Does it matter which resort I buy points in?

[Tybalt]

My husband and I are looking into buying DVC points. We are not sure whether we should buy the cheapest points with the lowest annual dues or whether we should buy points in the Board Walk or Beach Club since we love that area.

Does it matter where our "home" resort is? Is it difficult to get reservations in any of the resorts?

 

[Sandisw]

I believe that if you have a place where you want to stay, then buy there. I would not recommend, simply for price, to buy a resort that you would not be okay staying at if you can't trade out to what you want at the 7 month mark.

We bought BLT because we knew that if we were forced to stay elsewhere, we would not be happy. We looked in to SSR as it would have saved us over $5000, but in the end, we just knew it would not make us happy.

We spent the money and own where we love. We have stayed at the BWV, BCV, and VWL, and BLT and BLT remains our favorite.

Now, if you would be okay owning at any resort and if your trades come through, great, if not, that is okay, then absolutely go for price.

There are very few times that you won't be able to find any availability elsewhere, but depending on when you go and what you want, it could be frustrating.

For example, both BWV and BCV are very tough to get in the fall during F & W. IF you don't own there, you will have little luck at 7 months. Nothing is impossible, but some things are less likely than others.

Certain room types are also very difficult unless you own at that resort. BLT SV rooms are in short supply, AKV concierge and value rooms difficult, and BW view and SV rooms at BWV, again, very tough to get.

December is a very popular DVC time because its lower points so many book their home resorts at 11 months. Trading out during this one can prove difficult.

Good luck!

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Agree with PP.

Buy where you want to stay. There are times of the year when you need that 11 month home resort advantage. Do you see your family booking a trip at Christmas, Thanksgiving, Spring Break, first week of December? If yes, then you need the home resort advantage.

Someone else had a thread going on around here about trying to book the BLT Standard View Rooms (first couple of floors, parking lot views, which are the lowest points). There are VERY few Standard view rooms at BLT and they go fast.

 

[ELKHUNTER]

I also agree with the PP. Just be sure you really know which one is your favorite resort. Go and tour each one and then decide, this way you will know for sure and not be judging each resort from someone else's opinion.

 

[Pakey]

Buy where you want to stay. All resorts have certain time periods and/or certain room categories that are very difficult to get if you don't have the booking window advantage.

 

[AnnaS]

I agree with all the previous posts.

If you could only stay at one resort each time you went, which one would it be? That is where I would buy.

 

[mdsd8700]

I completely agree with all the PP, each one had great advice. Not sure how many times you have been to WDW. We are new to DVC, just purchased this past summer, but have been going to DLR and WDW since 1997. So we actually purchased our DVC without ever having toured a single DVC property or talk with a sales rep. We had already stayed at all of the DVC hotels although just in regular hotels rooms. With the help of the internet we could see all the DVC villas and their layouts. We had been thinking of purchasing for yeas. We ended up with BLT due to the contract length and the location. After we purchased our points, we went to Doorway of Dreams to see the actual rooms and we were pleased with our choice. If you are not familiar with all the properties and their different themes/locations then try taking a tour on your next visit and doing as much research as possible (as it appears you have already started to do). There is a wealth of information on these boards and everyone really wants to help. Good luck with your decision.

 

[88golf88]

I guess I am the odd one out, not unusual for me!!

My wife and I were not/are not concerned with resort we stay in. We were able to get in at OKW 2057 contract direct thru Disney, we couldn't pass up the price!

I understand why so many others agre that you need to buy where you love to stay, but that didn't apply to us. We have been lucky enough to get reservations at 4 different resorts at the 4-6month mark without any problem. I know that this isnt guaranteed to happen every time, but we will enjoy it while it does!!

We have the comfort of knowing that we will be able to book 11 months out at OKW and then switch at the 7 month mark if we want to and if we are able to.

Everyone buys for different reasons. We are relatively young and were estatic to get a contract that lasts until 2057 If you can't imagine staying anywhere buy BW or BC, than definitely buy there. But if you aren't as picky on where you stay, buy the best contract for you and your husband.


Good luck!!!

 

[ssnelle]

I believe that if you have a place where you want to stay, then buy there. I would not recommend, simply for price, to buy a resort that you would not be okay staying at if you can't trade out to what you want at the 7 month mark.

We bought BLT because we knew that if we were forced to stay elsewhere, we would not be happy. We looked in to SSR as it would have saved us over $5000, but in the end, we just knew it would not make us happy.

We spent the money and own where we love. We have stayed at the BWV, BCV, and VWL, and BLT and BLT remains our favorite.

Now, if you would be okay owning at any resort and if your trades come through, great, if not, that is okay, then absolutely go for price.

There are very few times that you won't be able to find any availability elsewhere, but depending on when you go and what you want, it could be frustrating.

For example, both BWV and BCV are very tough to get in the fall during F & W. IF you don't own there, you will have little luck at 7 months. Nothing is impossible, but some things are less likely than others.

Certain room types are also very difficult unless you own at that resort. BLT SV rooms are in short supply, AKV concierge and value rooms difficult, and BW view and SV rooms at BWV, again, very tough to get.

December is a very popular DVC time because its lower points so many book their home resorts at 11 months. Trading out during this one can prove difficult.

Good luck!

Totally concur. Buy where you want to stay!!!

 

[katieg376]

Keep in mind you can reserve in your home resort sooner than another resort.

