DVC "Veteran" questions?

[Beca]

I very much a newbie here (the ink is not yet dry on my resale purchase)...and yet, I have caught the virus...we are talking about an add-on. That being said, I have two controversial questions to ask. I have been "putting off" asking these because I think they may be a sensitive subject, as people get very "protective" where their home resorts are concerned (as they well should). PLEASE understand that I am not implying anything here other than what I am asking...I REALLY would just value your opinions.

So here goes:
1) When we looked at buying resale, there were very few resales for BWV, BCV, and VWL available, while there were quite a few for OKW, HHI, and VB. I understand that for WDW regulars, owning "on property" is an advantage because you are guaranteed to be somewhere 11 mo. out. But, why are there so many more OKW's out there? Is it the number of rooms avail., that people who have owned OKW have owned it longer and just may be tiring of WDW (although how that is possible, I do not know!!! ), location of the resort, or something that I am entirely missing? It looks like a beautiful resort with definite advantages to owning it as your home (i.e. parking, cheap GV's, etc.) I would appreciate all info on this one.


2) Someone posted a thread the other nite that got me started thinking (and worrying a little), so I would like your advice. They said that the location of BWV (our home resort) and BCV was a huge draw for DVC'ers, and that BWV (per MS) is the first resort to fill up. They implied that as DVC adds on new resorts (and new members), they expected that getting into these two resorts will become more and more difficult. Now, I understand that no one really knows where the "new" DVC resorts will go (with the exception of Eagle Pines), but my question is...do you think that in the future it may become a reality that trying to book relatively short-notice trips in BWV or BCV may become impossible? Could the addition of SSR already make this a reality? I realize that I am asking a lot of "conjecture" questions, but this will affect when and where we try to add on.

TIA for all your feedback... I really do appreciate it!!!

Beca

 

[Pa@okw95]

If you bought into OKW early and you sell now you will probably make a slight profit plus have those 10 years of WDW vacations for "free", the rooms that is. Also if you joined 10 years ago you got free tickets to the parks for a number of years, now you have to pay. I live in a cold climate so I will keep my OKW points for the winter months, but if I lived where I do not suffer from the cold I would sell them. The parks are no longer an attraction, we also have to pay for them now, so that may come into play. WDW intself has changed, once a very upscale resort now has become more open for all and has brought in many less demanding guests, which may or may not mean anything to most?? You do get tired of WDW, the crowds, the same thing every year. I for one would say that a lot of people are selling OKW for many reasons, but also remember there are many more OKW members out there than any other. It is a beautiful resort, no doubt about that.

 

[Granny]

First of all, "WELCOME HOME" and congratulations on your new purchase!

You will see more OKW resales because it is, by far, the largest DVC resort with the most contracts. And yes, there could be some partial aspect that these owners have been DVC members longer and some might have "outgrown" the DVC usefulness. Remember, most of the OKW owners can sell their points for about the same price they paid for them 7-12 years ago!

I'm not sure anyone knows how much SSR will impact the DVC last minute reservations, but most of us firmly believe that in order to protect oneself and preserve the booking advantage, buying where you want to stay the most is a great strategy.

BWV offers even more advantage to owning there because of "first dibs" on standard view (lower points) and the coveted Boardwalk views. I do think that those two views will be difficult to get on short notice in the future.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

One thing for sure is that competition will not get stronger at the 11 month mark down to the 7 month mark for reservations. There are only a certain number of BWV owners and there won't be any more points created unless they build on. But I do envision the day when a non BWV owner will have to call day by day at the 7 month mark to get a reservation there for any reservation. The BWV is very highly rated and it's location and ambiance will always make it popular. I'm glad we own there.

HBC

 

[Beca]

HBC,

So, if I follow what you're saying, doesn't that mean that there might be a point at which BWV owners would have to call day by day after the 7 mo window is open to get that resort as well? So, unless you plan your trips really far out...possibly no BWV? I know we could schedule, and then cancel, but no short notice trips to our "home" resort (As I said, I am very new...it that already the reality?)

thanks again,
Beca

 

[melissaga]

I really that varies by time of year. If you want to make a short notice trip at a time of year when points are at a premium, it may be difficult to book at any resort. If you want to use the lowest possible number of points, you may very well not be able to get a standard view at BWV at less than 7 mo out.

We own at OKW and love it there. If BCV had existed, I would have wanted that instead bc it was always my favorite hotel. We did have the option of buying at BWV when we bought at OKW and opted not to. If I'm going to stay in that neck of the woods, I much prefer the Beach Club. We stayed at OKW last week and I had completely forgotten how expansive the one bedrooms are there! (Our last trips had been at BCV and WLV.. never had trouble getting either). I am happy OKW is our home. I agree with the other poster that part of the reason may well be bc OKW has been around the longest and there are just many more units there, period.

I know they said in the past that BWV always booked up first. I am surprised that has not changed with the newer BCV.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Originally posted by Beca
HBC,

So, if I follow what you're saying, doesn't that mean that there might be a point at which BWV owners would have to call day by day after the 7 mo window is open to get that resort as well? So, unless you plan your trips really far out...possibly no BWV? I know we could schedule, and then cancel, but no short notice trips to our "home" resort (As I said, I am very new...it that already the reality?)

thanks again,
Beca

I'm saying that it could get more difficult for reservations (and IMHO will) at the BWV once all 79,000 members and growing get a crack at it at the 7 month reservation window. Not everyone likes it there but it is consistently one of the highest rated resorts in the world and people want to stay there.

So what happens when they build the new Contemporary DVC? (warning, that was a joke and not to be taken seriously)

HBC

 

[Laurabearz]

Beca... What is your new home resort? That is something to take into consideration too...

