymore. I know I have to crunch the numbers, but I'm pretty sure it's better than what we've been paying.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Pluto 2]

you do not want to buy your points to go on cruises. you will not save any money doing it that way. if you have points left over than use it for a cruise. you have to look at maint fees for each resort. vero beach is very high.

 

[Crystal_27]

Hi - We are considering investing in DVC, but have some questions and are looking for some guidance from the experts. Here are my questions:

1) Does it really matter which resort you purchase? I've looked at resale prices and they go anywhere from $105 to $50 at Vero Beach. If I'm purchasing for the sole purpose of exchanging are the points at all the resorts treated the same for purposes of exchanging?

2) How many points are needed for cruising? Our preferred method of vacationing lately has been cruising since it's all inclusive. We just got back from the Magic and met a couple who used their DVC points for the cruise.

3) We have been going to WDW at least once a year for the last 15 years and I can't count the number of trips as a child. Since it was just my husband and I for many years, we just did priceline hotel rooms ... now we have triplets and that doesn't work anymore. I know I have to crunch the numbers, but I'm pretty sure it's better than what we've been paying.

Thanks for any advice.

I can try and help you out, and have attempted to respond to each of your questions below.

1) Most would tell you to buy where you want to stay because you get to book at your home resort at 11 months prior to the start of your vacation, whereas you cannot book at any other resort until 7 months out. I think that most who are researching DVC for the first time always find the beach properties attractive due to their low price. Keep in mind, however, that if you buy into one of the beach properties, you will pay higher maintenance fees, and will not be guaranteed a on-WDW property hotel. If, however, you bought at SSR or OKW, you would be paying less than, say, BLT, but you would at least be guaranteed a on-property hotel. Do keep in mind, though, that you need to buy into the resort that you wouldn't mind staying at every single trip. Sometimes, you can get other resorts at the 7 month mark, sometimes you cannot. But, to answer your other question, a DVC point is a point, regardless of where your home resort is.

2) Using points for cruising costs a lot more than using points to stay in DVC resorts. However, given that cruises are all inclusive (food, entertainment, etc.) some (like myself) believe that using your points for a cruise is still a good deal. We actually used our points to book a June, 2011 cruise (5 nighter for 3 people) and it cost 300 points. Also, any time you venture outside of using your points for a DVC resort stay, you will pay a $95 fee. You can find the cruise point charts with a Google search so you can look at specific dates and staterooms.

3) Well, given that you have a party of 5, you will need at least a one bedroom (two at some resorts). Make sure that when you are making your calculations that you are comparing how many points you will need in various seasons at various resorts for a one (or two) bedroom, so you can compare apples to apples. Also, keep in mind that you will be paying annual maintenance fees on your points, and that DVC only covers the cost of your accommodations (you still will have to pay for park tickets, dining, etc.).

This board is a great resource. Feel free to post any question you may have as it comes up in your researching process. Good luck.

 

[christa112]

When I first starting looking into the DVC I thought the same thing. Why not just purchase at a cheaper resort and then book at whatever resort I choose to. I soon found out about the booking windows mean: At your home resort you get an 11 mos booking vs 7 mos at any other resort. If you are not picky on where you want to stay then maybe this would be an option for you. We opted to purchase at AKV Kidani. We just loved the look of the resort and the rooms are beautiful. I know if I can never stay at another resort I will always be happy staying there.

As for cruises we haven't been on a cruise yet, though I am definately going to be looking into using some points for a cruise hopefully in 2011. You can also pay cash and use point for your cruise, so if you didn't want to use all of your points. I am still learning about the whole cruising thing, so I am definately not an expert. I know there are some people on her that are very informed on cruising with points.

I hope some of this info helps.

Christa

 

[CarolMN]

Don't buy points to use for cruising.

I agree that cruising can be a good deal. But that has nothing to do with how much you pay to do it. If you book in advance, you will always pay less if you book the cruise for cash than if you book it for points.

