Home Resort Premium: How much does it cost and is it worth it?

[tom1944]

I just see it as an option on occasion, so I do not have to purchase a second contract. Book 3 or 4 nights once every 4 or 5 years during a split stay to meet by goal of having 9 or10 night trips.

I never saw buying DVC as a money saving plan. To me it was a commitment to start taking vacations instead of having reasons not to take them.

I could easily buy a second contract and still might but want to see how we do with just the one for now.

 

[Brob2132]

I don’t particularly love the Swan/Dolphin (and much prefer the Disney resorts), but I think referring to them as a dump is hyperbolic. They are in need of an update, which I would imagine occurs sooner rather than later.

If you have the ability to book on Marriott points (say you travel for work), changes the calculus too.

Edit: Should add for us the optimal is using the Swan/Dolphin as an arrival day hotel to save the DVC points. Completely agree with the poster saying it’s a perfect supplemental hotel.

 

[sethschroeder]

Adding anything that is not WDW proper is asking for trouble.

Hawaii I wouldn't trust regarding laws and taxes.
Hilton Head and Vero could see massive increases for hurricane issues
California I just dont want any part of with high priced GCV and weird tax situation for the Tower (will it impact resale who knows so pass)

That leaves WDW which in the end you might as well buy at some place you are at least somewhat happy at minimum.

 

[sethschroeder]

that's luck

I would not call it luck. I would call it inevitable. The cash rates are going to continue to climb even if they have periods of time where they are flat.

The only risk to this view is Disney going in the toilet and WDW falling down in the same tier as Legoland or Sea World.

 

[RoseGold]

I would not call it luck. I would call it inevitable. The cash rates are going to continue to climb even if they have periods of time where they are flat.

The only risk to this view is Disney going in the toilet and WDW falling down in the same tier as Legoland or Sea World.

To me, it was luck that cash rate accelerated faster than DVC dues. I had nothing to do with that, and the dues certainly could have kept pace.

 

[Cfabar1]

To me, it was luck that cash rate accelerated faster than DVC dues. I had nothing to do with that, and the dues certainly could have kept pace.

I would be curious what the "buy in" actually pays for

since dues cover maintenance and labor.

I guess the initial construction? But there's got to be more than that... are they depreciating the entire asset over the 50 years?

 

[Sandisw]

I would be curious what the "buy in" actually pays for

since dues cover maintenance and labor.

I guess the initial construction? But there's got to be more than that... are they depreciating the entire asset over the 50 years?

Buy in covers the cost for building and the profit DVD wants to make selling it.

 

[CarolynFH]

I would be curious what the "buy in" actually pays for

since dues cover maintenance and labor.

I guess the initial construction? But there's got to be more than that... are they depreciating the entire asset over the 50 years?

It also covers cost of sales, not to mention marketing, including all those nice Moonlight Magic events and other DVC-Y perks.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Adding anything that is not WDW proper is asking for trouble.

Hawaii I wouldn't trust regarding laws and taxes.
Hilton Head and Vero could see massive increases for hurricane issues
California I just dont want any part of with high priced GCV and weird tax situation for the Tower (will it impact resale who knows so pass)

That leaves WDW which in the end you might as well buy at some place you are at least somewhat happy at minimum.

Excellent. More Aulani and Grand Cal for us West Coast DVCers!

 

[sethschroeder]

Excellent. More Aulani and Grand Cal for us West Coast DVCers!

If you are using Grand Cal for anything other than Grand Cal you are just giving away the value of that contract.

Regarding Aulani if you go there thats great for you. Personally I think Aulani is like West Coast version of going to one of a ton of Islands in the Caribbean. Difference being you have more choices along with all inclusives in the Caribbean. As if you are actually visiting Hawaii I can't imagine only being at Aulani for a weeks stay.

 

[Nabas]

I don't have the numbers available for every room type just yet, but these are factored into the "Average" view analysis. I can work on adding the numbers for all room types and maybe keep them in a separate sheet, as it may get unwieldy.

On your note about difficulty at 11 months -- I have only presented the availability data at the 7-month mark, sort of assuming that if you pay the Home Resort Premium you will be able to get the room you want at the 11 month mark. This is obviously not always true. Do you think there is some better metric to measure the Home Resort booking advantage for these competitive rooms at 11 months, like (11 Month Availability - 7 Month Availability)?

AKV-Value and BWV-Standard are extremely competitive to get at 11 months. If someone is paying a premium under the assumption that they will be able to get these two room types, they are going to be highly disappointed. BLT-Standard is competitive at 11 months, but I don’t think at the same level as the other two.

AKV-Standard and BWV-Garden/Water view are much more representative of what’s available at 11 months.

Rather than use these highly competitive rooms, I suggest using the more common room types at AKV, BWV, and perhaps BLT. This is much more representative of what you are likely to get at these resorts at 11 months.

 

[sethschroeder]

BWV-Standard

This one you just need to book at 11 months. I haven't tried book Thanksgiving or Christmas but have done other days for it. I would say Boardwalk view is almost harder to get at times than Standard view.

AK Value though is in a different ballpark since the resort is so big but the number of rooms is so small that its often walked and you might have days without a single room available to book at 11 months.

 

[AstroBlasters]

If you are using Grand Cal for anything other than Grand Cal you are just giving away the value of that contract.

Regarding Aulani if you go there thats great for you. Personally I think Aulani is like West Coast version of going to one of a ton of Islands in the Caribbean. Difference being you have more choices along with all inclusives in the Caribbean. As if you are actually visiting Hawaii I can't imagine only being at Aulani for a weeks stay.

1) I don’t think this analysis is about SAPs, and yes I only use VGC for VGC. I have however also used some of my AUL for VGC.

