DVC - Why should I buy into a higher per point DVC?

[CMOORE185]

no one is offended, just pointing out to you that many DVC members have realized that they need to book early and take advantage of their home resort window. SSR and OKW are 2 of the largest DVC resorts...if you are booking 5-6 months out, those often may be the only options left to you.

lots of people bought into SSR with the assumption that they would never have to stay there. the math on that simply doesn't work.

a few posters have commented that they always get what they want by calling exactly at the 7 month window first thing in the morning. they might have had to ride the waitlist for a few months. they might also just be lucky.

but many others have complained about not being able to get what they want after the 7 month window opens. some have sold their DVC and left the boards.

the facts are that there are only enough rooms at BCV, for example, to accommodate the BCV owners for the year. if BCV owners want to try other DVC resorts or opt not to use their pts for whatever reason, that opens up spots for others at the 7 month window. but many BCV owners bought BCV to stay there and have access to epcot/hollywood studios/stormalong bay - so while it's very possible to get BCV as a nonowner - sometimes even on short notice - it's hardly a given...

I own at SSR and very rarely stay there. I never have to waitlist, book BCV alot at 7 months, and have been booking for 11 years, so I don't think it is all luck. I will say though that I would probably have problems booking Epcot resorts during F&W. We travel mainly spring break, summer and late fall.

 

[chalee94]

I own at SSR and very rarely stay there. I never have to waitlist, book BCV alot at 7 months, and have been booking for 11 years...

that's great for you but there are about 5 times as many SSR owners as BCV owners, so i'm just pointing out that your experiences are probably not typical.

some have even booked BCV on 2 days notice...it's not impossible...but if you suggest to the newbies that they should expect that to work out on a regular basis, you also need to show up when they complain that they feel misled when it doesn't work out for them...

 

[tjkraz]

I own at SSR and very rarely stay there. I never have to waitlist, book BCV alot at 7 months, and have been booking for 11 years, so I don't think it is all luck. I will say though that I would probably have problems booking Epcot resorts during F&W. We travel mainly spring break, summer and late fall.

So, are you confident enough in your experiences that you would issue a blanket recommendation that every every prospective member buy the cheapest resort and book what they want at 7 months? Do you feel comfortable telling every interested buyer that their experiences and expectations will mirror your own?

Over 8+ years I've had far more successes at 7 months than disappointments. But we all know the odds are stacked against getting certain accommodations at certain times of the year.

In my humble opinion, the more difficult 7 month bookings include:

* AKV Concierge and Value categories
* BWV Standard View and BoardWalk View (inc Grand Villas)
* BWV any view Oct - Dec
* Anything at BCV practically year-round
* BLT Standard and Park view
* OKW Grand Villas
* SSR Treehouse Villas
* HHI during summer months, particularly Studio and One Bedroom
* Vero Beach Cottages

That's not to say that booking any of these is impossible but (IMO) members should not expect consistent success in booking any of the above at 7 months. Don't buy into DVC with the expectation that you'll be able to regularly book AKV Concierge, BLT Standard View or an OKW Grand Villa at 7 months. Occasionally...yes. But those instances will tend to be the exception rather than the rule.

As others pointed out, DVC's popular times do not necessarily mirror busy times for the theme parks. However, DVC has already announced that they are adjusting the point values for 2013 which could dramatically change demand patterns. Over the years periods October and early-December have become exceedingly popular with members. Those appear to be prime targets for having their costs increased (while other less popular dates are decreased.) Whatever changes are made, it's impossible to predict how it will change member booking patterns going forward.

 

[CMOORE185]

So, are you confident enough in your experiences that you would issue a blanket recommendation that every every prospective member buy the cheapest resort and book what they want at 7 months? Do you feel comfortable telling every interested buyer that their experiences and expectations will mirror your own?

Over 8+ years I've had far more successes at 7 months than disappointments. But we all know the odds are stacked against getting certain accommodations at certain times of the year.

