need advice on points

[3pletprincesses]

in a section of jambo house's 5th floor, there was no room to build full size villas, so they built "value villas" that are 3 feet shorter than standard sized AKV villas. the 1BR and 2BR value villas do not have the sleeper chair due to the size reduction and occupancy is restricted accordingly.
value villas can have a savanna view (i've had one), pool view or parking lot view (had one).

there are only 10 value 2BR lock-offs at AKV jambo house ("lock-off" means a 1BR+a studio = a 2BR...and if someone books 3 value 1BRs, then there would only be a maximum of 7 2BRs left available to book). that means they can be very difficult to book after the 11 month window opens for owners. the value villas are located along the giraffe and ostrich trails in the map contained in the link below.

http://www.parkinfo2go.com/dvc-akv/floor5.php

naturally there are zero value villas in the purpose-built-for-DVC kidani village. (also, 2BRs at Kidani have 3 bathrooms in a 2BR villa.)

thank you for that info. I'm pretty sure I stayed in one of those studios in February when I rented points. can you book a specific view when booking value or do they give what they want? It sure would save me a bit of points to book a value LOL oh one more thing, I know the Kidani has 3 bathrooms so I'm guessing the value only have 2 since you brought the number of bathrooms up

Whoops! I didn't get that you were asking about Use Year. Sorry! The biggest thing to be aware of in selecting a UY is the Banking Window:

Use Year -- Last Day to BANK points
February -- September 30
March -- October 31
April -- November 30
June -- January 31
August -- March 31
September -- April 30
October -- May 31
December -- July 31

I think of the Banking Window as the last time I can cancel a reservation and not be forced to use the points in the current "year". We have an August UY since we usually travel in August, March/April (spring break) and Christmas. It works well for us even with trips in April since I know for sure if we're going prior to the Mar 31 deadline.

If you're still planning to go in May, an April UY would work well for you. The Nov 30 Banking Deadline will also work well for Christmas as you would already know by then if you need to cancel a Christmas visit. You would cancel and bank the points. The June UY would be the worst UY for you if you're planning a May vacation since there is no wiggle room if you book a vacation and cancel in March or April. You'll find yourself trying to unload hundreds of points at a discounted rate.

thanks for the deadlines. It's truly appreciated

When your kids are too young for school you can almost go whenever you want. When they are in K-12 you kind of end up with summers. However, when your kids hit college you have two good openings; January and May. Might want to think about that regarding use year. If you pick Dec or April you are set for both K-12 and the College years.

For some reason I didn't think of the girls coming while in College here most colleges have a week off in October and end of feb. Now you've got me thinking that April and June might are the best for us. Thank you for bringing that up.

I can't thank you enough for all your help. I have been reading these threads and links that everyone provides to help over the past year yet I feel like a kids trying to use a bicycle. You've help put together the last few pieces of the puzzle.

 

[Dean]

Oh not buying direct for sure. Ssr would be abiut 400 cheaper in maintenance fees per year. Yes if staying at AKL I want Savannah view but I think Akl is big enough that even 7 months out I could that view just not sure of a 2 bedroom with view.

You are making me re think akl and back to SSR but that's 3less years for about the same pp price

You should be able to get SSR cheaper than AKV even considering the 3 yr difference in RTU. Plus the yearly savings on top of that.

That's what I'm affraid of and Savanna view is important to me. That's the only me that I request plus as I get older I can see myself liking it even more then now. We do appreciate our time at the resort now with 4 young kids and I can't imagine it will change. We made it si that resort time I'd part if our vacation just as mych as psrks if nit mire Kwim

I would think this would not be the usual experience for Savannah view at 7 months out, I would be comfortable taking my chances in this situation personally.

Would you all agree that an April or June us the best for summer or fall travel?

June for summer would be the best by far. April if you might go the May holiday.

 

[chalee94]

thank you for that info. I'm pretty sure I stayed in one of those studios in February when I rented points. can you book a specific view when booking value or do they give what they want?

they don't allow view requests for value villas.

