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

[paulasillars]

2. Buy Where You Wouldn't Mind Staying. I believe that Crisi should be credited as the first I saw to advocate this position. This advice suggests that people should avoid buying at a resort that they really wouldn't be happy staying in a lot, but if they are truly okay with staying there if other options fall through at the 7 month window, then the resort should be on the potential "buy list" for a buyer.

We have been members since 2003 and own at SSR and so far we haven't stayed there and although we will be booking it at our 11 month window, we will try elsewhere at our 7 month window.

The reason is we know we can stay at SSR when we can't go anywhere else and we'd be happy to stay there.

Due to the huge expense and need to plan our trips in terms of holiday leave etc, we plan a long way in advance (usually 12-18 months out) so can be a little flexible on the dates too to fit in with the DVC availability.

Also we always tend to travel in the DVC low points season as this also tends to work in well with us - DINKS.

 

[NYMomof4]

I chose "buy where you don't mind staying," because for my family that means that we tend to plan at the 7 month mark (or less) rather than the 11 month home advantage mark. SSR tends to have rooms available, due to its size, so if I can't get another resort for a particular trip, I am happy to get anything at SSR. For others, I know that not getting a particular resort can be disappointing and buying where they want to stay would be more important of planning at 11 months is possible.

I also went for the buy the best deal for my recent add-on. I chose SSR for the double dev. points because it came loaded with 2006 and 2007 points, plus the extra dev. points and the dues were lower. I almost bought AKV, but decided that I would wait and add a smaller point add-on next year or so. I think that many seasoned members have found the joy of adding on at favorite resorts can be a good way to secure a reservation at some of the smaller DVC resorts. The first purchase is often the hardest decision but adding on is easy

 

[vascubaguy]

My advice is more a combo of two of them...

Buy the best deal for where you wouldn't mind staying. And if you definitely want to be able to stay at a certain place most of the time, buy there otherwise you are just setting yourself up for disappointment later...

 

[eporter66]

My advice is more a combo of two of them...

Buy the best deal for where you wouldn't mind staying. And if you definitely want to be able to stay at a certain place most of the time, buy there otherwise you are just setting yourself up for disappointment later...

Are there really people who actually hate a particular resort? I can understand not liking a particular theme, or location, but would it really get to the point of ruining someones vacation?

I would like to hear what issues people would have.

 

[flyerron]

Are there really people who actually hate a particular resort? I can understand not liking a particular theme, or location, but would it really get to the point of ruining someones vacation?

I would like to hear what issues people would have.

Yeah, I'm not sure I would understand the mentality of a resort hater at DVC. If there was only 1 resort (any 1 of them) Who would know the difference & anyone should be happy to stay there.

 

[jarestel]

Are there really people who actually hate a particular resort? I can understand not liking a particular theme, or location, but would it really get to the point of ruining someones vacation?

It's probably not as extreme as "hating" a particular resort, just more along the lines of simply preferring another. Preferring to stay at resort X shouldn't necessarily be taken to mean that one "hates" all of the other resorts. Those without strong preferences use different criteria when deciding where to purchase than do the folks who have a special affinity for a particular resort.

 

[Granny]

Are there really people who actually hate a particular resort? I can understand not liking a particular theme, or location, but would it really get to the point of ruining someones vacation?

I would like to hear what issues people would have.

Let's put it this way. We've seen on these boards more than a few times that people have reserved at their favorite resort, yet still had their vacation "ruined" because the room they were assigned didn't meet their requests.

That's just their reaction for not getting their room requests. Imagine how their vacation would have been if they didn't even get into the resort they preferred!

 

[Lexxiefern]

I voted BWYWTS. I own at my favorite resorts and the only time I stay elsewhere is when I cannot get my home(s). Like my upcoming trip to SSR, I am very excited to stay there, but it wasn't my first (or 2nd) choice. I don't mind if this happens once in while, especially when I book late. But I want the majority of my trips to be at my home (BWV or BCV).

 

[crisi]

Are there really people who actually hate a particular resort? I can understand not liking a particular theme, or location, but would it really get to the point of ruining someones vacation?

I would like to hear what issues people would have.

Yes. I wouldn't stay at SSR. If it were the only resort at Disney, we'd stay offsite or wouldn't go. I won't go into reasons because it will become resort bashing - but yes, people really do dislike some resorts enough not to stay there. (Everything I dislike about SSR is completely subjective - other people find the things I don't like to be some of the best things about the resort.)

I also wouldn't stay at BCVs with a child of a certain age. Just wouldn't. SAB is too scary to me to be with a kid who needed to be constantly watched in the water but was fairly independant on land (I'm thinking the six to ten or so age). Especially if kids outnumbered adults.

 

[starbox]

Are there really people who actually hate a particular resort? I can understand not liking a particular theme, or location, but would it really get to the point of ruining someones vacation?

I would like to hear what issues people would have.

I doubt that many people "hate" a resort. There are (so far) 6 on-site DVCs. I'd be very happy staying at 4 out of those six. I don't "hate" the other two, I would just prefer to stay elsewhere.

I think the only real danger comes when you own at a resort where you have that "I'd rather not stay there" feeling. BUT - I also doubt that most people have actually stayed at many of the DVC properties prior to buying, in which case they are making decisions based on pictures or percieved advantages/disadvantages. The reality may be much different.

I know that for me, my actual experience at each resort was much different than what I expected (with the single exception of BWV).