Do you want two home resorts... Advantage: two 11-8 month booking windows... you may not book 11-8 months out now, but you could in the future....

Different home resorts for different trips... BWV or BCV for Flower and garden or Food and wine... devine! OKW or SSR for golfing and spa... what ever...

I also feel that booking BWV and BCV (as well as VWL) will be harder to book on shorter notice...much smaller resorts... supply and demand... that is the apeal of the 11 month window.... home resort advantage. If not important now.. will you be able to say the same thing 10 years from now? Long term....

11 month advantage to swaping out Via TUG (www.tug2.com Or net) for highly desirable resorts such as BWV, BCV and VWL.

The 11/7 window is not set in stone.. It could become 11/3 7/2 6/5... whatever...


With all that said... even the worst DVC resort is a treat....

 

[OneMoreTry]

In my opinion, as DVC owners grow older and less interested in the parks, OKW will increase in popularity. It is a great condo to vacation in with quiet surroundings and easy access to Orlando. It also requires the least points.

As others have said, it is the resort that is most like a true home.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy at OKW.

(OK. OK. It is my home resort but I've never regretted that. I only question whether I should have bought at Hilton Head instead.)

 

[Doug Wolfe]

OKW is the largest resort and has a lot of rooms.

Since joining in 2002, I have taken trips to two DVC resorts. BCV, which is my home resort and OKW. I love both of them.

I have kids and the Storm-A-Long Bay pool is a big bonus for me. The huge rooms at OKW are spectacular! The fact that OKW will add a pool slide this fall is another big plus.

No matter which DVC resort you choose to stay at, you will have a great time.

It's back to Beach Club Villas this summer.

 

[Disney Doll]

I think there are several reasons you see a lot more OKW resales.
1. Many of the "charter members" got the free park passes etc. with their purchase, which are now expired, so perhaps there is less "appeal" to go to WDW and pay for passes.
2. Life changes (children, retirement, divorce, death) which necessitate selling.
3. OKW is the largest DVC resort to date, and therefore you'll have a lalgrer # of contracts at any given time which could be sold.
4. Folks who prefer one of the more recently-built locations, and want to be assured of the 11 month booking ability.

As far as the future availability of other resorts: There is an old adage "buy where you want to stay". If you REALLY love the BCV/BWV area, then buy there. There is always the risk, albeit small, that you will never be able to get into your non-home resort at the 7 month window. If being in that Boardwalk area is that important to you, then buy there. When DH and I were buying our first contract, OKW and BWV were the only 2 available. We looked at both, and we had always loved the Boardwalk area in general. However, BWV were more expensive points and dues-wise, and the units were smaller (not trying to start a debate, stating a fact). We decided that it was more important to us to have a more spacious unit, and spend less money for it, then it was to have the ability to be on the Boardwalk. Basically, we asked ourselves this questions "If we could never stay anywhere else on WDW property again except for OKW, would we be happy there?" The answer was yes, so we bought OKW. As it turns out, so far we have been able to stay at other resorts when we wanted, so it hasn't been an issue. Will it become an issue in the future??? It could. It's true that as they add DVC properties to the list, they add memebers, but they also add rooms. My guess is that there will alaways be enough DVC rooms to accomodate the members.

Again, though, if location is of PRIME importance to you, buy where you want to stay.

 

[Scoootch]

At the risk of sounding somewhat repetitive, I agree that OKW has the most resales at the moment due to the fact it's not only the largest so far but also the first built so it's also been around the longest. That being said, you probably don't see as many resales at BCV's and VWL because not only are they smaller but they haven't been around as long - particularly BCV's. It only sold out last year so the contracts there are so much newer -- give it a little time and I'm sure we'll see more and more re-sales there as well for the same reasons the previous posters mentioned, life changes and so on. As for HHI and VB, I suspect the reason for so many resales there is both the fact that they are not on property and dues are higher (at least I know dues are higher at VB ). While it's true that it may get harder and harder to get BWV's and BCV's and even VWL at the 7mos. window I don't think it will ever be impossible. Just more difficult as there's going to be more and more compition but then with the addition of SSR there will now also be more vacation homes to be had on property as well and I'm sure many will want to check that resort out too So in answer to your last question about "will this affect when and where we add on?" If your heart is absolutely set on BCV's or BW, etc. then yes, I'd definetly try to add on with one of these resorts but at the same time, I don't think it will be IMPOSSIBLE to get these resorts at 7 mos - just more difficult. As the saying goes, buy where you'd want to stay the most - that way if you can't get what you want elsewhere you'll always be happy with where you have already booked at the 11mos window

 

[BWVDee]

You are not kidding about the high number of resales for some of the resorts!
From the Timeshare Store site, 3/20/04:
OKW 51, with 22 pending
VB 22, with 3 pending
HH 18, with 2 pending
BWV 12, with 6 pending
VWL 8, with 3 pending
BCV 2, both pending
The number of units per resort and the age of the resort does not really correlate with the number of resales available, with the exception of BCV. For example, OKW has more than 4x the number of resales vs BWV, yet there is no where near 4x the number of villas/contracts at OKW vs BWV. The age of OKW vs BWV does not correlate with the number of resales either.

 

[MDonley]

We love OKW. Have loved it since we bought in 1994. One issue that I didn't see mentioned is that most of the OKW buildings do not have elevators ( a lift, for those on the other side of the pond). Although the newest buildings at OKW have that luxury, those of us getting on in years don't want to carry luggage from the car to the top floor. (okay, I'm only 50 ... but I can see it coming). DW thinks that the loss of "free tickets" is what bothers her most!