(keep in mind there are thousands of AKV owners and less than 10 value 2BRs, so they might be gone right at the 11 month window. i don't know that i'd count on making every stay at the value villa price point. they are a great deal when available, though, yes.)

oh one more thing, I know the Kidani has 3 bathrooms so I'm guessing the value only have 2 since you brought the number of bathrooms up.

the value villas are all at jambo house. every 2BR in jambo house only has 2 bathrooms. (the non-value 2BRs at jambo house do have the sleeper chair, though.)

 

[3pletprincesses]

the value villas are all at jambo house. every 2BR in jambo house only has 2 bathrooms. (the non-value 2BRs at jambo house do have the sleeper chair, though.)

Well that solves it. With 4 girls, 3 bathrooms will be a must other wise mom and dad will NEVER have a bathroom to get ready.

 

[ToddyLu]

Just sitting here thinking about your plans. We own 210 points at AKV and have used value studios the last couple of years, even booking two at a time on half our trips at 11 months. When Pandora opens that may make AKV more desirable, and obviously teenage girls would love an evening walking to Disney Springs from SSR.

To me SV at AKV just isn't as important as it was when we first purchased. You can see animals from so many other places. What you cannot change are the resort amenities. I like the indoor hallways of AKV ( just seems a little more secure to me). I love the AKV pools and the Community Hall although we do not use it very much since we do not have children and are in our late 40s. The CMS at AKV are delightful and their presentations very good.

I like AKV because it is different...the decor, animals and CMs make it unlike other hotel or vacation experiences I have had.

I too wish we would have purchased 2-125 point contracts but so far with banking and borrowing we have done well. We have been able to get 2 studios on several trips and the values allowing us to take second trips at times. Do not forget that you can purchase 24 one time only points for a 7 month reservation which is enough for 1-2 nights depending on villa and points. Of course this is a perk which may disappear.

Even if DH and I had children we would have still picked a resort that meant something to the two of us knowing that children eventually would lead other lives. Good luck on your decision!!

 

[KKKKCS]

We decided on 360 points (2 180 point contracts) because that would give us a week in a 2 BR during the most expensive time of the year. That being said, we wish we had purchased more. But that is one of the only two complaints we have ever heard from DVC owners, didn't buy in soon enough, and didn't buy enough points.

 

[disneynutz]

Buy smaller contracts, add if you need more points and later sell if you find that you need less.

Bill

 

[Dean]

Buy smaller contracts, add if you need more points and later sell if you find that you need less.

Bill

For a retail purchase I'd agree but not generally for resale for most people but there are exceptions. The additional cost could be looked at as insurance so one has to decide how much that insurance is worth. The additional cost for 2 contracts vs one is the closing costs plus the difference in price pp paid higher for the smaller ones over the larger. For two 50-100 pt purchases that can be an additional $10 a point or more in some cases, for 150-170 pt contract, certainly less. On two 150-190 vs one 300-380 it's likely be in the range of an additional $2000-3000 depending on home resort, less for less desirable and more for more desirable options. IMO as insurance alone it is not worth it unless one can get additional benefits, see below.

For the number of points being looked at I would recommend it as a consideration but I would not buy both at one time and at the same resort. I would buy one and see how it goes then decide whether to add another or not. As a rule I'd get 2 different home resorts if I decide to do 2 separate purchase. Usually one cheaper like SSR an done higher demand like BWV or BLT. In many ways it's better to buy the cheaper option first but the advantage of buying the more expensive/demand one first is in the ease of finding a good second contract for the same UY.

 

[disneynutz]

I see any additional costs as nothing compared for what a buyer is signing up for when they become a DVC owner. Disney is a luxury vacation and owning DVC pretty much tells me that owners are ready to spend thousands on Disney vacations.

Buying multiple contracts and selling some or all later will have additional costs, but for me the flexibility is worth it. I also expect to not make any money when selling so if we do, that's gravy.

In reality there are only three reasons to buy.

DVC saves you money on your room(s).

You love DVC accommodations.

You feel that the perks and/or discounts are worth it.

Bill

 

[Dean]

I see any additional costs as nothing compared for what a buyer is signing up for when they become a DVC owner. Disney is a luxury vacation and owning DVC pretty much tells me that owners are ready to spend thousands on Disney vacations.

Buying multiple contracts and selling some or all later will have additional costs, but for me the flexibility is worth it. I also expect to not make any money when selling so if we do, that's gravy.

