Home resort advantage

[Grumpy*sGal]

Just wondering...

I noticed there's a trend of adding on points to existing memberships. Is it because of the Home resort 11 month advance reservation? Is it really that necessary?

1) I just bought 200 points at SSR, and tho I fell in love with it at the tour, I don't plan on staying there every year; I would like to stay at other resorts.
Will just being a DVC member get me a weeks stay at other DVC resorts, or are there already too many members that now I have to deal with Home resort advantage?


2) Out of curiousity, did they have minimum purchase of points with the other resorts? SSR has a minimum of 150. Just curious if other resorts didn't have a minimum, and therefore people bought under 100, and now feel the need to add on, to get a week or two worth of points.

I still haven't sent in my contract, so I guess I'm debating on doing all 200 points at SSR, or doing <150> at SSR and <50> at BWV, for example. Of course, the downside of splitting the points is that I won't get the $10 rebate for the <50> I use outside of SSR. But if I won't even be able to get accomodations, that would be worse.


Overall, you guys are very helpful, and Hubby and I can't wait til our first DVC trip next year..

 

[floridafam]

We had to buy in with a minimum of 150 pts. I think the minimum number of pts was actually higher than 150 at one point.

I think a lot of people add on at their home resort for convenience or if they stay once or twice and come to the decision they do not have enough pts.

We own at VB, VWL, BCV and soon at SSR.

We're not too concerned with the 11 month advantage. We rarely plan that far ahead. We do like having the 11 month window for VWL at Christmas time.

You would have to determine if 50 at BWV would work for you. Are you going to use the 50 every year or are you going to bank and borrow and vacation with 150 every 3 years?

Do you know if there are BWV pts available still for your use year.

I guess I don't have an opinion either way. If you have your heart set on BWV, call your guide and find out about availability and such.

Let us know what you do.

 

[PamOKW]

Congratulations on your new purchase and Welcome Home!

150 points has been the minimum for quite a few years now. Prior to that, it was higher. Many people buy the minimum but soon find they want more....they stay in a larger unit than they anticipated and fall in love, find they want to come more often, hang out too long on this board and are brainwashed, etc., etc.

Chances are very good that you will be able to stay at the different resorts on different trips. You won't always have to stay at SSR if that's not what you want. People will often buy at another resort to ensure that they can book that resort when they want. It's also sometimes easier if people combine resort stays they can book them all at the same time without having to wait until the 7 month mark. This is especially true of people who like to combine a Disney DVC with a trip to Vero. Some people may purchase at an Epcot resort so they can book with home resort advantage for popular times at Epcot like Food & Wine Festival or Christmas. Others want to have the best chance to book a GV so they will buy points at a resort that offers that option.

Not to worry, I thinkyou'll be very happy and will probably be adding on yourself before too long.

 

[jmminarik]

0) 11 months is necessary for grand villas (so I've been told) and to ensure you get the room(s) you want during the busy times of the year. Now it appears it will also be necessary to get Boardwalk views at BWV.

1) I'm not quite sure what you're asking, but as an SSR owner, you can make ressies at other resorts at the 7 month mark. Odds are good you'll be able to get a room other than a grand villa or a standard view room at BWV at the 7 month mark, except at the busy times of the year for DVC usage.

2) OKW originally had a 230 point buy-in (I think it was 230). The mimimum was then changed to 150 at some point.

Add-ons after the initial contract need to be at least 25 pts.

Most of the people who do add ons (us included) realized we needed more points 'cuz we had to go back more often!

Splitting a contract like you mention could be a problem. Don't forget you get 11 month ressies at your home resort and 7 at the others. You wont' be able to use all 200 points at the 11 month mark unless you split your stay and go to both BWV and SSR.

You may not be able even do this split...depends on if they have BWV points available in your SSR contact year..unless you're talking 50 pts resale.

-Joe

 

[Grumpy*sGal]

Chances are very good that you will be able to stay at the different resorts on different trips.

We're not too concerned with the 11 month advantage. We rarely plan that far ahead.

I guess my main concern was that if you don't have the 11 month advantage, it can become dificult to get accomodations outside of your home resort. It's good to know it won't be a problem.


I spoke to my guide and they are selling BWV for $84/pt.

Seeing as I won't get the extra $10 rebate on the 50 I would use for BWV, it's not worth it.



Splitting a contract like you mention could be a problem. Don't forget you get 11 month ressies at your home resort and 7 at the others. You wont' be able to use all 200 points at the 11 month mark unless you split your stay and go to both BWV and SSR.

This problem could become a nuisance in the long run..

SSR here I come! Thanks for the quick responses!

Funny thing about the brainwashing that comes along with this site...I find myself logging in everyday...

hmmm....

 

[JimC]

Congratulatons and Welcome Home

I believe that minimum buy-ins were 230 in January 1992, then 190 in May 1993, then 150 in May 1997. I am not sure what the minimum was before 1992.

I go with buy 200 at the one resort as the best option particlulary with the difference in the length of the contracts.

 

[Dean]

Disney has always had a minimum purchase. The min has bee 190, 230, 210(?) and now 150. The only people that own less than 150 are those that bought resale OR bought, added on then sold their base contract keeping the add on only.