Finally! A few quick ?s before I purchase

[GBPackers]

My name finally hit on the waitlist to purchase OKW at $100 pp. I am going to purchase 140, and taking the family in fall. I am looking at 1 BR and BW, BC, AK, SSR, and OKW are available.

Do you suggest I break up my 6 nights into 2 different resorts? I have never stayed at any resorts, as we have only been to Port Orleans, but know we will be going to Disney for years to come. I am wondering if people split stays for seeing as many resorts as possible, and or avoiding Mousekeeping fees.

Wife likes AK based on YouTube tours, but just wondering if anyone has any thoughts for this newbie!

I wish I could buy more points, but this is a good start.

 

[chalee94]

Do you suggest I break up my 6 nights into 2 different resorts? I have never stayed at any resorts, as we have only been to Port Orleans, but know we will be going to Disney for years to come. I am wondering if people split stays for seeing as many resorts as possible, and or avoiding Mousekeeping fees.

any mousekeeping fees you incur would be voluntary. most of us are ok with no one but us (for the most part) coming into the villas.

i am in the group that likes to take up residence in one location and enjoy the stay. some people don't mind being "homeless" for the day while they are waiting for their new villa to be available (don't count on getting in before 4pm BTW), but that seems stressful and too much like throwing away a vacation day to me.

Wife likes AK based on YouTube tours, but just wondering if anyone has any thoughts for this newbie!

availability for the fall will be VERY limited (it is one of the most popular times for DVC bookings - many owners book at 10-11 months out). you might even need a guide to help you book something at this point (they will only help the first time).

anyway, i would stick with OKW for the first trip and try other resorts in the future, if possible (always try to switch right at the morning of the 7 month window). you've got till 2057...take it easy... JMO.

 

[drusba]

There are no mousekeeping fees while at a DVC resort. You do not get daily housekeeping. If staying 7 nights or less you get a trash and towel service on the fourth day. If staying longer than that at one resort and one room you get a full cleaning on the fourth day and trash and towel on the eighth. You can, if desired, pay for additional days of full cleaning service while there but it is pricey.

There are many who like to do two resorts when they go. However, majority by far go to one resort per trip. I am in the latter group because I abhor moving from one resort to another mid-vacation. There are those in my group for whom packing is an all day affair and changing resorts would be a torture to go through. Particularly for the first trip, I would not recommend it but before even considering it consider whether you feel your group can easily move from one place to another.

AKV would be fine as would others. However, I am not sure when you intend to try to go but if you want Fall you better make sure your sales rep can assure getting something before you sign on the dotted line because most of Fall except possibly for some time in Sep is essentially booked for DVC although if seeking 1BR you might have more of a chance. If you are checking what is available via regular Disney reservations be aware that availability is completely unrelated to DVC availability.

 

[disneynutz]

Are you buying direct because you need to finance? Are you buying OKW to use those points to find out which resorts you really like?

Split stays are good for exploring resorts when fact finding or when you want to break up long vacations. As an owner you will be staying at all of the resorts several time over so what's the rush?

Mousekeeping is included in your ownership are you are paying for extra cleanings? Most owners find that they don't need extra cleanings.

Bill

 

[Missyrose]

My name finally hit on the waitlist to purchase OKW at $100 pp. I am going to purchase 140, and taking the family in fall. I am looking at 1 BR and BW, BC, AK, SSR, and OKW are available.

Do you suggest I break up my 6 nights into 2 different resorts? I have never stayed at any resorts, as we have only been to Port Orleans, but know we will be going to Disney for years to come. I am wondering if people split stays for seeing as many resorts as possible, and or avoiding Mousekeeping fees.

Wife likes AK based on YouTube tours, but just wondering if anyone has any thoughts for this newbie!

I wish I could buy more points, but this is a good start.

For a six-night stay, I wouldn't do a split stay. I'd rather have four or five nights at each resort. You have plenty of DVC trips ahead of you, and plenty of chances to stay at the different resorts.

As far as the availability you're seeing, are you look at Disney's reservation site or the DVC site? Because they have completely different inventories. I'd talk to your guide about getting something booked for this fall because there really is very little availability left for point stays.

 

[chalee94]

As far as the availability you're seeing, are you look at Disney's reservation site or the DVC site? Because they have completely different inventories. I'd talk to your guide about getting something booked for this fall because there really is very little availability left for point stays.

agree completely.

the disney (cash) reservation site has nothing to do with points availability:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2688789

 

[DizBub]

Congrats!!

Everyone else has pretty much covered the issues for you but I have to chime in too.

