is it better to have all the points at one resort?

[luckytso]

I just bought 150 points at BCV. I am thinking about buying 150, via resale, at BWV. My guide at Disney is strongly recommending me to buy the additionasl points at BCV saying that with 300 points spread out in 2 resorts is not as useful.

What do you think? Thanks

 

[Dean]

If you want to stay at both resorts, splitting between the 2 is better. His bias is obvious.

 

[RobDoc]

I think it depends on where you intend to stay. If you will mainly be staying at the BCV, the 300 points there will serve you well.

If you intend to stay at both BCV and BWV, then points at both would be smart.

Keep in mind that only the points owned at a resort may be used for resrevations made 11 months in advance. Points owned at other resorts may be used only 7 months ahead.

Enjoy!

 

[luckytso]

Thanks for the response. I am interested in bwv points because they are cheaper and with points leftover. I stayed at BC and YC and loved SAB. I have nevered stayed at BWV. However, with the 11 month window, I can try to get the standard view rooms which cost less.

It is true that 150 points at 2 different resort during peak season would be tough, versus 300 at BCV. I am so torn between the decisions and I need to sign the resale contract tomorrow if I want BWV.

What should I do?

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by luckytso
It is true that 150 points at 2 different resort during peak season would be tough, versus 300 at BCV.

lucky,

150 points at 2 different resorts is no problem. With banking and borrowing, you can still have 300 points at one resort each year, alternating between BWV and BCV.

Personally, I think I'd go for the BWV, assuming the price and point situation is right.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[spiceycat]

I have points in all the DVC resorts at WDW except BCV - (just because of money problems right now otherwise you betta I would have points at BCV)

I like BWV in the food & wine festavial - so 50 points - to be used every other year

I love VWL for the December - it is pretty - so 60 points - to be used every other year - ha!!! - I can't leave this place alone!!!

I love OKW for everything else - 240 points - this is a very nice place to relax.

 

[kem330]

Luckytso,
It really depends on where you want to stay. In general it is easier to have your points at one resort, if you plan on staying there most of the time. We bought BWV resale last year,(200 pts) because we didn't want to wait for BCV. Now we've added at BCV(150pts). It is kind of a pain as we go down with friends/family at New Years and need both contracts to cover our stay. So my reservations are split all over and I have to try and switch at 7 months. I considered selling BWV since we got a great price on it and buying all at BCV, but I hate to do that before we even see the place and someday would like to get a GV at BWV which would be impossible at 7 mos out. You could do the every other year thing if it fits in with your plans, but for us when we use 400-500 points/stay it isn't very practical to have them split-. If it weren't for SAB, I probably would have bought another resale at BWV. Anyway, you have to look at your situation- how many points do you think you will need for each visit? If you have enough so you won't have to switch resorts mid stay then two contacts are okay, but IMHO I think it is a hassle to split your stay between two resorts

 

[dvc_john]

I have points at all 6 resorts because I like to stay at them all, and I like to plan ahead. I would suggest, however, that if you do buy a resale at BWV, it would help simplify things if you kept the same use year that you have at BCV.

 

[Mickbee]

Tough choice IMHO.

A couple variables for you:

1.) Decide if you plan to borrow. If you are not comfortable with doing it, then that may be a valid case for one resort.

2.) What size accommodations do you think will meet your families needs?

2.) How long you plan to stay with each visit? If you have a set number of nights per year that you will use. Be sure the contract will meet your needs.

3.) Will these nights be in on visit or multiple?

4.) If they will be used in one visit, would be willing to move to your other resort IFIF you couldn't get your entire stay in one resort.

Owning at multiple resorts isn't an issue if you have many points and don't have your heart set on key times of the year in single location.

150 points is great if you are staying in a studio for a week during most times of the year. If you decided to extend your visit beyond seven nights or get a larger suite, you may run into a point shortage situation. If borrowing isn't a concern, then no worries. If it is a concern, then you may want to lean toward a single contract.

