Have some questions regarding buying DVC

[wendow]

We have never stayed at BLT, but stayed at SSR this past June (and AKV in Dec) with bus transportation only, 2 or 3 kids and 1 or 2 strollers. At both of those times we never felt a problem with riding the bus (getting on/off, getting seats for the kids, time to get to/from parks...). I am sure that it would be difficult to imagine anything else after being able to walk to MK (from BLT), but I would strongly recommend checking out SSR, I liked it much more than I thought I would (though AKL is my favorite). Our kids loved walking across the pond bridge (there were turtles and a small alligator that they would have sat and watched if I had let them). They loved the main pool area and we spent more time there than we expected to. I also liked being able to walk to Downtown Disney.
YMMV, but I enjoyed SSR and probably underestimated it before I actually experienced it.

I think we'd like it too. We really aren't hard to please. We just got super spoiled by BLT and being able to walk to MK. I think we'll rent points for OKW or SSR next time we go.

 

[wendow]

Summer when points are higher, crowds are even higher and temperatures and humidity even higher still, and hurricane season are not as hard to book for DVC.

So, would you consider mid-Sept a low DVC time since it's hurricane season?

 

[DannysMom]

And did you really find SSR for $50 per point?? That is much lower than I've seen but I've not checked daily or anything.

Before you make any offers (once you are ready) you should keep your eye on the ROFR thread in this forum, to see what folks are actually paying. Like any other real estate transaction, sellers can ASK for any price they want, what the market will bear is an entirely different story. IMO, it would be tough to get SSR at $50/pt. but at $55-60/pt there are deal to be had.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards App, please excuse any typos.

 

[wendow]

Before you make any offers (once you are ready) you should keep your eye on the ROFR thread in this forum, to see what folks are actually paying. Like any other real estate transaction, sellers can ASK for any price they want, what the market will bear is an entirely different story. IMO, it would be tough to get SSR at $50/pt. but at $55-60/pt there are deal to be had.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards App, please excuse any typos.

Thank you for the good advice!

 

[bighoo93]

Thank you. Those are the same things my kids loved at BLT so it sounds like OKW would be a good fit for us also. It's truly just giving up the convenience of walking to MK. And we did so enjoy watching Wishes from the hotel and the water pageant each night But not for the cost difference. We splurged and did that once but we cannot do it every trip. We are way, way too frugal for that I like the looks of OKW the best between OKW and SSR. Just looking at room pics. I guess there is plenty of availability there at 7 mos out for a 2 br? And did you really find SSR for $50 per point?? That is much lower than I've seen but I've not checked daily or anything.

I'm approximating, but yes, $50 is in the ballpark depending on the contract. I am not able to predict what will happen with ROFR, but I think they have been waiving that for most other than OKW. I know I saw at least one SSR contract reported as passing ROFR at $50/point recently (edit: here is the link). On the DVC resale listings, people list their points well above market value in the expectation of negotiating down. Don't bother worrying about listing price, follow what people are reporting on the message boards. I'm currently in ROFR limbo on an SSR contract, but my first offer was well below listing price, and it was immediately accepted. That may have just been luck (and it may not pass ROFR), but I think you can probably get something in that neighborhood with patience.

Regarding OKW vs. SSR, we plan to try SSR next because we just want to experiment. But we loved OKW and it will be hard to beat the rooms at OKW. From what I have read around here, it is not difficult to get a 2 BR at OKW or SSR at the 7 month mark.

 

[DizBub]

Just wanted to jump in here to tell you that my daughter and 4 kids are at SSR right now, in a 1br. She had her choice of BLT or SSR. She decided on SSR because there is more for the kids to do and the food choices. They just love it. Very relaxing. Have had no problems with the buses at all but they don't have strollers.

I 2nd the opinion about OKW, you can't beat the point requirements and it is just a beautiful resort, very family friendly. In fact I'm planning to try to get a 2br there in May. Good bus service too!!

 

[wendow]

I'm approximating, but yes, $50 is in the ballpark depending on the contract. I am not able to predict what will happen with ROFR, but I think they have been waiving that for most other than OKW. I know I saw at least one SSR contract reported as passing ROFR at $50/point recently (edit: here is the link). On the DVC resale listings, people list their points well above market value in the expectation of negotiating down. Don't bother worrying about listing price, follow what people are reporting on the message boards. I'm currently in ROFR limbo on an SSR contract, but my first offer was well below listing price, and it was immediately accepted. That may have just been luck (and it may not pass ROFR), but I think you can probably get something in that neighborhood with patience.