Just buy the number of points you think you will use to stay in a DVC resort.

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

I think SSR resale is bargain right now. Low prices, Low MFs, long term contract, treehouse option and a really nice resort. Not everybody likes it, of course. You need to check it out for yourself and see if it works for you.

Cash is the way to go for cruises. Esp. now in this economy you can get some deals.

 

[Disney MAINEiac]

I agree, SSR is a bargain we own there and like it just fine. We aloso enjoy staying at other resorts like BCV and BWV. However, if SSR does not appeal to you don't settle as there will be times that you can't get a room where you want when you want. We've had very good luck in this area but if we fail we are perfectly happy at SSR.


as many before me have said buy where you want to stay.

 

[Jason@dvcstore]

1) Does it really matter which resort you purchase? I've looked at resale prices and they go anywhere from $105 to $50 at Vero Beach. If I'm purchasing for the sole purpose of exchanging are the points at all the resorts treated the same for purposes of exchanging?

Thanks for any advice.

If you are typically making your reservations more than 7 months in advance then I would say that home resort is a huge priority for you. Your family would need to own at the resort you like best. If you make a reservation more than 7 months in advance you can only stay at one resort and that would be your home resort.

If you make reservations less than 7 months in advance I would suggest owning at Saratoga Springs. Typically if you plan on owning Saratoga Springs for at least 10 years it will have the lowest overall cost of ownership. You can purchase Saratoga Springs right now via resale for typically around $67 to $71 per point and they have the 3rd lowest annual dues.

Best of luck to you.

Jason

 

[Sandisw]

Having a home resort that you are happy with is important. We bought BLT because that is where we want to stay on our trips. We will be trying the other DVC resorts for a few nights each trip, but will always stay most of the trip there.

We know it cost us more, a lot more than SSR, but wanted to be guaranteed that we would get a room at BLT when we book 11 months out.

Of course, not everyone cares this much about where they stay. If you know if you will be happy with any of the DVC resorts and might not book your trips until the 7 month mark anyway, when all points are equal, then choosing the cheapest resort (price AND MF's) is your best bet.

While Vero Beach is cheaper initially, the MF"s are so much higher that it does not take long to eat up any savings you had. If you really don't care what is your home resort, go with SSR.

As far as points for cruising, it can be a lot but if you have them to use, then use them. I agree with Crystal that you have to consider that it covers everything (entertainment and food) and when you look at it that way, it really isn't that bad.

While we don't anticipate going on the cruises (not my DH's thing), I would not hesitate to use points vs. cash if that is what we wanted to do that year. That is why I bought points for vacation--so I didn't have to spend cash any longer (other than MF's).

There is so much info on this board that you will get a lot of different opinions and people's experiences which will really help you to make the decision that is right for your family.

 

[fuadar]

Actually we bought in a grand californian due the the low maintainence fees and the webcast incentives . i've just booked a 5 night cruise as my first use of the vacation points and it kinda comes up the same . we bought 220 points and booked a 5nighter for 2 adults and 2 kids in the oceanview rooms for about 467 points. while it isnt an ideal situation the use of 2 years points and broowing a couple from the next year did work out. its all about upfront costs paying upfront and just goign on a cruise (which is all inclusive ) vs staying in a resort for less and still paying for everything can cost more sometimes. We are all real excited to go on our first DVC vacation in 2011.

 

[crisi]

One thing to know about cruising is that the points to cruise aren't stable. They are renegotiated each year. So if it costs 300 points to cruise this year, it might be 320 next year. Therefore, while points may be an economocial thing for an individual cruise, they aren't a good long term plan for cruising.

Points for DVC resorts are pretty stable. They may reallocate them, but they have to stay the same overall.

Home resort matters several ways:

1) If you care where you stay and can book more than 7 months out, you have priority at home. This can be really important for certain resorts at certain times of year.

