DVC Reservations

[BHTrey]

We are currently evaluating buying DVC pts through a resale company. Our thought process is to buy pts at Saratoga Springs since the maintenance fees are quite low and the price/pt. is the lowest besides Vero Beach. We don't plan on staying at this resort ever but our strategy would be flawed if we can't reserve a 2bedroom/2 bathroom place and use our points at Bay Lake, Animal Kingdom, or even a cruise if our 1st and 2nd choice can't be reserved. Can anyone give us some guidance on how difficult it is to book even if we book 7 months in advance every year. I'm assuming a lot of people are taking this same strategy to lower the price to entry.

 

[BHTrey]

We are currently evaluating buying DVC pts through a resale company. Our thought process is to buy pts at Saratoga Springs since the maintenance fees are quite low and the price/pt. is the lowest besides Vero Beach. We don't plan on staying at this resort ever but our strategy would be flawed if we can't reserve a 2bedroom/2 bathroom place and use our points at Bay Lake, Animal Kingdom, or even a cruise if our 1st and 2nd choice can't be reserved. Can anyone give us some guidance on how difficult it is to book even if we book 7 months in advance every year. I'm assuming a lot of people are taking this same strategy to lower the price to entry.

Please let me know your thoughts quickly. We are planning to execute a contract on Monday

 

[laurenspop]

We have never had a problem with a reservation at the 7 month window. To be fair though, we are not that picky on what resort we will stay at. We have stayed at all the DVC at WDW except BLT and have most of our points at HHI. SSR is one of my favorite resorts while my wife likes Wilderness Lodge. We have alo gotten a 2 bedroom at the Beach Club during the summer months.

That being said - it does depend on what month you are planning on going.

 

[mickeymom629]

I was going to say that you will have no problem getting a 2 bedroom somewhere on Disney property at 7 months, but you seem quite particular to where you stay. I don't think anyone could guarantee that you will get a 2bedroom at the resort you want because it depends on several factor - dates you choose, etc..

On the other hand, we own at HH and VB and never had a problem getting a 2 bedroom at OKW, BWV - preferred view only, VWL, and probably SSR if we wanted - as long as I called at the 7 month mark. Not so lucky with BCV.

I'm not sure DVC is for you or you should buy where you want to stay, as is the TOP advice on these boards.

 

[princessfionasmom]

It all depends on the time of year you want to travel. Some are definitely more popular and harder to book than others like holidays and the first week in Dec. If you are traveling during a slower time you should have no problem switching to another resort as long as you remain flexible. Remember, you'll have these points for many years so you'll have lots of time to try different resorts. You would want to book at your home resort 11 months out if you know your plans and then try to switch at the 7 month mark. I would be surprised if there was ever a time when you couldn't switch to another resort. A lot of people say buy where you want to stay or don't mind staying if you can't switch. You are definitely saving money by buying resale and I think that is the way a lot of people are getting in, we bought OKW resale to get our foot in the door. OOPS I just reread your post so if you don't every plan on staying at SSR why not check out AK resale? Those prices are a little higher but at least you'll be staying somewhere you want to and not be stuck somewhere you don't!

 

[laurenspop]

I should have also said that while most of our points are at HHI we have never stayed there

 

[Sammie]

If you truly do not want to stay at SSR, I can not advise buying there.

 

[Granny]

Here's a thread from a couple of years ago but I think that it is still valid in the many points that are made about choosing a home resort:

How to Choose a Home Resort

I have seen many, many thread here about people not able to book the resorts they want at the 7 month window. I think as long as you are okay with staying at SSR from time to time, then your strategy could work for you as long as you don't travel during DVC peak times.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Sandisw]

Depending on when you go, depends on what you will be able to get. If you really only want to stay at BLT or AKV, and would be disappointed if you have to stay at SSR (even for part of the trip), then I would suggest really think about your purchase before you take the plunge.

I went through this back in January and really thought about the savings of buying SSR. But I want to be at BLT and would not be happy if I am somewhere else unless it is my choice.

