Just an update, I called Disney to get some of their prices, about 100/point for saratoga springs (where I think I want since I don't mind trading or staying there) and they mentioned they changed the way resales work now (I think she said since March) that they don't allow people who did not buy with Disney to trade for cruises and other things. I should have asked more but didn't. Does anyone know about this?
Yes, resale points can no longer be used to trade out for the Disney Collection, Adventures by Disney and something else (slips my mind).
In most cases, using points for those options does not provide great value. However, if you were hoping to have that flexibility, then you will be stuck buying through Disney.
You should know, though, that those options are considered perks, and not really part of the contract you buy so Disney could, at any time, remove them as an option from all members. Do I think that is likely? No, but technically possible.
These are perks and they could change at any time. Disney could also add things in, that are not available to the "restricted" resale points later as well. We just don't know what the future will bring.
As for the best value of points, that is subjective to each owner. I have never rented my points and don't plan on it (not saying it won't happen, but not in the plans). I also have not traded out and we use our points exclusively at DVC Resorts...but one day it might just happen that we use them somewhere else and if we have the points not sweat it. Its like clipping coupons or shopping at 3 different grocery stores, some people want to do that to save some money and some don't want the inconvenience.
If crowds and buses bother you, I would not recommend SSR. I love the resort but then crowds and buses do not bother me. Your transportation options to the parks is always going to be buses and considering many park at Downtown Disney and ride the bus even though they are not staying at SSR, it does get crowded especially at park closing time.
SSR has 5 bus stops.
Yes, SSR has 5 bus stops, but honestly I don't think their busses are any more crowded than other resort busses, generally speaking. At park closing times, ever bus is usually packed, just the nature of the beast. As for people that park at DTD to ride the busses, we know it happens, but no one has been able to say that it has had any impact on the resort busses for sure. While I have seen people use SSR busses to get back and forth from DTD (done it myself when I needed to go to the DVC sales office for things, wanted to go to DTD from a park, etc), it doesn't mean that they were parked there all day. These things are also permitted by Disney in their open transportatin policies. Other resorts have similar issues as well, especially Epcot resorts for the boardwalk area, etc etc.....its just the nature of the beast.
An advantage to SSR is that it is more open feeling than some of the hotel resorts where you have to go through the lobby to get to your rooms. Each room has an outside entrance (condo style) with parking area's adjacent to the buildings, etc. There are downsides of course, if you want to go to the marketplace and its raining, you are stuck taking an umbrella or waiting out the storm, etc.
Thanks for all the great info everyone. Our family has never really been picky about the rooms we are in. We have stayed at riverside and loved it and motel 6s on the road down and still had fun. Honestly for the first few years of visits we will pick a new place every time.
Still trying to decide on buying with Disney or buying with a resale. We really want cruises include and Disney said that is only with them. We decided for a first run we are only going to buy 100 points, most likely at SSR. Disney will give us this years points and last years so we would start with 200 and can roll those over as we go so we think it will work out. Then we could buy 25 at a time later if we find we need a few extra. Also, 100 points only comes to about $10,000 buy in and ~$450 a year and we could spend about 10 days at the time we want (off peak) and I see that is normally $2,500. Break even in 5 years and then cake for the next 40.
I just hope the extend, the only thing I don't like is I dont have it forever ;-)
Thanks again for all the great info.
Kyle
Best of luck to you and form your own opinions on resorts. SSR takes a bashing (especially by some of the members who have been around for a long time), but is a great resort. Our family is perfectly happy staying there anytime and like you we do want to try the other resorts as well. We have hit most of them and they all have their own pros and cons...there is no perfect resort that I have found yet. I love the proximity to DTD, the quietness of the condo style rooms (not hearing yelling up and down hallways, etc) and with the golf course, it is just peaceful setting.
