How to choose home resort?

[DMKEDM]

Another factor to consider is the size of the resorts you prefer (and/or the number of the villa sizes/views you prefer).

If you like multiple resorts equally, go with the smaller one (assuming the money side of the decision works out), or the one with the smaller number of the size/view villa that you want...that will maximize the value of your home resort advantage.

Typically, unless you want a THV, you really don't need home resort advantage for SSR, for example. If there's going to be availability anywhere, there will be availability at SSR, because it's so big. It's usually the last to sell out. (Note the exception for the THVs)...on the other hand, BCV sells out very quickly (as do other "small-in-number" villa categories and resorts at certain times (e.g., Wildnerness Lodge Villas in December). If you think you'll want to stay at one of these "more competitive to get" villas at one of the more competitive times, and if all other factors (liking the resort, purchase price, dues obligations) are equal (in terms of your priorities), go with the resort that gives you home resort advantage for the place, villa size or time of year you think you'll be wanting to go (when you know you can plan it 11 months out--it's all irrelevant if you're planning 7 or fewer months ahead of time)...

Good luck with your decision--

 

[Dean]

I know everyone always says buy where you want to stay, but I have realized that really can change. For example, we bought at VWL because we wanted to have the 11 month advantage for December. Well my husband's schedule completely changed and we cannot go at that time of year.

We had toured several resorts, but it really is not the same as staying there. After staying at SSR I now really love the condo style resort where I thought I preferred hotel style. My DH thought he would hate SSR and now he wants points there.

What I am saying is, over time your preferences and vacation style can change. buy a small resale contract at a resort you would like staying at and plan to add-on.

I think the "buy where you want to stay" is an out dated approach for most people and I don't think it was ever the best answer for most situations (I've been guilty myself). Obviously it depends on specifics. Those who need a difficult to get option (AKV concierge) or Aulani Christmas should likely not take the chance. For many situations one is actually better off buying less and paying cash (or renting from a member) for a specialty option periodically. Often it is an emotional decision and not a rational one, esp for the new greatest option like BLT.

 

[kristenrice]

Another factor to consider is the size of the resorts you prefer (and/or the number of the villa sizes/views you prefer).

If you like multiple resorts equally, go with the smaller one (assuming the money side of the decision works out), or the one with the smaller number of the size/view villa that you want...that will maximize the value of your home resort advantage.

Typically, unless you want a THV, you really don't need home resort advantage for SSR, for example. If there's going to be availability anywhere, there will be availability at SSR, because it's so big. It's usually the last to sell out. (Note the exception for the THVs)...on the other hand, BCV sells out very quickly (as do other "small-in-number" villa categories and resorts at certain times (e.g., Wildnerness Lodge Villas in December). If you think you'll want to stay at one of these "more competitive to get" villas at one of the more competitive times, and if all other factors (liking the resort, purchase price, dues obligations) are equal (in terms of your priorities), go with the resort that gives you home resort advantage for the place, villa size or time of year you think you'll be wanting to go (when you know you can plan it 11 months out--it's all irrelevant if you're planning 7 or fewer months ahead of time)...

Good luck with your decision--

THIS is exactly what swayed us to purchase AKV vs. OKW. We love the huge rooms, low point cost and lower dues at OKW. We also love the ambience, longer contract and variety of room sizes and configurations at AKV. We ultimately decided to spend more money on AKV because we knew that we would need the 11-month window to get the value/concierge rooms. We also knew that because OKW is so large, it is one of the last resorts to book up so we'd have a decent chance of getting a 1BR there at the 7-month window.

 

[PoohsFan1]

Our home resorts are at BLT and SSR. We first bought a 100 pt contract at BLT because we loved the location and because it is on the monorail, plus since CR is one of our favorite deluxe resorts, it was kind of a no brainer for us. We wanted to add on more points but didn't want to add on at BLT since their p/p is too expensive now, so when we went to the DTD store we looked at all of the options. We decided that SSR was a good fit for us so we bought another 100 pt contract there (plus it is much cheaper than the other resorts that are being sold). This also allows us to get into the Treehouse Villas easier at the 11 month mark which my family is really excited about . When we were looking at home resorts, we first looked at cost then we looked at location and found 2 that would fit our family the best. Good luck deciding .

 

[luckyman_apd]

I think the "buy where you want to stay" is an out dated approach for most people and I don't think it was ever the best answer for most situations (I've been guilty myself). Obviously it depends on specifics. Those who need a difficult to get option (AKV concierge) or Aulani Christmas should likely not take the chance. For many situations one is actually better off buying less and paying cash (or renting from a member) for a specialty option periodically. Often it is an emotional decision and not a rational one, esp for the new greatest option like BLT.

