I thought we should buy @VWL, DH says BWV - WWYD?

[hebbynan]

Thanks Deb&Bill and Msmithmd. I'm just now in the process of looking into this. We stayed at the WL last year and walked over to the villas to take a look. I fell in love!! We're outdoorsy people and the love the theming of the WL so if we were to buy DVC property, we would want to be at the WL.

As far as resale goes, I have looked into it. And I do see that most of the resale points start around $80 per point. Which is a HUGE reduction over buying direct. Our original thinking was to buy through Disney in order to use the points on cruises, etc. BUT...after looking at the point charts for cruises I see now that it's just cheaper in the long run to pay for the cruise ourselves. The number of points needed for those things is INSANE!

I guess my only question now about buying resale would be this....if we buy resale is there anything we would be lacking other than the ability to use the points at the few non-DVC hotels available at WDW as well as using them on cruises?

Thanks again in advance. You guys Rock!

Heather

 

[lovin'fl]

Thanks Deb&Bill and Msmithmd. I'm just now in the process of looking into this. We stayed at the WL last year and walked over to the villas to take a look. I fell in love!! We're outdoorsy people and the love the theming of the WL so if we were to buy DVC property, we would want to be at the WL.

As far as resale goes, I have looked into it. And I do see that most of the resale points start around $80 per point. Which is a HUGE reduction over buying direct. Our original thinking was to buy through Disney in order to use the points on cruises, etc. BUT...after looking at the point charts for cruises I see now that it's just cheaper in the long run to pay for the cruise ourselves. The number of points needed for those things is INSANE!

I guess my only question now about buying resale would be this....if we buy resale is there anything we would be lacking other than the ability to use the points at the few non-DVC hotels available at WDW as well as using them on cruises?

Thanks again in advance. You guys Rock!

Heather

Disney collection and concierge collection is what resales can't use their points for. And just an idea for you, some folks will rent out their DVC points and use that $$ to put towards a cruise...it's a better deal than using your points for the cruise. happy hunting for your contract.

 

[itutorfortravel]

Thanks Deb&Bill and Msmithmd. I'm just now in the process of looking into this. We stayed at the WL last year and walked over to the villas to take a look. I fell in love!! We're outdoorsy people and the love the theming of the WL so if we were to buy DVC property, we would want to be at the WL. As far as resale goes, I have looked into it. And I do see that most of the resale points start around $80 per point. Which is a HUGE reduction over buying direct. Our original thinking was to buy through Disney in order to use the points on cruises, etc. BUT...after looking at the point charts for cruises I see now that it's just cheaper in the long run to pay for the cruise ourselves. The number of points needed for those things is INSANE! I guess my only question now about buying resale would be this....if we buy resale is there anything we would be lacking other than the ability to use the points at the few non-DVC hotels available at WDW as well as using them on cruises? Thanks again in advance. You guys Rock! Heather

We just bought a Wilderness Lodge contract via resale and got it for way less than $80 per point we haven't gotten through ROFR yet but I have seen others get through for as low as what we are paying so I am keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[itutorfortravel]

P.s. The contract was also loaded with bank points!

 

[MagicJourney]

We just bought a Wilderness Lodge contract via resale and got it for way less than $80 per point we haven't gotten through ROFR yet but I have seen others get through for as low as what we are paying so I am keeping my fingers crossed!

Congrats! Sounds you got a great deal.

 

[hebbynan]

We just bought a Wilderness Lodge contract via resale and got it for way less than $80 per point we haven't gotten through ROFR yet but I have seen others get through for as low as what we are paying so I am keeping my fingers crossed!

Wow! That's awesome!! Sounds like you got a very sweet deal! I hope you get through your ROFR period and then smooth sailing.

Hopefully when we decide to buy we'll have that same luck. I really think now that resale is THE way to go! Thanks guys!!

 

[Dean]

TI guess my only question now about buying resale would be this....if we buy resale is there anything we would be lacking other than the ability to use the points at the few non-DVC hotels available at WDW as well as using them on cruises?

