Is purchasing Hilton Head resale a bad idea?

[larissawbb]

We are considering buying Hilton Head resale for about 300 points. We would go to Hilton Head every other year. On the off year we would go to Disney World. We have been paying cash through CRO and renting points for the last three years for one bedroom villas. Should the higher maintenance fees deter us? The other option that we are considering is AKL. Would love to hear anyone's thoughts?

 

[disneynutz]

If HH is difficult to book and you intend to vacation there regularly I would buy there. Can you buy 150 at HH and 150 at your favorite WDW resort and bank and borrow for 300 points at both locations?

Bill

 

[larissawbb]

If HH is difficult to book and you intend to vacation there regularly I would buy there. Can you buy 150 at HH and 150 at your favorite WDW resort and bank and borrow for 300 points at both locations?

Bill

We could do that! 150 would get us into HH during the summer and we could buy 150 AKL then bank and borrow. That's actually a really good plan. I was also nervous that Disney would recind resort hopping privileges. It's been popping up now on multiple boards that the DVC guides have been saying stuff like that.

 

[disneynutz]

We could do that! 150 would get us into HH during the summer and we could buy 150 AKL then bank and borrow. That's actually a really good plan. I was also nervous that Disney would recind resort hopping privileges. It's been popping up now on multiple boards that the DVC guides have been saying stuff like that.

Sure the sales person wants to scare you into buying direct! What you call hopping privileges is a contracted item that can't change.

Bill

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

We could do that! 150 would get us into HH during the summer and we could buy 150 AKL then bank and borrow. That's actually a really good plan. I was also nervous that Disney would recind resort hopping privileges. It's been popping up now on multiple boards that the DVC guides have been saying stuff like that.

By "resort hopping", you mean using your DVC points to stay at other DVC resorts (like using HHI points to stay at AKL)? As opposed to "pool hopping", which means staying at AKV and using the pool at SSR while you are staying there?

If that's what you mean, then Bill is correct. Those who have read the paperwork agree that blocking resale owners from booking at other DVC resorts while allowing direct owners to do so is probably not legal (myself included). If Disney tried to do this, I'm pretty sure a big lawsuit would be forthcoming. In addition, blocking AKV resale owners from booking at SSR would actually cause huge problems for direct owners as well and would limit direct owners' ability to book outside their home resort.

As Bill says, the guides are just trying to strong-arm you into purchasing direct, and it seems like it's working to some degree.

"Pool hopping", on the other hand, is likely not protected and could probably be taken away, but I think a relatively low value perk.

 

[njmeisje]

HHI resale is an amazing buy IMHO. If you plan to go yearly or eoy in the summer, buying into HHI is a great idea. We love our HHI points.

 

[larissawbb]

By "resort hopping", you mean using your DVC points to stay at other DVC resorts (like using HHI points to stay at AKL)? As opposed to "pool hopping", which means staying at AKV and using the pool at SSR while you are staying there?

If that's what you mean, then Bill is correct. Those who have read the paperwork agree that blocking resale owners from booking at other DVC resorts while allowing direct owners to do so is probably not legal (myself included). If Disney tried to do this, I'm pretty sure a big lawsuit would be forthcoming. In addition, blocking AKV resale owners from booking at SSR would actually cause huge problems for direct owners as well and would limit direct owners' ability to book outside their home resort.

As Bill says, the guides are just trying to strong-arm you into purchasing direct, and it seems like it's working to some degree.

"Pool hopping", on the other hand, is likely not protected and could probably be taken away, but I think a relatively low value perk.

I'm sorry , I meant using HHI points to stay at AKL. Pool hopping isn't even on our agenda. Its a relief to know we can use resale points at other resorts.

 

[kristenrice]

We go to HHI every three years and stay in a 1BR for 5 nights in April. We own 50 points there and use 135 for each trip. Sometimes, our trip falls over Easter which can be difficult to get at 7 months, which is why we chose to buy at HHI. The resort only has 21 1BR units so we really need the 11-month window to help secure our desired reservations.
The thing to remember with HHI is if you are planning to go there regularly, then it is important to own there. If you go to WDW and have to wait until 7 months out to book, you have a LOT of options to choose from. At HHI, there is only ONE option and if it fills before 7 months, you will have no other option.

 

[ldo]

for summer months, resale HHI makes sense. If you only need a 1 BR, I recommend you start with 150 DVC HHI for a year, looking for a loaded contract with last year's points to bank for next year's trip (even if you have to shave off one weekend night), then borrow the following year to stay at AKL. If, after 2 years, you still love DVC, then you can buy a resale AKV contract for the next year. Also 150 points might be a higher price, but much easier to sell, if you need, later.
We also love DVC HHI, but found that after a few years, our family's vacation style changed. We haven't stayed there for 2 years now, but have used the points at AKV instead.

 

[larissawbb]

We go to HHI every three years and stay in a 1BR for 5 nights in April. We own 50 points there and use 135 for each trip. Sometimes, our trip falls over Easter which can be difficult to get at 7 months, which is why we chose to buy at HHI. The resort only has 21 1BR units so we really need the 11-month window to help secure our desired reservations.
The thing to remember with HHI is if you are planning to go there regularly, then it is important to own there. If you go to WDW and have to wait until 7 months out to book, you have a LOT of options to choose from. At HHI, there is only ONE option and if it fills before 7 months, you will have no other option.

It's good to know about the limited one bedroom villas. You also make an excellent point about the need for 11 months at HHI but the extra options at Disney World at 7 months. We are also starting to transition from November to mis January for our trips to WDW. I don't think there's as much DVC competition for that time period.

 

[larissawbb]

for summer months, resale HHI makes sense. If you only need a 1 BR, I recommend you start with 150 DVC HHI for a year, looking for a loaded contract with last year's points to bank for next year's trip (even if you have to shave off one weekend night), then borrow the following year to stay at AKL. If, after 2 years, you still love DVC, then you can buy a resale AKV contract for the next year. Also 150 points might be a higher price, but much easier to sell, if you need, later.
We also love DVC HHI, but found that after a few years, our family's vacation style changed. We haven't stayed there for 2 years now, but have used the points at AKV instead.

This could be a really good method to try DVC. Thanks

 

[Dean]

We are considering buying Hilton Head resale for about 300 points. We would go to Hilton Head every other year. On the off year we would go to Disney World. We have been paying cash through CRO and renting points for the last three years for one bedroom villas. Should the higher maintenance fees deter us? The other option that we are considering is AKL. Would love to hear anyone's thoughts?

For HH during a busier time it's a reasonable option though I'm inclined to look at 2 contracts of around 150 points each in that situation or something similar with enough points in 2 years to do what you need..