IS DVC Ownership really that expensive?

[mwwagner]

HI All,

New member here so please forgive any unintentionol violations of forum etiquette. I've been perusing the forums quite a bit and have seen a lot of talk about how expensive DVC is. I agree that it is certainly a BIG chunk of change up front and the continuing MF are not cheap but every way I do the math this seems to be a no brainer for someone who will be going to Disney at least every couple (every year in a small room or every 2-3 years in a big room). When I look at the overall cost of ownership over the remaining 39 years on a SSR contract here's how Im analyzing. Please tell me if I am missing something:

And yes i realize that this is a long shot to get through ROFR but even with a "normal" price of $72 per point, the logic remains the same, the savings are just a bit more modest.

SSR resort - 150 points at $57 PP plus closing. Total upfront cost $9100
If MF increase by $1 every ten years, there would be total MF of around $39,000. So lets call the total cost $48,000. For that I get 5850 total points. We are budget travelers so we would sacrifice some personal space and use studios primarily. At 11 points per night, that's 531 nights or roughly $90 a night including rising management fees. If I were to leave fees stagnant (not that they will remain the same but doing so would balance out the fact that everything else on the planet is subject to inflation..including income), the cost per night is roughly $75 for a studio. Don't these rooms go for like $250-$300 per night. Seems like a no brainer if you can afford the upfront costs. Am I missing something aside from opportunity cost? I'm not looking for a big discussion on this as an investment per say (though I did enjoy reading those threads.... What am I missing? I welcome any feedback as I need to talk about something while I spend the next 28 days waiting on ROFR....

I'll spare you my convoluted math from the BIG rooms but the ration seems to hold true. Am I wrong to say that either way, DVC allows one to stay on property in deluxe accommodations for roughly 25-40% of the cash cost?

Thanks for any contributions!!

 

[Dean]

HI All,

New member here so please forgive any unintentionol violations of forum etiquette. I've been perusing the forums quite a bit and have seen a lot of talk about how expensive DVC is. I agree that it is certainly a BIG chunk of change up front and the continuing MF are not cheap but every way I do the math this seems to be a no brainer for someone who will be going to Disney at least every couple (every year in a small room or every 2-3 years in a big room). When I look at the overall cost of ownership over the remaining 39 years on a SSR contract here's how Im analyzing. Please tell me if I am missing something:

And yes i realize that this is a long shot to get through ROFR but even with a "normal" price of $72 per point, the logic remains the same, the savings are just a bit more modest.

SSR resort - 150 points at $57 PP plus closing. Total upfront cost $9100
If MF increase by $1 every ten years, there would be total MF of around $39,000. So lets call the total cost $48,000. For that I get 5850 total points. We are budget travelers so we would sacrifice some personal space and use studios primarily. At 11 points per night, that's 531 nights or roughly $90 a night including rising management fees. If I were to leave fees stagnant (not that they will remain the same but doing so would balance out the fact that everything else on the planet is subject to inflation..including income), the cost per night is roughly $75 for a studio. Don't these rooms go for like $250-$300 per night. Seems like a no brainer if you can afford the upfront costs. Am I missing something aside from opportunity cost? I'm not looking for a big discussion on this as an investment per say (though I did enjoy reading those threads.... What am I missing? I welcome any feedback as I need to talk about something while I spend the next 28 days waiting on ROFR....

I'll spare you my convoluted math from the BIG rooms but the ration seems to hold true. Am I wrong to say that either way, DVC allows one to stay on property in deluxe accommodations for roughly 25-40% of the cash cost?

Thanks for any contributions!!

The short answer is that resale at SSR is a great value if you fit certain criteria and make a few assumptions. DVC makes sense for those that are willing to pay significantly more to stay on property, can plan at least 7 months ahead, are OK with the compromises of a timeshare, will ONLY use DVC for DVC as a routine and can pay cash. 1 & 3 BR units are the worst financially, studios the cheapest followed by 2 BR villas.

A few thoughts on your post and assumptions. IMO comparing to the DVC rack rate or even a discount DVC rate in general is a fool's comparison unless that's what you'd pay if you didn't own. It's like comparing buying a BMW only to BMW and not other choices. Your assumption of $1 every 10 years is low. At 4% inflation it's over a 50% increase every 10 years and it's compounded. Plus it seems you're leaving out the time value of money if you had that money invested but used part of it over time ONLY for Disney accommodations. IMO the best comparison is to what you would have spent had you not owned DVC and to renting DVC privately rather than owning. For many DVC is still a great choice but not for everyone and not for everyone that buys in. For others a non DVC timeshare is a better choice, esp if looking at Disney and non Disney trips out of one ownership.

