DVC Buying Options

[ljlaurajane]

Hi All,

We are first time DVC buyers, we've been on several tours and have debated buying DVC several times in the past but never had the money to buy outright (we wouldn't consider buying on finance). We are now seriously considering buying if the prices over the next few months reach a level we think is worth investing (they aren't far off now as have come down since we looked back in Feb). If we did go ahead we would be looking to buy 125 points on resale, in order to travel every other year in a studio (not interested in 1BRs as don't cook /. don't see the value in the points difference between that and a studio). We aren't interested in buying direct as we are from the UK and the perks just don't outweigh the price difference for us (loved Riviera but the points needed are too high for the value in my mind, we wouldn't need APs as would have the UK tickets etc.). We are considering the following 3 options:

All 125 at Saratoga
75 at Saratoga and 60 at Polynesian (which is approx 9 nights Saratoga and 5 nights Polynesian)
75 at Saratoga and 50 at Boardwalk (approx 1 week at each)

We would be booking right on the 11 month window and would book on the assumption we would always stay at our home resort, and if anything were available to swap to at 7 months then that would be a bonus but certainly not an expectation. We stay for 2 weeks at a time so the option to have a guaranteed split stay is very appealing.

Does anyone have any advice around these options? We have stayed at Saratoga and loved it (really don't get the bad press it gets) but we would always want to be in preferred blocks. The boardwalk option bothers me in that it only has 22 years but we love that whole area so much and it seems a better option than Beach club does from a cost perspective, plus from what i've read on the availability threads here, our only real shot at staying on the Epcot area in a studio is to have one of them as a home resort. Also I'm aware buying smaller contracts isn't as cost effective and may be more challenging to align use years etc. So many pro's and con's I'm struggling to work out what is best!

 

[bookwormde]

Hi All,

We are first time DVC buyers, we've been on several tours and have debated buying DVC several times in the past but never had the money to buy outright (we wouldn't consider buying on finance). We are now seriously considering buying if the prices over the next few months reach a level we think is worth investing (they aren't far off now as have come down since we looked back in Feb). If we did go ahead we would be looking to buy 125 points on resale, in order to travel every other year in a studio (not interested in 1BRs as don't cook /. don't see the value in the points difference between that and a studio). We aren't interested in buying direct as we are from the UK and the perks just don't outweigh the price difference for us (loved Riviera but the points needed are too high for the value in my mind, we wouldn't need APs as would have the UK tickets etc.). We are considering the following 3 options:

All 125 at Saratoga
75 at Saratoga and 60 at Polynesian (which is approx 9 nights Saratoga and 5 nights Polynesian)
75 at Saratoga and 50 at Boardwalk (approx 1 week at each)

We would be booking right on the 11 month window and would book on the assumption we would always stay at our home resort, and if anything were available to swap to at 7 months then that would be a bonus but certainly not an expectation. We stay for 2 weeks at a time so the option to have a guaranteed split stay is very appealing.

Does anyone have any advice around these options? We have stayed at Saratoga and loved it (really don't get the bad press it gets) but we would always want to be in preferred blocks. The boardwalk option bothers me in that it only has 22 years but we love that whole area so much and it seems a better option than Beach club does from a cost perspective, plus from what i've read on the availability threads here, our only real shot at staying on the Epcot area in a studio is to have one of them as a home resort. Also I'm aware buying smaller contracts isn't as cost effective and may be more challenging to align use years etc. So many pro's and con's I'm struggling to work out what is best!

I know you have a strong plan, but the one thing I learned when I was first looking from long time members and can confirm for myself is that there is a good chance that what you plan now will not be how you vacation with DVC as time moves on.

With that said it is hard to give good advice without knowing what times of year you anticipate traveling (though that sometimes changes also)

 

[CarolMN]

Buying points at BWV may turn into a frustrating booking experience, since it appears you are counting on booking standard view studios. Those are very difficult to get, even at 11 months. If you buy at BWV, you should plan on having enough points to book the Pool/Garden view studios (and still plan on booking t 11 months).

 

[carli_h]

We’re from U.K. and bought last year direct at Riviera. We did look at and offer on BLT, SSR and VGF resale contracts beforehand.

I think it depends when you travel and how bothered by not staying anywhere other than SSR.

My logic if you are happy at SSR with the possible opportunity to swap out at 7 months just go for SSR as the cheaper option.

If you prefer the guarantee of a MK and Epcot resort then buy a second contract at one of those resorts.

Not sure it helps but we were due to travel in May half term and week after. We managed to swap to VGF standard and AKL Jambo SV at 6.5 months and added 2 days at BC to our waitlist at 6 months. BC come through within a month. All were studios.

However, I would also say that the current closures could also significantly impact availability at 7 months for a year or two depending on what DVC decide to do.