If you are talking about this Fall, forget BWV and BCV. While nothing is impossible you will most likely be staying at SSR. OKW and AKV could happen if you can book sooner rather than later. The good news is that 1 bedrooms are easiest to get. Hopefully your guide can pull some strings for you.

You won't have any Mousekeeping fees unless you want extra cleanings or extra towels and such.

Personally, I wouldn't recommend a split stay for the reasons previously stated. Being "homeless" in the middle of your stay sucks.

Enjoy your points!

 

[GBPackers]

Thanks for feedback. We are going in Sept. I ave looked at Resale, but to gain 2057 ownership was what I wanted, and not have any restrictions.

I am working dirctly with a guide for my first booking. Me buying DVC is contingent on us getting a location we want. I'm sure all are great, but with a 9,6,2 year old, want some convenience too.

Appreciate everyone responding, and can't wait to be part of the Club!

 

[lovin'fl]

We have done a couple split stays. This is how it works...you check out of resort and can drop off all your luggage at bell services at old resort and have them send it over to new resort (I think...we always had a car and just loaded everything in our car and drove right to new resort). You can check in at new resort but a room likely won't be available until close to 4pm...they will text you when the room is ready (and you can head out to parks). Or you can head out to parks right from old resort and then go to new resort to check in around 4pm or later. If you have nappers, this may be a headache as you might not have a room to nap in that day. The packing up may be a headache too, after just 3 days (or just live out of your suitcases). But, I do get your desire to check out all the resorts. We bought in 2006 and this Dec we were finally going to stay at the last East coast DVC resort (AKV)...until they opened the new VGF. So, I guess I will be hot to stay there our next WDW trip after Dec (which won't be until 2015).

As far as what resort to try. BWV was our 1st stop. It's still up there as one of our faves (right after BCV...location is fabulous for both but BCV has a bit nicer feel, nicer pool and is a few steps closer to Epcot). Our 1st trip was a Sept trip too and we closed on our OKW contract in June (2006)...we booked that June and got BWV 2BR (booked on my own by calling MS and BCV was not available...we bought resale, so we couldn't have a guide help us). You can't go wrong with any...they are all nice and each have pluses and minuses (though if you can get BCV, maybe you should start there...it took me until this past Jan to get BCV). So, see what your guide can get you and if you feel like your family can handle a split stay, go for it. Happy planning...and Welcome Home!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks for feedback. We are going in Sept. I ave looked at Resale, but to gain 2057 ownership was what I wanted, and not have any restrictions.

I am working dirctly with a guide for my first booking. Me buying DVC is contingent on us getting a location we want. I'm sure all are great, but with a 9,6,2 year old, want some convenience too.

Appreciate everyone responding, and can't wait to be part of the Club!

The problem with your contingency on getting the location you want is that BWV and BCV both have been sold out for a long time and have waiting lists through DVC to purchase. That doesn't leave them with the inventory to book you a stay there in the Fall. When you purchase a new resort with lots of builder inventory, they can often pull from that inventory for your stay. Not so with sold out resorts. If you get your BCV or BWV reservation that will be great, but don't count on it.

 

[ELMC]

Thanks for feedback. We are going in Sept. I ave looked at Resale, but to gain 2057 ownership was what I wanted, and not have any restrictions.

I am working dirctly with a guide for my first booking. Me buying DVC is contingent on us getting a location we want. I'm sure all are great, but with a 9,6,2 year old, want some convenience too.

Appreciate everyone responding, and can't wait to be part of the Club!

Is there a particular reason that you don't want restrictions, or have you simply heard that restrictions are "bad" and so therefore you don't want them? There is a large percentage of owners on here who feel the restrictions are not worth the added cost, and if you haven't done so already then I recommend you look into this a little further.

With regards to convenience, you should know that OKW is convenient to nothing. It is difficult to get to by car because of traffic and it is not connected by monorail or walking trails to any theme park. I would be very careful here, it sounds like you are basing a 44 year long purchase on the ability to get the location you want for this coming year. But what are you going to do for the next 43 years when your "guide" no longer has a vested interest in pulling strings to get you into a sold out resort?

Finally, not to sound condescending, but your last statement has me very nervous. Typically when we hear people say that it is a sign of an emotional purchase and not necessarily a well thought out purchase. It's also a sign that the buyer is not completely aware of what they are or are not getting. You do know that there is no "club" right? You're simply buying a timeshare. I'm not saying that this describes you, but you might want to think about whether or not it does. Good luck!

