OKW or SSR does it matter?

[ozliz]

So I am thinking of buying a small DVC contract in a year or so and definitely worked out that resale is better for me. I have never stayed at OKW or SSR but I think that going with the 'cheapest option' is best for me. It might be possible to occasionally book as far as 8-9 months out but usually 7 months would fit better with my workplace. Also, I am happy with split stays so if I was set on dates early then I could always book a long time out then try to get part of the trip somewhere else at 7 months if it was a peak season. The reality is that I prefer not peak season anyway and with no kids there is no reason to travel in peak season when everything is busy and waits are longer.

So, getting to my question, should I be considering OKW or SSR? I like that OKW rooms are bigger and has 2 separate beds in studio. Great for travelling in a non-couple arrangement (eg if my mother were to join me). SSR has lower dues, is newer and I like the expiry date better in terms of my current long term plans (may of course change).

Would it really matter which one, should I keep my options open? I have never stayed at either but it is all Disney and I am sure I could still get some days at other resorts on some trips given what people have said about wait listing etc.

 

[ozliz]

PS I was originally thinking OKW as I know initial cost is lower but now leaning towards SSR for reasons noted above.

 

[DVC Mike]

If you haven't already, take a look at these posts:

• Choosing your home resort: what to consider? - Gives some advice as to what factors you should consider when choosing.

• Old Key West vs. Saratoga Springs Resort - a brief comparison

• OKW Maps, Room Information, Floor plans
• SSR Maps, Room Information, Floor plans

 

[ozliz]

Thanks Mike. I hadn't seen the second link which is good as most people seem to compare the two for a particular trip rather than at the buying stage.

 

[bookwormde]

Since you will only have a limited number of point OKW Grand villa is not in the picture so if you do not travel at a very busy time them both will be available at the 7 month mark so neither has a home resort advantage over the other. The only exception to that is if you wanted to save up for a few nights in a tree house villa, and even those are almost always available at 7 months. I think the lower dues at SSR are the clincher. It also expires much later

I have OKW and love the resort and it is nice to be able to a GV at 11 months, but aside form the OKW GV if I could decide again I would save on dues and buy SSR

 

[OKW Lover]

PS I was originally thinking OKW as I know initial cost is lower but now leaning towards SSR for reasons noted above.

Easy calculation regardless of the number of points purchased:

• Determine the difference in price per point between OKW and SSR.
• Determine the difference in Member Fee per point between OKW and SSR
• Divide the former by the latter and that tells you how long you would need to hold on to DVC for the "cheaper" resort to break-even with the other one.

Example (all number are purely made up for illustration only):

Cost of SSR per point = $85, Cost of OKW per point = $75, so SSR is $10/point more expensive than OKW.
Member Fees for SSR per point = $5.50; Member Fees for OKW per point = $6.00, so OKW costs $0.50 more per year.
Divide $10.00 by $0.50 = 20 years. So, you'd need to hold onto your DVC investment for 20 years if you picked the more expensive resort buy-in.​

Yes, somebody will come along and mention things like the time-value of money. That's absolutely true, but forecasting future MF's isn't easy and it makes this simple calculation way too complicated for the average buyer.

Disclaimer: I'm a recovering beancounter so what appears obvious to me might not be so obvious to others.

 

[suebeelin]

I would choose SSR bc it will be easier to resell in 10/15 years (expiration date), with all things being equal.

 

[DVCDisneyRunner]

Keep in mind that peak season for the parks is not the same as peak season for DVC in fact they are usually in contrast with each other. Here are a couple links you may want to check out

http://www.disboards.com/threads/an...r-days-7-11-months-out.3281173/#post-51506136

http://www.disboards.com/threads/predicted-dvc-booking-patterns-studios-some-1-bedrooms.3419112/

 

[davidl81]

I like SSR due to the age of the contract. 15 years is a long amount of time. Who knows how long you will have the contract for, but if you were to resale it that 15 years will make a big difference. You can get either resort at 7 months almost always so you really don't gain a booking advantage either way.

 

[HookdonWDW]

I went with the idea of buy where you wouldn't mind staying. Since I'd much rather stay at OKW than SSR, it was an easy decision for me. The answer will be different for other people though...