2) Home resort determines how much you pay at buy in (which you've noticed)

3) Home resort determines how much you pay in dues (and VB and HH have high dues)

4) Home resort determines contract life.

 

[CarolMN]

.....(snip).......As far as points for cruising, it can be a lot but if you have them to use, then use them. I agree with Crystal that you have to consider that it covers everything (entertainment and food) and when you look at it that way, it really isn't that bad.

Just want to make sure the OP understands the point. Cruises cover everything whether you pay cash for them or points for them. Overall, it will always cost you more to cruise if you use points than if you pay cash and book in advance. You pay a rather large premium to use your points to cruise.

.While we don't anticipate going on the cruises (not my DH's thing), I would not hesitate to use points vs. cash if that is what we wanted to do that year. That is why I bought points for vacation--so I didn't have to spend cash any longer (other than MF's).

It's probably not a good idea to spend one's entire vacation budget for lodging on points. Again, the best value of a DVC point is using it to stay at a DVC resort. Those who want to cruise (or trade via RCI or stay in non-DVC accommodations) on a regular basis will be better off economically if they only buy enough points to take care of the DVC resort vacations. There are less expensive ways to cruise (or trade or stay in non-DVC accommodations).

In summary, it is not a good $$ value to buy points if you plan to regularly use them for anything but a DVC resort stay. That's just how the numbers work.

 

[Sandisw]

Just want to make sure the OP understands the point. Cruises cover everything whether you pay cash for them or points for them. Overall, it will always cost you more to cruise if you use points than if you pay cash and book in advance. You pay a rather large premium to use your points to cruise.

It's probably not a good idea to spend one's entire vacation budget for lodging on points. Again, the best value of a DVC point is using it to stay at a DVC resort. Those who want to cruise (or trade via RCI or stay in non-DVC accommodations) on a regular basis will be better off economically if they only buy enough points to take care of the DVC resort vacations. There are less expensive ways to cruise (or trade or stay in non-DVC accommodations).

In summary, it is not a good $$ value to buy points if you plan to regularly use them for anything but a DVC resort stay. That's just how the numbers work.

I agree with you Carol, that DVC does work best and you get the most value, in terms of dolllar for dollar, if you stay at DVC resorts.

But, I also believe owning DVC and deciding to use those points to cruise, if that is what you want, is not that bad of a deal. While you can purchase a cruise cheaper, especially if you value the DVC point at the rental rate, it means more out of pocket expenses when you have something already that can pay for it.

I guess to me, it is like paying more to stay at a WDW resort hotel than one of those on Buena Vista Blvd. You can certainly get similar accomodations for a lot less, but we pay for Disney.

To cruise on points, to me is just that. You are paying more, but for those that don't want to outlay another few thousand dollars to cruise (or go through renting points to pay for the cruise), it is a way to get both.

 

[rescuetink]

We are looking to cruise in Nov 2011. I have enough points to cover the cost of the cruise for my family of 4 in an ocean view room. However, I still need to pay cash for my air and transfers from NJ which isn't cheap!!

I have discovered that I can try and rent/transfer a few years of my points and make enough cash to pay cash for my entire vacation!!

As of right now I am nervious about renting my points, however I have another DISer who is being a BIG help to me in attempting to list my first points for rent. We will be staying in WVD at AKV this May. Therefore, after our DCL trip next year we'll probably take a year or two off befor returning to WDW, we didn't buy in to plan to be there every year as there are many other places we would like to take our kids over the years, but can't afford multiple trips each year!!

Good Luck!!

(PS. Our next DCL trip will be my DW and my 4th trip, my DS's 3rd and my DD's 2nd!! WE LOVE IT!!!)

 

[Proud2BMomof3]

Thanks so much for everyone's input. It's a lot to think about. I think we'll be looking into SSR ... since our kids our young and we love Disney, I know we'll plan to go often - they are only 18 months and did WDW and a cruise last year Thanks again so much for the advice.