In my humble opinion, the more difficult 7 month bookings include:

* AKV Concierge and Value categories
* BWV Standard View and BoardWalk View (inc Grand Villas)
* BWV any view Oct - Dec
* Anything at BCV practically year-round
* BLT Standard and Park view
* OKW Grand Villas
* SSR Treehouse Villas
* HHI during summer months, particularly Studio and One Bedroom
* Vero Beach Cottages

That's not to say that booking any of these is impossible but (IMO) members should not expect consistent success in booking any of the above at 7 months. Don't buy into DVC with the expectation that you'll be able to regularly book AKV Concierge, BLT Standard View or an OKW Grand Villa at 7 months. Occasionally...yes. But those instances will tend to be the exception rather than the rule.

As others pointed out, DVC's popular times do not necessarily mirror busy times for the theme parks. However, DVC has already announced that they are adjusting the point values for 2013 which could dramatically change demand patterns. Over the years periods October and early-December have become exceedingly popular with members. Those appear to be prime targets for having their costs increased (while other less popular dates are decreased.) Whatever changes are made, it's impossible to predict how it will change member booking patterns going forward.

I never made any recommendation. I gave an alternative experience to the posters who make it appear it maybe difficult to book at 7 months. My travel habits and room choices are conducive to booking at 7 months with tremendous success. Just another perspective.

 

[Mtnman44]

If you aren't looking for any of the below catagories and you aren't looking to book a super prime time such as the week either side of Christmas, I've generally had 100% success at seven months (excepting the catagories you have listed out).

In other words, for 95% of the time, I think Home Resort only matters for the catagories you have listed out. Just a subjective, annecdotal judgement on my part, but I think it holds true.

So, are you confident enough in your experiences that you would issue a blanket recommendation that every every prospective member buy the cheapest resort and book what they want at 7 months? Do you feel comfortable telling every interested buyer that their experiences and expectations will mirror your own?

Over 8+ years I've had far more successes at 7 months than disappointments. But we all know the odds are stacked against getting certain accommodations at certain times of the year.

In my humble opinion, the more difficult 7 month bookings include:

* AKV Concierge and Value categories
* BWV Standard View and BoardWalk View (inc Grand Villas)
* BWV any view Oct - Dec
* Anything at BCV practically year-round
* BLT Standard and Park view
* OKW Grand Villas
* SSR Treehouse Villas
* HHI during summer months, particularly Studio and One Bedroom
* Vero Beach Cottages

That's not to say that booking any of these is impossible but (IMO) members should not expect consistent success in booking any of the above at 7 months. Don't buy into DVC with the expectation that you'll be able to regularly book AKV Concierge, BLT Standard View or an OKW Grand Villa at 7 months. Occasionally...yes. But those instances will tend to be the exception rather than the rule.

As others pointed out, DVC's popular times do not necessarily mirror busy times for the theme parks. However, DVC has already announced that they are adjusting the point values for 2013 which could dramatically change demand patterns. Over the years periods October and early-December have become exceedingly popular with members. Those appear to be prime targets for having their costs increased (while other less popular dates are decreased.) Whatever changes are made, it's impossible to predict how it will change member booking patterns going forward.

 

[disneynutz]

As the DVC membership grows by the thousands each year, at some point booking before the 7 month window will be mandatory if you care about where you stay.

Don't base the future on what's available today. In 30, 40, or 50 years, a lot of things can change.

Bill

 

[hushupu]

As the DVC membership grows by the thousands each year, at some point booking before the 7 month window will be mandatory if you care about where you stay.

Don't base the future on what's available today. In 30, 40, or 50 years, a lot of things can change.

Bill

I'm sorry but this statement doesn't make sense to me. Resorts have a set number of points ergo a set number of members. As membership grows so do the available units, resorts and destinations.

 

[disneynutz]

I'm sorry but this statement doesn't make sense to me. Resorts have a set number of points ergo a set number of members. As membership grows so do the available units, resorts and destinations.

