Future DVC Owner...

[mickeymorse]

We just returned from a wonderful 8 night stay at OKW on rented points and have decided to purchase our own. The problem that we are having is trying to decide where we want our home resort. My DW tells me she wants VWL cause of the proximity and boat ride to MK ( her favourite park ). I on the other hand want either AKV or SSR cause of the extra years. I wouldn't mind staying at VWL either its just the extra years thing that has me undecided. Then I think that if we owned at VWL, it would be easier to get in the other 2 at the 7 month window. I would love to hear what anyone else thinks. We are a family of 4 with an 8 and 5 yr old.
Thanks for any and all suggestions

Rob DW DD8 DS5

 

[MikeyNS]

Buy where you want to stay the most.

Yes, the bigger resorts will be easier than the smaller ones to get into at the 7month window, but you should be prepared to enjoy where you're at incase you can't move! Especially during the busier time of years.
Don't forget to consider maintenance fees too (if that's a possible issue).

 

[CarolMN]

My opinion - If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody gonna be happy!

Seriously, only your family can decide if the extra years are more important than being able to stay at your favorite resort when you want to be there.

Since SSR and AKV are quite a bit larger than VWL, it will be easier to book those resorts at 7 months than it will be to book VWL at 7 months. (However, most of us here think that you will need the 11 month booking advantage for AKV if you want to stay in either the value rooms or concierge rooms).

If you really don't care which resort you stay in, or cannot book more than 7 months in advance, or usually travel in September, January - mid February or May, then it really doesn't matter which resort you choose as home. Find the best deal.

If your wife's heart is set on VWL and you would be disappointed not to be able to stay there, then buy at VWL and use the home resort booking advantage. The extra years won't matter if you aren't staying where you want to be.

 

[DVC Mike]

There's a nice thread somewhere in which people have expressed their opinions of what should be considered when choosing your home resort. Here is my summary/recap of what's been said (along with my 2 cents):

The most popular philosophy, and the one I personally adhere to, is “Buy Where You Want to Stay”. If you really love a particular resort, then buy into it. There are some people who have a particular fondness for a resort and really want to stay at that particular resort, and they would be unhappy if they were not able to book there. These folks should buy where they want to stay, provided that they can reliably plan and book to take advantage of the 11-month home resort booking advantage.

If a specific resort (theme/style, location, villa type and/or view) is important to you and you want the 11-month home resort booking advantage, then buy into that resort. The need for the home resort booking advantage varies by resort, villa type, view and time of year that you most often vacation.

I fall into this camp, as I am a planner and always book my WDW vacations at the 11-month window so that I can stay at the resorts that I love – BCV, BWV, VWL, and AKV.

If you don’t have a particular fondness for a certain resort, or if you’re not a planner and anticipate always booking at the 7-month window (or less), then one of the next two philosophies may be best for you.

One alternative philosophy states “Buy Where You Wouldn't Mind Staying”. This view states that people should avoid buying at a resort that they really wouldn't be happy staying at. Since the resort you buy into will be your default location should your other options fall through at the 7-month window, you should pick a resort that you would wouldn’t mind staying at; i.e., it would not make you unhappy.

Finally, others promote the idea of “Buy the best deal”; that is, whatever resort has the lowest overall cost. If any resort is fine, then buy where you get the best overall deal for total cost of ownership. Recognize that the variables for that depend on purchase cost (price, closing costs and finance charges), annual dues, expected length of ownership and likely resale value upon disposition. Keep in mind that any savings in upfront purchase cost will probably be offset by the difference in maintenance fees.

One other factor to consider is the contract length. Some resorts (VWL, BWV, BCV, HHI, and VB) have significantly shorter contracts than SSR, AKV and OKW. If you are older, this may not be a factor. However, if you are young, then the additional years may play a role in your decision-making. For me, I would rather have 35 years at a place that I love than 50 years at a place I would not be happy with.