IMO you're losing nothing of value currently and will have the same guarantees as those with qualified points. That is the potential to attempt to make reservations at the home resort 11 months out the the potential to attempt other club reservations the same as all else, currently 7 months out. Those issues are contractual and cannot be changed directly unilaterally. You'd lose access to cash type exchanges that offer not real value over buying what you need for DVC and paying cash otherwise. In effect they did you 2 favors. They kept you from buying extra points to use for low yield options and they forced the resale market lower giving you a better price comparatively.

The real question is whether they could change the playing field in such a way that the savings wasn't worth it or at least take away current options like RCI or BVTC. The there's the question whether they could add other benefits to qualified buyers that would alter the landscape as well. The technical answer is they could do one, both or neither. Ultimately it's my opinion that they can't do enough to alter the reality that significantly cheaper points to use just at DVC is a far better value than retail. But they could take away something that was important to you or that you'd like to have including pass discounts.

 

[sleepydog25]

IMO you're losing nothing of value currently and will have the same guarantees as those with qualified points. That is the potential to attempt to make reservations at the home resort 11 months out the the potential to attempt other club reservations the same as all else, currently 7 months out. Those issues are contractual and cannot be changed directly unilaterally. You'd lose access to cash type exchanges that offer not real value over buying what you need for DVC and paying cash otherwise. In effect they did you 2 favors. They kept you from buying extra points to use for low yield options and they forced the resale market lower giving you a better price comparatively.

The real question is whether they could change the playing field in such a way that the savings wasn't worth it or at least take away current options like RCI or BVTC. The there's the question whether they could add other benefits to qualified buyers that would alter the landscape as well. The technical answer is they could do one, both or neither. Ultimately it's my opinion that they can't do enough to alter the reality that significantly cheaper points to use just at DVC is a far better value than retail. But they could take away something that was important to you or that you'd like to have including pass discounts.

Excellent answer. I've bought both resale and direct, and at the time, each worked best for our situation. I suppose that's my point: if the resale market seems to work for you, and you're willing to accept any possible future restrictions, it's a no-brainer. On the other hand, occasionally contracts pop up via Disney direct that are exactly what you want, and you don't have to worry over ROFR, closing issues with the other owners, or a long lead time to getting your points. We bought a small add-on contract at VWL direct through DVC. At the time, there were few small resale contracts available (more now appear to be on the market), and their asking price was at or above the direct price. We went direct to get the points more quickly (wedding), paid only slightly more than what we could have gotten resale, and got the UY we wanted more quickly. Unlike others have posted, there is room and argument for going direct. Good luck with your decisions.

 

[Dean]

Unlike others have posted, there is room and argument for going direct.

As I've said many times esp for the new resort, small contracts, when the price difference is modest and when you can't get what you want any other way it is SOMETIMES reasonable to go retail and sometimes it isn't, you have to look at specifics. However, the fact that someone decides to go retail, even having looked at resale, does not automatically make it a reasonable decision, it might just be their choice and right to make bad decisions where applicable. Also, the fact their satisfied with their decision also does not automatically make the decision a good one.

 

[sleepydog25]

As I've said many times esp for the new resort, small contracts, when the price difference is modest and when you can't get what you want any other way it is SOMETIMES reasonable to go retail and sometimes it isn't, you have to look at specifics. However, the fact that someone decides to go retail, even having looked at resale, does not automatically make it a reasonable decision, it might just be their choice and right to make bad decisions where applicable. Also, the fact their satisfied with their decision also does not automatically make the decision a good one.

Oh, I don't necessarily disagree. In fact, the majority of times resale is the way to go. However, should a person opt to buy direct and is quite satisfied with the deal and gets years of happy experiences out of it, I'd be hard-pressed to call that a bad decision. Whether such an option was the best financial choice is easily determined, on that I would agree; yet, one can't always declare something good or bad or reasonable merely due to monetary reasons. Nor does satisfaction with having made the best financial deal automatically make that decision a good one, either.

 

[Dean]

Oh, I don't necessarily disagree. In fact, the majority of times resale is the way to go. However, should a person opt to buy direct and is quite satisfied with the deal and gets years of happy experiences out of it, I'd be hard-pressed to call that a bad decision. Whether such an option was the best financial choice is easily determined, on that I would agree; yet, one can't always declare something good or bad or reasonable merely due to monetary reasons. Nor does satisfaction with having made the best financial deal automatically make that decision a good one, either.

