Question about determining home resort

[nderh2o]

Ok, so I am again thinking of joining and was wondering if the following was correct. Say I bought 160 points at SSR or AKL via the current promotions. My family would require at least a 1 BR (2 BR at SSR) if you abide by the current occupancy rates. So 160 points would not be enough for a week in mid/late June. So, suppose I purchased the remainder at Hilton Head or Vero Beach via resale (substantially cheaper than SSR or AKL). Do these points still have the same value at AKL and SSR? If so, let me go one further...
Suppose I bought 300 points at Hilton Head or Vero Beach and then 50 points via resale at a Disney World property. Would the Disney World property still be considered a home resort since I own a small amount of points? If so, then why would anyone buy a large chunk at WDW resort? I assume I am missing something?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Anywhere you own points is a home resort. We have three home resorts.

But you can only use those home resort points 7-11 months out for the home resort advantage for booking. All points are the same 7 months and less. No home resort advantage any longer.

People buy at WDW DVC resorts for the 11 month advantage for special circumstances - grand villas, the Boardwalk View, holiday seasons or other quickly booking times. Plus the monthly dues are lower at the WDW DVC resorts than they are at the non-WDW DVC resorts.

 

[Figment2]

The reason most people buy at a specific resort is to get the 11 month window. You only get the 11 month window for the specific amount of points at that resort (so if you want to make a reservation at BWV and only own 50 BWV pints but also have 150 at Vero you can only use 50 at BWV at 11 months or wait until the 7 month window to use the whole 200).

You also have to look at the dues. Vero Beach may cost less to buy in but it has the highest dues.

I own BWV because I vacation during the Food & Wine and also like to take a long weekend in December. In order to get a standard view at BWV (low points), I need the 11 month booking window.

Do points at different resorts have the same value? Not sure what you are asking. There is a difference in resale but for booking purposes all points are equal at 7 months.

Cyn

 

[LisaS]

The 11-month booking priority only applies to points owned at that resort. So if you owned 300 points at HHI and purchased a 50-pt add-on at, say, SSR, at 11 months from checkout you could book up to 50 points at SSR. Then at 7 months out, you could try to add additional nights to your reservation (subject to availability) with HHI points. SSR and OKW are large resorts so it's likely there would be availability at one of those resorts 7 months out.

One thing to bear in mind is that over the lifetime of the contract, the dues will be the largest cost. VB may have a lower purchase price but it has the highest dues so it will be the most expensive resort to own over the long term.

If you want to vacation at WDW but want the lowest cost, you might consider purchasing OKW rather than VB or HHI. That would give you the option to book your entire stay on site 11 months out. Just be aware that OKW contracts expire Jan 31, 2042 vs. Jan 31, 2054 for SSR and Jan 31, 2057 for AKV.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Just wanted to point out something else as well. Just because points appear cheaper on the exterior for HH and VB, doesn't mean they will be over the long run. For example, Vero Beach has by far the highest maintenance fees, and those don't look to be coming down anytime soon because of the threat of hurricanes in that area. My advice is to bjuy where you will most likely want to stay, and if that is at one of the WDW resorts, then buy there, and buy enough points to get you a week in the size accommodations you require. BTW, AKV maintenance is not too high, and SSR has the lowest maintenance fees right now.

 

[nderh2o]

Thanks to all who responded. You all have answered my Qs and hopefully this will assist me and DW in making our decision. I'm told by our guide (Greg Coots) that points at SSR and AKL are discounted at least through the end of March so we may be making a decision soon.