Lowest Dues Resort--why buy anywhere else?

[DSNY FN]

CarolA we go the first 2 weeks of Dec every year and take our oldest daughter out of school for the trip regardless of what the teachers say. I myself and my family love going at this time of year and would likeley not enjoy it any other time of year we went over Pres week once and had nothing but rain so never will we do that trip again we will stick to early Dec this time also seems to be getting more and more popular with the DVC members thus is quite busy. We are doing an add on at BCV through Disney come Oct that is the close date we chose all the papers are in and signed but we wanted them to hold off till then. We wil likeley never use it as our home resort but you never know.

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by Richyams
unfortunately, its comes with a price, tiny, cramped units and marathon hikes to your room.

FredS.............thanks for setting Deep straight.

 

[Dean]

One must be able to be intellectually honest and separate out the "deluxe" nature of a resort vs how well one likes the resort. It's the same arguement we had about VWL being just slightly below some of the other top end resorts in some ways. OKW is less deluxe from a classic sense but I like it best. To me the space, freedom, parking, larger rooms and feel of the resort make up for the things it doesn't have. Frankly, I don't like room service and find those trays sitting in the hall somewhat gruesome. Others live off room service and it's one of the items that resorts are measured by. I don't want a busy pool normally. I dont usually eat at the restaurants at the resort I'm staying at.

 

[dianeschlicht]

OKW will probably always be the lowest maintence fees -why - the things OKW does not have - no valet parking - no life guards - no slides - no room service - these thing cost - you pay a fee for your DVC resort to have these extras.

?? Who need valet parking when you can park right outside your door??

 

[spiceycat]

Hi Diane - I happen to love OKW - most of my points are there - but some DVC members love to valet park - I don't use at the DVC resorts when I can because I don't like anyone to drive my car but me!!!

I was just listing the things that OKW does not have - so OKW members get a lower maintence fee.

the only thing that the other DVC resorts have that oKW does not have that I would like is at least one life guard at the main pool. Yes I know it would make the maintence fees go up. Okay I also would like room service.....but I know that is not going to happen.

Someone else say that was why OKW was considered a 3 star resort by AAA - the others DVC resort were 4 stars - they have the room service and OKW does not. Anyone know if this is true or not?

 

[sumessefui]

Thank you FredS.

 

[Lesley]

A basic answer to the original question....

If you don't mind not getting the resort you want most, it certainly seems logical to just buy where the dues are cheapest. The thing is, like others have said, there are certain times of the year that book up very quickly and you may have trouble finding availability anywhere if you're waiting until 6 months in advance to make the reservation. And generally, I think its easiest getting rooms at OKW on short notice....just because they have the most rooms. From what I can tell BCV is hardest to get on short notice...then VWL...then BWV (not counting standard views). But that's just how it is now...and that will probably change in the future.

If you don't generally travel during very busy DVC times, and you don't mind making your resort choice based on what's available when you call....buying where the dues are lowest may be a good idea. But then again, there is no guarantee that the dues will always be lowest at that resort.

I'm personally happy that I own where I do, even if my dues are a couple dollars more a year. That said, I'd love to own points at all the resorts so that I could definitely get whatever room I want for whatever time I want. We're definitely considering an OKW resale in the future....it would be nice to have the option of a GV!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Another Consideration:

If you want to purchase from Disney, your choices will be limited. If you don't mind purchasing resale from another seller, you will have more choices, but maybe not the newest resort (like SSR, since there probably won't be any resales yet since it just started selling on Monday).

You have quicker access to your points buying from Disney.
You can finance with Disney.
You may pay a lower price with a reseller.
You can use magical beginnings or other Disney sales perk with Disney, but not with reseller.
You pay no closing costs with Disney.
You have to figure the closing costs into your price per point, plus avoid Disney ROFR with a reseller.

Your choices.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I think the key is to buy the property that is least expensive for your preferences.

Being single I don't plan all that far ahead. The earliest I believe was April for November then I had to turn around and re-book in August for October. So far I've gotten every location I've wanted. However with SSR coming on line and then EPV if they decide to go that route I think it is going to become harder to get into VWL, BCV and BWV during certain times of the year. The ability to book 7 months and 1 day out will become more important if you want to be at Epcot or Magic Kingdom with minimal hassle.

I also think SSR may be more popular than people expect...especially in the off season. The ability to be up close and personal with DTD and mass transit into other parts of Orlando is enticing when Disney starts shutting the theme parks down at 5pm (that's sarcasm not inside knowledge...).

 

[timC]

I think all of the main points have been covered, including some special moments from DeeP and FredS

I just want to say that I'm glad to have both VWL and BWL as my home resorts, having full 11 month access to two great resorts. For std view at BWV it's a must. VWL...just thinking about this resort lowers my blood pressure.

Yes. I'm paying more. Not enough to worry about.

Rule #1: Buy where you want to stay the most!

 

[Cruelladeville]

Oh, puleeze--marathon hikes to your room??! Try staying at OKW without a car in June, July, and August--you begin to appreciate what the term "Marathon" really means!! At least at BWV I can walk to my room in air conditioned comfort, one of the perks of higher dues that no one mentioned! Plus, I don't need to sit on a bus for ages just to get off and walk for miles to get to my room. Epcot is a five minute walk from BWV, and a 10 minute walk brings me to MGM, another perk of my higher dues. Plus, if I do take a bus from BW I don't usually have to wait more than a couple of minutes for it to pick me up. That said, I agree that if none of that is important to you, it's silly to pay the higher dues.

If you want to stay at BWV and are not a member, you take whatever rooms are left. It will never be a standard view, which costs less, and goes first. You may have to book studios when you want a one or two bedroom, or vice versa. When conventions are booked at BWV you will never get in at seven months, no matter what. The general rule is to buy where you want to stay the most. If the cost difference in dues is the only thing that's affecting where you buy in, you need to rethink if DVC is for you. $12,000 is a lot to invest if you are scared by a $75 difference in dues per year.

 

[DeeP]

Originally posted by Cruelladeville
Oh, puleeze--marathon hikes to your room??! Try staying at OKW without a car in June, July, and August--you begin to appreciate what the term "Marathon" really means!! At least at BWV I can walk to my room in air conditioned comfort, one of the perks of higher dues that no one mentioned! Plus, I don't need to sit on a bus for ages just to get off and walk for miles to get to my room. Epcot is a five minute walk from BWV, and a 10 minute walk brings me to MGM, another perk of my higher dues. Plus, if I do take a bus from BW I don't usually have to wait more than a couple of minutes for it to pick me up.

Better watch it or you will have people accusing you of resort bashing and blatent lying!