I do think we're on the same page other than one hopefully small items. There certainly are many factors and they all need to be considered. However, I think many are far too prepared to wimp out on an honest appraisal because someone somewhere may get their feelings hurt. IMO if it doesn't make sense financially given the facts, it's automatically a bad decision, you only get flexibility in the gray areas. If it makes sense financially, it could still be a bad decision. Wanting to finance, feeling more comfortable buying directly from Disney or having an emotional itch that can't wait a few months does not change that one speck. I think my previous qualifications above should cover most of the reasonable exceptions. OTOH, I don't think I've ever told someone THEY made a bad decision unless they specifically asked, however, I'm very comfortable taking a specific example and giving an opinion on that example/situation hopefully in an appropriate context. If an individual happens to fit into that example, all the better for good or bad and if they're offended by such that's on them as long as the opinion were offered an an appropriate context.

Are there worse decisions in life than making a bad one with Disney, sure for most people. My goal is to get people to think about what they're doing so that Disney, or anything else in question, will be a blessing and not a curse. We've seen plenty of examples of the latter the last few years with DVC and otherwise.

 

[PacoDF]

Remember this: Resale can't exist without lots of people buying direct first. As with cars: you can't buy an used car without having a guy who owned it first when new.



And resale is good for both resale buyers as it is for direct owners who want or may want to sell in the future. (same as cars) The asset keeps a good % of the original value.

The discussion is whether the remaining value is enough for you, an informed buyer, to choose buying direct or resale. But we all must know that the vast majority of people will buy direct anyways (and that's "good" for us, resale buyers!!)

 

[Dean]

Remember this: Resale can't exist without lots of people buying direct first. As with cars: you can't buy an used car without having a guy who owned it first when new.

True in the general sense but not applicable to the current discussion. The reality is that the choices are what they are with the current prices and variables and that has to be the guiding info for such a discussion. Back when prices were 15-20% different, we had the same discussions but the difference was not enough to give absolute answers for all but maybe HH & VB, now they are for many choices. The principles were still the same though. I don't think telling someone to pay twice as much to ensure another potential member has access to a cheap (comparatively) resale is a reasonable position but it's essentially your point I quoted.

Related to your car analogy, a more applicable analogy would be the same car from a dealer vs an individual or used car lot with a 40% price difference if the dealer threw in a few free oil changes. All timeshares are used once you pay day 1.

 

[ToddyLu]

This is how we made our decision. I was all in at the cheapest resort but DH had to think about what resort he liked....ok, I said, but do it quickly

We live on the Gulf Coast so OKW, BCV were more like home and we wanted more of a vacation feel away from home. The size of the rooms at OKW and the SAB at BCV were not really a draw for us.

DH used to fight forest fires and VWL just reminded him of those days. He said he had spent too much time in the woods already. I loved the resort, personally but respected his decision.

BLT didn't appeal to either of us... too sterile in decor and we do not have to be next to MK on our vacation. A trip to MK is great but we don't have to see it or walk there. We just had one night in a studio on 10/31 (LV) and agreed that would be the first and last time there. We are both Pooh sized and when we each took a shower--the shower curtain enveloped us---you would have to experience it to understand.

BWV...eh, it is beautiful and the location is great but it didn't thrill DH...so we moved on...and now that I have seen the clown pool at night I showed the clown to DH and he did too.

SSR-boy that resort is majestic and HUGE. It is eery quiet too. Had a spa day there with MIL and it was just well, strange. I only saw 4 people there that day. I was expecting sagebrush to float out at any time surrounded by a breeze and the sound of wind chimes in the distance. But man do they have a great spa!! It was hard to say no to SSR due to price...but DH said NO!

We wanted to stay at WDW so HH and VB were out although they are beautiful and seem very relaxing. VGC was just too far away.

Then there is AKV...hmmm gee that is my favorite I said to myself, but it is more expensive and the MFs are higher. When I asked DH about which resort--his comment was.."I am only going to stay at AKV when I go-but buy where you think is best". What? Could it be that he and I had secretly watched that bus pull up to the parks over the years and thought -those are the luckiest guests in the world. Could this mean that he is thinking AKV is the one for us...yep. I love this man I thought. We love the remote fill, the theming and dark rooms, getting to ride a bus is fun for us and then there are the wonderful animals. My Mom and I were watching a giraffe walk past our room in 2011. Where else in the USA could we do that. She looked at me and just shook her head--she couldn't believe we had the opportunity to stay there. It is our perfect fit resort and we are so happy.

