Just purchased 200+200 pts at SSR...was that a mistake?

[Lexxiefern]

Congratulations on your purchase! I was able to book BWV for April only 5 months out and just booked BCV for july.

 

[Slakk]

However if you want certain times of the year or a specific room type, you may have more problems. You are at risk for not being able to get in for Spring Break/Easter, summer holiday, Thanksgiving and most if not all of Dec. And if you want a 2 BR dedicated, you are unlikely to be successful much of the year. It's likely as DVC grows it will become more difficult and over a larger time frame. Still, if you call day by day at 7 months and wait list day by day, you will likely be successful most of the time. Make sure you always make a reservation at your home resort as early in the 11 month window as possible just in case.

I got a dedicated 2BR at VWL at the 7 month mark for 1/18-22, there was availability at BCV as well.

 

[Dean]

I got a dedicated 2BR at VWL at the 7 month mark for 1/18-22, there was availability at BCV as well.

No question even within the times I mentioned, availability will vary by year, luck, etc and even then some of those times are harder than others. However, limited reports of success change nothing other than that if you're the one who plays the system you're far more likely to be successful than the next person in line. And the more SSR (? even Eagle Pines) points that come on board the harder those times will become.

 

[Slakk]

No question even within the times I mentioned, availability will vary by year, luck, etc and even then some of those times are harder than others. However, limited reports of success change nothing other than that if you're the one who plays the system you're far more likely to be successful than the next person in line. And the more SSR (? even Eagle Pines) points that come on board the harder those times will become.

Agreed to a point. I have the expectation that I have which is wherever I stay will be fine. Personally I wanted SSR - my mom wanted to try VWL. I so far like SSR best but none of them are bad.

Many of us SSRers actually like SSR so I don't think it is going to be as bad as many think. Honestly once AKV comes around my BCV and VWL points will be used there - I will more than likely stick to SSR and AKV at that point.

 

[dumbo71]

Not much to add here as other have covererd it well.

Only thing I feel is that these guides need to stop selling SSR so guest can stay at BCV. A forthcoming guide would have been clear and stated that ressies at 7 months are subject to availability, you are competing with all owners, and can be tough to come by.

The guide also should have offered the OP, BCV points, if that is what they really wanted and where they wanted to stay most of the time.

Edit: Who is your guide?

 

[Dean]

Agreed to a point. I have the expectation that I have which is wherever I stay will be fine.

IMO, anyone who is happy where ever but maybe wants to try different ones over time will be fine owning anywhere on site and probably off site as well. The caveat is always that they are able and willing to pan and reserve day by day at 9 am for the higher demand times. They should also become proficient with the wait list. However, someone who wants a specific resort or resorts all the time during high demand times OR other more difficult to get items such as I mentioned to include BW view and standard view; are nuts to complicate their life by not owning where they want to stay. The $$ savings is simply not enough to justify taking that approach. If the cost elsewhere were 50%, that could be different. And it's certainly not worth the minor difference for SSR just to get the extra 12 years if you're going to have to fight and worry every time you go to reserve.

 

[Dean]

Not much to add here as other have covererd it well.

Only thing I feel is that these guides need to stop selling SSR so guest can stay at BCV. A forthcoming guide would have been clear and stated that ressies at 7 months are subject to availability, you are competing with all owners, and can be tough to come by.

The guide also should have offered the OP, BCV points, if that is what they really wanted and where they wanted to stay most of the time.

Edit: Who is your guide?

They are sales people, don't expect this to change. It has happened ever since there were two resorts. I know people who bought BWV points but wanted OKW. It was esp rampant with VB and HH within the last 2 years of their sales marathon. And while I'd agree the guides can be a little misleading when they're talking with someone who isn't otherwise educated, the responsibility must be back on the buyer to read the rules and investigate what they are spending their money on.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

I think you did a good thing. we had no problem getting in BWV for F&W fest. Although I disliked my stay at BWV I would say you made a reat purchase! CONGRATS!

 

[Disney MAINEiac]

I think you made a great decision. If you stay in 1bdrm units it seems easier to get into BCV than if you use the studios, Just my experience. You may find you like SSR if you stay there though, it is quite nice. and i agree spliting the contracts is a good idea. welcome aboard

 

["Got Disney"]

Thanks everyone...and Happy New Year's Eve..
When we made the purchase she never mentioned to us that we could also purchase BCV. If that was the case than we sould have bought 200 of each.

