I know, buy where you want to stay, BUT....

[MommyBell08]

Thanks guys. Im leaning toward AKV now. We love that resort and the two bedroom "value" is amazing for the small amount of points.

 

[Dean]

Thanks guys. Im leaning toward AKV now. We love that resort and the two bedroom "value" is amazing for the small amount of points.

Just remember that to get value you'll need to consistently reserve day one 11 months out. Also that to save money over SSR, you'll have to both stay AKV value almost all of the time AND buy the less points between SSR & the AKV value. For everything else and comparing to just staying at AKV, it'd be as cheap or cheaper to buy SSR and stay AKV standard (with the 3rd bath at Kidani) than to buy AKV and stay value. Or looked at another way, SSR for the new standard view will be roughly the same as AKV for the value if one uses each 100% of the time and buys the proportionate # of points at each resort. And that assumes the dues don't escalate at AKV more than SSR. This comparison also assumes one never get AKV value using SSR points. I don't think any of these conditions are likely to play out in favor of AKV thus I still think SSR will be cheaper long term and I do not believe AKV will shut members out at the 7 month window.

If you'd prefer to own and stay at AKV, it's a fine resort. I just think that the reality is it'll be a fair amount more expensive than owning SSR for EVERYONE who's new to DVC even when their projections suggest otherwise. The conditions required to do otherwise are not realistic for new members, they may be for a SMALL subset of experience members but even then likely not as the only contract owned.

 

[zavandor]

Thanks guys. Im leaning toward AKV now. We love that resort and the two bedroom "value" is amazing for the small amount of points.

A lot of people buy AKV with the intention of booking the value rooms. AKV is a very big resorts (with a lot of owners) and there are only an handful of value rooms, this means that even at 11 months cometition for these rooms is ferocious and during the high demand periods even owning there it might not be possible to book them.
Value rooms should be considered a nice bonus if you suceed to get them, but if they are needed to make a purchase better than another, then I would not buy AKV.

 

[MommyBell08]

A lot of people buy AKV with the intention of booking the value rooms. AKV is a very big resorts (with a lot of owners) and there are only an handful of value rooms, this means that even at 11 months cometition for these rooms is ferocious and during the high demand periods even owning there it might not be possible to book them.
Value rooms should be considered a nice bonus if you suceed to get them, but if they are needed to make a purchase better than another, then I would not buy AKV.

We have owned at AKV in the past and booked that room. We homeschool and can travel in low traffic seasons We love AKV, this thread has really helped me come to realize that.

 

[Deb & Bill]

One thing about the value villas, they are only in Jambo House and all two bedroom villas in Jambo House are lockoffs. So the second bedroom will have a door to the corridor and a kitchenette. Plus only one bed and one double sleeper sofa.

With little kids in the second bedroom, it's not as secure as a dedicated two bedroom that usually has two queen beds and no door to the corridor.

 

[Sleepy425]

We are a newly much larger family of 7. We adopted our three girls in November through the foster care system and we have two boys also. We have purchased and sold DVC contracts in the past, and our family has really enjoyed them. The contract we most recently had with only 180 points was not working anymore for us as we have to stay in a two bedroom so we sold it. We want to purchase again and this time get at least 300 points. Those Vero beach contracts do look so tempting. I know we would loose our booking window (as we would use this for DW) and I know Disney can change the rules, but OH the price! Has anyone done this? Please talk me into (or out of) this.

Congrats on the adoptions! I know it isn't an easy road (we are 27 months into it with our two daughters...hoping to adopt them this year).
I have no advice on the DVC, just wanted to say congrats on the adoption !! As a family of 6 we love our DVC!

 

[MommyBell08]

Congrats on the adoptions! I know it isn't an easy road (we are 27 months into it with our two daughters...hoping to adopt them this year).
I have no advice on the DVC, just wanted to say congrats on the adoption !! As a family of 6 we love our DVC!

Thank you so much I hope your adoption is finalized this year too. Its so stressful but worth every tear in the end either way! <3

 

[DVCMinnie2532]

Don't forget AKL is the only dvc resort with a chance of obtaining a club level room. I know many people think it's a poor use of points. I think it's a great "perk" to owning at AKL. I love club.

 

[Dean]

Don't forget AKL is the only dvc resort with a chance of obtaining a club level room. I know many people think it's a poor use of points. I think it's a great "perk" to owning at AKL. I love club.

True but given the number of villas and points costs, it must be very important to the buyer to pay more for AKV as well as being able and willing to both book at 11 months out minute one and walk if still allowed, if that's part of the reason for buying there. Otherwise I'd look at it like any DVC perk related to buying DVC in general, nice but should not be part of the purchase decision.