first time here -- looking to get advice before we buy

[ellenmiele]

We will soon be buying DVC resale and I have been struggling to decide where to buy -- better prices are out there for HH and OKW and with their lower dues rates they seem like good bets. But we will often want to stay at other resorts and I worry about being able to book only 7 months out for any of the other resorts -- we do tend to travel during school breaks because of our kids but we can be a little flexible (2 or 3 days of school missed would be OK). And I am obsessive-compulsive about planning ahead (I'm the type who really does book the luau 2 years ahead!). Has anyone really regretted their choice of home resort because of the booking window? And does the 7 month window apply to ALL the other resorts (ie - Poly or GF)? Thanks for any advice on this !!

 

[PamOKW]

The best advice is to buy where you want to stay. If your primary focus is to visit WDW, I would be sure to at least buy a WDW resort so you know you'll have somewhere to stay every vacation.

The non-DVC resorts are booked seperate from the DVC resorts. You can book them 11 months outs. They use more points than the DVC options and are subject to yearly increases. The DVC options are pretty much set at the same rate every year and you get a lot more bang for your points by staying at a DVC resort.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Hi, ellenmiele, and WELCOME to the DIS boards!
If your main desire is to stay at WDW vs HH, I would not buy points at HH. The odds are good to get an on site resort at the 7 month window, but it will be guaranteed if you buy an onsite resort.
Most here do not regret their home resort choice, as most bought where they want to stay most.
Although it is not the best use of points from a monetary standpoint, you can book Disney Collection resorts (Poly, GF ect...) at the 11 month window.

Please feel free to ask more questions...

MG

 

[Tooneric]

I've only been a member for a year and have just one trip under my belt with another set. I agree that if your intent is to go to WDW (as is mine), then you should consider a WDW property. I love BCV mainly because of the location, (stumbling distance of the Rose n' Crown Pub), but many people rave about OKW, so I don't think you can go wrong there either. You can always book your home resort at the 11 mo. window and try for another at 7 months.

By the way, I am very happy with my decsion to join. I'm tempted to buy more points (have 175), but I think I'm good for now. To meet my current Disney desire, I am trying another strategy. Last summer and this June I booked a room at the AKL with the AP rate ($124 per night). It's a beautiful resort and that's a tough rate to beat.

 

[Laurabearz]

One of the many montra's here is buy where you want to stay. With SSR looking good for many more buildings, more and more people will be added to the 7 month window for smaller resorts. (and from Doc's pictures, I think many of us non SSR owners will be looking to book at SSR too)

When we were looking into DVC, VWL was for sale via Disney. We Poo poo'd it... didnt even look at it, and opted to buy resale OKW.... a resort we had stayed at and loved the relaxed feeling. We didnt want a mountian retreat when visiting Florida! How silly!

Well, Last September, we stayed at VWL and LOVED IT! Who knew. But then again we booked that vacation 37 days out and only VWL had a two bedroom for us.... Would that happen in December? DOubtful, but we are fine with that. Broadwalk Villas really trips my trigger when it comes to Christmas decorations.

DVC offers a lot of flexablitiy. Just ask yourself, IF I could only stay at ONE DVC resort, which would it be.... and go from there. At the same time, weigh the option of the number of points you can afford.... Personally I would buy MORE points at OKW, over my fave BWV, because longer trips anywhere are better than shorter ones!

Keep us posted!

 

[dianeschlicht]

You have been given GREAT advice so far. If you find a good resale with the correct number of points at a WDW DVC, that is what you should buy. If you do a search on this site, you will finde the dues listed for each resort. I have it around here somewhere, but I have to search for it. OKW is the lowest dues on-site at this time, followed by SSR(both around $3.60. Most others are around $4 per point.