 

[simzac]

OKW owners were recently offered a 15 year extension on their contracts. Rumor has it they may do the same for the other existing properties. You could buy a VWL resale right now and if the extension doesn't come in the future, you could always add on at a property with a longer experation date.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

AKV wasn't available at the time we purchased (January of this year), but we bought at SSR for the exact same reason (extra years). I really like SSR, but have no extreem preference for any resort. I love staying at all of them. However, if Dis came back and said I could only stay at SSR while in Orlando, that wouldn't break my heart either.

In all honesty, while AKV really appeals to me (love the animals!!!), had I been presented with both options when we purchased, I would have probably still chosen SSR because of the maintenance fees. The other resorts weren't a consideration, given they expired in 2042. Now with the extension at OKW available, I may have bought there via resale.

We are in our late 30s with a son (12) and daughter (5). Best of luck with your decision!!! We haven't regretted our purchase one bit, even with dues coming up!

 

[Granny]

There's a nice thread somewhere in which people have expressed their opinions of what should be considered when choosing your home resort. Here is my summary/recap of what's been said (along with my 2 cents):

Mike did an awesome job in summing up that thread. If you want to read the whole thing, just click on THIS LINK.

 

[mickeymorse]

WOW!! Thanks everyone for your input.

My opinion - If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody gonna be happy!

My same thoughts exactly.

Mike, I am the same way as you about planning. Most of our trips would probably be booked at the 11 mth window. My DW thinks I'm just a little OCD. Its just that I'm not big on surprises.

OKW owners were recently offered a 15 year extension on their contracts

Thats what makes me think that they might do it for the others and then my first point is moot. Although I read on another thread somewhere that the extensions weren't being taken up too much at OKW( whether thats true or not, I don't know)

For me, I would rather have 35 years at a place that I love than 50 years at a place I would not be happy with.

You could buy a VWL resale right now and if the extension doesn't come in the future, you could always add on at a property with a longer experation date.

Maybe thats something to consider as well...So many options!!!

Now its time to go read the whole thread that Granny linked for me. Thanks!!

Rob Lisa Sarah Spencer

 

[ldo]

AKV was our 1st pick, but we wanted a smaller contract, which isn't available resale, yet. I also thought that AKL would be big enough to get at 7 mths for summer if we were flexible with room view and size.
And, we want to go to VWL some years over Thanksgiving or Christmas. Since it is so small, I reasoned that I would need home booking at 11 mths to get it. Also, when our kids are out of the house (10 years), VWL would be where I want to go alone with spouse.
We might also add on through Disney another smaller AKV contract in the future.

 

[mickeymorse]

I am thinking the same thing about VWL being a smaller resort. When we rented our points, they were for OKW and VWL didn't have the availability at the 7 mth window that we wanted. Don't get me wrong, we loved our first DVC stay at OKW its just my DW wants to be closer to the MK. Not an issue with me personally. I do love the resort theme at VWL. Decisions, decisions, decisions...... If this is the worst thing we have to deal with I should stop and count my blessings.

Rob

 

[luna99]

I thought I'd ask this here since it pertains to the topic at hand instead of starting a new thread:

Say I bought into DVC and my home resort is SSR. I like it there but I mainly buy it because it's cheaper and I like the idea of the added years.

BUT... I really want to stay at VWL sometime ... maybe I don't get to stay there the first year or even two that I have my DVC... but EVENTUALLY I will get in right?

me personally.. I think I'd rather buy the DVC that's the best value for my money because it's not a big deal to me if I have to stay at SSR or OKW most of my trips.. I just want to be able to know that I will get to stay at VWL or BWV sometime.

does that make sense? lol. So I should probably just buy at wherever the "value" is the best in my case, right?

I guess I"m also asking how difficult is it to get into VWL at a seven month window?

 

[alldiz]

If you want to stay at WL around holiday time....Buy there...I agree that with all the growth of DVC...your 11month window will be even more important.
Kerri

 

[CarolMN]

I thought I'd ask this here since it pertains to the topic at hand instead of starting a new thread:

Say I bought into DVC and my home resort is SSR. I like it there but I mainly buy it because it's cheaper and I like the idea of the added years.

