Newbie here - buy SSR if you want BWV?

[Merylj]

DD and I did the DVC Tour of SSR on our last trip, we really like like the sound of it and I think it could work for us. The problem is although SSR is very nice, really we would want to stay at BWV. I`m thinking if that`s where we really want to be should we be buying BWV at resale ?? Or is it easy to get these units at the 7 month window.
Thanks all, any help or insight is appreciated.

 

[1000th happy haunt]

The general recommendation I've seen is to buy where you want to stay.

 

[Blue&Gold]

Pretty much the source of great amounts of contention on these boards... My wife and I decided to buy BWV resale because of "location, location, location." There are a couple good, if long, threads on the "buy where you want to stay" reasoning. I would say that you need to make a list of pros and cons for each---and prioritize.
What is the higher probability of getting the reservation you want at the resort you want worth to you?

 

[CarolMN]

If you really want BWV, buy there. At 7 months, you will find it very difficult to get a standard view, or a guaranteed Boardwalk view room. You will probably also be disappointed if you ever want a Grand Villa.

If you don't mind staying in a BWV Pool/Garden view room, you will usually be able to book at the BWV if you call as soon as the 7 month window opens. However, as SSR sells out, that may change. Many here (me included) think that the competition to get into the smaller WDW resorts at the 7 month window will increase significantly as DVC membership grows. The smaller resorts are VWL, BCV & BWV.

If you are OK with SSR if BWV isn't available, then go ahead and buy there.

Best wishes -

 

[trampslady]

You know, we first purchased at BCV because it seemed like the place we really wanted to be. Last year, I purchased an add-on at SSR thinking "we'll just use those points as last minute points and be happy to get what we can after the seven-month window." That said, I finally decided to sell the SSR points as I don't want to have to worry about switching to where I really want to be. And, I can't help myself from shaking my head in surprise when I read someone's "we just bought DVC" or "we just passed ROFR" followed by "I'm getting on the waitlist for BCV, BWV, or VWL."

To answer your question directly, I, personally, feel as though owning where I truly want to stay is very important to my overall satisfaction with our DVC purchase. Depending on your travel habits, SSR (albeit not your preferred resort) may be just fine. Specifically, if you are not one to book more than seven months out anyway, then it really doesn't matter which resort you own at. However, if you are a forward planner, then you may find it incredibly frustrating to have to wait to book your vacation where you really want to stay (and then sometimes find out that you can't get what you want).

I know this is long, and it doesn't out and out answer your question. However, I'm seeing more and more people post their excitement in buying DVC followed by a "now on to that waitlist at......"

 

[NJOYURLIFE]

If where you stay is really important to your vacation experience then buy where you want to stay and you won't be disappointed.

 

[MrsNick]

Also a couple of things to consider:

1) You will have 12 years longer to use your membership if you purchase at SSR.
2) That said, you can probably pay less per point to buy at the other resorts.
3) If you choose to buy resale and you don't buy from Disney, you should factor in the closing costs.

I know I'm forgetting lots of things, but that's what I thought of off the cuff.

 

[JimMIA]

Here's a thread we started a couple of months ago, which starts out talking about the issue of home resort.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=778634

 

[vascubaguy]

You know, we first purchased at BCV because it seemed like the place we really wanted to be. Last year, I purchased an add-on at SSR thinking "we'll just use those points as last minute points and be happy to get what we can after the seven-month window." That said, I finally decided to sell the SSR points as I don't want to have to worry about switching to where I really want to be. And, I can't help myself from shaking my head in surprise when I read someone's "we just bought DVC" or "we just passed ROFR" followed by "I'm getting on the waitlist for BCV, BWV, or VWL."

To answer your question directly, I, personally, feel as though owning where I truly want to stay is very important to my overall satisfaction with our DVC purchase. Depending on your travel habits, SSR (albeit not your preferred resort) may be just fine. Specifically, if you are not one to book more than seven months out anyway, then it really doesn't matter which resort you own at. However, if you are a forward planner, then you may find it incredibly frustrating to have to wait to book your vacation where you really want to stay (and then sometimes find out that you can't get what you want).

I know this is long, and it doesn't out and out answer your question. However, I'm seeing more and more people post their excitement in buying DVC followed by a "now on to that waitlist at......"

