Looking at buying to DVC: I'm a true Rookie,HELP

[byoung]

I agree the extra years is a better deal for you.

 

[starbox]

Here is the December thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1074823

People were on the waitlist for resorts before the seven month window opened.

Yes. But I've followed the thread since the beginning at it looks like wait lists came through for the early posters. I will grant that food & wine and December are busy times - and I don't doubt that you'd have to waitlist them at 7 months - but it does seem like people who waitlist early tend to get their requests.

Clearly, a Christmas reservation will be competitive even before 7 months - but I do think that is the exception, not the rule.

So far, my 7 month experience is this:

New Years at VWL - tried to book at about 6 1/2 months, had to waitlist, waitlist came through after about 2 months. (BTW - I did not think this reservation would come through.)

Easter Week/Spring Break at HHI - booked at 7 months. Called 9 am the 1st day of the window.

BWV - First week of June/ Star Wars weekend - booked at 7 months. Called at 9am the 1st day of the window. I've wait-listed for a Boardwalk view.

Obviously, I like to sleep around.

I will say, however, that I do have a favorite DVC and I don't own there - simply because it was not the best fit for my family: we don't all like the same thing. Our home resort is one we can all agree on, and I'd never be disappointed to stay there.

I do tend to make 11 month reservations and then switch out when/if we're feeling wanderlust.

 

[Pennyguy23]

Well I am getting my feet wet!!!! I decided to buy a small 80 point package to see how we like it and get used to everything before I really BUST out the wallet. It was a pretty good deal I think at the HH. I know I won't be staying there but I don't think I could ever book 11 months in advance for anything so why not buy cheapier points.
Let me know what you guys think..?

Also do you know how much $ off we get for on annual passes?

When I am ready, how do I buy more points from disney and how much are they??

We are going to disney here for the first of the year. (Just Booked it, GOT PRETTY LUCK) Jan 1st through the 5th at SSR and 5th-8th at AKL
So we can check out some of the other sites.

 

[Granny]

Well I am getting my feet wet!!!! I decided to buy a small 80 point package to see how we like it and get used to everything before I really BUST out the wallet. It was a pretty good deal I think at the HH. I know I won't be staying there but I don't think I could ever book 11 months in advance for anything so why not buy cheapier points.
Let me know what you guys think..?

If you can't ever book more than 7 months out, then this logic is correct. Within 7 months, "points is points".

Also do you know how much $ off we get for on annual passes?

It's about $100 per adult new pass.

When I am ready, how do I buy more points from disney and how much are they??

Just call up the DVC sales number and they'll assign you a guide. They can sell you more points and tell you how much at that time. They have various incentives from time to time so you will want to check on that when you're ready to buy.

Enjoy your January trip!

 

[Pennyguy23]

Do you have any idea of what they are at HH? Are all the resorts points pricing pretty different?

And we will thank you

 

[crisi]

Yes. But I've followed the thread since the beginning at it looks like wait lists came through for the early posters. I will grant that food & wine and December are busy times - and I don't doubt that you'd have to waitlist them at 7 months - but it does seem like people who waitlist early tend to get their requests.

Waitlisting is too stressful for me. We own at BWV. I make my reservations 11 months out to the day to get either a Standard View or BWV room (depending on the trip). I have too stressful a life to worry about not getting what I want because I'm on the waitlist. I don't trust the waitlist. I don't think its run well.

BTW, my favorite resort is VWL. But I'm more than content at BWV. I wouldn't be happy at SSR.

 

[starbox]

Waitlisting is too stressful for me. We own at BWV. I make my reservations 11 months out to the day to get either a Standard View or BWV room (depending on the trip). I have too stressful a life to worry about not getting what I want because I'm on the waitlist. I don't trust the waitlist. I don't think its run well.

BTW, my favorite resort is VWL. But I'm more than content at BWV. I wouldn't be happy at SSR.

The waitlist does not bother me at all, but I don't depend on it. I waitlist with the attitude of "if it opens up, great - if not, that's fine". We always have back-up reservations and just have them do the automatic switch if the waitlist opens up.

My favorite resort is VWL too - but no matter where I owned, I'd end up trying other places. We take 3-4 trips a year, and it's fun to mix things up.

BTW - we'll be trying your "home" for the first time. It looks fun. I read in Vacation Magic that BW has some of the old penny arcade games in the lobby. This made me really want to visit, because the penny arcade on Main Street made a huge impression on me when I was a little girl.

