Is owning OKW and SSR just plain foolish?

[boatboatboat]

The question here lies with this: Whether or not you love OKW or SSR seems irelevant. Why own one of them if you can book them at 7 months and less using say BCv or BWV points? I'm just throwing it around in my head. If I owned one of the small DVC's I could still stay at SSR and OKW if I chose to.


DAVE

12 MORE YEARS.

The one and only reason to own there.

Period.

You can own at ANY resort and get into SSR, you can not own at SSR and always get into another resort.

12 MORE YEARS!

But to be fair, 12 more years is HUGE.

 

[Daitcher]

I don't think owning at either OKW or SSR is foolish if you like those resorts. (I have mixed feelings about SSR, but I stayed at OKW last month, and I was very impressed.) You've made it clear that you don't care for SSR, so in your case, I definitely think you'd be a lot happier if you bought elsewhere.

You touched on an interesting issue, however. One does have a booking advantage if one owns at one of the smaller resorts. If one owned at BCV, one could book at BCV 11 months out, and one is almost guaranteed to be able to book at SSR or (for most times of year) OKW at seven months out. However, the reverse is not the case as consistently, and many feel that SSR and OKW owners will have an increasingly difficult time getting into the smaller resorts at seven months.

Even owning at a smaller resport doesn't solve everything, however. I own at VWL. If I had to stay there every time, I wouldn't be too upset. At some point, though, I'd like to give BCV a try. But even though I own at a smaller resort, my chance of getting in BCV at seven months is no better than that of an SSR owner.

Actually, that might not be 100% true. When I'm ready to try to stay at BCV, I'm going to see if I can get a BCV owner to book a week for me there in exchange for me booking a VWL week for them (perhaps an October week at BCV in exchange for an early December week at VWL, with something negotiated to account for any point difference). That wouldn't be the easiest thing to arrange, but it's worth a try. That would let me leverage my smaller-resort advantage to get into a different smaller resort before the seven-month window opens and the masses get a crack at it. In theory someone at SSR could try to get a jump on the seven-month window and do the same thing, but there's no incentive for the BCV owner to enter into such a deal with an SSR owner because the BCV owner could get into SSR without such a deal. Hmmm, maybe I'm onto something...

Thanks for getting what I'm saying here on this thread. Your thoughts are exactly what is going through my head.


DAVE

 

[OttawaWendy]

I am a new owner at SSR. Based on everything I've read, there are benefits to each, depending on personal preferences.

For OKW there is the cheapest rates, and the biggest rooms.

For SSR, there is a relatively low maintenance fee (for now at least), which comprises the bulk of total ownership costs through the life of the contract. There is also the extra 12 years. DW and I just bought SSR on resale at $78 pp. When you think about the price per point per year, that compares with something like$70 pp for the others (sorry, don't have access to the spreadsheet now). At some point in the future those extra years will eclipse the preferred value of the small resorts and make SSR points more valuable on resale. Whether that will happen in 2012 or 2032 is a complete unknown, though.

 

[dianeschlicht]

One point you are overlooking, Dave, is that IF another huge on-site DVC gets built, OKW will become more difficult to get into because of the lower points needed for a stay. It will take quite a few more building projects to effect SSR the same way because of the eventual size. I always thought that perhaps SSR would be the last new on-site DVC because of how large they made it. I keep thinking the next new announcement will be off-site.

 

[Jen D]

I personally wouldn't make any move to sell until all this hysteria about lack of availability at the 7-month window comes to pass. Sometimes on these boards the fears and worst case scenarios get repeated so much that it becomes an article of faith. So many people have stated, over and over, that SSR will cause there to be no availability at other DVCs at the 7 month window that now it is as if it has already happened. But we really haven't been reading those stories. People are generally able to book at other resorts, if they are flexible. You may not get BCV the first week of December, and you may have to wait list, but generally you have options. Dave, you yourself have stated many times that you have had no problems with 7 month window booking, but now you've changed your tune, has B3 spooked you? You used to always say Buy Where You Want to Stay was a conspiracy cooked up by owners who didn't want other people booking their resort!

I'm personally glad I have the 11 month advantage for SSR grand villas. Even if we proceed with a BWV add-on, we'd probably never book their GVs because they are way too many points.

Part of the reason I hesitated on BCV when Disney was selling was because they don't have GVs. I'll probably only get one every 5 years or so but I did want them available at my home resort.

Also, SSR and OKW maintenance fees will probably always be a bit lower than the hotel-style DVCs. Since maintenance fees will be the biggest cost over the life of the contract, I'd say owning at a DVC with lower fees is definitely not foolish.

Good luck and I hope you find a solution that brings you some peace.

 

[JimC]

We think all of the DVC resorts have great themes (all WDW resorts for that matter). So setting themes aside here is my take on it:

OKW has large villas, the only condo style resort, lowest point requirements, low maintenance fees, Olivias and a great resort to walk around.

SSR has the 12 extra years, low maintenance fees, an easy walk to DD and a great resort to walk around.

The other resorts advantages are specific locations adjacent to theme parks, restaurants and the like. BCV adds SAB which we still say is the best pool on property.

I still say buy where you want to spend the majority of your time. If you don't care then buy where it will cost you the least. Buy SSR if the 12 extra years are important.

 

[Toxman]

Just a thought, but couldn't you also say that it is foolish to purchase a contract for full price at an older resort that has already had a quarter of it use already gone? It seems to go both ways and the main point is that you should buy what will work best for you family.

 

[mikesmom]

There is a on-site bar?

right?

