general answers only needed.

[MFMont]

In the event that I need to cut the BWV contract that I am presently waiting for signed contracts on, I am considering a SSR contract as there are a ton available.

I rarely would ever travel on peak weeks and do my best to avoid crowds. I will always travel between sept. And april and will never go in the summer. At 7 months will I usually be able to get something in the BWV or WLV. I assume I will never see BLT and rarely see BCV. Am I correct? Any thoughts will be appreciated.

 

[Lynne M]

Busy seasons aren't the same for DVC resorts as they are for the other resorts. From the end of September to mid-November, the Food and Wine Festival is very popular with DVCers, and the Epcot resorts are pretty well booked up. BWV will be tough to get at 7 months, and in my experience, VWL tends to go right after the Epcot resorts, if only because it's so small. You'd likely find availability at SSR, OKW, or AKV.

From Thanksgiving to the end of the year is DVC's busiest season, and even at 7 months, finding availability can be difficult. BWV is unlikely, VWL....ver, very little chance at 7 months. SSR's probably the most likely to be open, just because of its sheer size. Maybe something at OKW or AKV as well.

From January to April, it's not so bad (except for the weeks around Easter). You will want to call right at your 7 month mark, though. VWL might still be tough, but you'd have a pretty good shot at BWV, as long as you're not going for a grand villa or a standard-view villa.

There's a reason most of us advise people to buy where they want to stay. DVC isn't going anywhere, hold out for the contract that's right for you.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

BWV can be tough around F&W and remember, just because the parks are not busy, doesn't mean DVC is not. DVC is meant to be at 100% capacity all year long (granted that doesn't always happen). DVC has very different peak and non-peak usage, an example is the first two weeks in December. It's low point season, but booking outside of your home resort at the 11 month window can be difficult as it is peak travel for DVC members.

Also, remember, the only thing your membership guarantees you is the right to book at your home resort. Although there is a low chance of it happening, DVC could restrict memberships later to home resort only. I see this as a low risk but as the resorts approach their contract end date, it could be a reality (or if Disney finds the segregation by method of purchase a way to restrict people to home resort booking).

 

[JimMIA]

With ANY resort, I think you will be limited to your home resort during certain periods -- Easter week, and the entire period from Thanksgiving week through New Years.

Unless you own BCV or BWV, you will have difficulty getting an Epcot resort during Food & Wine.

Unless you own SSR, you will probably have difficulty getting THV.

Other than that, I don't think you'll see any difference between the two, except somewhat lower dues at SSR. [

[ETA: Do NOT buy somewhere you would be disappointed to stay!]

I think you'll be able to get BLT outside of the really peak times, as long as you don't have to have an MK view. BLT is a large resort, about the size of BWV.

AKV is also a pretty large resort, and should be available. And you'll always be able to get OKW or SSR outside of peak times as long as you are booking a little ahead.

VWL is a smaller resort, but still gettable many times of the year. BCV is small, but we had no problem getting in there one May, booking 4 1/2 months out.

I know you're facing a tough decision today. Good luck.

 

[chalee94]

In the event that I need to cut the BWV contract that I am presently waiting for signed contracts on, I am considering a SSR contract as there are a ton available.

a number of SSR owners have posted something to the effect that they were buying SSR but never intended to stay there. the math on that doesn't exactly work.

you will probably often be able to find something else at 7 months out...but i would still book SSR at 11 months out just in case something else never comes through. if you'd be disappointed to be "stuck" at SSR, i would save a little more money and buy elsewhere if you can make plans 10-11 months out...

 

[DisDad07]

We own at AKL and we were able to book at BLT at the 7 month mark, for July 3 thru 9. so you just have to try each resort to see what is available for the time you want. I have stayed at BCV at the 7 month mark for F&W. So just keep trying.

 

[Dean]

In the event that I need to cut the BWV contract that I am presently waiting for signed contracts on, I am considering a SSR contract as there are a ton available.

I rarely would ever travel on peak weeks and do my best to avoid crowds. I will always travel between sept. And april and will never go in the summer. At 7 months will I usually be able to get something in the BWV or WLV. I assume I will never see BLT and rarely see BCV. Am I correct? Any thoughts will be appreciated.

For about half that time you likely won't have any trouble RIGHT at the 7 month window but for around half you likely will. However, getting standard view or BW view at BWV will be far less likely but still might work out part of the time. It is my opinion that SSR is currently the best value when WDW is the focus for those willing to take minimal risks and aggravations.

 

[tjkraz]

In the event that I need to cut the BWV contract that I am presently waiting for signed contracts on, I am considering a SSR contract as there are a ton available.

If you're looking at SSR listings with The Timeshare Store, note that as I type this there are only 5 contracts which are not "sale pending." In recent weeks I've seen as few as 1 SSR contract available on their site.

 

[TisBit]

I own at SSR and BLT, we bought both just to have diversity. Our intention (as with most new owners) is to try all the resorts at some point. Quite honestly, I enjoy SSR a lot and will never mind staying there, the proximity to DTD is great and I like the feel of the resort.

With that being said, if you don't want to consider staying there, it is likely not the best place to buy. No one can predict availability....even if everyone thinks you are a shoe in to book at 7 months, you just never know. So, if you are set on certain resorts...it is best to spend a little extra and buy there.

 

[MFMont]

If you're looking at SSR listings with The Timeshare Store, note that as I type this there are only 5 contracts which are not "sale pending." In recent weeks I've seen as few as 1 SSR contract available on their site.