 

[CraigInPA]

The problem with options 2 and 3 of your plan is that there are few small resale contracts. You may have to wait years to find sub-100 point contracts that match use year at your desired resorts. Consider buying one contract at one resort if you want to get this done within a year.

For September through mid-January, if you want to stay in the Epcot area in a studio, you pretty much need to own there. If your plan is to buy SSR points and try to book BWV or BCV at 7 months, you will be very disappointed.

 

[gharter]

Buying points at BWV may turn into a frustrating booking experience, since it appears you are counting on booking standard view studios. Those are very difficult to get, even at 11 months. If you buy at BWV, you should plan on having enough points to book the Pool/Garden view studios (and still plan on booking t 11 months).

Very true. We had planned to do studios, but had read about the difficulty of reserving them. We got enough points for a 1BR and love it.
Small contracts are difficult to find and expensive.
The best advice is buy where you want to stay. Especially in the next several years, I think changing resorts at 7 months will become even more challenging.

 

[rkstocke5609]

I think one contract is the way to go. Just plain easier to manage. So, I vote all 125 at SSR.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

The problem with options 2 and 3 of your plan is that there are few small resale contracts. You may have to wait years to find sub-100 point contracts that match use year at your desired resorts. Consider buying one contract at one resort if you want to get this done within a year.

For September through mid-January, if you want to stay in the Epcot area in a studio, you pretty much need to own there. If your plan is to buy SSR points and try to book BWV or BCV at 7 months, you will be very disappointed.

I was thinking the same thing - finding 2 resale contracts with those low point totals might be tougher than making room reservations! I'm not sure if it was mentioned here or not, but if you do decide on multiple contracts, I would highly recommend them in the same use-year. Good luck with your decision and your purchase!

 

[Jaguar Skills]

Following as we are brand new to this and from the UK also.

See my thread from earlier today!

 

[macman123]

Interesting you brought RVA. I am from the UK too. Did you know about re-sale restrictions when you brought direct? If so, didn't it bother you?

 

[ljlaurajane]

I know you have a strong plan, but the one thing I learned when I was first looking from long time members and can confirm for myself is that there is a good chance that what you plan now will not be how you vacation with DVC as time moves on.

With that said it is hard to give good advice without knowing what times of year you anticipate traveling (though that sometimes changes also)

We historically have traveled Feb time, but my little boy is 3 now so in the not too distant future we’ll be looking at Feb and Oct half terms and July / Aug holidays. When we’ve been calculating points we’ve made sure all these would fit within the amount we want to buy.

Buying points at BWV may turn into a frustrating booking experience, since it appears you are counting on booking standard view studios. Those are very difficult to get, even at 11 months. If you buy at BWV, you should plan on having enough points to book the Pool/Garden view studios (and still plan on booking t 11 months).

from the availability calculator it seemed that a standard studio at 11 months out would be fine other than odd weeks, do
you have a different experience? We’d go up to a higher view category if needed.

We’re from U.K. and bought last year direct at Riviera. We did look at and offer on BLT, SSR and VGF resale contracts beforehand.

I think it depends when you travel and how bothered by not staying anywhere other than SSR.

My logic if you are happy at SSR with the possible opportunity to swap out at 7 months just go for SSR as the cheaper option.

If you prefer the guarantee of a MK and Epcot resort then buy a second contract at one of those resorts.

Not sure it helps but we were due to travel in May half term and week after. We managed to swap to VGF standard and AKL Jambo SV at 6.5 months and added 2 days at BC to our waitlist at 6 months. BC come through within a month. All were studios.

However, I would also say that the current closures could also significantly impact availability at 7 months for a year or two depending on what DVC decide to do.

that’s good to know you’ve had decent luck getting studios at 7months round Uk holiday times!

The problem with options 2 and 3 of your plan is that there are few small resale contracts. You may have to wait years to find sub-100 point contracts that match use year at your desired resorts. Consider buying one contract at one resort if you want to get this done within a year.

For September through mid-January, if you want to stay in the Epcot area in a studio, you pretty much need to own there. If your plan is to buy SSR points and try to book BWV or BCV at 7 months, you will be very disappointed.

Yes this is why I’m looking at the BWV option as I know we stand almost zero chance of getting anything there at 7 months. We have time to spare as only just returned from our latest trip so we have time to wait for the ideal contract to come up, but I do appreciate it’s still a gamble and more hassle than a single contract.

 

[carli_h]

Interesting you brought RVA. I am from the UK too. Did you know about re-sale restrictions when you brought direct? If so, didn't it bother you?

Yes fully aware. We visited December 2018 and did the tour at SSR. At the time I annoyed the guide with lots of resale questions. She did talk about Riviera but there was only CCV, Aulani and Poly rooms.

We visited most of the resorts and fell in love with VGF and also knew CCV direct was not for us. When they announced the resale changes last Jan we tried to buy resale at BLT as an affordable alternative to VGF but our contract was taken back in ROFR. We also went for a very cheap but large SSR contract a few months later so we could use it for other resorts but again it was unsurprisingly taken back.