Regarding OKW vs. SSR, we plan to try SSR next because we just want to experiment. But we loved OKW and it will be hard to beat the rooms at OKW. From what I have read around here, it is not difficult to get a 2 BR at OKW or SSR at the 7 month mark.

I didn't realize you could offer less on the prices that are posted. Good to know Thanks for all your help! Hope you get through ROFR! Reading through that thread I see much lower prices than what I have seen listed for sale.

I'm glad to hear you loved OKW. Like I mentioned, just based on pics, it appeals to me more than SSR (not that it's unappealing at all). So, why is OKW so cheap?? I mean, looking at the point charts, it seems way less than even SSR. What am I missing? Basically, what does SSR offer that OKW does not? Or does OKW just need to be refurb'ed really badly? It seems just lovely.

 

[333disneymom]

Thank you. Those are the same things my kids loved at BLT so it sounds like OKW would be a good fit for us also. It's truly just giving up the convenience of walking to MK. And we did so enjoy watching Wishes from the hotel and the water pageant each night But not for the cost difference. We splurged and did that once but we cannot do it every trip. We are way, way too frugal for that I like the looks of OKW the best between OKW and SSR. Just looking at room pics. I guess there is plenty of availability there at 7 mos out for a 2 br? And did you really find SSR for $50 per point?? That is much lower than I've seen but I've not checked daily or anything.

Before you make any offers (once you are ready) you should keep your eye on the ROFR thread in this forum, to see what folks are actually paying. Like any other real estate transaction, sellers can ASK for any price they want, what the market will bear is an entirely different story. IMO, it would be tough to get SSR at $50/pt. but at $55-60/pt there are deal to be had.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards App, please excuse any typos.

We just purchased an SSR contract for $50 per point. It took about 10 offers to get someone to accept this price. This was our second offer that was accepted at $50, but the first one fell through on the sellers end. You do have to look at points too. Some contracts are very stripped of points (none until 2013 or not all points in 2013, etc.) and some have extra points that were banked from a previous year. If you are getting a good amount of points, it might be worth it to bid a bit higher. We were fortunate to have all 2012 points and all points going forward in our contract.

My best advice is to look at the ROFR board to see the range of what properties are going for. Try to figure out how much you feel comfortable paying per point. Then, it just takes patience and a little bit of luck to get the right contract. Good luck.

 

[wendow]

Just wanted to jump in here to tell you that my daughter and 4 kids are at SSR right now, in a 1br. She had her choice of BLT or SSR. She decided on SSR because there is more for the kids to do and the food choices. They just love it. Very relaxing. Have had no problems with the buses at all but they don't have strollers.

I 2nd the opinion about OKW, you can't beat the point requirements and it is just a beautiful resort, very family friendly. In fact I'm planning to try to get a 2br there in May. Good bus service too!!

Wow, is it a tight fit for them? Or are those one bedrooms bigger? I was trying to look at room sizes but I don't remember how big the 1 br was.

I did notice the OKW 1 br would fit our family...at least until my youngest is 3...but there is only one bath. I don't think we'd survive with one bathroom for a week or longer Nice to hear the bus service is good!!

 

[bighoo93]

I didn't realize you could offer less on the prices that are posted. Good to know Thanks for all your help! Hope you get through ROFR! Reading through that thread I see much lower prices than what I have seen listed for sale.

I'm glad to hear you loved OKW. Like I mentioned, just based on pics, it appeals to me more than SSR (not that it's unappealing at all). So, why is OKW so cheap?? I mean, looking at the point charts, it seems way less than even SSR. What am I missing? Basically, what does SSR offer that OKW does not? Or does OKW just need to be refurb'ed really badly? It seems just lovely.

Just like any real estate deal, it is almost expected that the offer comes in under the asking price. The seller can accept, decline or counter, of course.

