New DVC Member

[braymil]

Our family just returned from a one week stay at the Yacht Club. It was our second such visit to the Yacht Club in less than two years. We have four young children and we love taking them to WDW. While at WDW we went to the DVC open house and signed up to purchase 300 points at the Hilton Head Resort. I am awaiting a FedEx package with the appropriate paper work so that we can make club membership official. My question for this forum concerns the advice we got for purchasing at HH instead of the Villas at Wilderness Lodge. We are paying $75 a point, but the promotion (i.e. price reduction) available at HH was larger than that at Wilderness Lodge - by about $900. In addition the yearly maintenance at HH is a bit less than that at Wilderness Lodge. However, as you all know we will not have a home base at WDW. Our sales agent advised us that this did not matter, as points are points, and that securing reservations during non-peak times at WDW seven months in advance will not be a problem - no guarantee of course. I doubt seriously that we will want to go to WDW during peak times like Christmas and Spring Break so we were comfortable with this advice (we can still change our minds according to our sales agent by redoing paper work). So my question concerns real-life experience those on this board would care to share regarding securing reservations at WDW (OKW, BWV, WL) seven months in advance. Have we been given reasonable advice, or are reservations at WDW made through the DVC difficult to make? We have NO interest in HH as we do not golf nor have we ever been to Hilton Head. We want to go to WDW, but do we really need a home base in FLA to use our points at WDW? The price differential is $900 plus the difference in yearly maintanence. Any input or advice would be greatly appreciated as we still have time to change our minds.

 

[braymil]

Buy Where You Want To Stay!!!

We went over and over this issue with the sales agent and that is in part why he mentioned, several times, we could change our minds. Now what?

Wait for BCV?

Is buying a resale reasonably painless?

Do people love VWL? I have read several great comments about OKW and I have been to BWV (via Yacht Club) but I have not heard much - good or bad - about VWL. I hope I have not turned people off too much by asking a Newbie Question - and with so much boring detail. Sorry!!!

 

[Merilyn]

You should buy where you want to stay, but when we joined there was only OKW. We have never had any trouble going to other places. We have stayed at BWV and HH at the 7 month window. At 7 months you should not have any trouble at OKW. There are many more of them. If you want to wait then do, but if you want to go ahead I don't think you will be sorry. Good luck with your choice.

 

[Regina]

Definitely make your "home" the resort that you want to stay at.

Our 3 kids were 10, 9 and 6 when we purchased at OKW. At that time going off-season worked out. Then High School hit, and missing a few days of school made a huge difference.

The two oldest are in college now, and it's become more of a challenge to find a time that works for everyone.

Don't rule out having to vacation during peak times.

We have 310 points at OKW, and it's worked out well. We have never missed going at least once a year since we joined back in '91. (And there were many years where we visited twice.)

We just added on another 104 points at VWL. It's a beautiful resort, and we're excited about having this second "home." Looking ahead, this will give us more opportunities to accommodate the changes that our family is certain to go through.

I guess what I'm saying is, don't base your decision solely on what works now. Look ahead, and consider what your family's dynamics will be 10 years from now.

 

[alsipd]

Of course, you could always buy now and add on later!

 

[BobH]

My advice is the same as the advice of the others - buy where you want to go the most. Your first line stated that you love WDW and have 4 youg kids. Why take a chance that you'll get the reservations you want at the 7 month window. Why not buy at WDW and get the 11 month advantage. I own at OKW and have stayed at VERO in June and will be staying at Hilton Head next May. However I have a friend who likes VERO and always has a hard time getting reservations for Presidents week in February at the 7 month window. He gets waitlisted every time.
I think your probably OK traveling away from your home resort at non-peak times only. I have read plenty on these boards about Hilton Head being tough to get into in June, July & August and BWV being tough at the 7 month window also. If WDW is your prime reason for joining don't let a savings of $900 over 42 years
cause you to buy at Hilton Head. The maintenance cost increase at Hilton Head over VWL will probably only amount to a few thousand dollars over 42 years. I would not listen to a guide's advice saying that it doesn't matter where you buy. Everything matters. My Guide was very clear with us - she stated that we should buy where we wanted to stay. This is the only way to guarantee yourself the 11 month window and the most advantages your membership entitles you to. As far as resales a lot of people have had good luck with them. I chose to buy through Disney and not take any risks with 3rd party transactions on a long distance basis. Good Luck!

 

[Doctor P]

Buy where you want to stay most, but if you are very flexible as to time and accomodations it appears most people have been able to get something acceptable at the 7 month window at off peak times. Do not buy with the expectation that it will always work out, but if you plan ahead it would appear that you will be able to get into the WDW resorts though it may not be exactly the resort, accomodation, or dates you want.