 

[disneynutz]

DVC might save you some money if you are going to vacation at Disney every year anyway. You need to love DVC rooms, don't mind their condition and the DVC rules and policies that change from time to time.

You also have to have a decent vacation budget for travel, food, admission, and Disney extras.

Bill

 

[chalee94]

staying onsite at disney is expensive. DVC can be a reasonable way to make it a little less expensive by making a long-term commitment.

We are budget travelers so we would sacrifice some personal space and use studios primarily. At 11 points per night, that's 531 nights or roughly $90 a night including rising management fees.

of course, there are no SSR studios that can be had for 11 pts per night...

if this means you plan to book OKW for sun-thursday nights at 7 months out, that should work pretty well in general. if you are looking at AKV-value studios or BWV-standard, you might be planning a bit too optimistically, as those cheaper rooms can be tougher to get at 7 months out.

the other downside is that you'll likely be enticed to spend more than that - maybe grab a BLT or VGF studio, maybe splurge for a 1BR at SSR or OKW, maybe add a weekend night.

i'd also agree with dean that DVC rack rates are pointless. if you are happy at OKW, it's fair to say there's not a giant difference between an OKW studio and a POR hotel room...which will still result in a savings , but not 75% off...

DVC can be a good deal if you fit the profile (visit disney each year and must stay onsite and flexible enough to be happy with no housekeeping and having to plan nearly a year in advance - otherwise spend a little extra cash and get a hotel room without making the commitment.)

 

[crisi]

Expensive is a relative term.

In general Disney vacations are expensive compared to going to visit Grandma in Omaha on your vacation. They are darn cheap compared to vacationing in Venice.

In general, for a household making a less than median income - DVC is expensive - a median household income is around $60k. For a family where mom is a neurologist and dad is an investment banker, DVC is a pittance.

DVC is more expensive than some other options to visit Disney - such as off site timeshares or accommodations or value resorts. Its cheaper than staying in a suite at the Boardwalk Inn every trip (though the rose garden cottages really look charming).

As far as other timeshares go - DVC is on the expensive side. You can buy much less expensive timeshares - both dues and buyin costs (resale) with relatively good opportunities currently to trade into DVC. If ending up in another Orlando timeshare once in a while is OK - this can be one of the best deals - however, it isn't without risks - like DVC will stop trading with your timeshare company. I don't know much about this, but others here have a convincing case to make - and my sister has been trading into Disney for years with her non-DVC timeshare.

Then you get into the hidden costs and risks. Does DVC change your behavior - if it does, do you spend more or less? If suddenly your trips to Disney are cooking in the room and hanging by the pool instead of buying tickets and eating out - maybe you are saving tons. If your DVC ownership encourages you to take more trips, use bigger units, spend more because the room is paid for, and treat your relatives - then you are likely spending more. If you end up losing points because of a cancelled trip at the end of your use year, if you need to sell at a loss during a recession soon after your initial purchase - than DVC can end up more expensive than not owning.

 

[mwwagner]

IMO comparing to the DVC rack rate or even a discount DVC rate in general is a fool's comparison unless that's what you'd pay if you didn't own. It's like comparing buying a BMW only to BMW and not other choices. Your assumption of $1 every 10 years is low. At 4% inflation it's over a 50% increase every 10 years and it's compounded. Plus it seems you're leaving out the time value of money if you had that money invested but used part of it over time ONLY for Disney accommodations. IMO the best comparison is to what you would have spent had you not owned DVC and to renting DVC privately rather than owning. For many DVC is still a great choice but not for everyone and not for everyone that buys in. For others a non DVC timeshare is a better choice, esp if looking at Disney and non Disney trips out of one ownership.