 

[CMOORE185]

We have not found it diffcult in most situations to get exactly what we want at the 7 month mark. The only exception is HHI in the summer. We usually travel Spring Break and summer, though we have gone to WDW near Christmas and still got what we wanted. Some say BV at BWV is difficult but I have gotten it at the 7 month mark. I think the key though is to call right at the 7 month mark to maximize your success. We have been members since 2000, so we have booked alot of vacations.

 

[ssnelle]

If I were going to do it 'all over again' I would probably buy at BCV or BWV, They are our favorite and the hardest to get into.

 

[physicalt104]

Hi All
I am just back from Marathon Weekend, and finally decided (after 39 years in the parks) to sit down with a DVC rep yesterday. We have NOT signed just yet, and I'm feeling the pressure....
Any suggestions?? Is it worthwhile checking out The Timeshare Store first?
Thanks!!

 

[FindingFigment]

Hi All
I am just back from Marathon Weekend, and finally decided (after 39 years in the parks) to sit down with a DVC rep yesterday. We have NOT signed just yet, and I'm feeling the pressure....
Any suggestions?? Is it worthwhile checking out The Timeshare Store first?
Thanks!!

At which resort would you like to own points?

 

[Metsoskil]

Keep in mind that DVC has the right to restrict you to your home resort and discontinue exchanges into other DVC resorts. I don't know if they ever would, but they have the right to do that.

Buy where you want to stay.

 

[a742246]

Hi All
I am just back from Marathon Weekend, and finally decided (after 39 years in the parks) to sit down with a DVC rep yesterday. We have NOT signed just yet, and I'm feeling the pressure....
Any suggestions?? Is it worthwhile checking out The Timeshare Store first?
Thanks!!

Definitely check out the resale companies. Did you visit any dvc's yet?

Would you go to the theme parks every year?
What is your lifestyle like?
What type of vacations do you like?
What do you do on your vacation?
What is your favorite Theme park?
Now much in advance would you plan for vacation?
Can you take your vacation any time or what time of the year do you go?

There is a whole lot of questions you may like to ask yourself.

For me I prefer doing a split stay. I do the epcot resorts for the first
part, and OKW or SSR for the second part.

If you are a runner the only resort I would not reccommend is AKV there is no relaxing place to run around.

 

[CMOORE185]

Keep in mind that DVC has the right to restrict you to your home resort and discontinue exchanges into other DVC resorts. I don't know if they ever would, but they have the right to do that.

Buy where you want to stay.

Very unlikely scenario, Not enough to even worry about IMO.

 

[DenLo]

My husband and I are looking into buying DVC points. We are not sure whether we should buy the cheapest points with the lowest annual dues or whether we should buy points in the Board Walk or Beach Club since we love that area.

Does it matter where our "home" resort is? Is it difficult to get reservations in any of the resorts?

I too believe in buying where you want to stay. For example you going to book a very special trip and invite family to join you. Will you be disappointed that you can't get the resort you want at the 7 month mark? Or will any DVC resort do?

So far we have stayed only at BLT and BWV. I enjoyed staying at both, but prefer BLT. The location of BWV isn't as important to me as I thought it would be. But BLT's location is important.

Hi All
I am just back from Marathon Weekend, and finally decided (after 39 years in the parks) to sit down with a DVC rep yesterday. We have NOT signed just yet, and I'm feeling the pressure....
Any suggestions?? Is it worthwhile checking out The Timeshare Store first?
Thanks!!

We have some points purchased resale and some direct. I would always check into the cost of purchasing both direct and resale first and then buy whichever gives me the best deal. However if the cost difference is only a couple hundred dollars I might still buy direct.

Also when buying resale consider the points available on the contract versus the points you get when buying direct. Sometimes the resale owner will have spent points into future years.

 

[physicalt104]

Definitely check out the resale companies. Did you visit any dvc's yet?

Would you go to the theme parks every year?
What is your lifestyle like?
What type of vacations do you like?
What do you do on your vacation?
What is your favorite Theme park?
Now much in advance would you plan for vacation?
Can you take your vacation any time or what time of the year do you go?

All great questions/advice! We do go to WDW at least once a year, with 2 large teen boys. We are locked into school vacations now, but that will change before we know it. I looked at the BLT model, and think that is the way to go- walking to the MK is such an enticement.
What do you all think??
(And thanks )

 

[Sandisw]

All great questions/advice! We do go to WDW at least once a year, with 2 large teen boys. We are locked into school vacations now, but that will change before we know it. I looked at the BLT model, and think that is the way to go- walking to the MK is such an enticement.
What do you all think??
(And thanks )

That is why we bought in to DVC--they built BLT. We love that locations and the convenience to MK.

We go in the summer (I teach) so have to travel in Magic Season. The cost in points for a SV room are very similar to the other places we would stay--BWV, BCV, and VWL.

So, we spent the extra money and bought BLT so that we could get the SV rooms.

If we want to trade out, we can, but we know that we should always get BLT. We just traded out yesterday for the first two nights to BWV (2 bedroom, BW view) at 7 months, so staying elsewhere doesn't seem to be an issue.

However, had it not been available, I would have been perfectly okay with just staying at BLT.

And, if BLT is what you want, the resale market is there, but not to the extent it is for other resorts, so deciding between buying direct and resale becomes blurred. With Disney, you get current UY points automatically (may or may not with resale) and depending on how many points you buy, the price can come down within $10 - $15 of resale. For the quick and easy buy through Disney, it may make it worth it.

Of course, if there are other DVC resorts you are interested in, then resale is a great way to become a member and save money.

Good luck!