Help confirm my resale research

[cheesepizza]

Hi guys! Sister and I just returned from our annual trip and finally attended a DVC open house, and we're thinking we're ready to do this. Our trips have really started to change as we're getting older and can't run around the parks all day, and are desiring the accommodations of a Deluxe for more balance. It it proving that it will be a worthwhile "investment" for us based on our stats. I've done a ton of research over the past week, and would love someone to confirm if I'm ready to take steps forward to actively start looking, and/or if I'm missing anything:

Buying resale is a no-brainer for us, so it seems. No interest in Copper Creek and can't afford/make sense of spending that 18K. We spend most of our time and meals at AKL, so we intend on having this as our home resort. The only other Deluxe resort we'd see ourselves using as of now is Boardwalk, we stayed there as kids so between the nostalgia and easy walk to EPCOT. If we decide we want to try more resorts in the future, I'll worry about adding more points later. It's just the two of us so we will only stay in studios; we typically vacation during slow season, and with our DVC membership we're planning on going for a week in January or early September, and a long weekend for the other month. Other months we can see ourselves going are May or Oct, Nov, or early December. We are estimating wanting to stay 9-10 nights each year.

With my calculations, we are planning on purchasing 75 points resale at AKL with a use year of maybe August/September, and then buying 25 points resale with the same use year through Disney (sister has to have the perks and why not if we can make it happen); this will bring us to a total of 100 points each year.

Does this all sound good? My next steps are just researching companies, which I've already been looking at, but would love direct recommendations. It seems that 100 points is popular and competitive, so I want to be ready to hop on it.

We have about 6K to put down and then will finance the rest, and hopefully pay the rest of the initial payment within the next 1-2 years at the most.

We're also planning on a September 2018 trip for 3-4 nights this year - should we chill and just rent DVC points until we get a good offer, or go ahead and get started on our membership?

Thanks everyone! I know these questions get redundant, you are good people! And thanks to those at WDW vacationing who are willing to talk about it. I met a very pragmatic and lovely woman at Ohana this past vacation who enlightened us and it was really appreciated.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

First and foremost is the question if you intend to continue visiting WDW year after year. It sounds like it, but just to verify that DVC will work best for those who visit every year or at least every other year. Next - will you be booking during the home priority window? If so then buy the resort you'd like to stay at but if you'll be looking to book 7 months or less then you'll do just as well to own at one of resorts with best value when looking at purchase price, dues and length of contract.

Next, 100 points total at AKV for 9-10 nights a year must mean you are looking at the Value studios. There are not many of them and they should be booked right when the 11 month window opens and even then it's not necessarily guaranteed. 75 point contracts are not extremely common resale so you might be looking at 100 points plus the 25 point direct add on (It's direct when you buy from DVC - not resale. ) That would be a total of 125 points which is likely a better number for that amount of nights. One other thing on studios is that it is a queen bed and a sleeper sofa for all resorts except OKW which does have 2 queen beds in the studios. Just a difference from the hotel rooms where you can get 2 real beds in a room.

And last thought - for Sept and January you will probably have some luck in switching to different resorts should you wish so it wouldn't necessarily mean adding on to be able to stay at other resorts. Early December is likely to be at your home resort and Oct/Nov may as well.

 

[cheesepizza]

Thanks Kat! Yes, we intend to visit Disney annually, and likely twice a year. I'm a bit confused on trying to find the best deal vs. just getting AKL. Hmm. I'll do more research. We are definitely looking at Value studios, it's just two of us. May bring a husband or two at some point, which is great to know about OKW - didn't know there were two queen beds. However, most people think we're insane because we have annual passes, so yes - just the two of us We do only vaca during slow season since we don't have kids, so not super concerned with booking, although it looks like it's getting harder to do which makes me feel like we should just buy at AKL (we dine at Sanaa, Boma, and drink at Victoria Falls lounge, all of these three things, usually every trip).

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Just pointing out the home priority booking window vs booking last minute trips. At 7 months a point is a point so one might as well own at the most cost effective resort if they won't be booking during the 11-7 month home priority window. However you may intend to utilize that window so buying where you want to stay makes sense especially if you want to try and get the value studios at AKL. That is a room type that you need to book as soon as you possibly can - 8 am online at 11 months prior to check in even for slower times and sometimes you might have to cross your fingers too. Otherwise both standard and savannah views at AKV are usually available for awhile.

