I know...another “where to buy” post...

[huskies90]

...But I don’t know where else to turn and you all have been so helpful for me over the last few months.

I am a new member and have my contracts for AKV which I have been holding / delaying as long as possible in case other “deals” are released. I wanted a small contract to start so I wanted 100 points and I got AKV for $97/pt ($15 off) and I got my 2009 UY points banked. I have had three sets of paperwork sent to me over the last 5 weeks - first because my guide spelled my wife’s name wrong and then when we decided to pay cash and not finance. Then my guide said to hold them until the webcast happened. I was just about to send them back signed when I saw they are now selling OKW for $90 point with no closing costs and you can get 100 points and the 2057 end date. So the difference is about $990 between the two. I think my guide is starting to hate me as I am now considering switching.

Now, all things being equal, I would choose AKV over OKW as a home resort, but then I can honestly say that I have no basis of that decision other than I have stayed at AKL and I have never been to OKW. I ask my family and get “I don’t care” from everyone (kids only concerned about their next trip in August).

I need to sign these papers and get them back as I am starting get “delinquent” notices from DVC. I know the whole “buy where you want to stay” but if I had my first choice I would choose BWV/BCV first but I want the extra 15 years and second choice would be BLT but the price is just too high and I can only get 160 minimum. My third choice was AKV but again, I have never been to OKW, SSR or VWL so I am not sure if it is worth almost $1000 to re-do the paperwork again or if I do will I be back on the boards 3 years from now saying how much of a mistake I made buying at OKW…I need some serious help!!

Signed,

Clueless in Connecticut

 

[ercrbc]

What size rooms are you wanting to stay in? Consider that in the AKV 1BR you get 3 bathrooms (at Kidani) and can sleep 5 in both Jambo and Kidani (except for the values). I think the 4 different room categories is a huge benefit to AKV, you can save pts or splurge and have a Concierge option (which apparently is nearly impossible to get unless you have the 11mo booking advantage)

If you want to stay in a studio each trip, consider that you get 2 queen beds in the OKW studios and they are larger in size.

I would say if you have been to AKV and know what you are getting go with your initial decision. You can always stay at OKW. And if you feel like you really want the 11mo booking window pay for a small resale in cash.

If you have the cash to buy from Disney...don't buy something you could save another $25/pt by going resale. Especially for a resort that you can easily book at 7mo. That would tip the scale toward AKV for me.

 

[Crystal_27]

If you prefer that AKV be your home resort that's where you should buy. Although you don't have a frame of reference from actually staying at OKW, you sound like you're an informed buyer and my guess is that you have done your research about the pros and cons of each resort. When you think about how much DVC costs in the grand scheme, the $1,000 is fairly insignificant, especially spending it means that you are happier with your home resort.

What's troubling, though, is that AKV is your third choice. I think that if your first choice is BCV then you need to buy there...period. BCV and AKV are so incredibly different and BCV offers a LOT in terms of perks that AKV doesn't (and you could say the same about AKV too if you were a diehard fan of that resort). Still, I guess if you would be happy staying at AKV every time, then you've probably settled that issue as well. BUT, if I were in your shoes, I would buy resale at BCV and be happy that I was at the resort that was my first choice. Either way, good luck!

 

[SFD998]

I have to agree with the pp in regards to buying at BCV. If that is your first choice go with resale and buy there. I own at both OKW and AKV. When we bought in although we had been to Disney on NUMEROUS occassions we had never stayed at a DVC resort room. We decided on OKW because of the cost in comparison to other resorts. We also liked the way it looked. Don't get me wrong we enjoy OKW, but primarily in a 1 bdr or larger. The studios don't really do it for us. It is also probably one of the reasons we bought into AKV 3months after we bought OKW and then added on to AKV 4 months later. If you are looking at cost I just saw a 100 point contract for BCV going for $8,800 on the TSS site. Although, it is listed as sale pending it means that you can buy where you really want and spend the same amount. I would definitely call the TSS. JMHO though.