2) As I live in the West Coast, there is no way I am going to take the time to go to the Caribbean over a direct flight to Hawaii. Also, Disney is designed to be for families (something I feel may be forgotten with the Disney Adult) and we are very happy to stay at Aulani with the whole family for a week. We have a rental car and can run around the whole island if we want.

I covered Hawaii as part of an outside sales territory for years and have been all over the other islands. Aulani is just fine for me.

 

[sethschroeder]

1) I don’t think this analysis is about SAPs, and yes I only use VGC for VGC. I have however also used some of my AUL for VGC.

I think I got messed up because the chart doesn't outline a number of the resorts would not even be available at 7 months various parts of the year. It just points you to availability data is at another site when this is a key factor in this discussion.

In the end its all the same conversation to me. Since its all about do you get SAP or buy at a resort.

Also the AUL-S being the economical contract option to my original post makes this specific chart void if discussing what someone should do regarding DVC (obviously just my opinion).

 

[AstroBlasters]

I think I got messed up because the chart doesn't outline a number of the resorts would not even be available at 7 months various parts of the year. It just points you to availability data is at another site when this is a key factor in this discussion.

In the end its all the same conversation to me. Since its all about do you get SAP or buy at a resort.

Also the AUL-S being the economical contract option to my original post makes this specific chart void if discussing what someone should do regarding DVC (obviously just my opinion).

I purchased 350 AUL-S points this year and there are 6 currently on the market. Why does the chart make it void?

(I plan to use these mainly at Aulani)

 

[sethschroeder]

I purchased 350 AUL-S points this year and there are 6 currently on the market. Why does the chart make it void?

(I plan to use these mainly at Aulani)

I outlined why I view it void (again its my personal view/opinion but I am not the only one who says avoid AUL around here). Buying a non-WDW resort comes with inherently higher risk. Its why SSR/AKV are two of the most suggest resorts for SAP.

AUL makes sense if you are going to be going to AUL as well but not as strictly SAP points as a comparison.

With AUL specifically I would not trust their state government long term regarding the policy and taxes they put in place when I can get something similar in costs at WDW itself.

 

[AstroBlasters]

I outlined why I view it void (again its my personal view/opinion but I am not the only one who says avoid AUL around here). Buying a non-WDW resort comes with inherently higher risk. Its why SSR/AKV are two of the most suggest resorts for SAP.

AUL makes sense if you are going to be going to AUL as well but not as strictly SAP points as a comparison.

With AUL specifically I would not trust their state government long term regarding the policy and taxes they put in place when I can get something similar in costs at WDW itself.

Ok, I get where you are coming from with that perspective.

 

[jason423]

I don't have the numbers available for every room type just yet, but these are factored into the "Average" view analysis. I can work on adding the numbers for all room types and maybe keep them in a separate sheet, as it may get unwieldy.

On your note about difficulty at 11 months -- I have only presented the availability data at the 7-month mark, sort of assuming that if you pay the Home Resort Premium you will be able to get the room you want at the 11 month mark. This is obviously not always true. Do you think there is some better metric to measure the Home Resort booking advantage for these competitive rooms at 11 months, like (11 Month Availability - 7 Month Availability)?

I think when looking at competitive rooms it is almost better to just leave them off. Speaking from experience if I can get a standard at BW for a week once every 2 or 3 years Im happy. I believe the availability chart sees whats available the morning of but once that window opens those rooms are gone in a few minutes. You can sometimes piece things together over time but for some of the cheapest rooms the demand at 8AM is far greater than the supply. If those availability charts were run at 8:10 AM the numbers would plummet. Owning there gives you the only real chance at them but I think buying with the expectation if getting them is a big mistake.

Overall I think its a cool idea what you did here with a ton of data and work that went into it. I think you could probably customize it for travel periods if you really want to take the time but I think its good enough as is. I think your data pretty much ties in with every look Ive personally done which has Saratoga as the best for SAP (I dont see enough of the subsidized Aulanis to consider that a likely purchase).

 

[VandVsmama]

If you are using Grand Cal for anything other than Grand Cal you are just giving away the value of that contract.

Regarding Aulani if you go there thats great for you. Personally I think Aulani is like West Coast version of going to one of a ton of Islands in the Caribbean. Difference being you have more choices along with all inclusives in the Caribbean. As if you are actually visiting Hawaii I can't imagine only being at Aulani for a weeks stay.

Well, that's why travel is so great...there are a lot of different options for everybody.

For example, I've never been to the Caribbean and have zero desire ever to go. However, I've always lived in CA or AZ. And getting to the Caribbean from AZ or CA is a royal pain in the butt...and expensive. So I'd rather go to Hawaii.

AND when our family has gone to Hawaii, we don't spend the entire week just staying 'on site' at the resort. We rent a car and do little day trips all over the place. And you can spend part of the time staying at Aulani and then a few days or longer on another island. I could think of nothing more boring than staying only at the resort for an entire week...whether it's in the Caribbean or in Hawaii or anywhere.

 

[Pyxie]

If you are using Grand Cal for anything other than Grand Cal you are just giving away the value of that contract.

Regarding Aulani if you go there thats great for you. Personally I think Aulani is like West Coast version of going to one of a ton of Islands in the Caribbean. Difference being you have more choices along with all inclusives in the Caribbean. As if you are actually visiting Hawaii I can't imagine only being at Aulani for a weeks stay.

I'm buying Aulani and I don't even live on the west coast. My justification is that I am not picky at all with WDW resorts and I'm fine taking whatever I can get at 7 months, but when I do travel to Aulani (which to be fair will be maybe every 3-5 years), I want a specific room type.

I also have no issue making it my home base to visit the entire island. If I'm renting a car, I can easily get around but I like the quietness of the Ko Olina area.

But what works for some people doesn't make sense for others and that's fine.