Looking at buying DVC - of course dh has questions!

[wannabee princess]

We are Disney lovers who have taken a few trips there (most recentlyin the two years - April 03, Dec 03 and July 04), but until this past trip, we have never discussed DVC crazy: I know!).

After a few days at Vero, we started talking about how we would love to start making this our "home away from home". Well, I have been doing as much reading here on DIS as I can, I have requested the info from Disney and I continually check the resale listings wondering how soon that info from Disney will arrive (dh wants to read the material before we "jump in").

Now for the question -

How do you know what property to buy at if you have never stayed there or visited it?

I am definitely planning points for VB because we know it and know that we want to return there (hopefully at least once a year), but we also love to spend time at the World, so I am thinking we may want to have points there too - so we can utilize the 11 month window.

So, after reading how hard some of the resorts are to get into, I am afraid of not having the points at the right resort! But, since I have never visited (much less stayed) at the properties in Orlando (we do stay onsite, just not in the home away from home resorts) I'm not sure how to decide.

Also, I guess I'm not sure about use year! I could see us using any of the year for our trip - for example, we loved early Dec, but not sure if that will always be possible (oldest just now entering Jr. High), I loved Vero in July (and this is an easy time for us to visit with kids of course), but no definite set time for when we have to or must go on vacation. How do you narrow down when you want your use year month to be?

Any additional information, websites, etc. that you think would be helpful to someone just starting to look at DVC would be great!

Thanks!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

How do you know what property to buy at if you have never stayed there or visited it?

One thing you could do is to go over to the rent/trade board and rent some points and try out a couple of the resorts that way. Or pay cash at the resorts and try them before buying. Or simply reserch them here or on the many web sites that are available with information.

Don't worry much about use year. It has nothing to do with when you can stay at DVC or when you can make your reservation. It only matters if you have to cancel a trip late in your use year. In that case you could end up losing points because you are beyond your banking deadlines. The best use year is about 1 to 4 months before the period that you usually vacation. That way if you have to cancel, you have many more months to use those points or you can still bank them.

Good luck with your decision.

HBC

 

[crisi]

What sort of resorts appeals to you when you stay at Disney?

Do you want to be close to Epcot/MGM (BCV,BWV), MK(VWL), or a little off the beat path near DTD (OKW/DTD)?

Are you really attracted to Storm Along Bay? Only BCVs has this pool

Are you looking for value? OKW has the lowest point structure and dues - plus large rooms. SSR also has a lower point structre. BWV has standard view rooms - giving you low points plus the location.

Is theming a big deal to you? If so, are you attracted by the dark woodsy of WL, the traditional New England of SSR, the tropical of OKW or the more beachy BW/BC?

Do you want easy access to lots of restaurants? BW/BC is a good choice (although SSR isn't far from DTD, nor is OKW for that matter. And VWL is a boat ride away from the MK resorts and restaurants).

Do you want Grand Villas (not available at BCV or VWL)?

Do you want to factor in how hard it will be to switch? Smaller resorts have proven harder to book after the seven month window opens. OKW (and many here think SSR) are much easier. VWL between Thanksgiving and Christmas appears to be particularly challenging for anyone who doesn't own there. Likewise, the Epcot resorts in early December and over F&W have a reputation for being difficult.

In the meantime, check out the many photos out on the web of different resorts. allearsnet has some great ones.