It is interesting you say that. I've been considering buying for a while (and get swayed back and forth everyday reading these boards :O ) and it seems EVERYONE has said buy where you want to stay. I've only been to DVC rooms at BLT and SSR. We rented at BLT and stayed with friends at SSR. My wife LOVES the monorail, and insists on BLT if we buy. I keep reminding her of the big price difference in points. She points out the lower dues at BLT. I retort with the 8.4% vs 4.8% jump in dues at each.

I am one of those who say, I'm happy at any resort. I don't mind the busses for transportation. She really only enjoys MK and Epcot. Neither of us like AK very much so AKV is probably not for us. For me, I'm considering BLT. When considering the length of contract over all others (except SSR and AKV as we won't be choosing AKV) the price per point actually comes out the same or cheaper at BLT due to the extra 18 years of ownership. So the upfront extra costs doesn't concern me a great deal. Now the difference changes with SSR as that contract is only 6 years less than BLT. So that price per point difference makes SSR about 40 cents per point cheaper over the life. Plus I highly doubt that BLT will have the cheapest dues forever, but that is something you can't predict.

Anyway, on a small point contract that we are looking for (100), I'm still thinking BLT is for us. She LOVES to be on the monorail, and the 11 month window for the standard view Studios is what we are looking at. I can only go in November or the summer. At that will continue for the next 21 years of my career and won't change. I don't think the BLT will be hard to book for the November trips after talking with friends who own (then again, I don't really know as I'm not an owner yet), but the summer months would be better to book that at 11 months out and get the lower point room.

I've already planned out when we would go over the next 6 years with a 100 point rental, and how we would need to bank and borrow. Our plan is to use studio for 5 nights Nov 2012 (actually 2, one for grandparents but probably rent some of the points) Bank 2013, and go 1 bedroom for a week somewhere (other than BLT) in summer 2014 with borrowing all 100 of necessary from 2015. Then Nov. Studio again in 2016.

I think 100 points would work well for us that way. Now if the mouse's pen decides I can only stay at BLT in the future, well then I'm ok and my wife would be satisfied. If we bought elsewhere, the she would freak if we never had the option of BLT. So for us, buying where SHE wants to stay would be more appropriate.. However, I was a bigger fan of the SSR resort as a whole over BLT. For a week in the summer, I'd prefer a bigger resort with more to do, and their pools were excellent. We were lucky enough to be there for the reopening of the paddock pool after the renovations. My daughter just loved getting her picture with Mickey and Goofy in their swim trunks. Plus movies under the stars were better at SSR than BLT as I could sit in the hot tub behind the screen, and still see my kids in the lounge chairs watching the movie.

 

[Dean]

luckyman_apd, there are a number of knowledgeable members here that feel as I do, that you should buy the cheapest option that you would be happy with. In part though, it depends on the price difference. The cheapest options will be VB and HH but the best value is normally going to be SSR and possibly an extended OKW. However, it ultimately depends on the price and specifics. I was talking to someone recently who bought OKW ebay and passed ROFR at $38 pp. Obviously you lose the home resort priority for WDW in general by buying somewhere else. It sounds like the best choice for you is either OKW ext or SSR and the best choice for your wife is BLT or the newly announced GF. Questions I would have include finances and how much you'd actually stay there if you bought in a monorail resort. You might also consider BWV since EPCOT is on your preference list. For the times you said you'll likely need the home resort window to be successful or work the waitlist. You mentioned studios so if you'll eat out more, that makes SSR and OKW a little more of a challenge, more for OKW though.

As for prices, one should consider RTU exp but don't let it control the entire process. I think you're on target with the BLT dues, they should remain lower but not as much difference as they are/were. You should look at resale, it sounds like you're comparing retail to retail prices. Dividing by the years remaining does give you some info but you can't assume the value will be the same compared to dues late in the cycle.

If you decide to buy, I don't think it's a good idea to finance. Thus IF that is on your radar, buying less now resale for cash and then saving for later for BLT/GF/etc. might be the better option. Overall it sounds like you've got the thought process and information down far better than most members/buyers do. You just have to make a decision of how much money to throw at it vs the risks of not being where you'd prefer. I wish you luck and hope to welcome you home at some point that's right for you.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...I don't think the BLT will be hard to book for the November trips after talking with friends who own (then again, I don't really know as I'm not an owner yet), but the summer months would be better to book that at 11 months out and get the lower point room.

