How important is owning a specific resort if...

[cgcruz]

How important is having the home resort you specifically want if you can't book a stay more than 7 months out? I personally know I won't be able to book a trip more than 7 months out. I know there is also the benefit of some resorts having lower maintenance cost. But disregarding that... Would I be losing any other conveniences by purchasing any resort that comes out through resale at a lower cost?

 

[TammyAlphabet]

At seven months, all points are points. So if you know that you can't book more than seven months in advance, it won't matter.

 

[m4travel]

I don't believe there is an advantage to owning a specific resort under those circumstances, cgcruz. The advantage of owning at a specific resort is the ability to book at the 11-month point for owners when there should be more availability and a greater chance of getting the type of unit you want in the time period you want before owners at other resorts get to book at your home resort.

If you won't be booking at your home resort before that 7-month window, buying a resale at any of the Disney resorts may allow you to purchase at a lower price per point, and buying at certain resorts will save you money for your annual maintenance fee, too.

Of course, buying through Disney may provide financing for the sale (you can waitlist for inventory at resorts that at least have a lower maintenance fee/point. I am not sure whether anything Disney sells would have the same price per point or not. My inclination is that they would. When buying privately or through a broker, you will be responsible for paying cash or arranging financing on your own. There may be a savings on the amount of closing costs charged, too, depending upon the broker or any privately arranged escrow costs.

If I am mistaken in any way, I hope other disBoarders will chime in to correct me! Having purchased through Disney for our first contract, buying resale at one of the lesser-favored resorts with a lower per-point maintenance fee is something that we are contemplating.

 

[Dean]

How important is having the home resort you specifically want if you can't book a stay more than 7 months out? I personally know I won't be able to book a trip more than 7 months out. I know there is also the benefit of some resorts having lower maintenance cost. But disregarding that... Would I be losing any other conveniences by purchasing any resort that comes out through resale at a lower cost?

No advantage as others have noted. The question is whether buying is reasonable if you can't book within the home resort window.

 

[Pluto 2]

if you cant book a trip more than 7 months out go with ssr low maintenance fees and 12 more years

 

[AFMom]

With the 11 mo window out of play - look at maintenance fees, length of contract (are the 12 extra years important to you), and resale value (in case you need to sell down the line - on-site points are easier to sell and go for more $$ per point). Have fun!

 

[mowog]

If there is one resort you really love it could be an advantage to own there. I was always a short planner also, but now (at least for DVC) we're 11 month people. We're going this Dec and booked it in Jan. We already have late 2007 penciled in for our next trip. We have 170 points and want to do vacations other than WDW (although we love it). We plan the DVC in advance and do other trips with shorter notice. Our strategy is to do 2 DVC trips every other year spaced about 11 months apart. We'll buy an AP every other year for the 2 trips. The point I'm getting at is I never thought I'd be thinking this far out but I am, If you really love somewhere maybe leave yourself the opportunity to use the 11 month advantage. If you don't care where you stay or never envision booking early I agree with others and say go OKW for low dues or SSR for longer time period.

Jean and Bob

 

[Caskbill]

Keep in mind that this is a very long term purchase. Do you know if in the future you still won't be able to book more than 7-months out. How about 5 years from now, 10 years, 15? If you have a favorite resort you might want to consider that.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Caskbill has a really good point. Who knows what the future's going to be? And in the meantime, it may feel good to some people to know that they own at their favorite resort. Kind of a pride thing. Corny, maybe, but for some people, it's important.

 

[spiceycat]

there was a time when the guides were telling people if you can't book before the 7 month time - don't even buy DVC.

but I guess with SSR opening up so many more villa that is in the past.

I would happy staying at any of the WDW DVC resorts. If you feel the same go for your best deal.

however as Caskbill says - if you have a favorite DVC resort, even if right now you can't book it at 11 months doesn't mean that way forever.

one day you might regret not buying at your favorite DVC resort.

that say - I have gotten standard view at BWV a couple of months before. so nothing is impossible.

right now the most popular resort seems to be BCV.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

If you know you can't book at seven months I'd still go with buy where you want to stay. One year you might find you can book at 7.5 months. Or Disney might change the rules. At this point I think I'd go with SSR and look for an add on at the others.

For myself I'm debating an add-on at the Contemporary ...wishful thinking of course...but I can see trading in my 150 points at VWL for 100 for 50 years at the Contemporary...then maybe a small add-on to the add-on at HH if it looks like I'll be in Georgia long term.

 

[Jimbo]

It's also worth noting that there's no disadvantage to booking at 11 months out, even if you're not sure it will work out. You don't have to pay a deposit, and if you cancel 31 days ahead of time you'll get your points back. There's been a couple of times that we "took a guess" at when we thought we'd take a trip. Once we guessed wrong, and simply cancelled and rebooked. It's easy.

But having said that, if you're not fussy about which resort you stay at, and only book inside the 7 month window, then it doesn't matter where you own. My advise would be to look for a resale that has as many points as you want (or can afford). OKW has a lot of resales, and they are generally more reasonably priced.

 

[cruise-o-matic]

It's also worth noting that there's no disadvantage to booking at 11 months out, even if you're not sure it will work out. You don't have to pay a deposit, and if you cancel 31 days ahead of time you'll get your points back. There's been a couple of times that we "took a guess" at when we thought we'd take a trip. Once we guessed wrong, and simply cancelled and rebooked. It's easy.

Good point. The only caveat here is that you really need to be aware of your Use Year and Banking Deadlines. For example, if you know that you'll generally travel during the summer, then a March, April or June UY would be best, but not a September b/c if you have to cancel at the last moment, you won't be able to bank all your points.

But having said that, if you're not fussy about which resort you stay at, and only book inside the 7 month window, then it doesn't matter where you own. My advise would be to look for a resale that has as many points as you want (or can afford). OKW has a lot of resales, and they are generally more reasonably priced.

If you can't book outside 7 months, "points are points", so I wouldn't spend the higher dollars on BCV if you're not going to be able to take advantage of the 11 month window. HHI offers a good combination of lower initial point price and has 3rd lowest maintenance fees.

 

[Disney Doll]

A few things to consider:

1. You are making a long-term purchase. Will you never be able to book more than 7 months in advance?? Even 10, 20 years from now? I undertsand that there may be circumstances in your life right now that would dictate you not being able to, but will that always be the circumstance?

2. If you truly do think that you will never be able to plan a vacation more than 7 months in advance, consider carefully buying on property(OKW,BWV,BCV,VWL,SSR) vs. off property(HH,VBR) in the event you have to eventually sell your conttact. What location do you think would be more popular & therefore fetch a better resale price? While VBR & HH are lovely resorts, something on WDW property may bring you a better return on your investment. OKW generally has pretty good per point pricing and the least expensive maintenance fees. Not to mention that it's a nice resort, with lovely large rooms, beautiful landscaping and nice pools and a golf course.

Best of luck with your decision.