Need help picking home resort for small contract

[KeithSS]

Ok, so my wife and I have decided to purchase a small add on contract probably around 60-70 points so that we can get the 11mo booking priority. We currently have a good size contract at OKW so its not the abundance of extra points that we need. Its the 11mo window. We usually like to go in late Nov early Dec and it mostly just the 2 of us so studios are the usual room. Hence the 11mo window need lol. We are most likely going to purchase direct for ease of transaction, use year, restrictions etc. We have pretty much narrowed it down to Riviera or Copper Creek with a small consideration going to either Poly or Grand Floridian. We love BR,BCV, BWV but I think the 2042 end date combined with the crazy per point price just makes those a non starter. I think the extra $$ for Poly or GF isn't worth it but my wife isn't sold on that idea. We stayed at Riv in Dec and she fell in love, and we both love the Wilderness Lodge especially at Xmas time. So I'm trying to figure out whether the extra $20/pp is worth it for Copper over Riv. I know CC has a studio booking problem even at 11mo and its even worse at xmas time, We do like the extra room of the Riv and the extra bathroom. So basically I'm asking everyone else's opinion of what they would do in this situation. We are not interested in any other resorts than the ones I have listed above. I understand that with the restrictions, the Riv contract may be worth less than one of the 14 legacy resorts. But with CC costing $20 more per point going into it, do you think the difference will be more than $20/pp down the road if I ever did need to sell it? To me, the Riv seems like the best deal, but its hard because we do love WL and always said if we added on it would be there lol. My mind changes every 10 min because I tend to over analyze things, so i would love to hear other peoples opinions

 

[Sandisw]

I would not go with CCV for studios that time of there, They are near impossible to get and must be walked. Since there are no views, there are no other options.

At RIV, while SV might be a little tough that time of year, getting PV as an owner is much easier.

Both require 8 am bookings, Now, Poly and BLT will be easier to get as long as you are booking at 11 months.

I would decide which area would you rather stay...Epcot or MK. I love the Epcot area for the fall and December unless we will have kids with us...which will more often than not be summer trips...but I do own both BLT and RIV....along with SSR.

 

[irazabul]

I think if getting into a resort is a priority, then definitely buy points at the resort. Personally, I don't think the premium of buying direct from DVC is worth the extra benefits that you get, but you will have to make a judgment on your personal situation (I have read many posts on this topic and it seems that most people agree with this).

One thing you should consider is the number of points you need, relative to how long and when you tend to stay. If you are getting 60-70 points, that may only get you 4-5 nights during late Nov/early Dec time period, so if you stay more than that, you will have to bank/borrow, which means you are staying there every other year (assuming your stays are not available at the 7 month window such that you can use your OKW points).

Best wishes in your decision.

 

[Donna M]

For new prospective buyers, like the op situation. They can not combine all the OKW points with the RIV points to get the 11 month advantage. They can only use the RIV points at 11 months and then their other points at RIV at 7 months.

 

[KeithSS]

While I do agree that usually going resale makes a lot more sense $$ wise, I think in this particular scenario, with such a small amount of points and the restrictions since even if we bought somewhere else, My wife loves Riv and def wants o stay there at least sometimes, the difference between resale and direct isn't a deal breaker. Along with the ease of its a phone call and you have the right use year etc and don't have to wait for ROFR etc,. I do wholeheartedly believe that if you were going much more points than im looking at, then resale makes much more sense. But at the 60 point level the difference in Riviera for example is like $1500 which honestly isn't worth the hassle and restrictions

 

[Lorana]

So I'm trying to figure out whether the extra $20/pp is worth it for Copper over Riv.

YES.

But admittedly, I love love love the Wilderness, and think it's theming, size, location and everything is superior to Riviera (and I own at both).

If you ever want a Studio at CCV in the fall or in Christmas season, you MUST own there. If you buy Direct, you can also use those points at Riviera, so it still leaves Riviera open as an option.

 

[princesscinderella]

I feel like all the resorts have their pros and cons. That’s why we own at 5 different resorts because we like something about all of them. We never take week long trips to Disney so we don’t need to have one big bank of points at a specific resort for home booking priority. We like to stay at different resorts at different times of the year like BWV in the fall for food and wine. In the summer we love the SSR treehouses, it’s so nice there when the summer rains come in watching it through the trees. AKL we enjoyed in the early part of the year when it’s not so hot and the animals are more active. We haven’t stayed at RIV yet but have toured the rooms and they are very nice, except the tower rooms were way to small feeling, it was like a cruise cabin to me. I agree that in some cases the small point contracts go for a higher price and it makes the direct vs resale savings negligible in the long run.

 

[Unclelude]

Also, I think RIV price goes up $6 on Feb. 6 ( current promos end too I think )

 

[KeithSS]

Also, I think RIV price goes up $6 on Feb. 6 ( current promos end too I think )

Yes I can confirm that my Direct DVC Guide told me that Riv and Aulani are going up $6/pp on Saturday so now Riv will be $201/pp. Those are the only 2 that are going up. Copper is not

Am I correct in assuming that unlike the AKL resorts, Copper and Boulder are treated separate as far as booking window goes IE if I own at CC I can only book CC at 11mo and not Boulder? I know at AKL it doesn't matter which one you own, you can book at either but I thought I heard that BRV/CC was different

 

[sethschroeder]

Ok, so my wife and I have decided to purchase a small add on contract probably around 60-70 points so that we can get the 11mo booking priority.

