DVC for GF addict?

[Ladyhawke10]

Would I be completely wasting my time to buy into SSR (for the extra ten years) and never actually stay in SSR, but always trade for GF--my favorite? To me, most of my favorite resorts are non DVC locations (AKL, GF, Poly) so I was worried if it wouldn't be a good investment. However, since I've already spent so much money over the last five years at deluxe resorts and Dis cruises (and have another cruise scheduled) seems like it might be a good idea to have some of that money spent actually good toward something. Any news on ownership in California? I heard a rumor about it on the cruiseship. Anyway, thanks for any advice!

Also, my favorite DVC location is the Boardwalk...but it is better to buy at SSR for the time frame (I am relatively young..in my thirties) and for the resale value (for example, how is the condition of the BWV?) Thanks again!

 

[SueOKW]

In my opinion DVC is a great way to have marvelous accomodations for a great price - but only when you stay at DVC resorts. From what I understand, trading from DVC into GF etc is not a good use of your DVC points.

 

[disney junky]

You should consider this. Point exchanges at WDW resorts are not constant like points for DVC accomodations. I looked at point charts from 2001 and compared them to this year and GF points have gone up. Not a lot, but they have increased. If you were to buy at SSR purely with the intention of exchanging, you may end up with a shortage of points to stay where you want in 5-10 years. I'm sure others will have comments on your other questions but I thought you should consider this.

 

[SlyHubby]

Would I be completely wasting my time to buy into SSR (for the extra ten years) and never actually stay in SSR, but always trade for GF--my favorite? To me, most of my favorite resorts are non DVC locations (AKL, GF, Poly) so I was worried if it wouldn't be a good investment.

Yes, I believe if that your intent is to always stay at GF and/or AKL, you would be completely wasting your time with DVC. You would need an enormous number of points to satisfy your needs.

Additionally, though points required for stays at DVC resorts do not go up over the years, anything outside of DVC can. The least (points) expensive room at GF goes for 39 to 60 points for the cheapest rooms Sun-Thur and 70 to 108 for Friday/Saturday. So, today, if you wanted the cheapest GF had to offer, it would be over 300 points for just one week - and that's for the cheapest part of the year.

If you are going to buy DVC, your mindset should be to use the points at DVC resorts. From what I've seen, you never get full value for your points when you exchange. If you want to go outside DVC, you'd probably be better off finding the best cash rate you can get.

 

[rinkwide]

Would I be completely wasting my time...

Completely.

 

[DizneyNutz]

There are point charts out there so that you can look at the cost of staying at locations outside DVC----in my opinion, the GF is SO BEAUTIFUL, especially at Christmas, but I wouldn't use the points that it would take to stay there---we love WL-and do plan to try VWL---maybe even PO---I would weigh the use of points, and to me, some places aren't worth the cost---I don't see us venturing very far from SSR.

 

[Candace]

Have you stayed much at any of the DVC resorts? If not, try them either by reserving with Disney or renting points from a member. That would give you the best opinion of whether or not it's for you. Like others have said, the best use of DVC points is at DVC resorts. Points for hotels in the Disney Collection are really a lot compared to the points used for DVC villas. Good luck!

 

[ddhoeg]

We too love the GF. We have stayed in the main lodge concierge, the sugar loaf concierge, a lagoon view room twice, and a standard room over the past 5 years. It really was this attachment to the GF that kept us from buying into DVC earlier. We didn't know how we could give it up! However, once we experienced the DVC properties with the additional space and kitchen amenities, we wonder how we ever crammed our family into a standard hotel room, and why we didn't buy into DVC sooner!! Since we go to WDW in early December, we take an evening/day or two and go hang out at the GF. Pool hopping is allowed at that time and we go swim and ride the slides, watch wishes from the dock, and sit in the lobby listening to Christmas music. This satisfies our GF fetish and allows us to remember the wonderful memories we've had there. The GF will always be very special to us. Still, it's wonderful to go home to a DVC property at the end of the day and we have never thought twice about our decision. I consider it the best of all worlds. Best of luck to you!!

 

[disneycrazed139]

I think if most of your stays are at GF and that is what you are accustomed to, you might not be satisfied with DVC. Then again, you could really enjoy it as a change of pace. Why don't you try a night or two at one before you buy into it. You could try a BWV resale, since you say you love that resort. You might also like SSR, since the furnishings are very upscale and the landscaping is gorgeous.

As others have mentioned, it wouldn't be worthwhile to trade into GF. The point values are incredibly high. You could stay about 5 nights in a DVC studio for 1 night at GF. Pretty ridiculous and really no point to it at all.
Maybe you already have it, but, if not, get an annual pass and book your favorite resorts with AP codes to save money and whatever you save, invest.

 

[bcvillastwo]

Like ddhoeg above we too love the GF. While we've only stayed there once we visit every trip to WDW. I completely agree with ddhoeg because while our visits to the GF are nice we love being able to come back to BCV and the full kitchen, king size bed, whirlpool tub, etc. However, with that said we understand that everyone is different so for those who simply know that they prefer GF, from everything I can see it wouldn't be a good use of DVC points to buy at SRS to use the points primarily for GF. Finally, for those who may still be on the bubble where DVC is concerned the advice offered concerning renting points at various DVC resorts is a very good idea. You might even try just visiting each of the resorts to get a feel for the one you "might" like to the best.

Good luck with your decision.