 

[chalee94]

not sure any resort is perfect.

if you think you'll pine away for BCV if you are "stuck" at AKV or OKW, then accept the shorter term and buy at BCV.

but if you are just happy being on-property at wdw, then buy AKV or OKW and enjoy what you get. if you can exchange into BCV or other resorts in the future - great - but if not, you are still onsite.

IMO, AKV is the better choice if you ever plan on staying in concierge or value rooms, since the 11 month window is a bigger benefit. OKW is more important if you are focused on booking a grand villa there.

if price and end date are your biggest issues, rescind and buy a resale at SSR.

unless you're really high strung about which resort you stay at, it's not a huge deal IMO...

 

[DenLo]

It really sounds like the extra years are the most important item to you. So that means AKV or an extended contract for OKW are the two resorts you mentioned that you should be considering. You've stayed at AKL and don't know a thing about OKW. So if I were you, I'd buy at AKV, it's a beautiful resort and the rooms at Kidani are great. And when your children are older you'll really appreciate the extra bathroom in a 1 BR.

 

[ldo]

OKW--Old Fla, Key West, Jimmy buffet feeling. drive to your room, larger units, studios all have 2 Qs. Great bike/wlaking paths all around and over to SSR, THV, and DTD.
AKV--more of a resort feel. Can park under at Kindani, but still walking thru hall to room. Must park in parking lot at Jambo and walk thru lobby to room--could be a long walk.
Very good Community Halls for kids at both.
We had units and family at both over Spring break. Pool at Kidani is smaller and in summer, it would be more crowded than OKW pool or Jambo (where many resort gusest are in the parks all day long). In the end, both OKW and AKV were a toss up as my kids' favorites (have also been to VWL, BWV, SSR).
Considerations--would you ever want to book value rooms to save points or concierge--if so, buy at AKV to get 11 month booking window--we wish we had AKV for this purpose. Ever want a GV at OKW--then you need to have OKW.
Both have a lot of rooms, so you can usually get them at 7 months, so if you don't need value or concierge, then it probably doesn't matter.

 

[huskies90]

As usual, awesome replies and you all have great points and are right on the money. Please keep them coming. I think I am about there.

I do have a question: Many of you mention the Grand Villa at OKW. What is so special about the GV at that location over AKV or any other DVC for that matter?

 

[toniosmom]

I am an AKV owner and just had my first stay there. I loved it, but I know that I want to try other resorts. Over the past year, I have bought two small BCV contracts, planning to bank/borrow in order to book there at 11 months every 3rd year. I have not yet stayed at BCV, but based on what I've seen and the raves about the pool, I know I will love it there. It's a smaller resort and wildly popular, so home resort advantage can be important if you travel at popular times and can book at 11 months.

I agree with previous posters that you apparently love BCV so you should buy there. Yes, it's a shorter term, but it still has a good 30+ years left on it. And....down the road, Disney may offer an extension. I love the fact that although BCV's contract term is shorter, the popularity is still high and the smaller BCV contracts are hard to come by. When one comes up for sale, it's gone in a flash!

Having said all of that, if you know that you will never book earlier than 7 months prior to your travel date, then it doesn't matter where you own, so go for the lowest point and dues rate.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[chalee94]

I do have a question: Many of you mention the Grand Villa at OKW. What is so special about the GV at that location over AKV or any other DVC for that matter?

1) elbow room. as the first DVC - OKW has more space: 2375 square feet in a GV. (i think jambo GVs might be close but most other GVs are at least 175 sq ft smaller.)

2) value.

BWV GV starts at 77 pts/night.
SSR GV starts at 69 pts/night.
AKV GV starts at 69 pts/night.
OKW GV starts at 47 pts/night.

1 + 2 = high demand.

 

[huskies90]

Thanks again everyone...I know I can count on this board to help straighten me out...

