DVC for DUMMIES????HELP

[Joann]

Hi we are thinking about buying into DVC but its all alittle conffusing about what the use year means what is best for us...if we buy into AKL can we use our points for other resorts there instead, if you buy into the most expensive DVC hotel but stay in a less expensive one do you save on your points ect? Where do I find alll this out. If I always want to stay at beach club should I not buy into AKL ....how do you know what one to buy into and why?

 

[RobDoc]

Use Year is the month each year when your points are renewed. It also determines your banking deadlines, which can extend the life of the points for an adidtional 12 months. If you will usually travel at the same time each year, it might help if your Use Year begins a month or two ahead of the month you will travel - as that gives you more flexibility if you need to cancel the reservation. If cancelling is not a big likelyhood, then Use Year will not be a big factor. (If you have a June Use Year - your points are good from June 1 each year until the following May 31. If you have a reservation made for May 15 and cancel it on April 1, the points would be returned to your account, but they could no longer be banked and would expire on May 31. If you had an April Use Year, May reservation and cancelled on April 1, you will still have a full 6 months to bank those points or a full year to use them if they had already been banked.)

There is a point chart for each resort - several are very similar (BWV Preferred, BCV and VWL are virtually the same), OKW (and BWV Standard View) and lower and SSR/AKV each has it's own point requirements. The points needed for a stay are the same at each resort regardless where you own. There is no consideration if you own at a resort with a higher (or lower) maintenance fee - the points required will be the same for everyone.

The point charts may be viewed using the link at the top of this board.

Deciding which resort would be best for your family is a personal decision. Many have found it worthwhile visiting the resorts to assist with that decision and then reviewing the purchase costs and fees involved for each.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[tomandrobin]

Hi we are thinking about buying into DVC but its all alittle conffusing about what the use year means what is best for us...if we buy into AKL can we use our points for other resorts there instead, if you buy into the most expensive DVC hotel but stay in a less expensive one do you save on your points ect? Where do I find alll this out. If I always want to stay at beach club should I not buy into AKL ....how do you know what one to buy into and why?

Use is semi important, depends on when you and how you normally vacation. We go all throughout the year, so it didn't matter to us.

You can use your points at the other DVC resorts. Buying at a particular resort gives you first chance to book there, at 11 months out. At 7 months out you can book at the other DVC resorts. At peak times, getting reservations at the 7 month mark can be difficult.

Cost of the DVC contract does not have bearing on the points required for a stay. The most important factor is the season, followed by view choice (if available).

Buy where you want to stay the most. That way at 11 months out you should never have a problem of staying where you truly want to be!

 

[DrShifty]

As Tomandrobon said and I would strongly suggest buy whrere you usually want to stay. If you usually want to stay at BCV, buy BCV resale and add on there or at another resort. It will make your life less stressful.

 

[Deb & Bill]

At least buy at the resort you wouldn't mind staying at.

 

[Amy5000]

Hi. I'm a newbie in the market, but I've been totally immersed in DVC for the last 2 weeks and I have 2 goods friends who are DVCers so I'll give you my spin:

First, in response to your staying at a more "expensive" or "less expensive" resort pointswise: You will buy a certain # of points. Those points will go further for a studio at OKW than a studio at BCV. But you need to take a look at the point charts for the different resorts to understand how that works.

As for "expensive" vs. "less expensive"...well I view BCV pts. as expensive b/c you will need to pay more to purchase BCV points than other resorts. You will pay more for 160 pts at BCV than for 160 pts at OKW. But once you've purchased those points, the only benefit is that if you book more than 7 months in advance, you get first shot at BCV which is a highly desirable resort (great location and awesome pool).

Yes, a studio at OKW will cost fewer pts than one at BCV, but you already paid the BCV premium when you bought the points. (ie, you paid maybe $95 ppt rather than $79 ppt).

Many here believe you get what you pay for and I'll agree that BCV and BWV have a great location and I think that's why they are more "expensive" per point.

For me, well, I'm not willing to pay that premium so I can consistently stay at those resorts. I think I might love BCV, but my funds are not unlimited, I have young children and it's a compromise I'm more than willing and happy to make.

Good luck. Amy

 

[Joann]

Thank you all for answering me .. I understand more now about this how it works, yet it still can be confussing ! We are looking at SSR and AKV I like AKV more as my house is african I own 11 parrots I worked with animals and I love animals hehe. Location is fine for us at AKV as I dont need to be able to walk to parks, I don't mind the bus rides.Thank you again for your help I am sure I will have tons more to ask !

 

[Caskbill]

Thank you all for answering me .. I understand more now about this how it works, yet it still can be confussing ! We are looking at SSR and AKV I like AKV more as my house is african I own 11 parrots I worked with animals and I love animals hehe. Location is fine for us at AKV as I dont need to be able to walk to parks, I don't mind the bus rides.Thank you again for your help I am sure I will have tons more to ask !

AKV is slightly different from the other resorts in that it will have more room point 'categories' than any other. This will give you more choice in how to spend your points when you want to stay there. No one knows now what will become the most popular categories, and at this point would only be guesses.

I assume you're aware the different point categories are: Value, Standard, Savanna, and Concierge.

Only BWV comes close with two point categories: Standard, Preferred, ( also you can use Preferred with guaranteed boardwalk view, but it's the same point category).

VB is next with two different point categories: Inn Garden view, Inn Ocean view or Studio (Ocean View Inn and Studios are the same point structure)

All the remaing resorts only have a single point category point chart.

 

[Joann]

my head is spinning right round!! So many things to learn and all so confussing hehe. Thank you all for your help so far on this! We are trying to learn all we can before we go May 6th