I'd fit into that category. I purchased OKW contract via resale then immediately did an add-on at SSR. I was at the 7 month window for my trip in March/April '06 when I finally got everything set and could make ressies. For the size room I wanted (studio), it was the same point cost at OKW and BWV and although I would have been completely happy at OKW, I figured I'd go ahead and try for BWV since it was the same # of points. Just so happens it's a busy time of year then, but I was able to get all but 2 nights at BWV in a std studio at the 7 month mark and those 2 nights came available in about one day. MS said they had "plenty" of availability for pref view studios at that point.

So I guess if you have certain accommodations you want at a certain location, then buy there. Consider SSR if you wouldn't be disappointed to have to stay somewhere else, or if you don't want to have to deal with waitlists, and if you aren't really concerned about the 12 years of additional time.

Just my thoughts...

 

[crisi]

Another factor is the stress.

Some people are happy owning a resort and switching at seven months. If it works, great, if not, hey they are still at WDW. Who cares if you sleep at SSR as long as you can get to Chef Mickey's for breakfast?

I'm a planner, obsesser, and worrier. We originally thought we'd move around and take advantage of the different resorts. But now that I know myself and my DVC habits, we probably won't ever stay anywhere but BWV (and it isn't our favorite - VWL is - I prefer the BW location, but I love the WL atmosphere). Why, because we are content there, always know when we are traveling more than a year in advance, because I don't want to obsesses for four months about moving, because I want to make my reservations at the eleven month mark and move on to obsessing over dining. I don't want the disappointment of plans made that we are unable to follow through on. I think I'd be content at any of the onsite resorts - except SSR (I can't stand the decor and the location is not where I want to be). They are all lovely (even SSR - not to my taste - but objectively its a lovely resort). But I've come to believe that I'm happiest home.

I love owning at BW and knowing I have the best possible shot at standard view and Boardwalk view rooms and that we can walk to our favorite restaurant on property, and walk home from Illuminations. Others love owning at BCV and knowing their kids will no doubt about it, have access to SAB. Or knowing that there is no doubt you'll be walking in the WL lobby at Christmas with the fireplaces and the incredible tree. Or knowing that they'll have a OKW Grand Villa each year. Or one at SSR.

 

[Rpsemont]

We bought at BW last year direct through DVD. By contact price, probably paid more than a resale through an outside vendor, but had no closing costs, financed it and actually stayed on our first years points before the deed was recorded - so I'm not sure if you factored all that in if we really did pay more. Saved ALOT on piece of mind with the purchase.

I am so glad I listened to the buy where you want to stay mantra. We have BWV BW view reserved for F&W and BW standard for Early Dec. In Feb, we prefer OKW, and it so far has never been a problem to get OKW at the 7 month window. If your reason for BW includes the lower point values for the Standard Studios - then buy at the BW, because you'll need the 11 month window.

 

[ScottNBecky]

yes buy SSR and then you just have to wait until the 7 month window hits before booking at another resort (non-home resort).

 

[iankh]

I was asking the very same questions you were 8 months agow when I once again became interested in buying into DVC. My dilemma at the time was that I really wanted VWL. Many on these boards gave me the advice to buy where I want to stay. The extra 12 years was not enticing enough (I'll be dead by that time anyway) so I abandoned the notion of SSR and bought a resale at VWL.

I'm very glad I did. While I know that I won't stay there exclusively, I like the benefit of having it be my choice and having the 11 month window.
[size=-1] [/size]

 

[byoung]

We bought BWV because that my favorite. Good luck on your decision.

 

[TEK224]

I fall into the "it doesn't matter" category. I recently bought DVC because I was spending so much on hotel rooms, I figured it made more sense to put that money towards nicer accomodations. Purchased through DVD to get financing and the extra 12 years. Hopefully I'll still be riding TofT when I'm 92

I do like the BW area and will probably consider an add-on there after I finish paying for the SSR points, to get the 11 month booking window. But I usually don't plan that far ahead.

I figure I'm just happy to be a Disney so whatever DVC resort get I will enjoy!

Terri

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

It really just depends on whether or not you would be happy staying at SSR if you couldn't switch to BWV at the 7-mo. window. It the answer is yes, go for it. If the answer is no, look for a BWV resale. Of course there are other factors to consider, do you need financing? How do the maintenance fees compare (you'll be paying them for many years!), etc. Just look at the big picture and decide what's best for your family. Good Luck!