You only get the 11 month window for the points at that specific resort.

So you would have 60-70 points at X resort and the remainder of your points would remain at OKW for the 11 month window. At the 7 month window you could then use all your points to book combined at a resort.

 

[sethschroeder]

Am I correct in assuming that unlike the AKL resorts, Copper and Boulder are treated separate as far as booking window goes IE if I own at CC I can only book CC at 11mo and not Boulder? I know at AKL it doesn't matter which one you own, you can book at either but I thought I heard that BRV/CC was different

They are separate.

In your shoes it might make sense to target BRV on resale honestly if you really like that resort.

 

[peabody58]

BWV! Enough said.

 

[Sandisw]

Yes I can confirm that my Direct DVC Guide told me that Riv and Aulani are going up $6/pp on Saturday so now Riv will be $201/pp. Those are the only 2 that are going up. Copper is not

Am I correct in assuming that unlike the AKL resorts, Copper and Boulder are treated separate as far as booking window goes IE if I own at CC I can only book CC at 11mo and not Boulder? I know at AKL it doesn't matter which one you own, you can book at either but I thought I heard that BRV/CC was different

I just want to suggest that if you think RIV could be an option, and have not made a decision, you can always start the process on Friday to buy it and you will lock in at $195. You will have 10 days from when you sign to cancel or ask to purchase a different one.

It may not be a huge difference on 60 to 70 points, but enough!

 

[bookwormde]

There is only limited need for 11 month for Poly.

On the other hand VGF studio would be difficult to piece together after 7 months, so if you plan to stay there regularly owning home resort points is important. Of course you also need to buy more points due to the point charts. It also has the best resale value if you ever want to sell

I would never buy RIV knowing that it will likely be worth $60 to 80 less per point the day after I bought it.

CCV before and around Christmas is special. While it require for studios booking right at 11 months it will get easier as most resorts do as the novelty wears of, though at the times you want to go 7 month booking will always be a challenge. It does have by far the lowest point charts and the longest life so all in all that is the direction I would go though I would rather have 100+ points resale than 70 points direct

 

[sethschroeder]

I would never buy RIV knowing that it will likely be worth $60 to 80 less per point the day after I bought it.

Just quoting what I pulled together before. I had added in a $120/point sale price on RIV since I felt $149 was inflated compared to what you might see in a few years time.

People like to talk about a large delta but its fairly similar for most.

Using www.dvcresalemarket.com average resale price vs direct 150 Point Incentive (loss on sale):

1. Riviera - $41 ($149 resale)
2. CCV - $62 ($148 resale)
3. Riviera - $70 (if sold at $120/point)
4. BLT - $81 ($149 resale)
5. VGF - $81 ($169 resale)
6. POLY - $97 ($148 resale)

Others:

• SSR - $51
• OKW - $53
• AKV - $66
• BWV - $68
• BRV - $76
• BCV - $88

 

[bookwormde]

Just quoting what I pulled together before. I had added in a $120/point sale price on RIV since I felt $149 was inflated compared to what you might see in a few years time.

People like to talk about a large delta but its fairly similar for most.

My tracking indicated that RIV is mostly selling in the 115 to 130 range, you also have to add close to $10/pt closing costs and another $10/pt selling fee

 

[sethschroeder]

My tracking indicated that RIV is mostly selling in the 115 to 130 range, you also have to add close to $10/pt closing costs and another $10/pt selling fee

True but those extra costs are the same regardless of resort. I had accounted for closing costs and resale commissions but its based on 150 point math not 60/70 point math.

I was more so just pointing out that RIV has negatives and it has positives but losing extra money on resale vs all other resorts is not exactly a correct statement.

In the end I wouldn't buy direct anyways if you expected to sell in the next 20 years.

Also if you are looking for tracking on RIV resales I<3Riviera pulls all sold contracts and graphs them out. That math of $149 was based on that actual resellers sold contracts as well so its accurate for them (as we both agree though its unlikely realistic long term).

 

[bakerworld]

I like being part of a regular hotel so I'd say CC. We haven't experience RIV as get but ask your wife if she liked it because it was new and shiny or if the theme really appealed.

 

[bookwormde]

True but those extra costs are the same regardless of resort. I had accounted for closing costs and resale commissions but its based on 150 point math not 60/70 point math.

I was more so just pointing out that RIV has negatives and it has positives but losing extra money on resale vs all other resorts is not exactly a correct statement.

In the end I wouldn't buy direct anyways if you expected to sell in the next 20 years.

Also if you are looking for tracking on RIV resales I<3Riviera pulls all sold contracts and graphs them out. That math of $149 was based on that actual resellers sold contracts as well so its accurate for them (as we both agree though its unlikely realistic long term).

single reseller

here is an example from a different reseller of course the market is still quite narrow so there is a wide range

Listing ID#:	RIV101
Address:	1080 Esplanade Ave
City:	Lake Buena Vista, FL
Maintenance:	$8.38 per point
Expires:	2070
Points:	150
Use Year:	Dec
Price / Point:	$110
Points Available:	75 points banked for 2019, 150 points for 2020 and beyond
Status:	Sale Pending The seller has accepted an offer and the property is now pending.
Listing Price:	$16,500.00

 

[KeithSS]

They are separate.

In your shoes it might make sense to target BRV on resale honestly if you really like that resort.

Mentally I just have a hard time getting past half the contract length vs CC but you are only saving like $40/pp.