DVC ?? -- Help Quick!

[cathcuc]

I really should call my sales person today but I'm struggling and want your input! My husband and I really don't want to spend on more than a studio (150 pts. at BCV) at this point in time (economy is yucky, not sure if he'll get a raise or bonus this year, etc.). Since BCV will sell out before we could possibly consider getting additional points there, are we making a good choice? Should we wait until we can afford the 270 points I really want and wait to buy at Saratoga Springs since then I'll have all my points in one resort? But I know the points will probably be up to $95 per point by same time next year and who knows if they'll be offering the previous year's points as an incentive? HELP??

 

[JOC]

IS BCV what you really want for your home resort, or are you just "in a rush" because they may be sold out soon? Have you looked into resales? If you buy BCV now and decide you want more points there later, you could probably get it via resale or through Disney once people start reselling their BCV contracts. If 150 points is all I could afford right now, I'd go with the 150 and add on later when I'm more comfortable financially.

 

[Richyams]

I wouldn't worry about MB going away, its not that good of a deal and its been around in one form or another since the begining.

Resales will always be available and always be worth a look. Buying now with intentions to add a resale would be prudent. BCV and SSR look like they are going to be very different resorts. I would chose the one you think you will want to spend the most time at.

 

[A1A1]

Magical beginnings has been around since I purchased in 1998. I think that is a tried and true formula for them.

I started out with 176 points for my initial purchase. I have had the opportunity to do a couple add-ons over the past 4 1/2 years. By the amount that you can afford if BCV is where you want to stay. If that is not where you want the 11 month home priority, then wait and save until you have enough for a larger purchase at SSR.

I was able to vacation at any time during the year until this year. Job changed, and now am only able to vacation at highest point times. So, home resort priority is essential to me when I want to stay at my home resort for the holidays.

I say "wait" if what you really want is SSR. The price per point will definitely be higher by maybe up to five dollars per point. Is it worth it for you to have home resort priority/11 month booking window for the extra money? I am in the middle of purchasing a BWV add-on through disney at the full current price. I know Richyams would disagree with me, but it was worth it to me. (Nothing against Richyams. He's pretty with it.) There were a few reasons for this add-on at full price through Disney. Financial soundness was not one of them. Mostly ease of getting what and how much I wanted.

 

[cathcuc]

Although I've never stayed there I do like the location. Like the idea of being near the Boardwalk and pretty close to two parks. Since I'd like to eliminate the expense of a rental car -- being near Boardwalk would allow us some entertainment and food at night without having to drive somewhere. I originally thought SSR would be great having the spa and golf right on property but I'm not sure how much we'll actually them since we tend to glue ourselves to the parks! Actually there isn't a DVC that I wouldn't mind staying in!! There's only 3-4 of use that go regularly so we really don't need more than a studio. We could make good use of 150 points without much problem. I'm just thinking about the future.

My main concern would be possibly having to split resorts to add on points. I know it would be better to have all my points at BCV since I'd have more flexibility at that location. Does it make any sense to less than a studio's worth of points at another location? If I bought 50 points at SSR does that really get me anything at SSR -- or does it just buy me more "trading power" at all the DVC resorts? We probably wouldn't be in a position to buy more points until BCV would be available for resale so this issue is probably moot but it's bothering me!!!

Sorry this is so lengthy! Thanks for your input!

 

[JOC]

Will you be financing your BCV through Disney? If so, you may be able to afford your 270 points right now because Disney finances up to 10 years, so your monthly payments would be lower. On the other hand, the finance charges for the full 10 years would add up, but maybe you can make double payments at a later time to pay it off faster. I don't think 50 points at another home resort would give you much "play," unless you banked and borrowed for three years, in which case you'd have 150 points to use at one time.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by cathcuc
...(snip).... I'm just thinking about the future.

My main concern would be possibly having to split resorts to add on points. I know it would be better to have all my points at BCV since I'd have more flexibility at that location. Does it make any sense to less than a studio's worth of points at another location? If I bought 50 points at SSR does that really get me anything at SSR -- or does it just buy me more "trading power" at all the DVC resorts? We probably wouldn't be in a position to buy more points until BCV would be available for resale so this issue is probably moot but it's bothering me!!!

Sorry this is so lengthy! Thanks for your input!

If you buy 50 points at SSR, you could bank and borrow such that every third year you would have 150 points to use to make a SSR ressie at the 11 month window. For example, bank 2003 UY points into 2004 UY, and then borrow from 2005 UY into 2004 UY.

Of course, at the 7 month window, you could also use the 50 points from SSR for any of the DVC resorts (subject to availability).

My advice is to buy what you can afford at the resort you'd like to stay at most of the time (to take advantage of the 11 month booking window). That means you may have to go resale for your initial purchase if you want something othere than BCV or VB.

Decide where to "add on" when you can afford the additonal points - by then, you will have a better feel for how important the 11 month booking window is for your family's vacation habits. You will also have some experience managing points by then. An "ad on" at a different resort than your initial purchase will require a little extra work to keep track of the points, but many members don't mind.

My belief is that there will always be some resales available, so no need to be all that concerned about future availability. Good luck!

 

[crisi]

I have 150 BWV points, and, if I did an add on, I'd do my points at a completely different resort. Our plan is to go every other year for around 300 points (sometimes spending more, sometimes less, depending on the size of the room, the number of nights, and when we go). If I were going to go more often, I'd pick a second resort, so I'd go one year at BWV and the next at VWL (or where ever), using my home resort window (and then maybe switching at seven depending on what was available. So I really see two resorts as a bonus.

I'm pretty conservative financially, and I don't think you should buy any more points than you are comfortable with. You can, should your finances demand it, travel less often. And if you don't have the points, you can always book a moderate, or manage your points conservatively.