B3.: That's why you have DVC, remember? You BRING the onsite bar!

 

[JimMIA]

Is owning OKW and SSR just plain foolish?

No.

Thanks,
DAVE

Welcome

 

[boatboatboat]

flask are your friend.

just bring your pop century mug circa 1998 get some lemonaid, and glug glug

INSTANT VACATION!

Heck if I was staying at SSR, I would just bring the half gallon of whiskey poolside.

 

[Rozzie]

The lucky people are the ones who believe SSR is the best resort, and own there. They have the best of all worlds. The own where they will be staying, and will do so for 12 more years then the rest of us.

that's right!

to those who are really getting peeved at the anti-SSR threads: let them roll. If you really truly love your resort like I do, you will come to realize that this can only be bonus. Last minute trips, adding on nights, are ours to enjoy!!!

 

[boatboatboat]

Rozzie Last minute trips, adding on nights, are ours to enjoy!!!

<bites lip>

 

[Rozzie]

<bites lip>

ain't skeered B3, let er' rip!!!!!!!!!!

 

[boatboatboat]

IMO you are smart.

You have 12 years, and I have NO DOUBT, last min trips to your "home" will evvvvvvvvvver be a problem.

In fact, I heard DVC will be contracting with Ding, to do last min. web specials at SSR.

airfare 2 nights in a studio (max 9 people), 2 cases of pabst blue ribbon, for 200 bucks a person.

 

[Rozzie]

IMO you are smart.

You have 12 years, and I have NO DOUBT, last min trips to your "home" will evvvvvvvvvver be a problem.

In fact, I heard DVC will be contracting with Ding, to do last min. web specials at SSR.

airfare 2 nights in a studio (max 9 people), 2 cases of pabst blue ribbon, for 200 bucks a person.

oooooh! 2 cases of PBR????? Whoa, that might last all through dinner, now that is a bargain!!!!!! LMAO B3! Keep it comin'!!

 

[Daitcher]

Dave, you yourself have stated many times that you have had no problems with 7 month window booking, but now you've changed your tune, has B3 spooked you? You used to always say Buy Where You Want to Stay was a conspiracy cooked up by owners who didn't want other people booking their resort!

Good luck and I hope you find a solution that brings you some peace.

Thanks for the boatboat boatload of great thoughts everyone.

JenD, man you are good. You aren't supposed to remember that stuff. It is true, I have had great success booking at 7 months. I'm hitting up all the DVC options minus SSR and HH this year. All have been booked at 7 months, most less. Yes, B3 man and others have me a little paranoid about being only able to stay at SSR in the future. Also, the only argument I buy here about keeping SSR is those 12 extra years. Those do have quite a value.

Basically, I think where I'm at is too keep my SSR contract and spread around the "love" at 7 months until SSR is done selling. That will give me plenty of chance to see if the 7 month bookings are still working. If they aren't I'm out and on to something else.

Thank you all for helping me reach this conclusion.

DAVE

 

[lts862]

IMO you are smart.

You have 12 years, and I have NO DOUBT, last min trips to your "home" will evvvvvvvvvver be a problem.

In fact, I heard DVC will be contracting with Ding, to do last min. web specials at SSR.

airfare 2 nights in a studio (max 9 people), 2 cases of pabst blue ribbon, for 200 bucks a person.

You usually make me crazy, but I truly am LOL at this!!! You are a card!

 

[Disneyhappy]

No one seems to mention the Spa and gym at SSR. The Spa and gym were a big factor for us combined with being away from the hustle and bustle of things . I think the spa and gym offerings are better than the other DVC properties that offer them. DH and I envision many non-park trips once we are finally empty nesters. We love Disney but with SSR, we feel we can enjoy Disney without the crowds of the parks. DTD is right next store. Next Janaury, I am having an extended girl's weekend where we plan to enjoy full days at the spa and go strut our stuff at night in DTD! The 12 extra years are a bonus

 

[simzac]

The advantage I see of owning at OKW is that if the day comes that we can only get ressies at our home resorts(7 mo is always unavailable at all resorts), and yes, this may happen, then I will be locked into the resort I like the best, and which cost me the fewest points to boot. We visited BCV, BWV, and VWL on our trip in January, and only VWL caught our eye, did not care for BC or BW at all, but OKW most closely matches the resort on WDW property we love the most, CBR, so that's why we bought there.

 

[Dean]

Just a thought, but couldn't you also say that it is foolish to purchase a contract for full price at an older resort that has already had a quarter of it use already gone? It seems to go both ways and the main point is that you should buy what will work best for you family.

It depends. What's past and what you missed out on really has no meaning. The question is does it make sense for you at today's prices and options. If the answer is clearly yes, don't let what could have been spoil what is still best for you and your family. OTOH, the break even point swill be much harder to get with a shorter usage and higher price.

As for owning OKW or SSR, it really depends. I won't repeat a full range of pros and cons, just a few thoughts. Owning either makes sense if you want to stay there consistently, esp if you want a 3 BR or higher demand times. Also, both are likely to have lower dues on average than the smaller resorts other than possibly HH. At 7 months a point is a point though I'd have to question the wisdom of buying if you can't plan at least a full 7 months out. IMO, buying either is not worth it for the current price differences JUST to get cheaper points. But if you don't mind staying at your home resort and want to try multiple different resorts over time, they are the perfect choice for WDW options. And if one is thinking about selling and buying say BCV or BWV; the cost trade off is likely not worth it unless you can find a private transaction AND do the closing yourself.