A new policy that DVC just put into effect (MS told me this morning): In the past, if you made a reservation at 11 months on contract A and then decided at the 7 month window you wanted to switch the points to contract B, you could do it without losing your reservation. The new policy will release your reservation if you want to switch points. At that point you will need to re-book the reservation with the contract you desire. By canceling the original reservation, the room is released into the system and could be booked by another MS rep or taken by the waiting list. Huge gamble. I did this one time in the past with banked points that were nearing expiration. I would have been in a pickle if this system was in effect.

If you have two contracts and plan to bank points, you cannot transfer banked points to the other contract. Another pickle I ran into. We were planning a DCL and I was all set to transfer some banked points from one contract into another to book the cruise.

IMHO, I would not hesitate to have multi contracts in multi locations if you have plenty of points to achieve what you want and where you want. If not, it can be a hassle.

Best of luck!

 

[sgtpet]

If you truly want to go to both resorts than owning at 2 makes sense. We initially purchased points at VWL last October with the thought process of purchasing points this year for BCV. We wanted the variety of resorts. I will not purchase anymore points. I am not too excited by the Disney Institute or Eagle Pines.

Good luck

 

[nisiemouse]

Any suggestions on what to do with say an odd 10 banked points at one resort if you own at two resorts. Do you just wait and hope you can combine them with your other resort at the 7 month window for a reservation? I am trying to decide on an add on at my home resort OKW or BCV. I just don't want any points to ever go to waste.

 

[ncligs]

nisiemouse,

Sent you a PM for your question.

 

[Mick&Min2001]

I have the same question as nisiemouse. I thought about owning at two resorts and alternating between the two every other year with banking, but what happens to those few leftover points you may have. Unless you go more than once a year I would think it would be difficult to not waste points and still keep the 11 month booking advantage at both resorts.

 

[nisiemouse]

bump

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Well, I confess that we borrow ahead enough that some left over ponts haven't really been available. But, we've also used them at the 7 month window to extend our trip a couple of days. It hasn't been a problem so far. But then, we like to combine WDW time with offsite beach time. There were two occasions where we were actually short a few points, the rent/trade board was a wonderful way to extend our trip a little bit for only a couple of points. It was a great option to have.

 

[nisiemouse]

So at 7 months I could combine say 20 points from a BCV contract with OKW points to add a night. Is this correct?

 

[Laurabearz]

We have 3 homes.... 430 pts at OKW our first love.... and the place we plan on staying the most. 170 points at BCV Love the location plan on going every two years (with the third years points slated for a cruise) and finally 270 BWV points. This one is for more for me. Girls long weekends, food and wine fest....when we want to stay where the action is extra points will go towards a cruise or rented.

As someone above said... having contracts a two or more properties is nice if you have enough at each to meet your needs. I think 150 at both BCV and BWV would be nice.... but the point about larger extended family trips does pose a problem.......

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by nisiemouse
So at 7 months I could combine say 20 points from a BCV contract with OKW points to add a night. Is this correct?

You are correct. Even if you don't have enough points in one contract to finish the last night, they will even transfer the points if banked or borrowed.

 

[luckytso]

Thanks so much for your thoughts. They made my decision much easier.

 

[Mickbee]

To add to Dean's comments. You can transfer from one account to the other. There are two issues to consider when doing so:

1.) Each account can only have ONE transfer per use year. If you transfer points from account A to B, you have used the transfer for both accounts though it appears to be one transaction. The incoming and outgoing points each count as a transfer for each account.

2.) Banked points cannot be transferred, so plan accordingly.

*** EDIT: I just re-read Dean's post. Dean, you mention that you CAN transfer banked points. I wonder if this has changed recently... I tried to do it earlier this week and they said banked points could not be transferred. I thought to myself "dahh, why didn't you know that". That's odd... Now I need to call back. I REALLY hope the MS rep didn't give me bad poop. ***

If you found that the extra (20 for the example) were not the exact amount for a nights stay and you didn't want to waste them, you could always borrow a couple to complete the night. This is far less of an impact on the follow year. If you find this is a constant issue every year, you could always pick up a very small add-on or resale at your resort of preference.

Be cautioned, adding on is very addicting...