Newbie wants to know...

[jmorgan811]

Looking at first time DVC purchase. Checking on resales. Question... why would I not just buy a bunch of points at Vero Beach since they're cheap, then use them elsewhere? Thanks for your answers!

 

[erionm]

Vero has the highest annual dues out of all of the DVC resorts. What you save on the price will be eaten away by the dues.

 

[wl1117]

...and depending upon when you plan to take your trips and what size/location of rooms you are wanting to book, sometimes it's difficult to get what you want at the 7 month booking window. Buy where you want to stay the most.

 

[Sandisw]

Owning at either VB or HH, with the sole intent of staying at WDW, can be a risky move.

First, while the upfront contract cost is cheaper, as already mentioned, the MF's are around $2.00 more than some the WDW resorts. It doesn't take long for you to eat away at whatever savings you get.

The other piece is that you are then limited to NEVER being able to book at WDW until 7 months prior to vacation. While there are very few times in the year where you will find NO availability at DVC resorts, there are times, even at the 7 month mark, that things are limited (ie: early December).

Without being able to secure something during the home resort booking period, you may be forced with having to move resorts and not being able to book the room size you want.

At least if you choose a resort at WDW, you can book something at 11 months and then trade out at 7. Unless you will absolutely never book prior to 7 months, you could be setting yourself up for disappointment.

And, the POS (if I have read it correctly--someone will correct me if I am wrong) only guarantees you the right to book at your home resort. At any time, the right to stay at other DVC resorts could be changed--not likely, but possible.

Now, if you see yourself using VB on occasion, then it might be something to consider.

Good luck!

 

[smangan10`]

I don' believe your right on the POS. You'll be able to stay at another WDW resort. If you make a reservation for a WDW, they can never cancel it. I bought at Saratoga Springs and haven't had any problems staying at the other DVC resorts.

 

[Disneycouple99]

I don' believe your right on the POS. You'll be able to stay at another WDW resort. If you make a reservation for a WDW, they can never cancel it. I bought at Saratoga Springs and haven't had any problems staying at the other DVC resorts.

Sandisw is correct. What they can do is only allow to book a reservation at your home resort. It is like a billion to one chance that it could happen, but it is in the POS for them to allow it.

 

[Sandisw]

I don' believe your right on the POS. You'll be able to stay at another WDW resort. If you make a reservation for a WDW, they can never cancel it. I bought at Saratoga Springs and haven't had any problems staying at the other DVC resorts.

Right now, we are allowed to book all resorts at the 7 month window. But, at any point, they can legally take that away as you are only guaranteed the right to book at your home resort. Not likely (as it could be seen as a devaluation of the product), but if it did happen, anyone owning a resort like VB or HH would be locked out of WDW.

Sandisw is correct. What they can do is only allow to book a reservation at your home resort. It is like a billion to one chance that it could happen, but it is in the POS for them to allow it.

Thanks for confirming it!

 

[jmorgan811]

Wow! Thanks for all the good information! I don't think I'll risk it. I will buy at WDW.

 

[Dean]

I don' believe your right on the POS. You'll be able to stay at another WDW resort. If you make a reservation for a WDW, they can never cancel it. I bought at Saratoga Springs and haven't had any problems staying at the other DVC resorts.

As others have noted, it's in the POS. But the reason I post is that the process and end result are far more important than simply not having access to the other resorts. From a DVC "club" standpoint, if you are a member of the club, you have access to other club resorts, currently at 7 months. The way access could be removed to the other resorts is to remove X resort from the club. There are prescribed ways in the POS where that could happen such as destruction of the resort (or part of) or a vote of the owners there. There is also a hidden way or two that this could happen such as if DVC sold the management contract or simply terminated it on their end. If the resort is no longer in the DVC, you simply own a timeshare somewhere. HH & VB are at the most risk for this event due to location, both from destructive forces and political ones. While I'd concur that it's unlike to happen, I don't think it's nearly as unlikely as some would like to believe. I'd give it a 2-4% chance over the life of the resorts with about 80% of that risk to due the forces of mother nature and related (Fire, hurricane).

Looking at first time DVC purchase. Checking on resales. Question... why would I not just buy a bunch of points at Vero Beach since they're cheap, then use them elsewhere? Thanks for your answers!

It sounds like you've decided against it but in case others are reading this thread, I'll concur. Buying VB or HH for 2042 points is not a savings compared to SSR 2054 when you consider both dues over time and expiration. In addition, you would be giving up an 11 month window at WDW as others have noted. However, it ultimately depends on the spread of the points and the dues. There could be a spread at some point that would it make it reasonable to use HH & VB as a points cow. ASAMOF, I believe SSR prices have crossed over the line making "buy where you want to stay" not nearly as clear cut as it once was for those that don't have to have a single resort basically every visit. In addition, for one who wants to use points part of the time at HH/VB, it also may be a good choice.