I decided, in the end, that spending the extra $4000 was worth it, considering I was doing this so that I could enjoy my vacations at WDW for years to come. Even if DVC only lasted 10 years, I would be spending an extra $400 a year to ensure I am where I want to be--to me, that was well worth it and I bought BLT.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[wdwfan1]

Since you specifically mention Bay Lake and AKV, I would not buy at SSR unless you would be happy staying there if you could not get into another resort. Bay Lake will surely be very popular and lots of members will probably try to book at that resort.

There are some AKV resales out there. Maybe that would better suit your needs. Good luck with your decision.

 

[dizfan]

When we bought, we felt past experiences aren't valid towards future possibilities because there are going to be thousands of new DVC members. For example, in just the past month there are over 1300 new BLT purchases that have been documented on the Orange County Comptroler web site, but that's less than 5% of the points there. Once AKV, SSR, and BLT are fully sold out there will be tens of thousands of new DVC members. No one can predict their vacationing habits.

To help put it in perspective for how many rooms are available at different resorts, here's a room count at them:

AKV rooms: min 458, max 708
BCV room: min 208, max 282
BLT rooms: min 295, max 428
BWV rooms: min 383, max 532
HHI rooms: min 102, max 123
OKW rooms: min 531, max 761
SSR rooms: min 828, max 1260
VB rooms: min 172, max 208
VWL rooms, min 136, max 181

The min/max difference is based on whether 2BR lockoffs are reserved for 2BRs or split into 1BR and Studio.

Based on many reports, it's seems easier to get SSR and OKW less than 7 months out. I'm guessing that's based on # of rooms. AKV will have the next most # of rooms, so it MAY be the next easiest to book at the 7 month window.

 

[dgaston]

I want to second a PP who said buy where you won't mind staying. If SSR is unacceptable to you, buy at AKL or BLT. While I may be fine at SSR (looking forward to a THV stay) if this is lousy for you, don't buy there.

 

[Dean]

We are currently evaluating buying DVC pts through a resale company. Our thought process is to buy pts at Saratoga Springs since the maintenance fees are quite low and the price/pt. is the lowest besides Vero Beach. We don't plan on staying at this resort ever but our strategy would be flawed if we can't reserve a 2bedroom/2 bathroom place and use our points at Bay Lake, Animal Kingdom, or even a cruise if our 1st and 2nd choice can't be reserved. Can anyone give us some guidance on how difficult it is to book even if we book 7 months in advance every year. I'm assuming a lot of people are taking this same strategy to lower the price to entry.

Do not buy at SSR if you are not happy staying there IF you can't get something else. OTOH, if you buy there and only stay at that resort when nothing else comes through and will be satisfied, then your stated goal is a good one. For $30 plus pp more, is BLT worth it for you, only you can say. But that's a lot of money for the difference.

 

[BHTrey]

Thank you everyone for your replies. To be a little more specific, we will always try to book BLT, AK, Disney Cruise or Wilderness Lodge in November (Wed, Thurs/Thanksgiving, Friday and Saturday night) Are these dates considered to be tough dates to book at 7months out? I just can't see paying another $10k ($99/PT) for BLT, or $6k (low 80's) for AK during these times.

 

[Dean]

Thank you everyone for your replies. To be a little more specific, we will always try to book BLT, AK, Disney Cruise or Wilderness Lodge in November (Wed, Thurs/Thanksgiving, Friday and Saturday night) Are these dates considered to be tough dates to book at 7months out? I just can't see paying another $10k ($99/PT) for BLT, or $6k (low 80's) for AK during these times.

Thanksgiving is more difficult. Also, buying to use DVC points for a cruise is a poor choice. Buy less points and pay cash for the cruise and you'll save money, have more choices and less risk going forward.