In reality there are only three reasons to buy.

DVC saves you money on your room(s).

You love DVC accommodations.

You feel that the perks and/or discounts are worth it.

Bill

Bill, I look at it differently and I definitely don't see the additional cost as negligible. IMO anyone who thinks they might sell later shouldn't buy so we're really only talking about changes in life situations or personal preferences. IMO it is not worth it from an "insurance" standpoint alone but might be if it adds other value such as smaller purchase now with more later and/or 2 home resorts. I feel that to pay an additional $2K or more is simply not worth it just to have potential options that might change in the future anyway. From a value standpoint it's worse than buying insurance on electronics with the same line of thinking at about 8-10% of the purchase. Now if you can get it down to a much smaller outlay without buying retail, I'd agree with you. But about the only way to do that is if you can find a seller who's selling multiple contracts, esp if you can get it down to one closing. It's possible but not likely that one can find such a situation that works with home resort, price and UY. It also limits you to a much smaller group of potential contracts. IMO it's far better to buy a single larger contract but maybe not the full size OR to buy one now and see how it goes.

 

[3pletprincesses]

Just sitting here thinking about your plans. We own 210 points at AKV and have used value studios the last couple of years, even booking two at a time on half our trips at 11 months. When Pandora opens that may make AKV more desirable, and obviously teenage girls would love an evening walking to Disney Springs from SSR.

To me SV at AKV just isn't as important as it was when we first purchased. You can see animals from so many other places. What you cannot change are the resort amenities. I like the indoor hallways of AKV ( just seems a little more secure to me). I love the AKV pools and the Community Hall although we do not use it very much since we do not have children and are in our late 40s. The CMS at AKV are delightful and their presentations very good.

I like AKV because it is different...the decor, animals and CMs make it unlike other hotel or vacation experiences I have had.

I too wish we would have purchased 2-125 point contracts but so far with banking and borrowing we have done well. We have been able to get 2 studios on several trips and the values allowing us to take second trips at times. Do not forget that you can purchase 24 one time only points for a 7 month reservation which is enough for 1-2 nights depending on villa and points. Of course this is a perk which may disappear.

Even if DH and I had children we would have still picked a resort that meant something to the two of us knowing that children eventually would lead other lives. Good luck on your decision!!

Bill, I look at it differently and I definitely don't see the additional cost as negligible. IMO anyone who thinks they might sell later shouldn't buy so we're really only talking about changes in life situations or personal preferences. IMO it is not worth it from an "insurance" standpoint alone but might be if it adds other value such as smaller purchase now with more later and/or 2 home resorts. I feel that to pay an additional $2K or more is simply not worth it just to have potential options that might change in the future anyway. From a value standpoint it's worse than buying insurance on electronics with the same line of thinking at about 8-10% of the purchase. Now if you can get it down to a much smaller outlay without buying retail, I'd agree with you. But about the only way to do that is if you can find a seller who's selling multiple contracts, esp if you can get it down to one closing. It's possible but not likely that one can find such a situation that works with home resort, price and UY. It also limits you to a much smaller group of potential contracts. IMO it's far better to buy a single larger contract but maybe not the full size OR to buy one now and see how it goes.

Thanks for your input. More food for thought. I'm by not meann an expect on DVC and wouldn't claim such a thing. I think that regardless how much I know, I still have lots to learn. I liked the idea of smaller contracts but then when I started looking, you are right, I'm looking at about $10 more per point and another $500 min for closing fees. I think I'll stick to my original plan of getting 2 contracts and SSR and AKL might both become home. We could alternate every year by banking and borrowing.

 

[Dean]

Thanks for your input. More food for thought. I'm by not meann an expect on DVC and wouldn't claim such a thing. I think that regardless how much I know, I still have lots to learn. I liked the idea of smaller contracts but then when I started looking, you are right, I'm looking at about $10 more per point and another $500 min for closing fees. I think I'll stick to my original plan of getting 2 contracts and SSR and AKL might both become home. We could alternate every year by banking and borrowing.

Good luck. Please let us know how it works out for you. This is the type of real life info that can be helpful to those who are in the investigation stages in the future.