 

[Deb & Bill]

...With regards to convenience, you should know that OKW is convenient to nothing. It is difficult to get to by car because of traffic and it is not connected by monorail or walking trails to any theme park. ...

Gosh, when is the last time you drove to OKW? I've driven there at least 15 times and never had any problem getting there by car. It's really very easy. You can walk to DTD from OKW, but not at night because the path is not lit.

By bus, OKW and SSR are probably the quickest to any theme park. Take the monorail to Epcot from BLT and you will be spending a lot of time tranferring and waiting for monorails. Monorails tend to be slow and when they shut down, they are a nightmare.

Walk to MK from BLT and it is quick. Walk to Epcot from BWV or BCV and it is quick. Any other park? Not so quick.

 

[GBPackers]

I have done my research, and honestly, feel very comfortable purchasing at $100 per point direct through Disney. I am not making an impulse decision on this at all. I truley understand the savings on resale, but maybe I wanted the "initial" purchase with Disney just in case they decide to put restrictions on resale contracts.

From what I saw, OKW was at a resale for $85 pp (lower points) vs my $100 direct with exp 2057.

 

[ELMC]

Gosh, when is the last time you drove to OKW? I've driven there at least 15 times and never had any problem getting there by car. It's really very easy. You can walk to DTD from OKW, but not at night because the path is not lit.

By bus, OKW and SSR are probably the quickest to any theme park. Take the monorail to Epcot from BLT and you will be spending a lot of time tranferring and waiting for monorails. Monorails tend to be slow and when they shut down, they are a nightmare.

Walk to MK from BLT and it is quick. Walk to Epcot from BWV or BCV and it is quick. Any other park? Not so quick.

Fair point, I suppose I should have disclosed a few things. I routinely do split stays at BLT and BWV to walk to three of the four parks. Also, I'm incredibly impatient and didn't like all those traffic lights driving from SSR to the parks (it was a few weeks ago). I suppose for normal people it's not that bad, but I'm used to staying at BLT or BWV so it was a bit of a pain for me personally.

 

[dbs1228]

I have done my research, and honestly, feel very comfortable purchasing at $100 per point direct through Disney. I am not making an impulse decision on this at all. I truley understand the savings on resale, but maybe I wanted the "initial" purchase with Disney just in case they decide to put restrictions on resale contracts.

From what I saw, OKW was at a resale for $85 pp (lower points) vs my $100 direct with exp 2057.

First off congratulations! 85.00PP for OKW is quite high even for the current resale market below are contracts that passed within the last 4 months ALL are extended and even if you look at the higher dollar ones (not the 30 and 25 pointers since those will historically go for more) but look at the 100 + point contracts for your 140 points you would have saved over 4000.00 buying resale just wanted to point that out. Enjoy your stay in Sept!

PASSED - OKW - extended (2057):
Joey7295 --- 30 OKW (Aug), $69, 30 banked 11 pts, all '12 & '13 pts, buyer pays closing & mf, (sub 1/18, passed 2/12)
Joey7295 --- 50 OKW (Aug), $65, 50 banked '11 pts, all '12 & '13 pts, buyer pays closing & mf, (sub 1/18, passed 2/12)
Joey7295 --- 190 OKW (Aug), $60, 75 banked '11 pts, all '12 & '13 pts, buyer pays closing & mf, (sub 1/18, passed 2/12)
kenspidey --- 100 OKW (Oct), $69, 40 banked '11 pts, all '12 & '13 pts, buyer pays closing & mf (sub 2/12, passed 2/27)
aspncb --- 100 OKW (Sep), $63, 0 12 pts, all '13 & '14 pts (sub ??, passed 3/13)
macd77---150 OKW (Apr), $61, all '13 points and forward, buyer pays mf and closing (sub 3/7, passed 4/3)
barrikj---400 OKW (??), $68, 87 '12 points, buyer pays closing and mf (sub 4/4, passed 4/29)
z28wiz---25 OKW (Aug), $80, all '14 points and forward, buyer pays closing (sub 4/26, passed 5/21)
z28wiz---30 OKW (Aug), $80, all '14 points and forward, no closing due to buying above contract (sub 4/26, passed 5/21)

 

[chalee94]

I wanted the "initial" purchase with Disney just in case they decide to put restrictions on resale contracts.

IMO you should buy DVC for the accommodations value or not at all. perks can change in the future for both direct and resale purchasers.

also, if your financial circumstances change, remember that you will have to sell at resale prices whether you originally purchased resale or direct.

but if you don't mind spending the extra money for a direct purchase and it makes you happy, feel free to do that.