Purchasing resale property - question...

[Crystal_27]

DH and I are seriously considering buying into the DVC through resale but I'm really struggling with what resort to buy into. Obviously, the Vero Beach and Hilton Head resorts will net us with many more points at a lesser cost than buying at one of the Disney World resorts. Therefore, it seems like the best value would be to buy into either of the beach properties. However, our goal in buying into DVC is to vacation at Disney World every year and not the beach, so would we be making a mistake by buying into one of the beach properties when our plan is going to be to vacation at Disney World? Can we expect that if we are flexible that we'll be able to book at one of the Disney resorts at the 7-month window? Is it a better option to buy a lesser amount of points to ensure that we'll be at one of the Disney World resorts?

Any honest input would very, very much be appreciated. Thank you so much!

 

[Sandisw]

I think that you should buy at one of the WDW resorts if your goal is WDW. First of all, while the upfront cost of VB is less, the MF are almost $2.00 more than other placed. Even on a small 100 pt contract, that adds up to $200.00 more per year. It won't take long to make your "good deal" not seems so good.

Right now, if you are not concerned about the DVC resort you stay at on property, SSR has some great deals. They have a longer contract date (expire in 2054 vs. VB/HH which expire in 2042) and are only maybe $10 - $15 dollars per point more than VB/HH.

You get to book at your home resort 11 months in advance but only 7 months at other resorts. Depending on when you travel, this may or may not be an issue. Most owners book there reservations at 11 months at home resort and then try to switch at 7 months. If it doesn't happen, at least they know they have a room somewhere.

The other thing to think about, regardless of resort, is your UY. You want to try to choose a UY that is right before you typically travel. You can bank your points, if you have to cancel a trip, in the first 8 months of the UY. While I know that people's plans and schedules can change over the years, it can be important.

I knew I wanted to be at BLT but didn't want to buy in at the high point level, so I bought a small resale contract a VWL and then added-on at BLT. It allowed me to get in with a small investment and then add on at my favorite resort with less points.

Good luck and happy planning! It is a lot of fun and an exciting time as I just went through it in the last month!!!

 

[DisneyDreamers2007]

With timeshares people always say "buy where you will be staying" so you make sure to get the resort you want, and maybe that will be especially true in the future for DVC as we get more members, but I think you would be fine if you want to buy into VB or HH. There seems to be good availability at 7months (except for during holidays and F&W festival at BCV and BWV), especially if you are happy with any resort in WDW and are not concerned about always getting a certain location. We choose the BWV resale because that's where we want to stay on most trips, so it just made sense to lock in that location, but I know most people are able to still book this resort at 7 months right now.

Also, make sure you check out annual dues as you factor in the total cost, as I know VB has the highest annual dues.

 

[CarolMN]

I agree with Sandi - if you don't plan to stay at either VB or HHI, then buy something at WDW. If you consider maintenance fees and length of the contract, VB & HHI will not turn out to be the great value they appear to be at first glance.

Also, even though it is quite unlikely, Disney could sell VB or HHI and then those owners would no longer be part of the Vacation Club. Thus you would not be able to use those points to reserve at WDW.

There are many more reports here of diificulty reserving at 7 months than there are reports that say it's a piece of cake. Unless you can't see yourself reserving more than 7 months in advance, buy something at WDW. Pick a resort where you wouldn't be disappointed to stay if nothing else was available.

 

[littlestar]

SSR resale is the best value out there right now for an onsite WDW DVC resort. You get the extra years (expires in 2054) and decent annual dues. We just bought 100 points resale and was able to buy it at $71 a point. With closing costs added in, it was right at $75 a point.

I'm happy staying at SSR as I really like the resort. But since we don't travel at holiday times, I've been able to book pretty much any DVC resort at the 7 month window. I've used the wait list a few times, but not very often.

 

[Dean]

SSR resale is the best value out there right now for an onsite WDW DVC resort. You get the extra years (expires in 2054) and decent annual dues. We just bought 100 points resale and was able to buy it at $71 a point. With closing costs added in, it was right at $75 a point.

I'm happy staying at SSR as I really like the resort. But since we don't travel at holiday times, I've been able to book pretty much any DVC resort at the 7 month window. I've used the wait list a few times, but not very often.

