Need help! BW vs AKL vs OKW

[Benchedguy]

Hi all, first time posting but long time reader. We are re-sale owners at Poly already and are wanting to add direct before tomorrow. We are torn between the cost difference between BW, AKL and OKW but are trying to weigh out the other tangibles.

BW is 2042 expiry which is a concern without knowing will they extend. But we have Poly to 2066. BW maybe worth next to nothing on resale as the expiry gets closer. I know its harder to get BW at the 7 month mark as well if its not your home resort.

AKL is terrible for location but offers so much more. But we dont know if we would do a week a AKL or just do split stays. We dont mind a 2 resort split stay in a week. This would be the middle ground between price direct and what it has to offer.

OKW is the cheapest but doesnt have the same appeal for us as the other 2 options. And as people say, buy where you want to stay.

So we know that is it a financial decision or stay where you want to be decision but the problem is that we are torn with it being a 50/50 decision and are looking for other peoples opinions.....thoughts?

Before someone says resale is better and your are paying 30K for coca cola going direct.....yes I know but we want direct before the increase.

 

[sethschroeder]

BWV - just too expensive for such a short contract plus you will lose your direct benefits in 2042 for the last 20 years of your membership.

AKV - I personally would not want to own there as its easy to get at 7 months and I dislike the transportation from there. I have already stayed there once and will in the future at some point just for a couple nights.

OKW - This is what I would choose, save money up front, get the longer contract than BWV, biggest rooms, and you can still try moving at 7 months.

 

[tamu91]

If you're going the direct route, then I'd say buy the cheapest resort (i.e. Old Key West) since you'd be able to exchange your OKW points to stay at other DVC properties. To me, that flexibility was one of the biggest benefits of joining DVC. Yes, it's definitely getting tougher to secure bookings at non-home resorts but with if you stay flexible and plan ahead, you should be able to make a decent bookings. Don't expect 100% availability at smaller resorts during prime seasons (i.e. BWV, BCV, WL properties). If that's a must for you, buy into that resort. Otherwise, buy in cheap and reap the DVC benefits. That was my strategy 20 years ago and haven't regretted my decision to buy DVC for 1 second.

 

[Benchedguy]

Thanks!
We bought Poly re-sale years ago as that was our "where we want to stay". Now we are looking at adding points and want to do it before the pt change. We typically want to stay 1 week Oct-Nov and then 1 week Jan-Feb to break up the winters.

 

[808blessing]

So if you want to stay in studios Oct/Nov, buy expensive BW. Very hard to trade in fall especially now. It’s a nice companion to Poly. If you have an exit plan or want to stay longer, OKW. And I just heart AK so much.

 

[BillPA]

How large is your current family? Do you expect it to grow? Will you need a 1BR or larger before the points expire? If so, look at OKW or AK. Both have beds for 5 in a 1 BR and AK-K also has that 2nd full bathroom.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

AKL is terrible for location.

AKL is no further from the parks than Old Key West. Yes, Old Key West is closer as the crow flies, but in terms of door-to-door transportation time, OKW is not going to get you places any faster than AKL.

(Buying a 2042 product direct is just a horrible waste of money.)

 

[Benchedguy]

How large is your current family? Do you expect it to grow? Will you need a 1BR or larger before the points expire? If so, look at OKW or AK. Both have beds for 5 in a 1 BR and AK-K also has that 2nd full bathroom.

Its a family of 3 with no expansion plans But who knows, in the future could invite extended family. 1 BR would be nice, we plan on doing that with banked points down the road.

 

[Benchedguy]

AKL is no further from the parks than Old Key West. Yes, Old Key West is closer as the crow flies, but in terms of door-to-door transportation time, OKW is not going to get you places any faster than AKL.

(Buying a 2042 product direct is just a horrible waste of money.)

OKW would be purchased with the plan of securing a week at 11 month and hoping to change to another resort at the 7 month. Wouldnt plan on staying at OKW on a yearly basis.

 

[MICKIMINI]

OKW with 2057 expiration. It is a gorgeous resort and has a great variety of villas.

We bought 125 direct OKW yesterday for our son and DIL as a legacy. We own 7 contracts, 4 of which are OKW. We love it still (1996), our son and DIL which I guess others would describe as a early 30's power couple love it too. They chose OKW over AKV.

I'm big on resales at bargain prices, however sometimes you just have to put up or shut up...this was the time LOL! Good luck with your decision.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

OKW would be purchased with the plan of securing a week at 11 month and hoping to change to another resort at the 7 month. Wouldnt plan on staying at OKW on a yearly basis.