Is there not a waiting list for purchasing for those certain resorts? I am looking forward to trying all the resorts and hoping that SSR will become our new favorite. The reasones are many why we like the BC; it's very bright inside and out,not dark like some of the resorts, close to MGM(our favorite park) Also close to Epcot. The pool. The Restaurants.

We will buy our next points for BCV so we have a better chance on getting in but first we will try SSR because may like it there so much and want to stay there more so will purchase more points from there...who knows.

The reviews on SSR have been Great on thses boards.....some are saying that it is Disneys best kept secret...who else has stayed there?

Is it also better to purchase at more than one place or better to just purchase when on sale? If I purchase also at the BCV that we would get the lower points to stay correct?

 

[Pluto 2]

no you did a wonderful thing. dont worry about the 7 month window. what you do you make your reservations at ssr at 11 month, than at the seven month window you change it to the resort you want to stay at. i have never had a problem at the 7 month window. sometimes you will at food and wine and christmas. since i have been a dvc member i been to wdw 5 different times, each time i have been to a differnt dvc resort.

have fun and welcome home and enjoy those low maint fees at ssr

 

["Got Disney"]

You have all been very helpfull....reading so many threads can swing you so many ways...looking forward to trying SSR, even if just to see what all the hoopla is about SSR...some like it some don't, and so on...seems to be the talk of the town.

 

[lisaviolet]

What is "just purchased?" Because there is a time period where you can make a change. (10 days/14 days) And even if you are past that, and it hasn't closed yet, I would phone up and tell her that you would like to change one of the contracts to BCV if that is what you truly want and that you didn't realize they sell "soldout" resorts. You could even try talking to a manager if your guide won't budge or doesn't acknowledge selling other resorts (some don't even when pushed....I've read stories). It's worth a try. If they can't, they can't. But geez this is a large important purchase. And they are not losing money. Nothing is being straightout cancelled.

If you do decide to want some BCV points be very firm that you know they sell "soldout" resorts, you know about the waiting list for BCV and that is what you want 200 at SSR, 200 at BCV. (knowing that BCV is at $95 not $86 a point) You could also buy a lower point amount for BCV to break even if necessary.

I just think that you seem very clear that it is your desire to own at BCV. If one resort feels like "home" and you absolutely love it and you are a planner (b/c at 7 months everyone is equal and "home" doesn't matter) I would push that.

SSR is fine. Your purchase is wonderful. You will get BCV reservations at some point. I got some this summer at less than five months out. But really..... 200 BCV is what you want. Go for it. You will not regret pushing for what you really want.

All the best. Congratulations either way. And Welcome Home!!!!!

Lisa

 

[3DisneyKids]

[QUOTE="Got Disney";16125590]Thanks everyone for being soooo helpfull
Am looking forward to paying off my points fast and buying more so we can use some for cruising and some for resorts. Gotta say though only issue with more points is the associaton fee....that will keep going up every year and that is a drag mostly when you have alot of points...

[/QUOTE]

Welcome home! And good job buying 2 contracts instead of one large one! Smart buyer!

FYI--paying for a cruise on points is not at all cost-effective. The most economical use of your points is to stay at DVC resorts. If you want, you can rent some points (a whole different topic) once in a while and use the cash from the rental to put toward a cruise, and that will be much more cost-effective. Keep reading the threads here and you will learn all of the tips and tricks and how to best use your points, etc.

P.S. We love, love, love SSR!

 

[3pirates]

Hi! Fancy meeting you here!

The dues are a bummer, but we've had our DVC for so long we're just used to it. I strongly suggest you just let them autodraft you. We didn't finance our actual purchases. It's painless that way, and we really don't even notice the money going out.

Also, the trade for the cruise may/may not be good, I haven't priced it out lately. Here was our way of thinking...within three years of buying our first contract we had recouped over half of our cost by taking our (then smaller) family to WDW twice (we got in for the free park passes) and on a cruise. We figure we had recouped our investment in five years, and now everything other than the dues is bonus! Since we first bought thirteen years ago, you can see why we are so big on the whole thing!

 

[Beca]

That said, how realistic is it to think that you'd want to stay in the BCV every trip for the resot of your life when there is such a wonderful variety of different experiences available by trying different resorts?

Hey....I resemble that remark!!!