The problem is that members don't always stay where they buy. Members who bought home resorts outside of WDW and WDW owners wanting to stay at a WDW resort where they didn't buy will be competing at 7 months. Many have purchased the least expensive resorts with little intention of ever staying there. Many continue to post their disappointment in trying to get their desired resort where they didn't buy.

Slow times are pretty much non existent at WDW and DVC occupancy rates are at 95% - 100% year round.

As members spend more time at WDW, believe it or not many spend less time in the parks and more time at their favorite resorts. Just another reason to buy where you love to stay.

Bill

 

[CMOORE185]

As the DVC membership grows by the thousands each year, at some point booking before the 7 month window will be mandatory if you care about where you stay.

Don't base the future on what's available today. In 30, 40, or 50 years, a lot of things can change.

Bill

Pure speculation on your part. If they build a resort at GF or Poly and they become flavor of the month, a resort like BCV may actually be easier to get in because a lot will want to stay at new resorts. A lot of people bought at BLT because it was a monorail resort and they thought it would be hard to book, it is actually pretty easy to book at 7 months. As long as they build new resorts that people want to stay at, I don't think there will be a problem with 7 month bookings. That being said I do not think there is anything wrong buying a resort for more money if that is where your emotional attachment is, or you would be upset staying anywhere else.

 

[amypetecar]

All very good points have been made.

What stood out to me (i'm paraphrasing) was that the original poster stated you didn't care where you stayed so long as it wasn't Old Key West or Saratoga Springs. Ironically, those are pretty much considered the fall-back resorts for booking at 7 months.

My perspective is that if you truley don't care where you stay, buy cheap. If you would not be happy at OKW or SSR, buy where you want to stay.

I am the type of person that absolutely would buy cheap and roll the dice at 7 months, but the prospect of getting to stay at BLT on the monorail was way too cool for me to pass up. I totally made an emotional decision, bought direct, and don't regret it one bit!

 

[E2ME2]

WOW-
I am still a very new DVC owner. I bought SSR in October, and don't plan to visit WDW until January 2013. I took the on-site tour, and fell in love with the accommodations. I did not take hours of bouncing these scenarios around in my head - I took minutes, and we purchased on site, at the end of our tour.

I always try to balance the emotional response I get form a proposed sale, with the math at face value. BLT is very appealing, and the 11 Mo. vs 7 Mo. window was explained thoroughly by our guide.

The math won me over, and I rationalized it to myself on the spot. In summary - I am quite comfortable being able to get SSR at the 11 Month window, and "rolling the dice" on a 7 Month ressie at OKW or BLT or BWV...

I figure if I'm successful at the 7 Month point, then I really have saved money on that ressie. If I'm unsuccessful at 7 Months, I have not lost anything, for I still have a first class reservation, on property, with all of the other perks. (and in a room that is so much nicer than a standard resort/hotel room) The break-even point, based on our previous on-property stays, will be less than 8 years, if we stay exclusively at SSR.

And, if I'm successful 50% of the time, getting a 7 Month ressie elsewhere, I'm saving up to 36% off the price-per-point, half of the time!

It really was a no-brainer for us. We are also content with the direct price, vs resale, because if I do want to go DCL, or Concierge, or Adventure, I have that option, and will not be second-guessing my frugality!

 

[disneydivermom]

We recently purchased at SS . Prior to our recent trip (August) we completed all our DVC research, then I wanted to see the models so we went on the tour. So glad we did! LOVED them!!! No pressure to purchase and had even more questions answered. Came home and put in a resale offer a couple days later (we wanted a contract with banked pts from prev year). All paperwork done and official in November. Once points in account booked a trip starting at the end of December... yep booking for the very next month. Only hitch was no availability at HH 1st night and had to take a 2 bdrm 2nd night. Wait list for 1 bedroom 1st night of our stay and another wait list to downsize the 2 bdrm to 1. Both wait list came through.

So to sum it all up we certainly didn't need the 11 month window. Not to say we will always be this lucky.

