New To Dvc Process - Need Help And Advice!

[kaylie&laurensmom]

OK everyone - first thanks for all the great info on this board! After MUCH thorough research and talking DH into it, I've made the following offer:

LISTING:
SSR 121 points currently available (120 + 1 banked point from 2006) and 120 points coming on 6/1/08. Priced at $82 per point.

OFFER:
$81 per point; buyer (us) will pay '07 MF and closing costs.

I'm waiting to hear back from the seller if they accept.

I have several questions/concerns I need help with:

Do you guys think that's a good offer that will make it through ROFR?

We already have a POP trip booked for September with free dining (we've had free dining the last 3 years, that will be hardest thing to give up with DVC; although I know they won't offer it forever). So, we would not use the points until 2008 (when we will have 240 points). I'm assuming the 1 point from 2006 we would just lose - anyone know about that (not that 1 point really matters that much)!

I think this will be one of the best investments we've ever made! We have only stayed at value resorts so I know we're in for a huge treat. One thing I'm concerned about is the pull out beds - are they comfortable? Even at value we have 2 beds (although they are not the MOST comfortable things in the world)!

Finally, we like to travel in the off seasons due to crowds - thinking about our next trip in the first weeks of December or MAYBE late May - do you think I'll have a lot of trouble booking at BCV, BWV, AKV, or VWL at the 7 month mark? We took a tour at SSR in January and it's very nice, but we want to try ALL the resorts!!

Do the point charts ever change? Right now, it's 104 points for a week in a studio at SSR in September. Will it always be 104 points?

TIA for your help and advice!

 

[Granny]

Sorry...I don't keep up with ROFR since I'm not in the market for more points. Maybe someone else can help you out on that part of your question.

We already have a POP trip booked for September with free dining (we've had free dining the last 3 years, that will be hardest thing to give up with DVC; although I know they won't offer it forever). So, we would not use the points until 2008 (when we will have 240 points). I'm assuming the 1 point from 2006 we would just lose - anyone know about that (not that 1 point really matters that much)!

Yes, that one banked point will expire on May 31, 2008. There is nothing else you can do with it after that.

I think this will be one of the best investments we've ever made! We have only stayed at value resorts so I know we're in for a huge treat. One thing I'm concerned about is the pull out beds - are they comfortable? Even at value we have 2 beds (although they are not the MOST comfortable things in the world)!

We found the sofa/sleepers to be plenty comfortable but that is a very subjective thing. Others have found them less comfortable. They have upgraded these in many of the resorts so that should help quite a bit.

If you like two beds in a studio, you might want to book OKW. All the studios there have two regular beds (no sofa/sleeper).

Finally, we like to travel in the off seasons due to crowds - thinking about our next trip in the first weeks of December or MAYBE late May - do you think I'll have a lot of trouble booking at BCV, BWV, AKV, or VWL at the 7 month mark? We took a tour at SSR in January and it's very nice, but we want to try ALL the resorts!!

Any time between Thanksgiving and the end of the year is VERY popular for DVC bookings. So as far as DVC goes, early December is a very challenging booking time for certain resorts. SSR and OKW and AKV will probably be the best options at the 7 month mark just due to the number of villas at the resorts. VWL is especially difficult for non-VWL owners to book at 7 months for the holiday season.

As long as you are flexible, you should be able to book other resorts. But make the reservation exactly at the 11 month mark for your home resort first so you aren't scrambling for accommodations if you can't book elsewhere.

Late May is much easier to book non-home resorts for DVC owners. Shouldn't be a major problem there.

Do the point charts ever change? Right now, it's 104 points for a week in a studio at SSR in September. Will it always be 104 points?

Point charts do change slightly due to Easter and Thanksgiving moving around, but in general they are the same every year. Disney does have the right to adjust points for any time of the year but if they raise that week in September to 110 points, for example, they would have to reduce something else by 6 points.

As a matter of practicality, Disney just doesn't do this. They did it once at OKW several years ago and haven't done it since. So for planning purposes, yes, that 104 points will buy a week in a studio at SSR in September until your contract expires.

Good luck with your research!

 

[kaylie&laurensmom]

Thanks Granny (it feels weird calling a man that)!

Update: the seller accepted my offer!! So now we just wait for ROFR.

 

[wonka27]

Hi there. I just bought 120 points without points until 2008. I did see that contract online last night with the TSS and it made me cringe a little. But I am happy for you and wish you good luck.

Our 120 points were priced by the seller at $80/point. I was concerned about ROFR so when I spoke to Jerry at TSS about it he felt that $83 was the threshold price for passing ROFR at SSR. I agreed based on what I have seen here on the DIS. We ended up offering the sellers $83.33/pt to try and be in a decent place with a shot of passing. We did pass ROFR with that amount.

Will you make it, I don't know. If I remember I saw some on the ROFR thread that made it at $82 (it was over 200 pts. though). There were several ROFR'd in April at $82 and below. At $81/pt, I think you may be in a rough spot. Anything is possible, but this is certainly no gimme IMHO. Maybe someone else can jump in and give an assessment as well.

Good luck!

 

[Didney Daddy]

The fold out beds are fine for kids, not sure an adult would like them though. I hear they are upgrading the mattress but the reality is they are still fold out beds from a sofa.

The key to DVC is advance planning. IF you can plan 11 months out you will always be in good shape. If you are trying to get into a resort other than your home resort - you better be johnny on the spot for the 7 month window for December though it can be done.

Best advice is to book at your 11 month window at your home resort and then call at the seven month window to check availability at the other resort - you may be able to switch.

 

[Mtnman44]

ROFR is likely in my opinion. Is it worth a couple hundered bucks just to get the price down $2 per point? Only you can decide I guess but I think this one could easily get bought by disney.

 

[littlestar]

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you for it passing. Keep us posted.

I'd say May would be easier booking VWL than around the holidays. I'd make a reservation at SSR and then try to switch it at the 7 month mark for one of the smaller DVC's. If you don't get what you want at 7 months, just go on the wait list (I've had good luck with the waitlist).