Poll: Favorite advice to prospective buyers about choosing a home resort

[skibum]

We also fall into the buy where you do not mind staying, but also fell in love with one particular resort, and added points there to guarantee us the ability to stay there (as long as we plan 11 months out). Looking forward to another New Year's at BCV.

 

[JimC]

Buy based on what's most important to you.

1. If a specific resort (location, style, theme, villa type and/or view) is important and you want the booking advantage, then buy that resort. The need for the booking advantage varies by resort, villa type, view and time of year that you most often vacation.

2. If contract length are important then your resort options are grouped based on that variable. This can also be a factor in number three.

3. If any resort is fine, then buy where you get the best deal for total cost of ownership. Recognize that the variables for that depend on purchase cost (price, closing costs and finance charges), dues, expected length of ownership and likely resale value upon disposition.

4. Buy HH or VB if you want to stay at those locations and the ability to stay at WDW is not important.

 

[JimMIA]

Buy based on what's most important to you.

Finally, someone said it perfectly!

Everybody's "most important" is not the same, and that is why no one answer is going to be the best answer for everyone.

 

[TTFN!]

Finally, someone said it perfectly!

Everybody's "most important" is not the same, and that is why no one answer is going to be the best answer for everyone.

That Sir, is why James C is a Moderator!

 

[Kathi OD]

Always have been of the Buy Where You Don't Mind Staying school of thought, but mostly because when we bought, there were only 2 DVC resorts on property (didn't want HH or VB - the idea was to go to WDW) and only one was available. Sooo we wanted to buy OKW, but had to take BWV (really a horrid develpment, huh?).

 

[Jaaron2]

We bought AKV (which is what got us to join) and since at BCV since these are the resorts we want to stay at the most. To us it makes sense to find out where your favorite resorts are and to have the best advantage at those resorts to get what you want and when you want it. That dosent mean you wont try out other resorts (as we are staying at SSR this year) but I am more apt to settle at other resorts that at my "home" resort.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

It seems to me that if you satisfy option 1, than option 2 will automatically come along for the ride.

I bought exactly where I want to stay, and further more I adjusted my points at each of my three resorts to fit my foreseeable vacation habits.

MG

 

[katdocnorf]

It gets harder and harder to get your first choice now when booking. So I would definitely say "Buy where you want to stay the most". At one time the only difficult times to book were the very peak times and even then there was still availability. Maybe you just wouldn't get a preferred view or you had to get a different type of room 1br vs studio, etc. Now it is difficult even during non peak times.

Here is one suggestion also. We bought initial points where we want to stay the most. Then bought add on's during specials (DISCOUNT OFFERS). It is very difficult for me to book at BW using my add on points. But we told ourselves when we purchase the add on that we mainly purchased that to do other things with anyway (CRUISE, CONCIERGE COLLECTION, ETC). But when I have a problem I just book what I can and then go on waiting list and then if I still can't I will usually move mid vacation from BW to OKW or whatever is available.

 

[Granny]

Thanks everyone who voted and responded. I think this is valuable advice for people who come looking for information as they decide on where to buy.

I happen to agree with the position that the advice depends on the person who is buying, whether they are passionate about a particular resort, whether they can plan more than 7 months in advance, and other factors. As such, all the advice and opinions are very valid.

I intend to bookmark this and refer prospective buyers to this from time to time. As such, any additional comments or opinions are more than welcome.

Thanks again!

 

[kimberh]

I believe in BWYWTS... that is why I owe at 4 resorts. I need the 11 month booking window to get the room and resort that I want, when I want it.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I believe in BWYWTS... that is why I owe at 4 resorts.

Not sure if this is a typo, but I sure got a kick out it!

MG

 

[SFLTIGGER]

Just posted this on another thread and thought it was a good fit here also!

We are owners at SSR resort since May 2006 and are soooo... looking forward to staying there for the first time in October! Search this site there are several posts of many, many, many people who absolutely LOVE SSR.

Yes I said for the First time! But, it has not been our first DVC stay as members. We have stayed at VWL, VB, OKW/VB, and VB again. Have ressies for SSR, VWL, BWV/VB pending thru April 2008.

I know a lot of people profess "Buy where you want to stay", but IMHO, "Buy where you won't mind staying" is a better motto for DVC purchase. DVC is all about choices and yes there is an advantage to 11 month window (and more so if you vacation at peak DVC times), but that does not mean you can't get ressies at other resorts. Each resort has it's own style and advantages (and maybe some disadvantages).

What we have found most wonderfull is the fantastic 'family' we meet everywhere we stay!

 

[eporter66]

I chose buy the best deal and here is why.

I completely understand the "buy where you want to stay" theory. I really do. I understand the theming/location/etc...

But honestly - You are staying on Disney Property. Nothing is that far away. We have stayed at SSR and BWV, loved them both. We stayed at Wilderness Lodge prior to buying DVC - loved it.

We have found each resort to have its own unique personality and quality. Again - You are staying in deluxe accomdations in WDW, how bad can it be? We also have a three year old, so we are not just two adults who come and go as we please.

SO - I understand buy where you want to stay, but we have enjoyed all the resorts, and plan to stay at them all. We are members at SSR, so we always book SSR at the 11 mth window, and if we want to try a new resort, at 7 mths we call for availability. If nothing is available, so be it, we love SSR anyway.

E

 

[JimMIA]

I believe in BWYWTS... that is why I owe at 4 resorts.

I owe, I owe...it's off to work I go!

 

[Jaaron2]

I owe, I owe...it's off to work I go!

Just heard today that my resale went through 100 BCV (paperwork came back from seller and closing was completed) I just got done paying for my 200 pt purchase at AKV earlier in the year. I need to back away from the computer..........

No....more...add...on's...

 

[OneMoreTry]

Since you are only guaranteed the ability to stay at your home resort, since no resort is guaranteed to be part of any system that allows one to stay at any other resort, there is only one answer. You must buy where you want to stay. Period. End of story.

Since when is anyone guaranteed a stay at their home resort?

Home resort only guarantees an advantage when making reservations IF you make them before the room you want is booked.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

DH and I both fell in love with BWV, and also thought the room choices were great so BWYWTS, but...

both of our WDW trips since purchasing has been with a group of 9 people, (who knew) so... affordable OKW GVs would have been nice. We also love having the choice of Standard, Preferred, and Boardwalk Views.

Buy Where You Are Comfortable with Room Choices.

BWYACWRC

 

[Jaaron2]

DH and I both fell in love with BWV, and also thought the room choices were great so BWYWTS, but...

both of our WDW trips since purchasing has been with a group of 9 people, (who knew) so... affordable OKW GVs would have been nice. We also love having the choice of Standard, Preferred, and Boardwalk Views.

Buy Where You Are Comfortable with Room Choices.

BWYACWRC

One of the big factors on why we chose AKV to be our "main home" was the fact most rooms held five while their 2 bedroom held 9 people. This was a nice perk for us.

 

[starbox]

I'm in the buy-the-best-deal as long as you don't mind staying there camp. I think most DVC owners sleep around anyway.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I'm in the buy-the-best-deal as long as you don't mind staying there camp. I think most DVC owners sleep around anyway.