I have done so much research to the point I became so confused with what was right for our family.

We were firmly in the ‘we would never consider Riviera’ camp then the promo video for Riviera came out and we loved it. We bought 2 smaller contracts and still received the discount for the total amount.

It was not the most economical decision but we are completely happy with it. I love look of the resort, the artwork, skyliner and the fact we have access to future resorts. We were due our first visit next month.

 

[bookwormde]

I would say SSR, If you have to have BWV in October you can always rent a few days

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I would say SSR, If you have to have BWV in October you can always rent a few days

On the other hand, it you buy BWV as a home resort, it's definitely easier to get SSR studios as a non-home resort at 7 months. They have more rooms.

So many good points in the thread - the OP will need to do what ultimately feels most comfortable for them! Good luck.

 

[Sandisw]

We historically have traveled Feb time, but my little boy is 3 now so in the not too distant future we’ll be looking at Feb and Oct half terms and July / Aug holidays. When we’ve been calculating points we’ve made sure all these would fit within the amount we want to buy.




from the availability calculator it seemed that a standard studio at 11 months out would be fine other than odd weeks, do
you have a different experience? We’d go up to a higher view category if needed.




that’s good to know you’ve had decent luck getting studios at 7months round Uk holiday times!




Yes this is why I’m looking at the BWV option as I know we stand almost zero chance of getting anything there at 7 months. We have time to spare as only just returned from our latest trip so we have time to wait for the ideal contract to come up, but I do appreciate it’s still a gamble and more hassle than a single contract.

BWV SV studios are very difficult to get, Out of the last 6 times I tried, it only happened once,

I am not sure what calculator you are using, but only DVC members have access to real time availability. And it changes a lot,

I agree with others, be sure to consider points for garden view at BWV and consider anytime you can get SV a bonus,

 

[Deb & Bill]

I would say SSR, If you have to have BWV in October you can always rent a few days

You'd need a transfer in of BWV points before 11 months out, so you could book exactly at 11 months out. But even with a transfer, you can't book until MS opens for the day and you've lost an hour to those people booking online. You can't see transferred points and MS must book your stay. If you are considering purchasing one time use points, you cannot buy them until seven months out. You'll never get a standard BWV studio at seven months out in October. Again, with OTU points, MS must book that for you. So you wait until 9AM ET, tell MS you need to buy OTU points, they get your reservation and then send you over to someone to sell you the points. In that time you may have lost the reservation if you even could get it.

When you say "rent a few days", if you are "renting points" you don't own the reservation and you cannot link reservations made with points from different owners (or even different member numbers). You can request a continuing reservation, but it might not always happen. You'd need to rent points for full days, not partial days and use your own points to combine with the other member points by renting.

Also, if you consider a specific number of points to purchase to get a specific number of nights, you know that DVC will adjust the points charts and now you don't have enough points for your stay.

 

[ljlaurajane]

BWV SV studios are very difficult to get, Out of the last 6 times I tried, it only happened once,

Were you trying at 11months though?

 

[Sandisw]

Were you trying at 11months though?

October, November, December and May. Went on at 8 am and they were gone,

The one time I did get it for December, it was when I wasn’t looking for it, it was weeks before I wanted it, but snagged it so I could walk it forward,

Nothing is impossible, but they are very difficult to get.

 

[zakdavid]

October, November, December and May. Went on at 8 am and they were gone,

The one time I did get it for December, it was when I wasn’t looking for it, it was weeks before I wanted it, but snagged it so I could walk it forward,

Nothing is impossible, but they are very difficult to get.

I've had the same experience. Tried about 5 times and only got it once because I picked it up day by day as someone was walking. On the bright side I have never had an issue getting a studio at boardwalk at the 11 month mark it's just almost always a pool/garden or boardwalk view

 

[mamaofsix]

We historically have traveled Feb time, but my little boy is 3 now so in the not too distant future we’ll be looking at Feb and Oct half terms and July / Aug holidays. When we’ve been calculating points we’ve made sure all these would fit within the amount we want to buy.




from the availability calculator it seemed that a standard studio at 11 months out would be fine other than odd weeks, do
you have a different experience? We’d go up to a higher view category if needed.




that’s good to know you’ve had decent luck getting studios at 7months round Uk holiday times!




Yes this is why I’m looking at the BWV option as I know we stand almost zero chance of getting anything there at 7 months. We have time to spare as only just returned from our latest trip so we have time to wait for the ideal contract to come up, but I do appreciate it’s still a gamble and more hassle than a single contract.

Seeing you mention now that you have a son, I really wouldn't dismiss 1 bedrooms. As your child gets older (think teenage years), you may want your space. And even if you don't cook, having in-room laundry is priceless. As well as a separate bedroom for naptimes / early bedtimes.