BUT... I really want to stay at VWL sometime ... maybe I don't get to stay there the first year or even two that I have my DVC... but EVENTUALLY I will get in right?

me personally.. I think I'd rather buy the DVC that's the best value for my money because it's not a big deal to me if I have to stay at SSR or OKW most of my trips.. I just want to be able to know that I will get to stay at VWL or BWV sometime.

does that make sense? lol. So I should probably just buy at wherever the "value" is the best in my case, right?

I guess I"m also asking how difficult is it to get into VWL at a seven month window?

Yes - you should be able to get into VWL (or any of the other smaller DVC resorts) sometime. There are definitely some times of the year that are easier to reserve at 7 months. You may have to use the waitlist to get your preferred time or unit size. The most difficult time to reserve VWL is arguably Thanksgiving week through New Year's Day.

BWV will be easier to get into at 7 months than VWL, but even so, it is unlikely that you will be able to reserve a guaranteed Boardwalk view or a standard view unit at 7 months - unless you are traveling in January, September or May and willing to book day by day. However, a Pool/Garden unit shouldn't be too tough for many times of the year.

Based on what you've said, I think buying the best value makes sense for your family.

 

[zalansky]

Just an FYI - We own at SSR and AKV. I called this past week to reserve a one bedroom for June 18-23 - 2008 - which is magic season I believe. The end of June is always very busy because of school ending. We wanted an Epcot resort. Beach Club and Boardwalk...ALL VIEWS....Boardwalk, Standard and Preferred, were available for the entire stay. We took standard BWV for less points. My friend who also owns at SSR was able to get a standard BW studio for the same dates as well.

The only time I have not tried to get in someplace is the week of Xmas. Because we wouldn't want to go when its so busy anyway. Other than that, I have pretty much always been able to get in where we wanted to using the 7 month booking window.

 

[disneylover1955]

If I had a tad of advice here it is. Buy from California by mail. Apparently one of the newest properties "The Villas at the Grand Californian Hotel and Spa" will be offered for Pre Sale ONLY to people who bought from a California guide. So not only could you buy SSR or AKV, but reap the benefit of being a founding member in California. I think its a great deal. PM me if you have any questions.

 

[dopeygirl76]

We returned from our second trip in the last year Nov 10 with stays at POP and POFQ, DH is of the mind to try them all and I just LOVE Disney so as long as we are there nothing else matters. We have definately decided to do the DVC but are struggling with a purchase through Disney or resale and of course the home resort. DH follows the time philosophy - I follow the where we want to stay the most - HELP !!! We are in our both 31 with two daughters (3 1/2 and 8 months).

 

[shellbelle1971]

I thought I'd ask this here since it pertains to the topic at hand instead of starting a new thread:

Say I bought into DVC and my home resort is SSR. I like it there but I mainly buy it because it's cheaper and I like the idea of the added years.

BUT... I really want to stay at VWL sometime ... maybe I don't get to stay there the first year or even two that I have my DVC... but EVENTUALLY I will get in right?

me personally.. I think I'd rather buy the DVC that's the best value for my money because it's not a big deal to me if I have to stay at SSR or OKW most of my trips.. I just want to be able to know that I will get to stay at VWL or BWV sometime.

does that make sense? lol. So I should probably just buy at wherever the "value" is the best in my case, right?

I guess I"m also asking how difficult is it to get into VWL at a seven month window?

luna, I think you're my long-lost cousin! This is exactly how we looked at it when we bought. We have so far had good luck booking where we want most of the time except we have been unable to get a grand villa at OKW, so would consider adding on there to make that possible.

 

[coachfromme]

Say I bought into DVC and my home resort is SSR. I like it there but I mainly buy it because it's cheaper and I like the idea of the added years.
?

This was our thoughts when we decided to purchase SSR. We felt that with two young kids (9 and 7) that it really does not matter where we stay, we just love being at WDW and if we could stay at the other resorts than that will be a plus.

 

[mickeymorse]

I think that more and more, we are leaning toward a resale at VWL to make sure we could get in there. Personally, as long as I'm at WDW it really doesn't matter where just so long as we are on site. No more off-site for this fella. Now it boils down to how many points do we think we need? At least we are getting closer to ownership with each passing day. So looking forward to our first real trip HOME!!

Rob