Need some advice

[Sparrow624]

So DW and I are in the market for a 2nd contract or add on. We currently own at VGF. We love VGF and have enough there for a studio for 7 nights every year. We have two kids ages 3 1/2 and 2. I am 35 and DW is 36. We usually travel during March, June, and July. We are both High School teachers and can retire around age 55, so we could travel anytime at that point.

Here is our issue. We love VGF and BCV. We like BWV, Wilderness, and AKV. We want to get enough points for a 2 bedroom every other year as the kids get older for more space and to bring family/their friends.

I have no problem spending the money on BCV now....but, DW doesn't want to plop $20,000 -$25,000 down....just to have to pay even more for an add on, etc. when we are 55 as that is when BCV expires in 2042. She wants to be able to bring grandkids and family at that point, as do I. She wants to buy more points at VGF (still not enough for a 2 bedroom) and try to trade in to BCV at the 7 month mark....or buy a ton of points at AKV and try to stay at BCV or BWV every other year with them at the 7 month mark as they expire when we are in our 70's...

What would you do?

 

[Dean]

So DW and I are in the market for a 2nd contract or add on. We currently own at VGF. We love VGF and have enough there for a studio for 7 nights every year. We have two kids ages 3 1/2 and 2. I am 35 and DW is 36. We usually travel during March, June, and July. We are both High School teachers and can retire around age 55, so we could travel anytime at that point.

Here is our issue. We love VGF and BCV. We like BWV, Wilderness, and AKV. We want to get enough points for a 2 bedroom every other year as the kids get older for more space and to bring family/their friends.

I have no problem spending the money on BCV now....but, DW doesn't want to plop $20,000 -$25,000 down....just to have to pay even more for an add on, etc. when we are 55 as that is when BCV expires in 2042. She wants to be able to bring grandkids and family at that point, as do I. She wants to buy more points at VGF (still not enough for a 2 bedroom) and try to trade in to BCV at the 7 month mark....or buy a ton of points at AKV and try to stay at BCV or BWV every other year with them at the 7 month mark as they expire when we are in our 70's...

What would you do?

There are lots of variables and you'll have to decide what's best for you. I would not buy now for something 20 yrs down the line and I would not buy AKV simply to have points to use elsewhere. You might consider SSR as a points cow or BWV for the standard view options. Other considerations would be to see what happens with VWL and the expansion there. Another route would be BLT. I personally don't think BCV worth it at the price differential.

 

[chalee94]

depends on how happy you'd be to stay at AKV.

march, june and july are not super high demand for DVC travel, so you've got a good shot at moving somewhere at 7 months out (especially at AKV - due to its size - and VWL. BWV is also pretty large if you don't mind spending for a garden view.)

i would probably buy SSR (exp 2054) and just try to book at 7 months out. if AKV or VWL is open, book that and then immediately waitlist BCV and/or VGF if they were not available at 7 months (for example).

AKV is large enough (and i'm assuming you'd be happy to end up there on a regular basis) and your travel periods are "slow" enough that i think you can get away with owning SSR (although there might be a risk that you fall in love with traveling in the fall at some point, in which case you might get "stuck" at SSR.)

but if you will be bummed if you don't pull BCV or VGF at 7 months, then i'd still suggest paying extra to buy one of those and booking at 11 months out to be safe...

it's a personal decision. depends on how badly you want a certain outcome...

 

[Sparrow624]

I guess it comes down to whether or not we are willing to pay the "buy in" fee twice. Once now, then again for more points or another resort in 2042 if we are still traveling to Disney. For what BCV costs now, I almost want to just buy more VGF points like my wife wants...and chance getting BCV on years we want a 2 bedroom. We can't afford enough VGF points for a week in a 2 bedroom every year.

 

[suebeelin]

I agree with dean...

Buy SSR if you want to book at the 7 mo mark. AKV maint fees are higher than SSR, plus SSR point costs are a little lower on the reals market.

I would have recommended BLT, as well, bc the maint fees are low. However, the dramatic increase in resale price these last 9 months has made it not worth it.

BWV is a nice cheaper (std rooms plus lower resale cost) alternative to that area. I know it's not bcv, but I personally like the area and saving the points via std rooms, making BWV my fave resort.

Good luck!