 

[Sandisw]

Thank you everyone for your replies. To be a little more specific, we will always try to book BLT, AK, Disney Cruise or Wilderness Lodge in November (Wed, Thurs/Thanksgiving, Friday and Saturday night) Are these dates considered to be tough dates to book at 7months out? I just can't see paying another $10k ($99/PT) for BLT, or $6k (low 80's) for AK during these times.

If VWL is one of your choices, then I would consider buying there. That is a smaller resort and much harder to get.

And, the price per point is around $80.00 right now, with some of the bigger contracts passing ROFR in the high 70's.

 

[bevis]

Bottom line is you must understand that you are not necessarily guaranteed a reservation anywhere at 7 months. The DIS boards are filled with folks dissapointed with the fact that they couldn't get the resort they wanted at 7 months, and even sometimes there is NO availability at any resort! Not trying to alarm you, just be aware that home resort priority seems to have become VERY important as of late, particularly if you have no desire to stay at SSR or OKW.
As for certain times of the year/certain resorts being more difficult to reserve than others, there are also lots of questions and complaints here as to why a certain time period is "booked" when one thinks that there isn't anything "going on" at the World. As stated here by many, busy DVC times don't always coincide with busy WDW times, example being early December.
On the other hand some folks have pretty good luck with waitlisting at 7 months for their desired resort, but realize that can be a gamble.

I'm not trying to be a downer, but this is a large purchase that some don't seem to understand before taking the plunge. I hate seeing folks upset about not being able to get the resort they want, then becoming disgruntled about their purchase. If you can be a little flexible, it seems as though you are asking the right questions before you buy.

Good Luck!

 

[wdrl]

We are currently evaluating buying DVC pts through a resale company. Our thought process is to buy pts at Saratoga Springs since the maintenance fees are quite low and the price/pt. is the lowest besides Vero Beach. We don't plan on staying at this resort ever but our strategy would be flawed if we can't reserve a 2bedroom/2 bathroom place and use our points at Bay Lake, Animal Kingdom, or even a cruise if our 1st and 2nd choice can't be reserved. Can anyone give us some guidance on how difficult it is to book even if we book 7 months in advance every year. I'm assuming a lot of people are taking this same strategy to lower the price to entry.

Here is another factor that you might want to consider: The cost of maintenance fees over the life of your contract. Once these are factored into the equation, the cost difference between a BLT contract and a SSR contract becomes smaller.

In doing the following calculations, I assumed that you would need 230 points a year. This lets you do a two-bedroom Lake View at BLT for Wed-Sat at Thanksgiving (BTW, I seriously doubt that BLT's limited number of standard view rooms will be available at the 7-month window for Thanksgiving week). Disney is selling BLT at $99 with a referral from a member. Thus, a BLT contract costs (99x230) $22,770. An SSR resale contract varies in price, but I arbitrarily picked $71/ point, meaning that an SSR contract would cost (71x230) $16,330. You save $6,440 on the initial purchase by going with SSR.

The current maintenance fees for BLT and SSR are $3.67 and $4.34, respectively, per point. On a 230-point contract, you'll pay $844.10/year at BLT and $998.20/year at SSR, a difference of $154.10. Over 30 years, that difference will amount to $4,623.

Once maintenance fees are considered, the difference between a BLT contract and an SSR contract becomes only ($6440-$4,623) $1,817. And if you spread that difference over 30 years, it costs only $60.57 a year to own at BLT. As other posters have mentioned, it may not be easy to book BLT for Thanksgiving at the 7-month window. If you really want BLT at that time, then you may need it to be your home resort. For just $60.57 a year, you can book at the 11-month window and almost be guaranteed you'll get exactly what you want.

Of course, no one can predict whether BLT's MF will remain 18% lower than SSR over time. Heck, we might see BLT's fees really jump in the next couple of years once it begins operations. But, for right now, its MF is much cheaper than any other resort.

We bought at BLT because we knew we would be happy to stay there. We also knew that we have several family members with little kids, and that that they would want to be next to the Magic Kingdom.

Good luck on your decision!