Just about ready to buy, some ?'s

[IleneF]

Well, I'm just about ready to buy. I just am not sure on a couple of things that I knew you all would have the answers to so....

1. How do I know I'm getting enough points. Since I travel mostly off peak and don't need to do weekends it looks like 150 points will be enough. Am I limiting myself too much? How do you add points later if you want to. And if I do add points like say at BCV do I get to book my whole trip 11 mos out even though some of the points used may be from a resort other than BCV as home.

2. Does it really matter if I purchase somewhere other than where I really want to stay? I am thinking of purchasing points from Vero Beach as I saw deals for $65/point rather than $80 at BCV. I would get 150 for much less total sum. But we like to stay at BCV, does it really make a difference?

Thanks for your help.

 

[BCVOwner2002]

I'm fairly new to this but here are my thoughts . . .

1. if you plan on going during non-peak times then 150 pts should be enough. Don't forget, you can always do an add-on if you need more points.

2. the advantage of your home resort is that you can book a reservation 11 mos out rather than having to wait 7 mos to book at another resort. So if you buy at VB you can would not be able to make a reservation at BCV until 7 mos from your date of departure.

 

[Merilyn]

It can make a difference with your 7/11 month booking window. I would buy where you want to stay most. I have OKW and have just recently bought at VB. I really wanted that 11 month window at VB so I can stay in a cottage. If you only need a studio or 1 bedroom it will more than likely be OK at 7 months, but I wouldn't bank on it. Have you tried the timeshare store for a better deal at a WDW resort? Just remember that 7/11 month booking window can mean the difference in vacationing anytime you want or only in off times.

 

[Towncrier]

Hi Ilene!!!

You can only use the 11 month booking window at a resort where you own the points. If you have to combine points from another resort, you would have to book those days at the 7 month window. What a lot of people do to get around this is to use the bank and borrow method to save up enough points to stay at one of their home resorts every other year.

If you own 150 points at BCV and 150 points at VB, you could do the following:

1) Bank your VB points from 2002 into 2003.
2) Borrow your BCV points from 2003.

Now you have 300 points to use in 2002 at BCV in the 11 month window.

In 2003 you will have 300 points to use at VB in the 11 month window.

You repeat this process and you can have the advantage of owning at two resorts without having to be concerned about the 11/7 reservation window.

If there is one phrase that is repeated over and over on the DVC boards, it's to make certain that you buy where you want to stay.

BTW - The answer to your question "Is 150 points enough?". I think that most DVCers would agree that you can never have too many points (except when dues time rolls around). It sounds like 150 points is a good starting point for you.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me.

 

[sitchu2]

Hello,

I noticed a 210 point bcv resale today for 70 a point . Shontell Crawford had it listed as the property of the month. Maybe this is the awnser.

 

[jimmytammy]

I am new to this bu here is my opinion of your situation since it closely relates to mine:

1. Buy the 150 pts (like we did) we like to travel during less pts. used means longer stays times (early Dec.) but bear in mind we have only been members since Feb. 2002 andalready added-on to a total of 220 pts. If you go this route keep up with asking price for pts. and get them before they go up(probably in 6-12 mos. time frame)

2. Buy where you know you will want to stay the most because of 11 mos. booking and try to get the $ figure out of mind. I know that sounds crazy but you really need to consider where you get the most benefit out of DVC for your personal tastes.

With all the vast experience of the vets ( the ones with lots and lots of posts, not like me) you can get some really good answers and I would suggest to go with the those that give you much th same answers all the way through.

At any rate good luck and hope to be telling you Welcome Home soon!

 

[sitchu2]

Ilene,
The property of the month listed today was BCV , Now that property is
listed as sale pending and there is a BWV property listed. Hope you can find what you want somewhere.
If you were to buy BCV at 80 a point you could rent your 2002 points
for 10 a point easily to recoup the cost. Keep asking questioins and
keep digging . There is so much you can do.

1-800-844-4099 Wow! Our "Property of the Month" Disney's Vacation
This was the number of Shontell Crawford I think the web page is www.vacationsbyresale.com

Good Luck Felicia

 

[Richyams]

Also understand something else about VB. It has been a serious dissapointment to Disney. Their experience there caused them to shy away from ever building off site again. The resort is only a shadow of its original design because of poor sales.

It has the highest MB for a reason.

It is an absolutely beautiful resort, truly one of the finest in the world, but buying there to save money upfront would be silly. The higher dues will eat up your savings in a few years.

A much better way to get in for substantially less money is a resale. You can buy an OKW resale for well under $70 per point and pay almost $1 less per point in dues.

This would also give you OKW as a home resort, the crown jewel of DVC, many consider it to be the only 'true' DVC resort.

 

[DVC Daisy]

Ilene,

Glad you made it over here! I sent you an e-mail regarding your potential purchase!


Deb in CA