Our goal is to try all the DVC resorts and we are going to stay at 3 of them this trip and our first time driving. 2 nights HH, 3 night BW, 2 night VB, 1 night HH (to break up the drive home). We want to check out Hilton and Vero to see if we would like to spend a full week there in the future.

Good luck with your research. Hopefully we can all welcome you home soon

 

[Brian Noble]

the original poster stated you didn't care where you stayed so long as it wasn't Old Key West or Saratoga Springs. Ironically, those are pretty much considered the fall-back resorts for booking at 7 months.

I think this is a wise observation. If this is genuinely how the OP feels, they should probably not buy with an expectation of 7-month booking.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Once again, I can count on the boards to get lots of information and varied experiences. Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my question!

All very good points have been made.

What stood out to me (i'm paraphrasing) was that the original poster stated you didn't care where you stayed so long as it wasn't Old Key West or Saratoga Springs. Ironically, those are pretty much considered the fall-back resorts for booking at 7 months.

My perspective is that if you truley don't care where you stay, buy cheap. If you would not be happy at OKW or SSR, buy where you want to stay.

I am the type of person that absolutely would buy cheap and roll the dice at 7 months, but the prospect of getting to stay at BLT on the monorail was way too cool for me to pass up. I totally made an emotional decision, bought direct, and don't regret it one bit!

So true. My mother always said to me that everything is only worth what you will pay for it. If it means a lot to you and you pay a lot, it is worth it. I can see that for each person that has responded, they paid what they felt was worth it to them for the time share and their home resort.

I think this is a wise observation. If this is genuinely how the OP feels, they should probably not buy with an expectation of 7-month booking.

Yes, I genuinely feel that if I am going to visit Disneyworld, I want to stay at a resort I enjoy. I have NOT stayed at SSR or OKW though so perhaps I jump ed the gun at saying I wouldn't want to stay there. I also wouldn't buy into any resort until I visited them onsite so that might change.

There is only one resort I have stayed at Disneyworld that I would prefer not to return and that is All Star Movies. Everything else has had more pros than cons. Think Disney will let me stay at SSR and OKW for free so I can test them out?

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'm sorry but this statement doesn't make sense to me. Resorts have a set number of points ergo a set number of members. As membership grows so do the available units, resorts and destinations.

Pure speculation on your part. If they build a resort at GF or Poly and they become flavor of the month, a resort like BCV may actually be easier to get in because a lot will want to stay at new resorts. A lot of people bought at BLT because it was a monorail resort and they thought it would be hard to book, it is actually pretty easy to book at 7 months. As long as they build new resorts that people want to stay at, I don't think there will be a problem with 7 month bookings. That being said I do not think there is anything wrong buying a resort for more money if that is where your emotional attachment is, or you would be upset staying anywhere else.

I think the point that Bill might have been trying to get across, that there are more and more members who want the perfect vacation time that meets their family needs - school is out for a holiday or the summer, it's warm, the parks are decorated, etc. So you won't have 95% occupancy at some resorts some of the times. VB or HHI might not be fully occupied in Nov through Jan. So where are those owners staying? At BLT or OKW or some other resort. You always hear from members who were surprised that there was no availability at OKW or SSR (their fall back resorts) at a month or two out.

So while some times might be easy to get at seven months, other times won't be easy unless you are on the phone with MS when they open exactly at 7 months out.

 

[shalom]

So while some times might be easy to get at seven months, other times won't be easy unless you are on the phone with MS when they open exactly at 7 months out.

I have seen exactly what Bill is talking about in another points TS system. This one doesn't even have the 11 month window -- "points are points" -- however, you can reserve the unit you own before anyone else has a crack at it. As the vacation club has gotten larger, a couple of resorts have become more difficult to get into during peak times, partly because a higher and higher percentage of owners are using their weeks rather than putting them in the common pot (people buy resales there for just that reason). If all owners there had first dibs on any week or unit there (instead of just their own), the problem would be even worse.

