Is owning OKW and SSR just plain foolish?

[Jen D]

JenD, man you are good. You aren't supposed to remember that stuff.
DAVE

Hey, I read all the SSR threads before I bought! You've always been very free with your opinion. And I appreciated reading all the different SSR reviews before I bought, good and bad.

We'll see how this 7 month thing shakes out. Since I do like SSR I'm not too worried about it but I do want to be able to try the other resorts on a regular basis; maybe I'm naive or overly optimistic but I still believe I'll be able to do that. I don't mind a wait list every now and then, keeps me on my toes.

 

[Beca]

The question I want opinions on is this: How does it make any sense to own SSR or OKW? /QUOTE]

In all honesty, does it make sense to own at any resort. You can buy/rent points at $8 to $12 a point, with $10 being the norm. Its cheaper and the upfront money that you didn't spend and could have been better invested. Apparently we all have more money then brains.

Also, I know some people don't seem to get it, but there are members who actually prefer SSR and OKW over BWV and BCV. Strange I know for some to accept, but they are out there.

This is one of the smartest posts I have seen in a long time!!! It is so true...with rental rates being what they are, it hardly makes ANY sense to own.

Beca

 

[boatboatboat]

Someone should start a thread about rental rates.

I have some thoughts in that area........

 

[Jen D]

Someone should start a thread about rental rates.

I have some thoughts in that area........

Talk about beating a dead horse! Put that one in the ground and bury it!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Those 2 large resorts have availablity almost all of the time. I don't see an advantage to owning those resorts. I can get into either one of them almost right up to the last minute. Home resort priority seems meaningless at those 2 unless you must have a grand villa. Even then BWV has GV.

We love OKW and love the advantage of being able to book a GV especially. We're planning a big family trip for next year and I feel much more confident knowing I have home court advantage.
As for getting in last minute...I've had no luck getting in at OKW last minute :
1) end of Oct '02 called for OKW availbility for the middle of the Dec
2) end of Oct '03, called 3 months out and no availability.
3) called middle of August for availability for early Nov '04 (I was on the waitlist for this one and it never came through).
4) just this past month, called end of Feb for a stay around March 25-31
I've had no luck at OKW during any of these times. Just my personal experience.
I think there's alot of value in owning at OKW. We have limited interest in staying at the other resorts. Sure it's nice to try them out once in awhile, but generally we prefer our stays at OKW for many reasons.

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.

Agreed simzac. Or if DVC stopped members from staying at non-home resorts, then I know I'm where we are most happy.

 

[tjhsr]

Having SSR as our home resort makes sense for us emptynesters who only go to the parks for short visits.But we do like to walk over to DTD almost every night.And we won't use the smaller resorts just not our thing.We can spend days just hanging out at the pools and relaxing.It really is a vacation home for us.And if 1 or both of our adult kids want to go with us at the last min. we can add a rm with little trouble.
But for you owning at one or more of the other smaller resort would make the most sense.No more worries about the 7month booking window.But I also think you do have 2 to 3 yrs before you would have to do something.

 

[Rozzie]

Apparently we all have more money then brains.

we need this saying on the B3 and Dave fan club t-shirts!!!

This is instant classic! I just love it! Where is the tag fairy for things like this???

 

[Beca]

we need this saying on the B3 and Dave fan club t-shirts!!!

This is instant classic! I just love it! Where is the tag fairy for things like this???

Oh, that's it!!! I'm gonna change my profile right now!!!



Beca

 

[Beca]

We love OKW and love the advantage of being able to book a GV especially. We're planning a big family trip for next year and I feel much more confident knowing I have home court advantage.
As for getting in last minute...I've had no luck getting in at OKW last minute :
1) end of Oct '02 called for OKW availbility for the middle of the Dec
2) end of Oct '03, called 3 months out and no availability.
3) called middle of August for availability for early Nov '04 (I was on the waitlist for this one and it never came through).
4) just this past month, called end of Feb for a stay around March 25-31
I've had no luck at OKW during any of these times. Just my personal experience.

Hey Mia...I'm just curious. I don't know if you remember any of this, or if the info would even be relevant (some of those stays were a long time ago...in DVC years ), but do you remember what was available when you called on any of those occasions?



Beca

 

[MiaSRN62]

but do you remember what was available when you called on any of those occasions?

Hi Beca~
Starting with the most recent......
my phone call at the end of this Feb resulted in only availability (for the full 6 night stay) at SSR. Now granted, this was at about 30 days out. Didn't want SSR owners to think we didn't want to stay here, but rather we just decided to go this August instead due to other reasons.

My experience in 2004 resulted in there being absolutely no availability anywhere ! This was the one I was most frantic about because I had points in holding. I called repeatedly for availability anywhere and there was none---even SSR---for the week of Nov 1-6, 2004. I called right up until the day before check-in (directly to the OKW front desk). The OKW CM apologized and told me that OKW had been "booked for months". I really think Halloween/F&W time period is very popular with all DVC resorts not just BWV/BCV. I'm sure those two resorts book quicker, but I'm telling you OKW was booked at least 3 months prior and who knows how much earlier than that before for the first week of Nov in '04.

And I'll be honest, I don't recall the details of my calls during '02 and '03. I *believe* I only asked about OKW during those specific dates because I had very limited amount of points left (due to using most on a disney cruise), so I recall I was looking to spend the least amount of points ? But honestly, I can't recall the specifics. The mind is the first to go Beca.........