OKW is the least expensive in terms of points, but actually not all that much less than SSR (239 vs. 217 for a week in a 2 BR). I can only speculate on why, I don't know for sure. The resort is the oldest in the DVC, but the rooms have all been renovated so they certainly don't seem old. To me, OKW is just a huge value considering the size of the rooms. But I should add that I have not stayed at any other DVC resorts yet.

 

[chalee94]

I can only speculate on why, I don't know for sure. The resort is the oldest in the DVC...

i think this is the answer. OKW is oldest (from a time when disney wasn't sure if timeshares would work) so the rooms tend to be the largest and the point requirements the lowest. (probably also why the studios are set up with 2 queen beds.)

i also wanted to add that mid-sept is definitely lower demand than december but as for "how tough sept is to book"...that's not when i travel (oct UY and all) so i'm not an expert. hopefully others will chime in...

 

[Caren90]

Beginning to middle of September is a good time to visit (although it can still be very hot). Once you hit the end of September the volume increase due to Food and Wine.

Stephen

 

[DizBub]

Wow, is it a tight fit for them? Or are those one bedrooms bigger? I was trying to look at room sizes but I don't remember how big the 1 br was.

I did notice the OKW 1 br would fit our family...at least until my youngest is 3...but there is only one bath. I don't think we'd survive with one bathroom for a week or longer Nice to hear the bus service is good!!

They seem perfectly happy in the 1br. Mom and 2 girls (10 and 5) in the king bed and the 2 boys (8 and 12) on the sofa bed in the LR.

I do think that they could have used the extra bathroom though.

 

[wendow]

My best advice is to look at the ROFR board to see the range of what properties are going for. Try to figure out how much you feel comfortable paying per point. Then, it just takes patience and a little bit of luck to get the right contract. Good luck.

Congrats on your purchase! I'm definitely going to be watching the ROFR board

 

[wendow]

Just like any real estate deal, it is almost expected that the offer comes in under the asking price. The seller can accept, decline or counter, of course.

OKW is the least expensive in terms of points, but actually not all that much less than SSR (239 vs. 217 for a week in a 2 BR). I can only speculate on why, I don't know for sure. The resort is the oldest in the DVC, but the rooms have all been renovated so they certainly don't seem old. To me, OKW is just a huge value considering the size of the rooms. But I should add that I have not stayed at any other DVC resorts yet.

I guess I just figured since you were getting such a deal buying resale already that people were not making offers. But it certainly makes sense that you could. There are a fair amount of contracts out there also so many people are probably willing to negotiate.

OKW does seem to be a great bargain. We don't mind old as long as things are in working order. I am excited to get to stay there and check it out.

 

[wendow]

Beginning to middle of September is a good time to visit (although it can still be very hot). Once you hit the end of September the volume increase due to Food and Wine.

Stephen

We were there Sept 13-22. It was hot but not near as bad as I thought it was gonna be. Not sure if that time was normal hot for them or cooler or hotter or what but I'd be happy with that weather anytime

 

[wendow]

i think this is the answer. OKW is oldest (from a time when disney wasn't sure if timeshares would work) so the rooms tend to be the largest and the point requirements the lowest. (probably also why the studios are set up with 2 queen beds.)

This all makes sense. Just seems like with the bigger rooms and point requirements being less, people would be booking it up really quick.

 

[chalee94]

This all makes sense. Just seems like with the bigger rooms and point requirements being less, people would be booking it up really quick.

some do, but others are more like you...they want to be able to walk (BLT/BCV/BWV) or take a boat (VWL) to a park.

 

[wendow]

some do, but others are more like you...they want to be able to walk (BLT/BCV/BWV) or take a boat (VWL) to a park.

Very true Looking at the price difference though, I am warming up to the idea of not being able to walk to the park.

 

[bighoo93]

We were there Sept 13-22. It was hot but not near as bad as I thought it was gonna be. Not sure if that time was normal hot for them or cooler or hotter or what but I'd be happy with that weather anytime

We were there the same time. We showed up at MK on Tuesday just in time for the monsoon. And unbelievable lightning strikes right off Main Street that shook the building. We had to invest in $40 worth of WDW ponchos. But actually when the skies cleared a few hours later, we had free run of the park. On Thursday, I scheduled our DVC open house for an early afternoon break and it coincided perfectly with the rain! We thought the temps were great, but rain (and hurricane) is probably always a risk that time of year.