OTOH, there's always been availability there when we want to go, because we can go offseason easily. If you're flexible on when you go and can just wait until the resort you want shows up, it's a lot less crucial to own where you want to go than it is if you're a school teacher or otherwise tied tightly to the most common school schedules.

 

[tjkraz]

While it's true that DVC continues to add more members without increasing the number of rooms at certain popular resorts, the addition of newer resorts is undoubtedly shifting member demand patterns.

5-7 years ago when DVC was in the midst of selling 800+ units at Saratoga Springs, there was a clear preference among members to try and book resorts like the Beach Club and BoardWalk at 7 months. Today we have 300 units at the Contemporary to also tempt members, along with 400+ at Animal Kingdom Lodge and hundreds more in Hawaii. In a couple years the Grand Floridian will also be an option.

It would be incorrect to assume that more members means demand for locations like BCV and BWV continues to climb ever upward. Instead, many members who previously wanted to book BWV or BCV are now using their points for Aulani or BLT or AKV.

As much as I do like Saratoga Springs, IMO the last 5 years have seen DVC grow in directions which balance member demand much better than it did around 2007-2008.

 

[disneynutz]

I guess it boils down to this, buy anywhere and take your chances or buy where you love to stay and you will get your desired accommodations 99.99% of the time.

We like to choose where we want to stay and not settle for what happens to be available, that's why we own a 5 resorts.

Bill

 

[nunzia]

All very good points have been made.

What stood out to me (i'm paraphrasing) was that the original poster stated you didn't care where you stayed so long as it wasn't Old Key West or Saratoga Springs. Ironically, those are pretty much considered the fall-back resorts for booking at 7 months.

My perspective is that if you truley don't care where you stay, buy cheap. If you would not be happy at OKW or SSR, buy where you want to stay.

I am the type of person that absolutely would buy cheap and roll the dice at 7 months, but the prospect of getting to stay at BLT on the monorail was way too cool for me to pass up. I totally made an emotional decision, bought direct, and don't regret it one bit!

This is what struck me as well. OP stated she doesn't like SSR and OKW and to me those are the 2 big back up plan resorts, so if those 2 are out of the question to stay at, then yes, she should buy where she wants to stay. That said, she can still buy resale at other resorts at cheaper than DVC prices so should do that if the restrictions don't bother her. I own at VGC and have o desire to own anywhere else, so bought my points direct as soon as VGC opened and am very satisfied. I call 11 months out to the day, and although there are lots of reports of people getting VGC on short notice, they are often sketchy, with not all days available. Really..initial outlay is small beans compared to MF so maybe looking at those rates is just as important in choosing where to buy as initial buy in rates.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Once again, I can count on the boards to get lots of information and varied experiences. Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my question!



So true. My mother always said to me that everything is only worth what you will pay for it. If it means a lot to you and you pay a lot, it is worth it. I can see that for each person that has responded, they paid what they felt was worth it to them for the time share and their home resort.



Yes, I genuinely feel that if I am going to visit Disneyworld, I want to stay at a resort I enjoy. I have NOT stayed at SSR or OKW though so perhaps I jump ed the gun at saying I wouldn't want to stay there. I also wouldn't buy into any resort until I visited them onsite so that might change.

There is only one resort I have stayed at Disneyworld that I would prefer not to return and that is All Star Movies. Everything else has had more pros than cons. Think Disney will let me stay at SSR and OKW for free so I can test them out?

This is what struck me as well. OP stated she doesn't like SSR and OKW and to me those are the 2 big back up plan resorts, so if those 2 are out of the question to stay at, then yes, she should buy where she wants to stay. That said, she can still buy resale at other resorts at cheaper than DVC prices so should do that if the restrictions don't bother her. I own at VGC and have o desire to own anywhere else, so bought my points direct as soon as VGC opened and am very satisfied. I call 11 months out to the day, and although there are lots of reports of people getting VGC on short notice, they are often sketchy, with not all days available. Really..initial outlay is small beans compared to MF so maybe looking at those rates is just as important in choosing where to buy as initial buy in rates.

Thanks. I did post something else as well to clarify.