 

[Daitcher]

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.

Those are good points, lower points combined with that awesome atmosphere make OKW a winner.


DAVE

 

[Daitcher]

Hey, I read all the SSR threads before I bought! You've always been very free with your opinion. And I appreciated reading all the different SSR reviews before I bought, good and bad.

We'll see how this 7 month thing shakes out. Since I do like SSR I'm not too worried about it but I do want to be able to try the other resorts on a regular basis; maybe I'm naive or overly optimistic but I still believe I'll be able to do that. I don't mind a wait list every now and then, keeps me on my toes.

Thanks Jen and lets keep our fingers crossed. A big part of me believes the program has worked for 15 years now and will continue to do so.


DAVE

 

[Daitcher]

Talk about beating a dead horse! Put that one in the ground and bury it!

What really needs to put in the ground and buried are the people renting for less than $15. We'l dig them up on the pirates cruise and the Albatross cruise. Great fun for the kids. Anywhoo.......... owning SSR or OKW good or bad?


DAVE

 

[Daitcher]

we need this saying on the B3 and Dave fan club t-shirts!!!

This is instant classic! I just love it! Where is the tag fairy for things like this???

I am going to use the money from the fan club to finance my next add on at one of the smaller DVC Resorts. Then I'm going to Broadway with the boat. We'll do a stand up act entitled "Oh Saratoga".


DAVE

 

[DVC Sadie]

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!!!

Yep, I agree with you a 100%. Plus, I have found in my life there are people who are never truly happy with any choice that they have made.

 

[Beca]

Hi Beca~
Starting with the most recent......
my phone call at the end of this Feb resulted in only availability (for the full 6 night stay) at SSR. Now granted, this was at about 30 days out. Didn't want SSR owners to think we didn't want to stay here, but rather we just decided to go this August instead due to other reasons.

My experience in 2004 resulted in there being absolutely no availability anywhere ! This was the one I was most frantic about because I had points in holding. I called repeatedly for availability anywhere and there was none---even SSR---for the week of Nov 1-6, 2004. I called right up until the day before check-in (directly to the OKW front desk). The OKW CM apologized and told me that OKW had been "booked for months". I really think Halloween/F&W time period is very popular with all DVC resorts not just BWV/BCV. I'm sure those two resorts book quicker, but I'm telling you OKW was booked at least 3 months prior and who knows how much earlier than that before for the first week of Nov in '04.

And I'll be honest, I don't recall the details of my calls during '02 and '03. I *believe* I only asked about OKW during those specific dates because I had very limited amount of points left (due to using most on a disney cruise), so I recall I was looking to spend the least amount of points ? But honestly, I can't recall the specifics. The mind is the first to go Beca.........

Thanks, Mia!!

I'll see you guys in a week!!!



Beca

 

[greenban]

OKW has become my surprise favourite as well, and the fact that Tony and wife will be my neighbours has sealed the deal.

The feeling is mutual my friend!

What city this month?

-Tony

 

[greenban]

The question I want opinions on is this: How does it make any sense to own SSR or OKW? /QUOTE]

In all honesty, does it make sense to own at any resort. You can buy/rent points at $8 to $12 a point, with $10 being the norm. Its cheaper and the upfront money that you didn't spend and could have been better invested. Apparently we all have more money then brains.

Also, I know some people don't seem to get it, but there are members who actually prefer SSR and OKW over BWV and BCV. Strange I know for some to accept, but they are out there.

In my case NOT owning IS foolish!

I purchased all of my points through a corporation. Esentially 40% of of all costs and maintenance fees. Taxes and other ownership expenses are tax deductible (Rental Fees are taxable, however ).

My first purchases were all well under $70 a point with all expenses added BEFORE tax advantages were applied.

Of course, I'm the exception, not the rule.

And whats wrong with VB at $59.00?

-Tony

 

[DrTomorrow]

Thanks Jen and lets keep our fingers crossed. A big part of me believes the program has worked for 15 years now and will continue to do so.

DAVE

Awwww. I knew it - deep down, Dave is a hopeful optimist!

DrT Daitcher


BTW - as true Fool (remember, Fools were the only ones allowed to tell Kings and Queens the truth) I'm curious how the dues at the various resorts would factor in.....

 

[spiceycat]

you are acting like the maintence fees are all the same - they aren't....

OKW are high right now - someone says it is because of the GV needing new floors????

so I am expecting there to be no raise at all next year - that was what happened last time.

if there is an increase next year. Hey I think all OKW owners should write an email to DVC DEMANDING room service - if you are paying as much maintence fees as BWV, BCV or VWL - then we should DEFINITELY have room service.... My opinion.....

they can't charge us the same fees as you guys because they don't give us the same stuff.....

in fact they are making several OKW employees move to SSR - (they weren't happy about this fact - or I probably won't have heard)

Now if I was unhappy at OKW then I might agree with you.

but I already own a tiny piece at BWV and VWL for those hard to get times.... You can do the same.

I like - no love OKW. It is peacefully, relaxing and the parks are just a bus ride away.....

yes I could sell OKW and get all my points in one of the others that you mentioned but why.

I love my home resort - it has lower point cost so I get to kept my points longer and it is what I love.

besides when I bring a guest those 2 beds at OKW are alot better - a whole lot better than the bed and sleeper sofa at the other resorts... (this includes the 1-bedroom at all DVC resorts)