Pros/Cons to purchasing Vero resale (for WDW use)

[XoxoAmy]

Hi! I am considering purchasing 180-200 points at VB resale, and would love this group's feedback.

I understand the drawback in trying to use VB points at WDW. I have to wait for the 7 month mark, and it's likely that the resort we want won't be available. I also know that the MFs are much higher at VB.

However, I will be using these points to primarily book short weekend solo stays for runDisney races (4 weekends per year). I'm not that picky on where I stay, I just like staying on property. The price difference is so huge right now (VB contracts for $60pp), I'm thinking that even if I use these points at OKW and SS, I'm still saving much more than if I rented points over the same 3-4 year period.

I would potentially sell VB a few years down the road, or maybe not. When we take longer family trips I can use it for 1 or 2bds at a variety of resorts, many of which are available at the 7 month mark.

Thoughts?

Thanks!!

 

[supersnoop]

The higher dues will overcome the lower purchase price in 8 years; maybe sooner. Cheaper now; much more expensive in the long run.

 

[Brian Noble]

I will be using these points to primarily book short weekend solo stays for runDisney races (4 weekends per year)

Marathon weekend is of the hardest times to book anything in a studio at 7 months. You could possibly find yourself staying in a 1BR, at which point any cost savings of having Vero starts to vanish in a hurry. A waitlist will probably come through as people realize their planning eyes were bigger than their training stomachs, but even so--harrowing.

The other three events aren't as bad, because they aren't as big, but still---you aren't the only person with this idea. I'd want the 11-month advantage somewhere for those.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

Hi! I am considering purchasing 180-200 points at VB resale, and would love this group's feedback.

I understand the drawback in trying to use VB points at WDW. I have to wait for the 7 month mark, and it's likely that the resort we want won't be available. I also know that the MFs are much higher at VB.

However, I will be using these points to primarily book short weekend solo stays for runDisney races (4 weekends per year). I'm not that picky on where I stay, I just like staying on property. The price difference is so huge right now (VB contracts for $60pp), I'm thinking that even if I use these points at OKW and SS, I'm still saving much more than if I rented points over the same 3-4 year period.

I would potentially sell VB a few years down the road, or maybe not. When we take longer family trips I can use it for 1 or 2bds at a variety of resorts, many of which are available at the 7 month mark.

Thoughts?

Thanks!!

If you want sleep around points I would strongly suggest SSR and not VB. The VB annual dues are extremely high and that is the highest cost of ownership. Right now you could realistically probably get a 200 point SSR contract for around $95 a point. You could probably get VB at $55 a point. (+ or minus 5-10 $pp on both contracts, but use this as an exemplar).

That's $19,000 before closing costs for the SSR contract and $11,000 before closing costs for VB.

VB Annual dues are $12.85 pp, SSR Annual Dues are $7.86 per point, a $4.99 pp difference, $1,000 per year.

However your analysis shouldn't stop there because:

1. Annual dues go up every year, and they are going up faster in both raw dollar and percentage terms for VB than SSR;
2. VB only has 19 years left on it's contract. That means it is worthless in 19 years. Realistically, it may go to $0 value before then, especially if the dues start to exceed the rental value of the points. SSR has 31 years left on it's contract. If you use either contract for, lets say 10 years, and then decide to resell it, you might get your initial investment back from SSR, or at least close to it. You could even sell it for more than you bought it for. With VB that is incredibly unlikely.
3. You can stay at SSR at WDW with 11 month booking priority. It's a nice hotel, and is walkable to Disney Springs.

I think VB for SAP is a bad idea.

 

[Sandisw]

Things are ever changing and I just don’t think owning an off site resort for stays at WDW is worth it in the long run.

As mentioned, some of those times you want to visit are busy and it may not be as easy to book as you hope.

 

[Jlo85]

It's not just that the Vero Beach has high dues, it's that the dues are outpacing the other resorts, and are also probably going to outpace rack and renting inflation. Saratoga Springs is a better bet for SAPs right now.

And if you are not necessarily committed to DVC long-term, you'd be better off and safer renting. Especially, if at some times of year you're going to need 11-month booking. Also gives you the flexibility to stay at one of the Epcot resorts for the races.

Dolphin/Swan are also probably a cheaper option, if you're really not picky about where you stay.

 

[ngl]

We are owners at VB and we love it there. We make at least one long weekend visit each year (we live in FL, about 3 hrs away). Having said that, our other contracts are BLT. We bought VB solely to get our 11 month window to book the 3 bedroom cottage (only 6 cottages and we tend to visit in high season). We rarely use our VB points for other DVC properties unless something comes up. As others have mentioned, the dues are much higher (property on the beach just has more maintenance issues in general) so for that reason I agree with others that unless your main purpose is actually to use it for VB stays (which does not sound to be but would highly recommend) then I would also vote for SSR.

 

[DVC Doctor]

Don't buy VB unless that is the main location you want to stay. If you want Disney and looking for the best deal, then SSR is traditionally the cheapest route.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

Something else to keep in mind here. If VB dues continue increasing at just the current rate, in 6 years they will be over $20 per point. I would bet a lot that at that point, the contract will effectively be worthless and we'll start seeing them pop up on ebay for $1 plus closing costs. That might happen sooner.

 

[XoxoAmy]

Something else to keep in mind here. If VB dues continue increasing at just the current rate, in 6 years they will be over $20 per point. I would bet a lot that at that point, the contract will effectively be worthless and we'll start seeing them pop up on ebay for $1 plus closing costs. That might happen sooner.

Yep - I think you are right. Esp. where FL will only be getting more hurricanes over time, not less. This and all of the other helpful insight has lead me to look at WDW resale options instead of VB. I appreciate all of the feedback!

 

[RoseGold]

The other problem is Vero's chart. This resort just doesn't have a lot of points, so costs are going to hit harder by point. It's one of the reasons the dues are so high and keep jumping. A hurricane would be an absolute nightmare.

I'd just buy SSR. It's the classic SAP for a reason.