Please help with my thought process

[evedd]

I am really leaning towards purchasing DVC, but would like some help regarding my logic.

I plan on buying through resale. I see that the price per point for Vero Beach is considerably lower than all other resales. If I do buy Vero, I would have no plans to stay there, probably ever, as my family would most use the points for WDW DVC's.

I understand the 11 and 7 month window for you home resort, but am I missing something here? I could buy 150 points at Vero for thousands less than Boardwalk (which would be my preferred DVC home).

To summarize..........

I would like to buy 150 points with Vero as my home resort, but use the points to stay at Boardwalk in early Dec. every year for the forseeable future.
Is there anything wrong with this logic? Are there any drawbacks to this?

I have lurked this site for quite a while and appreciate all of the info.

Thanks

 

[Lynne M]

Two problems with your plan, that I can see:

1) The maintenance fees for VB are much higher than the fees for the WDW resorts. Since the maintenance fees are going to be a larger expense over time than the initial purchase prices, VB will likely be more expensive to own over the life of the contract.

2) Early December is the busiest time of year for DVC bookings, and you would have a very hard time booking BWV at the 7 month window for that period. You'd probably be on a waitlist every year, sweating it out and wondering if you were going to get in. Any WDW DVC resort is going to be tough to get at 7 months for that time of year.

If you really plan on staying at BWV in early December every year, then you need to buy BWV so you can book it at 11 months.

 

[evedd]

Thanks for the input Lynne.

We've been to WDW the 1st week of Dec. every year for the last six years, and found it to be very quiet. I guess I just have to learn when the higher priority weeks are for DVC.

Thanks again, the resales for BWV aren't too bad.

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

Thanks for the input Lynne.

We've been to WDW the 1st week of Dec. every year for the last six years, and found it to be very quiet. I guess I just have to learn when the higher priority weeks are for DVC.

Thanks again, the resales for BWV are too bad.

Try a SSR or OKW resale. They are reasonably and you will have a guaranteed reservation at WDW at the 11 month window. You can book 11 months at your home, and at 7 months you can book where you want to stay. If BWV is unavailable you can go on a waitlist (up to 2 at a time).

 

[Sandisw]

As others have said, buying at VB with the intention of staying at WDW may seem less expensive upfront but not in the long run because of the difference in MF's.

If you really want to be at BWV, then I would buy there. We bought at BLT because we knew that is where we wanted. We tried buying VWL (50 points) thinking that would be a good place to start but then realized that we wanted the 11 month advantage at BLT for SV rooms. So we sold after only 2 months.

SSR or OKW are better options if you want to save some money over BWV, but again, with the life of the contract, is it that much more to know you are where you love to be?

IMO, the worst is to feel disappointed when you arrive because you could not get the reservation that you want.

Good luck!!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Thanks for the input Lynne.

We've been to WDW the 1st week of Dec. every year for the last six years, and found it to be very quiet. I guess I just have to learn when the higher priority weeks are for DVC.

Thanks again, the resales for BWV are too bad.

Low crowds does not mean low DVC attendance. Since points are low during that period and most of us are Disney experienced, we LOVE going that time of year. You will definitely want a WDW resort as your home if those are your plans.

 

[Metsoskil]

If BWV is where you want to stay, then buy there, as other posters have mentioned. I think that most people who start looking at resales go through the same thought process as you at first - looking at VB and HHI before realizing that the MFs eat up any savings within a few years.

As was mentioned before, WDW busy and DVC busy are not at all the same. In fact, often they are opposite. Times of the year, such as early Dec, and late Sep-early Oct are slower at the parks, but high demand for DVC because of the low point requirements and events at the parks (F&W, Holidays).

If you would be happy at SSR and/or OKW, maybe look at a SSR resale contract. You'd still save money, have lower maintenence fees, and could probably switch into BWV on occasion. But if you are set on staying at BWV, buy there.

 

[Lynne M]

Thanks for the input Lynne.

We've been to WDW the 1st week of Dec. every year for the last six years, and found it to be very quiet. I guess I just have to learn when the higher priority weeks are for DVC.

Thanks again, the resales for BWV are too bad.