I know you said you're set on direct, but if your plan is to change at 7 months anyways, the best buy would be Saratoga Springs resale. You would save enough money on the purchase to fund full price tickets and merch from now until Oblivion.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

AKL is no further from the parks than Old Key West. Yes, Old Key West is closer as the crow flies, but in terms of door-to-door transportation time, OKW is not going to get you places any faster than AKL.

(Buying a 2042 product direct is just a horrible waste of money.)

Agreed. The only time we find AKL to be a bit inconvenient is when we're doing a day at MK. On the other hand, it's just as inconvenient if we're at Poly and doing a day at AKL.

As for the original posters, question, there are pros and cons to all 3. If you like the BW/BC/YC location with easy access to EPCOT, then buy BW. It's a location that's tougher to get at 7 months. If you enjoy a more peaceful stay with great dining options and nice pools, along with a longer contract expiration, then buy AKL. OKW is still one of our favorites, and if you can get a 2057 resale contract, it's a great place to buy and stay. Plus the rooms are among the largest DVC rooms at WDW. If you buy BW, you will have a better chance of getting rooms at AKL and OKW at 7 months (depending on the time period), than vice versa. Good luck with your decision!

 

[ford91exploder]

The iron law of DVC is buy where you WANT to stay. Otherwise you will be unhappy

 

[CaptainAmerica]

The iron law of DVC is buy where you WANT to stay. Otherwise you will be unhappy

Everyone says that, and then, when pressed, they concede "well we actually like all (or almost all) of the DVC resorts and we want to stay all over the place." At which point, my advice becomes "buy SSR resale and get more points than you think you need."

***Except Beach Club people. Beach Club people want to stay at Beach Club, only Beach Club, and nothing but the Beach Club.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Everyone says that, and then, when pressed, they concede "well we actually like all (or almost all) of the DVC resorts and we want to stay all over the place." At which point, my advice becomes "buy SSR resale and get more points than you think you need."

***Except Beach Club people. Beach Club people want to stay at Beach Club, only Beach Club, and nothing but the Beach Club.

I agree with your assessment - partially! If you buy SSR, you at least need to be willing to stay at SSR at times - if another desired resort is unavailable at 7 months. If we were planning a trip, we'd book rooms at our home resort 10-11 months out, and then see if we can move to our desired resort at 7 months - perhaps do a waitlist, if necessary. But if there's no availability, you have to be OK staying at the home resort at times. SSR would be low on our list of places to stay - but that could just be us!

 

[Wedgeout]

I wouldn’t touch BWV as a direct option. Price difference on AKV and OKW isn’t too bad overall making it a personal preference. I chose OKW for this type of purchase. Has much more of a personal appeal to me with its layout design and DVC history. Plus get that 2057.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I agree with your assessment - partially! If you buy SSR, you at least need to be willing to stay at SSR at times - if another desired resort is unavailable at 7 months. If we were planning a trip, we'd book rooms at our home resort 10-11 months out, and then see if we can move to our desired resort at 7 months - perhaps do a waitlist, if necessary. But if there's no availability, you have to be OK staying at the home resort at times. SSR would be low on our list of places to stay - but that could just be us!

Right, if you loathe SSR, don't buy SSR.

 

[gskywalker]

The iron law of DVC is buy where you WANT to stay. Otherwise you will be unhappy

I have 2 contracts, neither were bought because its where I want to stay. I wanted cheap because I want to stay all over. Bought 75 points at OKW for the blue card and just bought 150 AUL for stay around points. I am still very glad that I bought at AUL because it was so cheap. We are scheduled to use our points at BWV and Copper Creek on our next trip.

 

[RoseGold]

I don't think this is possible to answer without knowing your exit strategy. Planing to sell when your daughter goes to high school is a different discussion than passing this down.

Especially with a very expensive 2042 in the mix, exit strategy matters.

 

[Benchedguy]

I don't think this is possible to answer without knowing your exit strategy. Planing to sell when your daughter goes to high school is a different discussion than passing this down.

Especially with a very expensive 2042 in the mix, exit strategy matters.

With 2 contracts, Poly and ??? (new today/tomorrow direct) our "exit strategy" is to use the points for the next 20 'ish years and then pass whatever is left down. 20 'ish years being the approximate age when we meet our expiration dates.

Poly is our main contract and we bought it resale as the place where we want to stay. Our "add-on itis" has kicked in and with the direct changes happening this week, we want to get in on direct before its the 150 minimum.