Thanks for the feedback. If comparing to rack rate or a discounted rate is not a good comparison, what would be? I get the time value of money argument but for this conversation I chose to disregard it as I am just looking at Cost per night with DVC vs. cost per night without DVC. This is really what I am looking for perhaps I should have just asked it this way in the first place..... I tend to over-complicate things at times

As for the MF increases, I used the rough numbers of SSR historical dues. Started at $3.80 in 2004 and now at 4.91....roughly $1.10 over a decade. I realize this may be an oversimplification but again I am looking for proof of concept here rather than worrying about decimal dust of the numbers. We all know that if small changes in the numbers make or break the deal for me, then this wouldn't be a good choice. Its not a matter of if we can afford it but rather a question of how much DVC can save vs. non DVC assuming spending behavior and other factors remain unchanged (frequency of visits, room choice etc.)

 

[mwwagner]

staying onsite at disney is expensive. DVC can be a reasonable way to make it a little less expensive by making a long-term commitment.

of course, there are no SSR studios that can be had for 11 pts per night...

if this means you plan to book OKW or sun-thursday nights at 7 months out, that should work pretty well in general. if you are looking at AKV-value studios or BWV-standard, you might be planning a bit too optimistically, as those cheaper rooms can be tougher to get at 7 months out.

i'd also agree with dean that DVC rack rates are pointless. if you are happy at OKW, it's fair to say there's not a giant difference between an OKW studio and a POR hotel room...which will still result in a savings , but not 75% off...

DVC can be a good deal if you fit the profile (visit disney each year and must stay onsite and flexible enough to be happy with no housekeeping and having to plan nearly a year in advance - otherwise spend a little extra cash and get a hotel room without making the commitment.)

Thanks for the insight into availability as a concern. Perhaps I placed a bit too much confidence on being able to get 11 per night rooms. The truth is we are flexible in when we can visit so low season is always an option and if it were 12 points instead of 11, Im okay with that. Also, we are good with waitlisting and piecing together vacations. My father in law is a 10 yr. member and has had good luck making vacations work this way (usually with just one move mid trip) so I hope to learn from him on that

We do fit the profile for someone that DVC makes sense for. I am just trying to figure out what % savings I might be able to expect. If its not 60% to 75% savings that I quoted against rack rate, what would a fair comparison/number be in your opinion?

Thanks again for helping me wrap my head around all this. ITs a lot to take in!

 

[Dean]

Thanks for the feedback. If comparing to rack rate or a discounted rate is not a good comparison, what would be? I get the time value of money argument but for this conversation I chose to disregard it as I am just looking at Cost per night with DVC vs. cost per night without DVC. This is really what I am looking for perhaps I should have just asked it this way in the first place..... I tend to over-complicate things at times

As for the MF increases, I used the rough numbers of SSR historical dues. Started at $3.80 in 2004 and now at 4.91....roughly $1.10 over a decade. I realize this may be an oversimplification but again I am looking for proof of concept here rather than worrying about decimal dust of the numbers. We all know that if small changes in the numbers make or break the deal for me, then this wouldn't be a good choice. Its not a matter of if we can afford it but rather a question of how much DVC can save vs. non DVC assuming spending behavior and other factors remain unchanged (frequency of visits, room choice etc.)

There are many ways to compare and to a degree, looking at it several ways will help you fill in the puzzle pieces. As I stated I think the 2 best ways to look at it for most are first what they would have spent without owning and then IF DVC makes sense, compared to renting. There are many variables including off property vs on, Value vs Moderate vs Deluxe, etc. IMO you've got to decide whether DVC makes sense in general terms then look at the financial aspects. Both have to be a go for it to be a reasonable purchase. Buying in simply to be a member when it doesn't save money makes no sense. I do believe that the difference in dues on your rough gestimate is unfair to your cost analysis but as long as you understand that there's risk and even the 4% inflation is likely close to best case scenario, you should be OK. You should at least consider what if it's 10% for a few years rather than 3-4% though. IMO DVC needs to save you real money AND/OR add real value to make it worthwhile. If one has to include discounts, perks, kitchen savings and the like to make it sound OK, buying DVC is a poor choice. The cost is the easy part, the value the more subjective component that you'll have to decide on. Good luck in learning about this option.

 

[mwwagner]

Where is the best place to find the lowest rates on rooms on Disney Property for Non DVC members? I want to compare my per night cost with DVC vs. the best per night cost I could get as a non-member. I have looked at Hotel.com and other similar sites but I'm told that is not a fair comparison. Any direction would be much appreciated.

 

[Dean]

Where is the best place to find the lowest rates on rooms on Disney Property for Non DVC members? I want to compare my per night cost with DVC vs. the best per night cost I could get as a non-member. I have looked at Hotel.com and other similar sites but I'm told that is not a fair comparison. Any direction would be much appreciated.