There's really not much relationship between park attendance and DVC resort bookings. Some DVCers don't even spend a lot of time in the parks. The busiest time of year for BWV is essentially from the beginning of the Food and Wine Festival through the end of the year, with demand peaking in early December. BWV owners who want to stay during the first couple of weeks of Dec. are on the phone to Member Services the morning of the day that their 11-month window opens.

If you're really not that committed to staying at BWV, you could save money by buying at SSR or OKW. But, if you're going to be disappointed staying at any other resort than BWV, is it worth it to spend thousands of dollars to stay at a resort you don't really care for?

BWV resales will be around for many years to come. If it's not in your budget now to buy BWV, keep saving until you've got the funds to buy there.

 

[DebbieB]

I own at BWV and have stayed at the beginning of December many times. I always call at the 11 month mark. If you want standard or boardwalk view, there is little chance you will get it at 7 months, even on a waitlist. One time I forgot to call first thing in the morning at 11 months and when I called in the afternoon I was told I got the last standard view 1 bedroom. You may have a small chance on a pool/garden view. This time has always been popular with DVC members. It's in the lowest point season, members like going to see the decorations and shows and it's a good time crowd wise.

Dues are higher at Vero and over time will cut down on your initial savings. For an unsubsidized contract, it's $6.61 vs $5.36, so for 150 points you would be paying $185 more in 2010.

Another consideration is contract length. Vero & Boardwalk both expire in 2042. SSR expires in 2054, AKV 2057, BLT 2060. If you bought one of those, at least you could make an 11 month reservation on WDW property and dues are lower than BWV.

 

[zimboys]

I think everyone’s points are very valid and are unique to each person. I my opinion I think it depends on your style of vacationing. I have 3 young boys so we go for the parks and the overall Disney experience. We will stay anywhere and don't mind moving mid week since Disney does the majority of the work. If you don't like to do that then yes you should buy where you want to stay. I am no pro at this but we have not had any problems booking at 7 months (we too like December) since we are flexible enough to do so. In regards to the maintence fees I have a couple of contracts at VB and do pay more. To me I find the value in the lower price is worth it since I can afford the contracts without financing them and can buy them now. I look for “loaded contracts” that give me a little extra at first - (extra nights or points I can give to friends). I figure the difference in price over the next 5-10 years is a wash since I can go now while they are young. I am sure financially it is not correct but when I can tell my kids we are going back to Disney in 7 months and staying at a different resort they love it. So VB is ok for me. I am sure most think I am nuts to do it this way but for me the memories are worth more than a little extra money. Good luck!

 

[evedd]

Thanks for everyone's input, I really appreciate it.

Although BWV is my favourite resort, I would have no qualms staying at any of the other DVC resorts. I mean, they are all pretty spectacular.

I guess my final question(s) would be.................Has anyone had trouble getting a WDW res. at the 7 month window? As stated, we always go right after Thanksgiving. After talking it over a bit, we agreed that we would probably end up being the type of DVC owner that would like to try all of the DVC resorts at WDW, so hopefully someone could share some insight at the type of variety available at the 7 month window for that time of year. Then a purchase at SSR would make the most sense.

Thanks again, you guys are great!

 

[zimboys]

We booked this year's trip about six months out for a studio at OKW from Nov 28 - Dec 7th. If my memory is correct the only other thing fully available for those dates was SSR and some nights at AKL-Kidanni in studios otherwise it was spotty. Not sure on what is more popular studios, 1 bed, or 2 beds. Good luck

 

[kdepot]

We Booked our 12/1 trip at 11 Mo for SSR and switched to OKW at 7 Mo because that was all that was available.

Waitlisted for BCV and BWV.

I called almost every day for the next few months trying for BWV or BCV for the start or end of the week. We got the first 2 days ay BWV and nothing else.

Buy where you want to stay. We own SSR and we want to try the others.

We are happy just to be at WDW. Where? Who cares?

 

[Luv2Scrap]

Since y'all are talking about DVC attendance, could someone please share their thoughts on DVC attendance in the following months? This is when I will be most likely to travel, at least over the next several years.

June
August
January

Thanks!