 

[disneynutz]

I suggest that you keep reading and take the time to get a better feel for DVC, the resorts, the busy times. While AKV is a great resort, you are on an island, we bought there but don't stay there very often anymore. Being that you need to finance, I would really make sure of your favorite resort prior to buying. Buying from DVD is buying direct, not resale, December is DVC busy season and January is getting busy also. In fact with Disney creating events all year long, and the fact that DVC is booked solid all year long, I wouldn't count on a "slow" season. September is hurricane season so that is out for us. We own six resorts and BWV, VGF, and BRV are our favorites. BLT, BCV, and AKV are still in our holdings but we don't really stay there.

Bill

 

[CarolMN]

I case you haven't seen them, here are some threads that will be especially helpful in your research:

DVC Resource Center (2018)

drusba's 11 month availability summary 9/16)

drusba's 7 month availability summary (10/16)

skier_pete's predicted availability patterns - studios and some 1 bedrooms (2015)

FWIW, I agree with Kat4Disney - it's becoming a challenge to book the value studios, even at 11 months. There are lots of members who love those bargains. Best to make your purchase plan based on the standard studio requirements.

 

[CraigInPA]

And, while you consider September through January "slow season", that's based upon attendance. Based upon DVC booking patterns, October through early January are high season. You will have difficulty booking at the 7 month window, especially if you want value or standard studios. For early December, you'll need to book before 7 months at your home resort to get any DVC studio.

I question whether 100 points are enough. Ordinarily, 100 points will not get you 10 nights at a DVC studio year year. As @KAT4DISNEY stated, finding a 75 point contract is difficult resale. You may be able to find a 100 if you wait long enough, but it will come at a premium price.

I'd suggest renting points for your September 2018 trip. If you happen to find and buy a contract with points available, you could always rent those points out yourself to defray the cost of your September 2018 trip. Or, if they are current year points, bank them for a longer stay in the future.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

You should rent for September. The odds on getting something closed and booked in a timely fashion is awful.

 

[CarolMN]

Just noticed this on the Members' Website:

Membership Extras Eligibility
Effective February 25, 2018, to be eligible for Membership Extras, Members must own and maintain a minimum of 75 Vacation Points purchased directly from Disney Vacation Development, Inc.

All Members who are eligible for Membership Extras as of February 24 will not be impacted by the 75-Vacation Point requirement, as long as they continue to meet the previously implemented eligibility requirements. For more information, visit Important Membership Documents.

You'll need to alter your plans to buy at least 75 points directly from Disney if you want the Membership Extras (perks).

 

[Ben E N]

Just noticed this on the Members' Website:

Membership Extras Eligibility
Effective February 25, 2018, to be eligible for Membership Extras, Members must own and maintain a minimum of 75 Vacation Points purchased directly from Disney Vacation Development, Inc.

All Members who are eligible for Membership Extras as of February 24 will not be impacted by the 75-Vacation Point requirement, as long as they continue to meet the previously implemented eligibility requirements. For more information, visit Important Membership Documents.

You'll need to alter your plans to buy at least 75 points directly from Disney if you want the Membership Extras (perks).

Or they can buy 50 direct first right now, then spend time searching for a resale to match it.

 

[cheesepizza]

Or they can buy 50 direct first right now, then spend time searching for a resale to match it.

Confused again. It says 75...what am I missing? This announcement was a pretty big bummer to hear. Bad timing for me!

 

[cheesepizza]

Our DVC guide told us the minimum for a direct initial purchase is 75 points - you cannot just purchase 50 points directly unless it's an add-on. ?

 

[hlhlaw07]

Our DVC guide told us the minimum is 75 points - you cannot just purchase 50 points directly unless it's an add-on. ?

That is incorrect, unless you are buying CCV. I just bought 50 points direct at SSR today and that was not an add-on

 

[hlhlaw07]

Confused again. It says 75...what am I missing? This announcement was a pretty big bummer to hear. Bad timing for me!

As long as you buy before the 25th the 75 point threshold doesn’t apply to you

 

[Ben E N]

It could be that they are saying points at other resorts are all sold out, and only CCV points are available. The minimum buy in there is 75 points.
I would push for a different resort if that is what you want.

 

[Wacat]

Aulani has a 50 point buy in, but then your home resort would be in hawaii and have expensive maintenance fees.