Yes I would sleep in a cardboard box to stay at Disney....but SV at AKV is heaven.

 

[itutorfortravel]

This is how we made our decision. I was all in at the cheapest resort but DH had to think about what resort he liked....ok, I said, but do it quickly

We live on the Gulf Coast so OKW, BCV were more like home and we wanted more of a vacation feel away from home. The size of the rooms at OKW and the SAB at BCV were not really a draw for us.

DH used to fight forest fires and VWL just reminded him of those days. He said he had spent too much time in the woods already. I loved the resort, personally but respected his decision.

BLT didn't appeal to either of us... too sterile in decor and we do not have to be next to MK on our vacation. A trip to MK is great but we don't have to see it or walk there. We just had one night in a studio on 10/31 (LV) and agreed that would be the first and last time there. We are both Pooh sized and when we each took a shower--the shower curtain enveloped us---you would have to experience it to understand.

BWV...eh, it is beautiful and the location is great but it didn't thrill DH...so we moved on...and now that I have seen the clown pool at night I showed the clown to DH and he did too.

SSR-boy that resort is majestic and HUGE. It is eery quiet too. Had a spa day there with MIL and it was just well, strange. I only saw 4 people there that day. I was expecting sagebrush to float out at any time surrounded by a breeze and the sound of wind chimes in the distance. But man do they have a great spa!! It was hard to say no to SSR due to price...but DH said NO!

We wanted to stay at WDW so HH and VB were out although they are beautiful and seem very relaxing. VGC was just too far away.

Then there is AKV...hmmm gee that is my favorite I said to myself, but it is more expensive and the MFs are higher. When I asked DH about which resort--his comment was.."I am only going to stay at AKV when I go-but buy where you think is best". What? Could it be that he and I had secretly watched that bus pull up to the parks over the years and thought -those are the luckiest guests in the world. Could this mean that he is thinking AKV is the one for us...yep. I love this man I thought. We love the remote fill, the theming and dark rooms, getting to ride a bus is fun for us and then there are the wonderful animals. My Mom and I were watching a giraffe walk past our room in 2011. Where else in the USA could we do that. She looked at me and just shook her head--she couldn't believe we had the opportunity to stay there. It is our perfect fit resort and we are so happy.

Yes I would sleep in a cardboard box to stay at Disney....but SV at AKV is heaven.

Loved your story and so happy you found your perfect fit!

We found a good deal on VWL and since we mostly go at Christmas and we live the theming at VWL for the holidays, we decided to go for it. Just wrapping up paperwork now so it can proceed to ROFR and keeping my fingers crossed!

If this contract works out, I figure with the money we saved we can watch for a small contract at BWV, something that will allow us to go to F&W every other year.

We will see if that all works out!

 

[Shazzasmd]

Loved your story and so happy you found your perfect fit!

We found a good deal on VWL and since we mostly go at Christmas and we live the theming at VWL for the holidays, we decided to go for it. Just wrapping up paperwork now so it can proceed to ROFR and keeping my fingers crossed!

If this contract works out, I figure with the money we saved we can watch for a small contract at BWV, something that will allow us to go to F&W every other year.

We will see if that all works out!

Congratulations, and Good Luck with ROFR. I read this thread with interest, as we went through the same decision process a couple of years ago. We bought at VWL and love being there at Christmas time. We are still considering adding a BWV or BCV contract.

 

[itutorfortravel]

Congratulations, and Good Luck with ROFR. I read this thread with interest, as we went through the same decision process a couple of years ago. We bought at VWL and love being there at Christmas time. We are still considering adding a BWV or BCV contract.

Thank you! We did purchase a contract at VWL and it was sent to Disney last week so I'm hoping it passes ROFR! I would also like to get a small contract at BWV for food and wine trips every other year...maybe one day!

 

[rillsung]

Good luck!

 

[bigtony777]

Any room at WDW is a great room. Some are just a little better than others. We own at BWV and bought there for several reasons. We go down for F&W each year, the location being close to both Epcot and DHS, and some of the cheapest point rooms all of DVC with the standard category.