Question about where to buy

[Bennettsmommy]

So we have been considering buying DVC points for years. We now have a 1 year old and plan to have more children. Even single Disney was a regular vacation for us now that we are married with kids we will go at least yearly. The problem I'm facing is where to buy. We live in California so buying at the VGC makes the best choice. The problem is that it is just so expensive and requires such a large amount of points for such a small stay. I would rather buy in and own at a Disney World hotel and buy double the points. That way we would have a large number of points to use at VGC. We have no restrictions on when we travel and can be flexible on dates. Do you think it's possible to be able to book at the VGC at the 7 month mark. If we had a greater number of points we could do a one or two bedroom, would that increase the likely hood of getting in at 7 months out? I have also considered a smaller vgc contract so I could bank or borrow points I need and a smaller contract at WDW. Is love some input or opinions. Thanks!

 

[zavandor]

It is possible but it's not going to be easy.
To book at the VGC you need to be online exactly at 7 months out and often there is no availability anyway.
If you plan to book 1BR, though, it may be easier, those are the last to go.

If you want to stay at VGC most of the time, it makes sense to buy there.

 

[Smile&Nod]

Also, please consider that this is a long term investment - while you have flexibility in your travel dates now, as you have more children and they get in school you may be more limited to popular times which could make getting VGC at 7 months impossible!

 

[nalajms]

I don't think anyone can tell you how hard it will be to get reservations there at 7m, since they don't know exactly how flexible you are. Everyone's different. I say if you're willing to take the risk, then buy at a cheaper resort and try it out. If it doesn't work, you can sell it and buy VGC. Depending on the market when you sell, you may lose money. The other risk is that if you can't use your points, would you be willing to rent them out or vacation in FL?

Keep in mind that the initial buy in is only a small portion of total expenses for the life of the timeshare. And in 5 more years when your child's in school, will you still be as flexible?

If it was me, I'd buy a small VGC now to test the waters. You can still fit in a studio for a few years. Then add on later when you move to a 2bd, much better deal than the 1bd.

 

[Msmithmd]

Agree with the prior poster that VGC is high demand and difficult, but not impossible to book at the seven month mark. If more than half your trips will be to VGC, I would buy there.

 

[hjgaus]

So we have been considering buying DVC points for years. We now have a 1 year old and plan to have more children. Even single Disney was a regular vacation for us now that we are married with kids we will go at least yearly. The problem I'm facing is where to buy. We live in California so buying at the VGC makes the best choice. The problem is that it is just so expensive and requires such a large amount of points for such a small stay. I would rather buy in and own at a Disney World hotel and buy double the points. That way we would have a large number of points to use at VGC. We have no restrictions on when we travel and can be flexible on dates. Do you think it's possible to be able to book at the VGC at the 7 month mark. If we had a greater number of points we could do a one or two bedroom, would that increase the likely hood of getting in at 7 months out? I have also considered a smaller vgc contract so I could bank or borrow points I need and a smaller contract at WDW. Is love some input or opinions. Thanks!

Do you live in Southern California OR Northern California?

 

[Bennettsmommy]

Do you live in Southern California OR Northern California?

we live in northern CA

 

[Breyean]

we live in northern CA

We live in AZ. We own both VGC and OKW points.

When VGC first opened we didn't see the need for points there. We had been using our OKW points for stays at the Disney hotels at DLR. Even after DVC came to VGC, we were able to get rooms there.

But it got harder and harder.

So we bought 125 points there. Then another 75. Then another 125. As you noted, the nights there suck up the points.

We have now found a system that works for us. We use our VGC points to book at 11 months for hard to get dates. For us, that's for the various races they host at DLR. For others, it might be Christmas. But you get the idea. These are the trips we have planned to make WAY in advance.

Now, since we only go to WDW every few years now, we have a bunch of OKW points that don't get used there. So what we do is look for open nights at VGC (usually 3-4 nights in a block) once the 7 month window opens.

We have been luck to get stays during the July 4th week a couple of years ago; a couple of weeks before Christmas another time (including a night for the Candlelight Processional).

If you are like us, and are flexible and can drive there, so no making airline reservations last minute (and by that I mean between 1 to 7 months before the trip), you will probably find something at some times so you can use non VGC points. And, as has been said, booking a 1 bedroom is probably the easiest room type to get.

But if you are looking for traveling at very in demand times of the year, or can't just jump in the car but need to plan air fare, then maybe owning there is the better option.

 

[CailinFig]

So we have been considering buying DVC points for years. We now have a 1 year old and plan to have more children. Even single Disney was a regular vacation for us now that we are married with kids we will go at least yearly. The problem I'm facing is where to buy. We live in California so buying at the VGC makes the best choice. The problem is that it is just so expensive and requires such a large amount of points for such a small stay. I would rather buy in and own at a Disney World hotel and buy double the points. That way we would have a large number of points to use at VGC. We have no restrictions on when we travel and can be flexible on dates. Do you think it's possible to be able to book at the VGC at the 7 month mark. If we had a greater number of points we could do a one or two bedroom, would that increase the likely hood of getting in at 7 months out? I have also considered a smaller vgc contract so I could bank or borrow points I need and a smaller contract at WDW. Is love some input or opinions. Thanks!

We live in southern cal and are newbies to dvc. We now own at VGC and Aulani. My initial plan was to buy SSR and book at the 7 month window. My husband was against buying a FL resort and a lot of the advice on this board steered me away from buying at a resort we wouldn't use.

We bought resale and had some extra Aulani points that were going to expire early next year. I haven't been able to find anything at VGC aside from some random weekday here and there. Even though we're within driving distance, it has been tough to piece together a 2-night stay. You might have more luck if you're consistently checking right at 8am eastern @the 7 month mark, but I'm thinking even that is luck of the draw.

I would suggest to have at least some points at VGC like you mentioned even if you want to buy majority of your points at another resort. Good luck!

 

[NoleFan]

I don't know about VGC but one thing to consider is that your travel patterns may change as your family grows and the kids get older. If you plan to keep DVC long term, your travel dates may not be as flexible. I really believe in buying where you want to stay especially if you are interested in resorts that could have availability issues. Good luck!

 

[judydvc]

I don't know about VGC but one thing to consider is that your travel patterns may change as your family grows and the kids get older. If you plan to keep DVC long term, your travel dates may not be as flexible. I really believe in buying where you want to stay especially if you are interested in resorts that could have availability issues. Good luck!

I am a long time DVC owner/ member since 1998 when I bought at the BWV. I also have a small add-on at the VWL but when the VGC opened I quickly bought another small add-on there. I live in southeast PA but have family in Vegas (and plan to retire there in a few years). When I realized that I was using my points to stay at the Hotels at Disneyland buying at the VGC was a good idea. The DVC part of the GC is small so it really helps to own there if you want to stay there. I really believe you should buy where you want to stay.