Mousesavers will list the rack rates for Disney in general by season and weekend/weekday as well as usual discounts. I normally use 20% unless it's a time when I know less or more discounts are usually available. I use 10% for Easter, mid summer and Xmas and 30% for Jan to early Feb, May and Sept. IMO you've got to use the hotel you'd stay at non DVC for savings comparisons

 

[mwwagner]

Mousesavers will list the rack rates for Disney in general by season and weekend/weekday as well as usual discounts. I normally use 20% unless it's a time when I know less or more discounts are usually available. I use 10% for Easter, mid summer and Xmas and 30% for Jan to early Feb, May and Sept. IMO you've got to use the hotel you'd stay at non DVC for savings comparisons

Thanks Dean! That is super helpful. And I am sorry to bombard you with questions but this is a big decision for us (disregard the fact that its already been made--just hoping to sneak past ROFR which is a long shot i think)

Anyways, My inlaws are DVC members so my wife is accustomed to the DVC resorts and at least half of our visits will be visits with them but their points no longer support the whole growing family. With that I think I am good to compare against the numbers you directed me to at mousesavers as that is where we stay regardless (you try convincing her otherwise!). Doing so I do see that applying your 30% discount rule to the rack rates results in $225-$300 per night in a studio. I feel it is a valid comparison given we would stay there anyways. That being the case, With our contract price and today's dues, our cost per night is just about $75. To me, that is REAL SAVINGS...

Thanks again for talking this through with me. Keep your fingers crossed for my ROFR!!!

 

[JimMIA]

If its not 60% to 75% savings that I quoted against rack rate, what would a fair comparison/number be in your opinion?

I think the only fair comparison to be made is to whatever you are paying now. We can all construct a comparison where we "win," but the point of a legitimate comparison is to get a clear idea of the real difference.

If you are already staying at DVC resorts paying cash, then I think that's a valid comparison because you are comparing real prices to real prices.

If you are staying at DVC resorts on the in-laws points (for nothing or a "friendly price"), it's a very questionable comparison, IMHO. First of all, you're not paying anything like the real price, and secondly you don't have the longterm financial obligation of timeshare ownership.

Comparing to a hypothetical discounted DVC cash price may be the only comparison you can do, but it is shaky in my mind because you have not chosen that path previously. If you were really paying those prices, you might not visit often enough to make DVC worthwhile.

If you're currently staying non-DVC elsewhere for a significantly lower cost, that's the only valid real-to-real comparison to make.

I would look at a variety of options besides buying DVC.

• One would be renting from a DVC owner. You can do that reliably for $11-$14 per point with no acquisition costs and no longterm obligation.
• Another would be renting offsite from another timeshare owner. That would be a fraction of the cost of DVC, more like < $1,000 for a 2 bedroom condo for seven nights.
• Another would be buying a different timeshare (resale ONLY!) and using that ownership to exchange into DVC and/or to supplement and compliment your in-laws DVC for trips away from WDW.
• And finally, there is the good old pay-cash option. No hassle, no complications, no risk, no longterm obligation.

 

[mwwagner]

I think the only fair comparison to be made is to whatever you are paying now. We can all construct a comparison where we "win," but the point of a legitimate comparison is to get a clear idea of the real difference.

If you are already staying at DVC resorts paying cash, then I think that's a valid comparison because you are comparing real prices to real prices.

If you are staying at DVC resorts on the in-laws points (for nothing or a "friendly price"), it's a very questionable comparison, IMHO. First of all, you're not paying anything like the real price, and secondly you don't have the longterm financial obligation of timeshare ownership.

Comparing to a hypothetical discounted DVC cash price may be the only comparison you can do, but it is shaky in my mind because you have not chosen that path previously. If you were really paying those prices, you might not visit often enough to make DVC worthwhile.

If you're currently staying non-DVC elsewhere for a significantly lower cost, that's the only valid real-to-real comparison to make.

I would look at a variety of options besides buying DVC.

• One would be renting from a DVC owner. You can do that reliably for $11-$14 per point with no acquisition costs and no longterm obligation.
• Another would be renting offsite from another timeshare owner. That would be a fraction of the cost of DVC, more like < $1,000 for a 2 bedroom condo for seven nights.
• Another would be buying a different timeshare (resale ONLY!) and using that ownership to exchange into DVC and/or to supplement and compliment your in-laws DVC for trips away from WDW.
• And finally, there is the good old pay-cash option. No hassle, no complications, no risk, no longterm obligation.

