Getting closer to Buying VGC resale.......... couple ??'s

[lwanthony]

Hey everyone! Been lurking here for quite some time and finally have a couple questions. My wife and i are thinking about finally buying into DVC. We are west coasters and looking at buying into VGC. We have been going to DL together the last 10 years or so, and though we say we will go every other year, we have gone every year for the last 5 years, and we are already planning next Christmas. We have rented 4 times now in both a studio and one bedroom at the VGC.

The week we go, which is the week after Thanksgiving is pretty set for us, we love going to Socal that time of year and have done it for the last 5 or 6 years. A studio that week, well 5 days really, is 100 points and a one bed room is 195.

I was thinking if we got 120 points at the VGC so we had the 11 month window we could stay every year if we chose, or every other in a bigger room if we chose.

The questions I have are these.
1) if we know we are going to go the same time of year every year in the end of November, first couple days of December, is there an advantage to what my use year is, and what would make most sense in that case.
2) Do you think 120 points is the right amount knowing what our plans are for use?
3) is it worth it to think about a 100 point resale contract, and then try to get a 25 point add on direct. (don't even know if this is possible at the VGC anymore)

What else can you think we should be considering knowing what our plans are for use????

This forum has been so valuable in our research into making this purchase. Thank you all so much, and I can't wait for us to be "neighbors" !!!!

-Lane

 

[Dean]

Hey everyone! Been lurking here for quite some time and finally have a couple questions. My wife and i are thinking about finally buying into DVC. We are west coasters and looking at buying into VGC. We have been going to DL together the last 10 years or so, and though we say we will go every other year, we have gone every year for the last 5 years, and we are already planning next Christmas. We have rented 4 times now in both a studio and one bedroom at the VGC.

The week we go, which is the week after Thanksgiving is pretty set for us, we love going to Socal that time of year and have done it for the last 5 or 6 years. A studio that week, well 5 days really, is 100 points and a one bed room is 195.

I was thinking if we got 120 points at the VGC so we had the 11 month window we could stay every year if we chose, or every other in a bigger room if we chose.

The questions I have are these.
1) if we know we are going to go the same time of year every year in the end of November, first couple days of December, is there an advantage to what my use year is, and what would make most sense in that case.
2) Do you think 120 points is the right amount knowing what our plans are for use?
3) is it worth it to think about a 100 point resale contract, and then try to get a 25 point add on direct. (don't even know if this is possible at the VGC anymore)

What else can you think we should be considering knowing what our plans are for use????

This forum has been so valuable in our research into making this purchase. Thank you all so much, and I can't wait for us to be "neighbors" !!!!

-Lane

If you go the same time a UY just before is a BIG advantage, it's insurance in case something happens along the way. I'd open up to a slightly larger contract since you're more likely to find a good contract at more in the 150-170 point range, it'll give you protection against reallocations and you'll likely need more points than you think you will anyway. It likely is worth getting 25 retail to have options but it does come with a cost. I'd likely do the 150 + 25 if that's what it takes to get a good contract. You'll have so much more flexibility in terms of contracts available AND points usage afterwards.

 

[starry_solo]

It's not possible, at the moment, to get a direct contract for VGC for 25 points (or any number of points).

Looking at active listings on one site, the smallest # of points available on resale is 107 and there are no points available until 2018! The next smallest is 150.

However, on another site, there are 50 and 100 point listings available.

I would try to get 150-200 points so that you could plan to stay there for one full week, rather than 5 days

 

[lwanthony]

If you go the same time a UY just before is a BIG advantage, it's insurance in case something happens along the way. I'd open up to a slightly larger contract since you're more likely to find a good contract at more in the 150-170 point range, it'll give you protection against reallocations and you'll likely need more points than you think you will anyway. It likely is worth getting 25 retail to have options but it does come with a cost. I'd likely do the 150 + 25 if that's what it takes to get a good contract. You'll have so much more flexibility in terms of contracts available AND points usage afterwards.

So use year just before as in an October use year would make most sense, or should I shoot for November knowing we go at the end of November each year?

I also agree that the bigger contract would be better, but I am having a hard time convincing my wife.......

 

[lwanthony]

It's not possible, at the moment, to get a direct contract for VGC for 25 points (or any number of points).

Looking at active listings on one site, the smallest # of points available on resale is 107 and there are no points available until 2018! The next smallest is 150.

However, on another site, there are 50 and 100 point listings available.

I would try to get 150-200 points so that you could plan to stay there for one full week, rather than 5 days

No wait list or anything at the VGC?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

No wait list or anything at the VGC?

Resort is so small, Disney just isn't willing to bother.

 

[frank808]

No wait list or anything at the VGC?

No one being added to the waitlist. There is one but you had to be on it as it has closed over a year ago. I am on it and was able to add on some points this past july. They get points back by rofr and foreclosure process. Mine was acquired through foreclosure that happened the month before in june.

 

[chalee94]

So use year just before as in an October use year would make most sense, or should I shoot for November knowing we go at the end of November each year.

Oct is best.

Nov would be better but there's no such thing as a Nov UY.

 

[Dean]

So use year just before as in an October use year would make most sense, or should I shoot for November knowing we go at the end of November each year?

I also agree that the bigger contract would be better, but I am having a hard time convincing my wife.......

As noted, Oct would be best for Nov since there is no Nov UY. You need enough points to not have to stress about points every time you plan a trip and potentially for VGC you may need to hold a studio and 1 BR at times trying to piece together a reservation or have to get a 1 BR when you preferred a studio. The 1 BR will be easier to reserve so you may need to use more points because you're forced into it. I currently hold the position that one should buy resale in almost every case and then a 25 point retail purchase for options. But if you're in CA and have access to discounts that way, it may offer less benefits in your situation so it may or may not be worth it for you. And those 25 don't have to be at the same resort though it's better if they are. For VGC the issue of getting a reasonable contract at all is an issue so for VGC & VGF esp, I think one needs to be more flexible in terms of contract limits including size and points availability. Just don't get carried away and overpay significantly, that's where this investigation is important. DVC will likely not save you money in this situation but it likely will give you more for around the same money. Ideally I'd go for 150-170 in this situation but be open up to around 200. The larger you go, the less important for the 25 retail to be at the same location and in this exact situation I'm quickly talking myself into buying the one modestly larger contract at VGC and 25 retail elsewhere. You could buy VB or HH esp for less. Are you thinking about other locations in the future, HI? If so, that might be the second best location for a 25 points retail add on.

 

[Minniesgal]

As for how many points that really depends whether you are content with a studio or crave the 1 bedroom.

For us we started as a family of 5 so we started with 2 bedroom villas which were perfect for us as a family. Now it is doe to the three of us a 1 bedroom is great and we love the king master so even once it is the two of us I really can't see us going to a studio

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I see little reason to do a direct add on for VGC and DL trips. The biggest reason to have the direct for WDW is AP discounts but one - you go for 5 days so no need for an AP and two - that discount is a measly $20 at DL and not on any of the S. Cal passes. You would get discounts off of food and merchandise though at many locations. The DVC events are very few and far between at DL and not worth the direct purchase either IMO.

VGC is one location we do studios almost exclusively. I think you'll be fine with the 120 point range for your plan of use.