To answer the questions/concerns, I originally went into this DVC thing with the idea of buying a resale at BCV or BWV and then when BLT was announced, I thought about buying in to that. While the resale process is very simple, I found it difficult to find a small contract at any of those places and when one did come up, it sold quickly. The 15 less years kinda stinks too and that turned me off to BCV and BWK and the higher price of BLT direct from Disney with a 160 point min turned me off of BLT. Which lead me to AKV where I could get 100 points and all 2009 points banked for almost the same price as resale without the wait or ROFR. While not as desirable as the top three, I consider AKV as a place I would not mind staying if I was “stuck” there every trip. I can’t say the same for SSR. OKW, I am not sure about. So really it is coming down to the $1000 savings and I agree that really isn’t enough to sway me away.

Based on my research, and I am a total newbie so I may be way off, only the more difficult rooms and times of years will keep you out of any resort at the 7 month mark and certainly SSR seems to be almost always available any time and usually OKW too. We were able to get BCV for the last week in August within the 7 month this year but we are also planning on Xmas week which will be at the home resort. As of now, that looks like it will be AKV…

 

[disney ny]

I am going through the same thing with having a very hard time deciding which to buy in at. SSR makes the most sense especially since I don't plan to go at the highest demand times of year so I shouldn't have a lot of trouble booking 7 months out. I really want to buy at VWL with my second choice being BWV or BCV all based on location and my love of the Magic Kingdom first. BUT I also considered the longer contract to be a benefit. Now I am thinking I am gonna be in my 60's by the time the first one ends so maybe that is enough!! But there is still a 10 dollar or so price difference which ends up being a $1000 decision. I also am concerned about buying at VWL because there is no GV option and that would probably be the only time I would really need that 9 month window. I don't think you can usually book a Grand Villa anywhere at 7 months or am I wrong on that? That is one big worry sopt for me as I think I will be ok buying anywhere and still getting something at VWL 7 months out. This is keeping me up at night.............

 

[Sandisw]

I am going through the same thing with having a very hard time deciding which to buy in at. SSR makes the most sense especially since I don't plan to go at the highest demand times of year so I shouldn't have a lot of trouble booking 7 months out. I really want to buy at VWL with my second choice being BWV or BCV all based on location and my love of the Magic Kingdom first. BUT I also considered the longer contract to be a benefit. Now I am thinking I am gonna be in my 60's by the time the first one ends so maybe that is enough!! But there is still a 10 dollar or so price difference which ends up being a $1000 decision. I also am concerned about buying at VWL because there is no GV option and that would probably be the only time I would really need that 9 month window. I don't think you can usually book a Grand Villa anywhere at 7 months or am I wrong on that? That is one big worry sopt for me as I think I will be ok buying anywhere and still getting something at VWL 7 months out. This is keeping me up at night.............

Someone on another thread is selling their BCV contract to buy OKW because they have had trouble getting the GV at the 7 month mark. If those are of importance to you, then I would think about that.

However, VWL is a small resort and while you may not travel during busy times for the parks, those may not necessarily be non-busy DVC times. For example, December is very hard to book and pretty much everyone does at 11 months out.

The only piece you could consider is to buy at SSR to start and then add on VWL points to cover trips there at other times that you might want the 11 month window.

 

[dbs1228]

I am right there with you (a newbie excited about adding on for me) I am holding a BLT add on contract and now i am having second thoughts. I am not quite sure BLT is where we want to stay for our longer trips to Disney, the 5 or 6 nights are great because of location but we like a more relaxing atomosphere. I know I can get a higher point resale contract for less money but I just do not know where! I keep hearing all the great reviews about OKW, BCV and BWV. We went with our orginal contract BLT because of the 2060 end date (and location) but in all reality I will be 94! Still not sure so now I am spending way too much time on this board! Oh yea and watching the U-conn Huskie womens game! GO HUSKIES!

 

[huskies90]

watching the u-conn huskie womens game! Go huskies!

go huskies!!!!