Surprised that their inventory is so short as there seems to be a lot of ssr supply elsewhere. Don't know that I would call TSS again as I grew tired of hearing "ill be glad to go ahead and present your offer but we have another offer way above that." Only to see the same contract sit for days before selling. Hey, if they get it, good for them. However, I may contact them if I do ever plan to sell! ;-)

 

[JimMIA]

Surprised that their inventory is so short as there seems to be a lot of ssr supply elsewhere. Don't know that I would call TSS again as I grew tired of hearing "ill be glad to go ahead and present your offer but we have another offer way above that." Only to see the same contract sit for days before selling. Hey, if they get it, good for them. However, I may contact them if I do ever plan to sell! ;-)

They were probably just telling you the truth. In all likelihood, the offer way above yours was not enough for the seller either. Some sellers are flexible and some are firm.

Anyway, good luck with your search.

 

[mjc2003]

If you're looking at SSR listings with The Timeshare Store, note that as I type this there are only 5 contracts which are not "sale pending." In recent weeks I've seen as few as 1 SSR contract available on their site.

Meanwhile, there are over 300 SSR contracts currently active on the Fidelity site. I know some people say they don't take their listings down or list them as pending/sold as quickly as some other sites, but I found this to be entirely untrue. I called on about 15 listings on their site in the week before I bought. Each one was active. I also checked the day after my contract was signed and submitted, and the listing had been changed to "sold".

 

[MFMont]

Meanwhile, there are over 300 SSR contracts currently active on the Fidelity site. I know some people say they don't take their listings down or list them as pending/sold as quickly as some other sites, but I found this to be entirely untrue. I called on about 15 listings on their site in the week before I bought. Each one was active. I also checked the day after my contract was signed and submitted, and the listing had been changed to "sold".

I must also agree with this same expirience. Fidelity has been nothing but a pleasure to work with. I am sure TSS is also a great group to work with. It would appear though that with such a smaller inventory, they can babysit what they have and make sure that they get top dollar for their customers. I would have to consider them if I ever decide to sell. I however will leave the buying from them to the less informed

 

[DMKEDM]

We own at SSR and BCV; we use 11-month priority for our T-giving week (every other year at each of those two resorts). We also average 4-5 trips each year (I'm fortunate to frequently be able to work off-site and so can work at Disney)...we've been members since 2006...

Only once (in what I think is about 23 trips) have we been limited to only SSR when booking at 7 months or less out. Twice (once in early April; once in Feb, for Disney's Princess Marathon) I've stayed at BLT (both times in standard view studios--altho for one trip I needed two studios and for the second one I had to book lake view; only one standard view was available for my dates)--we've also stayed at AKV, BWV (Standard and Garden views) and Old Key West. One trip I had the choice of Wilderness Lodge, but chose Beach Club (well inside the 7-month window)--that was in January (and my dates included the Sunday of Marathon weekend). My bookings have ranged from just about 7 months out (but never on the day the booking window opened) to 6 weeks out.

I've used the wait list a lot--the new wait list rules, however, have made it considerably less likely I'll get alternative resorts if I have to wait list more than one day of a trip. The old day-by-day wait listing process (w/no limits on the number of wait lists), worked really really well for us--only once did I not get what I wanted.

So...I don't always get first choice. However, I've never been totally shut out (including a spring break trip booked only 6 weeks out--that was in the days of no restrictions on day-by-day wait listing, tho).

We love all the WDW resorts (even tho we've not stayed at Wilderness Lodge, we've visited and eaten over there). So we're pretty much happy with whatever we get. (And if I go "too many" trips w/out a stay at SSR I start missing it!)

Things are changing at DVC, so my five-year history may not be predictive of the future. And maybe we've just been lucky. But I don't worry overmuch about using points at 7 months (or less) out...

Good luck w/your choices.

 

[RWishbone]

The more resorts they build, the harder it will be to stay at the resort you want to stay at but do not own. If you like the BW, pay the extra money and buy there. It is worth it.

 

[dbs1228]

I found Fidelty did have a lot of contracts but there are quite a few that are "problem" contracts i.e. forced to sell, divorce, and other complications that make doing business a bit harder for their agents.
We had our offer accepted on 3/3, signed and made deposit 3/4 and even on the updated listing dated 3/8 it still shows as an active listing????? We are still waiting for sellers to sign and have been assured it is moving right along and sellers will fax back the contracts.

 

[mmjm]

What is the web address for Fidelity ?

 

[DougEMG]

Here's the Fidelity web site http://www.fidelityresales.com/dvc.php
I just had a contract pass ROFR with them today.

 

[MFMont]

I found Fidelty did have a lot of contracts but there are quite a few that are "problem" contracts i.e. forced to sell, divorce, and other complications that make doing business a bit harder for their agents.
We had our offer accepted on 3/3, signed and made deposit 3/4 and even on the updated listing dated 3/8 it still shows as an active listing????? We are still waiting for sellers to sign and have been assured it is moving right along and sellers will fax back the contracts.

While I experienced the same situation, I find it hard to believe that Fidelity would have more "problem contracts" than anyone else. Let's face it, something like 50% of the marriages in the western world end in divorce. Most people that buy these contracts with disney intend to keep them for the duration, so I would tend to think that most of the contracts sold are results of some sort of problem.

BTW my BWV went to ROFR today.

 

[FindingFigment]

BTW my BWV went to ROFR today.

Oh yay!! I've been following your saga starting with the original BWV offer because I had the other contract that Tammy had and we both backed out and I saw your post on the other forum about it. I was secretly glad you backed out of that one as well. Anyway, I'm rooting for you and hoping everything goes well! Keep us posted!