 

[ripleysmom]

I echo the sentiments of everyone else with one minor exception....

Chances are that you will be able to book OKW at 7 mos except during the most peak times. Most people can. And when BCV opens probably availability at BWV and WLV will open too as owners there try BCV.

HH on the other hand is almost impossible to get especially during the summer months without the 11 month window. If you see yourself wanting to stay there at all with any frequency then I would stick with what you have.

 

[BobH]

If you have 4 young kids your travel dates will probably not be very flexible and you will probably have to travel at peak times during school vacation weeks when competition for rooms is highest. You may absolutely need the advantage that the 11 month window will give you at your home resort.

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by braymil
Buy Where You Want To Stay!!!

Do people love VWL? I have read several great comments about OKW and I have been to BWV (via Yacht Club) but I have not heard much - good or bad - about VWL. I hope I have not turned people off too much by asking a Newbie Question - and with so much boring detail. Sorry!!!

I didn't see that anyone answered this part of your question.

We stayed at WL on one vacation and my DW announced that we would never stay anywhere else. The resort is magnificent with a gorgeous lobby and great amenities. It is beautifully themed to the Great Northwest. The Villas of WL carry the same theming to the DVC homes.

VWL is a fairly quiet place, with good access to the WL resort amenities and the boat to MK. All other destinations rely on the WDW buses or your own vehicle if you prefer. The VWL is very close to the bus stop.

Some people find the room color scheme to be somewhat dark since it uses a lot of earthtones....this is especially true of those that like the light and airy room colors of say, OKW. Also, unlike BWV and the soon to come BCV, you cannot walk to any parks from VWL.

If you like being "in the thick of things", you might want to wait for BCV. If you want a more relaxing atmosphere after a busy day in the parks, the VWL is IMHO a better choice.

OKW is also very quiet and laid back. You can only buy that on the resale market.

It is a big decision. If you have not visited the locations, I would suggest you at least become familiar with the OKW, Boardwalk, and WL areas and their theming. Most people find that one setting appeals to them the most and make that their home. Of course, you can always sample the other locations over the next 40 years.

If WDW is your primary destination, I would suggest that you make one of the DVC villas there your home. As was pointed out, $900 savings over 40 years is not worth hoping for reservations every year at the 7 month mark.

 

[braymil]

I spoke to our sales agent today and informed him that we wanted to switch to 300 points at VWL from our original plan to purchase as HH. He stood by his recommendation for HH saying that getting a reservation 7 months in advance during non-peak times would not be a problem. Thanks to all the DVC members for advice with this issue.

 

[Granny]

I think you will be happy with your choice.

After all, 40 years is a long time. Your vacation plans could change and you will undoubtedly want to stay in a peak period at some time.

Now you will have the maximum flexibility for your WDW stays. Congratulations and hope you feel free to keep asking questions any time!

 

[Mickbee]

I agree with Granny...

We love VWL as well. The location and theme is great for us. We are from NH, so we are a bit tired of seeing all the greens and the trees. As soon as we arrived our view quickly changed. We did an add-on there from our room. We started thinking of future plans and wanted to ensure we had the ability to plan with easy. Bear in mind; VWL is much smaller than OKW and BWV could be harder to get ressies at 7 months after sell out.

My $.02 with a twist is:

Buy a smaller contract initially and add on.

Here is why: A 300 point contract is fairly large. If for some reason down the road you decided VWL is not for you, your vacation habits change, or life changes, you have an option to sell part of your interest . Smaller contracts appear to be easier to sell. The 100 point contracts seem to fly off of the resale sites.

Buy buying smaller amounts, you could make your initial contract at VWL and then add-on at BCV. This way you will have an option at two resorts during the 11 month window.

Remember, you cannot combine the points from two locations for the 11 month window if they are from two resorts.

If you want to add all of your points at VWL, you could request the points in two smaller contracts or the second bunch as an add-on. This would be nice if you have kids and you plan to split the contract with them some day or sell some if you reduce travel down the road. If they don't want to do it, just purchase an add-on as soon as your primary closes.

Your guide will love me for saying that!

Ask some of the vets, perhaps they could shed more of a seasoned view...

Of course this is only MHO

Best of luck with any decision you make and ENJOY!

 

[Olaf]

Mickbee is absolutely correct. You still have time to change your contract. You should think about splitting up your purchase into two 150 point packets. Also, we decided on VWL because we have a young child and wanted to have the opportunity to get in at Christmas at some time in the future.