I would concur, SSR is the best current value. Unless one is tied to a given resort or unit type OR simply hates SSR and would not stay there, it may be the best option and is definitely the best bang for the buck. Still, there are other values including OKW due to cheaper points overall, AKV value units and BCV standard view units. While VB and HH are cheaper still, their dues are higher and you do not have an 11 month option at WDW. In the past I've said that the price difference between resale and retail or one resort vs another was not enough to drive the decision. I think that has changed due to raising retail prices combined with the mild reduction due to the economy for resale.

 

[Crystal_27]

I wanted to thank you all for your honest input. After really REALLY considering what we need and where we want to stay, I think that we are just going to buy into BLT. We like to stay on the monorail so that's the best option for us.

While the resales are certainly cheaper and make more economic sense, I think that, in the long run, we would regret not buying into the resort that we really want to be at.

Anyway, thank you all for taking the time to respond, and I hope to be a proud owner in a month or two.

Now, my understanding is that I need a current DVC owner to use as a referral in order to get the discounted point price and the cruise. How does that work?? Thanks again for taking the time to respond.

 

[formguy]

You just need the name and city/state of a current DVC member to get the referral discount. You just provide that information to your guide when you're ready to take the leap.

Just send me a private message and I'd be glad to provide.

 

[Inkmahm]

You just need the name and city/state of a current DVC member to get the referral discount. You just provide that information to your guide when you're ready to take the leap.

Just send me a private message and I'd be glad to provide.

Of course, then you get the referral credit, too!

 

[Sandisw]

I wanted to thank you all for your honest input. After really REALLY considering what we need and where we want to stay, I think that we are just going to buy into BLT. We like to stay on the monorail so that's the best option for us.

While the resales are certainly cheaper and make more economic sense, I think that, in the long run, we would regret not buying into the resort that we really want to be at.

Anyway, thank you all for taking the time to respond, and I hope to be a proud owner in a month or two.

Now, my understanding is that I need a current DVC owner to use as a referral in order to get the discounted point price and the cruise. How does that work?? Thanks again for taking the time to respond.

Great choice! This is the one reason why we added on at BLT this month. We know that is where we will be the happiest, even if the financial commitment is more.

The purpose of WDW and DVC is to have a magical time and being at the right resort is key!!!

Good luck with your new purchase!!! PM me if you still need a referral.

 

[quentina]

DH and I are seriously considering buying into the DVC through resale but I'm really struggling with what resort to buy into. Obviously, the Vero Beach and Hilton Head resorts will net us with many more points at a lesser cost than buying at one of the Disney World resorts. Therefore, it seems like the best value would be to buy into either of the beach properties. However, our goal in buying into DVC is to vacation at Disney World every year and not the beach, so would we be making a mistake by buying into one of the beach properties when our plan is going to be to vacation at Disney World? Can we expect that if we are flexible that we'll be able to book at one of the Disney resorts at the 7-month window? Is it a better option to buy a lesser amount of points to ensure that we'll be at one of the Disney World resorts?

Any honest input would very, very much be appreciated. Thank you so much!

We own VB and HH....have stayed at VB once, probably never will again. For the first 5 years of our membership, we never went to HHI. Then kids came along and we tried it.....now, we go just about each year.

I am doing an add-on and am really going back and forth as to where to purchase.

HHI is cheaper however, I have enough points for my 11 month window.
AKL and WL are my favorites. I am going back and forth between the two.

Now, to answer ypur question, I have never had a problem booking at 7 months. We are really not picky and have stayed everywhere. We have never not been able to get a room.....always successful.

If you plan on going over CHristmas/Easter etc, you may want to get where you think you will stay. If you want a studio at HHI for July, I would buy there.

I will probably add onto my HH points to do so at the cheaper $$$. I buy direct from Disney, not resale. I have an APril UY. If I buy now, I get 08 points that I can bank and 09 points come April.

If I do AKL, it is either the developer points or the cruise.

WL is 08 and 09 points.

So, right now it is about what incentives interest me.

Kim

 

[Malady]

Buy where you want to stay!!!!