How difficult is it to stay in NON home resort

[CTRalways]

Terrible title, didnt know how else to title it. My wife and I go to Disney every year. We generally go during very down times(hate the heat of summer, and the crowds of hollidays). We want to buy the disney vacation club, and have these questions.

How difficult is it to stay in a different resort from your home resort?
(terrible question again, How hard is it to book wilderness lodge if my home resort is okw?)
* Same question during peak times?

Has anyone ever stayed at the poly instead of a dvc resort with points, and did it work out for you?

What is a good package to start out with?

Thanks in advance, I know most of you get the same questions all of the time, I am guessing the only reason you keep answering is you love disney as much as the rest of us!

Josh

 

[crisi]

It will depend on when you go, what sort of room you book, how close to the seven month window you make reservations, what resort you are looking to book at, as well as what the future holds for DVC (and no one has a crystal ball).

Also, popular times for DVC are not necessarily popular times at WDW.

For example, October through Christmas is popular at the Epcot area resorts, with F&W happening in October up to pretty close to Thanksgiving. After Thanksgiving you hit a period of low points with holiday decorations that attracts a lot of DVCers. In particular, Standard View rooms at the Boardwalk can be difficult at this time of year - and studios go fastest.

Its my understanding that VWL is popular in the Winter months, when the theming has more appeal. It is the smallest DVC resort, so as DVC membership continues to grow, competition for this resort should continue to increase.

Most people report "decent" luck - between flexibility and the waitlist. But if your heart is set on a resort, its best to choose it as your home. Advice here is "buy where you want to stay" I prefer "buy where you won't be disappointed if that is where you end up."

BTW, at seven months and closer "points is points" - so if you can't plan ahead, it won't make any difference where you own.

 

[spiceycat]

buy where you will be happy is good advice.

as had mentioned DVC resort time is not peak time for WDW.

the only exception is Thanksgiving - it is on both times. It is not as expensive point wise as other holidays.

summer is generally not peak season for DVC resorts. lots of members don't appreciate the heat, humdity plus the crowds. not to mention it is also peak point use.

Spring break (mid-feb to mid-april) is the same point useage as summer -
so again not many members want to give up that many points for a one time visit (unless they can only go once a year).
OKW studio
January, Sept or Dec 1 thru 14 is 8 points a night sun-thurs 20 fri/sat

in the summer/spring break - 11 points a night sun-thur, 27 fri/sat

the peak time Palm & easter weeks, christmas to Ny - 15 points a night Sun-thurs, 36 points fri/sat

I happen to love OKW and I think it is a good bargin.

what type of unit are you looking for and at what resort. I would buy enough (at first) to stay there for 5 days Sun-thurs to see how much you like it.

oh second though go rent points from a DVC member - see how you like it before you buy it.

OKW and SSR both have boats, bus, and walking path to DD.

VWL has boats and bus to MK

BWV and BCV have boats plus walking to Epcot and studios.

all the dvc resorts have buses to the other parks.

-------------

wdw resorts (non-DVC are expensive)

disney's Polyn resort value season
Jan1-feb 15, jul 5 - oct 4, nov 26 - dec 19
garden view sun-thur 36 point per night, 65 fri/sat
lagoon - sun-thur 46 points, 83 fri/sat
concierge - sun-thurs 59 points, 106 fri/sat

so why paid 36 points a night when you can get OKW studio for 8 points?

 

[starbox]

Advice here is "buy where you want to stay" I prefer "buy where you won't be disappointed if that is where you end up."

BTW, at seven months and closer "points is points" - so if you can't plan ahead, it won't make any difference where you own.

ITA with Crisi - the "Buy where you want to stay" mantra confuses me because I can't imagine having ONE place I know I will want to stay for every trip, in every stage of life, regardless of what the future DVC resorts hold. We bought using the "buy where you won't be disappointed if you end up" philosophy. So far, never planning more than 2 months in advance, I've gotten into OKW, VB, and SSR. I think our favorites of the existing resorts will probably end up being OKW and SSR anyway, and those are the largest DVC properties.


As for staying in the POLY, your best bet would be to use the DVC discount to get Annual Passes one year and use the passholder discount for a POLY stay. Otherwise, it takes a ton of points (as someone posted).

What sort of contract should you get? If you don't have a strong resort preference at this point, I'd suggest going for either the extra years that a SSR contract offers OR whichever resale contract gives you the most "bang" for your buck (cheapest points, most banked points, etc). Smaller contacts are better - so if you want 200 points, it's better to get a 150 point and then a 50 point contract - because it's easier to sell off the small 50 point ones if your plans/needs change.

It is possible, maybe even likely that a new DVC resort will be announced in the fall. You may want to leave room in your contract size to do at least 50-75 point add-on later. That's what we did!

 

[SimbaNoodle]

I bought VWL Spring 2001. We have made 2-3 trips per year since then and have never stayed at WL. We go every Spring and Fall staying at OKW and BCV, including a GV at OKW once. I book my trip at VWL at the 11 month window and then transfer at the 7 month window. This morning, I moved my Mardi Gras trip from VWL to BWV. This will be our first time at BW so I can't wait.

I don't think there is a better atmosphere than that at the BW area.

 

[Dean]

I agree with buy where you will stay the most if you have one specific location. If you want to try them all and don't really care that much, I'd buy the cheapest on property assuming you mostly want on property. Remember that not all times that are slow for Disney are slow for DVC, you should post your usual travel times to bounce it off the group to be sure. using points at non DVC Disney locations is VERY expensive and not something I'd encourage.

 

[byoung]

Got VWL at the 7-month for May, OKW for mid Dec at the 3-month(had to wait list 2 of the 4 days but it came thru).

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you want one of the 6 grand villas at BWV, you need to buy BWV. If you want the beach cottage at VB in summer, you need to buy VB. If you want the BW view or even the standard view at BWV, buy BWV. If you want the dedicated two bedroom with two queen beds at BCV, buy BCV.

 

[garnet1240]

Along the same lines...how hard is it to book VB or HH at 7 month window for example spring break time?

Thanks!

 

[starbox]

Along the same lines...how hard is it to book VB or HH at 7 month window for example spring break time?

Thanks!

If you are talking March-early April - Spring Break is not peak time at HH. We're from around that area, and FIL owns a marina nearby. It's not warm enough to swim yet, and that time of year will likely be sweatshirt rather than swimsuit weather. It's still beautiful and I actually like the beach in the fall/winter as well - but it's not what you think of when you think "beach" and "spring break".

Vero is going to be both warm and peak season.

 

[Dean]

Along the same lines...how hard is it to book VB or HH at 7 month window for example spring break time?

Thanks!

Late Feb to mid April will be the hardest overall at VB. Summer mid June to early to mid August will be most difficult for HH.