Please give me some advice!

[champagne27]

Okay - here is the situation...I think I have finally convinced DH that DVC is the way to go. My problem is that I think we should buy now before points go up even more and our first trip is not scheduled until May 2006 so we would be buying sight unseen...

Where do we buy? We are only going to start with a 150-160 point contract. We have 2 kids, DD age 4 and DS age 2. I think BCV is my favorites based totally how the pool sounds and the pictures but I'm afraid of the waitlist. I have been watching the resales and I think I will also talk to our guide about Disney's waitlist.

BWV, SSR and OKW sound good as well...I am so indecisive! It's hard to imagine what we will want in a vacation 10, 20, 30 years from now...

Any thoughts, opinions, feedback will be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks so much - Karolyn

 

[DisneyBB]

We own at OKW and love it. If you are buying 150/160 points then your points will go further in OKW than the other resorts. Also the rooms are larger and it has a more laid back feel.

 

[hollis]

Karolyn, we are kind of in the same boat. Our first family trip to a DVC resort will be next month. Based on our research (kind of the way you said, through pictures, description, etc), we thought BCV would be our first choice. So we booked BCV for next month's vacation. We have a 4-year-old. We insist that he take a nap everyday. A studio is not going to work too well. So we settled on a 1 bedroom.

I figure we will frequent WDW at least for the next few years. So I decide to own instead of rent. I just purchased OKW (through resales), before I stayed at any of them. (However, I've been to Orlando and Disney World many times for work related activities. So I know some about Disney, even though not much about DVC.) I am fortunate enough to be able to use points from this new purchase for this vacation.

The reason for the OKW choice for purchase is basically what DisneyBB quoted: the points will go further and the rooms are bigger. Oh, and they have a new pool, very interesting. Now that we are OKW owners, I am already thinking about my next trip to OKW. I will be able to get a 2 bedroom for about the same number of points for a 1 bedroom at BCV. And I can book 11 months out. Looks like 2 and 3 bedrooms are usually gone faster. Being able to reserve 11 months out is important.

Anyway, our vacation is another month yet, but I am already so excited about the purchase.

 

[lsl]

Karolyn, we were faced with the same decision also. After walking through SSR we came home and began looking at the DVC resales. Eventually we decided on SSR because it expires 12 years later than the rest. And the amount we pay today would be nothing compared to extra 12 years of Resort lodging costs. As long as you have DVC points, you can stay at any of the other resorts.

Hope this helps.

 

[princess mom]

we are also thinking of making a purchase at SSR...sight unseen. We will have to finance and plus the contract year a long at SSR....there's a pretty good incentive as well. Lot's to think about huh? Kinda gets overwhelming doen't it?

 

[JeffPort]

We bought almost 2 years ago ... sight unseen. With 4 young children and more interest in the theme parks (than Downtown Disney) our primary concern was the ability to access the parks with ease. That pushed me to BWV or BCV, even though we had never seen either one -- or even been to the EPCOT/Boardwalk Resorts area.

We ended up buying a great contract at BWV. The availability there on the resale market was much better (and it continues to be the same today). We knew that buying at the Boardwalk would always ensure us a great location between EPCOT and MGM -- and we also knew that we could always attempt to move over to the Beach Club at the 7-month window.

Well, we've already been to BWV twice now and it worked out even better than we hoped. The Boardwalk is a great hotel in its own right. The pool, while not as nice as BC, is certainly entertaining for our kids and a nice way to spend a few relaxing hours. The kids love to spend some time in the Community Hall (which is not available at BC). Plus, the central access to the theme parks is perfect for us -- about 5 minutes to EPCOT and 15 minutes to MGM. That's actually better than Beach Club.

We will always be happy with a stay at the Boardwalk. That said, we decided to try for the Beach Club for our stay this summer (early June). This was the first time I tried to make the switch to a different DVC location and I was surprised to find that not only could we move our 2-room reservation for all 6 nights, but we were even able to secure one of the "dedicated" 2-bedroom units at the Beach Club. The kids are excited to try out Beach Club. But even if we had been unable to move this go-round, we would have been happy with our BWV reservation (which was for fewer points as we had secured Standard View rooms) and we would have just tried again for Beach Club next year.

If your #1 concern is securing an EPCOT resort location, I'd suggest you keep your options open by keeping an eye on BWV resale contracts as well. They tend to be both cheaper and more plentiful. The annual dues for both resorts are nearly identical.

Good luck with your search.

 

[Mike]

Karolyn,
Have you sent away for the free DVC info yet? I know the video will show you a lttle bit of each resort which may give you a better idea. Another alternative is the free WDW Planning DVD. Each DVC Resort is shown in the resorts section. Just a thought .... I know it's not the same as seeing it in person.


Good Luck!

 

[TheBeast]

We bought at BCV last year, somewhat spur of the moment (DW really wanted it and a contract showed up on tts, so we grabbed it). First stay was at BWV last summer, and we loved that. Took a look at SSR and weren't thrilled, but mostly cause of location - we love Epcot and MGM, and don't go to Downtown much.

That said, the extra 12 years at ssr, and buying through Disney are big pluses if you think you'll like that location...

 

[dyingtodisney]

We bought SSR sight unseen and added on VWL sight unseen.

There is a lot to consider in your home:
1. theming - look at lots of pics, videos, read opinions on boards, amenities
2. price - do you need disney to finance? Resale an option? Compare price of dues over the years. Browse points charts.
3. length of contract - SSR is the obvious choice for that
4. Ease to parks - VWL, BWV, BCV wins here
5. Future interests - When those kids are grown and gone (will happen one day where would you picture yourself or them for that matter).
6. Personal patience - waiting on waitlist or resale contract

We chose SSR and VWl because we felt it had the best combo of perks.

SSR- lower points, dues than other resorts (besides OKW). Longer contract. Future interest- spa for mom, Disney Quest/AMC/Virgin when son becomes a teen or older, DowntownDisney for my shopaholic daugher and myself.

VWL- loved theming, pics, "felt like us", close proximity to MK which is the kids favorite park while they are young.

Good Luck with your decision!

 

[champagne27]

Thanks so much for your replies! I hope that we will be able to make an offer on something soon then we will get "Welcomed Home"!

I am still waiting on the info packet from DVC so hopefully that will help us make some decisions soon!

Thanks again for sharing information.

~Karolyn

 

[Greysword]

You can see the resorts on the WDW Magical Gatherings planning DVD (or VHS) as well.

I have a suggestion to think about. If you are unsure, then consider buying from a resale firm (like this board's sponsor) and buy two smaller contracts. If your DH is concerned about the financial viability of each resort, SSR is the wayt o go due to the longer shelf life. Of course, other resorts have a better location.

Your family could focus on smaller contracts to make up the points instead of a larger one.

If you buy from Disney (either SSR or wait list the others) I think you still require 150 points to join. Through a reseller, you can get two 75 or 80 point contracts to make the 150-160 points. Then you will be able to have one at the longer lasting SSR and one at a closer park resort.

If you go this route, you can consider two 100 point contracts instead. You may want the greater number of points to get a larger room (1-2br) and you would have a solid number of points to reserve both home resorts 11 months out. There are three SSR 100 point contracts on the Timeshare Store's website right now at $83/point. You could start out smaller and plan to add more after you do a DVC tour.

My wife and I bought 165 at SSR, and it is great! I just wish we would have two 100 point contracts instead. of course, I am going to hold off buying more until they decide to announce the next resorts in planning. if they open at Disneyland and/or the Contemporary (as the rumor mill is hoping), then I will probably buy contracts at both of those

I hope you have a good time deciding!!