Home Resort

[kstorms27]

Does it really matter where you choose your home resort? Other than being able to book 7 or 11 months whats the biggest thing to consider? Mant. fees Im guessing? Even at 7 months, is really that hard to get a reservation at any of the resorts? I only ask because Im really struggle with what resort to choose for my home resort.

 

[DebbieB]

Does it really matter where you choose your home resort? Other than being able to book 7 or 11 months whats the biggest thing to consider? Mant. fees Im guessing? Even at 7 months, is really that hard to get a reservation at any of the resorts? I only ask because Im really struggle with what resort to choose for my home resort.

Also look at expiration date. Some expire 2042, some expire 2054, 2057, 2060.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2532406

 

[chalee94]

Does it really matter where you choose your home resort? Other than being able to book 7 or 11 months whats the biggest thing to consider? Mant. fees Im guessing?

home resort considerations:

1) booking priority
2) maintenance fees
3) expiration date (BCV expires in 2042, BLT in 2060, for example)

Even at 7 months, is really that hard to get a reservation at any of the resorts? I only ask because Im really struggle with what resort to choose for my home resort.

IF you can book at 11 months out, many here suggest "buy where you want to stay." it's the safest way to make sure you are happy with the resort you stay at.

alternatively, you can "buy where you don't mind staying." if you'd be happy to stay at OKW, but prefer to try for other resorts, then buy OKW and save some money.

but if you are spending thousands on accommodations through DVC, why be frustrated and feel "stuck" because your waitlists don't come through and you have to stay at OKW or SSR? in my experience, you'll usually get in (barring a few tough options) at other places at the 7 month window...but how aggravated will you be if you can't get into another resort? (which does happen on occasion.)

 

[disneynutz]

Does it really matter where you choose your home resort? Other than being able to book 7 or 11 months whats the biggest thing to consider? Mant. fees Im guessing? Even at 7 months, is really that hard to get a reservation at any of the resorts? I only ask because Im really struggle with what resort to choose for my home resort.

If you truly don't care where you stay then I would look at the dues and price as the deciding factor. I wouldn't spend this kind of money without staying at a couple of the resorts first.

Bill

 

[lark]

Lots of us have thought about this question a lot, so it would help perhaps if you mention where you would like to stay and how far in advance you usually plan vacations.

We want to stay in BLT. I really have no desire or need to stay anywhere else, unless and until the GC gets built. And we plan a year in advance. For us, it's a no brainer. If you love SSR and plan 5 months in advance, it's a different answer.

 

[kstorms27]

I have only stayed at SSR but I really like the looks of AKV,OKW (space), and wilderness. I pretty much like the ones that dont look so modern.

 

[luckyman_apd]

Lots of us have thought about this question a lot, so it would help perhaps if you mention where you would like to stay and how far in advance you usually plan vacations.

We want to stay in BLT. I really have no desire or need to stay anywhere else, unless and until the GC gets built. And we plan a year in advance. For us, it's a no brainer. If you love SSR and plan 5 months in advance, it's a different answer.

Exactly. If you have a resort you would be greatly disappointed if you didn't get a reservation there, I would buy there. My wife required BLT. I love the proximity to the MK and the monorail. MK and Epcot are the parks we visit most. Chances are good that most of the time, we would probably be able to get a reservation there at 7 months if we owned somewhere else, but it would cost us more points for the LV over SV without the 11 month advantage. We thought about SSR since the dues are 2nd lowest right now after BLT and they are cheaper to buy into than BLT. But since my wife would be extrememly upset if she wanted BLT for a trip and wasn't able to get it, we decided we should buy BLT.

Many say they would be happy staying anywhere and if this is TRULY the case, then you should probably buy SSR. But if you haven't visited or stayed in any of them, you should probably rent first, take the tour and visit a few before you jump into an expensive purchase.

 

[cad8689]

We own at SSR. We have stayed at HHI in July several times and booked two 2 bedroom units each time at the seven month window. We have done the same at AKL and BWV. Perhaps weve just been lucky.

