On The Fence - Need a Spotter for My Math

[katied]

We added on at BLT because I know that's where we want to stay, and I don't want to have to deal with the risk of not getting in at 7 months. So, I won't say I based on decision on a complete analysis of the finances. We also own at BWV - because at the time we didn't have kids, liked the option of staying there during F&W times, so also needed to book at 11 months.

Plus, if you want to save points and book SV, then best to own where you're going to stay because those are very hard to get at 7 months. (With that said, we are spluging on our Jan 2011 trip with a MK view, since it was available when I called at the 11 month window).

 

[sweetdana]

If you are going to go every 3rd year, there is no questions DVC is better than renting from Dis. Even renting other people's points is a better alternative to renting from Dis. I look back and cannot believe I paid 4,600$ for 10 -11 nights at the BW one time. DOOOOH. That could have been nearly a 50 point add on.

The diff between SSR and BLT is over 30$ right now. (If you are paying cash )
SSR right now is about 69-72$ resale and BLT is almost the same as from Dis. just over 100$. It makes sense to buy direct for BLT, as there may be an incentive, and quicker closing free year points or something. SSR is better resale no close second there paying cash.

I went SSR, I cannot make ressies 11 months out hardly ever, I cannot justify the difference of BLT, (actually BCV for me). I couldn't not justify a higher price per point for something I do not know how often I could take adv of. I also wanted to go to D Land every few years, which wouldnt matter where I bought points. I love BW, BCV, BLT, and I like SSR. (I have never stayed OKW, or AK). I couldnt justify 5K more for something I may or may not take benefit from, noting the "negitive" alternatitve is still a beautiful view at SSR. I think of it as I get a "free upgrade" when I can take adv of BCV with my SSR points. .. So far I have always gotton what I wanted, with being open to my 1st 3 choices. BLT, BW, and BC. I think us going off season and 1 -bed vrs studio helps. I have my next ressie for 1-bed room BC 08-29 - 09-05 just before daughters 1st day of KG.
If you got SSR, how do you feel about it. Even if it is 1/2 the time. Are you okay with this, or will you feel like you lost? If you are okay with it.. Go SSR. If you are not okay with ending up there .. go BLT. If you are spending 15K for something you want, spend 20K for something you really want. Also you have to make ressies at over 7.5 months or it doesn't matter where you buy. The points are all the same at the 7 month window. If you are making ressies 4-6-7 months out now, go SSR it doesn't matter anyway.

 

[shortypots]

The generally rule of thumb is buy where you want to stay. The only exception to this rule is if you do not generally booked your trips until within the 7month time period.

If you want to stay at BLT for the majority of your trips, that is where I would buy- period.

We bought at AKV and VWL because that is where we will want to stay. If I want to make a last minute trip, I am generally happy anywhere, but I am a planner, so I usually know when I want to go at a minimum a year in advance, so having the 11month priority is nice. We needed it for our April trip since I wanted a Jambo house Grand Villa at AKV. My dad is handicapped, so we really needed a 1 floor floorplan, however, he doesn't need a handicapped bathroom, so the 11 month priority was imperative.

 

[Audray]

Thanks again for all the great advice. After considering all options, we decided to pursue AKL via resale. We spent a lot of time talking about the many options and considerations, and decided that we'd prefer to stay at AKL over BLT. After that, the decision to go resale was pretty easy. So we made an offer today, and hope to hear back from the seller either later today or tomorrow. Hopefully the deal we proposed will be accepted and get past ROFR. Either way, thanks to all who responded.

 

[thelionqueen]

Thanks again for all the great advice. After considering all options, we decided to pursue AKL via resale. We spent a lot of time talking about the many options and considerations, and decided that we'd prefer to stay at AKL over BLT. After that, the decision to go resale was pretty easy. So we made an offer today, and hope to hear back from the seller either later today or tomorrow. Hopefully the deal we proposed will be accepted and get past ROFR. Either way, thanks to all who responded.

I just had to laugh out loud when I read this post!!
I wasn't laughing for any other reason than I was so intrigued at your research, choices, financial wisdom, breakdowns, etc. Weighing one resort over another for all the right reasons, hearing great advice on your questions, and so on.

Then, out of nowhere, you decide to buy AKV! I LOVE IT!! We had debated and decided on no less than 4 "homes" before we bought. I'm glad I'm not the only one!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

 

[Audray]

Thanks, it was an interesting decision making process. The last minute curveball actually had some rationale behind it. My take on the whole situation was that you need to make sure you get a good deal, but you also need to know that what you end up with is something that you really want. So what we did was look at all of the communities and picked the ones that we would be happy to be at every time we go. For us, that narrowed it down to BLT, VWL and AKV. Then I applied the financial evaluation to those three options (this is where feedback from this board was so valuable), and AKL came out as the best "value" of the three. Resale was really a no-brainer because there just happened to be an offering that exactly matched the points and use year we were looking for.

We just got the call from TTS, and the seller accepted our offer. So now we go through the contracting process and face the ROFR meat grinder.

 

[F&A]

I just went through this process and ended up buying a SSR resale @ $72/point. The only downside was the 8 week closing time. But small price to pay in the long run. I found this spreadsheet very helpful and customized it with my own variables.

mousesavers.com/DVCvsCash2008.xls

 

[px57chevy]

CONGRATS on making the decision to join the family, the DVC family! I will say that it is a "different" feeling the first time you go on your points. We rented for a LONG time and finally decided to buy resale last May!

Since then, when we book typically 3 to 4 months out...AKL is usually available (but we get 2 BR's) usually. WE LOVE AKL!!! The pool area there is second only to BCV and my daughter LOVES the "water park" area. They did a great job there! Oh and being able to park your car in a covered area in the summer is nice too!