Thanks for the replay. You make valid points. I must admit that we have been free-loading off the in-laws but that cannot continue and our once every year or every other year trips will continue. The free-loading could continue but now that we have a little one, we want our own personal space!!! So a studio to sleep in and a kitchen free-loaded from them is the plan With that, Stays at DVC resorts in the future will continue and Im just trying to figure out if DVC is the cheapest way to stay at DVC resports. I realize that my financial contribution will go up (because it has been zero in the past ) but it sounds like you and others are saying that IF one is to stay at a DVC resort every one to two years, DVC is the way to go from a lodging cost standpoint. Its just more expensive than "doing Disney another way". Correct me if I am wrong and thanks again for your input.

 

[Dean]

Thanks Dean! That is super helpful. And I am sorry to bombard you with questions but this is a big decision for us (disregard the fact that its already been made--just hoping to sneak past ROFR which is a long shot i think)

Anyways, My inlaws are DVC members so my wife is accustomed to the DVC resorts and at least half of our visits will be visits with them but their points no longer support the whole growing family. With that I think I am good to compare against the numbers you directed me to at mousesavers as that is where we stay regardless (you try convincing her otherwise!). Doing so I do see that applying your 30% discount rule to the rack rates results in $225-$300 per night in a studio. I feel it is a valid comparison given we would stay there anyways. That being the case, With our contract price and today's dues, our cost per night is just about $75. To me, that is REAL SAVINGS...

Thanks again for talking this through with me. Keep your fingers crossed for my ROFR!!!

You're welcome of course. The member discount is usually 25% and is usually but not always available. I'd question what would you do if you were paying cash OOP. If looking at DVC on cash I think the cheaper of the discounted price through CRO vs renting from a member would be one of the better comparisons, esp with the additional info you've added.

 

[JimMIA]

I must admit that we have been free-loading off the in-laws ...

I'm sure I speak for legions of people who have hosted family and friends when I say nobody considers that "freeloading!"

For me, and I'm sure for most, being able to host is a privilege for me. I don't think of it as something I'm doing for someone else; I'm doing it for me -- the people I bring with us enhance MY vacation.

...but it sounds like you and others are saying that IF one is to stay at a DVC resort every one to two years, DVC is the way to go from a lodging cost standpoint.

Don't know about others, but I certainly did not mean to say that.

I personally believe that the least expensive way to do DVC is to exchange in via RCI with another timeshare acquired for little or nothing and with low MFs. I know that when we have done that, it cost us almost exactly half of what the stay would have cost with OKW points...even after factoring in both the RCI exchange fee and DVC's "because we can" $95 fee. [ETA: $860 total cost, including all fees, for an OKW 2 bedroom for a full week...about $122 per night.]

But that avenue entails a totally new discussion about what to buy, how to use RCI, and all the risks that could disrupt the strategy.

That said, however, it is an alternative I would look into if I were in your shoes, because the in-laws DVC ownership can serve as an insurance policy against the uncertainties of exchanging. With the in-laws DVC ownership, you could book DVC and then try to exchange. If you get it, you cancel the DVC reservation. If not, you use their points.

The other (and perhaps greater) benefit to that strategy is the ability to use that other timeshare to take non-WDW vacations for both you and/or the in-laws. Many DVC owners use a similar strategy, leveraging their DVC ownership with another timeshare which is sometimes used to exchange into DVC and sometimes used for other vacations.

 

[crisi]

Thanks for the replay. You make valid points. I must admit that we have been free-loading off the in-laws but that cannot continue and our once every year or every other year trips will continue. The free-loading could continue but now that we have a little one, we want our own personal space!!! So a studio to sleep in and a kitchen free-loaded from them is the plan With that, Stays at DVC resorts in the future will continue and Im just trying to figure out if DVC is the cheapest way to stay at DVC resports. I realize that my financial contribution will go up (because it has been zero in the past ) but it sounds like you and others are saying that IF one is to stay at a DVC resort every one to two years, DVC is the way to go from a lodging cost standpoint. Its just more expensive than "doing Disney another way". Correct me if I am wrong and thanks again for your input.