 

[Mtnman44]

It really depends on what you want out of DVC. If there are specifc resorts you want to stay at every time, or if you want very specific room types/views then you may need the 11 month booking priority to make those reservations. Also, if you mostly want to travel during certain popular times of the year, the home resort priority booking window may also be necessary. These times of the year may include the Food and Wine fesitival for BWV and BCV, most of December, Thanksgiving, Easter week, etc.

If you really don't care where you stay or what type of view you get, 7 months often has many choices available.

Does it really matter where you choose your home resort? Other than being able to book 7 or 11 months whats the biggest thing to consider? Mant. fees Im guessing? Even at 7 months, is really that hard to get a reservation at any of the resorts? I only ask because Im really struggle with what resort to choose for my home resort.

 

[Mtnman44]

This is just my subjective observation, so your mileage may vary, but if you don't care about getting a concierge level room or a value room, AKV is fairly easy to get at 7 months. Also, if you would like a lake view BLT, then 7 months is not very hard. OKW is very easy almost all of the time at 7 months. BVW I've found to be more difficult. There, I would say that boardwark views or standard views are nearly impossible to plan on without the 11 month window. During most of December, all of this goes out the window however as everything seems booked by 7 months.

I have only stayed at SSR but I really like the looks of AKV,OKW (space), and wilderness. I pretty much like the ones that dont look so modern.

 

[kstorms27]

[QUOTE=
Chances are good that most of the time, we would probably be able to get a reservation there at 7 months if we owned somewhere else, but it would cost us more points for the LV over SV without the 11 month advantage.

Why would it cost more points? Different points values for 11 or 7 months?

 

[Missyrose]

Chances are good that most of the time, we would probably be able to get a reservation there at 7 months if we owned somewhere else, but it would cost us more points for the LV over SV without the 11 month advantage.

Why would it cost more points? Different points values for 11 or 7 months?

Because it is very difficult to get Standard View at 7 months, Lake View is much easier to get, but it will cost more points.

 

[Dean]

Does it really matter where you choose your home resort? Other than being able to book 7 or 11 months whats the biggest thing to consider? Mant. fees Im guessing? Even at 7 months, is really that hard to get a reservation at any of the resorts? I only ask because Im really struggle with what resort to choose for my home resort.

The factors have been listed. IMO, it makes no sense currently to buy off property for WDW use, the savings alone of a HH or VB simply do not justify the risk/aggravation. If you're interested in using different resorts, I'd buy the cheapest resort (considering exp) that you're comfortable with. If you'd be happy staying at SSR routinely, that is generally the best value, also an OKW extended to 2057 can be about the same value but there are less of them. AKV and BWV can be very close, esp looking at the standard view at BWV and value units at AKV. There are a few options that you have to reserve at 11 months out when they open to get but not many. Good luck.

 

[kstorms27]

I see. Makes sense.

 

[lark]

I have only stayed at SSR but I really like the looks of AKV,OKW (space), and wilderness. I pretty much like the ones that dont look so modern.

You sound like a candidate for buying the points that are most affordable -- considering the three main factors that go into point pricing: initial cost, dues trends and forecast, and expiration year/resale considerations. Unless you are hoping to get the very most highly desired weeks every year, you will probably be able to find what you need at one of those resorts if you are diligent about making your reservation as close to the opening of the 7-month window as possible.

 

[Sandisw]

If you are really okay with staying where you own and won't be disappointed if you can't get a particular resort, then I think your home resort is less important.

There are some of us, like me, who only wants to stay certain places...BLT and BWV are it. For my typical summer trips, and soon to be yearly fall trip, I want to be only those places so I own at both those resorts so I can book what I want right at the 11 month window.

Of course, even owning doesn't guarantee you exactly what you want because I just tried to book a SV studio at BLT yesterday for December 3 - 5, and they were gone--just 5 days into the window--so I booked LV. I am thinking that by the 7 month mark, BLT is going to be tough.

I guess it all comes down to how important where you stay is to your happiness on vacation. For us, it's number one--but for others, its not--being at WDW is satisfying enough.

Good luck!