Home Resort-Why not Vero?

[cjunken]

If I could get points at Vero for high $60 with no intention to stay there why shouldn't I. Meaning, I realize that I would not be able to book at say OKW until 7 months out, but do the DVC resorts really get packed?
1. Is there a point penalty for staying at a DVC resort that is not your home resort, or is the penalty loss of 4 months booking rights.
2. Can I stay at CB if I wanted? Are there penalties for staying at a non DVC resort?

 

[MrsNick]

Maintenance dues are higher at VB than at any other DVC resort. This cost will end up being much more than your initial buy-in, so if looking to save $$ by buying at VB, this is not a great strategy.

Additionally, at certain times of the year, it can be next to impossible to book the WDW DVC's unless you own there (think Easter, Christmas, NYE and other very popular times at DVC - which don't necessarily correspond to busy times at WDW).

DVC is designed to be at near 100% occupancy year round, so they are almost always full.

 

[cjunken]

I understand the busy times and not being able to book for those, but man those dues most be pretty high.

 

[Lynne M]

There's no penalty for staying at a DVC resort that's not your home resort, but you're right - you can book your home resort 4 months earlier than you can book other resorts. At certain times of the year, that 4 month difference may shut you out of certain resorts.

You can use your points to stay at CB, and the other moderates, and some deluxes. But - the point per night cost is MUCH higher than staying at a DVC resort, and this cost is NOT fixed. The point cost at the non-DVC resorts has gone up pretty much every year, and there's no reason to assume it won't continue to rise in the future.

 

[LIFERBABE]

One reason not to own at VB or HHI is if you plan on staying at WDW over NYE.

When the 7 mos. window opened last week, ALL DVC RESORTS were completely booked for NYE week except for a few sparse days in a 1 bedroom at SSR.

You could pretty much be shut out of staying on WDW property in the busy times or be forced to piece together a reservation at several resorts and have to move more than you would like.

Vero is a wonderful place and I hope to stay there in the near future and we may even add-on, but I would never buy it for mainly WDW stays.

 

[bobbiwoz]

These are the current MF:
Saratoga Springs $4.12
Old Key West $4.39
Hilton Head Island $4.98
Beach Club Villas $4.63
Wilderness Lodge $4.72
Boardwalk Villas $4.85
Vero Beach $5.62
(I don't have AKV's figures)

There are reasons to own at VB, but if you really want to stay at WDW exclusively, then I would buy an on site property.

If you can book at 7 months, there are very very few times that you would be out of luck trying to get on site, but apparently NYE is one of them.

Bobbi

 

[hogue123]

Another thing to look at is how many years are left. You can pay upper $60 and high dues for a place that has only 35 years left (I have no idea but I thought I heard they were 15 years old, I am probably wrong though). I'd rather pay more for AKV and have the full 50 years or pay slightly less and buy SSR that has 47 years left. I know i won't be going on vacation in 50 years but my kids and their children will still be enjoying it.

 

[cjunken]

Thank you all very much. Your comments have been very helpful

 

[fwong]

If I could get points at Vero for high $60 with no intention to stay there why shouldn't I. Meaning, I realize that I would not be able to book at say OKW until 7 months out, but do the DVC resorts really get packed?

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong - but I think Vero Beach is the only DVC resort to close due to hurricane damage (2004?).

Future hurricanes might translate to a faster increase in maintenance fees due to repairs/insurance premiums.

 

[hogue123]

Our DVC Sales person (Susan) told us two weeks ago (when we were in for a tour) that she owns points at Vero Beach. She said the dues are going to be high for a year because they are putting in some new features that weren't there when it was built. She made it sound like all the owners were in agreement that they wanted these changes made to the property and would pay the higher dues to get it done. When the improvements are made, the fee will go back down. She said the resort was closed after the hurricane damage but the owners did not have to pay a penny towards the cost of any repairs. I am sure the fees are probably more due to their hurricane insurance. I am not sure if this is fact or not, just passing along what was told to us.