 

[Metsoskil]

Since y'all are talking about DVC attendance, could someone please share their thoughts on DVC attendance in the following months? This is when I will be most likely to travel, at least over the next several years.

June
August
January

Thanks!

Can only speak about August, as I haven't travelled to WDW in the other months you have mentioned. Early August doesn't seem to be too bad - we've usually gotten what we were looking for at the 7 mo. window. Late August is a little tougher, but I don't think it's as bad as Oct-Dec at BWV, BCV, and VWL.

 

[Crystal_27]

LOL - I think that everyone who sees the price difference between the on-WDW property resorts versus the off-property WDW resorts goes through the same thought process. Keep in mind that if you buy at Vero, you will be booking your WDW trip at 7 months. This means that you will probably not get your first choice of resort (and, during busy times, not your second or third choice either). It also means that you might be waitlisted or might have to change room types or resorts during your vacation (a nightmarish prospect in my opinion). Also, do keep in mind that the beach properties have the highest maintenance fees of the DVCs so, even though you are saving money at the outset with the initial purchase, that savings is going to be eaten away every year by the higher maintenance fees.

We actually just bought into BLT in March and, although the price tag was a shocker compared to the resales, I'm happy that we ended up buying there because I know that I would not have been happy staying at any other DVC, if I couldn't get into BLT at the 7 month mark. Either way, best of luck to you.

 

[rlovew]

Since y'all are talking about DVC attendance, could someone please share their thoughts on DVC attendance in the following months? This is when I will be most likely to travel, at least over the next several years.

June
August
January

Thanks!

Early January- New Years through the Marathon weekend seemed hard to get. I tried for anything in a studio during that time 5 months out for a Sunday through Thursday and nothing was available for a straight stay. I don't think every night was even if I switched daily.

I just had to cancel and rebook 2 days in a studio the 2nd week of January and there was a little availability in any resorts through the month for a studio but that was at 2 months out.

Rebecca

 

[dianeschlicht]

Thanks for everyone's input, I really appreciate it.

Although BWV is my favourite resort, I would have no qualms staying at any of the other DVC resorts. I mean, they are all pretty spectacular.

I guess my final question(s) would be.................Has anyone had trouble getting a WDW res. at the 7 month window? As stated, we always go right after Thanksgiving. After talking it over a bit, we agreed that we would probably end up being the type of DVC owner that would like to try all of the DVC resorts at WDW, so hopefully someone could share some insight at the type of variety available at the 7 month window for that time of year. Then a purchase at SSR would make the most sense.

Thanks again, you guys are great!

Frankly, if you want to book from Thanksgiving to Dec. 15, you will want to do that within the 11 month booking window. Then if you want to change resorts at the 7 month window, you can try for that, but better to be safe than sorry by not having the 11 month window at all. SSR and OKW are good values point wise and maintenance fee wise, and because of their size, you are pretty much assured of getting something, but why risk it? Buy one of those two and book at 11 months and then try switching your ressie at 7 months to you preferred resort if it's available. The time period you are talking about is OFTEN completely booked before that 7 month window rolls around for some resorts and some unit sizes.

 

[cayman01]

to the original poster,

If you want to cut down on cost look for a resale with banked points. For example, TSS has a Sept UY 250 point contract listed at $79/pt. It has 250 2008 points banked, 250 2009 points and 250 coming on Sept 2010. You could rent out all the 2008 and 2009 points and lower your cost per point down around $55-59/pt. depending on how much you rent your points for.
Then use the 2010 points for your first trip. that would wipe out any price advantage from VB AND give you the perfect 11 month booking window.

 

[theww228]

to the original poster,

If you want to cut down on cost look for a resale with banked points. For example, TSS has a Sept UY 250 point contract listed at $79/pt. It has 250 2008 points banked, 250 2009 points and 250 coming on Sept 2010. You could rent out all the 2008 and 2009 points and lower your cost per point down around $55-59/pt. depending on how much you rent your points for.
Then use the 2010 points for your first trip. that would wipe out any price advantage from VB AND give you the perfect 11 month booking window.

If you rent the points for $10 each, then you only net $5 each after the MF's are paid, so it is not quite such a good deal.