 

[Disney Doll]

Hilton Head (HH) is in HIlton Head and not on WDW property, so be careful of that. Also be careful of the cost of their dues...I think they may be more expensive than the ones in WDW.

Make sure you research carefully.

 

[Pennyguy23]

There dues are actually a little less then most but more then SSR.
What is the reasoning for me to be careful about buying that property. Points are points right?

 

[Disney Doll]

Yes, as long as there is availability at WDW. Again, if you have points at an offsite resort and there is NO availability at WDW, then there is NO availability, so you won't be staying at WDW. If you have points at WDW, you can usually book your home resort at the 11 month window, try and switch at the 7 month window if there is a resort that you'd prefer to stay in, but if you can't switch, you still have your original home resort 11 month booking reservation at WDW. If your goal is to use your points to stay at WDW, then I recommend you buy one of the resorts at WDW,rather than an of-site.

HH puts you at the 7 month booking window for WDW all the time.

 

[Mich Mouse]

Hi,

We were in a very similar situation as you are last summer...New home owners who almost bought at SSR, but held off! We realized that SSR did not have the magical feel that the BWV had for us. We got on the waiting list for BWV and after two weeks we were in contract through Disney. I am so glad that we really thought it over and did not make an impulsive purchase.

Looking ahead to 2054 vs. 2042 just does not concern us. We love the BWV! That is where we want to be...Plus, as our daughter has gotten older our vacation habits have changed. Getting a ressie at the 7 month window during the school vacations is not easy.

Best of luck with this decision and with your new house!
I wish you many magical DVC vacations in your future.

 

[salmoneous]

What is the reasoning for me to be careful about buying that property. Points are points right?

Any of the DVC resorts can be spun off from the system. All of us agree this risk is small.

Some of us, however, have a suspicion that the risk is higher for the off-property DVC resorts and would be wary of buying off-property for the purpose of staying on-property.

 

[Pennyguy23]

The boardwalk is our favorite also. I just don't know what to do ?

 

[Granny]

There dues are actually a little less then most but more then SSR.
What is the reasoning for me to be careful about buying that property. Points are points right?

If "points are points" were really a true statement, then all the resale prices would be the same for all resorts (assuming the contracts are in the same condition). But clearly some resorts get a higher resale price than others.

If "points are points", then why would that be?

As pointed out earlier, if you always will book for the next 35 years or so within 7 months of a trip, then yes...points are points.

 

[Pennyguy23]

Right now I am thinking that BWV is the place for me to buy. MAYBE. Still don't know. What I do know is that I want to go there the first of every year and if I buy there then I can make that happen. If not .....?

 

[Pennyguy23]

What is the nicest resort? Cleanest. Newest furniture, NOT OLD LOOKING(old carpet, dirty, sink,toliet, shower, etc.)

 

[starbox]

What is the nicest resort? Cleanest. Newest furniture, NOT OLD LOOKING(old carpet, dirty, sink,toliet, shower, etc.)

Every 5 or so years there will be a newest, cleanest, resort with the most up-to-date appliances and newest bedding. Right now, that resort is SSR. In a year, it will be AKV. In four years...??? Who Knows?

You may want to rent points and do a split stay at the resorts you are considering.

 

[Mich Mouse]

Any of the DVC resorts can be spun off from the system. All of us agree this risk is small.

Some of us, however, have a suspicion that the risk is higher for the off-property DVC resorts and would be wary of buying off-property for the purpose of staying on-property.

What do you mean spun off the system? And which DVC properties are off property?

 

[DisneyDVCdad]

My wife and I bought into SSR Almost 2 years ago and we have yet to stay there. Both of our visits have been to OKW. We like to go in September and at the moment, the where we stay is not so important as the fact that we are actually there! We are still at the point that we must go to the park everyday. Next year we are trying BWV. We want to be able to pass on our points to our children so that they can have the same enjoyment we have! Son is 2 1/2 and the second is cooking! So the 50 years in important to us! Waiting on AKV......

 

[Mich Mouse]

Right now I am thinking that BWV is the place for me to buy. MAYBE. Still don't know. What I do know is that I want to go there the first of every year and if I buy there then I can make that happen. If not .....?

The first of the year will be tough unless you haver the 11 month window.

From the sound of your posts, I think you will regret a purchase anywhere but BWV.

Can anyone tell me how to put two quotes on one post that are from different users?