does it matter where I buy my points?

[missycj96]

Hello - I am considering buying into DVC and was wondering if it matters where we buy the points. We recently stayed at SSR and had a great experience. If we are not planning to travel at a peak time like Christmas week, is the best plan to just get the lowest cost per point? Can someone please explain this to me. For example, I was looking at resales on the timeshare store site and I see some go for in the 60's or so per point and others are much more (80's). I am hoping the experts on this board can give me some insight. thanks!! Missy

 

[Marshay]

If you are the type of person who plans 7-11 months out all the time and want to stay at your "home" resort the majority of the time, then purchase where you want to stay. (i.e., at your home resort you can request a ressie 11 months out -- if you want to go to another resort, you have to wait until 7 months out). However, note that most of the DVCs expire in 2042. SSR is in 2054. AKV (when available) in 2057. So you also need to consider how long you wish to have the membership.

If you want to experience all the resorts and/or you plan out your vacation 7 months or less, then you may want to purchase either SSR through Disney or resale, or any of the other resorts through resale. It just may take longer to go through resale and/or Disney may buy back your contract through ROFR, leaving you with no membership.

We found the cost difference to be minimal when you factor in how long you will own it, so we went through Disney. This also enabled us to put a hold on our upcoming vacation even before we signed any papers. With resale, you cannot do this.

Keep reading these threads and you'll find more info.

Good luck!

 

[Moobooks]

Disney has the ability to change the terms at any time. So, while you can now stay at DVC resorts other than the one at which you own, there is no guarantee that you will always be able to do that.

That said (and most people on this board will advise you to buy where you want to stay most), cost was more important for me when I purchased in 2000. I bought resale through The Timeshare Store--a 460 point contract for only $53 a point at Old Key West.

I bought where points cost the least, and where condo taxes were the smallest every year.

I never stay at Old Key West. Can't stand the place. If Disney ever decides that your only option is going to be to stay only at your home resort, I'll just sell my points. But it's already paid for itself and now the rooms cost us so little it's just a pleasure.

I always stay at the Wilderness Lodge Villas or the Beach Club Villas (and once at Boardwalk Villas just for a change, then at Sarasota Springs, which was too remote, like Old Key West). I generally have no trouble booking even at just five months out in the other resorts.

So, make your own choice, but there is NO reason to buy retail from Disney--that's very short run thinking. You'll save far more buying a resale.

 

[crisi]

Watch dues as well. Vero's points are cheapest resale, but they have the most expensive dues. If you want a bargain, buy OKW - its a nice resort, on property, and a real value - resales aren't too expensive, dues are reasonable, and it has larger rooms at a lower point cost.

If you have your heart set on one of the smaller resorts (BCV/VWL) or special rooms (BWV Standard or Boardwalk View, Grand Villas), and you can book more than 7 months out, you'll want the home resort advantage. Particularly at certain times of year - which are different with DVC (October - Christmas is pretty full). However, if you are willing to be flexible, buying any resort and switching at seven will work - but you may not get that BWV Standard View you were hoping for.

 

[Granny]

For discussion about this and lots of other great tips, you might want to read this thread. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=778634&page=1&pp=15

 

[DVC Grammy]

Someone on these boards (can't remember who) advised "purchase where you DON'T MIND staying", which I thought was great advice for someone not tied to a particular resort. If just being at WDW is the most important factor, that means any of the DVCs at WDW could work for you, but HH and VB wouldn't (even though their point costs are lower). If being at HH or VB is also fine with you, then they'd work, too.
In our case, neither HH or VB holds any interest for us, so we went for BW for location and SSR for the longer contract. So far, we've stayed at all except BCV (with BWV, there's no need) and have enjoyed each one.
But.....if you love one particular resort, and wouldn't enjoy your stay at any other, go for your first choice. It's a matter of which meets your individual needs.

Good luck making your decision!