Renting points will work out long term to being a little more expensive, but involve less risk - your capital isn't tied up and you aren't committed. In other words - no risk of ending up selling at a loss or taking trips you can't afford. That's the sort of balancing you need to do that is really subjective.

There are risks WITH renting - the owner could sell their contract and leave you reservationless (unlikely, but possible) but the arrival of brokers who keep the money in escrow into the space minimizes that risk.

A value resort would be cheaper than owning DVC points. But you wouldn't be staying with your inlaws.

Staying offsite would be cheaper than DVC (well, for a lot of hotels and timeshares, I'm sure you can pay a lot of money offsite if you want), but you wouldn't be onsite or with your inlaws.

If the idea is to stay in the same resort with your inlaws - and they are DVC members, than owning points is probably the way to go.

You should know that that flexible and moving around thing for low point rooms works less well when you and your father in law are both trying to move. Getting one room and being flexible - that will work. Trying to get two rooms when you want them at the same resort - you will strike out more often than your father in law does now. And that whole "we don't go when its busy" thing - yeah, that tends to be when DVC is busiest (and with a little one, that will change as they get older and you start working around school and activities - I'm not sure we will get a vacation now that we have drama for our youngest and two seasons worth of baseball for our oldest).

 

[Msmithmd]

Here's a real-world comparison happening right now that a potential purchaser should consider. I'm sitting in a studio at VWL that I booked with my own points. Considering my annualized buy-in costs plus maintenance fees, my studio is costing me about $135 a night. ($45 a night buy-in, plus $90 a night current dues, @15 points nightly.)

Versus paying cash for a WL or VWL room, one would say that is a fantastic deal.

However, my sister and her family are staying in a two bedroom at Wyndham Bonnet Creek that they rented from an owner there, for $100 a night total. They are less than a ten minute drive from me.

One really needs to open one's eyes to everything in the immediate vicinity of WDW, if one is going to be satisfied with their DVC purchase in the long run.

Incidentally, I would still buy DVC again tomorrow at the terms that I was able to purchase via resale. But at current direct pricing over $150 a point, the alternatives look even more enticing than they do versus my $55 resale VWL contract.

 

[JimMIA]

However, my sister and her family are staying in a two bedroom at Wyndham Bonnet Creek that they rented from an owner there, for $100 a night total. They are less than a ten minute drive from me.

And, they are closer to Epcot...DHS...the Boardwalk area...DTD...and AK than you are!

The key point here is driving. If you are driving or have a rental car, offsite looks better and better. Not only lodging savings, but also because the dining is much more varied, better at every level, and less expensive. We drive anyway, and regardless of where we stay, we dine almost exclusively offsite simply because the food is better.

In addition, driving opens up a world of non-Disney things to do.

 

[bakerworld]

Interesting aspect is the way people vacation. We were discussing this at work recently as they know my vacation is approaching. One young Mom wants to rent a home and send her son to WDW with her hubs so she can enjoy the pool with the baby. Another doesn't want to spend the $$$$ on a WDW vacation because his other half won't stay off-site, nor in a value or moderate, so he's planning on staying in the parks from one end of EMH to another (I told him not to go his kids are getting too old anyway).

We bought into DVC after we spent 3 years consistently staying at what Disney regards as deluxe venues (it's all about location ) twice a year - sometimes 3 times - and didn't see stopping any time soon.

 

[mwwagner]

If the idea is to stay in the same resort with your inlaws - and they are DVC members, than owning points is probably the way to go.

You should know that that flexible and moving around thing for low point rooms works less well when you and your father in law are both trying to move. Getting one room and being flexible - that will work. Trying to get two rooms when you want them at the same resort - you will strike out more often than your father in law does now. And that whole "we don't go when its busy" thing - yeah, that tends to be when DVC is busiest (and with a little one, that will change as they get older and you start working around school and activities - I'm not sure we will get a vacation now that we have drama for our youngest and two seasons worth of baseball for our oldest).

Good point about the fact that us having two rooms would complicate (perhaps beyond feasibility) the idea of moving mid stay. I'll have to think more on that. SSR is our chosen Home resort now (in laws own there and Beach Club). We based our choice on being willing (and wanting) to stay at all 12 resorts over time with the cost being the best for us and flexibility on our end being in our favor. That being said, I might have to further consider how availability will effect these tandem trips.