I've already planned out when we would go over the next 6 years with a 100 point rental, and how we would need to bank and borrow. Our plan is to use studio for 5 nights Nov 2012 (actually 2, one for grandparents but probably rent some of the points) Bank 2013, and go 1 bedroom for a week somewhere (other than BLT) in summer 2014 with borrowing all 100 of necessary from 2015. Then Nov. Studio again in 2016. ....

If it is just the two of you in the studio at BLT, it might not be too bad. But for you, wife and kids? You will be very crowded That would be a good time to book an OKW studio (way fewer points and way more room).

November can be hard to book if you don't book at your home resort. At the beginning of November, you still have Food and Wine Festival. Then in early/mid-November, you have Jersey week. Then there is Thanksgiving which can be difficult at 7 months.

 

[luckyman_apd]

If it is just the two of you in the studio at BLT, it might not be too bad. But for you, wife and kids? You will be very crowded That would be a good time to book an OKW studio (way fewer points and way more room).

November can be hard to book if you don't book at your home resort. At the beginning of November, you still have Food and Wine Festival. Then in early/mid-November, you have Jersey week. Then there is Thanksgiving which can be difficult at 7 months.

Yes, yes....Jersey week would be us. I am a teacher in NJ. I have done FAR too much research for a non owner. I have been looking into purchasing since last February. I was wowed by our experience renting a 2br last february. My mother and father in law went with us (wife, me, a 1 yr old then, and a 5 year old.) We went with them 2 years earlier and got two rooms at Coronado Springs. We had always wanted to stay on the monorail resorts, but they were too expensive for us. Thats when we met someone who rented us the points at $10. We were just wowed by it. My wife is VERY insistent on BLT. She actually wouldn't mind a different resort for the summer time as we would stay a week in warmer weather, and there would be more to do for the kids as they get older. As far as the small space in a studio as Deb&Bill pointed out, I'm ok with it I think. My wife would actually be taking the kids down on a Tuesday morning of Jersey week. They have off 3 days straight in their district (W,TH,F) so them leaving Tues would only pull them out of school for 1 day. I have to work up through the Wednesday, so I would meet them down there Wednesday night. I can tell you with our habits, we would be in the parks and really just use the room to sleep. Next Nov when we plan to go again, My kids will be 3 and 7, and my youngest will nap in his stroller. Again, this all revolves around the wife. She does NOT want to be on a resort with the bus without me there. 2 kids on the monorail is much easier for her than a stroller on the bus. So I'm sure she would do MK and Epcot on the 2 days before I got there. And depending on park hours, we would do MK, Epcot, and DHS while I was there. We would skip a trip 2013, and then have points for a 1 bedroom in 2015. The kids would be almost 5 and almost 9 by then. At that point, more space would probably be important. Our next planned trip would be Jersey week of 2016 and then skipping 2017.

All of my figures have come from looking resale. For our planned usage, I don't see any benefit from buying direct. I came close to buying SSR from them in August, before I really started watching the resale listings. Once I saw 100 point or less resales, and the Disney salesman wouldn't offer me less than 160 points, I knew I would probably be buying resale. I would not be financing. Not officially. We would be "borrowing" from our kids college fund we put in a private account. We would pay that back with interest to our kids (if you follow me). I have read it is a better purchase if you have the funds up front.

Since that February trip, I have kicked around the idea of just renting instead of a purchase. But I do want that personal ownership. For us, a resort ending in 2042 would end while we were in our 60's and I feel that at that point (hopefully) we'll have grandkids. If our ownership lives longer than us, I would like to be able to have my kids continue to use it.

I have compared the cost of a $67 100 point SSR resale to a $99 BLT 100 point resale. I've seen an $84 and an $88 BLT recently. They were without or missing some 2012 points, but the lower cost definitely made them attractive. Both had sales pending within 72 hours of me seeing the posting. So, I'm thinking of grabbing the next one that comes through at a lower price, or making a lower offer on available. It can't hurt right? The worst is they say no. Unfortunately my wife is holding this against me to get work around the house done before the purchase, and I just don't have time until February to do it as I'm coaching wrestling right now till 6 every night! So, I will post on here when I do make a purchase and let you know the whole details/timelines. I appreciate all the advice I've gotten, and I try to inform those who are in the same boat as me.....looking at purchasing.

 

[Dean]

I think you can get SSR much cheaper than that. Legally you can't borrow from the college fund it you've put it in their name but you can if you haven't put it in their name.